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12-11-2018, 11:37 AM
#101
Pete- I hope everyone is ok.
On our way to Epcot this morning we saw a bus accident, lots of emergency vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and security cars. It looked like one bus rear ended the other while going thru the parking lot gates. Looked like lots of damage to the second bus, more than you would expect in the area due to the normal low speed there.
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12-11-2018 11:37 AM
# ADS
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12-11-2018, 11:54 AM
#102
Registered User
I saw that reported, hopefully not our buddy Petey! Heard they took about fourteen people in for minor injuries. And free park tickets I'm sure...
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12-11-2018, 12:23 PM
#103
Registered User
Originally Posted by
nickjandrews
I saw that reported, hopefully not our buddy Petey! Heard they took about fourteen people in for minor injuries. And free park tickets I'm sure...
Well I'm sure they'd rather have not been in the accident, free tickets can't fix everything. What a hassle for those poor folks, hope everyone came out of it ok.
Pete - I've been reading along, and I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm really enjoying the little glimpses you've been able to provide as to the process you are going thru to become a a bus driver. My youngest got his CDL at 20, and I've just sent a young employee to get some instruction in order to get his CDL - it's NOT a easy test to pass!!!
Continued good luck to you! Add me to the folks who hope to get "Petey" as my bus driver in 2019!
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12-11-2018, 02:11 PM
#104
Registered User
Lol, nope, wasnt me. My bus is fine. Were driving the Epcot hub today.
And thanks, Ericles, I appreciate it. Im loving it here and cant wait to see all you fine, Disney-loving guests.
Just grabbed a pack of transportation cards and wooden tokens, so Im ready! I just need some passengers; a few more days before I carry my first load.
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12-11-2018, 02:13 PM
#105
Registered User
Originally Posted by
daisyd0
Sounds like fun. I love the hummingbird cake 🎂
So good! I also went to the source while in Atlanta to get a few mango pies, while pies! Kennys Pies meat Atlanta; $10 for a whole pie!
Originally Posted by
mickeymom5
Oh my goodness! I haven't been on Mouseplanet in a long while!
Congrats Pete on your move and new job! Getting to spread the magic!
So sorry to hear about your loss. It is hard to watch a loved one battle dementia. Never easy.
I will be at WDW next week...can't wait!
Thanks so much. My mom loved Disney, so I am constantly, pleasantly reminded of her.
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12-11-2018, 06:02 PM
#106
Saw a more detailed report....15 people ( out of 51) to the hospital all with minor injuries. 21 year old bus driver cited. And probably out of a job, I’m sure that is something Disney doesn’t like to have on record. Glad it wasn’t anything more serious.
I looked at every bus drivers name this past weekend, looking for Petey! I was thinking it might be too soon for you to be out on your own at the resorts but I looked anyway!
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12-15-2018, 05:54 AM
#107
Registered User
Originally Posted by
rph13
I looked at every bus drivers name this past weekend, looking for Petey! I was thinking it might be too soon for you to be out on your own at the resorts but I looked anyway!
Yep, just a touch too soon. I begin my, what is called, Hub days tomorrow. We drive real routes with real people, but with a more experienced driver on board.
So if anyones going to the parks this coming week and the following, if youre on a bus with two or more drivers, one just might be me! Although there are going to be many, many of such buses on the road.
Im 13 working days away from my checkout run and going solo!
Cant wait to start making the magic happen.
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12-15-2018, 06:13 AM
#108
Registered User
Joey and I will look for you in January, 16-19 I think. Staying at POR for the first time. And going through the dreaded MCO for the first time in a few years too...
Last edited by nickjandrews; 12-15-2018 at 06:16 AM.
Reason: adding ingo
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12-21-2018, 05:42 AM
#109
Registered User
Originally Posted by
nickjandrews
Joey and I will look for you in January, 16-19 I think. Staying at POR for the first time. And going through the dreaded MCO for the first time in a few years too...
Ive never had a problem with MCO. Lucky maybe.
