Here now, OMG buses.

[mad madam mim78]

Funny, I thought WDW was a destination for everyone, not just children.

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

 

[jnoble82]

Having just come back, I can honestly say I didn't really see any of these "issues". One time a dad did place his stroller across the aisle as he was getting settled but he did move it when people needed to get by while he was still getting the kids set. Once he was done, the stroller was placed in front of his legs, not blocking anything.

In a touching sign that is kind of the opposite of this thread, we were waiting for the bus one night (I forget what park), a mom and dad were near the front of the line with 2 kids under 2 (bless them really). Mom handed the youngest baby to dad while she dealt with the strollers when the bus pulled up. A man (another parent I think) behind her offered to carry the bigger one. It hadn't folded properly and started to unfold when yet another man (dad), gave it push so it was folded right. Sure it took 4 people to get those kids and strollers on the bus but there was no anger and no yelling and it went fast. When the family got to their resort, a couple who was also staying there, offered to carry the strollers off (I heard the sentence "You have your hands full. We'll take the strollers for you. No arguing."). The looks on the parents faces were amazing. I don't know what experiences they had had up till that point but that was definitely a good one.

I didn't really see too many parents who "didn't know" they needed to fold their stroller. One maybe but they did it and really, 30 seconds isn't huge in the grand scheme of things. I saw far more parents, when they saw the bus, say to their kids "Alright honey the bus is here, time to get out".

The only angry person I saw was some guy who muttered for 10 minutes about how 'ridiculous' it was that they had to wait. A bus pulled up and there was a scooter/wheelchair/hoverround/whatever that was being loaded. I thought his head was going to explode! Seriously, dude, chill. A 2nd bus pulled up and he was still gripping.


Now, the question is are half the complaints here "gripes" or "complaints"? Are you just looking to vent and not really looking to help find a solution? Gripe. Everyone needs to gripe once and while!

 

[WedgieSock]

Not sure how my post was soooo offensive. I guess some of you may be unaware of what a DINK is.

It wasn't DINK that was offensive, it was your snarky "i don't care about you" comment.

 

[eliza61]

1) If it's true, it's true... How many people have shown up during a predictably busy weekend and then post here commenting that they never saw it coming? And then take no steps to try to dodge the crowds? This whole site is about helping us do our research!

2) I'm always grateful to have the kind of disposable income I can fritter away on silly vacations. I will never, ever take it for granted or feel entitled to it.

3) There's legitimate complaints and then there's complaining. I experienced a dirty room recently, while travelling in Mississippi. I notified housekeeping on the spot and they fixed the issue. The next day we returned in the evening to a completely unmade room! So I walked down to guest services, had a word with them, and they not only sent up a team immediately to fix our room, they also comped us a night. Which went a long way to making us feel less cranky. Then, the next day, we noticed that the girl running the complimentary hot breakfast was doing an amazing job. So we stopped by guest services again to let them know. They kind of cringed when they saw us coming, but when they realized we wanted to compliment one of their staff, they couldn't have smiled broader.

In summary, when I read an internet complaint, I always want to know - did you tell anyone who might have a reason to care? Did you give them a chance to make it up to you? What did you do to try to FIX the situation? And if the situation is unfixable (ie: trying to take a bus at the same time as a million other people), then what are you planning to do in the future to avoid experiencing this again? (Rent a car, take the bus at a different time of day, vacation in the low season, etc...)

A complaint is just a beginning. Finding a solution is the point!

4) This is a legitimate solution to the problem. If you're unhappy about something and none of the alternatives are acceptable and it's ruining your vacation... then for the love of all that's good, vacation somewhere that will make you happier!

Some posters never seem to post anything positive, ever. Sure they'll claim they "enjoy" visiting the parks, but they never mention anything concrete that went well. It's all just disaster and woe, even before they arrive, and definitely after. "I love visiting the parks but now let me tell you in detail, blow by blow, exactly how Disney's rocketing downhill with generic brown napkins, late busses packed like sardines, vicious stroller-wielding moms, drunks vomiting all over the place, rats running down the sidewalks in plain view, roaches and bedbugs in the hotel rooms..."

Really, one does have to wonder why some people keep coming back!

But I think it depends Mag, for example 99% of the time when I have issues, I too get resolutions but when I post the trip report you will get from me the good and the bad.
If I stay at a resort and my room is trashy, which has happen to me at disney at least 3 times. yes I speak with the manager and they usually are great about fixing it, but once again I'm not about to sugar coat it and say there were no disappointments.

Now I agree, me personally I don't read past the "my vacation was ruined" titles but sorry if disney lays an egg, then they lay an egg.

