Full Buses

[fac]

This topic comes up now and then, and I can see both sides.

If you know you ahve a hard times reaching and can see that the bus is packed, don't get on, just wait for the next one. Everyone is tired at the end of the night.

I agreed with this. We always rent a car therefore seldom take Disney transportation. On our last trip we had a morning ADR at MK and would go to Epcot after the breakfast, hence I talked DH into taking the bus.

When we returned from Epcot, we have to stand with a 5 and a 7 years old. A man offered his seat to my 7 years old, I thanked him but declined. The way I saw it, if we needed a seat we could have waited for the next bus and it won't be fair for him, in particular he was sitting next to his daughter (about 10), we were tired and so did he. But during the bus trip, I could also see that he wasn't quite comfortable sitting while seeing a 7 years standing and I thought I was rude in turning down the offer.

If I were sitting, I would offer my seat.

 

[4formickey]

I drive a bus for a living and somethings that you should remenber.You can not tell if a person has a disabilty just by looking at them. If you need a sit, ask some if they will let you sit down. They may not be aware that you need to sit. You also my find out that they may have a problem.Does it hurt to ask?

 

[ducklite]

I drive a bus for a living and somethings that you should remenber.You can not tell if a person has a disabilty just by looking at them. If you need a sit, ask some if they will let you sit down. They may not be aware that you need to sit. You also my find out that they may have a problem.Does it hurt to ask?

If someone asked me if they could have my seat I'd probably look a them like they had three heads. I'm sure it's a cultural thing as I'm a New Yawka (you got a problem with that? ) transplanted in FL. But I wouldn't ever, ever ask someone to give up their seat--it's just--weird!

With that said, it might not be a bad idea for them to issue GAC for the buses where people with issues which preclude them from standing on a bus would have a shaded waiting area with benches It would NOT get them on a bus any earlier, but give them a place to safely wait their turn while the rest of their party waited in line. When a bus pulled up that they could get a seat on as their party boarded, they would be able to "cut" into the line from the waiting area.

My opinion is that anyone who was able to spend the whole day in a park is able to wait a few extra minutes for the next bus to arrive if they need a seat.

BTW--I have a host of medical problems which sometimes make it dangerous for me to try to stand on a bus--vertigo which throws off my balance, asthma, and more. When I'm feeling good, I give up my seat. When I'm not, you wouldn't know it by looking at me, but if I were to try to stand, I'd probably keel over into someone's lap. In that case, yes, I'd simply wait for the next bus if it was obvious I wasn't going to get a seat.

Anne

 

[4formickey]

like i said just asked, the worst that they could say is no.

 

[valvzb]

The point of my original post was to make people aware that shorter people have a harder time standing on the bus, not to give up their seats for my 16 year old son. I was naively thinking that perhaps people would care. My son would never accept it if someone did offer. I don't know if I would accept it either but it would make me feel good about people if someone had offered. I think that people are generally rude, selfish and uncaring. And you can use your logic excuse to justify it that's fine.
Never once when I got on a bus did the bus driver say it was standing room only. So when I realize that there are no seats I'm supposed to gather up my family and delay everyone else's bus ride because I'm uncomfortable standing and need to get off? I don't think so.
And I never glared at any one who didn't give up their seats. The comment by the wife when her husband was going to offer to give up his seat to me, an older woman, not a 16 year old boy, was just obnoxious and was the final straw for me.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Just curious, what do you define as an "older woman"?

 

[4formickey]

people are self-centerd these days but some thing that I always wondered about , when a bus pulls up and you see people standing up or folks in the door way, does someone need to tell you that the bus is full? We are told to let the person that wants to ride decide if the bus is too full. There are many days that I cannot open the front door because of the load that I already have on the bus but people are banging and knocking on the door to get on. The only room is on my lap but people still want to board. Some time it is better to leave early and bet the rush so the ride is not as stressful.The best thing any of us can do is leave early, if the bus is full another one will come

 

[ducklite]

The point of my original post was to make people aware that shorter people have a harder time standing on the bus, not to give up their seats for my 16 year old son. I was naively thinking that perhaps people would care. My son would never accept it if someone did offer. I don't know if I would accept it either but it would make me feel good about people if someone had offered. I think that people are generally rude, selfish and uncaring. And you can use your logic excuse to justify it that's fine.
Never once when I got on a bus did the bus driver say it was standing room only. So when I realize that there are no seats I'm supposed to gather up my family and delay everyone else's bus ride because I'm uncomfortable standing and need to get off? I don't think so.
And I never glared at any one who didn't give up their seats. The comment by the wife when her husband was going to offer to give up his seat to me, an older woman, not a 16 year old boy, was just obnoxious and was the final straw for me.

