Thanks for the read Cam. Being 17/18 is tough. Your dad sounds like a wise man. You sound like a stubborn and thoughtful kid. You'll do well.

CalPoly is great school. Make sure you take courses from Staley (tough but good). Use the Pass/Fail option liberally. Do the ACM Programming Contest.

Lastly, Disneyland has a weird enjoyment curve. Sometime around your age it lost its appeal. But by my late 30s it became one of my favorite vacation spots. And now with kids I love it again. Something about going to Disneyland with your parents on your 18th birthday was touching to me.