Student FAQs

If parents or friends visit, where can they stay?

Overnight Guests are not permitted in our housing complexes. After your first official day, in Disney Traditions, Walt Disney World® Cast Members are eligible to receive discounts on Resort Hotel accommodations at Disney resorts.

What are the Housing and Administration Fee and the Program Assessment Fee, and when are they due?

The Housing and Administration Fee is a non-refundable $200 fee that will be applied to the participant's housing costs during the first few weeks of the program.

The Program Assessment Fee is a non-refundable $100 fee that helps support the events and activities scheduled in the housing complexes throughout the program. Please note, a processing fee will also be assessed.

We must receive these fees as a single payment at the time an applicant accepts the invitation to participate on the program. Once the payment is received and the online acceptance process is completed, we will officially reserve the student's place on the program.

Please note that this payment must be made by credit card. Other forms of payment, including cash and personal checks, will not be accepted.

Are there accessible apartments?

Yes, we have accessible apartments for participants with disabilities. Participants will have the ability to request a medical accommodation for work and for housing at the time of your acceptance.

What will my address and phone number be?

You will receive your address and phone number upon your arrival.

In which housing complex will participants live?

The name of your housing complex will be communicated to you upon your arrival.

Please note housing is only allowed for participants of the program, and no one under the age of 18 is permitted in housing.

Can participants receive U.S.P.S., UPS and FedEx packages?

Yes. Packages can be sent to your apartment once you receive your address at arrival. However, the front desk will only receive and sign for packages sent to you through the U.S. Post Office.

Are there centrally located laundry facilities at the apartment complexes?

Are there laundry facilities at the apartment complexes?

Yes. Card-operated facilities are available in each complex. Laundry cards are available for purchase at each apartment complex.

Will participants get get the one-bedroom or the four-bedroom apartment?

We have one to four bedroom apartments, with two participants per bedroom. We will try to place you in your preferred choice. However, if there aren't any apartments of that size available, you will be placed in the one that is. You can indicate your apartment preferences when you check in on your arrival day.

Can I pick my roommates?

Roommates are selected based on a variety of topics, including your arrival and departure dates. If you share the same arrival and departure dates as your friends, you will have a greater chance of living near each other. Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that you will be able to reside with your friends.

Your arrival and departure dates will not be changed to make this accommodation.

If I do not like my roommates, can they change?

There may be an opportunity to switch apartments after a designated time. Please check with the Program Housing Office after arrival for more information. There is a relocation fee.

Do the complexes have Resident Assistants?

No, but each complex has a front desk that’s open daily, and the Disney Housing Operations Program Office is open daily on the second floor of The Commons Clubhouse. Both areas are staffed with people who can assist you with any questions or concerns during your program.

Will meals be provided?

Meals will not be provided in the housing complex or in your work location. Full-service employee cafeterias, which provide meals at reasonable prices, are located at your work location. Each apartment has a kitchen equipped with cooking and eating utensils in which meals can be prepared. And remember, shuttles from your housing complex can take you to the local grocery store.

Can participants bring a computer?

Yes, high-speed Internet access is available in all apartments. Computer labs are available in the housing complexes and Disney Learning Centers locations across Walt Disney World property.

Will participants have access to the Internet from my room?

Yes, each apartment has high-speed internet access. Please note that the connection point may be in the common area of the apartment, not in each bedroom.

What type of Internet connection is available?

High-speed Internet access is available in each apartment. To use the modems in the apartment, we require the following:

• Anti-virus software that runs constantly and automatically updates its virus definition
• Ethernet card and cable
• A firewall program

Wireless Internet is also available in many of the common areas, including Clubroom Thirteen501 at Vista Way, and the pool area and clubhouse at each apartment complex.

How many phone lines are in the apartment?

One phone line is provided in each apartment.

What should I bring?

