chatham vs. vista way

kcw

kcw

Member
Original Poster
hey I was just wanting to get some opinions from people who had lived in either of these two- I'm definitely leaning towards chatham from what I hear- i'm not really a party girl and I'd like to be able to get some sleep once in a while! haha the only bad thing I've heard about chatham is that the buses don't pick up there or something, but I'll have my car with me so that shouldn't be a problem. Other than that, are there any downsides to chatham that make vista way any better?? does anyone have any pictures of chatham? (besides the ones that are on the CP website)??? and one more random question- do they have any rules prohibiting cinder blocks and using them to raise, or to L-shape you and your roomates beds?! thanks guys- you all have been so helpful!!! I hate going into things and not knowing exactly what to expect- i know I ask a lot of questions! haha
 
AliciaLuvzDizne

AliciaLuvzDizne

Well-Known Member
kcw said:
hey I was just wanting to get some opinions from people who had lived in either of these two- I'm definitely leaning towards chatham from what I hear- i'm not really a party girl and I'd like to be able to get some sleep once in a while! haha the only bad thing I've heard about chatham is that the buses don't pick up there or something, but I'll have my car with me so that shouldn't be a problem. Other than that, are there any downsides to chatham that make vista way any better?? does anyone have any pictures of chatham? (besides the ones that are on the CP website)??? and one more random question- do they have any rules prohibiting cinder blocks and using them to raise, or to L-shape you and your roomates beds?! thanks guys- you all have been so helpful!!! I hate going into things and not knowing exactly what to expect- i know I ask a lot of questions! haha
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oh thanks for starting this thread!!


Whomever has the pictures of Chatham...can you also post some of Vista so we can compare?
 
kal1484

kal1484

Well-Known Member
I'll have to work on pics, but I lived in both, and the kitchen area and bathroom is the only place that I like Chatham a lot better. Chatham is newer, but I liked them both about the same. I was in a 3/3 in Chatham, and a 2/2 in Vista. I think I have some pics of inside so I'll try to hunt them down.
 
egionet

egionet

New Member
I wish I had pictures of my apartment in Chatham, but I only have real pictures and no scanner. Two of my roommates were very well off, and decided to purchase slip covers for our couch and arm chair, as well as a new side table, papasan chair, a patio set, and tons of other just "home" touches. They spent a pretty penny, but it was definitely better looking than the others.

I don't know if they prohibit cinder blocks, but they definitely do allow bed risers. You can get them at Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond for like $10. They were a life saver for me because you can't fit anything under your bed. Although I didn't live at Vista, I was very happy at Chatham and would definitely recommend that over Vista anyday. It tends to be a lot quieter, which I really liked. It's also newer, so it looks nicer. But it's all up to your style and personality. I'm sure where ever you are, you'll make tons of friends and have a great time.
 
AliciaLuvzDizne

AliciaLuvzDizne

Well-Known Member
wdwprincess03 said:
I'll have to work on pics, but I lived in both, and the kitchen area and bathroom is the only place that I like Chatham a lot better. Chatham is newer, but I liked them both about the same. I was in a 3/3 in Chatham, and a 2/2 in Vista. I think I have some pics of inside so I'll try to hunt them down.
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Thank you :D :wave:
 
T

typhoonguy

New Member
Vista has hot tubs, but I would avoid them at all costs. Chatham has more grassy areas and fields, and is right across from mickey's retreat. Chatham is indeed newer and quieter. The busses run from chatham just as they do from Vista. Chatham is also close to the commons (just in case you have any friends staying there). Living in both I preffered Chatham, but only because of bigger spaces for football games. :)
 
schroder6452

schroder6452

New Member
I lived in both of them, got some pictures of my (messy) apt, just got to go find my links to them again. I liked my time in each of them, but I lean towards Vista mainly because I didn't have a car and I don't care to bum rides off of people so at least at Vista I had food and Walgreens right there.
 
Scar Junior

Scar Junior

Active Member
Oh the hot tubs... It's not like there isn't chlorine and it's not like they don't clean it. I've stayed at many Disney Resorts where kids have pooped in the pool. How is that any different?

Chatham is way nicer. Unless things have changed, you can't pick your apartment complex. You are assigned to a complex and room.

Busses run from Vista to Chatham and the Commons. So you have to transfer at Vista.

The parking is more convenient at Chatham.

There are still a lot of parties at Chatham. But I agree that Chatham has a quieter atmosphere. The Busses have to stay outside, as opposed to Vista. And and Vista's location compared to Chatham's location in general is just busier.

Chatham is walking distance to the Outlet Mall and grocery stood. But Vista is walking distance to fast food, Walgreens and the liquor store.

More comparisons to come (when I can think of them)...
 
