College Program Questions Thread Pt 2

[jen22va]

Hey everyone..
I was in the chat on AIM tonight and a question came up that nobody really knew the answer to so I thought I'd post it here...

Do we get paid time & a half or double time for workin on federal holidays?? (I thought this was a federal law but after researching it, I realized it's not.)

Also, I was talkin to someone who's done the CP before and they were sayin somethin like if you work a shift one night and don't have 8 hours before your next shift like the next morning, you get paid overtime for part of the next shift? Is this true or totally bogus?

Thanks in advance! Have a magical day!

 

[Sehsun]

I have heard that CPs do not get paid any kind of holiday pay, but we do get paid time-and-a-half for overtime (working over 40 hours a week or more than 8 hours a day).

Also, I was talkin to someone who's done the CP before and they were sayin somethin like if you work a shift one night and don't have 8 hours before your next shift like the next morning, you get paid overtime for part of the next shift? Is this true or totally bogus?

Yup, 'tis true, if you have 8 hours or less between shifts. This is what WDW calls turn-around. I think you get paid OT (if you are a CP; double-time if you are FT) for the whole shift, no?

 

[csaribay]

Yup, 'tis true, if you have 8 hours or less between shifts. This is what WDW calls turn-around. I think you get paid OT (if you are a CP; double-time if you are FT) for the whole shift, no?

Yeah, it's kind of confusing. I'm looking at some of my schedules from last year- assuming the shift worked before the shift gap is eight hours or more, it's overtime for the entire turnabout shift for the first eight hours, and then double-time for anything exceeding eight hours.

 

[futreWDI]

Most managers will do anything and everything to 'make sure you have the turnaround time period because the company would rather not be paying the double time so dont expect this too much, only 'in really crazy peak periods.

 

[orangekid13]

I haven't gotten a response on how to find out who my campus' rep is, but i came up with another question
How easy is it to get to the parks to go as a guest? I know there are buses to get you to work, and that you can go to the parks for fun, but do you take the same buses?

 

[DisneyJersey]

I haven't gotten a response on how to find out who my campus' rep is, but i came up with another question
How easy is it to get to the parks to go as a guest? I know there are buses to get you to work, and that you can go to the parks for fun, but do you take the same buses?

you can always go onto the website on wdwcollegeprogram.com, they have an email for those who are going to be in the program, they can find out for you.

as for the parks, you can take the same buses that take you to work, and go to the parks that way.. for example, one of the buses goes to the TTC (transportation center), you can get off and go to any park you want, or if you just plan on going to a particular park, then go on that bus.. you can either go in the main entrance or go backstage and come out from there..which i have done many times...make sure you have ur id with you at all times if you plan on going to the parks..

 

[sylvesterT21]

I haven't gotten a response on how to find out who my campus' rep is, but i came up with another question
How easy is it to get to the parks to go as a guest? I know there are buses to get you to work, and that you can go to the parks for fun, but do you take the same buses?

I see in your sig, you are trying for Spring 09. If that is the case and you are looking for someone to talk about the program with before you decide to do it, then there is of course the FAQs which have a lot of information http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/faqs/faq_app_process.html

But I think if you email them and there is a campus rep at your school, they will let you know. If not then once you're accepted into the program, you'll find out and they can answer all your questions before you accept your offer to participate.

 

[futreWDI]

you can always go onto the website on wdwcollegeprogram.com, they have an email for those who are going to be in the program, they can find out for you.

as for the parks, you can take the same buses that take you to work, and go to the parks that way.. for example, one of the buses goes to the TTC (transportation center), you can get off and go to any park you want, or if you just plan on going to a particular park, then go on that bus.. you can either go in the main entrance or go backstage and come out from there..which i have done many times...make sure you have ur id with you at all times if you plan on going to the parks..

Since you are going in Spring, this warning probably means nothing right now but for anyone else... be careful being backstage on a non work day. you CAN get in trouble. usually no one is too strict but we did almost get in trouble once, trying to exit MK out the back because we waited till the fireworks were over and it is much quicker to use the MK backstage bus route than use the monorail to TTC bus route. The security asked for our IDs and then proceeded to question us about whether we were working or not. (he could obviously see we werent) and he made us turn around and exit out of the front. there is always a way using the CP buses to get into the front entrance of a park, and i suggest doing that before using the back. Also, on peak days it is completely unfair to come through the back because you are not counted in the system. This means you are not counted as a person in the park and if a lot of people did that, we would be taking something away from our guests.

 

[csaribay]

The security asked for our IDs and then proceeded to question us about whether we were working or not. (he could obviously see we werent) and he made us turn around and exit out of the front. there is always a way using the CP buses to get into the front entrance of a park, and i suggest doing that before using the back. Also, on peak days it is completely unfair to come through the back because you are not counted in the system. This means you are not counted as a person in the park and if a lot of people did that, we would be taking something away from our guests.

I just want to back futureWDI on this- the only sanctioned way to enter and exit a park is through its official gates. Using backstage entrances or exits (while more convenient sometimes) is not really recommended- such areas are for cast members with a legitimate business purpose to be there. Many times people turn a blind-eye as long as you have your ID on, but honestly, it only takes one time for it to be a problem.

As the 2008 Program Guide (everyone gets this on their first day) says...

If you're visiting the theme parks or water parks as a Guest, please enter through the official Guest entrance. The Cast Member entrance is designed for those who are working. As always, work travel should supersede leisure travel.

 

[tinyt396]

Actually that reminds me about something... on days when the MK bus (or any of the other buses) is full, if you are just going to play in the parks then please let those people needing to get to work get on before you. During my program that was a huge problem, and it caused people to be late for work just because others wanted to play in the park. It is not fun to have that happen to you, so please keep that in mind.

