Housing Sucks

Does Mr. Franklin do the inspection?

I have never lived in the housing at CP, so I cant really speak for the housing conditions there, but I can say they are one heck of a deal compared to Disney housing. The WDW College Program charges $69-87 per week to live in their apartments with 2-4 people to a room. They have up to 16 people in a 4 bedroom apartment. Thats up to $5568 per month!

I am a big baby over things like this.

And I will pass on my experience for any new people who might feel the same way.

When I arrived my first day, I sat in my car because I didn't know what to decide about housing. None of my friends were coming for about a week, and I felt really out of place.

HOWEVER. . .

After the first day -- moving my stuff into my dorm (1500 building), getting a feel for the area, and meeting my roommates. . .I absolutely loved it.

It's almost ridiculous to say that the 1500 building (and even 1400 and 1300 to some extent) isn't comfortable. You have between 2 and 3 roommates -- and it's fairly easy to get with people you know/like. It's air-conditioned, has cable, and is quite easy to keep clean. The restrooms aren't just cleaned daily -- they are inspected several times during peaks.

Our 1500 dorm was awesome the first year, and incredible the second year. We had a big TV on the wall with cable, a computer, Playstation, two refrigerators, a stereo, we brought our own rugs, and it was really comfortable and enjoyable. It was sort of a 'special case' because the four of us were friends going in -- so we felt OK bringing all of those more expensive frills.

But anyway. . .a laptop can be safely locked away in your locker, if you bring it.

Living in the dorms was no worse than my college dorms. Sure they were a bit smaller, but that's fine because I didn't have to study or anything there. And like everyone else said. . .there are plenty of other things to do than be in the room.

The only times we spent in our room were 1)sleeping, 2)watching TV during rainy weather, 3)watching movies with friends before going to sleep, 4) and going on the computer.

I would have no qualms going back for another year. And I had friends in each building -- I'd still pick Commons Dorms over the others.

I once looked into the Disney program, and their housing seems really nice, especially compared to Cedar Point's. They have a lot more amenities, too. But yeah, paying more than $300/month is a lot, especially when living on an amusement park wage. I'd rather have crappier yet cheaper housing, and save the money.

I'd be interested in the dimenions of those dorm rooms. After seeing the dorms my son and his giflfriend had at college, I can't imagine the ones at CP being that much smaller. Even with his bed set over his dresser and desk, there was little room between his and his roommates bed. And it was $7K for the dorm room from September through April.

He's probably some prissy, silver-spooned mouth, momma's boy. Go work at daddy's law firm.

??

I doubt it.

As I said in my case, I was originally pretty put off by the CP housing.

I had the "luxury" of living in a dorm pre-CP, so I knew (sort of) what to expect.

However, for someone who is moving away from the comforts of home -- no matter how shanty-like -- moving into a dorm can be shocking.

I think at the very least, there should be some HR people (or Housing Staff) available at the housing areas for the major move-in days. I am sure that some of the 'CP-staff regulars' would be willing to help out, too. I know I would have. Just to be around the dorms, helping people move things, getting them organized. . .the housing staff was going crazy trying to get people assigned to rooms, so I don't blame them for the lack of hospitality.

But I do clearly remember how strange I felt when I arrived. . .it was like. . ."OK, I am physically at my CP dorm. . .but now what?" I knew my contract said to report to work on such and such a day. . .but even then, what time? etc, etc. I think that the hospitality aspect is lacking more than the physical buildings themselves. I can get used to a dorm. But as everyone knows, first impressions have a major effect on people's perceptions, so I think that creating a more welcoming intial atmosphere would help reduce some of the move-in day blues.

CP_CollegeGuy said:
, but I can say they are one heck of a deal compared to Disney housing. The WDW College Program charges $69-87 per week to live in their apartments with 2-4 people to a room. They have up to 16 people in a 4 bedroom apartment. Thats up to $5568 per month!

Well, we need to check our math, don't we. As you know from living in WDW College Program housing, the more people in your room, the cheaper the rent is. So its a little closer to 1104 dollars a month. Which includes Central Air Conditioning, Swimming Pools, Tennis Courts, Furnished Apartments with Furniture from recent memory.

