Snacks on buses?

[atwinhusen]

My next trip we will be using Disney transportation exclusively rather than our usual of renting a car. It seems on other posts folks have commented on drinking (coffee, soda,etc) and eating ( granola bar etc) on buses---some saying it wasn't allowed, others saying they did routinely. What's the right answer? Also what is the rule about eating & drinking on DME? This will be a trip with just me and my 5 year old, and he is much happier with a snack & drink always available! Thanks for any enlightening information you can share

 

[smitch425]

My next trip we will be using Disney transportation exclusively rather than our usual of renting a car. It seems on other posts folks have commented on drinking (coffee, soda,etc) and eating ( granola bar etc) on buses---some saying it wasn't allowed, others saying they did routinely. What's the right answer? Also what is the rule about eating & drinking on DME? This will be a trip with just me and my 5 year old, and he is much happier with a snack & drink always available! Thanks for any enlightening information you can share

The rule is no eating or drinking on ANY of the buses, including and especially ME (cloth seats). You can eat and drink in the line for the buses, though. Have a great trip!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by atwinhusen

My next trip we will be using Disney transportation exclusively rather than our usual of renting a car. It seems on other posts folks have commented on drinking (coffee, soda,etc) and eating ( granola bar etc) on buses---some saying it wasn't allowed, others saying they did routinely. What's the right answer? Also what is the rule about eating & drinking on DME? This will be a trip with just me and my 5 year old, and he is much happier with a snack & drink always available! Thanks for any enlightening information you can share

The rule is no eating or drinking on ANY of the buses, including and especially ME (cloth seats). You can eat and drink in the line for the buses, though. Have a great trip!

We have almost always boarded ME beverage in hand and asked the bus drivers if it was okay and all have said it was fine! Now on the other hand, they do not allow you to eat/drink on the buses on property. I have even witnessed people eat items such as donuts or fast food such as chick fila on ME on various occasions and NONE of the drivers said a word!! Remember they are run by Mears not Disney...I know the driver saw the food too on two of the occasions. So I disagree that eating/drinking on ME in a problem.


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[fiestamomma]

I don't know about ME, but I do know all the buses you'll take from resort to park and vice versa will remind you on the overheard that eating and drinking is not allowed

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[goofy4tink]

We have almost always boarded ME beverage in hand and asked the bus drivers if it was okay and all have said it was fine! Now on the other hand, they do not allow you to eat/drink on the buses on property. I have even witnessed people eat items such as donuts or fast food such as chick fila on ME on various occasions and NONE of the drivers said a word!! Remember they are run by Mears not Disney...I know the driver saw the food too on two of the occasions. So I disagree that eating/drinking on ME in a problem.


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I've always been told that eating is not allowed on the DME buses. Why? Have you seen the mess left behind by some people?? Kids spill things. Now, the driver has to clean that up before the bus can make it's next run.
It's just common courtesy to not bring open containers of drink, or food on the DME buses. If you have to have a snack, then do so prior to boarding. There's plenty of time to do so.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stitchlovestink

We have almost always boarded ME beverage in hand and asked the bus drivers if it was okay and all have said it was fine! Now on the other hand, they do not allow you to eat/drink on the buses on property. I have even witnessed people eat items such as donuts or fast food such as chick fila on ME on various occasions and NONE of the drivers said a word!! Remember they are run by Mears not Disney...I know the driver saw the food too on two of the occasions. So I disagree that eating/drinking on ME in a problem.


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I've always been told that eating is not allowed on the DME buses. Why? Have you seen the mess left behind by some people?? Kids spill things. Now, the driver has to clean that up before the bus can make it's next run.
It's just common courtesy to not bring open containers of drink, or food on the DME buses. If you have to have a snack, then do so prior to boarding. There's plenty of time to do so.

My beverage has either been in a lidded container or a bottle thank you very much. Again, drivers have seen it. I make no attempt to hide it. I personally, have had no desire to eat on ME, but until I am told otherwise by the driver or someone of authority (not the Dis) I will continue to consume my beverage on ME!

And that is your opinion of common courtesy not to eat on the bus. I see nothing wrong with it as long as said person removes their own trash and doesn't leave a mess behind. And I've seen people sucessfully do this! I think there are other people do things on ME that do NOT exhibit common courtesy towards their fellow travelers BUT the OP asked were they allowed to have food/bev on ME and the Disney Buses. I am sharing w/ OP what I have experienced! Disagree with it all you want, but my experiences are what they are!


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[Brian Noble]

IIRC, the buses (ME and WDW) all have no eating/no drinking signs in them. People routinely do anyway. I confess to having brought a coffee on the bus once or twice, but I felt bad about it.

 

[goofy4tink]

My beverage has either been in a lidded container or a bottle thank you very much. Again, drivers have seen it. I make no attempt to hide it. I personally, have had no desire to eat on ME, but until I am told otherwise by the driver or someone of authority (not the Dis) I will continue to consume my beverage on ME!

