Really sad to see....

[jo-jo]

Not for this old f@rt they're not. Although technically 'elderly', being born in 1950 puts me in that class, I still stand for the obviously pregnant, decrepit elderly (not me!) or anyone with small children. I actually encountered some attitude from those so offered, as though I was in the wrong for applying my out of date upbringing to the 21st century.

Bill From PA

There are times I look at people and try to decide, are they older than I. Am I going to insult someone?

 

[Dentam]

I saw many people offer their seats on our trip last month. My dad also will never sit on a bus unless there are plenty of other empty seats around. My mom did see one elderly woman with a walker who was waiting for a bus but two people in ECV's rolled up and took up the space of about 6 seats. The older woman asked the bus driver if she'd be able to sit on the bus and he said no - he didn't even ask people to offer their seats to her. She ended up waiting for another bus. My mom was already standing so couldn't offer her a seat. But then again one bus I was on the bus driver asked people to please give up their seats in a similar situation so I think it's just hit and miss. People are people - some are more considerate and thoughtful than others.

 

[Cee]

The last time I offered my seat, they turned me down. After we got off my adult DD said, "Mom.....you're older then they were..." LOL

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I race to get a seat before grandma gets on. That's what scooters are for.... Joking... Love these threads.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I can never understand it when someone opts to wait for the next bus rather than stand on the bus that is leaving now. If I am going to stand for another 20 minutes, I'd rather be ON the bus heading for my resort, the pool, and an adult libation versus standing on hot and tired feet, sweltering in the lovely Florida temps.

I guess if someone has balance issues, that might require them to wait for a seat.

We did this when our boys were little, and we had one sleeping toddler, a tired 3-yo , a backpack and a folded up stroller to manage. We didn't expect anyone to give up a seat for us, we waited for the next bus so we could sit.

 

[vinotinto]

LOL, I agree it's just a matter if time before this thread takes a turn for the worse.

Goes without saying that a little kindness goes a long way. But, when the kids were little and we really wanted a seat and space for a stroller, we drove to the parks 90% of the time. When my mom came with us (at age 64 and 66) she had osthearthritis on her knee and sometimes it would hurt. The kids were older by then and we would always ask her if she wanted us to drive. We mostly took the bus, but we sometimes we drove-depending on the day, schedule, and how we were feeling. If she had to stand, we would chat and it would make the time go by quickly. I honestly don't remember if anyone gave up their seat. She's not that old and I wasn't paying attention.

So, given that this is a theme parks strategy board, my strategy recommendation is to drive if you really want to sit. I would not have expected someone that lined up before me to give up their seat. And you save time anyway by driving.

 

[DisneyOma]

the days of people getting up to let the elderly or small kids have a seat on the bus or boats are gone.... I just returned and not once did I see any offerings, it's sad. And yes I did as a young female offer up my seat anytime I could!

I know what you mean. I have seen people do this sort of thing. I would accept an offer of kindness that was given to me. I like it when doors are opened for me and seats are opened to me. I like good manners. Some people are so silly sometimes.

I agree, I like good manners - but I hope you hold the door for people behind you as well. And offer your seat at times too.

I think it's safe to say that at the end of the day or night at a Disney park, everyone is tired, with sore feet, knees, hips, etc. Most people are at the threshold of their tolerance level with little patience left. Everyone is just done. Having said that though, where I live most boys are raised to give up their seats to the elderly & women, no matter how tired they are, & most definitely to open doors for them also. That doesn't mean they all do it (but I would bet they do in front of their parents at least), but my DH does & so does my DS. Neither one would think of letting a door slam on someone or not giving up their seat. It's just the way they both have been taught growing up. Now I have many times boarded the bus & no one gave up their seats for me or my DD. Obviously being use to the men in the area where I live doing so, I was a tad disappointed, but not upset or angry. Everyone is raised differently & like I mentioned everyone is tired after the parks, I understand. However, I do have to admit to getting a bit of a giggle when during a turn I came very close to landing onto of the "gentlemen's" laps that stared at the floor & didn't offer anyone woman, child, or elderly person their seat. His face was priceless, for me I righted myself & laughed.

I would hope that this sexist mentality is on the way out. Girls can hold doors too, and offer up seats. We are not fragile beings who need big, strong, manly men to do things for us. Next thing, we won't be smart enough to vote, own property, or do anything but cook and breed...

Yes this is exactly what I meant....it's just nice to see people with high morals and manners!

High morals? Sexism and Ageism maybe, but I wouldn't call it high morals.