You are an experienced Disneyphile, so you probably already know this, but especially when it comes to Disney Springs, take the boat and not the bus: buses to and from DS go to FQ first, then all the stops at Riverside and then back again to FQ before heading out, and the same thing coming back. It takes a while. If you do choose the bus to DS, go to the South Depot: that's the 1st stop at Riverside for DS bound buses. For all other destinations, the West Depot is the first pickup location.
Have fun!
1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime
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12-21-2018, 09:36 AM
#110
Registered User
Great advice, thanks! Boats may not run as late though. How about the buses from POR to the parks?
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12-30-2018, 02:58 PM
#111
Registered User
Originally Posted by
nickjandrews
Great advice, thanks! Boats may not run as late though. How about the buses from POR to the parks?
Those going to AK still stop at FQ first then W, N, E and then S depot before heading out, but at least they don't go back to FQ again like the DS buses. All the rest do the W, N, E, and S stops in that order and then head toward the parks. That's the only downside to POR is the multiple stops. Maybe drive over to FQ and take their buses to avoid all the depot stops at POR.
Checkout day is Thursday, so wish me luck! My Hub will be Epcot starting out, and usually in the afternoons and evenings, so when traveling to Epcot, assuming all goes well on Thursday, look out for me and say, "hello!" I found a few RTS bus cards, which are no longer used, so if you see me and I still have some, just ask! I'm going to try to get some Monorail and bus cards too.
1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime
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12-30-2018, 03:31 PM
#112
Woohoo, for having a checkout day on the books! Sending pixie dust! I’m sure you will do great.
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12-30-2018, 07:28 PM
#113
Registered User
Originally Posted by
petesimac
Those going to AK still stop at FQ first then W, N, E and then S depot before heading out, but at least they don't go back to FQ again like the DS buses. All the rest do the W, N, E, and S stops in that order and then head toward the parks. That's the only downside to POR is the multiple stops. Maybe drive over to FQ and take their buses to avoid all the depot stops at POR.
Checkout day is Thursday, so wish me luck! My Hub will be Epcot starting out, and usually in the afternoons and evenings, so when traveling to Epcot, assuming all goes well on Thursday, look out for me and say, "hello!" I found a few RTS bus cards, which are no longer used, so if you see me and I still have some, just ask! I'm going to try to get some Monorail and bus cards too.
Good luck, I know you'll pass easily. We're flying in on the 16th, back home 20th. No car this time, so it's buses or uber all the way, except for a boat ride here and there. Gotta take the newbies to Raglan Road, and Jock Lindsay's.
You better save the good cards for me! I'm missing some of the 3rd series (and all of 1 and 2 since I only recently heard about them) and about half of the new ones. I seem to recall a driver saying the RTS and Gillie were rare.
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01-01-2019, 05:18 AM
#114
DVC Member
I made it! Finally!
Good Luck! I am sure you will pass with ease. We will definitely look for you in March.
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01-03-2019, 09:38 AM
#115
Registered User
Originally Posted by
rph13
Woohoo, for having a checkout day on the books! Sending pixie dust! I’m sure you will do great.
Originally Posted by
nickjandrews
Good luck, I know you'll pass easily. We're flying in on the 16th, back home 20th. No car this time, so it's buses or uber all the way, except for a boat ride here and there. Gotta take the newbies to Raglan Road, and Jock Lindsay's.
You better save the good cards for me! I'm missing some of the 3rd series (and all of 1 and 2 since I only recently heard about them) and about half of the new ones. I seem to recall a driver saying the RTS and Gillie were rare.
Originally Posted by
ssmerdel
Good Luck! I am sure you will pass with ease. We will definitely look for you in March.
Thanks, all! Im sitting in the training room after having just passed my checkout! Im official as of tomorrow, January 4th at 10:00 am at EPCOT. Now relax and enjoy the ride, well be there soon.
As for the cards, the RTS is the rare one, and I have a few, thanks to one of my trainers, and many from the new series. I do have a few Gilligs from the last series too. Look for the articulated bus cards; those are our extra-long slinky busses.
Next Thursday Ill be going to HS for a day of fun and dinner at Olivias (fried chicken, baby!).
Hope to see you all out there at the parks as guests and then hopefully as fellow cast members. Let me know when the time comes.
Ill keep posting my experiences when conditions warrant, with only Disney-approved content, of course.
