The big adjustment

[ConstanceIrene]

Hey CPs and former CPs,

How long, on average, does it take to get used to the climate, hours, and general "being away from home" feeling?

In a room of 6 girls doing the CP, nobody is happy.

 

[SinginSarah]

The first month usually is the worst. It took me about that long to get used to everything, some people take longer, and some take less, and some just quit at the beginning.

Hang in there though, I knew two girls who were going to leave within their first months because they couldn't take it (one even had a flight arranged) and they both ended up extending their program. I personally thought of quitting a few times that first month, but I stuck it out and it was great.

But from experience, the first month is going to suck because you're in a new place with new people and a new job with long hours that you may not be used to. Plus you're the new kid at your job and still training. Once you know your job and make some friends, the rest just falls into place and you'll have a great time.

 

[elisatonks]

I agree with singingsarah, it varies from person to person. I think it also depends on who you end up living with. I was lucky and was settled within a few days, and i'm sure its because i hit it off with my roomies really quickly, we all enjoyed being together yet knew when we need to give each other private time. (I think it also helped 2 of my roomies had done college program before, and so already knew the ropes and were able to help the rest of us get settled easily.)

 

[mastif]

they pretty much nailed it, it really depends on who you are and alot of other things. I couldn't have asked for a better situation all around, and I never missed home or got home sick, I was having to much fun to stop and even think about it! gosh i still miss it

the work part might take a few weeks to getused to. You just have to remember that everyone else is going through the same thing, you'll be able to do it!

 

[DisneyChik17]

It didn't take me anytime at all. Maybe one day. After my parents drove off and all my tears were gone, I was OK. I love my apartment, my room mates, my role, everything is great. Some people have horrible roles though, and some have horrible room mates. I always say stick it out, but it is not for everyone.

You guys need to go and explore everything that you can. All the parks, all the shops, all the little things that come around. There is so much to do here.

 

[joanna71985]

I agree that it varies by every person. My first CP, it took me awhile to adjust (it was my first time living away from home, and I was pretty lonely). But for my other 4 CPs, I was so happy to be back in FL. So it wasn't too hard to get used to everything.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

I don't know how you adjust to being out in the sun for hours at a time and having to wait a full hour just to go to the bathroom.

The dehydration, the headache, the vomiting, and the fatigue are really tough.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

It didn't take me anytime at all. Maybe one day. After my parents drove off and all my tears were gone, I was OK. I love my apartment, my room mates, my role, everything is great. Some people have horrible roles though, and some have horrible room mates. I always say stick it out, but it is not for everyone.

You guys need to go and explore everything that you can. All the parks, all the shops, all the little things that come around. There is so much to do here.

It might be a little easier to tell somebody to "stick it out" since you work in a climate controlled atmosphere.
When you are out in the sun for hours and getting sick, it's a different story.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

There are too many factors to tell you how long exactly.

When I did my CP there were 8 of us in 1 apartment. I was 25 when I did my CP and I had previous experience working in an amusement park so I was used to being on my feet, in the sun.

It took me about 3 weeks to get used to the constant heat/humidity (and I was way overweight at the time)

Don't go out partying all night and then work the next day is my #1 advice. Drink lots of water and take as many breaks out of the sun as possible.

 

[ConstanceIrene]

There are too many factors to tell you how long exactly.

When I did my CP there were 8 of us in 1 apartment. I was 25 when I did my CP and I had previous experience working in an amusement park so I was used to being on my feet, in the sun.

It took me about 3 weeks to get used to the constant heat/humidity (and I was way overweight at the time)

Don't go out partying all night and then work the next day is my #1 advice. Drink lots of water and take as many breaks out of the sun as possible.

Thanks. She is drinking Gatorade and lots of water. The latest phone calls have been better and I think she's going to be OK as long as they move her around. Nobody should have to be in direct sun for hours and hours.

I do appreciate the support from you CPs who posted.

 

[FigmentPrincess]

It took me about 3 weeks after I finished training, so maybe 1-2 months. I go to school in Florida to begin with, so really it was just trying to handle a new job, new friends, new place and new roommates.

I really wouldn't recommend having 7! I have 2 at school and like that the best.

