Just a vent about people on the buses

[kt_mom]

WOW - that is the kind of selfish attitude I hope never to teach my sons. Last time we went to Disney my sons were 6 and 7. More than once they stood up just like their daddy (while I sat holding their little sister) so that a women with a young child or some one older could sit.

Call me old fashioned but this world really needs is "real men" like the ones that offer seats to women with children. I count my blessing everyday that my sons are being raised to respect women and have proper manners.

I don't agree with someone else getting involved in the OP business but shame on those that make a women and child or the elderly stand on a busy bus.

How is it selfish? I said I don't expect a man to give me a seat. I said it was nice when they did but I don't expect them to. This is Disney and everyone is tired and exhausted. If I need a seat that bad I should wait for the next bus whether I'm a woman, pregnant have infants with me or whatever. I can't expect anyone to give up their seat for me. But like I said I gave up my seat to many people that week including one mom with an infant on a carrier on her chest and a toddler hanging on her leg. I had to talk her into taking my seat.

My real issue with this situation was first the rude woman who stuck her nose in and called us rude. She had a five year old or so on her lap which is I guess why she didn't give up her seat and her husband was already standing in front of me.

I think it's good to give up your seat to those who need it and someone holding a small child is one of those people. But at some point, enough is enough. And these people would have been the very last people to get to the bus stop and could have waited for another bus if it had been a big deal about the standing, it was plainly obvious that they would have to stand as the bus was packed.

Like someone else said there is always another bus coming and if the current one is standing room only and you don't want to stand you need to wait for the next bus.

ETA if I ever have a son I will teach him that it is polite to give your seat to a woman or the elderly. I just said that I don't expect it.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

I'm with topmonkeygirl, I'm amazed at how many parents will spew the "personal responsibility" song and dance but will throw the kid out there to get special treatment.[/QUOTE]

Thank-you.

 

[mefordis]

No one is forcing you to give up your seat. Relax. Has anyone asked you to give up their seat for them? This is such a non issue.

Nope, not buying it. They had that small child when they made the decision to get on a crowded bus didn't they?

Yes I'm a parent.

I just think the parent and the parent alone is responsible for their own comfort and safety. You have a baby and think it's important to sit, then you make provisions to ensure that. Whether that means you leave early enough to avoid the crowds or you wait longer for a another bus. I hate my morale/politeness compass is called into question because i don't give up my seat.

I'm with topmonkeygirl, I'm amazed at how many parents will spew the "personal responsibility" song and dance but will throw the kid out there to get special treatment.

 

[Suellen]

I don't have kids and sorry to say I don't sympathize with people who do.
1) That is your choice to have kids.
2) I'm tired also.
3) It is your choice to stay until you are bone tired and have to deal with grumpy kids.
4) If I've waited for 30 minutes for a bus and you run up the last minute and think you're getting my seat, you've got another thing coming.
5) You can always sit on the curb and wait for the next bus.

I will offer my seat to elderly or people with mobility issues, but just because you have kids, no way.

It's like at my husbands work they want him to be on call Christmas because he doesn't have any kids, no way he told them. That's our choice so don't try to push the "I have kids" thing with me. That's right you do have kids deal with it, don't ask me to.

Before I get flamed here the people who don't have any kids get the short end of the stick all the time. I've got to leave work my kids sick, am I now suppose to do my job and yours? I can't stay late I have kids, I'm suppose to because I don't? You get tax breaks for having them, we don't. We choose not to so the money we put into taxes which goes to your kids schools, isn't important to us? We couldn't use that extra tax break that the people with kids get? Why shouldn't we get a tax break for not having them because we don't have kids that use the school system.

I have nothing against kids, I think they are most of the time cute, sweet, funny, adorable.... I'm just against the parents using them as an excuse and burdening me with their choices. It's not fair.

I say good for you.

Hmmm after reading this I wonder if you are the one who pushed my two year old down the steps at Chef Mickey's to get to the buffet before her!

Totally JUST KIDDING! It was a 50 year old man.

I used to feel the same way until I had kids.

Unfortunately I think most people forget manners while at Disney. I also think a lot of parents forget they have responsibilities as parents... even when at Disney.

 

[CrystalSnow]

I would err on the side of kindness...

It seems like a slippery slope to try and judge whether someone deserves our kindness. How can one ever know what is going on in someone else's life when they made the choice to get on the bus (or anything else in life). Maybe a man needed his heart medication back at the hotel. Maybe a kid got really sick. Maybe a woman just got a call saying a family member was dying and she needed to get back home. Maybe not. Maybe someone is just clueless. Maybe just rude. But we have no way of knowing.

I would ask myself what is the worst thing that could happen if I give up my seat to someone (I'm uncomfortable, the person was ended up being a rude jerk) and what is the best thing that could happen (really helping someone, preventing an injury, inspiring someone to pass on kindness), then I would decide which is more important to me.

 

[kmk1180]

I'm with topmonkeygirl, I'm amazed at how many parents will spew the "personal responsibility" song and dance but will throw the kid out there to get special treatment.

