Driving

Ok, I looked around before posting this and couldn't really find any answers.

I'm planning on bringing my vehicle up to CP with me when I process in... Is it a good idea? Or would you rather recommend that I just have my mom drop me off at the park and just take the bus to and from work. I'm planning on living in Commons dorms from what I have heard so far... what is the parking like there? Is it hard to find parking spots at the Commons dorms and at the park it self? I've heard that CP exercises parking bans on certain days, but how often do these occur? Are they like every Saturday or something like a straight three weeks of ban through the month of July. Any comments would be appreciated, Thanks kids!

Take your car. There's plenty of space to park, and only about 3 parking bans a year... and they're usually lifted by noon, at the latest.

Yeah if you have a car then bring it because you do not want to count on taking the bus. Plus you get you get more sleep and thats a big plus. You get a free parking pass when you process in and parking is over by Space Spiral but you have to return it in the end or it will cost you.

There is a huge parking lot across the road from commons, it is hard to find a spot right next to the doorms because of stupid Ride Pride's cars when they are here.

And the busses are highly unreliable.

Princess parking FTW!!! :)

Ok, sorry, had to say it before I went insane. lol

As for bringing a car, I really hope I am able to take mine with me (my mom really doesn't want me to, but, I would really rather have it). Taking the bus was an interesting and often chaotic experience, which I really don't want to have to put up with on a regular basis this summer. Traffic I can deal with, after my trip to Atlanta last Christmas and the constant driving I've done in Indy. Though, my road rage can get pretty bad...

They've said it, and I'll say it... take your car. I flew my fist summer from California, and I drove my second summer because it would be that more convenient. If you really don't mind riding the bus (along with all the ghetto employees), then by all means ride it when you can, and just drive yourself when you have to... because believe me, if you rely solely on the bus, there WILL be more than one instance where you become late to work because of it. Although I may be opting for the bus more this season due to gas prices...

Car for sure. Parking definitely is not an issue. The only problem you might have with parking is trying to get a spot in the lot right next to the dorms. Most people will circle around that lot forever in hopes of not having to walk over the bridge. Pure laziness, but many people see a difference with parking on the other side of the road. I'm not going to lie, I have done the same, except I only try the close lot when I think there could be a spot or two open.

Yeah I also will try to take the bus to save on gas. Only when it won't end up with me being late. But you don't use that much anyway and it's not a good trade off vs. time saved sleeping and not waiting at least a hour for the bus.

CaptainChris said:You get a free parking pass when you process in and parking is over by Space Spiral but you have to return it in the end or it will cost you.

Can you explain what you have to return, and what cost?

The parking sticker, your ID, your uniforms, and any linens you borrow from housing. They'll tell you all that when you process in/out.

When I had the parking pass on my vehicle, it was almost impossible to get off at the end of the season. I had to leave it on and it wore off. Is it the same type of sticker?

It's a normal window parking sticker like they used to use before they started putting parking on passes. They're sometimes lenient at the very end of the season (last weekend) about it, but otherwise, it has to be stuck to the back of your processing out forms when you process out. Whether it's in 1 piece of 100 pieces, they don't care, it just must be there. If you don't turn it in, they'll charge you for it, which is usually in the range of $60. Same thing with your ID; if you don't turn it in when you leave, they'll charge you for it, which is usually in the range of $150, and, quite obviously, they deactivate it.

Uniforms are only $12 per piece, though :) Makes for a nice souvenir...

Really? That's it? I have to say, I'm a little surprised.

I agree with the fact that they provide ample parking for employees, but when the park is really busy, and a lot of employees work, you might have to park near the last row for employees. It's a bit of a walk, like 5 minutes or so. Believe me I know, I've walked it. So if you have a mid afternoon shift, try to leave about half an hour before your shift starts, that way you'll have time to clock in and get to your location on time. Also, there might be a short wait in line while the guests pay for their parking. I don't live at CP, cause I'm only 6 miles away, but the people I know that do drive have more freedom. You can go to the mall when you want to, or anyplace the bus does'nt go. Having your car will be more beneficial to you, cause you won't have to depend on the bus, which I've been told can be late sometimes.

southpuddle said:
Uniforms are only $12 per piece, though :) Makes for a nice souvenir...

Maybe that's why last summer while I was working in DC (Arlington, VA actually) I was walking from the metro stop to work and saw a fat, balding middle aged guy sitting in front of a Starbucks wearing a CP ride op uniform. I mean, there can't be that many other places that have red and blue polos with blue shorts..... Somebody learned that ACErs know Ebay.

Chris...that is the best comment I have seen so far this year. :)

But $12...hmmm...cheaper than getting a new outfit at Old Navy, even if the uniforms do look like something out of the 70s. ;)

How much for just the shorts? :)

I have only worked the last six weeks of the 07 season which to me were insane. 53,000 people I heard on one of the Saturdays? Anyway, parking never seemed to be a problem. I guess some people had to park near the marina and on the old chause when the park was getting filled to the brim but I always got to park in the front "employee rows" no problem. The only bad part was leaving at night because you wait with EVERYONE else to get off the causeway unless you went out the old chause which wasn't much better. Is it better during the regular season?