Car for college program question

[taeclarke]

I didn't bring my car with me for my program and I completely regret it. Don't get me wrong I had tons of fun. But also keep in mind that when I was there, spring 06, PI was still open and free for cast members on Thursdays so that's where we all hung out and we all took the PI bus.

But now a lot of the places for CPs to hang out like Jungle Jims and PI will be closed or have already closed.

You do meet a lot of people on the bus and it can be fun. I'd suggest riding the bus to and from work and using your car for play. Also though friends or people you know might have cars, its really nice to not have to worry about depending on other people and have the ability to just get up and go without planing around the bus schedules, which change constantly.

To sum it up...bring your car but use it sparingly...

 

[SweaterInJune]

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.

OH!!! That's what that was... I always wondered. Not sure if I ever realized that or tried to use it, but I remember seeing it on there... Thanks, Erin! I'll have to remember that even though I pretty much know my way around now...

 

[jeff318]

In May, there were also printed cast atlases at my costuming location (Chip 'n Dale)

 

[Sorahana]

I am SO glad I took my car down. We drove from here to FL, and that was fun too. I liked being able to not have to leave for work hours in advance, if I wanted to go somewhere I could just go, and it was easier to get groceries home from Wal*Mart then having to limit what you buy so you can carry it on and off the bus =).

 

[KGH]

i say bring the car... you might use the busses sometimes, for work or whatnot, but having a car is SO much more convinient!

 

[jjlara21]

I will be taking my car with me to california for the college program. Does the car have to be in my name? What about the insurance?

 

[KingKobra]

So i ended up bringing my car and I am definitely glad that I did!

 

[LeesyUD]

Great choice! I brought my car down on the auto train and I was so glad I did! I hope you have a great experience!!

 

[JustYourVoice88]

I would bring a car simply because waiting for a bus at 3 am after a lovely shift of extra magic hours is not much fun. Buying gas is definitely a con though

 

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

Well I think it's worth it as long as you can afford it. It can get miserable waiting for the buses, etc. Just be forewarned you will get used and abused by the other CMs who mostly don't have a car! lol.

But think about the freedom of going somewhere the busses don't offer, being able to shop somewhere besides WalMart for your groceries (think:day you move in-WalMart is frickin busting with CPs lol), things like this. Controlling whether or not you are late for work because in my experience (well actually fiance's experience my friends and him were CP/IPs I was FT) a lot of managers don't care that the reason you're late is the bus! They do not care.

 

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

I will be taking my car with me to california for the college program. Does the car have to be in my name? What about the insurance?

YES! the car has to be in your name! My fiance was not allowed to bring our shared car into the Commons because it was not in his name

 

[SweaterInJune]

My car, again, was NOT in my name--as most people in our age bracket. That said, my insurance was (as well as my mother's name)and it was specifically for my car, with my registration numbers. The car was in her name. As both were on it, with the same legal address, I was issued the parking pass at Chatham. No problem...

 

[LeesyUD]

Well I think it's worth it as long as you can afford it. It can get miserable waiting for the buses, etc. Just be forewarned you will get used and abused by the other CMs who mostly don't have a car! lol.

But think about the freedom of going somewhere the busses don't offer, being able to shop somewhere besides WalMart for your groceries (think:day you move in-WalMart is frickin busting with CPs lol), things like this. Controlling whether or not you are late for work because in my experience (well actually fiance's experience my friends and him were CP/IPs I was FT) a lot of managers don't care that the reason you're late is the bus! They do not care.

The thing about other CM's taking advantage is a good warning. You will have people that will try to get rides from you whenever they can or ask to borrow your car. I would recommend coming up with your own ground rules for yourself on whether you want to drive other people or lend your car.

I made the decision that I was comfortable lending my car to roomates OCCASIONALY for a very short period if they needed to go to the local stores and I really didn't need or want to go. I would also take them if I was not busy do something else. However, I did not allow people to abuse me. If they wanted a ride to work bc I had a day off, I was not going to get up and drive them everytime I had off. I also had one friend that I left the care of my car to while I went to visit my parents one wkend and had to fly home. I left it in his care bc I felt that with 7 other roommates, that was alot of people to leave my car with and I was worried the car would be abused. I told my good friend that if they needed it let them borrow it, but only if you were not going to be using it.

So I would just suggest to have a game plan in your head on how much you generosity you are willing to provide, and don't let people take advantage of you just bc you are afraid to say no or don't want to be rude to anyone. It is not rude, it is your car, and your right to deny/offer rides or lending.

