offering your seat up on the bus???

[RayJay]

I will be taking my DS to WDW for the first time in May and we will be bringing our stroller on the buses w/ us. I'm just wondering what the correct thing to do with the stroller would be? I don't think you would fold up the stroller and leave it in the aisle, because people would not be able to walk by. It's been several years since we've been (and we've never been w/ a child) so I cannot recall what people normally do w/ their strollers, but I had assumed that you fold them up and slide them into the seat space beside you? But if there's a better way, please let me know!

Drew,

Fold them up and put them on the side of the seat or under. I've been to Disney 7 times with 2 strollers and never had a problem on the buses, sometimes I have to hold them at my side while I'm standing.

I'm 43 and don't think I've sat yet, I always let the kids and ladies get the seats, which means my wife gets to hold both kids while I deal with the strollers.

RayJay

 

[bicker]

There is also a spot on each bus, about 2/3 the way back, where there is no seat... it's just about 8 or 9 inches wide. Perfect for folded up strollers.

Something to keep in mind, folks: Disney will never stop bus operations if a bus is full when it pulls away from a stop. If you need or want a seat on a full bus, please wait for the next bus.

 

[Disneyhappy]

It was a proud moment as parents of our 13 year old DS this past January when he voluntarily gave us his seat for a mother with a young child and then offered to hold the stroller for the father who was standing and also holding the sibling. At least we know we are not total failures as parents (according to our values).

 

[drew2wdw]

There is also a spot on each bus, about 2/3 the way back, where there is no seat... it's just about 8 or 9 inches wide. Perfect for folded up strollers.

Perfect! Good to know bicker, thanks! -- We'll be sure to look for that spot. Our stroller is not an umbrella type, its a full size (our DS is still fairly young and would not do well in an umbrella stroller all day). So even folded up, there's no way it would fit in the space between our knees and the seat in front of us. I'm not sure about under the seat though, it's doubtful that it would fit, but I'll check it out!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I think anyone should give up their seat to an elderly or disabled person. or even someone with a young child in their arms. If you are able-bodied, why can't you stand (man or woman)? I'm a female, and there is nothing wrong with me standing. I'd gladly give up my seat to anyone that needs it. On a side note, my ds is disabled (even though he doesn't look it), so I know how it is to have an invisible disability.

 

[Nik's Mom]

LIke I said, I agree that ANYONE who isn't disabled or holding a young child should offer a seat to someone elderly or very young or holding a young child. But I don't think ANYONE should feel that they have to offer a seat to anyone their age or younger, unless that person is disabled or carrying a young child. And I feel it's ruder of someone to feel entitled to a seat than it is for someone else to not offer it--except in the case of elderly, disabled, or holding a young child of course.)

Anne

I agree with you completely!

 

[mytwotinks]

So you think that a 50 year old man is obligated to offer his seat to a 20 year old female?

Anne

Most of the 50 year old men DO offer and often times insisted that I take their seat. It seems to be the younger guys that don't offer even when it is obviously an appropriate time to be a gentleman.

 

[maddhatir]

I think anyone should give up their seat to an elderly or disabled person. or even someone with a young child in their arms. If you are able-bodied, why can't you stand (man or woman)? I'm a female, and there is nothing wrong with me standing. I'd gladly give up my seat to anyone that needs it. On a side note, my ds is disabled (even though he doesn't look it), so I know how it is to have an invisible disability.

OK-- i started this thread-- i DO NOT want anyone to offer me a seat becasue i am lazy- blah blah-- what i am trying to say is JUST ASKING IS A POLITE THING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats all--- thats it!

kind of like a gentleman holding door for you etc!!!

it just comes down to being polite! THE END.

 

[fac]

I think anyone should give up their seat to an elderly or disabled person. or even someone with a young child in their arms.

I am not sure about the "someone with a young child in their arms" part. I am a woman with 2 kids, ages 5 and 7. We normally drive, but last year took disney transportation for some segments. Two incidences got me thinking ...

a. In one of the trips, a young couple with 2 kids came running to catch the bus, we weren't sitting, but DH helped them with their stroller.

b. later that night, we came back from MK, we were very tired, and got on a full bus, a man with a girl about 10 years old were sitting, DD 6 at the time was standing, the man offered his seat to DD, we thanked him but turned down the offer, I could see he was very uneasy, but my thinking at the time was that we were very tired and so did he, if we needed a seat, we could have waited for a second bus.

