For those who do believe in giving up their seats

[Stepharia]

I too have given up my seat and think its great when you see people do that. My biggest problem has been that on our latest trip I would have dd7 sit on my lap if someone was standing and offered them her seat. I have done this everytime I have taken her and she's not the smallest 7yo. I saw numerous parents with small children stretched out across seats and people left standing. In my opinion the polite thing to do is have your small child sit on your lap. We were actually on a bus where a woman and her 2 children were taking up 4 seats and people had to stand. She did not even have the children sit up straight to let someone have the extra seat. It really bothered me as I thought that was very rude. Both children were small enough that one could have sat on her lap and then they could have given up 2 seats.

I guess that just how some people are. In my opinion in general people at WDW are polite and friendly but unfortunately not all. It seemed we encountered rude people everyday but luckily that was a small percentage.

 

[PolyAddict]

The gentleman that gave up his seat to me and my 4 year old in May 05. It was a terrible time for us and we should have cancelled the trip. I got really sick a few days before we were leaving and had tests run, my doc called me while we were on the road to tell me I had Graves disease and I was anemic and that he could not start any meds until I came home. Anyway, back to the bus, when we got on my Dh entered on the back with my wheelchair and I somehow ended up on the front of the very full bus. My legs were literally shaking as i stood and the man and all the people behind me moved out of my way to make room for me and DD4. I sobbed the whole way to the park. It was just everything pouring out, the kindness, the illness, the realization that all my months of planning were in vain and that we would have to go home the next day.We are leaving in 19 days to make up for the LOST trip and can't wait to repay the kindness I received. I am not back to my old self but definently well enough to stand on the bus.

 

[shaylahc]

I have had the opposite experience at Disney. No one wanting to give up their seats! I have been to Disney twice in the past year, once when DS was 2 months old and the second time when he was 12 months old. Not once did anyone ever offer myself or DH a seat not on the bus OR the monorail. We carried our son everywhere in our arms (and were traveling with our 3 other small children) and not once did anyone offer up a seat. In fact, once when boarding the monorail a childless woman pitched a fit about our double stroller taking up too much room in the cabin

I sure would like to know where all these polite seat offering people are, because I have not encountered them at all on our Disney trips. DH and I were even discussing that we've noticed people tend to be extra pushy and rude while at Disney...I am guessing because they figure if they spend all this money on vacation they should have the BEST time, everyone else be damned After all, aren't they at the happiest place on earth?

 

[lucyanna girl]

I'm really sorry about the rudeness some of you encountered. I guess we were lucky to meet up with such nice people. One of the things I noticed was that the spirit seemed to be catching. If one person on a bus offered their seat to someone else often several would do so. It was really nice.

 

[Licorice]

You are right, the father should set the example for the kids. When the kids see the positive example the father sets, it becomes natural for them to be courteous and thoughtful, from a very young age.

When you are hot and tired after walking miles at the parks, sometimes you don't feel like getting up. But part of being a gentleman (or growing into one) means you have to do your share to help out.

I believe what goes around comes around. I always tell my boys, there will be a time ( maybe when we are elderly, or physically impaired) when we will need that seat and hope that someone gives it to us. They are very good about giving up their seats.

And if that doesn't work, we just tell them to get off their butts and let the lady sit down.

 

[Leota]

I'm proud to say that my Teenage Son offers his seat to people who need it more than him. I guess it's payback for all the times Kind Strangers offered me a seat while I held him, sleeping in my arms when he was a little tyke.

I was surprised on many occasions to see able bodied men ignore the plight of the elderly, pregnant or parents holding sleeping little ones. Even my son commented on it.

 

[Mom2R&D]

We took a trip to WDW when my oldest was 20 months and I was four months pregnant with my youngest. It wasn't very often that I was offered a seat on a full bus.

Now that my DS's are older, we try to always offer up our seats to anyone who needs them.

On a similar tangent, we visited the Grand Canyon last March and they have a similar bus system that takes you to different points in the park, only their busses are substantially smaller and tighter than WDW's busses. We climbed on and the four of us took four seats. The bus driver waited awhile and a huge crowd of people ended up boarding at the last minute. An older man standing behind us started chewing me out and making a huge scene because I didn't make my kids get up and move! Mind you, the bus is PACKED and there is nowhere for them to go even if they do get up! And they couldn't fit in our laps, they're 80 and 60 pounds!

I was really offended. And I don't think my kids "deserved" the seat and I would've gladly given them up if anyone had asked. But he was such a JERK that it was all I could do to hold my tongue and not say anything. Even his wife made the comment "Stop being a jerk."

But anyway. Yes, we do offer our seats to pregnant women, elderly and people carrying small children. We've BTDT and know how it is to hold a tired (or sleeping) child AND try to keep your balance on a moving bus. Just don't start yelling at me if I'm not moving fast enough.

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

My DH and I have always given up our seats to those that needed them more. It's just the right thing to do. Now I always have two babies in tow so it really shocked me how few people will return the favor.

I'm always shocked at how many people let doors slam on the person behind them. But that's for another day.

 

[DisneyPhD]

My DH and I have always given up our seats to those that needed them more. It's just the right thing to do. Now I always have two babies in tow so it really shocked me how few people will return the favor.

I'm always shocked at how many people let doors slam on the person behind them. But that's for another day.

Or will open doors and not let the person going out go 1st. Really how hard it is to hold the door and wait until they are out before you go in? Again another thread........................


But as I said I think I have only had to stand on a busy bus with a child or baby ornoticabley pregnant once or twice, and that is in 8 trips. (and I am very greatful for those who have been kind.)

 

[madgomez]

Last Christmas season, my DS6 and I ventured back out to see Wishes while my DH and DS3 stayed behind. I had a rented stroller, so all was well till the end of the night - DS6 was sleepy, and we had to wait for a bus back to CBR. Well, when it finally came, we packed in like sardines and there were lots of sleepy kids like my son. We all kind of looked at each other. Then we all squeezed and leaned and skootched and manuvered until every child was comfy and every adult had, at very least, a place to lean on. Very communal, very sweet, everyone being a little uncomfortable so that no-one was completely uncomfortable.

 

[slduck]

I was always so thankful when someone gave up there seat for my 3yo and me. My Dh rarely got a seat poor thing. Only once did I have to hold her all the way to MK. My dd always wanted her own seat, but I always had her in my lap. I will be 3+ months pregnant this time, so I hope that we will meet more kind people.