CP Buses

[ZeroToHero]

Also, check your bank's website, because I just checked mine, and it said:

"Our affiliation lets you make surcharge-free transactions at any SUM ATM location or at any of the Publix Market ATMs located throughout Florida and Georgia."

Woohoo! That's awesome, because my bank is a small local credit union, so that was crazy that they would have that. It's like everything is falling into place for me... now I just need to get in.

 

[SandrA9810]

Yeah, publix is one of the last places to offer free ATM use. But if you're with a credit union, you might be able to use Partner's ATMs without issue.

I have an account at a small credit union in Ft Lauderdale. Throughout the state there are "sister credit unions" that I can go into to do my banking, as if I was at my own bank. I can't do that at Partner's, but I can use the ATMs as if they were my own, deposit checks (money is available instantly) and withdrawl cash without any fees.

The closest Regions bank is in Celebration. You can catch the 56 Lynx bus from MK cast parking or TTC, the bus has a stop right outside the shopping plaza. (it's the second celebration stop, after the bus turns right off 192).

Make friends with fellow CPs, and don't be afraid to make friends with regular CM's, almost all of them have a car and will some times offer you a ride home.

And the previous poster was referring to DoubleBack (which is amazingly awesome). Double back happens when you have less than 8hrs between shifts. Still means you can be off at 2am and back in at 10am, but if you're off at 2:15am and back in at 10am you will incure double back. You second shift is rolled into the first shift to create one big long shift. So your first 8hrs is regular pay, 8-14hrs is overtime (time and a half), 14+ is double. And it must be approved by a manger or through scheduling. It generally only happens around Christmas, 4th of July, and Spring Break. But the whole company is cracking down on it and doesn't approve it all that much. If you're scheduled for it, just keep your mouth shut and go with it, or else you risk the chance of a manager "fixing" your schedule so you don't get it.
It makes for an amazing pay check, but it really makes you wired, especially if they do it to you at the beginning of your week. When you have the follow day off, it's not so bad. But expect very very little sleep.

On time when I got it, I was on a 4-10 bid line (4 days 10hrs each). Well DAK wasn't open late enough, but they had the parties going on at MK. So I was scheduled, 9:30 to 6 at DAK. 6pm-1am MK. Following day, 8:30am Studios till 6pm, and got asked to extend for like 2 more hrs. And the worst part, I got all the way to my car, realized I still had the nextel and wound up taking like an hour to go all the way back through the tunnels to drop it off (since I wasn't going to be at MK the following day). I think I got home at like 3am and wound up with 3hrs of sleep.
So my first 10hrs was regular pay, my next 6hrs were over time, and next 8hrs (i think) was doubleback. I still only worked slightly over 40hrs that week, but came home with the biggest paycheck ever.

 

[PennyLou]

Yea I didn't use the Disney bark I switched a national bank when I went last time mostly so if my parents needed to help they could which I think only happens once but the could put Money in my account. But I had a car to get there. And once I went seasonal I jut have them deposit in my curent acount. I just meant that if u have to go to the bank a lot the only bank u cam get to on Disney busses is the Disney banks.

 

[Pure_Imagination]

I love having my car here! Driving in my car makes me feel at home, and I like having that comfort amongst all the huge changes and frustration that comes with moving down here. I like my drives home, it's quite peaceful- I'm just a fan of driving! Gas isn't *that* bad. I spend $25 a week on gas, maybe a little more a little less depending on how expensive gas is and how often I drive. The parks are only 15-20 minutes away, so I don't think that's far enough to panic about buying gas and all of that.

I also like that I can leave my shift when it's over- I don't have to wait. It's also nice to have a car on the morning shifts because morning shifts can be HELL with the busses! All through my training I couldn't wait to get done and be used to driving to work so that I could have my car! I'd be up at 5 am every morning (or earlier!) to be at work at 7 or 7:30 when work is 20 minutes away!

Plus sometimes busses get on my nerves with how crowded it is and how annoying people can be on busses. Plus they're usually over crowded and all through my training I usually to stand- which is the last thing I wanted to do with the insane hours I was working! I've also heard stories of busses being so over crowded that people were forced to take the next bus- or next two busses! I just think my car's more comfortable and pleasant to be in.

Look at it this way, too: are you still going to be paying insurance and/or car payments while your down here? I thought it was a waste to leave my car sitting at home when we're still paying insurance on it.

I think a lot of the debate has to deal with the drive here. I admit, I spent quite a bit of money on gas getting here, but I think it's worth it. I love roadtrips, and I got to bring everything I wanted to (another benefit of having a car!!).

