DORMS: Disney Onsite Resident Management System

Today I got my DORMS email to register for housing! It actually came in two emails, one containing the link to the DORMS website as well as my housing ID and one containing my temporary log-in password. We (my roommates and I) ran into some issues at first because my room roommate, Arielle, is on a cruise right now and won't be back until the 11th, so no one was able to register her housing ID to request her as a roommate. However, after some short and quick email correspondences to Disney Housing everything was all settle quickly and hassle free!

The DORMS process was very simple. On the first page you filled out all your personal information, program information, emergency contact information, and added your vehicle information if applicable. If you are bringing a vehicle and filled out the information, the next page was the Vehicle Decal Agreement where you initial all these terms and agreements and give them your driver's license number. Then you are lead to the page to request your roommates and/or housing preferences. My roommate Arielle was already linked to me so I gave my roommates her housing ID and then we all requested each other. Then you could elect your housing preferences, we requested: Patterson Court, The Commons, and Chatham Square (in that order). Because I had requested roommates I was unable to request the amount of bedrooms.

The next four forms were the Community Codes Form, Payroll Form, Alcohol Policy Form, and Vehicle Agreement Form. All of these you simply agree to the terms and conditions and put your birthday. Once your submit these forms you'll be able to print out all eight pages which include your boarding pass (eight if you are registering a vehicle). You'll need these for check-in, however it seems from the Facebook that you really only need your boarding pass, but I would print them all to be safe!

After submitting my DORMS documents, I received an email indicating that I was the "leader" for my roommates (I assume because I submitted my DORMS first out of all my roommates). Then I received an email containing another copy of my boarding pass.

That's all I have as far as DORMS excitement go!

Living: DCP Apartment Complexes

There are four apartment complexes available to students participating in the Disney College Program. They are pretty much right on Disney World Resort property. The four complexes are: The Commons, Patterson Court, Vista Way, and Chatham Square.

The Commons



From what I've heard, this is the first year the The Commons are available to all CPers, up until that point they were specifically for International Program students. According to the Facebook group, they are the only complex with IN-UNIT washers and driers and this has NOT changed even with the change to who can live in The Commons. It is located in the same vicinity as Patterson Court, Chatham Square and Mickey's Retreat. The bus stop stops at The Commons for all three of these apartment complexes. From what I've seen on YouTube of apartment tours of The Commons, they look very similar to Chatham Square bedrooms. There is also a pool, fitness center, sand volleyball court, and tennis courts. According to the Onboarding website, weekly rent for The Commons is:

1BR - 4BR

$105 - $93

Patterson Court

Located in the same area as Chatham Square and The Commons, Patterson Court has four on-site laundry units, which use credit/debit cards and offer text message alerts, a fitness center, pool, and outdoor pool table. Students who live here must take the bus stop from Chatham square. According to the Onboarding website, weekly rent for Patterson Court is:

1BR - 3BR

$101 - $91

Vista Way

Vista Way is located about five minutes from the other three apartment complexes but within walking distance from Chik-Fil-A, Wendy's, Starbucks, etc. There is one mail kiosk, a fitness center (rumor on Facebook says they have the best fitness center), a laundry facility in each building, two pools, san volleyball court, outdoor pool table, tennis court, basketball court, and two hot tubs. Vista Way has its own bus stop. Vista Way also has the "party" reputation, although this kind of seems silly to me because it really just depends on the people that live there. According to the Onboarding website, weekly rent for Patterson Court is:

2BR - 3BR

$96 - $86

Chatham Square

Right across from Mickey's Retreat, Chatham Square has the only bus stop for Patterson Court and The Commons, two mail kiosks, four laundry facilities, which take debit/credit cards, fitness center, pool, sand volleyball court, outdoor pool table, and tennis courts. According to the Onboarding website, weekly rent for Patterson Court is:

1BR - 4BR

$101 - $91

Mickey's Retreat

Located between Chatham Square and The Commons, Mickey's Retreat is Disney World's cast member only recreation facility. It has two swimming pools, a marina with canoe and paddle boat rentals, children's play area, picnic pavilions, four sand volleyball courts, a banquet room, and much more.

