Directly from the Disney website:
"Most bedrooms are double occupancy. Some bedrooms are triple occupancy. Bedrooms with three participants include a single bed and a bunk bed."
Chatham Square
1 BR: 2 Person - $105
1 BR: 3 Person - $85
2 BR: 6 Person - $78
3 BR: 6 Person - $92
4 BR: 8 Person - $91
The “middle” complex. It’s not as quiet as Patterson but you will run into people and activities once in a while.
Housing Events are all at the Chatham field.
The pool looks like a Hidden Mickey.
Apartments seem biggest here and at Vista Way.
It’s a few years older than Patterson but most apartments have been renovated/updated.
The Commons
1 BR: 2 Person - $109
1 BR: 3 Person - $89
2 BR: 4 Person - $107
2 BR: 5 Person - $82
3 BR: 6 Person - $95
4 BR: 8 Person - $94
Used to only be open to International CPs.
There are washers and dryers inside the apartments (you don’t pay extra per use, the price is already included in your weekly rent)
I have never been inside an apartment at The Commons but from what I’ve heard they are smaller than Chatham and some need to be updated/renovated.
There is also a bus stop at The Commons.
And it is directly across the street from the parking garage at The Outlets.
Patterson Court
1 BR: 2 Person - $105
1 BR: 3 Person - $85
2 BR: 4 Person - $103
2 BR: 5 Person - $80
3 BR: 6 Person - $92
Known as the “Retirement Home” because it is the quietest complex and not a lot goes on outside.
Apartments seem smaller than Chatham.
It is the “newest” complex but the other complexes have started updates so some of Chatham and Vista Way are newer and nicer.
No bus stop.
Vista Way
2 BR: 4 Person - $98
3 BR: 6 Person - $89
The “party” complex.
It is the “oldest” complex but started renovations a year ago and some apartments are newer than any of the other complexes.
It has a bus stop INSIDE the Vista Way complex.
It’s right next to Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Walgreens and a few other places.
Apartments seem the biggest/most spacious at Vista Way.
Biggest apartment complex and has the most apartments.
Regarding the newly released bunk beds/triple occupancy:
So Disney just released some new information stating that some bedrooms will now be triple occupancy. Keep in mind it says SOME, not all. Sure, that isn’t ideal. And sure, I wish that would’ve been announced before we accepted our offer. But would that have made a difference? Probably not. It may have changed our roommates and how many, but not whether or not we would still do the program. And it really doesn’t matter because there’s nothing we can do about it just like any other changes Disney will make during our program. We all just need to suck it up and accept it.
The apartments are all different sizes. Some apartment rooms really are big enough for three (even four people). Some apartments are tiny and can barely fit two beds and a dresser. It really just depends on the specific apartment. But Disney is very big on safety and they know what they’re doing.
With them adding people to apartments that also probably means you’re less likely to be split up from your roommates. I think it is more important to stay with your roommates than which apartment complex you get put in or how many bedrooms. You also won’t be spending too much time in your apartment, just mostly to sleep. I spent most of my time at the parks or exploring Florida.
Just remember - your program is what YOU make of it. Going into it negatively is already setting yourself up for failure. Just take a deep breath and tell yourself it will be okay. We’re all in this together. Hakuna Matata - it means no worries.
What’s in your apartment:
Disney College & Culinary Programs cast members live in gated housing complexes located right outside of Walt Disney World® property. Each complex features a variety of offerings to make you feel right at home.*
Below is a list of amenities included in the housing costs:
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) or (3) 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
***When you arrive at your apartment you might be missing a lot of dishes and silverware. You will need to go to your complex’s Clubhouse to get a checklist of what you should have and you will check off what you have and what you need. You will then take the list back to the Clubhouse and they will see if they have what you need, if they don’t have what you need they will order what you need and will let you know when they come in.
Also - when you cook your smoke alarm might go off - don’t be alarmed.
Internet:
*You will need to purchase a router for your apartment.
You will have internet in your apartment that you don’t pay extra for. I will warn you - it can be sooooo slow at times, sometimes even too slow to watch videos online. I can’t even tell you how many times I wanted to throw my computer across the room! There’s not much you can do about that so you just have to be patient.
Laundry:
You have to pay to wash and dry your clothing EACH and EVERY time you do laundry. $1-$2 each depending on your wash cycle/settings. There are about eight washers and eight dryers in each laundry room and there are quite a few throughout each complex.
