Bringing a car to the Disney College Program
SUMMARY
A car is convenient but not required or needed.
There is a fee for a Flamingo Parking Permit.
Having a car while on the program can be a huge expense and possibly an added liability.
Don’t assume that insurance is all set without talking to your agent or insurance company. You are probably covered if away at College but DCP IS NOT COLLEGE (for most).
First, right off the bat, let’s be clear: a car is absolutely not required to complete a Disney College Program if the CP will be living at Flamingo Crossings Village. Bringing a car can make things more convenient, but it isn’t necessary, as the CP bus system will transport participants to and from their assigned work locations.
Here are some things to consider if you’re trying to decide whether or not to bring your car:
You must register the car with Flamingo, and there is a parking permit fee (see official Disney support resources for current details). The parking fee is charged based on your program dates; if you extend your program, you’ll pay an additional fee.
Parking permits are issued on an “as available” basis. That means there are fewer parking spaces at Flamingo than residents. If more residents request permits than spaces available, a waitlist can form. Since the Flamingo West Campus opened, Navigator hasn’t heard of participants being unable to get a permit, but it’s still a factor to keep in mind.
A Flamingo parking permit is campus-specific. If you live on East Campus, you may park in East resident parking. If you drive to West Campus to visit a friend, you’re considered a visitor; your East permit does not entitle you to West resident parking.
The parking spaces at Flamingo are not oversized, and not everyone is a precision parker. Door dings, scratches, and the occasional “whoops, I hit that car while parking” do happen.
Costs, Insurance & Vehicle Registration
Before deciding to bring a car, make sure you’ve built a realistic written budget. The program guarantees only 30 hours per week, and you’re not earning top dollar. CPs tell Navigator that rent is the #1 weekly expense, followed by food and gas.
It might look like everything is close by, but most CPs with a car report driving more miles than expected. More miles = more gas, and those costs add up quickly.
Your program will last from 4 to 12 months. Plan for oil changes, tires, brakes, breakdowns, and other unexpected repairs. (Having AAA or similar coverage is not a bad idea.)
Don’t Be a Crash Dummy – Talk to Your Insurance Company.
You’re required to have car insurance, but you also have it so one accident doesn’t cost you tens of
thousands of dollars. Many companies have special rules for “going away to college,” covering a car kept
in another state while you’re in school.
The Disney College Program is not a school.
Very few participants can claim their DCP term as a for-credit internship that is formally part of their college curriculum. Don’t assume you’re covered. Call your insurance provider, explain that you’ll be living and working in Florida for the Disney College Program, and ask what changes are required. This is especially important if you’ve graduated and are essentially moving to Orlando for DCP.
Vehicle registration (license plate): Most states require you to transfer your registration if you move there, usually within a set number of days. Many offer exceptions for full-time students. Again: DCP is not a traditional college enrollment.
In Florida, the law says a vehicle with out-of-state registration must be registered within 10 days of the owner becoming employed, placing children in public school, or establishing residency. Navigator isn’t a lawyer and this isn’t legal advice, but here’s where it gets tricky:
Who owns the car—the CP or a parent? If a parent owns it and still lives in your home state, then the owner hasn’t moved to Florida. If the CP owns the car, Florida’s rules clearly suggest getting Florida plates within 10 days.
Is that what most CPs do? Honestly, no. Most consider themselves in Florida temporarily and accept the risk of a possible ticket rather than pay to re-register the car. But if your true intent is to move to Florida long term and not return to your home state, follow the law: update your registration, get Florida insurance, a Florida driver’s license, and establish residency.