Z

ZambeziZelda

Member
So, how long exactly does it take to take a bus from Chatham to Vista? And then how long of a walk is it to Walgreens/etc?

Also, I was told by my interviewer that they would try to give us the complex that we would prefer, so there must be a TEENY bit of a choice.
 
schroder6452

schroder6452

New Member
Taryn said:
So, how long exactly does it take to take a bus from Chatham to Vista? And then how long of a walk is it to Walgreens/etc?

Also, I was told by my interviewer that they would try to give us the complex that we would prefer, so there must be a TEENY bit of a choice.
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Chatham to Vista on a bus takes like less than 5 minutes, more like 3 or so. That is if it a direct from one to the other. If it has a stop at The Commons then a few minutes longer, depending on how long they stop there for. This is from how it was as of last Summer so I don't know how much it has changed, but Some buses run Vista>maybe Commons>Chatham>WDW destination>repeat..... and then some go Chatham>Commons>Vista>WDW destination>repeat.

To walgreens from Vista takes like a minute to walk from the guard shack. I never walked to the Publix/Walgreens area by Chatham so I can't tell you that.
 
L

LilRoo714

New Member
First, you do not get to choose your apartment complex simply because it's based on the outgoing group of college program kids. If they lived mainly in Vista those will be the open rooms and that's where you're placed. When I started, the majority of CPs were moving out of Chatham and we were placed there. In my opinion, there's nothing better about Vista than Chatham. The rooms are bigger at Chatham quite significantly from what I saw at friends places in Vista.

Secondly, proximity-wise the walk to Publix/Walgreens and the outlet malls (also Outback and Subway) was about 15 minutes if you walk pretty slow. It seemed like a pretty long haul to carry a lot of groceries though so I wouldn't suggest going alone or to get tons of stuff. But for a few things, it's not too bad if you don't go in the middle of the HOT afternoon.
 
egionet

egionet

New Member
LilRoo714 said:
First, you do not get to choose your apartment complex simply because it's based on the outgoing group of college program kids.
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Yes and no, when I arrived at check in, I was supposed to be living in Vista. I told them I didn't want to live there, and they easily put me in Chatham. Of course I was there right when check in started, which I'm sure made my request more reasonable. So if you get there as early as possible, you may have more of an option to request a complex.
 
Z

ZambeziZelda

Member
egionet said:
Yes and no, when I arrived at check in, I was supposed to be living in Vista. I told them I didn't want to live there, and they easily put me in Chatham. Of course I was there right when check in started, which I'm sure made my request more reasonable. So if you get there as early as possible, you may have more of an option to request a complex.
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This is good news. I'm definately leaning towards Chatham, because huge parties....kind of scare me (My host sister dragged me to too many of them in Germany, where I ended up sitting in the corner with a Fanta all night :lol:), plus I'd rather be in the newer place. And, as I'm showing up 4 days early to play in the park with my Mom, getting to check in early will be easy as pie
 
kcw

kcw

Member
Original Poster
wow thanks guys, I knew you'd come through for me! haha you'd think they have to give you a little bit of choice of your complex just because one is more expensive than the other...I know it's only a few bucks but still... I think I'm definitely gonna ask for chatham- although, ideally I'd love to be in the Commons! haha (there's really no chance if you're not international right?) thanks so much for the pictures schroder!! :p
 
jimmybop

jimmybop

Member
pluto77

pluto77

Well-Known Member
Scar Junior said:
Busses run from Vista to Chatham and the Commons. So you have to transfer at Vista.
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You don't have to transfer buses at Vista. At least you didn't when I was there in 2004, all the buses stopped at both Chatham and Vista, a few of them didn't stop at the commons, but the commons is within walking distance from Chatham anyway.
kcw said:
wow thanks guys, I knew you'd come through for me! haha you'd think they have to give you a little bit of choice of your complex just because one is more expensive than the other...I know it's only a few bucks but still... I think I'm definitely gonna ask for chatham- although, ideally I'd love to be in the Commons! haha (there's really no chance if you're not international right?) thanks so much for the pictures schroder!! :p
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Well it depends on how many ICPs they have at the time. I had a couple friends who started out living in the Commons, but they were kicked out when a bunch of new international students came.

For some reason Chatham is always known as the quieter complex, and Vista has more parties, and more going on at night. Chatham is newer, and little nicer, but that's not to say Vista is bad.
 
WDWlife

WDWlife

New Member
Chatham for Kids?

Thank you for the pictures! Very Helpful.

It looks like Disney will house me and my family in Chatham or Vista for a six month job I will be doing in the parks. We have a 2 year old (Pictured above). We are curious if there is a park or playground close by. I have heard there is a CM park close by.

The apartments look furnished, but barely. I assume bringing our own flare would help. But is there anything you needed that was just missing? (i.e. phone, plates, blankets)

Thanks!
 

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