A little bit of a rant about bus courtesy.

[Eeyore1954]

Carol, my DW learned a valuable lesson about ECVs and Disney. Apparently, there is a reaction between the human body, light, and the battery-power of the ECV that renders the individual using the ECV absolutely invisible to everyone but their own family members. It's amazing!

I've often joked with my DW that we could become the 21st century Bonnie and Clyde -- ride into a bank on a couple of ECVs and ride out with a fortune. No one would see us, no videotape would exist because we'd be invisible!

Seriously, this is a problem especially when buses get crowded and people who are standing do not have a sure footing or firm grasp on a handrail. We've had several people fall into my DW's lap during a bus ride. We joke about it, but I do wish Disney could do something about that invisibility problem.

 

[ducklite]

I agree, some sort of stroller corral is needed on the buses. Especially for those really big doubles. They are just too bulky and heavy to manage when folded up on a bumpy or swervy ride.

The umbrella type aren't as bad, but I'm seeing less and les of them and more and more of those GIANT ones that have everything but the kitchen sink built in!

I wish they could have busses with bays underneath for storing strollers and such. I know it would slow things down, but especially at park closing times it would make it a safer ride. maybe they only need to use them for full load buses? It's a thought.

Anne

 

[Figaro]

Over the years I've come to realize that most of the time when people say things like "you are so lucky to always have a seat" it is because they are uncomfortable, want to say something and are doing the best they can at the moment. I don't ever take it personally, just in the way the person meant it, which is as a friendly comment.

And as to the invisibility problem, my spouse and I have a tradition on our first full day at the parks at WDW. After we are all ready to roll, my spouse looks at me and says: "Let's go rob a bank."

Which always makes me laugh and say: "Go for it! No one will ever
see me in the wheelchair."(smile)

I hadn't realized that we weren't the only ones who had laughed and thought the same thing!

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Figaro
And as to the invisibility problem, my spouse and I have a tradition on our first full day at the parks at WDW. After we are all ready to roll, my spouse looks at me and says: "Let's go rob a bank."

Which always makes me laugh and say: "Go for it! No one will ever see me in the wheelchair."(smile)

I hadn't realized that we weren't the only ones who had laughed and thought the same thing!

LOL!! I hope you don't mind if my DW and I "borrow" this. It'll make for a great new WDW tradition for us.

 

[Talking Hands]

I hate the invisibility thing as well. Been sat on, spilled on and leaned on. I think the worse was at a conference when I was all dressed to the nines and someone dumped their drink on me. So here I am stuck going to the fancy smancy banquet smelling like a brewery since it was too far to go back to my hotel.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> ... should those same people that NEED to sit, wait for that next bus ...

But a seemingly able looking bodied gent could do that and still get dirty looks. How many buses would he have to wait for?

"Keep on going"

>>> ... someone dumped their drink on me. So here I am stuck going to the fancy smancy banquet smelling like a brewery ...

The person who spilled the drink is responsible for a cleaning bill. If you recline your airplane seat and spill the drink of the person behind, you are responsible.

Reminds me of a movie where a bully dragged an honor student through the mud on the way to school. "Aww, now he will have to go home and change". In the real world I would suggest that the "victim" choose unilaterally whether or not to go home and change. Then if anybody else at school obstructed him because of the non-cleanliness, the parent has every right to come down and lambaste the school officials for not quelling bullying.

"If you make a mistake when playing [music] in a recital, just keep on going."

 

[Jillpie]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
>>> ... should those same people that NEED to sit, wait for that next bus ...

But a seemingly able looking bodied gent could do that and still get dirty looks. How many buses would he have to wait for?



I'm not really sure what your point is here. My point is that if the person that truly NEEDS to sit down, and is going to be forced to stand on the approaching bus, they should wait for the next bus. It doesn't matter if he is "able bodied" or not, we are certainly able bodied but will certainly wait for that next bus if our feet are exhausted. And I don't understand when you mention getting "looks"? We have never gotten looks and from whom? If you are waiting for the next bus, you are just waiting at the front of the line for the next empty one. Who is giving you looks and who would care whether you chose to wait for the next bus or not?

 

[DebbieB]

Here's one thing that bugs me - you arrive at a resort bus stop and no one is there. You wait 15 minutes or longer for the next bus and someone who just arrived at the stop runs up and gets on first. We waited 20 or 25 minutes for the bus to MNSSHP at CBR earlier this month, we were the only ones there at first and little by little others arrived. I could see this happening, so I made sure we were standing where the bus stops when I saw it coming. Others crowded on and a family who had arrived at the bus stop right after us were left behind, the bus was full!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Figaro
Over the years I've come to realize that most of the time when people say things like "you are so lucky to always have a seat" it is because they are uncomfortable, want to say something and are doing the best they can at the moment. I don't ever take it personally, just in the way the person meant it, which is as a friendly comment.

I'm glad you mentioned this, because I was thinking the same thing. Many times children are taught to not "stare" at people with disabilities and somehow that morphs into "don't look". Then, people with disabilities become "invisible". You can't be rude by staring if you don't see certain people. Heck, at least the people who are chatting with you are actually SEEING and TALKING to you. It would suck way more to be invisible .

