Having a Bicycle at Disney World?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Honestly, if it is so important to you that you can't follow the rules, then you need to rethink the CP. It's like we used to say in Fantasyland, "The ropes are there for a reason." There is a reason for the rule, even if you don't understand it. In my experience, those people who thought that the rules weren't for them were the ones who had the most problems with the program and came out of it disenchanted. That's why as a rep I make sure I am brutally honest with my applicants about all the aspects of the program so that they know what to expect.

You are there to do a job. It is essentially a minimum wage job. Now, most people have an absolute blast at their jobs, but it is still hard work. You will be living in housing that is subsidized for you and is actually a pretty good deal. You are getting free transportation if you choose to use it. No, it's not always that great, but it's there. There will be rules, you may not always like them or understand them or think they are right, but by living there you agree to follow the rules. If you can't agree to that, don't go. This may sound harsh, but that's the way the CP works.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Also I understand that some times you just want to ride a bike, I got through this by riding backstage at DAK. Although the non-intern cast members looked at me in disapproval, I had a blast. .

How exactly do you ride a bike there? Are there just some in the backstage areas? Do you have to work at AK or can anyone use them?

If you can't, is there anything within recreation that you can do like rent a bike to use at the camp grounds or something?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

They are there as soon as you walk into the gate. DAK is extremely spread out and they are there to allow people to get from point A to be point B. There's nobody guarding them but you still have to show your ID to get backstage.

 

[CursedCarolers]

Good point! It's not against any rules to have a bike and work at Disney.

HOWEVER - it is a CP/PI housing rule and if you're caught with a bike you'll be kicked out of the housing. Since the housing is linked into your contract, if you get kicked out of housing you'll also be termed from the company. Other ways to get termed would be drinking underage, having ANY type of weapon (including plastic swords they sell in the parks).

So if you work at Disney and do NOT live in the housing no problems. But nearly all CPs live in the housing.

Thank you for explaining. That at least makes more sense than "don't do it, it's against the rules." that everyone else is giving the OP.

Let me stress that I don't even know how to ride a bike but I think this is a ridiculous rule. I will gladly take the free lazy transportation if I ever do the CP.

This thread got me thinking that Disney should appeal the state to build bike paths between some if not all of their locations. It would reduce traffic & accidents, reduce pollution, increase tourism, and be good publicity. I know it's not that easy, but it would be something to think about.

 

[magickqueen]

Honestly, if it is so important to you that you can't follow the rules, then you need to rethink the CP. It's like we used to say in Fantasyland, "The ropes are there for a reason." There is a reason for the rule, even if you don't understand it. In my experience, those people who thought that the rules weren't for them were the ones who had the most problems with the program and came out of it disenchanted. That's why as a rep I make sure I am brutally honest with my applicants about all the aspects of the program so that they know what to expect.

You are there to do a job. It is essentially a minimum wage job. Now, most people have an absolute blast at their jobs, but it is still hard work. You will be living in housing that is subsidized for you and is actually a pretty good deal. You are getting free transportation if you choose to use it. No, it's not always that great, but it's there. There will be rules, you may not always like them or understand them or think they are right, but by living there you agree to follow the rules. If you can't agree to that, don't go. This may sound harsh, but that's the way the CP works.

This.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thank you for explaining. That at least makes more sense than "don't do it, it's against the rules." that everyone else is giving the OP.

Let me stress that I don't even know how to ride a bike but I think this is a ridiculous rule. I will gladly take the free lazy transportation if I ever do the CP.

This thread got me thinking that Disney should appeal the state to build bike paths between some if not all of their locations. It would reduce traffic & accidents, reduce pollution, increase tourism, and be good publicity. I know it's not that easy, but it would be something to think about.

It really is not a stupid rule if you stop to think about it. I wish they would allow bikes, but it actually makes perfect sense that they don't. Here's why:

-Limited space. Bikes and bike racks take up space. And that's providing that people put them on the bike racks which brings me to my next point:

-responsibility. There is a high turn over rate with the longest time you can stay in housing being one year. Most people are there for either 5 or 8 months. This means that the complex would constantly be purging bikes that were abandoned upon moving.

-Risk of property damage. It's very easy to steal a bike, even one that is locked up. I'm sure they do not want that legal hassle.

