Biggest disappointment at WDW......

[childsplay]

It's easy to judge but not always right...after all, I once had a friend who had a fake leg. Before you judge get the facts or better yet...wait for a bus that isn't so crowded.

I don't believe for second that everyone who failed to offer their seat on the bus had a fake leg...
with the point being that I didn't think the OP was speaking of "specific individuals", but rather her experiences riding the busses in general...of course there are very ligitimate reason for not giving up a seat, some that are obvious, some that are not, and most which are none of my business...I guess my point was that the comment was about behavior in general and not about a specific person.

 

[MinnieM21]

I don't believe for second that everyone who failed to offer their seat on the bus in question had a fake leg...

Harmony didn't say that everyone doesn't give up their seat because they have a fake leg.
The poster was trying to make a point that it is not always obvious who needs a seat on the monorail or who is handicapped.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I'm a healthy (well, physically healthy - the jury's still out on my mental health ) middle-aged (ouch) male who was raised to give up a seat to anyone who needs it. However, it has gotten a bit tougher these days knowing who "needs" it. Over the years at WDW - primarily on buses - I have received abuse because I offered my seat to: a pregnant woman, who then lectured me on the fact that pregnancy is NOT a disability; a obviously older gentleman, who told me he "wasn't dead yet"; a middle-aged woman with a cane and a limp, who told me not to assume that everyone who had a cane was handicapped; a young (5-6YO) girl, who's mother yelled at me for giving up my seat to the daughter, and at the daughter for taking "that man's seat". My father used to light a lady's cigarette, until he was told that he was helping hasten someone's death; I used to hold doors open for all females, but stopped that after my first few dozen "just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't open my own door - had you heard, we can vote, too" slap-downs.

If you need the seat, ask me politely and I'll hop up so fast you'll think there was a scorpion under me. If you don't need it badly enough to ask, then - IMHO - you don't need it. But please don't expect me to figure it out - I'm not a mind reader.

Be well!

 

[mking624]

I just don't know what to do anymore. I was always raised to offer my seat to people, whether they "needed" it or not. If I could withstand walking in WDW all day, then I certainly could stand an extra few minutes on a bus....so if someone simply looked tired, I'd offer them my seat. In some aspects, this has helped me from "getting in trouble" with those who might not have anything wrong with them. But this has been detrimental to me as well. I've offered my seat, a person would say no, I'd ask the "are you sure, I don't mind at all" question and they'd reassure me nicely that they were fine, so I'd stay seating...only to be given a dirty look by the very person who told me they didn't need the seat. I have never minded giving up my seat for any reason, but when I kindly offer my seat and am given a dirty look after they already told me no...that upsets me. I'm not going to beg a person to sit down. They had their chance TWO TIMES.

 

[Selket]

I agree that offering up a seat isn't what it used to be. The person could be offended (can you imagine offering it to a woman who looked pregnant but was really just had too much belly fat?). Dangerous territory these days.....

I don't assume that the person sitting down is healthy or well enough to give me his/her seat either. Maybe the person sitting down is sick to their stomach, or has low muscle tone and can't stand, or some other short or long term problem. The hardest bus rides are the ones after evening shows/fireworks when everyone is tired.

That being said we've always encountered kindness in riding the WDW bus with our little kids - usually more people willing to give up seats than folks who need to sit down.

 

[DMRick]

If you need the seat, ask me politely and I'll hop up so fast you'll think there was a scorpion under me. If you don't need it badly enough to ask, then - IMHO - you don't need it. But please don't expect me to figure it out - I'm not a mind reader.

Be well!

I guess that's really all you can do.

People do realize the first few seats have signs saying that you may be asked to give up your seat, right? So if you really do need a seat, just let the bus driver know. I'm assuming that's what those signs mean. Tyler? Are those seats so the bus driver can ask someone to move for someone in need?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

If you get on a bus that is standing room only, you should be prepared to stand. If some kind, considerate soul is there and offers you their seat, that's wonderful, but I wouldn't get on expecting it.

