I just received an email from Disney Housing Operations that I thought I'd share with all of you. It's about hurricane season:

Dear Cast Members:

As many of you know, hurricane season will begin June 1 and continues through November 30. As Florida natives, we know there are some basic, proactive actions you can take to help ensure you’re prepared in the event of a hurricane:

+ Always have plenty of non-perishable food items. Remember, we may be without electricity for extended periods of time, so cooking will not be possible.
+ Keep on hand at least one gallon of water per person in your apartment.
+ Have a battery-operated light with fresh batteries. Glow sticks also work very well.
+ Have a portable radio with fresh batteries.
+ Have a supply of back-up batteries.
+ Make sure your renter’s insurance policy is paid up and current.


A couple of side notes:

+ During a hurricane it is imperative that you remain inside your apartment until the storm has passed over completely. We will notify you when clearance has been issued by local authorities.
+ Taping the windows is ineffective, so please don’t waste your time. Keeping the windows and blinds completely closed is the best course of action when wind speeds increase.
+ When a storm is within 24 hours of impacting our area, visitors will not be allowed access to any housing complex, and Program Participants will have access to their home property only. Security will stop accepting visitor authorization forms and will not allow anyone who does not live at that property to enter until the storm has passed over the area completely and we have been given clearance from the local authorities.
+ During a storm, you may experience water intrusion from the wind-driven rain. Protect all electronics and valuables from the possibility of a roof or window leak. It’s best to keep all personal belongings off the floor.
+ Because of safety concerns, our team will not be able to respond to maintenance requests, such as leaks, during the storm. Utilize something (like an empty garbage can) to collect the water and prevent it from spreading throughout your unit until we can assist.
+ Please remember to bring all items (including any furniture) inside that you may have out on your balcony or porch.
+ Although there may not be any current signs of a hurricane, it’s always best to be prepared and stock up while items are still available! More information will be shared as necessary through A-frames, fliers, e-mail, the Community Channel (Channel 49 at Vista Way and Channel 21 at The Commons, Patterson Court and Chatham Square) and more.

Sincerely,
Price Management and Disney Housing Operations


So, remember to prepare accordingly!

I'm here!  I can't believe I'm finally here!

My adventure started on Thursday when my friend Josh and I set out at 7 am, my car stuffed to capacity with all my things.  We drove all the way down I-95 from New Jersey to Orlando, stopping occasionally for food and gas breaks.  We reached the area around 4 am, crashed, and then woke up at 10.

View from our hotel balcony

After that, we left the hotel, and met my super cool new roomie, Michele, and her friend for lunch at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney.

Birds outside Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney

After that, Josh and I explored Lego World in Downtown Disney. We were kind of geeking out.  It was great.

Dragon in the lake outside Lego World in Downtown Disney

We then headed for the Kennedy Space Center.  We got to see lots of really great, nerdy, space-y things, and we went on a really amazing simulator.

What Josh and I would look like as astronauts

After our adventures through space, I dropped Josh off at the airport and met my roommate and a bunch of people from our program at Downtown Disney for ice cream and dancing.  It was a lot of fun, and I met some really great people.

A hastily taken picture of Michele and me

We wrapped the night up early because we had check in on Monday morning.  Check in was really easy.  First, we all sat around waiting for the line to start at Vista Way.  Around 8 am, the line started, and we all ran towards the back of the complex where the Disney team was waiting for us. We got in line, and Michele and I wound up near the front.

Some of my new friends waiting in line

As soon as we entered, they gave us little name tags and we filled out some paperwork.  Then we entered a room where we picked our housing assignment.  Michele and I had talked about just getting a one bedroom, but by the time we checked in, all the one bedrooms were gone.  We wound up with a two bedroom at Vista Way, and boy are we glad!  Anyway, after that, we turned in some paperwork, got our house keys, and got our apartment IDs made.  Soon after that, we filled out our last forms and were briefed on how to take the bus to the Casting Center.