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01-03-2019, 09:54 AM
#116
Registered User
Originally Posted by
petesimac
Thanks, all! Im sitting in the training room after having just passed my checkout! Im official as of tomorrow, January 4th at 10:00 am at EPCOT. Now relax and enjoy the ride, well be there soon.
As for the cards, the RTS is the rare one, and I have a few, thanks to one of my trainers, and many from the new series. I do have a few Gilligs from the last series too. Look for the articulated bus cards; those are our extra-long slinky busses.
Next Thursday Ill be going to HS for a day of fun and dinner at Olivias (fried chicken, baby!).
Hope to see you all out there at the parks as guests and then hopefully as fellow cast members. Let me know when the time comes.
Ill keep posting my experiences when conditions warrant, with only Disney-approved content, of course.
Sounds awesome Pete, congratulations! I can't wait to harass, I mean say hello...
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01-03-2019, 10:15 AM
#117
DVC Member
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01-03-2019, 11:12 AM
#118
Registered User
1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime
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01-03-2019, 12:04 PM
#119
Awesome! I will keep my eyes out for a Peter during my visit at the end of January/early February.
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01-03-2019, 01:04 PM
#120
Registered User
Originally Posted by
daisyd0
Awesome! I will keep my eyes out for a Peter during my visit at the end of January/early February.
My “show” name is Petey, just to distinguish myself from all the other Petes (there are at least two others that I know about); plus, it was my childhood name.
Really hope to see you.
1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime
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01-03-2019, 02:41 PM
#121
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01-06-2019, 06:41 AM
#122
Registered User
Do you have to carry the certificate around? Maybe wear it on a chain around the neck?
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01-08-2019, 08:21 AM
#123
Registered User
Originally Posted by
nickjandrews
Do you have to carry the certificate around? Maybe wear it on a chain around the neck?
There is a frame just above and behind the driver; we replace it with our own certificate at every change-over. 😉
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01-08-2019, 09:37 AM
#124
Originally Posted by
petesimac
There is a frame just above and behind the driver; we replace it with our own certificate at every change-over. 😉
That will make it easier for me to find out whos driving the bus, rather than trying to look for the drivers name tag.
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01-13-2019, 07:06 AM
#125
Registered User
Originally Posted by
daisyd0
That will make it easier for me to find out who’s driving the bus, rather than trying to look for the driver’s name tag.
LOL, I hope you noticed the winking emoji. (In a Homer Simpson whispering voice: "it's not true.")
Great first couple of weeks. In the words of Samwise Gamgee, "I think I'm getting the hang of this." Still making little mistakes like sometimes forgetting to put on my 4-ways (hazards) when I'm loading and unloading scooters, but nothing major. I even had the chance to drive the "most mature" motor coach in the fleet this week, #4815. If you spot it, you'll see two "hidden" Mickeys around the tail lights; it is the only motor coach to have this flourish. I'm glad to have had the chance to drive her. Great bus!
it has been a struggle to get my 40 hours, but hopefully that will change during the next "bid": this is where we get to choose our schedules for the next 6 months. But I almost have to pinch myself each time I work. I can't believe I get to drive these fantastic motor coaches, and take happy guests here and there around the parks.
Oh, just a word about Olivia's, the restaurant at Old Key West. I went there with my son last Thursday after enjoying a great day at HS. I was drawn there by the rave reviews I had heard about their chicken. The dish was very good, but wasn't the fried chicken I had imagined. It was a fried breast fillet with mashed potatoes and string beans, and the chicken and potatoes were covered by a generous portion of yummy chicken gravy; and it comes with a pillow-soft biscuit. It was delightful, but I did not detect the buttermilk like I do when I make it at home, and I prefer chicken on the bone. I get a great discount there as a cast member, so it was well worth the price, and Ken, our waiter, was fantastic.
The star of the show was the dessert. We had the key lime tart, which is more like a raised key lime pie. It has a crumble mixture as a crust that surrounds the raised, circular "pie," and is topped with a whipped topping and has drizzles of raspberry and mango on the plate. The pie is nicely tart, and is balanced by the sweet mango drizzle. So very good!
Hope to see you all soon.
1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime
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