Housing Amenities

Below is a list of amenities including in the price of your rent:

• All utilities, including water, electricity, waste disposal
• High-speed Internet access in all apartments (additional information below)
• Local phone service and one central phone
• Centrally located laundry facilities
• Maintenance of the apartments, including pest control
• Onsite security
• Cable television hook-up
• Computer labs
• Wireless Internet Lounge, Clubroom Thirteen501
• Swimming pools
• Weight rooms
• Tennis, basketball and racquetball courts
• Fully furnished apartment
• Bedroom
  
  • Dresser w/ mirror
  • Nightstand
  • (2) twin beds
  Dining Room
  • Table w/ four chairs
  Living Room (Cable hook-up only available in this common area)
  • Couch
  • Chair
  • Two end tables
  Additional Items Provided
  • Shower curtain liner
  • Two vanity wastebaskets
  • Kitchen wastebasket
  • Recycling bin
  Kitchen Appliances
  • Refrigerator w/ ice maker
  • Stove, oven, & microwave
  • Dishwasher
  Kitchen Utensils and Dishes
  • Assortment of pots & pans w/lids
  • Mixing bowl set
  • Measuring cups
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula
  • Can opener
  • Cutting knife
  • Ladle
  • Tea kettle
  • Serving spoons
  • Cookie sheets
  • Dinner plates
  • Salad plates
  • Cereal bowls
  • Drinking glasses
  • Coffee cups
  • Set of knives, spoons and forks

*Each complex and apartment layout is unique. Amenities may differ between apartments.
All apartments have wired, high-speed Internet access. However, there are a few computer requirements:

• Anti-virus software that runs constantly and automatically updates its virus definitions.
• Ethernet card
• CAT5 cable
• A firewall program or router that serves as a firewall

The DSL modem has four ports and is located in the living room; so, many cast members also bring a wireless router. There are also multiple locations around the housing properties that have wireless Internet access. Computer labs also are available at the housing complexes and Disney Learning Centers across Walt Disney World® Resort property.

Overview of the Disney College Program

The main question I always get from people is, “so basically, what is it?” or at least some variation of that question. (I also am always asked the sarcastic question of, “So you’re gonna be a Disney princess?” to which I face palm myself and move on with my life). If time is limited or I don’t feel like going into detail, the short answer I usually give is usually one of the following:

“It’s basically like studying abroad, but in Florida…at Disney World.”

“It’s a paid internship with Disney.”

“It’s a minimum wage internship at Disney World.”

“I work and study at Disney World.”

In reality, the Disney College Program is so much more. If you really are interested, I highly recommend poking around the Disney College Program website and the Disney Programs Blog if you haven’t already. They, obviously, have much more insight than I could ever give. But since you’re already here, let me give you some information.

The Disney College Program boasts three major components: Living, Learning, and Earning. Let me break down these three parts.

Living

CPs (College Program-ers) live in one of the four apartment complexes used specifically by CPs. These apartment complexes are located on Walt Disney World property. If you have never been to Disney World before…brace yourself. Disney World is like a whole city in itself, it spans across 47 square miles, that’s about the size of Manhattan, people! Rent is taken out of your weekly paycheck (remember EPCOT: every paycheck comes on Thursday). There are many different apartment sizes and each room holds two people, so prepare for roommates.

Learning

At the Walt Disney World College Program, the educational component of the program is optional. There are two different types of courses one can take: collegiate and seminar. Collegiate courses can be recommended for college credit if your university accepts them. Remember that kicker: IF your university accepts them. These courses are like actual college courses, they have homework, project, etc. and they cost the minimal fees for required textbooks and materials (generally around $30). On the flip side, seminars are completely free and do not have homework or anything of the sort. They cannot be recommended for college credit either. All courses are offered through Disney University—yes this is a real thing. Keep in mind, Disney is one of the top companies in the world, and to learn from them is a once in a lifetime opportunity (at least in my opinion). 

Earning

The majority of people I talk to about the program automatically assume that the Disney College Program is filled with nutty, Disney-obsessed wackos, like myself. While this may be true—the DCP does have its fair share of weirdos, there are a lot of people that are drawn to the program simply because it is a paid internship, these are often few and far between. You’re likely to get paid minimum wage, but with the extensive hours you’re working, you could potentially be bringing home a hefty paycheck depending on your budgeting and your expectations.

This is just a brief overview of the program for those who are just starting to look into the program or for those who are interested in what I’m doing for the whole spring semester.