For me I totally admit i don't understand the "grateful" part. I work 50-60 hours a week for the ability so if I'm grateful to anyone it would be my employeer, definitely not disney. Disney gets paid buckets of money to provide me with certain thing.

Just my opinion.

 

[eliza61]

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

according to who? definitely not what wdw is saying. just asking?

 

[stindall]

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

Wrong. It's a destination for all ages to enjoy. Just because Disney movies are usually targets at kids doesn't mean the park is.

 

[mad madam mim78]

Dual income no kids, or the other one in urban slang that is quite derogatory? Which are you calling others again?

And I believe my kids were referred to as "snowflakes" meaning delicate, and over protected. Again.,.... Throwing it back.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

No, it's an everyone destination.

Like Walt Disney said at the opening to Disneyland:

To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past .... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world

 

[Sam81]

You can ignore 99% of this thread. The best advice is - rent a car. So much easier to get around. Seriously, rent a car.

 

[stindall]

And I believe my kids were referred to as "snowflakes" meaning delicate, and over protected. Again.,.... Throwing it back.

I'm not sure if you mean "throwing it back" as in you're throwing rude comments back or if you mean referring back to another post. I have a feeling you're doing the former. Either way, you've been the rudest person on this entire thread.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

Not really. It's a family destination. It is meant for everyone. We are double income, no kids, and very happy to visit the parks and the resorts. We've never once felt like we should have children with us, and most of the times, the stuff we do at WDW is child prohibitive.

 

[ses1230]

Like I care about you and the other DINK's who have to wait an extra second while we fold the stroller.

Why is your time so much more precious than other people in the line? Why do you feel like it is your right to make other people wait while you ignore the posted signs (and common courtesy).

It is rude to hold up the line when you can have your kid out of the stroller as the bus approaches.

 

[Disneyholic]

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

No, it's a family destination that is both (little)kid and adult(kid) friendly!

 

[atp]

But I think it depends Mag, for example 99% of the time when I have issues, I too get resolutions but when I post the trip report you will get from me the good and the bad.
If I stay at a resort and my room is trashy, which has happen to me at disney at least 3 times. yes I speak with the manager and they usually are great about fixing it, but once again I'm not about to sugar coat it and say there were no disappointments.

Now I agree, me personally I don't read past the "my vacation was ruined" titles but sorry if disney lays an egg, then they lay an egg.

For me I totally admit i don't understand the "grateful" part. I work 50-60 hours a week for the ability so if I'm grateful to anyone it would be my employeer, definitely not disney. Disney gets paid buckets of money to provide me with certain thing.

Just my opinion.

Couldn't agree more.

I'm grateful that I have a job that pays me enough so that I can afford to go to Disney and that I am healthy enough to do that. However, it's not without a lot of work on my part, saving a lot of money and going without a lot of things to make that happen.

Yes a bad day at Disney is better than almost anything, like some say on this board. But, money doesn't grow on trees and I sadly am not a millionaire. I'm not going to let small things ruin my vacation but when I go to Disney I am paying for a service and I expect to get decent service, specially since it's not cheap.

So if I go to Disney and feel like I'm not getting even the very basic things I paid for, yes I will be upset, because it will feel like my money is being wasted and I could have used it for other things.

Now, if I had an unlimited supply of cash then sure, I'd just be grateful (that I had that kind of money, not to Disney)...even if I couldn't even leave my hotel room. I could always go again, and again and again...

 

[Glennie5]

Do the strollers and ECV's on the buses really bother people that much? I am usually too busy concentrating on my own kids to notice. I am glad that parents with small children have the aid of strollers to help them tour the parks and also those who need EVC's and wheelchairs have what they need so that they can enjoy the parks. If I have to wait a few extra minutes for the bus to load I really don't think it is that big of a deal.

 

[jade1]

We split stays at BLT and BCV, walking to 3 parks is awesome. Rare that we board a bus anymore.

Dont mind strollers and wheel chairs-we just avoid buses in general and will never rent a car just for the 1/2 day at AK. We always use ME.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

Do the strollers and ECV's on the buses really bother people that much? I am usually too busy concentrating on my own kids to notice. I am glad that parents with small children have the aid of strollers to help them tour the parks and also those who need EVC's and wheelchairs have what they need so that they can enjoy the parks. If I have to wait a few extra minutes for the bus to load I really don't think it is that big of a deal.

I don't think anyone really minds either I know I don't. The problem many have are parents who try to board the bus with the strollers open and kid still in it and those who wait until they hit the door to remove their child from the stroller thus holding things up for everyone involved. It is rude and discourteous to do both.

 

[Arielle22]

Only once in all my trips have I had a problem with Disney buses. I have used public transportation my whole life. Compared to my daily commute, Disney buses are a relaxing ride. DH drives 2-3 hours round trip each day. When we are at Disney we don't want to drive so we use the transportation.