 

[Robo]

We did this when our boys were little, and we had one sleeping toddler, a tired 3-yo , a backpack and a folded up stroller to manage. We didn't expect anyone to give up a seat for us,

we waited fof the next bus so we could sit.

However, if you waited and got on the next bus and sat down...
why wouldn't you have to get up and give THOSE seats to others who then boarded behind you?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I drive my car to the parks - not giving up that seat to some stranger.

 

[RedAngie]

I never participate in these threads (even though they seem to pop up way to much). Why does this topic keep being brought up?

These threads are ridiculous. If they are well enough to walk Disney all day they can stand on a bus. If not? Wait for the next bus.

Because some people feel the need to advertise how morally superior they are.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think this is one of many cases of perspective - and one where folks post the negative most of the time since most of us don't think to post the positive as its "boring" really.

As I said up thread my bus experiences have been good and that's one of my bonuses for a Disney vacation as I drive way to much in real life, a vacation for me includes no driving and the opportunity to also have a "beverage" at Epcot or Disney Springs as I am the only adult who drives in our family right now.

So that said I kind of expect to stand on the bus as do my older teen kids, so for us getting a seat is a bonus not an expectation. Even when the kids were young I had a plan for standing and maximizing the use of seats we needed if seats were available. In my last few trips I haven't seen any cases when I was standing along with a person for whom I wished someone else would have given up a seat.

 

[danny1649]

Fellow Disers , please take deep breath and chill out before posting. I know this is a hot button issue and we've had many threads on it. Between WebMaster and myself we've had to deal with many reports. If thread keeps going south I will need to close. Thank You Danny

 

[BuckeyeBama]

High morals? Sexism and Ageism maybe, but I wouldn't call it high morals.

That's the thing about morals - we don't get to define them for others, only for ourselves. Calling people names like "sexist" because their belief system differs from yours is wrong based on my moral code and the policies of this web site.

 

[Miskey]

I can never understand it when someone opts to wait for the next bus rather than stand on the bus that is leaving now. If I am going to stand for another 20 minutes, I'd rather be ON the bus heading for my resort, the pool, and an adult libation versus standing on hot and tired feet, sweltering in the lovely Florida temps.

I guess if someone has balance issues, that might require them to wait for a seat.

Ding, ding, ding! If I give up my seat to Grandpa Jones, I'm going to wind up in his lap

 

[Planogirl]

I will offer my seat to anyone who looks like they need to sit. I don't care if they're old or young, male or female. This has nothing to do with being morally superior but just me remembering when I've had trouble.

 

[pens4821]

Hard decision for me. On one hand, I was raised to be polite and have good manners. I always hold the door, or say hi, or the little things that my parents taught me. However, on a bus, I don't give up my seat unless it looks like someone really needs it (very elderly/disabled/parent struggling with a very little kid-not some 5 year old). Heck, my nephew was 5 when we went and he would've rather stood on the bus. As someone else said, if you could walk around the parks all day and stand in line for the bus, you can most likely stand another 15 minutes. If you can't, once again as someone said, you should drive so you can sit in your car. May sound rude, immoral, or selfish, but can't change my feelings on it.

 

[Mainemama]

Trying to turn this around... Let me personally thank the two very kind ladies (both old enough to be my mother) who helped me on a very crowded bus as a mom with 3 kids. (First attempt without daddy backup.) The 2 year old started out okay standing with me, but before long discovered the joy of ping-ponging through the aisle. It was quickly clear that I could not safely hold on to her, the stroller, and the rail at the same time, that the bus driver was not going to stop (she was almost in his lap), and the ladies first tried to help by holding my child, and when she proved too slippery for them, gave up their seats for us, AND held the stroller. Again, thank you! I will try to repay the favor next trip.

 

[pmaurer74]

the days of people getting up to let the elderly or small kids have a seat on the bus or boats are gone.... I just returned and not once did I see any offerings, it's sad. And yes I did as a young female offer up my seat anytime I could!

I had several people offer for me to sit with my kids on the last trip, many times they didn't but many times they did.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I'm another one who has horrible balance. Trust me, you want me in the seat instead of trying to stand in front of you. You are going to have me on your lap in no time when the driver goes around a turn.

 

[Dentam]

I'm another one who has horrible balance. Trust me, you want me in the seat instead of trying to stand in front of you. You are going to have me on your lap in no time when the driver goes around a turn.

I have this issue as well. I was always holding onto a rail with one hand and the hanging grip things with the other hand. I felt silly but if I didn't I would have been in someone's lap too.