-Risk of injury. If you have done hte CP, particularly if you have lived in Vista Way you will have seen the shenanigans that people get into, particularly when alcohol is involved. I doubt that most people would bother to wear a helmet. Again, it is a liability issue for the complexes.

-Lack of riding space. Yeah, it would be great if Orange County would create bike paths around the complexes, but right now they don't exist and it is simply way too dangerous for the average person to ride there. I doubt the majority of CPs are professional riders or are used to riding in areas that heavily travelled. Not to mention Orlando drivers are some of the worst in the world.

If you stop to think about it the rules do actually make a lot of sense. There is simply too high a volume of people moving in and out to deal with this. I'm sure this is one of the main reasons that the complexes are furnished- it makes turnover a lot easier! Maybe one day they will find a good solution to these issues and CPs will be able to bring bikes, but for now the rules are what they are and you are agreeing to them when you enter into your contract.

 

[PrincessJordynx]

holy shizz. i think yall need to calm the eff down. she just wants her damn bike. you dont need to freak out and tell her to 'rethink' the cp and that she needs to follow the rules. idc how much you like disney or the cp..some of their rules are freaking wack and its ok to want to find an option around some of them. we're all gunna abide by the mouse law.

 

[JonnyJ18]

holy shizz. i think yall need to calm the eff down. she just wants her damn bike. you dont need to freak out and tell her to 'rethink' the cp and that she needs to follow the rules. idc how much you like disney or the cp..some of their rules are freaking wack and its ok to want to find an option around some of them. we're all gunna abide by the mouse law.

yeah its not like people are wondering why they cant drink underage or somethin like that....put a sign at the entrance..BIKE AT OWN RISK..zero liablity, they dont have to put it bike racks up, keep it on your car or your apartment come on thats not hard...you can get your bike stolen anywhere...if bikes are left they can be donated to charity or tossed in a dumpster not hard...if the walkways are tight get a bell, ring it and im 99.99 percent certain people will move aside and not mind...the only problem i can agree with is the riding on the high way with tourist cause i live in seaside park nj and i lifeguard so i ride my bike to the beach every day and idoits drive 100 mph but unless you just started riding your bike you can get by without getting hit but whatever its my choice and the sign at the entrance is the resolution to that problem.

im thinkin about bringin my heelies as well....anyone goin to rain on that parade

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Nobody is freaking out. Just explaining to the poster what the rules are and some *possible* explanations as to why the rules are there as well as the consequences for breaking them. Somebody on here stated that they know a person who was terminated for this offense, seems like a pretty stupid thing to get yourself terminated over.

I will repeat: If you aren't going to follow the rules, don't do the CP. You don't have to think they are good rules, but you are agreeing to them in your contract. I have zero patience for people who go down with no intention of following the rules then come whining because they got termed or their managers hate them or they had to have a conference with housing, etc.

Coming from 3 CPs experience, as a general rule of thumb I noticed that those who came down there with an expectation that they were going to be working long hours in a job that isn't always very glamorous and who followed the rules even if they did not agree with them ended up having a very positive experience. Those who disregarded the rules or came down with the expectation to party all the time were unhappy. They were either miserable but stuck it out til the end complaining the whole time, got termed, or left early. Will this apply to everybody? Of course not. But from what I observed, this seems to be the general experience that people have.

ETA: You will find that most of the "voices of experience" here are people who worked very hard during the program and loved their jobs and have great respect for the CP and its rules. Many have done multiple CPs. Don't be surprised if you come on here asking for help in breaking the rules and get less than favorable responses. We're trying to save you the inevitable headache you will experience.

 

[PrincessJordynx]

The only headache I've gotton from anything dealing with the cp..is from previous cps who quote the damn rule book whenever a question is asked and think they know every damn thing. like seriously. chill. I plan on having a fantastic experience, lasting memories, AND working hard. I work extremely hard at home and I'm a professional...but I also know when it's ok to have fun. I don't have a one track mind like some and no one is asking for help on rule breaking.

