Giving up Seat on Disney Buses

[mickeyfan2]

What I don't understand is, what is so bad about waiting for the next bus?

It can be hard to know if you will get a seat or not until you are on the bus. Once on the bus it maybe impossible to get off, so you are stuck. Other times it is easy to see you will stand and I can make my decision then.

 

[kkmauch]

See my prior post. We do not put our small children on our laps, and it is not due to lack of manners on our parts. For a fellow bus passenger or a DISboard member to assume so IS rude.

I think many of us here on the DIS read the hot issues threads in order to try to see other people's points of view and explain our own. There are many lessons to be learned from others, and open mindedness and the attempt at understanding are valuable.

Perhaps you should take your own adive then and be a bit more open minded to what many of us are saying. When people walk by who clearly need a seat and you've got a child that can conceivably sit comfortably and safely on your lap, it comes accross to many people as very inconsiderate.
Obviously, if a child cannot safely sit on your lap, then this does not pertain to you. But, to those who can and do not, then I say they are being inconsiderate.

 

[Marseeya]

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?

Like I'd said earlier, I didn't see any unfit people standing (even if you want to count healthy pregnant women & mothers with children as "unfit" ), but the one time I did see a mother holding a child standing up, she was glaring at everyone around her. The ironic thing was, there were several open seats at the back of the bus that we were waving her towards, but she didn't feel like coming to the back. I don't blame anyone in the front for not standing for her.

I think that's the entitlement mentality that gets everyone so bothered. I'm sorry to be rude about it, but just because I can pop out a couple of kids doesn't mean my needs are any more important than that of those around me.

 

[hentob]

I think that's the entitlement mentality that gets everyone so bothered. I'm sorry to be rude about it, but just because I can pop out a couple of kids doesn't mean my needs are any more important than that of those around me.

I agree

 

[hentob]

I'm just wondering if it's the entitlement thing that bothers you, or you simply don't want to help another person.

Wonder no more I simply love to help others.

Technically, nobody is entitled..you are correct about that. But people do feel entitled to certain things. Someone on this thread felt they were entitled to a seat b/c they had a child with them. She thought that others without children should stand up and give her their seat. Was she wrong to feel this way? Were the healthy looking adults without children wrong not to give her their seats? I guess there is no right or wrong answer. Maybe somebody that looks healthy isn't having a great day? Maybe they are tired. Maybe they waited for a bus with empty seats to come around. Who knows.

I have never rented a car at WDW. I have had to stand on a bus. My children have had to stand. No biggie. If it comes to a point where I am getting angry at others for not giving me their seat, I will rent a car. On the other hand, if it comes to a point where I see a child may be hurt b/c their parents didn't make proper choices, here....have my seat

My head hurts. Too much thought into something so trivial

 

[Aisling]

My head hurts. Too much thought into something so trivial

I know. I printed out this thread to show DH, but then had second thoughts. He isn't into Disney as much as I am, and if he reads this, he'll say "Now I'm REALLY not going to WDW with you and those bunch of nuts!"

I have one final question:
would you give up your seat to a woman with a baby in each arm, in a neck brace, a seeing eye dog strapped to her belt, face green with nausea, who just slipped on a banana peel, AND she has an entitlement mentality??

 

[amy4bruce]

Personally, I have the whole problem solved. When I get on a bus, if it looks like it's going to be crowded, I don't sit down. In that way, nobody can expect me to give up my seat. Besides, I'm actually good at standing on public transportation. I've done it many, many times.

My DW does the same, or she will jump up whenever she sees someone whom she thinks needs the seat more that she does.

Now, my DD6, on the other hand, is determined to sit, and has managed to scam a seat on almost all the busses she was on last year. I suppose it's hard to turn down someone that cute.

 

[Marseeya]

I have one final question:
would you give up your seat to a woman with a baby in each arm, in a neck brace, a seeing eye dog strapped to her belt, face green with nausea, who just slipped on a banana peel, AND she has an entitlement mentality??

That's such a toughie!

Is she pregnant?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1137687



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)

Now you have a qualifier?

Old people made the choice to attend the park in their old age just as you made the choice to attend the park at your "young" age.

Amazingly Ironic considering you tout the poor choices of everyone else. I hadn't realized that the elderly were on autopilot and had no command of their decisions. I say this after running with 2 ladies who are approaching 80 in the WDW marathon. Some elderly are quite capable of "standing" or making the same choices you proclaim OTHERS should be making.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When I commuted into NYC I spent a week on crutches after pulling a ligament in my foot in a freak accident. I had one guy actually push me out of his way, then trip over my crutch and curse me out for it. Nice.

Anne

OT--but I was in the Main Street Bakery (old configuration) ready to make my purchase when some young men climbed OVER me--literally with NO exaggeration whatsover. I was sitting in a wheelchair.

Evidently they didn't think to maybe wait two minutes as they were already delayed by the parade crowd--so they just climbed OVER me. Wonder if they were from NYC or Boston.

It was so not a magical moment to be straddled by a complete stranger.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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 have had my child fly out of my arms when the bus suddenly braked.

 

[ducklite]

I have one final question:
would you give up your seat to a woman with a baby in each arm, in a neck brace, a seeing eye dog strapped to her belt, face green with nausea, who just slipped on a banana peel, AND she has an entitlement mentality??

Hell no! I'd call the police to have her hauled off to a nut house for even trying to go to Disney in that situation!!

