"Visiting Vista Way" Chapter 3.

My check in date was June 15th, 2009.

It seemed like hundreds were checking in about the same time. People left their suitcases under a tent, being guarded by security just outside the check-in office. Inside the office was a maze of blue dividers that wove around stopping at the individual stations. There was a station to pick up the information packets, a place to pick up the apartment key and your housing I.D. Once you were done filling out basic information you had to find a bus pronto that would take you to your apartment complex. (I chose 'Patterson Court' which is the newest of the four. There other three are Vista Way, The Commons, and Chatham Square.)

(*Guide books are provided to give you every bit of information you would need during your stay in Florida. Items found in the book include: Maps of each complex, a list of acceptable ways to personalize your individual space, a list of different restaurants and shopping centers, etc. You may also find a list of services personally recommended by the company such as transportation, dentists offices, optometrist, and different hospitals/clinics in the area.)

One of the three different aspects of the program is 'Living. You will have the option to stay in one of the four apartment complexes provided by Disney. That also means you will be assigned a roommate. There are one bedroom apartments out there, but you may still be sharing with one other person so it's crucial that you and your roommates get properly acquainted and find some common ground. Everyone pays for their portion of the rent out of each paycheck, which is flat rate and all of the utilities; water, cooling, pest control, and electricity are included in the rent.

(*'Flat rate'-means that the cost of rent will not increase or decrease. So you can allow the AC to run constantly and not worry about throwing away any extra cash. You do have the ability to live 'off campus', but you would be responsible for finding your own means of lodging. Considering that the rent should cost no more than $350 a month without extra expenses, I would highly recommend it as the simpler option.)

After all the boring paperwork and tiresome traveling around Vista, Patterson and The Commons, I had met all of my roommates. Most of them were great and we got along pretty well over the next 6 months. All I can say is that communication is crucial. One only needs to address the issues and confront the offending roommate with them. Again, find your common ground and work together to reach a happy solution. If one cannot apparently be reached, then please seek the help of a Housing Manager.