 

[piratechick]

The only headache I've gotton from anything dealing with the cp..is from previous cps who quote the damn rule book whenever a question is asked and think they know every damn thing. like seriously. chill. I plan on having a fantastic experience, lasting memories, AND working hard. I work extremely hard at home and I'm a professional...but I also know when it's ok to have fun. I don't have a one track mind like some and no one is asking for help on rule breaking.

Calm down! She was just trying to help and answer questions. Of course previous cps know almost everything there is to know about the cp. They did experience it. Also, get used to people acting like they are quoting a rule book. Where did you think they got it from? Disney is the strictest company I had ever worked with and they don't take any crap from anyone. They will term people for any little thing and recite like they are quoting from the rule book. They take any rule breaking/offense very seriously and if you do break a rule/get termed, there are no second chances with them. But, no matter how hard and strict working for Disney was, I still loved every second of my last program. I love Disney and had a awesome time. Yes, its ok to have fun, but not when it involves rule breaking. Someone on here was saying they will bring there bike no matter what and that shows me that they don't care about the rules. Yes, some rules are stupid, (I think the bike rule is stupid too) but they are there for a reason. I hate it when some people who get accepted are not willing to follow the rules and not make sacrifices (you can live without a bike for a few months), when there are people out there willing to put there college careers on the line to do the program but was rejected. Sorry, I sounded a little harsh, but I am just saying the blunt truth. Disney is completely different from any company you had ever worked for before.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thank you piratechick. I seem to have hit a nerve with the pp. I never said that you were not professional. You also seem to think that those of us who are "quoting the rule book" so to speak never had any fun. I had a blast at Disney. At no other job could I go ride a rollercoaster when a show was cancelled and we were released from our shifts or sent to lunch early. My friends and I have a lot of fun at PI when it was around, and had plenty to do in the complexes.

Maybe it's because I was a Rep, but when people want to know about the CP I see it as my job to give it to them straight so there are no surprises. I see a lot of people who think that such and such rule is no big deal, but as piratechick said, they will terminate you very quickly for not following the rules, even if the rules are "stupid" to you. I always make sure my candidates know that so that nobody comes back to me and says they were never told what it would be like. So far all the candidates I have sent down have been very happy and have thanked me for giving it to them straight. Bottom line: Disney is strict and we would be doing you a disservice if we pretended otherwise. Just look at how specific the look book is! They don't need you. There are plenty of people willing to fill your spot if you get termed and they know it. If you want to risk your program over something stupid, be my guest. But you can't come back and say we didn't warn you.

 

[PrincessJordynx]

Now I have to calm down?! yah right.
once again. no one is purposely trying to break rules or find ways to do it.
I don't plan on getting termed. I plan on doing everything I can to PREVENT that.
But I have no problem talking about things that should be different. There are ways to get info other than hearing the rules repeated to me by some vet. its called google. try it. I do. daily. I never said yall didnt have fun. I never said yall specifically either. Its generalizing, which is what is happening with yall to the new cps. I'm just tired of ppl being snarky know it alls. speak normal. give real experiences not examples. disney doesnt want drones they want real people. even if we are as you all say, disposable.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Perhaps what we have here is a miscommunication. It sounded like you were advocating for a previous poster who was basically saying he was going to do whatever he wanted the rule be damned, even after being told there was a chance he could be terminated. That is very different from a discussion as to whether or not the rule should exist. Perhaps the problem is two different discussions on the same thread. It also sounded like you were attacking members of this thread. I apolgize if I misread your posts.

I wish there was a way that CPs could be bring bikes. I was thinking it might be cool if they did what my school did. A group got together and put together a community bike program. The bikes were spray painted yellow designating them as community bikes and anyone could ride them. Maybe if people did that instead of using personal bikes (kind of like what you find backstage at DAK and Epcot) it would go over better. Particularly if people signed some kind of agreement upon checking in stating that bikes would only be put in designated locations and only ridden within a certain radius of the property. Housing could agree to it on a trial basis with the stipulation that if the bikes were taken outside of the radius, damaged, or not left in designated locations the program would be taken away.

If you want to change the rule, why not come up with a viable solution and then get some CPs together and meet with housing? You'd be surprised the kinds of changes CPs have affected in the past.

 

[Monster_Movie]

I really like that "cure diabetes" icon.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thanks. I found it on Iconator. Feel free to steal it if you so desire.