Having a car is also really nice as far as grocery shopping goes! It's bad enough to have to carry my groceries up all of these flights of steps, let alone onto the bus and back to my apartment!

Bottom line: it's possible to get by without a car. Quite honestly I don't really use my car that much except for work, but I just like having it. I can't imagine going 4 months without driving it- like said, I love driving! Just know that you'll be limited on times you can go places. The CP busses are just like public transportation- it's not the best system ever and can sometimes be really inconvenient for you. But if you're a flexible person with a lot of patience- and an early morning person! Lol. The busses might be good for you.

 

[Kayticheer101]

Okay so couple of questions..Im not bringing my car and i know that the busses can take me everywhere i need to go but i was wondering differences between the apartments and things like that...

Okay so location wise do the buses all go the same places from each apartment or would we have to go to one of the other apartments to get certain places?

another ?: with vista chatham and patterson... what are the closeby things peopel go to? like walking wise or bus wise. And which one is closer to things like downtown disney and all that?

while im talking about apartments..lol which one is the main one that everyone goes to for events and all that jazz?

 

[RyanS]

Okay so couple of questions..Im not bringing my car and i know that the busses can take me everywhere i need to go but i was wondering differences between the apartments and things like that...

Okay so location wise do the buses all go the same places from each apartment or would we have to go to one of the other apartments to get certain places?

The buses make stops at each apartment complex (except Patterson which shares a stop with Chatham). The routes are different for each bus though.

another ?: with vista chatham and patterson... what are the closeby things peopel go to? like walking wise or bus wise. And which one is closer to things like downtown disney and all that?

Vista is the most central location for everything except one of the outlets, which is closer to The Commons. Vista has Chick-Fil-A, Wendy's, Walgreens, Cici's and some other smaller places within walking distance. It is also only a 15-20 minute walk to Crossroads plus another 5 minutes or so if you want to walk to Ale House. The main entrance to WDW and Downtown Disney is directly across from the Crossroads, but it's about another 15 minute walk to get to DTD itself from Crossroads, so you're looking at a 35-45 minute walk to DTD from Vista.

while im talking about apartments..lol which one is the main one that everyone goes to for events and all that jazz?

Events happen at all the complexes, the only exclusive one is Cool Beans Cafe at Vista. They rotate the pizza and pool parties and whatnot among all the complexes.

Hope this helps!

 

[Kayticheer101]

The buses make stops at each apartment complex (except Patterson which shares a stop with Chatham). The routes are different for each bus though.



Vista is the most central location for everything except one of the outlets, which is closer to The Commons. Vista has Chick-Fil-A, Wendy's, Walgreens, Cici's and some other smaller places within walking distance. It is also only a 15-20 minute walk to Crossroads plus another 5 minutes or so if you want to walk to Ale House. The main entrance to WDW and Downtown Disney is directly across from the Crossroads, but it's about another 15 minute walk to get to DTD itself from Crossroads, so you're looking at a 35-45 minute walk to DTD from Vista.



Events happen at all the complexes, the only exclusive one is Cool Beans Cafe at Vista. They rotate the pizza and pool parties and whatnot among all the complexes.

Hope this helps!

I just sent yo ua personal message so i dont steal this quote and change the subject lol

 

[Reinhart_x]

Ah yes, the buses, my favorite mode of transportation...for getting me to work late many times even though I should have been there much earlier. Sure, sometimes it was my own doing, but I owe many thanks to the buses for doing that job for me.

 

[ZeroToHero]

If a bus gets in an accident, do they still dock you a point? Or are you able to call your location or something? I mean, I understand they can tell you "too bad" for being late by taking a bus, but if there's an accident, can they still dock you?

 

[RyanS]

I was only late because of a bus once, and my managers knew ahead of time that it was late because it broke down. They were very understanding and I (and other cast members on the bus) did not receive a half point. I can't say that's the case for everyone, just my particular managers at the time. The bus you are on also plays an important part in whether they let the tardy go or not. The bus I was on was supposed to arrive at work 45 minutes before my shift. If that happened where I was on a bus that was going to arrive 15 minutes before my shift, I probably would have gotten a half point for being late because I wouldn't have been "making an effort" to be on time. So yeah, it all depends really!

 

[MAGGIED]

while we were in Disney last week we spoke with many students on the college program because our daughter applied for the fall program.... ALL of them suggested having a car... one young lady told us it took her two hours to get to work... and others confirmed this... it helped us decided that if our daughter is accepted we will let her take one of our cars....

