Rode a training bus today

Texas84

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My bus from Coronado to Epcot today was driven by a trainee. The trainer did a combo Southwest Airlines / Jungle Cruise act on the way. Told a lot of bus trivia, joked about the destination ("This bus is going to Universal." Oh yes he did). "If you enjoyed the ride our names are..., if you didn't our names are..." Made everyone lean into the turns. Best bus ride ever. :D
 

yensid67

Well-Known Member
I think they should extent the Jungle Cruise/airline Stewarts lingo to every mode of transportation at the end of the night! It will put one last smile on your face and make you forget about those long lines you waited in because you didn't make My Disney Experience reservations. So in essence it may turn a guest experience that was a bad one into a good one! Yes, I worked for Disney and still think like a Cast Member! ;)
 

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Weve been fortunate to occasionally get a driver with personality too. There was one in particular that sang songs, got everybody on the bus singing along, had Disney trivia questions and made the ride magical. You could tell he loved his job and wanted to stand out among his peers instead of just picking up and dropping off guests day after day.
 

MickeyisMyBestFriend

Active Member
We had a bus driver who had a great personality but sadly it was greeted by a bad crowd (full bus, late a night, and some of the people waiting had already waited about 45 mins for a bus). It was hilarious when he asked "Who is Rapunzel's prince?" and when he said "Flynn Rider" everyone started screaming "He's not a prince":p
 

TB4244

Well-Known Member
That's fantastic. Every WDW bus I've ever been on, the driver has never said a word. We've chatted to fellow passengers, even got the low down on cheerleading last year as its a foreign concept for those of us from the other side of the pond, but never any built in entertainment from the drivers. The trip back to your resorts almost becomes a tour in itself!
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
It is kinda sad, but, it really can be a safety issue. I used to be able to talk and drive at the same time, but, to put on a show, of sorts, is really multitasking at it's fullest. Those that continue to entertain are confident, probably long term drivers that have been there for a long time. They are not trying to find their way, in the dark, to your resort amongst the maze of roads and the intensity of traffic, cutting them off and merging. That's a 40,000 lb. vehicle full of people that they are controlling. If they don't feel comfortable with doing both, I prefer that they concentrate on getting me to my room safely.:)
 

BigTxEars

Well-Known Member
It is kinda sad, but, it really can be a safety issue. I used to be able to talk and drive at the same time, but, to put on a show, of sorts, is really multitasking at it's fullest. Those that continue to entertain are confident, probably long term drivers that have been there for a long time. They are not trying to find their way, in the dark, to your resort amongst the maze of roads and the intensity of traffic, cutting them off and merging. That's a 40,000 lb. vehicle full of people that they are controlling. If they don't feel comfortable with doing both, I prefer that they concentrate on getting me to my room safely.:)

f3z7ki.jpg


:p

(hey it's kinda like mud!)
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
f3z7ki.jpg


:p

(hey it's kinda like mud!)
Seems like that, but, I spent many years training bus drivers and not all of them are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. It takes talent to handle a bus, steer with one hand on a microphone (I know the some of the newer buses have a foot control switch to speak on the PA, but, unfortunately buses of that type also have the signal light control on the floor as well). Believe me you don't want some of those people attempting to be entertaining and driving at the same time. Sacrifice a couple of chuckles for your own safety and that of others. I enjoy the banter and have done a lot of it myself while driving, but, it's not for everybody.
 

BigTxEars

Well-Known Member
Seems like that, but, I spent many years training bus drivers and not all of them are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. It takes talent to handle a bus, steer with one hand on a microphone (I know the some of the newer buses have a foot control switch to speak on the PA, but, unfortunately buses of that type also have the signal light control on the floor as well). Believe me you don't want some of those people attempting to be entertaining and driving at the same time. Sacrifice a couple of chuckles for your own safety and that of others. I enjoy the banter and have done a lot of it myself while driving, but, it's not for everybody.

They need to hire the bus drivers that drove me to school, those ladies could drive, yell and pretty much stand up, turn around and wave her arms at us while driving. And us with no seat belts :)

Honestly I know what you are saying and agree but if they are capable of driving and providing entertainment then they should IMO. :)
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
They need to hire the bus drivers that drove me to school, those ladies could drive, yell and pretty much stand up, turn around and wave her arms at us while driving. And us with no seat belts :)

Honestly I know what you are saying and agree but if they are capable of driving and providing entertainment then they should IMO. :)
I agree!
 

tatum94

New Member
I like the bus drivers that go out of their way to please guests. One particular driver that sticks out in my mind was operating a route that does NOT go to the ferry boat area at Fort Wilderness Campground, but instead he went to the front of the campground and somewhere else. He stopped and picked us up, and asked us where we were going. He said, "I'm not supposed to bring you there, but I'll do it anyway. Get in!"

Thankfully this was at 1 am and there was nobody else on the bus out and about at the campground.
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
this..sounds like that driver isnt too concerned with driving ...
That's one way of looking at it, yes, however, what it means is that they have been driving long enough that they know where they are going, know their vehicle, know their limitations and can function quite well with multitasking. They are skilled and driving is almost second nature to them. Their eyes never really leave the road for more then a split second and are totally aware of their surroundings. They know what's on the sides of them, what is in back and what is in front. They are anticipating a "stupid driver" and prepare for it in advance. No one really starts out that way, it takes time, like learning to walk. Over time they can indeed do it safely and without much concern. Unfortunately, not all drivers are "seasoned". Everyone has to start someplace and those that are starting out need to pay attention to just the job at hand. What most people fail to remember is that to drive one of those a CDL (commercial drivers license) is required. Keeping that license has a higher standard then a regular license and it is the way that they support themselves. If they get into a serious accident because the "Guests" want to be entertained, it is their license that will be revoked and along with that their ability to make a living.

There are a lot of drivers that work for Disney. Ten years ago, I was told that there were over 1000 drivers on the payroll. Some of those are not entertainers, but, are very good drivers. Many have a problem with public speaking especially over an PA system. There just aren't enough of the entertaining types available to run the system. That is why Disney installed the recorded broadcast system in the buses. They were trying to achieve some degree of consistency and promotion on the buses to help Guests get more in the mood.
 

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