Car for college program question

[KingKobra]

Is it really worth it to bring your car for the program? I've read things like 2hr wait times for buses at the end of the day and unreliable service in the mornings...basically is it worth spending the $400 for the auto train or would taking a cab everywhere and to work be unrealistic?

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I think I would have gone crazy without my car. It would stress me out to have to rely on friends for rides. And the work buses are kind of silly. It's recommended to take the bus before the one that would get you there on time so usually you get to work 30 minutes before you actually have to be there. If the bus makes you late, then you have to deal with the consequences of being late at work even though it was not your fault. Though, my roommate was on the bus once and the driver stopped the bus, got out, and said he quit. She was late for work but they excused her, lol.

 

[MKandy]

I plan on doing the CP Spring 09. I also plan on taking my car down from where I live in Pennsylvania. From what I have heard, it is worth it. Not only just to get to work, but also to go to the grocery store or other entertainment complexes around the area.

 

[SweaterInJune]

If you can have a car there, you'll be glad! The busses are a pain...still, I recommend car-pooling as much as possible. I was usually the driver of my group of friends, but I don't mind and in fact prefer it. They chipped in on fuel, food, etc.

The car comes in handy when going to work, playing in the parks, shopping, beach trips, etc. I took the bus at the beginning of the program until I knew where I had to go to get to work. It can be annoying. My friends and I would also take the bus often if going to play in Epcot in the evenings. If you're anything like us, you'll understand why in due time ;-).

Bottom line though, if you bring your car, you will certainly be glad you did! I was!!!

 

[futreWDI]

With gas prices today... I would still plan on taking the bus to work. I was never late or waited too long for a bus and it is like any other mass transit... plan well and you will be fine. If you work at 9 and one bus gets you there at 850 and the earlier one gets you there 830, take the earlier one!!!

 

[futreWDI]

If you can have a car there, you'll be glad! The busses are a pain...still, I recommend car-pooling as much as possible. I was usually the driver of my group of friends, but I don't mind and in fact prefer it. They chipped in on fuel, food, etc.

The car comes in handy when going to work, playing in the parks, shopping, beach trips, etc. I took the bus at the beginning of the program until I knew where I had to go to get to work. It can be annoying. My friends and I would also take the bus often if going to play in Epcot in the evenings. If you're anything like us, you'll understand why in due time ;-).

Bottom line though, if you bring your car, you will certainly be glad you did! I was!!!

haha... hey danielle. its erin... i will definitely get back to you this week, so sorry.

 

[SweaterInJune]

haha... hey danielle. its erin... i will definitely get back to you this week, so sorry.

Hi, Erin! Haha... I just did a double take at this...

No worries... I think I've mostly made a decision. I'll send you some updated info, but I look forward to hearing from you just the same!

 

[Joanna71985]

If you can, I HIGHLY recommend bringing a car with you. You will be so much happier with it. Plus, you don't have to drive it everyday. But you will love having it, especially when you go grocery shopping.

 

[JPTexan82]

I had my truck with me, When I was at my normal work location DAKL about 50% of the Time I took the bus, it got me there 15 mins before punch in. But then I had to wait 15 min after punch out to leave which was no big deal it gave me a chance to calm down and relax and chat with the other CP's. But at that time it was on a direct route cause it stopped at Costuming, AK, then DAKL, then back to Vista in that order. So at the end of the day there was no stops got straight home. The bus left vista at the 15 and the 45 of the hour so it was simple. SO if punch in time was at 10 am then i got the 9:15.

 

[shastatikipunch]

I took the bus at the beginning of the program until I knew where I had to go to get to work. It can be annoying. My friends and I would also take the bus often if going to play in Epcot in the evenings. If you're anything like us, you'll understand why in due time ;-).

When you get there and find out where you are working, do they give you any type of map to find your way around the propoerty. I vaguely know where everything is located in the grand scheme of things, pending my acceptance I'm planning on bringing my car down there. I'm just worried I won't be able to find where everything is.

 

[SweaterInJune]

When you get there and find out where you are working, do they give you any type of map to find your way around the propoerty. I vaguely know where everything is located in the grand scheme of things, pending my acceptance I'm planning on bringing my car down there. I'm just worried I won't be able to find where everything is.

The entire property is labeled much like an interstate. If you follow the signs to whichever park, resort, etc. you're working at, that's a start(to get you ALMOST there, but you have to know where to turn-off). At check-in they do give you a map which has info specifically for your work location: cast parking, how to get to your orientation sites, etc. And they explain where to go...quickly. That's how it was when I was there S'07, but it may have changed a bit now.

