Disney has finally suceeded

[deakam]

Last week, in the middle of our trip, we encountered the bus driver from hell. We had returned to our resort POFQ for an afternoon cool down. On our way to Epcot for the evening our bus made a run through Riverside. No problem...except the bus was nearly full at French Quarter.

The driver proceeded to make 3 stops at riverside. Stuffing more and more people into the bus. I counted 6 double wide strollers---the ones with the super deluxe all terrain wheels. It seemed that several guests were hell bent on spending several weeks at Epcot--based solely on the size of the backpacks and other items they were carring. All being stuffed into this one bus.

Several passangers had thier toes stepped on, children were squished under adults, several were crying. My son spent the entire ride to epcot trying to breath while having an obese womans belly shoved in his face while her baby drooled on him and sproadically kicked him just for grins.

During the ride one of the afore mentioned strollers fell on top of me. Then the driver decides to get everyone off the bus at the stop for POP. All the way at the other side of the bus stops. I have hip and knee problems which make it more difficult to walk. This is one of the reasons I booked the resort I did. The bus stops are closer to the gate. When I mentioned this to the driver while asking him why we were not at our stop---he actually looked at me and said "ya right"--as if I were lying to him. Then he proceeded to tell me to get off the bus.

Needless to say I went directly to guest relations and filed a report. We then headed into Epcot. We got to the world showcase--I pulled my camera out of my bag---which had been sitting on my lap---to find the screen had been shattered by the stroller that fell on me in the bus. Transportation told me to file a guest claim.

Today guest claims calls me to tell me that they are not responsible because another guest broke my camera. I told them that thier bus driver broke my camera by allowing more people on that bus than was safe. They decided they would pay me half of what my camera cost---as a goodwill gesture.

I have been going to Disney at least once a year for the past 15 years. This has made me realize that there is not enough Pixie dust in the world to make me continue. There was a thread on here a few months back about what would make me stop going---this is it. I have endured rate increases, lost reservations, over charges,and rude CM's but to actually be told that Disney is not responsible for the bus driver allowing to many people onto a bus is beyond belief to me. I have come to the conclusion that Disney can call you a guest but what you really are is cattle.

Thanks for letting me rant. I think I will start planning my next trip. Maybe I will go skiing.

 

[crostorfer]

Wow! I'm so sorry that happened to you!

 

[RMulieri]

HOLY CRAP I would be calling and complaining and then some...Did you get the drivers name?

 

[WEDWDW]

So sorry for your negative experiences!

I hope you will try to cherish the good memories you have of WDW and try to forget the bad ones!

Best of luck and much fun as you experience new vacation destinations!

 

[Kimberle]

Wow, that is terrible!!

I found that during our stay in August, the bus drivers were ALWAYS just pulling into the 1st available spot. Even the off-site hotel buses had closer spots. The closer spots were empty, too.

 

[Wiloughby1]

Wow! I'm amazed at how a double stroller got up high enough to smash a camera lens. It must have been really bouncy!

Sorry you had a bad ride, but just like how others can't see your medical conditions, you aren't taking the time to see the challenges of getting multiple small children around the park. And the comment about the belly? Really?

If the bus driver was the problem, the bus driver was the problem. Not the people who have made investments in strollers that are sturdy or a baby who was playing with your son. No need to bash everyone else.

The people who ruin times during my trip (pretty hard to ruin a WHOLE trip) are the grumpy ones. Giving families dirty looks and treating families like a burden on a family resort.

You caught me on a bad day. But this post was mean.

LONG LIVE PLAYFUL BABIES, DOUBLE STROLLERS, AND PARENTS WHO HAVE SUPPLIES!

 

[Neelloc]

Last week, in the middle of our trip, we encountered the bus driver from hell. We had returned to our resort POFQ for an afternoon cool down. On our way to Epcot for the evening our bus made a run through Riverside. No problem...except the bus was nearly full at French Quarter.

The driver proceeded to make 3 stops at riverside. Stuffing more and more people into the bus. I counted 6 double wide strollers---the ones with the super deluxe all terrain wheels. It seemed that several guests were hell bent on spending several weeks at Epcot--based solely on the size of the backpacks and other items they were carring. All being stuffed into this one bus.

Several passangers had thier toes stepped on, children were squished under adults, several were crying. My son spent the entire ride to epcot trying to breath while having an obese womans belly shoved in his face while her baby drooled on him and sproadically kicked him just for grins.

