Big Pet Peeve - and it's not ADRs, DDPs, or Perks

[bobrex]

I expect some flack from this, but I think my biggest irritation at the World is... strollers on the busses. I realize that children are a major part of DW, but some of these strollers are getting out of hand! Umbrella strollers are one thing, but lugging some of these double strollers, or worse, what I call the SUV strollers (you know the ones - cup holders, bicycle wheels, sun roofs, air bags...) on busses is a major hassle not just for the parents, but also for the rest of the passengers whose knees are getting clipped by these monstrosities.

Perhaps Disney should consider mounting some sort of brackets on the front and back of the busses to hold strollers - similar to the brackets on city busses intended for bikes. Who knows, if you keep the strollers off of the bus you might be able to fit more people.

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Well, I still have 1 using a stroller. Admittedly, I'd prefer not to bring them on the bus, but sometimes don't want to fork out the $$$ to rent (espec. for DTD, b/c our visits there are only for 2-3 hours at the most). We try to bring an umbrella stroller or the smallest we can for this very reason, as I didn't always have kids when visiting the World. Not bragging, but we do try to be considerate of other guests (you know, like not stopping in the dead center of a pathway for no reason in a big group...yeah, we avoid those kind of things).

Some of the strollers are out of hand...excessive size, over-the-top extra features, but to each their own.

OP, do you have kids/have travelled with small children in the past?

 

[MikeyNS]

I don't know where I'd be without our giant "SUV" stroller. Luckily it folds up quickly and relatively small, plus I make sure to keep it out of people's way. As for getting hit or brushed, I'd blame that more on the driver than the stroller itself. I was hit by the smallest Quinny known to man.. no biggie, but it happens.

 

[CBork1]

This could get very interesting...We do use our own strollers instead of renting and we use the umbrella kind...I've always stood towards the back of the bus so as to not bother other folks with the strollers...They are a necessity for our visits...I do see your point with larger strollers and the fact that the buses dont allow you (most of the time) to board at the back of the bus, it can cause problems at times, but not to the point where it irritates us...

 

[monkeyknuckler]

We travel with a stroller (not for much longer, I hope) as well. The thing that gets me are parents that can't fold an umbrella stroller in time to get on the bus, forcing everyone behind them to wait for them to get their act together. Maybe everyone with a stroller should take a manual dexterity qualifying test or something...

 

[Chuck S]

I thought all strollers had to be collapsed to get on the bus, except for the special needs strollers that have been approved and specially reinforced to be strapped in like wheelchairs and ECVs?

If so, I don't see the problem.

As this is not a DVC specific topic, I'm moving this over to the Transportation Board.

 

[bobrex]

No I don't have children, but I have nephews that I have taken to Disney a number of times. But I waited until the youngest was 5 before I attempted the trip (ages were 9, 7, and 5 at the time).

Umbrella strollers can fit between between the knees and don't intrude on aisle space. The monster strollers either take up a seat or must be in the aisles. In either case, it becomes inconsiderate to others. Given that Disney has a large number of handicapped busses with fewer seats to begin with, strollers in the aisles definitely restricts the number of passengers that can ride on a given bus.

 

[DisneyMim]

I'm with the OP. And yes I have children and have been going to WDW forever with them. We never took a stroller on the bus or monorail. We always rented a car for just this reason. Huge strollers are a big pain and I am sick of getting hit with them. Yes, years ago you had to fold them up, and believe it or not you still should, but most people don't. I particular like the people who come on the monorail with huge strollers, take the kids out, sit them in the seats and leave the empty stroller blocking room where you could stand. Very rude. Yes I know that it's a lot of work, but really strollers should be folded up and put out of the way as much as possible, leaving as much room for people to sit/stand. I will now get off my soapbox!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[Chuck S]

No I don't have children, but I have nephews that I have taken to Disney a number of times. But I waited until the youngest was 5 before I attempted the trip (ages were 9, 7, and 5 at the time).

Umbrella strollers can fit between between the knees and don't intrude on aisle space. The monster strollers either take up a seat or must be in the aisles. In either case, it becomes inconsiderate to others. Given that Disney has a large number of handicapped busses with fewer seats to begin with, strollers in the aisles definitely restricts the number of passengers that can ride on a given bus.

Actually, every Disney bus should be wheelchair accessible, holding a maximum of 2 chairs or ECVs. If those two slots are in use, they can not load any more non-ambulatory guests. Those two slots use an area that consists of 6 jump seats, meaning that a maximum of only 4 guest seats are actually lost if both chair slots are loaded with chairs or ECVs.