I completely agree, if I'm too tired to stand up on a bus that I know is going to be a long bus ride I'll gladly wait until I can get a bus that I can sit down on. I do give up my seat if needed but at the young age of 23 I am absolutely exhausted by the time we go to leave a park, and everyone on the bus doesn't want to stand. I don't go on to a crowded bus expecting for someone to give me a seat because if I was so concerned with being able to sit I'd rent a car and drive to the park

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

If you need to sit that badly wait for the next bus....I am sorry but why should those who have already waited their turn be EXPECTED to give up their seat. In my opinion and what I was also taught that it is rude to EXPECT something from someone. Before I get flamed personally, let me say that we have given up our seats, had children sit on our laps, etc etc. But unless it was the last bus, and there was no choice, then if you don't want to stand, wait for the next one. The same with the monorail. People are in such a hurry anymore and expect others to accomadate them because they were in too much of a hurry to wait for the next one. People have spent a day in the parks or where ever they did, dealt with their children (which is a tiring job in the easiest of circumstances), were probably up early and yet because they were lucky enough to get a seat, they are rude for not giving it up. It also upsets me that when a "handicapped" person is lucky enough to not have their handicap be obvious, they are also subject to rude stares for not giving up their seat.

I think it is worse to be a JUDGEMENTAL person than to not give up a seat on the bus. I think the world would be a much better place if people just gave each other the benefit of the doubt.

Now, if the person who wouldn't give up the seat was someone who pushed and shoved and skipped to the front of the line....well, I'll leave that one to the bus drive.

Just my humble opinion.

Lisa

 

[berkshire mike]

I'm a healthy (well, physically healthy - the jury's still out on my mental health ) middle-aged (ouch) male who was raised to give up a seat to anyone who needs it. However, it has gotten a bit tougher these days knowing who "needs" it. Over the years at WDW - primarily on buses - I have received abuse because I offered my seat to: a pregnant woman, who then lectured me on the fact that pregnancy is NOT a disability; a obviously older gentleman, who told me he "wasn't dead yet"; a middle-aged woman with a cane and a limp, who told me not to assume that everyone who had a cane was handicapped; a young (5-6YO) girl, who's mother yelled at me for giving up my seat to the daughter, and at the daughter for taking "that man's seat". My father used to light a lady's cigarette, until he was told that he was helping hasten someone's death; I used to hold doors open for all females, but stopped that after my first few dozen "just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't open my own door - had you heard, we can vote, too" slap-downs.

If you need the seat, ask me politely and I'll hop up so fast you'll think there was a scorpion under me. If you don't need it badly enough to ask, then - IMHO - you don't need it. But please don't expect me to figure it out - I'm not a mind reader.

Be well!

Well you covered just about every possible scenario I can think of???? As a 42 year old male I've never had anyone get mad at me for being polite. I was brought up that way and will continue holding doors open or giving up my seat. It's the proper thing to do and I don't think times have change that much. "If" someone got mad at me for doing that I'd simply would say I was sorry.
As far as not offering your seat to a little 7 year old girl....well you know I was tired to but I would never think about sitting while she stood.
As far as not knowing who needs a seat I'd say some things are obvious other are not but you do the best you can.

 

[childsplay]

I'll take the risk of ruffling a feather or two (for those people who are offened by your offer) in return for the respone like the one I recieved from the woman last summer....It was an EE day at the MK and my family (me, wife, kids 6, 4, 3) and I were on the early bus, there was a woman with two young children ( 4 and 2 maybe) who had a stroller. The littlest one was still trying to work off the previous nights sleep and was clining to her mother who was stuggling with a stroller, small children, and a diaper bag. When the bus stopped at the MK I quickly took our stoller off while my wife brought the kids off...I jumped back in and grabbed the ladies stoller took if off set it up and helped her with her bags and kids as she came down the stairs...now this entire episode played out in about 8 seconds and we were on way... the lady called my wife back to tell her how wonderful her husband was and how lucky she was to have someone like me!! Apparently this lady had been at Disney all week with her kids (husband had been calleed away on business and she didn't want to cancel) and I was the only person who had helped her on or off a bus all week.
I've been dining off of that one for going on 11 months now!!!
Keep trying, the feeling of helping others is worth a couple of ruffled feathers.

 

[berkshire mike]

If you need to sit that badly wait for the next bus....I am sorry but why should those who have already waited their turn be EXPECTED to give up their seat. In my opinion and what I was also taught that it is rude to EXPECT something from someone. Before I get flamed personally, let me say that we have given up our seats, had children sit on our laps, etc etc. But unless it was the last bus, and there was no choice, then if you don't want to stand, wait for the next one. The same with the monorail. People are in such a hurry anymore and expect others to accomadate them because they were in too much of a hurry to wait for the next one. People have spent a day in the parks or where ever they did, dealt with their children (which is a tiring job in the easiest of circumstances), were probably up early and yet because they were lucky enough to get a seat, they are rude for not giving it up. It also upsets me that when a "handicapped" person is lucky enough to not have their handicap be obvious, they are also subject to rude stares for not giving up their seat.