During the ride one of the afore mentioned strollers fell on top of me. Then the driver decides to get everyone off the bus at the stop for POP. All the way at the other side of the bus stops. I have hip and knee problems which make it more difficult to walk. This is one of the reasons I booked the resort I did. The bus stops are closer to the gate. When I mentioned this to the driver while asking him why we were not at our stop---he actually looked at me and said "ya right"--as if I were lying to him. Then he proceeded to tell me to get off the bus.

Needless to say I went directly to guest relations and filed a report. We then headed into Epcot. We got to the world showcase--I pulled my camera out of my bag---which had been sitting on my lap---to find the screen had been shattered by the stroller that fell on me in the bus. Transportation told me to file a guest claim.

Today guest claims calls me to tell me that they are not responsible because another guest broke my camera. I told them that thier bus driver broke my camera by allowing more people on that bus than was safe. They decided they would pay me half of what my camera cost---as a goodwill gesture.

I have been going to Disney at least once a year for the past 15 years. This has made me realize that there is not enough Pixie dust in the world to make me continue. There was a thread on here a few months back about what would make me stop going---this is it. I have endured rate increases, lost reservations, over charges,and rude CM's but to actually be told that Disney is not responsible for the bus driver allowing to many people onto a bus is beyond belief to me. I have come to the conclusion that Disney can call you a guest but what you really are is cattle.

Thanks for letting me rant. I think I will start planning my next trip. Maybe I will go skiing.

When we stayed at POFQ, there was only 1 time we went over to POR to pick up guests. The bus filled up, but was not packed at the main depot, so it made no other stops. At Epcot we did get dropped off at other stops besides our own...I wonder why they do that?

I'm sorry you were packed on like sardines to the point of being uncomfortable and having your camera broken! That experience makes for a less than magical trip!

 

[natfrac]

Am I in the minority to think that people should use their common sense and not board an overcrowded bus? I've waited for the next bus several times. I don't want to step on anyone's toes anymore than they want me to.

 

[Phatoomch]

Sorry this happened to you.

But don't let one thing or person ruin Disney for you - move on.

When I come across someone who is a you-know-what I always walk around them and leave them to their miserable ways and carry on with my happy ways.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Am I in the minority to think that people should use their common sense and not board an overcrowded bus? I've waited for the next bus several times. I don't want to step on anyone's toes anymore than they want me to.

This is us as well. We will never board a bus that is already over packed.

I will say however that last year were at the BLT and waited for a bus to DTD. When the bus arrived there were plenty of seats. We then headed to the Poly and still there weren't that many getting on. But when we arrived at the GF we didn't realize that there were wall to wall people. The back door was opened to let people off and then closed. As people were getting on the bus, I realized that they were packing them in so we stood up to get off the bus and I asked the driver to please open the back door and he refused. Ok we understood as then he would have people getting on both doors. We then proceeded to start walking to the front and he told us (in a rather angry voice) that we couldn't come to the front to get off as he was letting the people on. Needless to say, I told him that we were getting off the bus come he!! or high water and I said excuse us many times and off the bus we were. After everyone boarded, I asked him for his name, thanked him and told him to have a nice evening. We then went to guest relations and explained what happened. Over packing a passenger vehicle is not safe for anyone and scares me to death.

Lesson for us is if we need to get somewhere that requires a bus we take a taxi.

 

[cvjw]

I have been on more overcrowded buses than I can count - we go to Disney multiple times per year. Overcrowded buses are just part of Disney - they try to get as many people on them as possible. Bus drivers routinely drop passengers off at stops other than their own resort stops - sometimes you get lucky and get a closer drop-off, sometimes one that is farther away.

People can always rent cars, or drive their own, or take a taxi if they hate the buses. We always have our car at Disney, but we always utilize Disney transportation - that is just part of being at Disney.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

As far as bus stops being closer to the gates, yes they are for the bus going back to the resorts, those are closer. But the buses coming from the resort can and will drop you off at which ever stop they are told to go to. Sorry, but sometimes that is just luck of the draw. As far as the camera being scratched, I'm sorry, but I agree with Disney. If it was in the bag (albeit in your lap) how did a stroller scratch it?