I highly doubt you qualify for an AARP card, so you are hardly an older woman. Anyone who isn't visually impaired should be able to judge that there aren't going to be seats on a bus. And no, I wouldn't give up my seat for you. You are able bodied, and should simply find a place to stand that there is something to grab on to. If I were standing and had a low pole to hang on to, I'd have no problem switching, because that's apples for apples. Big difference between that and giving up my seat for you.

I don't consider myself rude, selfish or uncaring because I wouldn't ask you if you wanted to sit. In fact I'd think of you as rude if you asked me to give up my seat for you, which is basically what you did in your first post.

Unless you have dwarfism, which has other medical aspects than height, you aren't disabled. Give it a rest.

If you don't like the buses, complain to WDW. But don't ask people to give up seats. Perhaps you arm hurts, but maybe someone else's feet hurt because they have bunions. Why should they give you their seat?

Like I said, if you don't want to stand, it's simple. Wait for the next bus. You'll be in the front of the line, and guaranteed to get a seat. I promise, it's not a difficult concept.

Anne

 

[DisMN]

Here's another side of the story. I've done the giving up my seat things quite a few times and on several occasions my maneuvering to do so only caused confusion and more fuss than necessary by clogging up the aisle while others were trying to move through it.
More often than not now I'll just stay seated and my DH usually does too unless we see that it's EASY to make the transition with the person you're giving your seat to.

I also think people are way too judgemental when it comes to seats on the busses. You have no idea who needs to sit...and if it's important that YOU sit, then wait for the next bus. Frustrating to wait yes, but waiting is not that big a deal IMHO. Waiting happens, it's part of life for heaven sakes. LOL

 

[luvindisneyworld]

What's logical about waiting another 20 minutes for a bus? That's ridiculous. The problem is that people are so darn selfish and lazy. I'd be embarrassed if my husband didn't offer to give up his seat to someone. I'd be embarrassed to sit while other people more needy than myself stood. But I guess that's not logical but caring and unselfish.

What I find selfish and ridiculous is that you expect people to give up their seats to you.
We will always offer our seats to disabled elderly and people with kids or just the kids.
Other than that you are on your own,if you dont want to wait on another bus or stand.We have stood many,many times and I dont feel that you are any better than I am.I will Definetly give up my seat,just not to able bodied people.I am pretty short myself but I can see if a bus is going to be standing room only and i can choose whether I want to stand or wait.

You know it is going to be busy at Disney,so that is something you have to expect.

Misty

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i am verry short, tiny even, and last year i stood more than i sat. Do i care? No, why? because you don't have to STRAIN to reach the bar up top (i am NO WHERE NEAR reaching that! hah) I just hold onto a seat back or a pole or something like that. One night my back was killing me (recently broke my tailbone) and we got on the bus and realized that it was too crowded so YES we did get off the bus, it's not like it took us 30minutes?!!? NO ONEs ride was delayed because of us???! And we just waited until the next bus. No big deal! they have icecream and soda machines to keep us occupied

 

[Reese]

Just got finished reading this thread. Now I'm concerned. When we go I'll be seven months pregnant have a stroller for my ds (20 months) and we'll also have a 5, 6, 8 and 13 year old. Are the busses always this busy. I think I'll use the strategies of leave early in the morning but I know the we'll want to stay for some of the shows, they go to close don't they? Would it be better to maybe get a cab back to ASMo on these nights? We're going the beginning of Feb so I'm hoping this won't be an issue but I'de like to be prepared KWIM.

 

[ducklite]

Just got finished reading this thread. Now I'm concerned. When we go I'll be seven months pregnant have a stroller for my ds (20 months) and we'll also have a 5, 6, 8 and 13 year old. Are the busses always this busy. I think I'll use the strategies of leave early in the morning but I know the we'll want to stay for some of the shows, they go to close don't they? Would it be better to maybe get a cab back to ASMo on these nights? We're going the beginning of Feb so I'm hoping this won't be an issue but I'de like to be prepared KWIM.

You should have no problem getting a seat for yourself, the baby on your lap, and the two youngest kids, No reason the other two can't stand. I think most people are considerate enough to help out people who truly need help, although not people just wanting to have a pity party for themselves.

You do always have the option of letting others on ahead of you, and waiting for the next bus. The key is to leave before you are ready to drop from exhaustion. Half an hour to an hour before park closing the buses are seldom crowded.

Anne

 

[Reese]

Thanks. I was really only concerned with the younger three kids. There is no way the eight year old is going to sit if there is a chance she can stand .
Are the buses generally empty when they first arrive? Or do they make multiple resort stops?

 

[TDC Nala]

AS Movies sometimes shares buses with Music and Sports and sometimes has a bus to itself.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

This topic comes up now and then, and I can see both sides.

If you know you ahve a hard times reaching and can see that the bus is packed, don't get on, just wait for the next one. Everyone is tired at the end of the night.

Personally speaking, I'll give my seat to a young child, parent with a baby, disabled, or elderly person. I will not give my seat to an able bodied person regardless of how tall, short, fat, skinny, or whatever they are. Why? Because if I gave up my seat every time someone else thought they should get it, I'd never get to sit.