Thank-you.[/quote]

wait....your quoting yourself.
So how can you be "with topmonkeygirl"
You ARE top monkeygirl.

 

[2greatkids]

We just returned from Disney on Sunday and was surprised how many times a man offered to let me or my son take his seat while he stood in my spot. We had two young children and a double stroller and I would never expect someone to offer their seat because I was standing. If I needed to sit that bad I would just wait for the next bus. While I thought it was very polite of them, I would feel funny taking another persons seat unless for some reason it was really necessary.

 

[maxiesmom]

Nope, not buying it. They had that small child when they made the decision to get on a crowded bus didn't they?

Yes I'm a parent.

I just think the parent and the parent alone is responsible for their own comfort and safety. You have a baby and think it's important to sit, then you make provisions to ensure that. Whether that means you leave early enough to avoid the crowds or you wait longer for a another bus. I hate my morale/politeness compass is called into question because i don't give up my seat.

I'm with topmonkeygirl, I'm amazed at how many parents will spew the "personal responsibility" song and dance but will throw the kid out there to get special treatment.

 

[bumbershoot]

Granted these people never once asked for our seats or even looked at us. It was these other people getting involved who were the real problem.

That was the *only* issue.

The parents seemed to be fine standing. I know from experience how awkward it is to refuse an offered seat, no matter how much you do NOT want it, so it's possible the parent who finally did sit after swaying still didn't want to sit, but went with the easy way...

But the only problem on that bus was the busybodies.


I, personally, would have asked her what healthy people she was referring to, as you have arthritis and could not stand at that moment. Could have stopped the conversation right there AND taught her something about assuming based on appearances.

But I'm not one that minds talking about my health to just about anyone.

... entitlement that people have toward everything.

Like this lady feeling entitled to a seat. And not just a seat, but your seat.

It wasn't the lady with the kid wanting the seat. It was the random stranger to both parties who wanted the lady to have the OP's seat.

Oh boy here we go with that real men crap again.I'm getting really tired hearing about that.Women are no more special than men and men are no more special than women.We now have a thing called equal rights.Women asked for them so get used to them

Agreed.

I do so enjoy opening doors for men (and women too)...I figure, I got there first, I might as well be polite. I especially loved doing that in South Carolina...got some funny looks...

I'm not a weak puny woman, and I hate the idea of someone doing something for me because I'm a weak puny woman. But someone holding a door open for others, out of politeness, not b/c of "you're a woman" doesn't peeve me.

...it all boils down to this....treat others as you would want to be treated.

Well there we go...not everyone wants the same thing. When I was pregnant I couldn't stand sitting when I had to get up soon. I would refuse offered seats. IT was far easier to stand. And when DS was carry-able, I generally had him in the sling. Sitting with the sling meant an angry kid. STanding with the sling was much much better.

Swaying with moving bus is a good way to NOT fall down. Trying to stand ramrod stiff is a great way to fall (think of how earthquake proof buildings are built...they sway so they don't just fall). So seeing a person like me, swaying on a bus might get someone to offer a seat...but I never wanted one!

So if I treat others how I want to be treated...there's going to be something lost in translation.

Trust me I won't, I take those little pills daily.

As much as I agreed with your original post, I gotta tell ya...those little pills aren't foolproof.

Call me old fashioned but this world really needs is "real men" like the ones that offer seats to women with children. I count my blessing everyday that my sons are being raised to respect women and have proper manners.

Be sure you teach them the respect to hear it if a woman with a child says "no thank you" to the offered seat, and to let it drop.




Regardless of all that, that wasn't an issue at all on this bus. The problem was the busybody trying to get OTHER people to give up a seat to someone else.

 

[mefordis]

Granted these people never once asked for our seats or even looked at us. It was these other people getting involved who were the real problem.

That was the *only* issue.

The parents seemed to be fine standing.

Thank you for clarifying this. I think some people thought the family was asking for the seat.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I am so sorry you had to go through this.

DH and I have found the perfect solution - at least for us. We always rent a car. We get to the parks much faster - far less melodrama in our days, we LOVE to take the ferry over to the MK (VERY fast way to travel to the MK vs waiting for a bus to show up). No hot bodies squeezed together in the summer...just the AC cranked up in the car.

It's fast, it's easy and we enjoy your vacation far more now.

It was even MORE important on our last trip to WDW - because of an accident, I was forced to travel in a scooter (unable to walk even to the lobby from the room). You think people can be rude ----try to hold up a line of people while your scooter is loaded onto the bus.

Nope! Handicapped tag in hand, we had FREE valet parking and handicapped parking next to the park entrances. Talk about NO melodrama.

Again, I am so sorry you had to go through this.

What we discovered years ago...just because you can afford a Disney vacation doesn't mean you have the manners to share WDW with others. How sad that is in our happy place.

Better luck next time!

 

[mefordis]

After reading all the bus posts lately, I'm going with the car rental on my next trip as well. Do you stay at WL and take the ferry over? The only hassle with the rental car seems to be getting to MK (have to park at TTC). If you stay at one of the monorail resorts I guess it's not an issue, though.