 

[bobrex]

Actually, every Disney bus should be wheelchair accessible, holding a maximum of 2 chairs or ECVs. If those two slots are in use, they can not load any more non-ambulatory guests. Those two slots use an area that consists of 6 jump seats, meaning that a maximum of only 4 guest seats are actually lost if both chair slots are loaded with chairs or ECVs.

OK, I should have been clearer in my description. There are a number of busses where there are more than 2 sets of side facing seats. It is possible that only 2 sets are "jump seats". These busses cannot hold as many seated passengers, instead relying on standing space to fill the bus. In either case, strollers in the aisles are a hassle for others.

 

[Darcy03231]

On our last trip to WDW I was going to rent a stroller so I didn't have to deal with the hassle of bringing one with me and carrying it on and off the bus. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was going to cost me more to rent a stroller than it would to rent a car! I think you're seeing more people bringing them with them, and thus on the busses because of the cost to rent them. I know I brought mine, although it was an umbrella style one.

 

[Brian Noble]

If the parents are making an effort to fold the things up and keep tabs on them, and are at least trying to keep them from banging into my shins as I stand nearby, I don't begrudge them one bit. I have kids and drove to the parks in the "stroller days". Still, I don't mind the many well-mannered parents who would prefer to ride.

 

[disneynut67]

I have always brought my own stroller simply for the reason that if they were sleeping when I got off the bus, I would have something to put them into. If Disney's weren't so expensive, I would rent them but seeing as I am there for 11 days, it would cost me an arm and a leg. I have always been a considerate stroller pusher/folder/bus rider and do think it is rude when others are not.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

I only experienced the agony of the double stroller phenomenon once on a Disney bus. It took that poor man ten minutes to break it down, while we sat on the bus, waiting and wondering how many pieces did that thing have.

Stroller straps on the outside of the buses is an awesome idea.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm with the OP. And yes I have children and have been going to WDW forever with them. We never took a stroller on the bus or monorail. We always rented a car for just this reason. Huge strollers are a big pain and I am sick of getting hit with them. Yes, years ago you had to fold them up, and believe it or not you still should, but most people don't. I particular like the people who come on the monorail with huge strollers, take the kids out, sit them in the seats and leave the empty stroller blocking room where you could stand. Very rude. Yes I know that it's a lot of work, but really strollers should be folded up and put out of the way as much as possible, leaving as much room for people to sit/stand. I will now get off my soapbox!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

One of the perks of staying at a monorail resort is that you do not have to fold up your stroller when you get on the monorail. You do have to fold them up when you use the buses. And I have to say I have never seen a stroller on a bus that wasn't folded up. It is not allowed.

I guess if you don't want to share a bus with the strollers you could always use a car. The people with the strollers on the busses are not doing anything wrong. They are allowed to have them. If one finds them so annoying, then just don't use the busses. Simple.

 

[ssawka]

Fortunately we are only a family of 3. When we ride the buses, I fold up the stroller and stand in front of the rear door while my wife takes my daughter in one of the seats.

As for the folding up the stroller in time, my DD does not do lines very well do to physical issues, so I try to keep her in the stroller as long as possible. Yes, this may cause a slight delay, but the bus won't leave until everyone is loaded. Besides, you're on vacation, what's the rush?

 

[plutolovr]

I don't take the buses much, so my biggest stroller pet peeve has to do with the parking lot trams. There are always a few people who set up their entire stroller at their car, kid, stuff, etc. and then when they get to tram they have to break the whole thing down. Just keep it folded and carry it to the tram, set it up when you get off.

 

[seashoreCM]

I . and then when they get to tram they have to break the whole thing down. Just keep it folded and carry it to the tram, set it up when you get off.

But then the kid can't sit in it all the way back to the tram lane.

 

[Tara]

I expect some flack from this, but I think my biggest irritation at the World is... strollers on the busses. I realize that children are a major part of DW, but some of these strollers are getting out of hand! Umbrella strollers are one thing, but lugging some of these double strollers, or worse, what I call the SUV strollers (you know the ones - cup holders, bicycle wheels, sun roofs, air bags...) on busses is a major hassle not just for the parents, but also for the rest of the passengers whose knees are getting clipped by these monstrosities.

Perhaps Disney should consider mounting some sort of brackets on the front and back of the busses to hold strollers - similar to the brackets on city busses intended for bikes. Who knows, if you keep the strollers off of the bus you might be able to fit more people.

I think your real pet peeve is with rudeness and lack of considerate behavior, which comes with all sorts of trappings and in all places. It isn't limited to stroller use and buses.

 

[darrengs]

I have never been on a bus even an almost empty one were the driver didn't make people fold up their strollers.

If you are seeing more or bigger strollers I would bet money that it is due to crazy amount Disney now charges to rent them.