And that is your opinion of common courtesy not to eat on the bus. I see nothing wrong with it as long as said person removes their own trash and doesn't leave a mess behind. And I've seen people sucessfully do this! I think there are other people do things on ME that do NOT exhibit common courtesy towards their fellow travelers BUT the OP asked were they allowed to have food/bev on ME and the Disney Buses. I am sharing w/ OP what I have experienced! Disagree with it all you want, but my experiences are what they are!


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Umm, I truly believe that my experiences are valid as well. You just had a different experience!!!
I have seen the messes people leave behind...like the seat smeared with peanut butter, from the sandwich that a very young child had 'eaten'...finger painted with it is a more apt description. I have also had to sweep the Cheerios off my seat before being seated. Thank heaven they were dry.
Yes, most people are courteous. And most people take their trash with them...but some don't.

As I often say here, it's good to have as much information as possible. I can only relate what I've been told, or seen. As a Transportation board moderator, I am always checking this stuff out...just to be as up to date as possible.
But again, others have differing experiences. But that doesn't negate mine.

 

[LilyWDW]

My beverage has either been in a lidded container or a bottle thank you very much. Again, drivers have seen it. I make no attempt to hide it. I personally, have had no desire to eat on ME, but until I am told otherwise by the driver or someone of authority (not the Dis) I will continue to consume my beverage on ME!

And that is your opinion of common courtesy not to eat on the bus. I see nothing wrong with it as long as said person removes their own trash and doesn't leave a mess behind. And I've seen people sucessfully do this! I think there are other people do things on ME that do NOT exhibit common courtesy towards their fellow travelers BUT the OP asked were they allowed to have food/bev on ME and the Disney Buses. I am sharing w/ OP what I have experienced! Disagree with it all you want, but my experiences are what they are!


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I have personally seen someone not allowed to get on the ME bus with open food and drink. Thus, my experience says that it is not allowed. I do know that the property buses actually announce that you are not allowed to eat or drink on them.

Thus, I would NOT count on being able to eat or drink on ME or any property buses because you CAN be denied. Better to plan for the worst.

 

[smitch425]

To be clear, the is NO rule about bringing food or a closed bottle (or mug with a lid) onto the bus. There IS a rule that you are not supposed to physically eat or drink on the bus. Two totally separate things.

ETA: The food on the bus should be in a container, not just walking on the bus with a sandwich in your hand.

 

[TDC Nala]

The rule on Disney transportation is no eating or drinking on the buses. You are allowed to bring a sealed beverage container onboard, like a bottle of Coke or your resort mug with the lid. Open cups are not allowed.

Once I did see a huge group eat their breakfast on the bus to MK. Dropped crumbs everywhere. I wonder if the bus driver got cited when his bus had to be cleaned.

 

[aubriee]

To be clear, the is NO rule about bringing food or a closed bottle (or mug with a lid) onto the bus. There IS a rule that you are not supposed to physically eat or drink on the bus. Two totally separate things.

ETA: The food on the bus should be in a container, not just walking on the bus with a sandwich in your hand.

True! I was called out by a DME driver about a year ago. I had an unopened bottle of water in my hand when I tried to board the bus. He said, "you are not planning on drinking that on my bus are you?" I laughed and said 'I guess not'. He gave me a thumbs up and said "good decision. I don't allow drinking or eating on my bus. If I let you I'd have to let all the little rug rats, which would leave me with a mess to clean up every night". He did allow me to carry it on the bus though, with the understanding that it would stay sealed. I also saw a DME driver just this past May get onto some people for eating on the bus. The family in like the 3rd and 4th row opened a box of fudge that was in one of those boxes you get from Goofy's Candy store and started to pass some fudge around among themselves. The driver saw them in his mirror and immediately announced that there was no eating or drinking allowed on DME buses.

 

[stitchlovestink]

To be clear, the is NO rule about bringing food or a closed bottle (or mug with a lid) onto the bus. There IS a rule that you are not supposed to physically eat or drink on the bus. Two totally separate things.

ETA: The food on the bus should be in a container, not just walking on the bus with a sandwich in your hand.

I think we are all in agreement that there is no eating/drinking allowed on Disney buses although you can bring food/beverages on board, you just may not consume them while onboard.

We disagree on ME. Remember these are NOT Disney buses. They are run by Mears. I think this may be a case of being up to the driver because if it were that much of an issue they would have signs posted stating such or consistiently making announcements on ALL the buses. DD and I get on carrying soda cups with straws. Do you think the driver really thought we were just going to hold that cup for potentially an hour's ride depending on which drop off we were with out drinking it??? Really???


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[joelkfla]

Absolutely no eating on Disney Transport buses.

Officially, no drinking either. But unofficially, I have a hard time separating people from their morning coffee, or denying them a drink when I know they've been standing in 90+ degree heat. If it's in a covered container that looks like it won't slurp out, a lot of drivers will allow it.