We have been on the other side. Having used strollers for both our DDs, our niece and our nephew. MIL used a wheelchair on her last trip.

I believe, as another poster said, that people who get agravated on the buses probably don't use public transportation in their daily lives. 10-20 minutes wait for ECVs is nothing compared to waiting 45 minutes for your train to go back to the last station so you can unload and wait for the next train that will probably be too crowded to take everyone.

 

[jnoble82]

I have to agree that people who get frustrated by Disney buses may not use public transit often. Trying having to get a bus that get you work an hour before your scheduled to start because the next one can make you late. Yes, I could just get a car but paying 2 dollars for the bus 4 times a week is cheaper than gas so as long as my work is near the bus line, I will use it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Like I care about you and the other DINK's who have to wait an extra second while we fold the stroller.

Seriously??? You really went 'there'??? I am a single income, 3 kids mom....and believe me, I am NOT making everyone wait while I tend to my child...ever!!! It's pretty entitled to come along and tell everyone that your child is more important than everyone else in line. It's hardly an 'extra second' if you have kept those kids in the stroller until you get to the bus door....and from your previous posts, it would seem that you do exactly that!!! And you have also said that you use the stroller as 'your bag' so now we all have to wait while you take all your stuff out?? Sorry...either do it while you are still in the line, as the bus arrives or move off to the side and allow others to pass by. That is common courtesy!!! Show me a little courtesy and you'll get it back.

The only thing about Disney transportation that really bothers me is that the Contemporary, Poly and GF share busses. People pay so much to stay there, there should At least be a dedicated bus for each. I've found the busses to be much better at the valves I've stayed at then the deluxe resorts, at least the deluxe resorts have alternative transport making them more attractive, but still they should each get their own bus IMO.

Not sure how my post was soooo offensive. I guess some of you may be unaware of what a DINK is.

Oh, we know what it is, and we all know exactly what you meant. That phrase went out years ago...only one reason to bring it out.

It's not an adult destination that's kid friendly. It's a kid destination that's adult friendly.

Again, seriously??? So, let me ask you..how are those kids getting there?? Who's paying for it??? It's a family destination.....and families come in all shapes and sizes. Just because my family no longer includes a child in a stroller does not mean we take a back seat to your needs!!!


It is amazing to me to see how this thread has gone. It's all about 'you first, right after me' now. I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Here's the thing...the rules for ECVs is now....you must be at the bus stop, waiting in the assigned spot, as the bus drives up. You are not allowed to drive like a crazy person down to the ECV spot as the bus opens the doors...thereby making those who have started boarding, have to stop and wait for you to get there!!! That's the way it used to be. There is now signage that gives this policy.

Let me tell you an experience I had a few years ago, while at the BW bus stop at MK. We got there just as the bus to BW was pulling away. Okay, no biggie. There was an elderly couple, sitting there, both on ECVs. Now, when I say elderly, I don't mean like me, at 63. I mean little old man and little old lady..most likely in their 80's. I asked them why they hadn't gotten on that bus. They told me that they tried, but the lift was broken. And that they had had the same experience with the bus that arrived before that!!!! They had now been sitting there, for close to 30 mins, in the heat and humidity of mid-August!!!!! So, along come another bus, after about 15 mins. And guess what??? They couldn't accommodate them on that bus either. There was room for only one ECV...the other tie down area was broken!!!! The man told his wife to go ahead and he would take the next bus..hopefully..but she said she wasn't leaving him behind!!! Dear God!!! They must have been out there for close to an hour by the time they were probably able to get a bus. I asked the driver if he was going to call in a request for a bus that was capable of taking both of them to BW. He said he didn't see why!!!! I told him that his was the third bus that had left them sitting there...that's why!!!! He got on his phone pretty quickly!!!
So, it's not always so wonderful being forced to use an ECV. And let me add that the vast majority of parents are very good about stroller use. Most take responsibility for their children and have them ready to board the bus, when it is their turn to board, and the stroller is nicely folded up. And when they get off the bus, the vast majority move away from the bus to unfold the stroller.

We tend to focus on those situations that are out of the ordinary...or that happen in a small percentage of the time. These boards serve a wonderful purpose of giving out great information....I recommend them all the time to those who are unfamiliar with WDW and need help planning. It's nice to know that they are usually going to get good, even keeled info so that they don't unduly upset other visitors. We need to keep in mind that not everyone is an expert about getting around WDW. Yes, there are sometimes those that just don't care about others and do what they want to do with little regard to those they negatively impact. But most people are kind and considerate. Those are the people I love meeting on the buses and boats, or at the bus stops. I have met some great people at WDW, and some have become friends, to this day!!!