I put myself in the situation of the young couples, if I were to run and try to catch a full bus with 2 kids in our arms, would I expect someone to give their seats to me? probably not.

 

[ncbyrne]

Every so often this topic comes up, and every time I realize what a different, non-polite, world we live in these days. I'm a grandma and yes, there was a time when a man was expected to give up his seat for a woman...just because! It was (still is, but forgotten) the chivalrous thing to do. My DH never sits on busses or trains, no matter where we are. He wouldn't think of sitting while a woman stood in front of him. He has his age against him as well as an aching back, especially after a full day in the parks, but he is the ultimate gentleman, first and foremost. Once and only once did we not rent a car at WDW. Not once did I get a seat on the bus, and sometimes not on the monorail (thought my DH would have apoplexy when he realized no man, or teenager would give me his seat). For this very reason we will always rent a car and not have to deal with this situation. Oh, and btw....our sons were raised to have this same attitude and we are proud of two gentlemen. (Not to worry, I'm flame retardant. LOL)

 

[bicker]

While there are "non-polite" people out there, and there is a certain level of across-the-board non-politeness that is fostered by the way things are, there is a wide swath of goodness as well. What is critical for people to understand is that someone having different beliefs and values doesn't mean that that person is "impolite". Indeed, thinking that way of others could itself be considered impolite.

 

[maddhatir]

While there are "non-polite" people out there, and there is a certain level of across-the-board non-politeness that is fostered by the way things are, there is a wide swath of goodness as well. What is critical for people to understand is that someone having different beliefs and values doesn't mean that that person is "impolite". Indeed, thinking that way of others could itself be considered impolite.

i read this on another thread-- it is actually a response to someone elses post....but anyway i think this is what i am trying to say!.

------Sorry but I find it inconceivable that there was not one healthy person on that bus that could give up their seat. Last March DS14 and I went and I only had to prompt him the first time to give up his seat for someone, anyone, that needed it more than he did. He was always complimented on his good manners and once they heard his southern accent, they knew why he gave up his seat. It is genetic with southern boys for the most part to give up their seat for a lady, older person or someone with a young child. It better be or momma will slap them upside the head. LOL.-------

hey maybe its me-- and i need to move down south!....and......

Indeed, thinking that way of others could itself be considered impolite.

NO way!

 

[stacieps]

Just want to give my 2 cents re "hidden" disabilities. Our family of 4 (DD 8, DS6) went to WDW in 8/05 and stayed at POP, we used the resort transportation the entire trip. My DH had been in Iraq and was injured in an IED explosion in 5/04 - between 8/04-3/05 he had 7 surgeries, on both shoulder, both arms, and both hands. So if you had seen him in the parks or getting to the bus, he would look able-bodied because walking was not a problem, his problems were anything involving the use of his hands/arms - leaving him not able to stand on a bus.

My DH has always been a gentleman-type, holding doors, etc., but there are times when that just can't happen. So, as many others have already said - it's not fair to have an expectation of someone else, you don't really know what anyone else's issues are; if you don't want to stand, don't get on a full bus.

 

[ducklite]

To expect a man to always gove up a seat for a woman is just plain outright sexist.

And since when should only a man hold a door for someone. I hold doors as well. I want to compete in a man's world, I'm going to act and think like a man, without giving up my femininity. But that means I'm not going to expect anything special because I'm a female.