P.S. p do not let this discourage you from bringing a car - it made things soooo much easier. And I had the ability to go to places alot easier than alot of the other CP's and not having to leave so early for work (especially bc I lived at Chatham Square and would have had to take to buses).

 

[_frazzle]

I'm really hoping someone doesn't ask to borrow my car. I'm REALLY protective over it. I saved for 18 years to get it and I don't want anything bad to happen to it. I sort of have a hard time saying no though because I think people will get mad. Ugh.

 

[SweaterInJune]

I never let people borrow my car! That's just leaving room for a problem that isn't necessary. Say they get into an accident, that isn't their fault at all...it's still my problem to deal with...and issues will arise from it.

I gave friends from work rides all the time...I never mind. Having been to uni w/out a car my first 2 years, I know how difficult it can be and I remember what that was like. No, I wouldn't take them if I wasn't working, but if I was, I had no problems, within reason(I'm not leaving 3 hours early, but 30 min or so was fine. I was really close to the people I worked with and still am, so that was part of it too...

If I was driving, I would rather take people along--I try to be environmentally friendly, so we would carpool and rotate who drove too. It worked well. I would also take friends shopping...no big deal, it was fun. I don't feel like people were 'taking advantage of me', but rather 'taking advantage of an opportunity offered to them'. I never felt used or abused by anyone. They would offer some gas money or a meal typically if we rode around a lot. My help was always appreciated.

One of my BFFs who I met at DAKlimation lived at Vista and we were almost always together, so I had to go to both complexes anyways. It was never a problem to fill the backseat too

 

[LeesyUD]

I never let people borrow my car! That's just leaving room for a problem that isn't necessary. Say they get into an accident, that isn't their fault at all...it's still my problem to deal with...and issues will arise from it.

I gave friends from work rides all the time...I never mind. Having been to uni w/out a car my first 2 years, I know how difficult it can be and I remember what that was like. No, I wouldn't take them if I wasn't working, but if I was, I had no problems, within reason(I'm not leaving 3 hours early, but 30 min or so was fine. I was really close to the people I worked with and still am, so that was part of it too...

If I was driving, I would rather take people along--I try to be environmentally friendly, so we would carpool and rotate who drove too. It worked well. I would also take friends shopping...no big deal, it was fun. I don't feel like people were 'taking advantage of me', but rather 'taking advantage of an opportunity offered to them'. I never felt used or abused by anyone. They would offer some gas money or a meal typically if we rode around a lot. My help was always appreciated.

One of my BFFs who I met at DAKlimation lived at Vista and we were almost always together, so I had to go to both complexes anyways. It was never a problem to fill the backseat too

Oh I agree, I had a great time driving people around, but there were times where I had a day off and wanted to rest and I was not going to always go out of my way for people. (Though my close friends I actual did offer to drive them alot bc I ddin't mind) But there were times that I felt there were certain people I knew that were asking me for rides more than they probably should have. I never felt taken advantage of though. But there are some people that do have trouble saying no, and those are the people that could get taken advantage of and end up driving people everywhere. That said when I was there I loved getting out no matter what we were doing so I was willing to drive alot of places. My point is just don't feel you need to drive people EVERYWHERE bc you are the one with the car. It's your car, your decision.

 

[razzery]

Speaking of roommates borrow cars...
One night last year while I was taking a nap my roommates decided to use my car to go to a concert and didnt want to wake me up. I ended up getting woken up about half an hour later by one of them calling and saying there was a "litte scratch that will just buff right out". I had her boyfriend drive me to them and almost died when I saw my car. The entire drivers side back passenger door going all the way back to the trunk was smashed in. I was not amused. Thankfully my roommate had the brains to pretend to be me to the police since she knew all my info and the other guy payed for all of the repairs so neither my parents nor my insurance ever found out. We were lucky on that one. Needless to say, no one ever borrowed my car again.

 

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

Oh no! Don't let anyone borrow your car! I just meant for rides!

 

[ElectricMayhem88]

Okay I know this thread is a little bit older so maybe I should just start a new one, but I will ask here first. Has anyone had experience with bringing a motorcycle or moped, vespa, scooter or anything like that? My DGF and I will be in CP around the same time, hopefully, except she will be doing FQ and I will be doing FA. We are definatly bringing her car since it is bigger than mine but would it be worth it for me to bring a motorbike or scooter of some sort just for getting to and from work things like that? Would Disney allow that or is it cars only?

 

[Climber656]

I am 20, almost 21, years of age and have yet to own a car. I know, I know, how the heck does he get around? Well, depending on people stinks. But I have made it this far. I still don't own a car and I am doing a CP this spring (god willing.) So it looks like the buses for me....