Living in a college dorm that was once voted the worst in the United States, I HOPE I will be able to enjoy my time in CP housing.

i myself last summer when i first walked into cedars and then walking the long 1st floor hallway with tha squeaky floor and then looking at the doors and then opened it and saw the room i was like whoa! but me and my roomate became the best of friends and we put our money together and fixed our room up and made it the room with the videogames,music,and movies on the 1st floor. so i know when you first see your room your're going to have a sour reaction but you gotta realize that your living there while you work and you gotta make it like your 2nd home like i did.

I'm not saying you can't make the best of it. You certainly can.

But, if it wasn't for the dorms I don't know what in the world Cedar Point would do to staff the park because the local market cannot do it. Instead of "just getting by year after year" I would like to see Dick (or whoever) stand up and say..."yes...our employees are important to us".

It is a pipe dream...I know.

And, I lived in the College Program housing at Disney many moons ago and it was worth every penny. Tennis courts, weight room, free internet with computer lab, swimming pools, Little Lake Bryan employee Rec area, etc. The condos were very nice with full kitchens, air conditioning, tv/cable, etc.

okay prob a stupid question and the answer is prob in something somewhere but what all is in the rooms - like i know it says to bring a pillow but do you have to bring sheets/blankets or what? just wondering cos I don't fancy carrying all that stuff from here if I don't need it!

thanks!

helen

cp will provide you with sheets and 2 towels a believe, you can exchange them as often as you need. i prefer to bring my own sheets, but if you dont want to bring em from home you can always buy them at walmart/meijers

How about pillows? Do you have to bring your own or are those also provided?

I don't think they provide pillows, but I could be wrong. If you don't want to bring your own pillow you can always go to meijer or wal-mart and pick one up for a couple of bucks.

they do indeed provide you with pillows but they are small and incomfortable but its best to bring your own as well as blanket's and sheets. you will also need a fan and a rug to put down on the floor since its old and i myself liked to walk bare footed most of the time but there is an walmart super-center and my favorite a meijer that has those things and much more. it's also best to bring your own towels and wash clothes and just wash them.

Okay well housing sucks... We've all apparently established that. But Im surprised that no one bothered to mention renting your own apartment in sandusky. Afterall, thats what i did, and my summer was the deal. I lived in housing for a few days, and the one girl i was in training with decided she didnt want to live in housing either. We litterally arrived at CP Sunday, started on Monday, went looking for an apt wednesday, and signed the lease thursday.

Sandusky isnt like most places i found. There are MANY MANY apartments available (especially in downtown, where i was) and the leases are month by month. We had a 2 bedroom apt, furnished and all utilities included minus the phone for 425.

The best thing about having my own apartment was that I was able to escape the work atmosphere when I went home. I was able to eat dinner and watch tv, be on the computer or whatever in my own place without it being cramped. Getting burnt out at a place like CP is just no fun.

My best suggestion for one who is questionable about the housing, pick up the sandusky register, or just drive around town. Im sorry but nothing beat taking an early afternoon job in downtown Sandusky, and up by the water. Especially after working at PKI for so many years and CP last summer, I can honestly say its an experience i wouldnt trade for a lifetime. I only look back on it fondly and the only reason you wont have a good time, is if you dont relax and go with the flow, to let yourself have a good time.

ps i still live with my roommate from CP - now in Cincinnati lol ;)

Ah, Cedars... what a wonderful place. Everyone makes this mistake there first year at CP... staying at Cedars. There is no reason for anyone to live there. Live off point. Be as far away from the park when your not working. If you ever saw some magic while visiting CP as a guest, staying at Cedars will kill that magic, fast! So further from the park and closer to Louie's, the happier you'll be.

hmm I think there are SOME reasons for living in cedars.

the least of them include 1) no choice because everything else is full, and 2) cheapest.

but there are certainly others.

hehe

Where do they usually drop the foreigners? :)

Cedars?