Oo-de-lally: Recreation

I figure I would do a post here about Mickey's Retreat, and other recreational offerings you can take advantage of while on the Disney College Program, Professional Internship Program, or Management Internship Program. I will start off with Mickey's Retreat, and then move on to ones on The Walt Disney World Property.

Mickey's Retreat is open to all Cast Members of The Walt Disney Company, and their families to enjoy. It is located in the area of Little Lake Bryan across from Chatham Square Apartments, and CPs staying in Patterson, Chatham, and The Commons can walk to it. For those who live off property there is plenty of parking available inside Mickey's Retreat as well as street parking outside of Chatham Square as well.

What are the operating hours?

Monday - Friday:
Park | 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Pool | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (6:00 pm on Friday)
Marina | Closed

Saturday - Sunday:
Park | 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Pool | 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Marina | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

*As a note in early November - mid March Micky's Retreat closes at 7:00 pm
**Also Lifeguards who have training at Mickey's Retreat you can ignore the hours when you have training scheduled there earlier then they open.

What is at Mickey's Retreat?

• Marina Rentals
• Pedal boats, canoes, and sports equipment
• Two swimming pools
• Playground
• Tennis Courts
• Full-Length Basketball Court
• Pier for fishing (although it is Catch & Release)
• Sand Volleyball Courts
• Baseball Field
• Areas for grilling
• Covered Picnic Tables
• Soccer Field 

How much does it cost too get into Mickey's Retreat?
Well for once I would like to state it is Free yup you got it $0.00

How much does it cost to rent from the Marina?
According to a sign from 2014 (may have changed) it was this amount per hour:

Pedal Boats | $2.00 per hour
Canoes | $2.00 per hour
Sports Equipment | Free

Can I bring a guest?
Cast Members with a valid company ID may bring as many Guests to Mickey's Retreat as the number on their Main Entrance Pass plus three additional Guests (for those who don't want to do the math that means you can bring yourself and 6 guests).

Is the lap pool always open for swimming during regular hours?
Yes, unless lifeguards are training or doing re-certification then it will be closed until they are finished with Ellis.

Is it open to all Cast Members?
Yes, anyone who is employed by The Walt Disney Company is more than welcome to use Mickey's Retreat just show your Blue ID at the entrance of the park.

Another option for recreation is the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake which are basically the hotels near the Magic Kingdom if were wondering. This much like Mickey's Retreat is not 100% free, and is a little bit more expensive however still an option. Now before moving on I want to be 100% clear pools ar the resorts are meant for guest staying at those resorts not CMs on their days off. Also I will save you the time people who just ignored what I said the Polynesian's Lava Pool is gated, and can only be accessed by a Magicband attached to the resort. 

Activities

• Movie Night Under the Stars 
• It is a free option offered by most deluxe hotels, and the movie changes every night. 
• Also as a note I prefer Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds for this as it has bleachers, s'more (not free but honestly they are cheap), and if you get there early enough a campfire with Chip 'n' Dale. 
• Marina Rentals
• Sea Raycer (fits up to 2 guests)
• Must be over 12 to drive
• Boston Whaler Montauk boat (fits up to 6 guest)
• Must be over 18 to drive
• Sun Tracker pontoon boat (fits up to 10 guests)
• Must be over 18 to drive
• Firework cruise 
• First off I would book it early, but really it is watching the fireworks on a boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon with synchronized audio to match. 
• In case anyone was wondering it is the Contemporary that offers the Pirate cruise 
• Kayak and Canoes 
• They are available at Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds 

As a note I will leave this here yes the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has a yacht called the Grand 1, and chances are unless you are ready to drop a couple hundred you are not renting it. 

Yes you read that correctly Sammy Duvall's Water Sports offered at Disney’s Contemporary Resort marina off of Bay Lake. You do get a discount, and honestly it is a fun thing to do when you do not feel like going to the parks again. So, I suggest any CP, PI, or MI take advantage of it especially if you live inland.

