Should I report this bus driver?

[robinb]

We drive a scooter when we visit Walt Disney World.

We had a bad experience with a bus driver that drives the bus between Fort wilderness and Magic Kingdom last night.

We got on his bus to go to the Magic Kingdom and we are the only ones on it. He wanted to park my scooter for me, but I’ve gotten pretty good at it so I said I could do it myself. He scolded me, “people are waiting!” Even though we were the only two people on the bus. Of course I got flustered and messed it up and it took me longer to park then if he had just left me alone.

When we came home to Fort Wilderness after the Deluxe Extra Hours at the MK (we’re in a DVC cabin) we arrived at the bus stop at about 11:30 and the bus was already loading. The same driver loaded the rest of the people and then came out to speak to us. He asked us if we could wait for him to drop off all the people on the bus to Fort wilderness and come back and get us which would have been a 30 to 40 minute wait. There were people seated where the scooter would go he apparently didn’t want to move them, even though there were other seats on the bus. We said “no” and he grumbled and moved them for us. FWIW, there is only one single bus that was servicing the route.

I could accept his jerky move on the way to the MK, but asking us to wait 30-40 minutes for him to come back to retrieve us because he didn’t want to move people is too much IMO. Keep in mind, we also had to take another internal bus at FW to our cabin and they stop running at some point and it was already 11:30 at night.

So, am I the sphincter for expecting him to move people to another available seat in order to park the scooter or is he the sphincter for asking us to wait 40 more minutes and possibly miss the last internal bus back to our cabin?

If I’m not the sphincter, should I report him?

 

[lanejudy]

I could accept his jerky move on the way to the MK, but asking us to wait 30-40 minutes for him to come back to retrieve us because he didn’t want to move people is too much IMO.

I believe policy is they load mobility devices first, and if an ECV arrives after others have started loading the ECV needs to wait. I would have expected there to be more than 1 bus running, though, so it shouldn't have been a 30-40 minute wait.

And the driver will not/cannot force other passengers to move from those seats. He can ask. But if the passenger refuses he cannot make them move just to be a convenience to you.

I realize it was late, you were tired, didn't want to wait and still had another bus. However, I do think your expectation was convenience for you outside the normal procedures.

 

[robinb]

I believe policy is they load mobility devices first, and if an ECV arrives after others have started loading the ECV needs to wait. I would have expected there to be more than 1 bus running, though, so it shouldn't have been a 30-40 minute wait.

And the driver will not/cannot force other passengers to move from those seats. He can ask. But if the passenger refuses he cannot make them move just to be a convenience to you.

I realize it was late, you were tired, didn't want to wait and still had another bus. However, I do think your expectation was convenience for you outside the normal procedures.

No, there is just one bus. It’s a 15 minute ride each way plus unloading and loading. So it would have been a minimum of 40 minutes and possibly more. A 20 minute wait is usual between buses but not 40.

If the bus were full, I wouldn’t have insisted but there were other seats available for the displaced people.

But, it does sound like he acted within the bounds of the rules so I won’t report him. But, I still think he should have offered to ask the people to move instead of leaving us there for a long time.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, report it to Disney. It’s then up to Disney to determine if there were any policy violations but at least they will know you as their customer were dissatisfied with your experience.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Isn't it a law for people to get up for handicapped seating?

I understand a bus driver can't physically brute force a kook out of the seat if the person literally refuses to move, noone wants a brawl or anything. However, it's also not as if the bus driver is doing you a favor by reminding people what the law says about who gets a spot. Also, those spots usually literally have the blue and white symbol and a little sign that informs if a handicapped person shows up they may be asked to vacate.

I do understand you noticing that this same driver got his or her nose out of joint and became gruff when you wanted to position yourself into the space at an earlier point so I assume you feel like there might have been some kind of grudge in play with the offhand expectation for you to stay behind, or an I reading this wrong? If so this is tricky because that's just not cool. I am immunocompromised, there is no way I am ever willingly letting someone else slobber all over my stuff no matter how annoyed they get, what you are or are not OK with is your business and their annoyance is not your problem.

 

[lanejudy]

Isn't it a law for people to get up for handicapped seating?

No. ADA requires the driver to ask people to move from those seats, but federal law does not require the seats to be vacated. Some states may have stricter variances on that. It's also important to note that standard procedure at WDW parks is to load the mobility device(s) first; once that is done and other guests are allowed to board they are allowed any open seats. Not everyone with a disability uses a mobility device but may need a seat.

I'm glad people moved and the driver was able to accommodate, but the request was outside of standard procedure so to the OP's question -- no, I see no need to "report" the bus driver for this.

 

[LuvOrlando]

No. ADA requires the driver to ask people to move from those seats, but federal law does not require the seats to be vacated. Some states may have stricter variances on that. It's also important to note that standard procedure at WDW parks is to load the mobility device(s) first; once that is done and other guests are allowed to board they are allowed any open seats. Not everyone with a disability uses a mobility device but may need a seat.

I'm glad people moved and the driver was able to accommodate, but the request was outside of standard procedure so to the OP's question -- no, I see no need to "report" the bus driver for this.

