What to Pack?

[MouseCrazy]

My daughter just got accepted for the spring internship at WDW (mouse addiction runs in the family LOL).
I have a few questions for all you fall interns:
We live on the west coast and are flying to Florida - because of all the airline restrictions - packing is a concern. I know there are packing lists on the D-intern websites, but I wanted to ask you guys ...

1) What should she pack - absolute essentials

2) Where should we go to shop for things Id rather not pack across the country (like towels and bedding)

3) As a mom - I want to do something special for her once she gets into her dorm (shhh .. don't tell her) She is planning on moving into Chatham. Can anyone give me a contact person there that could/would help me arrange for a surprise in her room?

 

[elisatonks]

I did the internatinal college program between oct 07 and apr 08 and because I'm from England my airline baggage allowance was only 2 suitcases, so from someone who had very little space here are my suggestions!!!

I'd make sure she has enough tolietries and cosmetics to last at least a week. I would also suggest bringing bedding, especailly if her flight arrives pretty late or on a sunday as she may struggle to get to walmart the day she arrives. (this is especially the case on Sundays and Florida Mall days, as the college program bus to Walmart doesn't run, and a return trip to walmart can set you back about $20!) Buy vacuum bags for bedding as this will half the size and create more room in the suitcase. (I also vaccum bagged my towels, and quite alot of my clothes.) I'd also recomend she packs something that reminds her of home, such as a teddy bear as this can help with homesickness! It is also really important to make sure she has some sort of business attire, for the first few days at work before she gets her costume, as disney are strict and one guy on my program ended up doing traditions a week later as he tried to turn up in jeans.
For things you really want to buy when you get there Walmart is pretty much a one stop shop and is about 10-15 min drive from each of the CP properties. The prime outlet malls are also within 5 min drive.
With regards to having something at her dorm, she won't actually find out where she is living till she gets there, and you are just assigned a flat and the rooms are allocated on a first come, first serve basis within the house. (For example i had to take what was left as my Brazilian and Mexican roomies arrived alot earlier than me and had already choosen their rooms.) However it may worth contacting the disney florist as they may be able to do something for you, either for when she arrives or soon after.

 

[Bug715]

My daughter just got accepted for the spring internship at WDW (mouse addiction runs in the family LOL).
I have a few questions for all you fall interns:
We live on the west coast and are flying to Florida - because of all the airline restrictions - packing is a concern. I know there are packing lists on the D-intern websites, but I wanted to ask you guys ...

1) What should she pack - absolute essentials

2) Where should we go to shop for things Id rather not pack across the country (like towels and bedding)

3) As a mom - I want to do something special for her once she gets into her dorm (shhh .. don't tell her) She is planning on moving into Chatham. Can anyone give me a contact person there that could/would help me arrange for a surprise in her room?

Congrats to her!! and to you for having an excuse to go to WDW!!

1) Clothes (even a winter coat because it can get cold down there). I took my bedding just because it was familiar and one less thing I had to buy. I also took the risers I use on my dorm bed so I'd have extra storage. Enough toiletries for a few days until she can get to the store. Then some movies, decorations, etc that are her favorites. I bought posters while I was there so I didn't even need the ones I took down.

2) Wal Mart is the closest and that's where everyone goes for everything. My roommate and I and our families went to Target which is a bit further but we wanted Target for decoration stuff. There either a Linens 'n Things or Bed Bath and Beyond (sorry I don't remember which) that is a bit of a drive (and a toll or two) but they have coupons and stuff you can't get at target or wal mart.

3) As elisatonks said she won't know until check in day where she's living. I doubt there is anyone who will take anything into her apartment because of privacy and such. You could send flowers but she'll have to pick them up at the gate because they aren't allowed in (my mom loved that part even though she was sad she couldn't surprise me with them). I know I've seen on the disney florist site that there are cute baskets for CPs with snacks and such in them.

Feel free to PM me with any questions either of you have. I loved my program. I'm a campus rep and am moving back in Janurary to hopefully a Professional Internship. Contrats again!:sohappy:

 

[disneychic71]

How does CP work?

Sorry--this should be a new thread, but I'm not sure how to do that! My daughter, who is still quite young, is obsessed with working at Disney. How does the college program work? Are there only certain majors that they look for (such as Hotel Management)? Is there a website where I can get reliable information? Thanks!

 

[Bug715]

Sorry--this should be a new thread, but I'm not sure how to do that! My daughter, who is still quite young, is obsessed with working at Disney. How does the college program work? Are there only certain majors that they look for (such as Hotel Management)? Is there a website where I can get reliable information? Thanks!

The website is disneycollegeprogram.com. It is a paid semester long program that is open to all majors. The jobs aren't major specific (for the most part) but a great way to put disney on your resume and get experience and be able to apply for Professional Internships which are in major specific areas.

There are 4 apartment complexes (1 is for only international students) which are gated. They check your ID every time you go in and you have to go outside the gate for deliveries such as pizza and flowers. The apartments are very close to the DTD area of property and have pool parties, grocery bingo, and other great events exclusivly for CPs.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me. There are many past and present CPs here on the board.

 

[disneychic71]

thank you--I'll check it out!

 

[Tinkrbell]

There's also the Career Start Program, which is the program Im here on. You dont need to be in college for that one, just recently graduated high school.

 

[joanna71985]

Sorry--this should be a new thread, but I'm not sure how to do that! My daughter, who is still quite young, is obsessed with working at Disney. How does the college program work? Are there only certain majors that they look for (such as Hotel Management)? Is there a website where I can get reliable information? Thanks!

I see you are in NJ- what part?

The CP is a great experience. I'm glad your daughter is looking ahead to the future.