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> invisible...

Small children are also run into a lot anywhere, not just at bus stops.

>>> arrived at the bus stop right after us were left behind,

Probably only Tyler could answer this one:

Suppose, after the ninth and tenth familes barged on first and then the first family got on and was unable to step behind "the white line". Now the bus driver may not drive on. The first family refuses to get off saying they were waiting first.

Now the driver needs to actually make people "please move back" to use every inch of space more tightly.

One time a few years ago I was on a bus and some people refused to yield a seat so the driver could fold it up and then board a wheelchair. The driver could well have continued to wait, staying there until the next bus arrived, but did not. I did not say anything because another wheelchair had already been boarded and the ramp put away, and this time the same driver would have had to lower the ramp a second time for the later arriving wheelchair guest.

For a short while in San Francisco some years ago, bus drivers were instructed not to pull away from a stop if someone boarding refused to pay his fare. I doubt that policy lasted long since they have a lot of electric buses which cannot overtake one another without jamming up the overhead trolley apparatus.

>>> invisible...

Perhaps lawyers should start judging auto accidents by asking this question more: "If you had looked then could you have seen..."

 

[goofy4tink]

My dh always gives up his seat to a woman, especially if she is 'older' or has kids. Let me share an incident we ran into last August. We were staying at the Polynesian. There was a group of kids, teens. Kinda punk rocker types. Body piercings, tatoos. You get the idea. They were always at the quiet pool, fooling around. One day, we got on the monorail. These kids also boarded. We got to GF and all 4 of those young men got up and gave their seats to some women. Have to say that I was totally surprised and impressed. The women were also, to say the least, surprised. Yet, on the other hand, I watched a man in his 30's/40's, sit there on the bus, while a very much older woman, with her arm in a sling had to stand. THe man's wife says to him..'why don't you get up and let the woman sit?' His answer?? 'Hey, I stood in line and waited. She just got here!' Guess it just goes to show that you never know. Oh and by the way....I also will give up my seat for an 'older woman' or someone with a small child. ANd some would consider me, at 54, an older woman

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by Jillpie

Originally posted by seashoreCM

And I don't understand when you mention getting "looks"? We have never gotten looks and from whom? If you are waiting for the next bus, you are just waiting at the front of the line for the next empty one. Who is giving you looks and who would care whether you chose to wait for the next bus or not?

I know exactly what other person is talking about. I have gotten looks from other people waiting in line if I did not get on the bus because I didn't want my preschooler to stand.
I even had a man comment that I was trying to 'hog' all the seats & I should just get on that bus like everyone else!!!

As far as who would care, maybe there is someone else standing in line & now they are thinking "Great now I have to stand" then they are getting all huffy about YOU not getting on that already semi full bus.

I have been there & I don't like waiting for another bus, especially if there is a big line of people waiting too. You DO get dirty looks for other people. Not all, but I do hear remarks or see the 'looks'

That is why I usually, not always though, wait until the park clears out so the majority of the crowd is already on the buses heading back to the resorts.
By the time I get in line at the buses there isn't much line left & I can usually find a seat for my preschooler.

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, Jacksonmom, that is the total opposite from what I have experienced. If we have chosen to wait for the next bus, we have never gotten any looks from anyone behind us. In fact, they'll usually say "I don't blame you" after looking at the crowded bus, and then we'll stand there and chat for awhile. Never has anybody ever judged us for waiting.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by Jillpie
Wow, Jacksonmom, that is the total opposite from what I have experienced. If we have chosen to wait for the next bus, we have never gotten any looks from anyone behind us.

I do understand that most people would not 'judge' you & there are really just a few bad apples, but they can spoil the rest.
Since one really never knows if a 'bad apple' is behind them, I usually get on the bus. My preschooler has never had to stand b/c someone usually does either offer their seat to him or scoot over a bit & let him squeeze in next to them. (he is a skinny kid)

But like I said now days I usually just stroll along the parks slowly while the crowds rush to the buses. By the time we get there the huge crowds are gone for the most part & if I do choose to wait for another bus there isn't many people behind us & they usually don't complain.

I found I got the complaints when the bus hubs were PACKED!!! Maybe that had something to do with.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
Probably only Tyler could answer this one:

Suppose, after the ninth and tenth familes barged on first and then the first family got on and was unable to step behind "the white line". Now the bus driver may not drive on. The first family refuses to get off saying they were waiting first.

Now the driver needs to actually make people "please move back" to use every inch of space more tightly.

In the case that I have part of a group that is not behind the white/yellow line, I will get on the PA and say "For those of you standing, I do ask that you please fill in all available space back there, without using the stairwell." I will not overcrowd my bus by having people cram into unavailable or unsafe space, however, often times people have not moved all the way back, especially in the case of the low-floors.

Unless there is an obvious gap in space, I will only do my announcement once. At that time, I will tell the folks at the front "If you can safely fit behind that white/yellow line, you may stay. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the next bus."

My bus will not move if there are people standing in the stairwell, or in front of the white/yellow line.

