My dd started last fall...early Sept. She wanted to live off-site. But, that was a big no for us! She would need a car and we weren't prepared to do that. We felt she needed to live in Disney housing until she figured out the area. Yes, she has been going to WDW since she was 5 and could probably give park tours. But, that's the parks, it isn't the outside world! And there are some very not so good areas in Orlando!!! We told her we would discuss living off-site after her program ended. So, she lived with 5 other girls and it was okay. Things got a bit hairy towards the end of the program....girl issues.
Anyway...she now lives in a two bedroom apt in Clermont, with her boyfriend and a girlfriend. BUT...she has graduated from college, and has no intentions of returning home to NE. She hopes to continue working for Disney when her current extension is over in May. So, having a lease isn't an issue.
The only way CPs, who aren't planning on staying for a long period, can stay in an off-site apt is to find a situation where someone is looking to sublet their room in an apt.
As far as your other questions go.... We found that dd barely existed, still the case. Disney takes their rent out of the paychecks. If your kids aren't working at least 30 hrs a week, that doesn't leave much wiggle room for fun stuff on top of food!!
Time off hasn't happened. Before they changed the rules, dd found it easy to just give away a shift or two if she needed the time off. She has requested time off but has yet to get it. Now, she can't pick up shifts nearly as easily if she needs the money. We don't ask her to take time off if we're visiting...this is her job, not a vacation for her. She needs to be there when she's scheduled.
Disney has rules in place, and man, they follow those rules. I guess that's a good thing. A lot of these kids have never been on their own before. I know that they changed the giving away shifts thing because some kids were giving away so many shifts (so they could just go to the parks and play) that they didn't have enough money to pay their rent! I thought they should be given one warning. If it happened again, they got termed. Evidently Disney didn't think that was a good idea. So, all the kids get to suffer.
CPs are Full Time CMs which means they are guaranteed 30 or 32 hours (I forget which of those 2 is F/T). If they aren't getting scheduled for that then they need to talk to their manager because that is a part of their contract with Disney.
Some positions and locations can pick up shifts easier than others. For example, it tends to be very difficult to pick up extra shifts if you work front desk at a hotel. On the other hand it can be easier to pick up shifts if you work a large merchandise location (i.e. MouseGears or the Emporium) or attractions. Attractions can vary based on the park and whether it's an "E ticket" attraction (i.e. Haunted Mansion, 7D Mine Train, Sp Mtn). Usually and I stress usually, those working in parks get more hours than those working in hotels (except housekeeping, they generally get a set schedule...not always but seems to be the pattern). Also those working in MK tend to get more hours than those working in AK or the Studios (since those parks tend to have the shortest operating hours).
I agree with goofy4tink. Many bad apples have ruined it for the entire group. I have seen the problems unfold over the 4 years I have watched the program closely because my kids were in it multiple times....
1. the internet has helped kids get in who probably shouldn't be there. But with all the info out there, the kids are learning this is what you say to get in. And often it is working. Eventually many of them get weeded out and termed, but they never meant what they said in their interview.
2. Some kids think it is a 4 to 7 month Disney vacation with a little bit of work thrown in here and there. The stuff that some of them post in their FB groups is CRAZY!!! I saw a post where someone was offered a role they really weren't interested in so they weren't sure if they were going to accept their offer. Others were telling them, well it's only about 50% work and the other 50% was playing in the parks!! Seriously???
3. The kids learned the system well enough to know that they could give away shifts or if no one took the shift or it was too last minute, they'd call out and go to Universal instead. This leaves Disney short staffed and the guests pay when too many do this. The kids learned how frequently they could call out without getting to the point of jeopardizing their job. I kid you not, there were constant posts on how to do it and tracking your points, etc....
I do believe that this is an excellent program for those participating with the right mindset. But the reality is they are cheap bulk labor. I think if done right and well, it can be a benefit to both parties. But the kids need to realize it is a job first, and the off the clock fun is the bonus... not the other way around.
My younger DD worked in a park and got decent hours. She managed just fine. She paid her rent, bought groceries, gas, paid her own car insurance (and she has her own policy, she's not on ours!), shopped some, went out to eat some (some off property and some TS restaurants with roommates or workmates), did other things like Cocoa Beach, Busch Gardens, etc... if they work in the parks (esp MK) the Fall kids can get swamped with hours for a few weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's. Mine was getting 60+ hours in those weeks.
One thing I have found is each CP's experience is different based on many factors....you can have 2 CP's at the same location but ask them the same questions and chances are you will get different answers.