 

[brockash]

We have almost always boarded ME beverage in hand and asked the bus drivers if it was okay and all have said it was fine! Now on the other hand, they do not allow you to eat/drink on the buses on property. I have even witnessed people eat items such as donuts or fast food such as chick fila on ME on various occasions and NONE of the drivers said a word!! Remember they are run by Mears not Disney...I know the driver saw the food too on two of the occasions. So I disagree that eating/drinking on ME in a problem.


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Yes, this is our experience as well. We often stop and get the kids something to go at MCO when we first land and they eat it on the ME. We used to ask if it was okay, but we've stopped even asking, because it has never been a problem.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, this is our experience as well. We often stop and get the kids something to go at MCO when we first land and they eat it on the ME. We used to ask if it was okay, but we've stopped even asking, because it has never been a problem.

There are signs on the ME buses that eating and drinking is not allowed. Now who knows if the drivers care, but the signs are there.

Think about it. Do you think the driver wants to have to stop and clean up after people? Because no matter how neat people intend to be, accidents happen. Do you think Disney wants a bus route slowed down, because the driver has to stop and clean up their bus? Do you think the people waiting for that bus to show up would understand that someone's child just had to eat, and couldn't do it in the airport or wait until they were at the resort? Not to mention all of the bugs that live in Orlando that would just love to hop on that bus and have some of the crumbs left behind.

 

[gmeh1]

There are signs on the ME buses that eating and drinking is not allowed. Now who knows if the drivers care, but the signs are there.

Think about it. Do you think the driver wants to have to stop and clean up after people? Because no matter how neat people intend to be, accidents happen. Do you think Disney wants a bus route slowed down, because the driver has to stop and clean up their bus? Do you think the people waiting for that bus to show up would understand that someone's child just had to eat, and couldn't do it in the airport or wait until they were at the resort? Not to mention all of the bugs that live in Orlando that would just love to hop on that bus and have some of the crumbs left behind.

Great post, I like your consideration for others and common sense. Kudos!!!

 

[gmeh1]

Yes, this is our experience as well. We often stop and get the kids something to go at MCO when we first land and they eat it on the ME. We used to ask if it was okay, but we've stopped even asking, because it has never been a problem.

According to the drivers I have spoken with, Eating and drinking is NOT allowed. There are signs to that effect. It is not ok and it should be a problem, rules are rules.

 

[stitchlovestink]

According to the drivers I have spoken with, Eating and drinking is NOT allowed. There are signs to that effect. It is not ok and it should be a problem, rules are rules.

Okay,
I called Magical Express Directly spoke with a supervisor. They went thru all their paper work. There is NOTHING IN WRITING that says you cannot eat or drink on a Magical Express bus so it is Driver's rule NOT a ME RULE! That said...as far as the sign too, the DRIVER has put that sign up, NOT Mears! And the Supervisor also brought to my attention that guests travelling on the Cruise Line Transfers ARE ALLOWED food/beverages which are the same buses often used to transfer people back and forth to MCO/WDW. So those of us saying that food and beverages are allowed on ME are not wrong. Now I'm not going to say that those of you who were told by your drivers that you were not allowed to have food and beverages were wrong either. But I will say that those drivers don't have anything in writing from the company to back up 'their rule' should someone choose to challenge it.
So NOT all of the buses have the no food/drink signs in them because obviously the Cruiseline buses don't if they allow food/drink and I know some of the 'regular' ME we have ridden didn't. If the bus has one, the driver has put it up, not Mears. The only sign we consistently see on each and every bus was that annoying one basically 'begging' for gratuities.

 

[gmeh1]

Okay,
I called Magical Express Directly spoke with a supervisor. They went thru all their paper work. There is NOTHING IN WRITING that says you cannot eat or drink on a Magical Express bus so it is Driver's rule NOT a ME RULE! That said...as far as the sign too, the DRIVER has put that sign up, NOT Mears! And the Supervisor also brought to my attention that guests travelling on the Cruise Line Transfers ARE ALLOWED food/beverages which are the same buses often used to transfer people back and forth to MCO/WDW. So those of us saying that food and beverages are allowed on ME are not wrong. Now I'm not going to say that those of you who were told by your drivers that you were not allowed to have food and beverages were wrong either. But I will say that those drivers don't have anything in writing from the company to back up 'their rule' should someone choose to challenge it.
So NOT all of the buses have the no food/drink signs in them because obviously the Cruiseline buses don't if they allow food/drink and I know some of the 'regular' ME we have ridden didn't. If the bus has one, the driver has put it up, not Mears. The only sign we consistently see on each and every bus was that annoying one basically 'begging' for gratuities.

Disney does not own these busses, Mears does and from what I have been given to believe, it is Mear's policy.
Not surprised about the tip signs, it is a service industry and they do rely on tips, just like cab drivers, valets, servers, etc. From my observations over the last year or so, that sign is often ignored. To each his/her own.