| Chatham Square, Orlando |
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MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND SECURITY The apartment complex is not owned by Walt Disney World, instead it is leased and subleted back to the WDWCP interns. This allows for no housing contracts or leasing commitments on the part of the CP students, and facilitates a quick "moving in" environment; But it also means that interns have no rights over their housing and can be forced to leave, due to any infraction, with only a 24 hour notice. The management company, which overseas operations and resident affairs is called " Price Management ", and they also operate two of the other WDWCP complexes; Vista Way and The Commons . Price Management operates out of a main building called the "Club House" and staffs a desk where residents can lodge complaints, make work order requests, pick up and mail packages, and "borrow" cleaning and sports equipment. They also issue each resident a housing ID card, which identifies each student as a resident of the apartment complex as well as a complex specific sticker for the residents vehicle to be allowed overnight. They also create and enforce the community's Housing Rules to maintain a fair standard of living in the complex. Price Management also contracts out, to a third party security company, the complexes gated security system. They provide 24 hour security at the entrance of the complex by operating a gate system. Each resident must show their ID to gain entrance to the complex, and may sign in up to three guests per day. Guests are not permitted to stay in the complex after 1AM, and this rule also applies to residents of other WDWCP housing complexes. This issue has been the cause of much recent strife in the CP community, as in the previous years any WDWCP intern was allowed overnight privileges and as recent as 2 years ago the curfew was as late as 3AM. Security also assists in any domestic disputes, lock out situations and performs security rounds every hour to make sure residents are not leaving doors open or having loud social gatherings. COMPLEX AMENITIES The Chatham Square complex offers an impressive set of amenities; including a large pool area with lounge chairs, soda machines and a covered picnic table and gazebo. There is also a covered BBQ area with four grills and tables; next to a sand volleyball court and a fenced in tennis court. In a separate building, there is an air conditioned weight room with work out equipment, three treadmills, and cable TV. There is also a computer lab located in the Club House, with a 30 minute time limit, as well as high speed internet connections in each room. There is one central phone in each apartment with local phone service. All maintenance of the apartments, each resident can request a work order, including monthly pest control spraying. All utilities including water, electricity, and waste disposal in the form of dumpsters near most buildings. Mail facilities in the form of two P.O. Box mail kiosks with individual apartment keys. No packages may be shipped from Chatham. And shared laundry facilities in about half of the buildings in the complex. The entire complex is also located across from Mickey’s Retreat , a WDW cast member exclusive recreational park with various sports, swimming and lake-side recreational opportunities. In comparison to the other three WDWCP housing complexes, Chatham does not offer a Jacuzzi nor a basketball or racquetball court. The pool lacks heating, and there are no lifeguards ever on duty. The housing office holds shorter hours than the other two. Chatham is a newer complex than Vista Way and The Commons and offers a more contemporary style apartment with more cable TV channels. This complex has traditionally been reserved for advanced interns and seasonal international students (Brazilian and Hong Kong exchange) with College Program interns filling in the remaining space; but in 2005, all advanced interns were moved into the NorthBridge Apartment Complex near millennia lake. Inside the apartments, the kitchens are woefully small, and do not have any cutting tools available. Quite often, the dishes that come with the apartment, are not in the apartment. The rooms are reasonably spacious, however, sharring a bedroom with one other person can be quite trying at times. The bus services provided by American Coach, are less than desireable. The bus drivers will stop for a brief moment, occasionally showing up and leaving 10 minutes early. ROOMMATES On the first day each participant's program, known as "Check In Day" particpants go to the club house in Vista Way and register for housing. Often those in line with the participant will become their roommates. It is advisable to come to this registration with anyone who you may wish to room with, or take some time to talk to the people there and find a good roommate match. Once housing is arranged, participants are committed to the next two weeks before any possibility of switching rooms can be addressed. Price Management discourages room switch requests by means of a $50 fee for all requests that are granted. In all four housing complexes, the buildings are co-ed, although individual apartments are not. Each bedroom is shared by two people and participants are assigned to a unit based on space availability, although preferences may be noted. The smaller units are more appealing to many, but note that more roommates means meeting more people, parties, connections, and possible lifelong friendships. Living with a group of people from around the country or around the world is the most interesting and exciting experience, however many people find it difficult. Participants should be willing to share a room with someone who may enjoy exotic (and disgusting smelling) cuisine, or is foreign to the concept of taking the garbage out before Cockroaches appear to do the job. You must be accommodating and learning how to get along with all the residents in the apartment is one of the most challenging parts of the WDWCP . RENT Rent is all inclusive of utilities and maintenance services, and is divided into two different levels. There is one price for the one and two bedroom apartments, and another for the three or four bedroom apartments. As January 2005, weekly housing-payment rates, which have remained the same for the last four years, were increased. The weekly rent is $83.00 for the 1 & 2 bedroom units, and $71.00 for a 3 or 4 bedroom unit. On the WDWCP, interns are paid weekly (Thursdays) via checks or with direct deposit to the Vista Federal Credit Union , Disney's banking establishment for its Cast Members and their families, or the participant's own banking institute. Each intern's rent is deducted directly from each week's pay-check, after taxes. This facilitates housing payments and guarantees that each intern is scheduled for at least thirty hours of work a week. (To cover rent and food expenses) EXTERNAL LINKS |
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