John Remus dot Com :: Disney College Program Pictures : Check In Day

Check In

(January 15th, 2003...still seems like yesterday)

I checked in on January 15th, 2003. If anyone plans to do this program I recommend arriving early. I got there about an hour early and check in took only 1 1/2 hours. Those who arrived "on-time" had to wait much much longer to get everything done. You check in at the Vista Way housing complex, on Meadow Creek Drive. You fill out multiple papers, basically signing your rights away should anything happen to you while you're here. Also, if you're a lifeguard you take an eye exam making sure you can see well enough. After all your paper work is completed you are finally given the key to your room, don't loose it or you're in trouble.
Vista is a little confusing at first, so finding your building may take some time. I lived in building 8, which is in the back left corner. If you're unlucky you'll get stuck in buildings like 3, that are right on the main street and always have traffic going by. Our place was quiet, but still close to everything. We're near the pool, computer lab, weight room, mailbox, vollyball pit, bbq area, and the price desk (where you pick up packages and stuff). So, I went to check into my apartment...

Two of the guys had already checked in, Mike and Rob. They were here first, so they got the room with the private bathroom. I was the third, and picked one of the remaining two rooms. Fourth to arrive was Dave, who decided to room with me. Fifth came Ryan, who took the remaining room. The last guy to arrive was Derek, who roomed with Ryan.
After all the morning moving in type stuff is done, you go to a meeting that you fill out more paperwork at. You're also given the option to sign up with a Vista Federal Credit Union account. This is Disney's Credit Union, I recommend you get an account, as (in my case) there are NO Wells Fargo branchs in Florida. The whole meeting is about two hours.
After that is the first trip to Super Walmart. Plan to be there quite a while. You're gonna have to buy most everything you need for your apartment. We spent over and hour and a half there. And each of us guys spent over a hundred per person. You're gonna wanna buy food, keep in mind you don't have things like Salt & Pepper, butter, mayo, flour, sugar, and all the other staples you usually have at home and don't need to buy. We also had to get toilet paper, dish soap, sponges, hangers, bathroom cleaners, air freshner, etc. Since then we bought a broom and dustpan, extra frying pans, bigger drinking cups, platic/tupperware type bowls, blender, mixer, toaster, bigger garbage can, lamps, the works. Getting it home became somewhat of a problem later on.
Later that night is the welcoming dinner for all the new CP's that just checked in. They give you a hotdog, potato salad and iced tea. During the dinner (which is held at the clubhouse) they play games to win prizes. Stuff like Disney Trivia, or eating a plate full of SourStraws. And the evening is concluded with an appearance by Mickey.

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