Vista Way
Ah Vista Way, the place where almost all CP Students call home. The rest live at the other 2 complexes, the Commons and Chatam Square. Living a Vista Way is quite the experience and to help with the transition I've given you a few pointers.
First things first, on move in day you wait in endless lines, bouncing from station to station. While your in line you get to know the people around you. This is a good chance to find someone that you "might" be compatible with. Doesn't always happen, but it' s better than getting put blindly with someone you don't know. Take your chances.
Where to stay. VW has 2 options a 6 person or 4 person apartment. This is all a matter of preference. I lived in a 4 person apartment, and was quite content. We had a large picture window and a high ceiling.
Once you're all settled in it's a good idea to work out food arrangements. The first night we ran a grocery run to Wal-Mart and picked up everything for the next week or so. This is were having a car comes in handy. I didn't have one but my roommate did, as did the girls across the hall. Do not go to Goodings, I repeat do not go to Goodings. The prices will give you a heart attack. Grocery stores are not supposed to be carpeted and have a fountain in the middle of them.
Vista Way has no dining hall, so unless you want to spend all your hard earned cash on eating out, then you better learn to cook. I usually had a quick breakfast and packed a lunch to work. When I got back I would have a small dinner and snack. Not that this really interests you, but it should give you some idea of what your day will be like. All four parks have some sort of cast cafeteria which has reasonable prices, but remember food adds up quickly.
Summer time is a very busy time in the parks and they are open late. It wasn't uncommon to be coming home from work at 12:30 at night. You have two options, go to bed or hang out. If you choose to go to bed you may find yourself in trouble. Work and sleep work and sleep leads to a very unhappy cast member. Everyone needs time to kick back and chill, otherwise you'll find yourself homesick and unhappy, I saw it happen.
Bedtime for me was usually around 3:30, and while it may seem late, at Vista Way it's considered normal. There is constant activity on the grounds at all hours of the day.
Safety may be a concern t some of you, especially your parents, but rest assured Vista Way, I found at least, to be a very safe place. Everyone is issued ID's so there's no unwanted guests. Plus security is on constant watches.
Vista Way has two pools, 2 hot tubs, a basketball and tennis court, and a weight room. It also has a computer lab with about 20 or so PC's. However, checking e-mail can become quite difficult because you have to reserve them and it's tough to get the time you want. I'm the type of person who needs to check my e-mail 20 times a day, but once I got down there I realized I could do without. Same with a TV. We dind't get any good stations, basically ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. That was about it. Why sit and watch TV when you can run around the WDW Resort. You didn't come to FL to watch TV right. If a roomie brings on great, but it's not that big of a deal if you don't have one.
A necessity though is an answering machine. I missed a few very important phone calls because I dind't ahve a machine. Don't let this happen to you. Buy one at Wal-Mart, they're cheap enough. Vista Way has vacuums and cleaning supplies for you to borrow too.
Vista Way is a very social place. It kind of has an open door policy. You become good friends and neighbirs with the people across the hall. Drop on in after work, say hi, chill. It's very casual and everyone becomes close friends
Back Home
Last Updated 9-7-00