Giving up Seat on Disney Buses

[Simba's Mom]

I've seen folks turn down seats offered to them (an elderly man who seemed insulted that my husband thought he needed a seat; a young girl who didn't want to sit next to someone she didn't know). I think most riders figure they will have to stand and are prepared for it, or they wouldn't get on. But we still offer seats to anyone who seems like they might appreciate and/or need it more than us.

I've thought of that-turning down an offer for a seat, but I always take it. I figure if I turn down the offer this time, the person who offered me the seat may not offer the next time when someone really needs it. He may just sit there figuring, "Why should I offer this person? They'll probably just turn down the offer like the last person did, so let them stand!"

 

[maxiesmom]

Taximomfor4--What happened that you feel it is safer for a small child to be on a seat than in your lap? I always thought it was better if they were in your arms. The bus seats are so hard and slippery that small children seem to be slidding off of them.

Amd my 2 cents on the whole thing--if you get on the bus you should have it in your head that you may not get a seat. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself, not the public at large.

My 60+ dad will hop up in an instant to give a struggling mom his seat, but he will not let me. Why? I am a fairly young, not quite 40 yr old, but I have already had knee surgery. And some hip problems. He knows that I have some balance issues that are more pronounced when I have done alot of walking.

So those of you who get on a bus wanting a seat and stand there glaring at others--get over yourselves! You made the decision to get on, no one forced you. If you simply must sit you have options. Wait for the next bus, rent a car, or get a taxi. Solve the problem yourself, do not wait for others to do it for you.

 

[TDC Nala]

So those of you who get on a bus wanting a seat and stand there glaring at others--get over yourselves! You made the decision to get on, no one forced you. If you simply must sit you have options. Wait for the next bus, rent a car, or get a taxi. Solve the problem yourself, do not wait for others to do it for you

I agree with this, although I think many of the posters are decrying a certain lack of common courtesy. It seems to be the case that there is much less common courtesy today than there used to be. However, I'm not sure courtesy extends to the necessity to offer your bus seat to anyone who seems to be smaller, weaker or more tired than you are. Those who will do that are extremely generous, but I'd say common courtesy extends to those one can see are having more difficulty than a bus standee would normally incur.

 

[taximomfor4]

Taximomfor4--What happened that you feel it is safer for a small child to be on a seat than in your lap? I always thought it was better if they were in your arms. The bus seats are so hard and slippery that small children seem to be slidding off of them.

I'd imagine for some families, the lap thing works best. For us this is what happened. Our first trip, last year. Easter time VERY BUSY. Coming back from MK. DH, me, dd11, dd6, ds5, dd 2 1/2 and stroller and diaper bag. DD11 stood holding diaper bag. DH stood and held tightly to stroller. I sat, put dd2 on my lap to free up another seat. DD6 and ds5 sat in seats next to me. Big rain started, bus swerved on freeway. I looped one arm around dd2 on my lap, and threw the other arm in front of DS. DH grabbed his handhold and the stroller, just stopped it from nailing a young pregnant woman across from me. DD11 fell to one knee, but pretty much did fine. DD6, on the other hand, went flying off her seat, landed flat on the floor where a man stumbled, stepped on her upper arm.

Since then, we do it like this. DH stands holding stroller. DD11 stands holding diaper bag. I sit in a seat, DD6 sits in a seat, DS5 sits in a seat, and youngest dd sits in a seat ( I always maneuver so that she has a pole in front of her though, and I sit next to her and have other 2 on my OTHER side). When the bus does sharp turns or whatever, I throw a thigh dd2's way, and use my hands to grab DD6 and DS5. SOmetimes I only get DS's shirt since I am reaching across dd6, but he doesn't go anywhere, lol. We mostly wait for the next bus to work this out. We have not always been able to arrange ourselves this way, and sometimes I WILL have dd11 sit to help hold onto one of the kids for me if I cannot get their seats right with mine.
for everyone's family. This year, we are driving down to avoid the situation because yes, I am sensitive. I feel horrible seeing glares aimed at dd2 in a seat! Nobody on the bus knows, like I stated in a pp, what experience led us to try different ways and settle on this one. I know that someone can still get hurt the way we do it...I might not be strong enough to hold back all the younger kids. But we feel safer.

BTW, thanks for asking. I want people to try to understand instead of simply judging and hearing other points of view are key to understanding .

 

[bicker]

I believe strongly that children should never stand on a moving bus. Their coordination and physical condition is simply not developed enough to withstand the various bad-case-scenarios, and the risk, at least for a child of mine, would not be worth it.

There is also a greater risk to adults, as well, but it isn't as extreme. It is great if strangers are generous and agree to take added risk onto themselves in order to serve someone else's (1) convenience (not having to wait for another bus), (2) comfort (getting to sit instead of stand), and (3) safety (chance of injury), but it shouldn't be expected, and should be viewed as a very substantial gesture of generosity. The expectation that someone (anyone) will give up their seat for another is unwarranted. People wait in queue for the opportunity to partake of the service offered. If there isn't enough space on the bus for you to sit, when you board, and you want a seat, then wait for the next bus.