 

[GiggleGoddess]

I'm a college program alumni (Fall Advantage 09) and am back down here in FL staying at a friend's apartment and wondering (well really its my mother who wonders, lol) whether disney college program participants can bring friends w/ them on the cp buses so I don't have to pay for a 30 day lynx pass or whatever. I keep telling her I'm pretty sure you can't do that. So I'm throwing the question out to all who are on this forum, lol...thanks!

 

[TinkStitch]

I'm a college program alumni (Fall Advantage 09) and am back down here in FL staying at a friend's apartment and wondering (well really its my mother who wonders, lol) whether disney college program participants can bring friends w/ them on the cp buses so I don't have to pay for a 30 day lynx pass or whatever. I keep telling her I'm pretty sure you can't do that. So I'm throwing the question out to all who are on this forum, lol...thanks!

You have to have a housing ID to use the CP busses. They want to see it everytime you get on the bus.

BTW... I did costuming fall 08-spring 09 & I'm going back for costuming in August.

 

[MAGGIED]

Our DD will be arriving Aug 23rd with her car... she will be taking two online classes while she is there and I didn't want her to waste time waiting for busses when she could use it more productivley... for her that might mean a trip to the outlet mall but hopefully she will use her time wisely... I do have concerns over her good nature being taken advantage of... she is relly trying to do this whole thing without any money from us... paying for food and gas... I hope she doesn't become the taxi cab for those around her...

 

[kmg148]

When I had my car it didn't seem like I was giving other people rides. I would offer if I was going somewhere, or if someone had an odd errand to run I didn't mind driving. Sometimes schedules can be opposite, so she won't be relied on for her car as much.

 

[flowergirlbecca]

I have seen another member recommend keeping a cup for "Gas Money" in the cupholder and that seemed like a great idea. I am wanting to bring a car for a (hopefully) CP in my future but it just seems like a far trek from NH, has anyone done this drive and still recommend for the hassle? (I was thinking if any family come, they would have to take another car, huh, if I am taking one and they drive back, or is it easier/cheaper to have them fly?) Haha, so many logistics here!

 

[MAGGIED]

We are driving her down and leaving the car with her and flying back. Then flying down in January and driving back with her...

 

[Pure_Imagination]

I absolutely loved having my car down there, and I always say that it wasn't even all about the convenience of it but just the comfort of having it there.

1.) wouldn't trust leaving it at home- I'm certain my brother would have tried to take over it! Or my mom.

2.) we're paying insurance on it anyway, so why leave it in the driveway for 4 months?

But most importantly, it was a big piece of home that I have with me. It connected me with the "real world" because you really can get lost from reality during the CP So I like having the control of driving my own car and getting to go where I wanted to go and when. It wasn't like with other people, who were mad because they could only go to the mall on a certain day and then they'd end up working then. I also just like the peacefulness of my car and getting to drive alone at night after a frustrating day of work. Waiting extra time to sit on an overcrowded bus definitely would have made a lot of my days worse. But maybe I'm just weird! Lol!

I heard way too many bus nightmares- from accidents to breakdowns to overcrowded busses to bus drivers getting lost! True story, I was on a bus where a bus driver got lost, and I heard a second story of that happening later on.

The other bad part I noticed was with groceries. I'd always see people walking down the sidewalk and struggling to carry 5 bags, or whatever. With a car you can shop as much as you want without having to remember that you have to carry it all back. Then again, that might be a clever way to make yourself save money Most people, including my roommates, seemed to do okay with being able to time their grocery shopping with their roommate that had a car so that can always work out.

Probably the most inconvenient thing about the bus, besides it not always being reliable, is the schedule. It's true that you'd sometimes have to leave 2 hours before work. Especially if you work in MK and you have to take the time to go through the tunnels and get there and all. It's always safe to add an extra 15-20 minutes just for that. Then you want to be at your bus stop 10-15 minutes early. I always said I would take the bus when I could, but the times never ever worked with my schedule. It would have been really inconvenient.

But people get by. It may not be the best situation, but you'll live Plus you do get to meet a lot of people that way. There wasn't one bus ride where someone didn't turn around and introduce themselves! The busses were especially useful when you were just playing in the parks. Then it's definitely not a bad idea to use them! It beats fighting traffic and parking, and you conveniently can hop from park to park on busses without having to worry about going back for your car.

Plus I REALLY like road trips and exploring! Of course, as long as you're careful and don't get lost...

EDIT: Apparently I posted this a long time ago too, I didn't realize this was a revived thread, LOL!