I practice what I preach, and have waited for the next bus a few times when I could tell I wouldn't be able to sit.

Anne

Ditto. We always waited for another bus if we didn't ATLEAST have enough seats for one of us to sit with our youngest on our lap- because there's no way she could stand and keep herself erect... many times she wouldn't have had anything to even hold on to besides US (depending on where we'd end up on the bus when they make you move/smoosh forward. One time we were going to attempt to stand but stopped short of the back of the bus so she'd have the bar to hold on to- the bus driver kept saying move forward and we asked him to open the back door and let us off- there was no way we were going to be able to travel in that back part with everyone's seats facing us without a thing for our 36" tall child to hold on to!).

However, I also must mention that you can't possibly know "perfectly healthy" from the outside. I'm sure to others you (OP) appeared perfectly healthy also. They can't SEE that your knees or other body parts are injured and/or hurting. If you saw ME sitting you might think I'm perfectly healthy but I also have a back and knee injury that doing so would hurt. Yes, I've done so (stood and held on) but if I have a seat I'm not going to give it up for someone who appears perfectly healthy just because they think I'M perfectly healthy when it would hurt ME to stand up the same! I'm 5'2 with invisible disibilities also!

I have in the past made DH pass me the baby and stand up to let a pregnant woman, young child or older person have a seat... but I probably wouldn't give up MY seat for a short 16yr old.... or for another short adult without visible disabilities.

Plus- you know what? You have no idea how many buses that person (seated) waited through to finally have a SEAT instead of standing. They could have waited thru bus after bus that was standing room only so they could have that seat- but they are supposed to give it up to you because you are short and wanted to get on the first bus because waiting 20min is ridiculous to you? Don't think so.....

 

[SB in KY]

As a last aside to the OP....I guess I would wonder why you assume people are rude because they do not offer you a seat yet you never consider why they might need a seat as much/more than you....if you want to go through life assuming people are rude and uncaring go for it....but it is a pretty sad assumption to make.

You might get more offers if you were not assuming everyone else on the bus was a jerk!!

I have had some pretty entertaining bus rides at WDW when to buses were packed and people kept their sense of humor...lots of humorous comments, lame jokes, etc....everyone got off with a smile and a sense of comraderie....choose to assume the worst of you wish....it is liable to be a self-fullfilling prophecy.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

In my own personal family situation, where 4 out of 6 must sit, NOT stand, waiting 20 minutes for the next bus is actually quite logical. And safer for us. It is not being selfish, or lazy, that makes us choose to wait. It is considering what is safest for OUR kids. We tried it the other way... and picked up the 7yo off the floor 2x on one drive, while holding onto the youngest and a grab bar. I didn't get mad at the people sitting in the seats, I just determined then and there that from then on, we would not get onto SRO buses...we would sit on our beach towels in the bus line and wait for the next bus while sipping bottled water. And when we got on the next bus we would get to sit. Sometimes DH and oldest dd gave up their seats if someone was obviously more in need of it.

*clap clap*
Problem is -that after you did that... you'd STILL have people getting on the bus standing room only that would be thinking you should get up and let them have your seat! You can't win for losing with some people...

 

[taximomfor4]

*clap clap*
Problem is -that after you did that... you'd STILL have people getting on the bus standing room only that would be thinking you should get up and let them have your seat! You can't win for losing with some people...

We take the glares in stride, really. The nastiest comments we pretend not to overhear are about why our younger kids are in seats, not on our laps. Well, I have tough skin. Through trial and error, we learned the best, safest way to transport our kids on the WDW buses and we stick to it now. People can THINK they know about us, but it is only assumptions. And we all know what is said about ASSUMING, the first three letters says it all. Doesn't hurt me, cause me pain, or undue stress when people glare and complain behind their hands at us. We are doing the best we can to enjoy our vacation while still minding what is best for OUR kids.

Then, of course, there is the old standby (which for some reason has not yet shown up on this current bus-complaint thread): That everyone has tickets, and is thus given the right to use WDW transportation... no guarantee they will sit, and EVERYONE has that same right. Does it mean that manners and courtesy go out the window? I hope not. But every frail, elderly person I saw on the bus got offered a seat. Everyone with a cast on the leg was offered a seat. Everyone holding a sleeping baby was offered a seat. Every very young child I saw was offered a seat. Every very pregnant woman I saw was offered a seat. I think that about covers the bases of common courtesy.

 

[Vickie46]

this is really crazy! If you don't want to stand wait for the next bus... man.. this can really spoil the Disney magic... just stay home!

Hope not to offend anyone but just wait for the next bus.... I have a child and that is what we do.. if we have to stand.. we would have.. if it was me and my husband.. with children.. its much harder! Sorry.. but it is.. especially if you have the strollers etc............ everyone wants to get back to their room as much as the next one....

Wait for an empty bus..