I think it is worse to be a JUDGEMENTAL person than to not give up a seat on the bus. I think the world would be a much better place if people just gave each other the benefit of the doubt.

Now, if the person who wouldn't give up the seat was someone who pushed and shoved and skipped to the front of the line....well, I'll leave that one to the bus drive.

Just my humble opinion.

Lisa

Prehaps you were one of the people we met last week? Your right though it's your seat and you don't have to get up and offer it to the eldery lady standing next to you. Hopefully some day when your her age someone, who is tired and also waited thier turn, won't return the favor and will actually offer you thier seat.
What Handicaps are you talking about? If a man my age got on the bus with a cane and a limp I'd offer him my seat. Not much you can do about handicaps you don't know about.
As far as being judgemental, I did reserve judgement until I saw them hoping off the bus and walking just fine.
Justify it all you want but to me it just being rude!

 

[berkshire mike]

the lady called my wife back to tell her how wonderful her husband was and how lucky she was to have someone like me!! .

And she was right!

 

[Hadjii]

My biggest disappointment at WDW is........ NEVER getting a towel animal made for me at my resort. Every night, come back to the room....sneak up on the bed.....NUTHIN!! Maybe in the bathroom.......crack open the door and take a peek....NUTHIN! Darn, when is the towel animal fairy gonna ever visit us?

 

[jarestel]

As is the usual case these days, way too much time and energy is devoted to disapproving of what total strangers choose to do. It's great if someone wants to do something nice for another, but having done that nice thing, doesn't it kind of tarnish the act of generosity to begin crowing about it to the entire world? If someone wants to offer up a seat, great, but if they choose not to, well that's their prerogative. All the scornful posts in the world won't change it.

However, don't get me started on line cutters!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I know I want a towel animal!

 

[Harmony]

Prehaps you were one of the people we met last week? Your right though it's your seat and you don't have to get up and offer it to the eldery lady standing next to you. Hopefully some day when your her age someone, who is tired and also waited thier turn, won't return the favor and will actually offer you thier seat.
What Handicaps are you talking about? If a man my age got on the bus with a cane and a limp I'd offer him my seat. Not much you can do about handicaps you don't know about.
As far as being judgemental, I did reserve judgement until I saw them hoping off the bus and walking just fine.
Justify it all you want but to me it just being rude!

The poster, Lisa...was just stating her opinion in a very 'matter of fact' way. There is no need to attack her personally.

Besides, when at Disney...who cares...just have fun and forget your troubles!

 

[MinnieM21]

The poster, Lisa...was just stating her opinion in a very 'matter of fact' way. There is no need to attack her personally.

Besides, when at Disney...who cares...just have fun and forget your troubles!

I agree!

 

[L107ANGEL]

I think all of you that are considerate enough to offer rock!! It is sad that the days of the past are that.. the past. I was so enjoying the thread of "paying it forward" and then we come to something as simple as offering a seat to someone and find out people are being berated for it. I would hate to think this is a comment on our society!
I say, we were born to help each other in every way possible and if I or my DH or DD offer one or all of our seats to someone else (whether accepted or not) it may come full circle to us someday, when we may not be healthy enough to stand.

 

[childsplay]

And she was right!

That is very kind...but if you spent more than 3 min. with my wife you'd realize what I've known for going on ten years now...that I am truley the luckiest person on earth.

Best wishes.

 

[kandeebunny]

This is a huge pet peeve for me. I use an ECV while in WDW and we are not allowed to sit in them on the busses. I've been given dirty looks when the bus driver made people get up so he could fold the seat up to get my ECV on. Then they sat, and just stared at me while I tried to find a place to sit. I've ended up having to stand because no one would get up. When not using my ECV (first day) I wear black braces on my legs mid calf to mid thigh and limp pretty signifigantly. By the end of the day I need to sit and can't stand much longer to wait for the next bus. Someone also mentioned handicapped parking, on a day to day basis I walk fairly well so when going to the super market I park in handicapped (I'm 21 and look healthy) and have had more comments about why I need that space!

ETA: Thank you to all those who do get up!