But ADA is a Civil rights Law, the response is confusing to me, is ADA not a law to you?

I just looked it up a second time and what I am reading says ADA is a Civil Rights Law.

That does't mean the driver is expected to fight people over it or drag them out of their seats anymore than littering is meant to inspire fights, but these things are laws (unless there is something new) whether people observe them or not. Did you read that ADA isn't a Civil Rights Law or something similar?

 

[lanejudy]

But ADA is a Civil rights Law, the response is confusing to me, is ADA not a law to you?

I'm not sure what's confusing. You asked "Isn't it a law for people to get up for handicapped seating?" and I replied "no" because it it not. The ADA only requires a bus driver to ASK other riders to move, not require them to move.

 

[Debbie Jean]

There is no way you can know whether someone sitting in the seat has a hidden handicap and for a reason you cannot know doesn’t want to move. The driver can ask and the passenger can say no.

It sounds like when the OP indicated she didn’t want to wait for him to return, the driver asked passengers to move, however, they did and he boarded the scooter.

As someone who has used a scooter at WDW for over a dozen years my perspective is different. If I arrive after boarding has started, I ask the driver whether he/she can still take me. They will let me know what the safest alternative is under the circumstance. Sometimes they will find a way to board me which is, of course, appreciated but sometimes I wait. And yes, even when there are multiple buses running depending on the time, it can be in excess of 40 minutes, for example AKV.

Bus drivers sometimes ask whether I need help boarding. I’ve done it for years and I’m good. But if they insist, I simply say “have at it” though I often tell them about the CM who ran over her own toe backing me up the ramp… true story lol

Anyway, it is easy when you are tired to feel extra cranky but I always try to pack my patience.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'm not sure what's confusing. You asked "Isn't it a law for people to get up for handicapped seating?" and I replied "no" because it it not. The ADA only requires a bus driver to ASK other riders to move, not require them to move.

Ohhh I see, so the point of view you are taking is that the people sitting in the seats are under no legal obligation to move. That is a bananas thought. Then to me it is a good thing public shaming is a thing because I would certainly be giving some ugly looks to someone who was asked and refused to move, I can't imaging ever spitefully doing such a thing. I'm handicapped so if asked I would move and if I could not, which happened on a plane once, I would explain I am also handicapped and quite unable to manage even though I look ok I am not.

 

[lanejudy]

Ohhh I see, so the point of view you are taking is that the people sitting in the seats are under no legal obligation to move.

It's not my point of view, it's the correct answer to your question. There is no law that requires a rider to move from those seats, the rider can refuse. Interesting take from you -- someone who deals with an invisible disability and does not use a mobility device; I would expect you to realize a person may walk onto the bus yet still be disabled and need a seat.

 

[Mle8308]

Ohhh I see, so the point of view you are taking is that the people sitting in the seats are under no legal obligation to move. That is a bananas thought. Then to me it is a good thing public shaming is a thing because I would certainly be giving some ugly looks to someone who was asked and refused to move, I can't imaging ever spitefully doing such a thing. I'm handicapped so if asked I would move and if I could not, which happened on a plane once, I would explain I am also handicapped and quite unable to manage even though I look ok I am not.

That is a terrible thing to say. As others have mentioned, how do you know if one of those people you are advocating to publicly shame has a less obvious disability? Perhaps a veteran with prosthetic leg hidden under pants you cannot see? Yeah, go ahead and publicly shame that veteran!

 

[easyas123]

Ohhh I see, so the point of view you are taking is that the people sitting in the seats are under no legal obligation to move. That is a bananas thought. Then to me it is a good thing public shaming is a thing because I would certainly be giving some ugly looks to someone who was asked and refused to move, I can't imaging ever spitefully doing such a thing. I'm handicapped so if asked I would move and if I could not, which happened on a plane once, I would explain I am also handicapped and quite unable to manage even though I look ok I am not.

Respecfully, I think it is rather presumptuous of you to assume that those with hidden disabilities either have a obligation to explain to you or anyone else what that disability is or that they'd want to be placed in a situation where they'd have to explain to a bus full of people what their disability is because you demand they do so.

Perhaps in this case public shaming only makes the shamer look ugly.

 

[elvispursley]

@robinb, surely FW has internal buses running on nights where there are EEH/AH/parties that exceed normal park closing hours for regular guests? I've never stayed at FW. but have visited (once to retrieve my wallet that got left behind at HDD) and I completely understand how sprawling the resort is. We've definitely stayed at sprawling resorts (OKW & SSR come to mind) but know their buses don't truly have that "internal" bus that FW has).

As for reporting, if you're feeling the need to question it here. you might as well voice your concerns over it with Disney. I think I'd be more concerned about transportation getting back to FW and the internal FW bus (but I really can't imagine that Disney shuts that down knowing that the cabins qualify for the EEH and guests would need transportation after the MK closes from those hours). Curious to know if you've asked about the internal bus hours for EEH in the FW thread?

 

[LuvOrlando]

It's not my point of view, it's the correct answer to your question. There is no law that requires a rider to move from those seats, the rider can refuse. Interesting take from you -- someone who deals with an invisible disability and does not use a mobility device; I would expect you to realize a person may walk onto the bus yet still be disabled and need a seat.