I am so sorry you had to go through this.

DH and I have found the perfect solution - at least for us. We always rent a car. We get to the parks much faster - far less melodrama in our days, we LOVE to take the ferry over to the MK (VERY fast way to travel to the MK vs waiting for a bus to show up). No hot bodies squeezed together in the summer...just the AC cranked up in the car.

It's fast, it's easy and we enjoy your vacation far more now.

It was even MORE important on our last trip to WDW - because of an accident, I was forced to travel in a scooter (unable to walk even to the lobby from the room). You think people can be rude ----try to hold up a line of people while your scooter is loaded onto the bus.

Nope! Handicapped tag in hand, we had FREE valet parking and handicapped parking next to the park entrances. Talk about NO melodrama.

Again, I am so sorry you had to go through this.

What we discovered years ago...just because you can afford a Disney vacation doesn't mean you have the manners to share WDW with others. How sad that is in our happy place.

Better luck next time!

 

[reedycreek]

To the OP, you were totally correct in not getting up.

To those who get upset about not getting a seat on the bus:

YOU ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE AT DISNEY WORLD. Is getting upset about not getting a seat for a 15 minute bus ride really worth it? There are people who would give their left arm to go to Disney World but can't afford it. You are lucky enough to be there and you are going to spend your time there upset about this?!?!?

There are bigger problems in the world. If you don't like the fact you can't get a seat, take a cab, walk, or wait for the next bus.

But really, you are at Disney World, is life really that bad?

 

[johnGorski]

You did the right thing by ignoring those rude people, I have encountered many rude folks and feel the best way it to ignore them. Those types of people are like that eveywhere I feel. Did the bus thing one year and everytime after that we rented a car.

 

[Epcot4Me]

OP, I agree that you did nothing wrong. I can't believe that woman thought she had any right to get involved in something clearly not her business.

I had an opposite problem once on a Disney bus. I always stand because I get horrible motion sickness on buses and standing helps. I had one older gentleman offer me his seat on a not crowded bus (maybe 5 of us standing) and was far too offended when I said "No, thank you." He would not give up, eventually yelling at me that he was not old and not disabled and was perfectly capable of standing. I tried explaining how I get sick when I sit, but he was not listening. Finally, a lady a bit further back declared she'd take the seat if it meant that much to him and all was well. I just never knew that standing could offend someone so much

 

[kt_mom]

OP here and the real issue was the nosy lady across from us and her continued comments for the duration of the bus ride. Thankfully we didn't see them again the rest of the trip. And we certainly didn't let it spoil our trip. We vented amongst ourselves on the walk back to our room and then forgot about it.

POR buses were much more crowded the whole week then when we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and I think it made a difference in everyone's attitudes on them.

On a happy note, my sister and I took the girls over to EMH at HS our second night and when we left the bus lines were nuts. We got on the second bus to come and had to stand at the back in the upper level part. They really crammed the people in there and then off we went. Now those that have done the POR buses know how long the ride can be with all those stops and we were always the last stop it seemed. Well, this bus driver was great. He told jokes and trivia the whole trip. He was really funny and had everyone on the bus laughing. It was the fastest ride while we were there.

 

[bgohre]

Trust me I won't, I take those little pills daily. Like I said in my post I have nothing against kids, it's with the adults who play the kid card that I have a problem with.

Personally, I have nothing against kids either, its the adults who play the, "I don't have kids so I'm taken advantage of" card that I have a problem with.

 

[DizzyStitch]

we ourselves have 2 kids 5 &7-our first trip they were 2 and 4-like the OP we had waited a long time at Epcot for the buswe were the first or second in line when up come 4 different groups of families with scooters-there went all the seats (side note-since so much preference is given to scooters they shoud only be allowed 1 guest with them, not the whole tribe) I was LIVID. These people had not been waiting while we were and left no seats (was one of those buses that all face each other) To make it worse my 2 yo was dead asleap on my shoulder. I had every intention of sitting down in the floor when someone finally gave up a seat.

OK that really sounds like I don't support the OP but my point is first come first serve

Someday maybe Disney will figure out how to not load a whole bus with a scooter. Until then we have to grin and bear it. I grin even more when I realize that they have to wait until all of us unload before they can get off. So on one end they have an advantage. On the other end I suspect it's not nearly so nice. I will keep my ability to walk and load on and off whenever for now.

 

[Navywifebreezy]

I would never expect someone to give up their set for me. The first time we went with the kids they were 4 mos, 1 yr and 2 years. We stood many times on the buses.
Thankfully I am/wasn't one of those that expects the door to be held etc... either. I wouldn't have given up my seat just for spite in the OP scenerio but then I wouldn't have calmly sat there and ignored her either. Cause I sure would have asked if she was so adament why didn't she give up hers lol.
Ok off my soap box

 

[topmonkeygirl]

Personally, I have nothing against kids either, its the adults who play the, "I don't have kids so I'm taken advantage of" card that I have a problem with.

You're kidding right?