 

[TheBeatles]

It might be a little easier to tell somebody to "stick it out" since you work in a climate controlled atmosphere.
When you are out in the sun for hours and getting sick, it's a different story.

Ok... I had the WORST room mate in existence in my 1st apartment, I didn't much care for my role (my later one would keep me outdoors for 7.5 hours), but I loved my CP.

If you really analyze the CP, it seems kinda crummy. However, it's what you make of it. Everyone always says that because it's true.

 

[Courtney1188]

Ok... I had the WORST room mate in existence in my 1st apartment, I didn't much care for my role (my later one would keep me outdoors for 7.5 hours), but I loved my CP.

If you really analyze the CP, it seems kinda crummy. However, it's what you make of it. Everyone always says that because it's true.

...no, it's not always true. I've grown to hate that saying, actually.

I had a horrible CP experience, mostly due to my trainer. It started off with frequent racist and sexist comments. I told him that this bothered me, and he told me I needed to have thicker skin. Oh, then there was the time he got in huge trouble for closing the ride capsule while I was still inside (I've forgotten the exact right terminology for it), and thank god Mission: Space has motion detectors in that room because otherwise the ride would of launched and I would of been killed. He was angry about getting in trouble and proceeded to basically make my experience there hell. And yes, I spoke to our supervisor about this. I tried several times, and each time they said they would handle it. Each time, nothing happened, and when I went back to talk to them again they did not even remember who I was or talking to me in the first place.

I love Disney, and I'm a very hard worker. I didn't go there expecting all fun and games. But when you have someone you see almost every day working their hardest to make your life difficult? And no one is willing to help? And everyone who actually cares about you and would normally give you a hug and listen to you vent is 1200 miles away?


...what good could I of made out of that situation?

Sorry, I'm not meaning this to sound like I'm bashing what you said. Just hoping for people to remember that just because someone has a bad experience does not mean it was their fault. That seems to be what's implied with the whole 'its what you make of it'.

 

[TheBeatles]

...no, it's not always true. I've grown to hate that saying, actually.

I had a horrible CP experience, mostly due to my trainer. It started off with frequent racist and sexist comments. I told him that this bothered me, and he told me I needed to have thicker skin. Oh, then there was the time he got in huge trouble for closing the ride capsule while I was still inside (I've forgotten the exact right terminology for it), and thank god Mission: Space has motion detectors in that room because otherwise the ride would of launched and I would of been killed. He was angry about getting in trouble and proceeded to basically make my experience there hell. And yes, I spoke to our supervisor about this. I tried several times, and each time they said they would handle it. Each time, nothing happened, and when I went back to talk to them again they did not even remember who I was or talking to me in the first place.

I love Disney, and I'm a very hard worker. I didn't go there expecting all fun and games. But when you have someone you see almost every day working their hardest to make your life difficult? And no one is willing to help? And everyone who actually cares about you and would normally give you a hug and listen to you vent is 1200 miles away?


...what good could I of made out of that situation?

Sorry, I'm not meaning this to sound like I'm bashing what you said. Just hoping for people to remember that just because someone has a bad experience does not mean it was their fault. That seems to be what's implied with the whole 'its what you make of it'.

While I did see first hand some of the things you said happened during your time at Disney, I can only speak for myself.

I agree a bad experience is not their fault, but working at Disney is different from anywhere else in the world. I had a room mate who complained all the time because he worked at a place that was full of kids and he had to work long hours. I found most of the complaints to be because they didn't like work and not because they were being harassed by someone.

Do you know if that person is still employed with the company?

 

[Courtney1188]

While I did see first hand some of the things you said happened during your time at Disney, I can only speak for myself.

I agree a bad experience is not their fault, but working at Disney is different from anywhere else in the world. I had a room mate who complained all the time because he worked at a place that was full of kids and he had to work long hours. I found most of the complaints to be because they didn't like work and not because they were being harassed by someone.

Do you know if that person is still employed with the company?

No, they aren't employed with Disney anymore. I'm not sure of the specifics why...it happened after I was done with the program.

But I see what you mean about the people who just don't want to work hard, and yes I agree with you there.