Originally posted by seashoreCM
One time a few years ago I was on a bus and some people refused to yield a seat so the driver could fold it up and then board a wheelchair. The driver could well have continued to wait, staying there until the next bus arrived, but did not.

This is a really tough situation. Although we can ask for them to give up thier seats, we cannot force them to give up thier seats.

 

[sters]

Before I had kids, I used to think "first come, first served." I'm ashamed to say that as a 20-something I probably would not have given up my seat.

Now, a mother of 3 young kids, I am heartily thankful for all those people who gave up seats for us! In fact, it was nearly universal; that's a testament the overall courtesy of Disney guests! We should all be proud! Our last vacation , we had a 1 yr old, 2 year old, and a 4 year old. Not to mention the very unwieldly double stoller. We took a LOT of bus trips on that vacation, park hopping. And, the one and only time we had no one volunteer two seats for me and the kids was the one and only time we had a problem! I sat on one of the sideway bench seats with my sleeping one year old on my lap and my two year old was wedged between my knees. The bus driver slammed on the brakes and my husband could not hold onto the double stroller, my 4 year old and the pole and there was a bit of a pile up. I, too, had a hard time keeping my son between my knees. In fact, it was dangerous and could have been disasterous. I was EXTREMELY annoyed at the many young and able bodies people who hadn't offered a seat for my 4 year old, seeing our situation. And I was equally annoyed at the bus driver for allowing the bus to be so overcrowded. Yes, I got on the bus. It was late, we'd waited a long time for it to arrive, and I wa anxious to get my children back to our hotel and in bed. Should I have waited? Maybe, in hindsight I should have but the overwhelming need to go home was very stong and it isn't always easy to tell before boarding the bus if you'll be standing or not.

On this trip (10 days away! wahoo!) , my oldest is 7 and we will have a lightweight single stroller. My needs will not be as great, so we can have a better travelling experience overall. If push comes to shove, I can handle two older and my husband the stroller and younger one. But, having "walked in those shoes" I have learned to be more sympathetic to the frazzled moms with multiple children. I was, in fact, so overrwhelmed and touched by the overall COURTESY of Dinsey bus patorns, I am a more humble and courteous person today. Yes, I will be giving up a seat if necessary, and I plan to teach my 7 year old the same. Not that it should be a problem, his daddy has ALWAYS given up seats for those less able and is an excellent role model.

 

[seashoreCM]

If the bus had to stop suddenly I really don't think that seated folks will be in general better off than standing folks. Seated, you would be thrown into the hard seat frame in front.

Recently in a town near me there was a school bus crash. The bus driver chose to and was able to keep the bus under control on the road rather than drive into the ditch to avoid an oncoming car that crossed the center line. There were no significant injuries except for the car driver who died. Two students who had medical training tried to save that driver but couldn't.

In an ideal world, that car driver would be 100% at fault even though the bus driver put avoiding the car at a low priority compared with safeguarding the students.

 

[summerrluvv]

I too am miffed how rude people can be. I always put my four year old on my lap so someone else could sit down. I encounted a few other people that had their kids (I should say toddlers) sitting on the seat but wouldn't put them on their laps. I just think it's rude, especially when there are parents holding babies trying to stand up and hold on. I don't think there is any excuse for a parent not putting a toddler on their lap to let another parent and child sit down. And before anyone says...well maybe they aren't physcially able to hold the child....well if they had to physically carry the kids to get them on the bus (which I did see), they can probably hold that kid on their lap.

On the flip side...I did encounter a lot of nice people that did get up to let the kids sit down, so that was nice to see. One bus driver even made an announcement saying "let's see how many gentleman we have on this bus that will get up and let the children sit down." Of cousre if you aren't physcially able to stand on the bus...than that's another story.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by jacksonsmom
I know exactly what other person is talking about. I have gotten looks from other people waiting in line if I did not get on the bus because I didn't want my preschooler to stand.
I even had a man comment that I was trying to 'hog' all the seats & I should just get on that bus like everyone else!!!

As far as who would care, maybe there is someone else standing in line & now they are thinking "Great now I have to stand" then they are getting all huffy about YOU not getting on that already semi full bus.

I have been there & I don't like waiting for another bus, especially if there is a big line of people waiting too. You DO get dirty looks for other people. Not all, but I do hear remarks or see the 'looks'

That is why I usually, not always though, wait until the park clears out so the majority of the crowd is already on the buses heading back to the resorts.
By the time I get in line at the buses there isn't much line left & I can usually find a seat for my preschooler.

Just a question...not to flame...but why not put your child on your lap?

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by summerrluvv
Just a question...not to flame...but why not put your child on your lap?

I am not sure what you mean, I have put him on my lap if I am sitting but I am talking about the times the bus is totally full. I don't mind standing next to him while he sits on the seat.

Oh now I see what you are asking.....well, like I said I have put him on my lap but usually it is the side type benches. I am tall & my son is very tall for his age (which makes him look older then he is) so sometimes it is hard for both of us to get in one regular seat (not a lot of leg room) so usually I will just stand next to him.