Having a Bicycle at Disney World?

[emcee21]

I saw a thread about this in reference to Disneyland but not Disney World. Is it possible or necessary to use a bike to get from Vista Way to nearby things (not WDW but fast food places and such)? Or is it too far from things for a bike to be useful?

 

[csaribay]

I saw a thread about this in reference to Disneyland but not Disney World. Is it possible or necessary to use a bike to get from Vista Way to nearby things (not WDW but fast food places and such)? Or is it too far from things for a bike to be useful?

Bikes are not permitted within WDW College Program Housing complexes, so not so much.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

I know they aren't allowed in the actual apartments but could you keep one on a bike rack on the trunk of your car?

 

[piratechick]

No, bikes are not allowed at all. You won't be allowed in the complexes if they see the bike.

 

[CursedCarolers]

That's crazy. I wonder what the thinking behind that is. It's certainly not very "green" of them. Not that there's any bike paths to get from place to place around there from what I gather.

 

[khancock]

Not that there's any bike paths to get from place to place around there from what I gather.

The infrastructure around the apartment complexes isn't designed to accommodate bicycle riders. It is barely set up for pedestrians.

535 is 6 lanes wide. Full of tourists who don't really know where they are going (i can't tell you how many times I saw someone stop on the onramp of 535/I-4 and reverse back down that ramp onto 535). Full of locals who are angry at the tourists who weave in and out of traffic. I wouldn't dare ride a bike along that road.

WDW is 43 square miles and the roads leading into it aren't set up for bicycles.

As for within the complexes, I would venture that this has to more to do with insurance more than anything else. you don't really need a bike to get around a complex.

Some of the parks have bikes available to get around backstage.

 

[AmandaBandana]

I think its a little ridiculous not to allow bikes at all. On the grounds I can understand but no bikes at all is a little extreme. As someone who has rode in NYC and Philly, some of the most dangerous places to bike, I can't imagine Orlando being all that bad. Granted I wouldn't be riding on the highways but would enjoy navigating the back roads of the area. If I get bike soon I plan on bringing it, taking off the freewheel, keeping it in my trunk and if I want to ride it take it somewhere to ride. Not all that difficult.

 

[kmg148]

Well, that's just the thing--you need to travel far to get to the back areas. You really have to drive to get to anything like a suburb, or even anything with sidewalks. It's just not worth bringing it in my opinion. The Disney area is made up of major highways, and the large roads connecting them.

 

[AmandaBandana]

while I think it's great that you have been down there are know the roads, I have been google mapping it and it doesn't look all that treacherous. I cycle daily and living without my bike for a 5 month period doesn't really seem like an option to me. Also I have friends in gainsville i will be visiting when ever possible and hopefully riding in some critical mass rides. I plan on bringing it not for navigational purposes but just to bike, which seems totally worth it to me.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

You said that you can understand not allowing it on the grounds but you still plan to bring it. How do you propose to do that without it being on the grounds? Googlemap is going to tell you nothing. You'd have to be flat out crazy to ride your bike on any of the adjacent roads. Hit and runs are daily occurrences and you have a lot of people ther who have no business being on the road.

I will warn you: They do randomized trunk checks. I have had to pop my trunk several times. So keeping it in your trunk is not as good of an idea as you think it is. If you have friends in Gainesville, why not just leave it with them?

 

[piratechick]

Trust the people who are saying that the roads and area is horrible for bikes. Also, if you get found with a bike, you get instant termination. It's really not worth it to bring your bike, especially to a place where you can't ride it anywhere. Don't trust google either. Last time I did the program, I used google a few times but found the area to be completely different from what they were showing me.

 

[kmg148]

....

 

[CursedCarolers]

What would be the legal grounds for firing someone for just owning a bike?

I personally don't ride a bike but I seriously do find this rule ludicrous. Most college age people I know don't have cars. More have bikes. Maybe its a city thing? Don't they rent bikes out in certain areas of WDW? Would it be against the rules to use your own bike in these areas?

 

[Kmcqueen56]

I have to agree that it is an odd rule to not have a bike. However they are not necessary to have to get to handful of restaurants surrounding the "Vista Way" area. 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. But then again it is odd to see a 300lb guy in a huge straw hat on a bicycle with a basket.

 

[glendalais]

What would be the legal grounds for firing someone for just owning a bike?

Nearly all Disney Employees, CPs included, are "At-Will" Employees.

Basically, with the exception of protected reasons such as Gender, Nationality, Ethnicity, Age, Skin Colour, etc., along with a few other reasons as specified in CBAs, as well as in State and Federal laws, Disney can legally terminate anyone for any reason, no matter how obscure or benign.

 

[Brent13]

Have you ever actually heard of someone being fired for having a bike inside their car, or are you speculating?

 

[piratechick]

Have you ever actually heard of someone being fired for having a bike inside their car, or are you speculating?

Yes, I knew someone who was terminated for sneaking a bike into the complex. He was hiding it in his trunk and someone saw it and reported him. Disney do sometimes terminate people for the craziest things.

 

[Berlioz70]

What would be the legal grounds for firing someone for just owning a bike?

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.

On the bike note - I can see why wanting a bike down here would be nice, but like the others said anywhere worth going can be reached by walking. I could see you wanting to ride to maybe McDs, or iHop... but you would not be able to ride your bike to work.

It's just one of those rules that you have to deal with when you are renting an apartment from a third party. Keep in mind, the apartments are not operated by Disney, so this is not a Disney rule.

 

[msminnie2010]

I think I understand the whole no bikes for the CP thing. It could be a huge liability for the CP. When your in the CP and have a car you have to have proof of car insurance. But you cant put insurance on a bicycle...

Just a thought.

 

[khancock]

As someone who has rode in NYC and Philly, some of the most dangerous places to bike, I can't imagine Orlando being all that bad.

From http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=13210

"A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study released in April pegged the Sunshine State as the leader in “pedacyclist” fatalities: 119 deaths, more than California (109) and New York (51)."

This is also worth a look. It talks about biking in the area:
http://www.metroplanorlando.com/site/plans/bicycle.asp