As for what they offer they currently offer the following activities:

• Parasailing
• Wake Boarding
• Wake Surfing
• Tubing

Of course the Contemporary also offers the same rentals as the resorts in the Seven Seas Region as well. 

I feel like I should add this in here as well, and yes I know most CMs know about Typhoon and Blizzard so I won't go over all the rides and such. However, there is something that most interns should take advantage of if surfing is your kind of thing. There are two options for surfing the first is a more affordable option that is meant for first-time riders or intermediate surfers. It is a group lesson offered prior to park opening on selected days (call (407) 939-7529 to find out when), and yes instructions will start on land then you'll head out in the wave pool. For those who are more experienced, and are looking for some one-on-one time private lessons are also available (for a very high cost), and they are offered before park open or after park close (you can check the calendar here). 

Things to know surf lesson (aka group):

• Sessions can be booked calling (407) 939-7529
• Lessons available to guest ages 8+
• Admission to Typhoon Lagoon is not required for the lesson (however if you want to stay in the park admission is required)
• Classes are only 12 at a time
• Towels are provided
• Beginner surf boards are provided (aka soft sided boards)
• The class is about 2.5 hours
• Surf instructors are from the Cocoa Beach Surf School

Things to know private lessons: 

• Sessions must be booked using this website
• No age limit, but any guest under 18 must have a consenting parent or legal guardian present
• Admission to Typhoon Lagoon is not required for the lesson (however if you want to stay in the park admission is required)
• You may bring up to 25 guest to the event (includes spectators)
• May bring food and drinks, but no glass containers or alcohol
• Depending on number of waves the session last 3-4 hours
• Must provide their own towls
• Must provide their own surfboard
• Acceptable boards are: surf board, long board, paddle board, or boogie board (no body surfing allowed)
• Also no exceptions you must bring your own board to the event
• Waves are 5-5.5 feet tall
• You can choose the type of waves you surf
• However during park open center peak waves are not allowed

I want to be clear that there are still a lot more options that I did not list on here as things to do outside of the theme parks, but at least this gives you an idea of the options you have.

A DCP Life for Me: Housing Events

Good news for you DCP although you are going to work a lot of hours, and probably dislike your job at some point in time -there are benefits. What are they you ask well quite a lot actually especially when it comes to housing events, but the ones I will cover here are the major ones.

*To be clear right off the bat guest cannot attend Starlit Splash or Winter Formal it is for CPs only (or PIs who pay the fee)

Graduation aka the Service Celebration ceremony is hosted every program no matter what session. It is hosted near the end of your program, and it is that realization that your time with Disney is coming to a close. It is much like the other parties hosted with free food, music, meet & greets, and a photo booth (some props provided).  This event is hosted at Chatham Square, and usually hosted two days (at two different times) although you can only attend one of those days.

Here are some things to remember:

• You do need to ask off for the graduation
• As of Spring 2015 you need to RSVP using DORMS to one of the service celebrations, so do not lose that information
• Graduation for your specific departure date is hosted twice, so if you cannot attend the first you might be able to attend the second
• You get a memory box, certificate, and graduation ears (they do not sell these ones in the parks)
• Not sure if they still do this but you used to be able to get a general embroidery done for free at the Chapeau on Main Street USA
• You can only attend one of the graduation ceremonies per program, and yes if you extend you get to attend graduation again
• The meet & greet offered is Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto also sometimes Donald and Daisy as well

Early in the first week of May Disney does something pretty amazing for its CPs, and open Typhoon Lagoon from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am for Starlit Splash. As the park is only open to CPs at the time good news is the waiting lines for anything are pretty much non-existent for everything. Yes, I also want to be 100% clear the entire water park is open for use not just a section. There is free food, music, meet & greets, water park fun, and Mickey Bars galore (seriously they were everywhere). As a note you also get a free t-shirt as well (although someone stole mine), and also they are limited so get there early I know not everyone gets one. Also I did mention meet & greets now to be clear they are not the same every year, but I know when I went we had: Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook, and Smee to name a few. They also end the night in true Disney fashion with dynamic fireworks display over Mount Mayday and Miss Tilly.