 

[orangekid13]

if you are just going to play in the parks then please let those people needing to get to work get on before you

Well if that's the case (this is probably going to sound pretty weird to most of you) is there a reasonable way to ride a bike to any of the parks? I understand the distance and that wouldn't be the problem, but is there even roads I would be allowed to bike on? I'm not sure how FL bike laws work or if bikes are allowed on the roads on Disney property on the way to MK since they're freeway style.

If I can get to the parks, is there a good place to lock up bikes either by the CM entrance or the front of the park where I wouldn't have to worry about anyone messing with it, and maybe under cover so it doesn't get soaked if it rains? And would there be any chance of taking the bus home with my bike, or is there no room or rules against taking it on the bus?

 

[CelticBelle]

I think bikes may actually be on the housing list of what not to bring. So you wouldnt be able to take it anyway. I remember on the podcast a few weeks ago they discussed riding bikes to the park and said that there is no bike racks. Im not sure about the cm entrance. I would assume not since bike rack in public places seem to be pretty rare these days.

 

[pinkpanda38]

Well if that's the case (this is probably going to sound pretty weird to most of you) is there a reasonable way to ride a bike to any of the parks? I understand the distance and that wouldn't be the problem, but is there even roads I would be allowed to bike on? I'm not sure how FL bike laws work or if bikes are allowed on the roads on Disney property on the way to MK since they're freeway style.

If I can get to the parks, is there a good place to lock up bikes either by the CM entrance or the front of the park where I wouldn't have to worry about anyone messing with it, and maybe under cover so it doesn't get soaked if it rains? And would there be any chance of taking the bus home with my bike, or is there no room or rules against taking it on the bus?

Its probably not the best place to ride a bike, especially from park to park. But in Animal Kingdom you actually ride bikes to get from place to place!

 

[orangekid13]

How absolute is the what-not-to-bring list if it is on there? I'm just getting into cycling but my goal is to do the Seattle to Portland ride next summer if I'm not still doing the cp (still haven't decided spring vs spring adv.)
That would really suck to not be allowed to bring a bike, especially with gas prices so high. I've been riding to my classes this summer, and I've shaved the 1.6 miles of hills to class down to 6.5 min in just a month. I've also saved $50 on a parking pass, idk HOW MUCH on gas (it's a little longer to drive because I can take shortcuts and bypass stoplights), and an hour every day I ride due to the poor schedule of the busses (small college town with most people gone means only 3 buses, only one of them on my route), and I enjoy it.

 

[tinyt396]

How absolute is the what-not-to-bring list if it is on there? I'm just getting into cycling but my goal is to do the Seattle to Portland ride next summer if I'm not still doing the cp (still haven't decided spring vs spring adv.)
That would really suck to not be allowed to bring a bike, especially with gas prices so high. I've been riding to my classes this summer, and I've shaved the 1.6 miles of hills to class down to 6.5 min in just a month. I've also saved $50 on a parking pass, idk HOW MUCH on gas (it's a little longer to drive because I can take shortcuts and bypass stoplights), and an hour every day I ride due to the poor schedule of the busses (small college town with most people gone means only 3 buses, only one of them on my route), and I enjoy it.

My recommendation would be to listen to Disney if they tell you not to bring something. They usually have pretty good reasons for putting things on that list.

 

[orangekid13]

My recommendation would be to listen to Disney if they tell you not to bring something. They usually have pretty good reasons for putting things on that list.

There are plenty of public roads I could use for cycling, even if I never take my bike to work or a park, so if I keep my bike in my space I think I should be allowed to bring it

 

[tinyt396]

There are plenty of public roads I could use for cycling, even if I never take my bike to work or a park, so if I keep my bike in my space I think I should be allowed to bring it

Then by all means, bring it. It was just meant as a recommendation, there just isn't very much space in the apartments for bikes, but if your roommates don't mind it, then bring it with you.

 

[sylvesterT21]

How absolute is the what-not-to-bring list if it is on there? I'm just getting into cycling but my goal is to do the Seattle to Portland ride next summer if I'm not still doing the cp (still haven't decided spring vs spring adv.)
That would really suck to not be allowed to bring a bike, especially with gas prices so high. I've been riding to my classes this summer, and I've shaved the 1.6 miles of hills to class down to 6.5 min in just a month. I've also saved $50 on a parking pass, idk HOW MUCH on gas (it's a little longer to drive because I can take shortcuts and bypass stoplights), and an hour every day I ride due to the poor schedule of the busses (small college town with most people gone means only 3 buses, only one of them on my route), and I enjoy it.

I think if they tell you not to bring it, there is probably a good reason....like there is no place for storage and you wont have room in your apartment, or that it is difficult to ride around. Of course with the busses you won't need it to get around.

 

[csaribay]

There are plenty of public roads I could use for cycling, even if I never take my bike to work or a park, so if I keep my bike in my space I think I should be allowed to bring it

You might want to contact housing (wdw.disney.housing.ops@disney.com) to see if they allow bikes now. Personally I don't see any issue with it, but the 2007 housing contract didn't allow bikes on housing property.

 

[orangekid13]

You might want to contact housing (wdw.disney.housing.ops@disney.com) to see if they allow bikes now. Personally I don't see any issue with it, but the 2007 housing contract didn't allow bikes on housing property.

I wonder what someone did to make that a rule, I just don't see how that would come up as something to make a rule about normally.
I could make a bike rack to keep my bike on a wall using wood clamped between the floor and ceiling (like the stuff from ikea that expands to keep itself in place) so that it wouldn't be outside to get stolen or be in the way, I could even do that in my room so it's not taking up space in the living room... banning bikes really makes zero sense to me.

I sent them an email, I'll post the response if/when I get one.