By taking the bus a couple times before, and paying attention, you'll figure it out. Once you understand how everything works, it's easy. If you're at HS, the cast parking is obvious. AK is easy to find so long as you don't go through the main entrance. MK, the least obvious. Epcot is fairly hidden too.

Hope that helps a bit. I know you will figure it out with little trouble... Oh, and a reminder: Cast Parking is ONLY for while you're working...

 

[shastatikipunch]

The entire property is labeled much like an interstate. If you follow the signs to whichever park, resort, etc. you're working at, that's a start(to get you ALMOST there, but you have to know where to turn-off). At check-in they do give you a map which has info specifically for your work location: cast parking, how to get to your orientation sites, etc. And they explain where to go...quickly. That's how it was when I was there S'07, but it may have changed a bit now.

By taking the bus a couple times before, and paying attention, you'll figure it out. Once you understand how everything works, it's easy. If you're at HS, the cast parking is obvious. AK is easy to find so long as you don't go through the main entrance. MK, the least obvious. Epcot is fairly hidden too.

Hope that helps a bit. I know you will figure it out with little trouble... Oh, and a reminder: Cast Parking is ONLY for while you're working...

Awesome, I was there in May and July and it seemed some bus drivers took different routes to the parks from others, I got kind of worried about that cause I didn't know if there was certain roads cast members had to take.

 

[aly024]

i thought i read somewhere (not sure where exactly-ive read so much info it all just kind of runs together) that if u bring a car it has to be registered in ur name. is that true?

 

[bennyb98]

I didn't have my car and I managed just fine on my program, and the buses are usually not that late.

 

[Ellagirl]

I took my car down on the auto train and I was so happy that I did! I loved being able to go to the store when i needed. It was also nice to go out and see other parts of Orlando that weren't Disney. But if you dont take a car Im sure you'll have a friend down there that will have one and will take you places.

 

[SweaterInJune]

i thought i read somewhere (not sure where exactly-ive read so much info it all just kind of runs together) that if u bring a car it has to be registered in ur name. is that true?

My car was not in my name...; however, my insurance was and the addresses on both matched. That was okay. Make sure that you have this info!!! You won't park in a complex without it...

No, of course, a car is by no means necessary, but I haven't met a single person who brought a car and regretted it. On the other hand, I've met several who didn't bring one, but wished they had. The buses are more than adequate, and usually more environmentally friendly If you do bring a car, again, I encourage carpooling! Those of us with cars would also take turns driving...

 

[Jules76126]

Car is a fantastic thing to have lol. I didnt have a car during my cp and it was a hassle. The busses do stink. Many times you do have to leave earlier for work and getting on at the end of the night is a big pain, especially when you get off work a 12:30am and the next bus isnt until 1. Lets not even talk about trying to take you groceries on the bus.

However, there is a flip side. It is the cheapest way. I am doing another cp in January and thought about taking a car but decided against it because of gas prices and insurance and what not. I spent a lot of money when I was on my CP and i just cant bear the thought of having to budget to make sure I have enough money for my car when the bus is free. Also you meet a ton of people on the bus (especially since I worked in Epcot so i met all the international kids).

It really is up to you. Honestly you will learn to live without it. You will miss it but life goes on. I met people that had cars and most were more than willing to give rides home and whatnot. I went to Universal many times, downtown Orlando, and other places and I never had a car. So either way is bearable although having a car is nice.

 

[futreWDI]

When you get there and find out where you are working, do they give you any type of map to find your way around the propoerty. I vaguely know where everything is located in the grand scheme of things, pending my acceptance I'm planning on bringing my car down there. I'm just worried I won't be able to find where everything is.

Actually, on the hub there is a Cast Atlas. I am not sure they tell you about it but it is awesome. It gives driving directions and maps of backstage areas and cast parking, etc. Very informative. In fact, they just updated it this week.

From the site---

Cast Atlas 2.0, located on the Hub Work tab, still features major roadways, backstage areas and separate maps for Walt Disney World resorts, but the maps now contain more detail and a friendlier user interface. As a part of the upgrade, Cast Members can click and drag the interactive maps, zoom, view even more property locations, and find driving directions to and from more than 100 places on property.

 

[jeffwayne12]

I don't plan on taking my car and I leave in a week. I'm pretty much used to San Francisco transportation so I don't think it will be much of a bother. Since odds are I will know someone with a car anyways.

 

[zulemara]

I took the bus my first semester of the CP and brought my car down when I extended my second semester and I was VERY glad I did. It allowed me to pick up hours easier and get everywhere easier.

I drive a prius now, so gas prices don't effect me much, but if you're concerned about gas, take the bus to work and use the car for play. That would create a nice balance.