Anne

 

[mytwotinks]

Every so often this topic comes up, and every time I realize what a different, non-polite, world we live in these days. I'm a grandma and yes, there was a time when a man was expected to give up his seat for a woman...just because! It was (still is, but forgotten) the chivalrous thing to do. My DH never sits on busses or trains, no matter where we are. He wouldn't think of sitting while a woman stood in front of him. He has his age against him as well as an aching back, especially after a full day in the parks, but he is the ultimate gentleman, first and foremost. Once and only once did we not rent a car at WDW. Not once did I get a seat on the bus, and sometimes not on the monorail (thought my DH would have apoplexy when he realized no man, or teenager would give me his seat). For this very reason we will always rent a car and not have to deal with this situation. Oh, and btw....our sons were raised to have this same attitude and we are proud of two gentlemen. (Not to worry, I'm flame retardant. LOL)

Good for you! I have daughters so we are kind of on the other side of this. I have heard my husband tell them many many times how disapointed he will be if the date someone who doesn't hold their doors and give up their seat for a lady. I think that we really need to be holding on tight to the few civil things that are left in this world! I want us to be ladies and gentlemen and not just a big group of people. Those little chivilrous acts are what gives us the interaction with strangers that is so rare in this day of internet shopping and internet discusion boards. Those things are great and I love them, but sometimes when your kids think you are crazy when you talk about "the olden days when I didn't have internet or a cell phone" don't you ever wonder how they are going to grow up and be socialized?

 

[bicker]

NO way!

Way!

Again, the point is that reasonable people disagree. We each would like to believe our own values are the only "correct" values, but in doing so we commit the sin of hubris. Reasonable people disagree. Folks who have trouble understanding that will need to adjust their perspectives of others, or be prepared to be consistently upset.

 

[maddhatir]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ncbyrne
Every so often this topic comes up, and every time I realize what a different, non-polite, world we live in these days. I'm a grandma and yes, there was a time when a man was expected to give up his seat for a woman...just because! It was (still is, but forgotten) the chivalrous thing to do. My DH never sits on busses or trains, no matter where we are. He wouldn't think of sitting while a woman stood in front of him. He has his age against him as well as an aching back, especially after a full day in the parks, but he is the ultimate gentleman, first and foremost. Once and only once did we not rent a car at WDW. Not once did I get a seat on the bus, and sometimes not on the monorail (thought my DH would have apoplexy when he realized no man, or teenager would give me his seat). For this very reason we will always rent a car and not have to deal with this situation. Oh, and btw....our sons were raised to have this same attitude and we are proud of two gentlemen. (Not to worry, I'm flame retardant. LOL)

Good for you! I have daughters so we are kind of on the other side of this. I have heard my husband tell them many many times how disapointed he will be if the date someone who doesn't hold their doors and give up their seat for a lady. I think that we really need to be holding on tight to the few civil things that are left in this world! I want us to be ladies and gentlemen and not just a big group of people. Those little chivilrous acts are what gives us the interaction with strangers that is so rare in this day of internet shopping and internet discusion boards. Those things are great and I love them, but sometimes when your kids think you are crazy when you talk about "the olden days when I didn't have internet or a cell phone" don't you ever wonder how they are going to grow up and be socialized?

OH god thank you! mytwotinks and ncbyrne

my husband feels the same way both of yours do. however, he is only 39 but is still "chivalrous" and would not think otherwise.

 

[RDS912]

I am a very healthy 36yom and I would never give up my seat just because someone is a female. Like a another poster said equal rights. You can't have you cake and eat it too. Now a lady with an infant, pregnant, disabled, elderly...yes in a heartbeat. But a healthy woman. no way.

 

[Lewisc]

A person who wants a seat has the option of waiting for the next bus. A guest boarding a full bus should understand they'll be standing. One could argue it's rude for a female to board a full bus and expect someone to give up a seat just because that guest didn't want to wait for the next bus.

I agree with the previous posters, it's sexist to assume a male should always offer his seat to a woman. Now if there is one seat it might be rude for the husband to take it and leave his wife standing but that's a matter between the two of them.

Any able person, male or female, should offer a seat to a pregnant woman, a person holding an infant or someone with an obvious disability.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OK, so here's my take on this subject FWIW.

Having gone through the frightful experience of having cancer and the rigors of chemotherapy, there was a time during treatment I could not even walk across the street let alone consider a trip to WDW. In fact, I wondered if I'd ever even make it there again.

With that said, I am very thankful to once again be as strong as an ox and have the ability to stand on my own two feet and walk great distances. I never forget it. I've been given a gift and I am happy to "give back" whenever I can.

If anyone looks like they need a seat I would gladly offer mine.