Anne

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hell no! I'd call the police to have her hauled off to a nut house for even trying to go to Disney in that situation!!

Anne

 

[taximomfor4]

Perhaps you should take your own adive then and be a bit more open minded to what many of us are saying. When people walk by who clearly need a seat and you've got a child that can conceivably sit comfortably and safely on your lap, it comes accross to many people as very inconsiderate.
Obviously, if a child cannot safely sit on your lap, then this does not pertain to you. But, to those who can and do not, then I say they are being inconsiderate.

I do take my own advice. I just am replying on this thread to people who express disgust (or disapproval, or whatever) that kids are in their own seats instead of on parent's laps. If that didn't keep getting ranted about, I would not have felt the need to try to explain "the other side." I hope that at least DISers , having read that there ARE possible reasons, will quit being angry when kids are "taking up" seats on the bus.

 

[scouthawkk]

Flame Suit Activated: Glare at me all you want. If my ds (3 1/2) wants to sit on the "big boy seat," he is going to do just that, or there will be heck to pay. Would I like for him to be willing to sit on my lap, you bet. Sometimes he is, sometimes he's not. So we wait the extra time for him to do so. It is either that, or deal with his tantrum. Doesn't matter what time of day it is, how wide awake or sleepy he is. He likes to sit in a seat by himself. And personally I would rather let him do so then subject the entire bus, or whatever it is, to his screaming. Because you'd be giving me even dirtier glares for that. Either way, I'd get the glares, so I'd rather him be quiet, not kicking and screaming and getting them! You have to pick your battles with little ones, and that is just one I choose to leave unfought.

And also, I do feel safer with him sitting on the seat next to me. At least then if the bus jerks to a stop, or swirves for some reason, I can toss my arm across his chest to catch him. Sitting on my lap, there is a chance that, even if I manage to brace myself, I squish him between me and a pole, or worse, have both of us fall off the seat and land on top of him or have him get stepped on. Just my opinion...but yes, Flame Suit is still activated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hentob]

I have one final question:
would you give up your seat to a woman with a baby in each arm, in a neck brace, a seeing eye dog strapped to her belt, face green with nausea, who just slipped on a banana peel, AND she has an entitlement mentality??

Maybe

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm only giving up my seat to a bunch of teenagers who look pooped from carrying their AllStarMugs over to the Polynesian for a quick dip in the Volcano Pool...that's it, no one else...

Okay...if someone who needs that seat more than I do, they get it. Who needs it more than I do?? It's a judgement call at that precise moment. Usually I will give my seat to an elderly woman, or man for that matter. I realize how iffy their sense of balance can be. I will offer the seat to a mom with a wee little one..under 3 or so. Why that cutoff? Because I made my dd stand if need be when she was younger. A pregnant woman gets my seat...I don't need her doing her 'flying projectile' imitation if we stop fast.
My dh as a very bad knee...to look at him you would think he is completely, 100% healthy. But, you don't want him standing on one of those buses!!! So, he sits there and gets 'the glare'. He has gotten up to allow someone to sit...another passenger actually asked him to sit in his seat, rather than watch him stand!!! It was really pretty funny.

All in all....we have to make a judgement call, when we are on that bus. Whatever you are comfortable with is what you should do.

 

[Aisling]

That's such a toughie!

Is she pregnant?

I thought I thought of everything! That was hilarious! And yes, she's pregnant!!

 

[sameyeyam]

Not that I'm trying to start a war here, but I think I am still missing something about children sitting on your lap in the bus. I'm just trying to get complete information to understand the matter.

Honestly I think it is dangerous to have anyone be in any moving vehicle without seatbelts and wish they would add seatbelts to all buses.

Several people have mentioned that it is dangerous to have children sitting on your lap. I am wondering how it is more dangerous? It really does seem that it is dangerous both ways. But I almost tend to think that it would be a little (not a lot, but maybe a little) safer with my arms wrapped around them on my lap, then to have them sitting in a seat next to me completely unrestrained where they could go flying through the air if the brakes are suddenly applied.

If possible I always choose the sideways sitting seats. They just seem a little safer to me. If we stop suddenly I figure we are squishing into the sides of each other, not flying forward. However, they are physically located lower on the bus, so if a car hits the side, you would probably be more likely to get hurt. Who knew going to Disney could be so dangerous??!!

Now that I know some parents are concerned about the safety of their little ones on the bus, I will probably look at it a little differently. Hopefully someone can give me a valid reason why it is safer.

I have never looked down on anyone that didn't offer their seat. I think some people mentioned being stared at because they didn't offer a seat. What else is there to do on a Disney bus but people watch. I think maybe some of them know they should probably offer their seat, maybe feel a bit guilty about it, so start thinking everyone is looking down at them for not offering.

I still wonder if part of this might be cultural differences? Do people from rural areas vs city dwellers have different opinions? How about from different countries?

I am from the country & never rode a bus until about age 25. So probably most of the information I got regarding bus riding was from the movies. I grew up thinking (from old movies) that you had to offer seats to women, children & elderly, otherwise you had no manners.

 

[english rose 47]

We will be ones carrying a sleeping 5 year old for sure along with a stroller that he undoubtedly fallen asleep in waitin g for the bus and I sure hope someone gives DD a seat to hold him I'll be 60 but God willing will be capable of giving up my seat for a sleeping child and parent any of you who wont should be ashamed regardless of how long you"ve waited if you are healthy. All that Mom wants to do is get that child to bed ASAP I challenge all Disers to lead the way!!!