 

[manning]

I remember one time giving up a seat to an elderly lady. After indicating to her to take my seat I get up and another man slips right into the seat. I tell him hey I was giving the seat to the lady. He shrugs and buries his head into the newspaper. Well needless to say after five or six of us giving him verbal what for did he not only give up the seat, he got off the bus....way before his stop.

 

[tessqt]

Yes this is a hot topic, BUT I know how my Mom raised me and my MIL raised my dh, although we are not spring chickens anymore as long as we can we would give up our seats and are teaching our 7 & 9 yr olds to do the same. After riding 2 days on the bus on our last trip when finally the light bulb went off about "free" parking I don't think I will ever go without renting a car. Use to all the time but it has gotten crazy down there at almost anytime of the year.

A friend of mine brother's family just returned and it sounded like it was the trip from "**ll"! The stories they came home with about rudeness was horrid. It's ashame that the "Happiest" place on earth isn't so happy for some people anymore.

 

[juligrl]

I'm a 38-year-old woman. I NEVER get on a bus expecting anyone to give me a seat.

If I want to sit, I will not get on a crowded bus. I don't mind stepping to the side and waiting for the next bus. After waiting to get a seat, I don't feel I should give a seat to some who made the CHOICE not to wait. (This does not apply to elderly people)

So if an old person got on a crowded bus after you, you'd actually get off your butt and give them the seat dispite the fact that you were there before them instead of making them wait like you would anyone else?

How considerate of you! I hope my grandma ends up on your bus while my two kids and I wait for the next.

 

[disneyjunkie]

So if an old person got on a crowded bus after you, you'd actually get off your butt and give them the seat dispite the fact that you were there before them instead of making them wait like you would anyone else?

How considerate of you! I hope my grandma ends up on your bus while my two kids and I wait for the next.

If I were traveling to WDW with my grandmother, we wouldn't have to worry about anyone giving her a seat because I'd RENT CAR to ensure she'd be safe and comfortable.

If I was on a bus and your grandmother got on, I'd be happy to offer her my seat. I wouldn't want grandma to get hurt because her granddaughter was too:
a. cheap to rent a car
b. silly to plan to leave the parks early
c. all of the above

 

[LisaS]

So if an old person got on a crowded bus after you, you'd actually get off your butt and give them the seat dispite the fact that you were there before them instead of making them wait like you would anyone else?

What I don't understand is, what is so bad about waiting for the next bus? People wait in lines all day at WDW. They stake out spots for parades 30-60 minutes ahead of time. So if an older person is able to cope with waiting for attractions or for a parade, why is it considered rude to expect them to wait an extra 15 minutes for the next bus? We usually find that the line for the bus is the shortest line we wait in all day!

And, we've often found that the wait for that next bus is very short. Several times we've waited about 15 minutes for a bus to arrive and it filled up before we got to the head of the line. About 5 minutes after the first bus pulled away, another bus pulled up and we were soon on our way.

 

[parman]

My wife has bad knees and I would never allow her to stand, tired at the end of a long day in the park on a bus that will be starting/stopping quickly and jerking her around. We will move on the side and allow anyone that wishes to stand to get ahead of us if they need to leave that much in a hurry. The next bus will be there in a few more minutes. I have, as well as my children, given our seats to the elderly and mothers holding small children. That said, it never ceases to amaze us that people with small children continue to get on the buses knowing that there are no seats left. I believe that they assume or hope someone will get up and offer their seat. I hate being put in that situation because if you continue to give up your seat you would be doing it on every trip. I believe that those getting on the bus that know they require a seat should not put others in that position. Just because someone in sitting and not giving up a seat doesn't mean that they might need it just as badly.

 

[Philadisney]

People seem very surprised when my husband and I give up our seats to others. For instance, I just can't watch a parent trying to hold onto a small infant and a metal bar in a moving bus, while I with nothing in my arms just sit and watch them.

I haven't read the other replies yet OP, but I agree with you. On our trip last month I gave up my seat a few times to people holding small children. One man refused the first couple times but I insisted, and then he in turn insisted on balancing the little guy on his lap so i could sit next to him.
my travel companion was extremely confused why I would want to stand for 20+ minutes when we already had a perfectly good seat. It would never occur to him to give up his seat to someone trying to juggle a little kid on a bumpy bus ride. but, he did it when i asked him to.

 

[lucyanna girl]

This topic comes up ever so often. I believe in the Golden Rule, I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. DD and I have and do give up our seats to others who need them more. It's the same way I feel when I see someone holding a sign that says "Will work for food". If I have cash I give them some. I would rather give money to 100 schemers than not give it to 1 truly hungry person.
The last time we were at WDW we rode the buses with some people who had not read the DIS Board before they came, they also gave up their seats to others.