Here are some things to remember:

• Bring your Housing ID/Offsite ID you will need to to get into Typhoon Lagoon 
• They do not provide towels, so do not forget to bring one
• For anyone who does not know the water is heated (minus the shark reef obviously)
• Meet & Greets typically happen early, so if you want to meet them be there closer to the start of the event
• There is no alcohol at the event at all 
• Do not call out of work and show up to the event
• It is for College Program and International College Program participants only 
• Exception: If you are a PI who paid the fee to attend CP events

*As a note this is only happens in May, so if you do strictly Fall or your extension falls short of May you will not be able to attend 

**Yes you have to ask off for this as no one is guaranteed off, and for you lifeguard CPs at Typhoon & Blizzard I'm sorry you are more then likely working as well. I suggest ask when you find out the date (it will be posted on Disney Housing Twitter's site).

Early in the first week of December Disney does another pretty amazing CP event (won't I prefer Starlit Splash), and opens up a convention center to throw a Winter Formal. In the recent past they have chosen Coronado Springs Resort as their venue of choice, but may decide to change it if so Contemporary was the other venue they have used in the past as well (2013 I believe). Much like Starlit Splash there is free food, meet & greets, and music -although no fireworks for obvious reasons. It usually is a themed event I know ours was "In the Courtyard of Good and Evil" which had Prince and Princess Mickey, Hades, Jafar, Maleficent, Aurora, and the Evil Queen as meet and greets (fair warning for meet & greets you need to get their early or you will miss it).


Here are some things to know:

• Bring your Housing ID/Offsite ID as you will need it to get into the event
• There is no certain attire you have to wear to Winter Formal (although they do encourage you to dress up) you can go in pretty much whatever you want. 
• Note 90% of the girls at my event wore similar Forever 21 dresses
• There is no alcohol at the event 
• Meet & Greets typically happen early, so if you want to meet them be there closer to the start of the event
• Do not call out of work and show up to the event
• It is for College Program and International College Program participants only 
• Exception: If you are a PI who paid the fee to attend CP events

**Yes you have to ask off for this as no one is guaranteed off, so I suggest ask when you find out the date (it will be posted on Disney Housing Twitter's site).

It is a talent competition held only for Disney College Program and Disney International College Program participants. Auditions are typically held at The Commons Clubhouse prior to the event (obviously) you can sign-up in advance, or if they have time you can walk-in to audition as well. Also for those wondering it is held during both sessions of the College Program, so Fall & Spring participants will have a chance to attend.

Here are some things to know for those participating:

• As I said it happens in Fall & Spring for the DCP
• Auditions are typically in September and January 
• For those participating or auditioning acts must be less than 3.5 minutes
• Awards are: Best Singer, Best Instrumental, Best Dancer, and Best Overall
• Yes you get a trophy 
• Winners are chosen by the audience

Here are some things to know for those attending:

• Attending the event is simple just bring your Housing ID/Offsite ID 
• There are seats in the House of Blues (where it is held now it used to be held in Hollywood Studios)
• You can vote for your favorite act by cheering and applauding

As I said these are not the only events just the major ones, and if anyone is curious as to the other events offered during their DCP (or PIs if they pay the fee) I will list a few:

• Cocoa Beach trip
• Miami trip
• Farmers market trips
• Tampa Bay Ray baseball games
• Movie nights at Clubhouse 
• Resume building events
• Pool parties
• Welcome parties in the Chatham field (usually themed with characters)
• Prime example we had a Neverland welcome event with Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Wendy, and Smee meet and greets
• Grocery bingo

*As a note not all of these are free events, but Night of Stars, Starlit, Graduation, and Winter Formal are 100% free. 

**As a note none of these are my pictures