As soon as I could, I made a trip over to our apartment building to check out our living quarters.  I wasn't sure what to think when I realized we'd be on the third floor, but as I started to look at the place from the outside, I realized we'd have a huge window and vaulted ceilings.

Our large window and lovely sofa

We had just enough time to put down our papers and head over to the Casting Center to find out our jobs and fill out all the pertinent paperwork.  As you enter the facility, there are tons of gold statues of Disney characters.  We went down a beautifully painted hallway and our jobs were revealed to us there.  I was excited to find out that I will be working quick service food and beverage on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom.  I am so excited: Magic Kingdom has the best costumes!  The Casting office was a whirlwind of paperwork and background checks and information about classes.

After the Casting Center, my friend Michael and I went to a seminar about Disney classes.  They all look really great.  As a CPer, you can take two classes per semester, so I will be taking the maximum workload.  I just need to decide which classes to take.  I will be making a more informative post about classes soon, I promise.

Finally, after that, I started to unpack.  I also met my two other roommates, Kelly and Morgan, who are total sweethearts.  So, now you're all up to speed.  I hope you enjoyed reading this!

I am officially in Disney.  I owe you guys one heck of an update, but that's going to have to wait until tomorrow.  I am exhausted!

Hello, friends! I hope you all enjoyed yesterday's Fashion Friday entry. I had a really good time making it! :)

As you may or may not know, the Disney College program centers around three aspects: living, learning, and earning. Today I'm going to talk about living.




There are several frequently asked questions about housing.

Which Housing Complex Will I Reside?
According to the website, for some Cast Members, work location determines housing due to transportation. You will receive the name of your specific housing complex when you arrive.

What Size Apartment Will I Reside?
You will have a roommate that you share a bedroom with, at minimum. You can request to be a part of the Roommate Matching/Notification process if you would like to find a roommate prior to arrival. I would highly recommend doing this. It's where I got my roommate, Michelle (hey girl hey!). When you use the matching process, the following are considered:
+ Arrival/Departure dates
+ Gender
+ Whether the Cast Member is over or under 21 (those under 21 will be placed in dry apartments)

You will indicate your apartment preferences when you check in on your arrival day. Once you have a roommate, you will need to decide how many other people you would like to live with (there are two different apartment complexes and each apartment has one to four bedrooms). This decision should be discussed in advance but will be made officially upon check-in.

What Should I Bring With Me?
All the Disney apartments are fully furnished and come with basic appliances. According to the website, here are some things you may want to consider bringing with you:
+ Set of linens and bedding (twin-size sheets, pillow, blanket, towels, etc.)
+ TV, VCR, DVD player and a coaxial cable
+ Stereo (small)
+ Toaster
+ Coffee Maker
+ Phone card
+ Answering machine
+ Cordless phone (The phone provided in the apartment has a cord.)
+ Cell phone (Check with your current provider for coverage information.)
+ Alarm clock
+ Beach towel, suntan lotion and/or sunscreen
+ Camera and media storage cards or film
+ Casual clothing
+ Professional clothing (Please refer to the Disney Look Guidelines for assistance.)
+ Sweater or jacket
+ Dress shoes
+ Combination lock for the locker in your bedroom
+ Computer with Ethernet card
+ Original employment eligibility documents
+ Cosmetics and toiletries
+ Credit card and traveler’s checks (if available)
+ Health insurance information
+ Personal medications, including prescription drugs, if needed
+ Writing paper, envelopes and pens

What Should I Leave At Home?
The following items are not allowed in the Disney apartments:
+ Candles (the fire codes prohibit you from burning them)
+ Small/mini refrigerators (there's a big fridge for everyone to share!)
+ Bicycles (no bike paths or storage facilities for them)
+ Pets of any type (including fish)
+ Weapons of any type (including pocket knives)
+ Hookah pipes (besides, it's gross, anyway!)

Last but not least, here is a walk through that I found on Youtube of one of the apartments, just so you can get a general idea of what's in store for you: