Official policy for small kids on busses ?

[MiaSRN62]

Is there an official policy for small kids on busses ?

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Just got back from 5 nights in WDW. The parks/busses were packed. On a few really full bus rides, the driver would announce that parents with small children (under 5) should have the child on their laps to open up more seats for others. Most busses were standing room only---all were during morning and night. One exception. This one bus driver made an opposite announcement and alot of people were ticked off. He said ALL small children should have their own seat as this is "safest". His words. This was on Sat, Feb 24 around 6:30 pm leaving MK for POP. I was very taken aback by this. Technically the fact that there are no seat belts and they allow packed standing makes it potentially unsafe for people of all ages. But, parents were putting 2 & 3 yo's in their own seat. I saw elderly left standing.....less people could pack on the bus...
I was just wondering if there was an official bus policy that anyone was aware of ? There was only this one isolated driver that requested all small kids have their own seat----most of us disagreed with this, but people did what he asked for the most part.

 

[taximomfor4]

do a search for this topic, there have been some recent threads. There are some cities that require small kids to be in their OWN seats for the safety factor. We keep our small kids on their own seats because of a prior incident on a WDW bus. Works best for us so far. DH, myself, or oldest dd will stand to give others their seat, but the small kids are in their own seats at all times. We even wait for another bus to come along if one is standing room only.

As for an official policy, we have never, ever, ever, in many bus rides at WDW, had a driver tell people that small kids had to be on laps. NEVER. SO I would guess that is not official policy. I have also never heard one say all small kids must be on laps.

IMO, it would be unfair for them to enforce either of those rules. I would assume that most parents have a plan for what seating arrangements work best for their own families, for their own reasons.

Another point: On our last trip, a spanish-speaking woman got a nasty comment from a guest who wanted her young child's seat (about 3yo, I would guess). The father had another child (about 1 1/2 or so) on his lap and was trying to hold up a double stroller. They apparently spoke no English, and my Spanish is pretty weak but I KNOW I caught the words "Knee" and I think "Surgery." Anyway, later that day, in the park, I saw the dad pushing both kids in the double stroller while the mom drove a rented ECV. I would imagine having a small child on her leg(s)???? would have been painful.

Beth

 

[seashoreCM]

I would love to say that the answer to the OP's question is "no". Simply because there is nothing official published conspicuously to the contrary.

And the reports of conflicting announcements made by bus drivers right here are enough to conclude that the answer is "no".

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Neither drivers nor passengers should exercise self help on this topic. To do so is wrong regardless of which side of the fence you are on.

 

[bavaria]

taximom is correct - this is a frequently recurring topic. There are usually two sides - 'children should sit in their own seat' and 'children should sit on an adult's lap'.

Beth rationally and calmly supports her view on those threads (I don't have an opinion either way, but I do read those threads occassionally)

I think that this is like cel phones - some drivers have in past asked passengers to turn off their phones while on the bus. (I will admit though that I very rarely take a WDW bus)

 

[cranbiz]

There is no official policy on this, I prefer that as many guests as possible use a seat. If a parent wishes to place a small child on their lap, that's fine for me.

For safety reasons, only guests that are capable of holding onto a handrail securely should stand.

If an individual driver feels that children are safer in their own seat, that's his call.

 

[bicker]

And I'd support him on that. It is far too dangerous to have children elevated on someone's lap... they'll fly further in an accident and incur a much more serious injury. Children should be in their own seats. Adults can do as they wish for themselves.

 

[goofy4tink]

There is no official policy on this, I prefer that as many guests as possible use a seat. If a parent wishes to place a small child on their lap, that's fine for me.

For safety reasons, only guests that are capable of holding onto a handrail securely should stand.

If an individual driver feels that children are safer in their own seat, that's his call.

Hey, purple pants...how cool. Hope it's all working out for you.
I've heard drivers ask that young children sit on laps, I've heard no announcements. Guess it would be up to a particular driver.
We have had many 'discussions' here as to the proper bus etiquette...no one should feel forced to give up their seat, or their child's seat, unless they wish to. If someone boards the bus, after I am seated, and they appear to need the seat more than I, then I will offer it. End of story. My seat, my call.

 

[Hannathy]

Yes they must be INSIDE the bus. no riding on the roof.

 

[taximomfor4]

Yes they must be INSIDE the bus. no riding on the roof.

way to lighten up a rather hot, often hurtful topic!!!!!!!

 

[cranbiz]

I agree that a child should be in their own seat, however it is ultimately the parent's responsibility to ensure the safety of their children.

Goofy4tink is right, if you choose to give up your seat for someone else, it's your choice or upbringing. The only seat I'm going to make a guest surrender is the seats in the handicap area when I have a wheelchair or ECV to load.

As a driver you can speil the rules and hopefully guests comply. I actually have more problems with parents and strollers than parent and children seating issues.

Last week was a very busy week for us and there were 90 busses assigned just to the MK on the weekend (There are only 300 in the fleet). Busses were full for most resorts all the time. Unless guests wished to wait, then standing was going to be the norm.

All we want as drivers is to get the guests to their resort/park safely. If I announce an issue that I FEEL affects the safety of my guests, I'll announce it. If it is serious enough, the bus won't move or will be stopped enroute. My definition of a safety issue may be different than another drivers.

So that's where the conflict is. Disney can only provide guidelines. The guidelines we follow are what is directed by Federal DOT regulations.

That's why strollers must be folded, why guests sitting in wheelchair spots must move for a wheelchair, why there is no eating, drinking or smoking on the bus, why guests can't lean on the doors or stand in the stairwells, etc.

We do these things for your safety, please don't yell and curse at us when you don't like what you hear, even if your last driver said something different (see paragraph 5 above).

