Traffic Control

It has to be one of the worst (if not the worst) job at the Point. Maybe right after latrine maintenance. Those kids are out there in every kind of weather and can’t leave. They hold objects in their hands and make some sort of arm motion all day long with little rest. That has to be tiring- try holding your arms outstretched at shoulder height for 5 minutes. Or try holding a whistle in your mouth for an hour. Ouch to both. Plus they need to be constantly alert. The ride ops, or the lifeguards, or the Freestyle guys and gals at least get to sit for a bit.

I’ve noticed my entire life how many traffic control and parking lot employees CP has, and as mentioned, many more than what we find at other parks. Part of that has to do with the fact that once you pay your parking fee or show your pass there are several places you might go. I call it the “triangle of death.” You can go straight to the lot, turn right to the chausee, or turn left to Perimeter Road to access the marina, the hotel, or the Shores lot. And the same goes if your entering that triangle from any other direction as well. And to do each of those things you must pass through an intersection of sorts. And to speed things up the park relies on a human rather than a traffic light with turn lanes. Even if you’re in the far right booth you can make that left turn if you need to and the controller will get you there. It’s always been that way.
So as courteous and responsible drivers we can help them out. Try to know in advance where you’re heading (I realize that can be hard for first time or infrequent visitors, and that’s a big challenge in the lot attendant’s day) and make your intentions known. Use your turn signal and your hand signals. (Remember those?) Wait your turn. And at the same time watch and listen to the attendant. Being as pro-active as you can helps everyone out.

Now, having said that, last Monday night around 11:30 I was trying to leave the lot. I came out at the triangle and was directed to turn right. Then I came to the road out and they had set up a turn lane for left or right out of cones. I had on my signal. The controller was out there in the dark waving and I couldn’t figure out or see what he was trying to say. Stop? Go? So of course I slowed down and received the “tweet-tweet” and broader arm motions. So I continued on with the unsettling feeling that I was about to pull out into traffic. I didn’t, of course, and I was able to hit the causeway without trouble or an accident in good time. I wasn’t mad, but it made me conscious of what an awful job that must be and cut the guy a break.

I'm so glad I leave really late pretty much every trip (as I go on Steel Vengeance last ride). Traffic control is gone and there is hardly any traffic.

Cartwright said:

Rugrats2001 said:

Are you kidding? A few hundred feet closer is HUGE after a long day in the Florida sun.

Yeah, but driving the wrong way down a one way exit only lane, driving through the metal poles and into the parking tram lane, and almost hitting parking staff (or in one instance, intentionally hitting parking staff) just to "park closer" was ridiculous. Working in theme park parking showed me some of the worst in humanity.

Ok, you have me there. Lunatics.

I could write a book. Or have a few drinks with any of you at Surf Lounge and tell some crazy stories about working at the Epcot Main Entrance.

You mention that, and now I can't remember the last time I used an entrance that isn't the International Gateway.

I kind of miss going in the front entrance of Epcot. It smells like the 80's.