*If you live in The Commons you will have a washer and dryer in your apartment. You do not have to pay each time you use the washer and dryer. Your laundry fees are deducted in your regular weekly housing fee.
No matter where you live or do laundry you will still need to provide your own detergent and dryer sheets. You can purchase those in the vending machines in the laundry rooms if you choose.
Vista Way has a special reloadable card that you use (you just deposit money onto it whenever you need). Chatham and Patterson use debit/credit cards - NOT the reloadable card.
Mail:
You will get an address, phone number, and mailbox when you move into your new apartment. Each apartment gets one phone/phone number, one mailbox and one key (not one per person) so make sure you leave the key in a common area so that everyone has access. If housing or your front desk (also known as the Clubhouse) need to talk to you they will call your apartment phone. You may want to leave a notepad near the phone in case they call for your roommate who isn’t home. If you get an oversized package or one that can’t be left at your door they will also call you to let you know you have a package. For outgoing mail, you simply drop your mail off in the “outgoing” post in your mailroom. If you have an outgoing package you have to take it to the Post Office (check the bus schedule to see when the bus goes there or find someone with a car).
Housing Procedures:
No weapons - this includes toy weapons you can buy at Disney (including light sabers).
No underage drinking - if you are under 21 years old and you have alcohol in your apartment, in your car, on you, or anywhere on property - including if you get drunk off property and come back on property while under the influence.
No drugs - this is a zero tolerance policy.
Not only will you be termed but anyone in your apartment or with you at the time you are caught can be termed.
No guests in your apartment after curfew (I think it was 1am!).
DORMS:
10 days before your check in you will get an email with a link to DORMS. This is where you will pick housing complexes and roommates. You no longer have to stand in line with your potential roommates at the crack of dawn. Everything will be done in DORMS and you will get your keys and housing assignment at check in.
Housing Assignments:
You may or may not get your first choice for housing complex but don’t be too bummed! I wanted Patterson but ended up in Chatham - but I was still able to keep the roommates I wanted! When you get the link to the DORMS website you will be able to put in housing complex choices and roommate options, you will also be able to put in your priorities (ex. being in the complex you want or keeping the roommates you want). I would recommend keeping your roommates your priority over a complex. I ended up in Chatham with the roommates I wanted and it was wonderful! I was in a very spacious Chatham apartment. We had some issues because our apartment wasn’t fully renovated but the housing staff took care of everything and we ended up with some new things! I feel that as long as I was with my roommates I could’ve been placed in any housing complex and it would’ve been fine!
If you get to Disney and you don’t get along with your roommates there are options for switching apartments. In order for anyone to switch apartments you must go through housing and their procedures. Usually you start by having a housing meeting with all of your roommates and a housing representative and the next steps are based off of that. Don’t expect to be able to just go to housing and switch apartments because that probably won’t happen. You also might have to pay a fee to switch apartments which can be up to $100. You also may not get to choose a complex or roommates.
If you are in a Wellness apartment (under 21) and turn 21 during the program you will be allowed to switch to a Non Wellness apartment (21+). If you choose to switch because you just turned 21 you will be able to switch without paying but keep in mind you may not get to choose who you move in with or what complex.
Inspections:
You will have inspections every month and a half or so.
Yes, you must actually clean.
They will check everything (inside the oven, microwave, bathrooms, closets, everywhere).
If you fail they will come back and reinspect within 48 hours and if you fail again you have to pay to get professionals to clean your apartment. You can also get in trouble with housing and get points for not following the rules (this is pretty rare because it is a last resort but it can still happen).
You must be awake during inspections - they will enter the apartment and blow a whistle to wake you up - you’ve been warned.
Security:
Each and every time you enter a housing complex you must show your housing ID (whether you’re walking or in a car). If you want a guest to come in who is staying at a different housing complex they must show their housing ID as well. If you bring in a guest who is not staying in Disney housing they must give their government issued ID to security so they can make a copy and you must fill out a form on their behalf. No guests can stay in your apartment overnight.
Don’t be mean or rude to security - they are there to keep you SAFE (Disney’s #1 priority). Yes, sometimes it can be annoying to always have to hand them your ID especially if your hands or full or you just got off a 12 hour shift and just want to go to bed but they are keeping you safe. Never have I felt unsafe on Disney property or housing so clearly they’re doing a good job!
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