Goofy4tink, I'm having a lot of fun wearing Purple Pants. I have met a lot of great guests (but no DIS'ers yet). It really is a neat job.

 

[Disneyolic]

Goofy4tink, I'm having a lot of fun wearing Purple Pants. I have met a lot of great guests (but no DIS'ers yet). It really is a neat job.

I think we need to see your picture so we can say hi to you if we board your bus! Otherwise, I'll be forced to say "Are you Cranbiz?" each and every time I board a bus. Or maybe you'll recognize us. Remember my kids pictures below, okay??? They'll be the perfect ones.

 

[goofy4tink]

Disneyolic is right.....give us a clue so we won't be going up to the wrong drivers!!! Of course, the DISers here usually have something to identify themselves with. If you see us...just say hi!!!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Goofy4tink, I'm having a lot of fun wearing Purple Pants. I have met a lot of great guests (but no DIS'ers yet). It really is a neat job.

They'll come... I met lots of DIS'ers during my purple-panted tenure.

 

[goofy4tink]

They'll come... I met lots of DIS'ers during my purple-panted tenure.

Ah yeah....I seem to remember all those posts about who had seen Tyler and where. Poor you....I think you must have felt like you were being stalked by lime green wearing/toting guests!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

They'll come... I met lots of DIS'ers during my purple-panted tenure.

And at least one slightly giddy, somewhat awestruck, really excited Guest in his current tenure...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes they must be INSIDE the bus. no riding on the roof.

I heard the new buses will have towbars installed to pull along Heely-ed Guests behind the bus... /

 

[cranbiz]

Right now, I'm only trained at MK and just work weekends. I believe that Studio's training will happen in the next couple of weeks.

So,

If you see Bob from Carver, MA

It's me!

 

[goofy4tink]

Right now, I'm only trained at MK and just work weekends. I believe that Studio's training will happen in the next couple of weeks.

So,

If you see Bob from Carver, MA

It's me!

Well then, that shouldn't be an issue for us!!! We're always on the lookout for fellow Massers!!! We drive right on through Carver all the time on the way to beautiful Cape Cod!! So, we will be looking for you!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I was at work all last night and just got back to this thread. I appreciate all responses whether I agree or disagree.

cranbiz says : For safety reasons, only guests that are capable of holding onto a handrail securely should stand.

This is the problem. Because most parents were using up seats for small children and not putting on laps, we noticed many more other small kids standing along with elderly. Many were unsttable. One small child right next to me (maybe 6 or so ?) returning from Princess and Pirate Night party, we so exhausted and unstable on his feet that his parents told him to sit on the floor of the bus. He ended up falling asleep sprawled out on the floor while others stood around him and tried not to step on him as the bus made it's turns and stops. It was difficult. I really felt for those that were unable to get seats (young and elderly) because seats were being taken up with toddlers who I felt would be just as safe as the rest of us on the bus sitting on their parents laps. Safety is a joke really when talking about disney busses. The one driver stated it was "safest for small children to have their own seats", but then proceeds to pack the bus to capacity and leaves many others (elderly and young like that little 6 yo boy) to fend for themselves. Honestly, there are not even enough hand rails. I was back up agains the back door (my back was literally pressed against it) and had nothing to hold on to. I really don't care for myself---I'm ok with standing. I was sympathizing with those that would have gotten a seat if some parents would put toddlers on their laps----because very, very few of those parents gave up their seats. I saw quite a few young, strapping parents watch as small children struggled to hang on---loosing their balance often. I would agree that a child should be in their own seat ONLY if the drivers don't choose to pack the rest of the guests in like sardines. It's hypocritical to say, put all small children in their own seats and then take off with many small kids and elderly left standing and very unsteady ? So it's just safe for those small kids that happen to be lucky enough to get a seat ? I think the bus could provide seating to MORE that really need it if toddlers are put on parents laps and held firmly. After all, like I said, there are no seatbelts, not enough bars to hold on to, and very crammed standing situations to make it unsafe for EVERYONE on those busses. I always give up my seat to elderly, pregnant and small children, so this is not an issue of me wanting a seat. I just really felt bad for the kids that had to stand and couldn't keep their balance. They were sitting on the floor and making it unsafe for all. It would have been better if they could have gotten the seats that the 2 and 3 yo's were taking up imho. How is it "safer" to make all these other people stand in crammed conditions ? This I don't get. It's just hypocritical and I'm sure many of you would disagree with me. That's fine.

Bicker says : It is far too dangerous to have children elevated on someone's lap... they'll fly further in an accident and incur a much more serious injury. Children should be in their own seats. Adults can do as they wish for themselves.

Well, it far too dangerous to have anyone standing in cramped conditions and very unsteady. It's not good to have 6 yo's laying on the floor of the bus and falling and tripping when they could have had a seat that is taken up with a 3 yo too ? I'm also fine with adults standing. But elderly were as well. I only see the bus situation as being safe, IF the small kids get their own seats and NOT at the risk of the elderly and other small kids not getting a seat because of it. Otherwise, how is this a good situation ? We saw people almost falling on top of those seating when the bus made turns etc. Technically, if there are no seat belts, NOONE is safe. The fact that a small child getting their own seat is "safe" is a false sense of security. If that bus has a crash or makes a sudden stop/turn, everyone will be flying.
Oh well.....sorry to bring up a sore subject. It is what it is........

 

[bicker]

This is the problem. Because most parents were using up seats for small children and not putting on laps, we noticed many more other small kids standing along with elderly.

Familes with members who shouldn't stand shouldn't board a full bus. Wait for the next bus.

Well, it far too dangerous to have anyone standing in cramped conditions and very unsteady.

See above.