While many amenities are supplied for you, you may want to bring additional items for recreation, decoration or because they are an everyday necessity. The following are recommended:

• Set of linens and bedding (twin-size sheets, pillow, blanket, towels, etc.)
• TV/VCR/DVD player and a coaxial cable
• Stereo (small)
• 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 film
• Casual and professional clothing (Please refer to the Disney Look Guidelines for assistance.)
• Sweater or jacket
• Dress shoes
• Combination lock for your in-room locker
• Computer with an Ethernet card
• An anti-virus program that runs constantly and updates its virus definitions
• A firewall program
• A wireless router
• Small computer desk/stand and lamp
• Copies and/or originals of important documents (You must present your original Social Security card during your arrival process.)
• Cosmetics/toiletries
• Credit card and traveler's checks (if available)
• Health insurance information
• Personal medications, including prescription drugs if needed
• Walt Disney World phone numbers and contact information
• Writing paper, envelopes and pens

• Candles (Our fire codes prohibit you from burning them.)
• Bicycles (Our facilities don't have bike paths or storage facilities for them.)
• Pets of any type

Are there nurses or medical facilities in the housing complexes?

No, but there are many walk-in clinics located close to the Walt Disney World Resort if a doctor or nurse is ever needed. Pharmacies also are located near our apartment complexes.

When can participants start getting into the Walt Disney World Theme Parks for free?

Participants will have complimentary admittance to the Disney theme parks once you attend Disney Traditions, your first official day of work and obtain your Walt Disney World ID.

How far is the housing from my Walt Disney World work location?

Depending on your specific housing complex and work location, it could take anywhere from 10-20 minutes to travel to work in a personal vehicle. However, if you’re using our transportation system, it is not unreasonable to spend more than one hour in travel time. Remember, the Walt Disney World Resort is about 43 square miles in size!

How will I get to work?

Bus transportation is provided to and from the work locations if participants do not have access to a vehicle. However, if participants have a car, they are strongly encouraged to bring one. All participants who operate a vehicle on property must have valid automobile liability insurance issued by an insurance company registered and authorized to sell automobile liability insurance in the United States (including the State of Florida) that will cover any property damage or personal injury (including but not limited to serious bodily injury or death) caused by the participant while operating the vehicle.

Can participants have Overnight Guests?

For the security and safety of everyone living in our housing complexes, only Cast Members who live in our housing complexes are allowed to be in that complex after 1 a.m. Cast Members from other housing complexes are considered guests and subject to the same rules and conditions as other Cast Members who don't live in one of our housing complexes. For example, if you live at Vista Way and wish to host a Cast Member who lives at Chatham Square, you must submit a Visitor Authorization Form PRIOR to the guest's arrival. That guest must vacate property by 1 a.m. If guests are found in your apartment after 1 a.m., disciplinary action, including possible termination, will follow.

What is the weather like in central Florida?

Central Florida is a mix of warm breezes and sunshine. Our weather can go from hot and humid in the summers to near freezing temperatures in the winter. During the span of your program, you probably will experience both the warm and cool temperatures.

Average temperatures for the Central Florida area are listed below:

• January - 70° F High, 48° F Low
• February - 72° F High, 49° F Low
• March - 76° F High, 55° F Low
• April - 82° F High, 59° F Low
• May - 87° F High, 65° F Low
• June - 89° F High, 71° F Low
• July - 90° F High, 73° F Low
• August - 90° F High, 73° F Low
• September - 88° F High, 72° F Low
• October - 82° F High, 65° F Low
• November - 76° F High, 57° F Low
• December - 72° F High, 51° F Low

Will I have insurance while on the program?

The Disney CareerStart Program does not provide insurance. You are responsible for securing your own medical insurance for the duration of your Program.

All Cast Members living in our complexes are also strongly encouraged to secure renter's insurance that includes coverage for personal liability. Several homeowner's insurance providers also offer renter's insurance policies, or you can check with your parents' homeowner's insurance to find if you are covered during your program.

Apartment management assumes no liability in the event of fire, water/flood damage, theft or damage to any belongings of Cast Members who live in our complexes.