Now, I'd also like to address the comment about the obese woman. You have no idea as to whether that woman was pregnant or has recently given birth and so far been unsuccessful in losing her baby weight. I understand that you are upset and that you had to ride on a full bus, but come on; haven't we all had to at one point or another? Its one of the give and takes of Disney. You can always rent a car or get off at any stop and wait for a less crowded bus to ride. I've done it and so what it sets back 10 minutes or so, you're in Disney how bad can that be?????? It beats being at work!!!!

 

[gigi1313]

At Epcot we did get dropped off at other stops besides our own...I wonder why they do that?

it is extremely common to be let off at a stop not assigned to the resort you are coming from... you get dropped off where the next dispatched bus needs to pick up... i have almost always had the driver announce "to get back to your resort go to stop #x" it is rare for a POFQ/R bus to go back to POFQ/R after dropping off at a park... the stops are only assigned for PICK UP, not DROP OFF!

our family, too, will wait for a less crowded bus... we have had a driver tell us "well, you can stand on the bus or stand at the bus stop... at least if you are standing on the bus, you are going somewhere" we have always said we'd rather be comfortable!

 

[Tbone17701]

People can always rent cars, or drive their own, or take a taxi if they hate the buses.

So very true. And since I choose not to spend the extra money on a rental car or taxi, I'm just grateful that Disney provides any transportation at all.

 

[summerlady]

I'm so sorry about your unpleasant experience. And...I sure hope that bus driver's not driving in a couple of weeks when I'm there!

 

[ppony]

Wow! I'm amazed at how a double stroller got up high enough to smash a camera lens. It must have been really bouncy!

Sorry you had a bad ride, but just like how others can't see your medical conditions, you aren't taking the time to see the challenges of getting multiple small children around the park. And the comment about the belly? Really?

If the bus driver was the problem, the bus driver was the problem. Not the people who have made investments in strollers that are sturdy or a baby who was playing with your son. No need to bash everyone else.

The people who ruin times during my trip (pretty hard to ruin a WHOLE trip) are the grumpy ones. Giving families dirty looks and treating families like a burden on a family resort.

You caught me on a bad day. But this post was mean.

LONG LIVE PLAYFUL BABIES, DOUBLE STROLLERS, AND PARENTS WHO HAVE SUPPLIES!

Agreed! This is the point where I lost sympathy. I'm so sick of hating on the obese. As if everyone else is perfect. And a baby kicking your son for grins? Really? It TOTALLY stinks that the camera was broken because of
the crowds, but honestly, it could have happened on a non-crowded bus, and in the end, all they have is your word on the matter. Not that you would lie, but we both know a LOT of people would. The bus driver's comment wasn't kosher at all, but I'd guess from your post that you were giving a little of what you got. And that's 1 experience in how many? Try to brush it off. I've had rude CMs too, yet I recognize they are a very small fraction of the whole. Something kept you coming back for so many years annually.

 

[quigs3]

I agree that the next trip you plan should be somewhere besides Disney. From the anger in your post (obese woman, etc.), it sounds like you are pretty burned out and the magic is gone. I highly doubt that one overcrowded, albeit bad, bus experience could cause you to be so bitter with Disney. Hopefully, after you take a break, the magic will return. Best of luck with your future travels.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Agreed! This is the point where I lost sympathy. I'm so sick of hating on the obese. As if everyone else is perfect. And a baby kicking your son for grins? Really? It TOTALLY stinks that the camera was broken because of
the crowds, but honestly, it could have happened on a non-crowded bus, and in the end, all they have is your word on the matter. Not that you would lie, but we both know a LOT of people would. The bus driver's comment wasn't kosher at all, but I'd guess from your post that you were giving a little of what you got. And that's 1 experience in how many? Try to brush it off. I've had rude CMs too, yet I recognize they are a very small fraction of the whole. Something kept you coming back for so many years annually.

 

[kate_wdw]

My son spent the entire ride to epcot trying to breath while having an obese womans belly shoved in his face while her baby drooled on him and sproadically kicked him just for grins.

Seriously? Your overdramatic take on having to be in close proximity to (gasp!) a baby and an overweight person really calls your credibility in question, IMO.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Am I in the minority to think that people should use their common sense and not board an overcrowded bus? I've waited for the next bus several times. I don't want to step on anyone's toes anymore than they want me to.

Sometimes we do wait for another bus (did it several times last week!) Sometimes, though we have no choice to board a crowded bus in order to get to ADRs or other events. If I'm not in a hurry I do wait for the next one!