Penny

 

[Philadisney]

My wife has bad knees and I would never allow her to stand, tired at the end of a long day in the park on a bus that will be starting/stopping quickly and jerking her around. We will move on the side and allow anyone that wishes to stand to get ahead of us if they need to leave that much in a hurry. The next bus will be there in a few more minutes. I have, as well as my children, given our seats to the elderly and mothers holding small children. That said, it never ceases to amaze us that people with small children continue to get on the buses knowing that there are no seats left. I believe that they assume or hope someone will get up and offer their seat. I hate being put in that situation because if you continue to give up your seat you would be doing it on every trip. I believe that those getting on the bus that know they require a seat should not put others in that position. Just because someone in sitting and not giving up a seat doesn't mean that they might need it just as badly.

you are absolutely right with that last line.
i don't think all parents with young kids getting on a bus expect someone to give up a seat for them. i think they expect little jimmy to stand for 20 minutes and like it. but since i don't mind giving up my seat, i am happy to do it because i know that people appreciate it, even if they don't expect it.

 

[hentob]

Busses at WDW are different from city busses, IMO, b/c just about everyone has tired, cranky, sleeping, young, etc. children My goodness, if someone got up every time they saw a mother with a child or two or three on a WDW bus, people would constantly be shuffling around.

For those with children that are offended when someone doesn't give up their seat for you, plan ahead, rent a car. You are no different than over half of the people at WDW with their 2.5 Cranky Children

Maybe the adults sitting are tired too? Why should your poor planning (not renting a car, getting on a crowded bus, waiting until your child is that tired to leave a park, etc.) entitle you to a seat?

If you are disabled or elderly, here is my seat. But if you are a parent that made some poor decisions and now think that you are ENTITLED to a seat on a Disney bus (*GASP* I have a child and nobody is giving me their seat--They look healthy and they are not standing How dare they!), I think you are being the rude one.

 

[ducklite]

This topic comes up ever so often. I believe in the Golden Rule, I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. DD and I have and do give up our seats to others who need them more. It's the same way I feel when I see someone holding a sign that says "Will work for food". If I have cash I give them some. I would rather give money to 100 schemers than not give it to 1 truly hungry person.
The last time we were at WDW we rode the buses with some people who had not read the DIS Board before they came, they also gave up their seats to others.

Penny

Off topic, but I NEVER give cash to a person begging for food. Instead I will ask them what they would like to eat and buy them food. That way I KNOW they are being fed instead of buying drugs or booze or scamming someone.

Anne

 

[Aisling]

While we rarely ride the busses anymore (DH prefers to drive) but, on more than one occasion, my DS12 has given up his seat to women & senior citizens. WITHOUT me telling him.

Has brought this hockey mom to the verge of tears!

Makes me believe that if nothing else, I was able to teach my boys manners.

I wish all children were taught to be as considerate as your son is. I know how you feel when your son gives up his seat; my sons do the same, and I let them know that they have done a good thing.

I agree that I don't get on a bus expecting anyone to give up a seat. As many have said, it was my choice to get on a bus with no available seats.

But I do expect my sons to do the right thing. I don't need to give them criteria, like pregnant women, seniors, etc. They're smart enough to figure out for themselves who needs that seat more than they do. Thank God I have healthy sons who are capable of standing for the benefit of someone who is having a hard time. By the way, my husband does the same thing when he sees a lady standing. Maybe it's outdated, but I'm still proud of him that he does this.

 

[Aisling]

But if you are a parent that made some poor decisions and now think that you are ENTITLED to a seat on a Disney bus

Not every struggling person getting on a crowded bus feels ENTITLED to a seat. But I'm sure many HOPE that someone would help them out.

What if someone who obviously needed the seat more than you do gets on the bus, doesn't glare at anyone, doesn't make eye contact with anyone, just minds his/her own business trying to stand and having a hard time for whatever reason. What if it's obvious that aren't showing signs of entitlement, would you still not help them out?

I'm just wondering if it's the entitlement thing that bothers you, or you simply don't want to help another person. I'm not judging anyone, and I may be a pollyanna, but I truly can't see how I'd be able to sit while someone obviously needs my seat more than I do. Yes it was their choice, but what difference does it make? It's about doing the right thing at the moment. I wouldn't feel too good about myself if I said to myself "well, she should have waited for another bus, too bad on her, she's not getting MY seat, it's her own fault, yada yada".

No one is entitled, but it's nice to help a person who needs it. NO ONE IS ENTITLED. I have to make sure I say this loud and clear, because I know someone is going to say "no one is entitled" over and over again. We KNOW that already!

 

[Aisling]

If I was on a bus and your grandmother got on, I'd be happy to offer her my seat. I wouldn't want grandma to get hurt because her granddaughter was too:
a. cheap to rent a car
b. silly to plan to leave the parks early
c. all of the above

I before I read this thread, I never realized how much ANALYSIS goes into the major life decision of whether to let someone else sit down on a bus. Geez, you're not donating a kidney!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I always give up my seat to a mother with a child or an elderly person!!!! Always , but some people are amazinng and just look the other way!

I too always offer. As long as DH and I are able to stand we will offer our seats even if we are the first people on the bus.