Disney Busses with a Baby

[Bella's Momma]

Has anyone used the Disney Transportation between parks while traveling with a baby? We will be arriving next week for our trip, and I'm concerned about not having a carseat when riding on the busses between parks, as well as on the magical express bus.

 

[backyardponder]

I've never seen anybody use a car seat on a bus, whether it be DME, Disney, or Chicago city bus. There's no seat belts to strap them in with anyway.

 

[Bella's Momma]

Oh yeah, I guess I didn't think about the no seatbelt thing!

 

[DVCBELLE]

I have been on the buses with my little ones on one trip - and then never did it again.

You have to hold a squirmy, tired baby. Getting the stroller on and off the bus is a pain - and unfortunately other guests aren't very patient. Truthfully - if you can rent a car - I would do that!

 

[maxiesmom]

This question does come up pretty often. And the real answer is that busses are safer than a car for your little one. Even if you factor in that they are in a car seat in a car!

There is no way to hook up a car seat on any of the Disney busses, so you have to decide what you are comfortable with, safety-wise. A bus without a car seat, or a car with one.

And I have to disagree with the previous poster. A lot of people have kids on the Disney busses, and out of 12 trips I can't recall anyone being impatient with people and their children. Well, I do get impatient myself when someone steps off of the bus, and stops there to set up their stroller and place their child in it, blocking everyone else from disembarking. But most people are great, and I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Tara]

And I have to disagree with the previous poster. A lot of people have kids on the Disney busses, and out of 12 trips I can't recall anyone being impatient with people and their children. Well, I do get impatient myself when someone steps off of the bus, and stops there to set up their stroller and place their child in it, blocking everyone else from disembarking. But most people are great, and I wouldn't worry about it.

I've definitely experienced impatience from other guests related to strollers, even though we were always very careful to be ready to board with no waiting and careful to keep our compact stroller from encroaching on anyone's space in over-stuffed buses. That doesn't bother me - people are sometimes rude and I can't control their rudeness. All I can do is be considerate to those around me and accept that not everyone will do the same.

Of course, we don't take buses anymore as we always rent a car...where I agree with maxiesmom is that I wouldn't rent a car just because of people's impatience! But I do agree with DVCBELLE that holding a baby, especially when buses are really crowded, can be a difficult thing.

 

[Magicbus]

In all my rides on WDW buses, I can't say I've seen enough impatience buy other riders that would raise it to the level of an issue. What do these rude guests do?
As a PP said, fold the stroller and be ready to board the bus. Move away from the bus when you get off. If it's standing room only, wait for the next bus. It's dangerous to be standing on a bus with a baby in your arms, and tiring. Some rides can last up to 20 minutes.

 

[aduck126]

i dont have a baby but as a disney bus rider on multiple trips me, my DH and other riders have been nothing but accommodating. When you see a mom coming on the bus with an infant in one hand and a stroller in the other you would be surprised by how many people will actually stand up and offer you their seat and help you get settled. I would not worry about the bus situation.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

We rented a car when we went the first time with our 17 month old twins but we used the bus a few times to go to MK and avoid the TTC. I had mixed feelings - you aren't always guaranteed a seat so you may have to stand and balance your baby and yourself on the bus trip which will be crowded with others standing as well. If you can't rent a car for some reason the buses are ok but we were glad we had the car and used it for the most part. The car was easier for making quick getaways back to our hotel. One pro vs. con is that the bus will drop you off at the entrance to the parks while if you self park your car you will likely either have to walk a long distance or use the tram from the parking lot and the tram is honestly the same hassle as the bus. (Folding up your stroller, lugging all your gear and your family onto a vehicle, holding onto your kid and your stuff).

 

[My 2 princesses]

DD was born end Jan, 2008, and we've been to Disney 2 times since. We had no problems with the buses. In fact, we were always asked by other passengers if we needed help as both kids were almost always asleep when coming back from the parks. If we found the busses to be too full, we just waited for the next one.

 

[mamapajama]

I have been to Disney probably 20 times in the last 17 years and I have never, once, seen a parent standing on a bus holding a baby. Someone always gets up. I have sat my 15 year old on my lap to give a parent/baby a seat. I wouldn't worry about that. It can be a pain but I never take my car, if we have one with us, unless we are going Downtown, to the boardwalk or another hotel for dinner. You almost always have to take a tram or boat or monorail to get to your car and by that time, you could be at your hotel and not have to worry about getting into a hot car and driving back. I traveled solo with a 4 year old and a 10 month old and a sit and stand stroller and took the buses. No problems. WDW is a family destination. I think we all expect to see people struggling with strollers. When our DD was 8 weeks we took her in her bucket with the Graco snap and go. We held the seat on our lap or held it on the seat next to us if there were empties and slid the folded stroller under the seat of most of the buses. I will say, however, that the resort you are staying at will greatly influence your experience with buses.

 

[texasgirl73]

I understand your concern, you of course want your baby to be safe. I am a police accident investigator and work a lot of traffic fatalities. Ever since I've been in the Traffic unit I have become more concerned with safety in my vehicles. I have no problem with my children being in buses. What usually kills people is the change in velocity. The smaller the vehicle, the quicker it will come to a stop because smaller vehicles don't have as much momentum as larger vehicles travelling the same speed. Larger vehicles take longer to stop. A bus will have a lot of momentum and takes longer to stop so seatbelts aren't as crucial as they are in cars. Standing with the baby wouldn't be advisable but most people will give up their seats for a woman with a baby. If for some reason you got on a bus full of heartless, selfish people you always have the option of stepping off and waiting for a bus that isn't as full.

 

[gigi1313]

i've had our youngest on all the buses at 6mos old, 11 mos old, and 18mos old with absolutely no problems at all... i've always gotten a seat or at least been offered one... never felt rushed by other guests... the only downside is the occasional juggling of the stroller, but i typically leave that to dh (the best was when we went w/friends and their youngest was a tween, it was like having an extra husband!)...

i highly endorse the buses over renting a car...

 

[Bella's Momma]

Thanks everyone! I feel much better about the transportation now