Are you saying person with an invisible disability is the same as a person who just simply does not want to move and as a person with an invisible disability I should be understanding of a person just not wanting to move?

 

[LuvOrlando]

Respecfully, I think it is rather presumptuous of you to assume that those with hidden disabilities either have a obligation to explain to you or anyone else what that disability is or that they'd want to be placed in a situation where they'd have to explain to a bus full of people what their disability is because you demand they do so.

Perhaps in this case public shaming only makes the shamer look ugly.

Well I have a hidden disability and basically sitting in a disabled seat and parking in the disabled spot with my placard is throwing it out there.

I tell people off all the time for being rude, give snarky comebacks and would totally shame a person for being terrible person and on top of that would not feel the slightest bit of anything about it. If a person wants to be awful I am not going to sit and take it in real life, if a person is being terrible to a disabled or vulnerable person then someone needs to tell them and I am ok with being that someone.

People have a right to be awful, this is true, but I am also well within my rights to inform them they are awful.

 

[Mle8308]

Well I have a hidden disability and basically sitting in a disabled seat and parking in the disabled spot with my placard is throwing it out there.

I tell people off all the time for being rude, give snarky comebacks and would totally shame a person for being terrible person and on top of that would not feel the slightest bit of anything about it. If a person wants to be awful I am not going to sit and take it in real life, if a person is being terrible to a disabled or vulnerable person then someone needs to tell them and I am ok with being that someone.

People have a right to be awful, this is true, but I am also well within my rights to inform them they are awful.

And you’d be showing the world the awful person you are. Look in the mirror. Your invisible disability is valid, but not anyone else’s. Ok….

 

[robinb]

For those who were worried about the other people on the bus, there were many open seats for them to move to. People with possible invisible disabilities had a place to sit and they moved when asked. If the bus were full, I would not have even insisted. I would have taken my bad-luck lumps just like when there are 2 mobility devices already in line. The thing is he didn’t even offer to ask people to people at 11:30 at night and the default was leaving us there for 40 minutes until I pointed out there were seats available.

@Debbie Jean, I absolutely do pack a lot of patience. I know using the scooter takes a lot more time and I’m used to it.

And yes, @LuvOrlando I did feel the driver was holding a grudge for the first ride. Plus, my DH are sharing the scooter this trip. I have a bum knee and now sore hip and he has an ankle tendon injury and is wearing a brace. We are trading off on who gets to ride and who gets to gimp along so we each do equal miles on the ground. It’s been working well for us and we don’t need a second scooter. But, my DH drove up to the bus home and I drove to the MK. I’m sure the driver had some judgements.

@elvispursley, I actually asked at the front desk and they said the internal buses stopped after a certain amount of time after last park closure. Unfortunately, I couldn’t remember if it was 90 or 120 minutes. If we had waited we would be pretty close to the 90 minute mark when we arrived at FW.

 

[hardcorestitch]

We drive a scooter when we visit Walt Disney World.

We had a bad experience with a bus driver that drives the bus between Fort wilderness and Magic Kingdom last night.

We got on his bus to go to the Magic Kingdom and we are the only ones on it. He wanted to park my scooter for me, but I’ve gotten pretty good at it so I said I could do it myself. He scolded me, “people are waiting!” Even though we were the only two people on the bus. Of course I got flustered and messed it up and it took me longer to park then if he had just left me alone.

When we came home to Fort Wilderness after the Deluxe Extra Hours at the MK (we’re in a DVC cabin) we arrived at the bus stop at about 11:30 and the bus was already loading. The same driver loaded the rest of the people and then came out to speak to us. He asked us if we could wait for him to drop off all the people on the bus to Fort wilderness and come back and get us which would have been a 30 to 40 minute wait. There were people seated where the scooter would go he apparently didn’t want to move them, even though there were other seats on the bus. We said “no” and he grumbled and moved them for us. FWIW, there is only one single bus that was servicing the route.

I could accept his jerky move on the way to the MK, but asking us to wait 30-40 minutes for him to come back to retrieve us because he didn’t want to move people is too much IMO. Keep in mind, we also had to take another internal bus at FW to our cabin and they stop running at some point and it was already 11:30 at night.

So, am I the sphincter for expecting him to move people to another available seat in order to park the scooter or is he the sphincter for asking us to wait 40 more minutes and possibly miss the last internal bus back to our cabin?

If I’m not the sphincter, should I report him?

At minimum, note about this when you get a survey from Disney…

 

[LuvOrlando]

And you’d be showing the world the awful person you are. Look in the mirror. Your invisible disability is valid, but not anyone else’s. Ok….

How did you get to this conclusion?

Do you really believe that a disabled person sitting in a disabled seat who is asked to move for a chair or scooter is likely to just flat out say no without offering a reason instead of offering an explanation such as "I'm disabled too," if asked to move for the chair or scooter by the bus driver? Really?

In the OPs instance this was not the case, the only person who seemed to have an issue was the bus driver because when asked to move the people moved, like normal people do.