Standing room only on buses

[LaughinPlace289]

I know exactly what you mean. With some people it's not who needs it the most, but who is fastest.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

These type of threads are one reason I drive. Although like some previous posters said, I had no negative experiences in the past, and actually have fond memories of bus rides. But after reading all these posts, I think I would feel too guilty to sit.

 

[LilyWDW]

I find it actually a bit disturbing that people would get on a packed bus and simply expect that by getting on that someone would give them their seat. I mean, it is polite to give a seat to someone who is in need of it, be then elderly, with a small child, or disabled. But to get on a bus and expect it, especially if the bus is standing room only... well that's just silly.

And I also have a problem when it is said that 20 somethings who look healthy are obviously being rude for not giving up their seats. I am a 25 year old healthy looking female... but I have sever knee issues. Not enough to be in a wheel chair or even use crutches but when it flares up it is the worse pain I have ever known. I normally do not even wear shorts so you would be unable to see my brace or my swollen knee as evidance. When it isn't acting up, it looks like any other knee. However, I have almost no cartiledge in my left knee and my ligaments are very streched out due to a soccer injury. I can be standing still and turn just a bit and have my knee pop backwards in the joint. When the injury flares up, it would be not only painful for me to stand, but dangerous as well. I would have no way to balance myself during the stop and starts of the bus.

What I am saying is that if the bus is full, don't get on and expect a seat. Wait for the next one. Also, don't believe that everyone who "looks" like they can stand actually can.

 

[dreamergirl78]

We stayed at Pop in May and the buses were full on some occassions. MY husband and I had to stand a few times, but we were standing up, trying to hold onto something while holding a sleeping child , a backpack and a stroller. I looked around and saw several younger people sitting. Couldn't one of them get up and offer a seat? Where is the common courtesy? When my children are awake and we find seats on the bus, we always make them sit on our laps to make room for other people to sit. My husband has also offered his seat while both of my children sit on my lap. I couldn't understand why no one would offer their seat to me. They could clearly see that it was unsafe for me to be standing. I wondered if maybe people think that it is my problem because they are tired and deserve a seat as much as I do and the fact that i have a child is also my problem. But surely people can't be thinking like that. If i was someone like that i would be truly embarassed for not offering my seat.

VERY well said. My friend and I were talking about this tonight. When did we as a whole stop being kind to one another? I get people waited for an empty bus so they could sit, trust me I really do get it. But you have to be joking when you still would refuse to give up a seat to someone who needs it a heck of a lot more than you do. Hidden disabilities are fine too. And probably the exception to the rule. Obviously nobody would expect them to get up. But if you are just going to remain planted because you feel "entitled" well then I am sad that this is what we as a nation (in general) have become. We really need to get over ourselves.

 

[dreamergirl78]

My DH always gives up his seat for any children and any women young, old, holding baby or not. I guess we are old fashion but I believe he is a true gentlemen and a great example to our thirteen year old son(who will also be giving his seat up now that he is a young man).

Can I just say THANK YOU!!! Exactly how we are raising our son. Way to go. Nothing wrong with a little "Old fashioned" kindness and chivalry.

 

[x morgan]

I've grown up knowing that it's common courtesy to give your seat to people more in need than you are. We've been going to Disney since I was about 6, when I could still sit on my Mom's lap. When I was about 10 I started offering my seats to elderly men or women, younger children, or pregnant women/women with small children. I always stand too so my mom, grandma or aunt can sit too. I guess it was just the way I was raised...When I see a person in need, there's no doubt in my mind to give my seat to them. Yes you're tired, and you're hot, but so are they, and they need it more than you do. Be generous and make someone's day a little easier. It's not that hard.

 

[mattsdragon]

Man, after reading about everyone's trials and tribulations on the bus, I have to ask why more people don't just drive themselves to avoid any possible altercations. I guess some people would rather put up with the inconvenience since it's a free bus ride, and then b**** on the DISboard when they get home. (Taximom, with your paranoia, you need to take a car and not worry about flailing your limbs all over the bus in case there is another accident.)

I love these threads because it's fun to watch fur fly. You would think by the way everyone always talks that people with disabilities outnumber those of us who are healthy.

 

[Rudegrle]

I dont ever expect a seat when riding a WDW bus, I know better than that. In fact, the only time I'll sit down is if there is room, I have no problem giving my seat up to anyone that might need it or be more comfortable in it. On the flip side, no one should ever get on the bus expecting a seat because we all have the option of wating for the next bus to arrive where you will have first pick.

 

[stemikger]

Originally quoted by micci41
My gripe is the parents that allow children to sit in a seat while there are older folks or parents holding children and having to stand. Where are peoples manners?

My gripe is that people should mind their own business. First of all don't always assume someone is in good health that dosen't appear to be handicapped. I personally give up my seat for older people, but that is my choice. However, I do not judge others for not doing it.

After all, if I was on the bus first why should you get my seat. If you really want a seat that bad wait for the next bus. By looking at me you would think I was healthy, but you don't know what problems I have where I can't give up a seat. In all fairness, the people who waited on line longer to be up front should be the ones sitting.

There was another person on these boards who thought all adults should give up their seats for kids (which I think is totally absurd). You say all kids should give up their seats for adults.

Like I said I personally get up for older people, women holding babies and pregnant women. But I don't like the feeling of people judging me for not getting up for everyone who happens to look tired. I have several health conditions that are not apparent, so when I really need to sit, I wait for the next bus, so I would be at the front of the line.

If sitting is such a big deal to you, you should wait for the next bus also, and stop being a noisy paints.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well now...thought this subject was pretty well hashed out over on the Transportation Boards!! You know....it may be time for a change in the way the buses board. People board, but just enough to fill in the available seats, after, of course, those who need special seating. Then, once all are seated, the driver informs those in line that it is not SRO. If you want a seat, please remain in line for the next bus. If you are traveling to WDW with three little ones, 2 strollers and various kid paraphenalia, then you realize that that is the 'cost of doing business' in WDW so to speak. I've been there, I know how it goes.
I have yet to see too much blatant rudeness on the buses. Most people get up and offer a seat to someone if they see a need. I just don't see it as big a problem as others see it. sure, there are going to be incidences where it happens, but after over 10 trips to WDW, in the past 6 years, all of it on WDW buses, I can safely say that only once or twice have I seen flagrant disregard for someone's need to sit on a bus.

 

[taximomfor4]

(Taximom, with your paranoia, you need to take a car and not worry about flailing your limbs all over the bus in case there is another accident.)

I love these threads because it's fun to watch fur fly. You would think by the way everyone always talks that people with disabilities outnumber those of us who are healthy.

Yes, we are driving down next time, thus will have a vehicle. We will probably drive as much as possible. Although I don't see why you think I NEED to. We figured out a way to work it out on the buses that are included in our wdw vacation. I don't get how my point can be so missed. I am saying that not everyone does things the same. We can both be NOT rude.

I mean, a stroller or backpack taking up a seat. Hmmm. Sounds rude alright. But a living human being in a seat? (Even a pint-sized one?) How can I get mad about that? So we wait for another bus and get on, get seated, DH and oldest dd give up seats. So see? Our kids ARE learning manners. They have great role models and, when I deem them ready, I will let them give up their seats as well.

 

[taximomfor4]

(Taximom, with your paranoia, you need to take a car and not worry about flailing your limbs all over the bus in case there is another accident.)

I love these threads because it's fun to watch fur fly. You would think by the way everyone always talks that people with disabilities outnumber those of us who are healthy.

How do you know I am paranoid? I believe I said that with one child on my lap, I didn't have the ability to help support the other two. I learned from trial and error (which included an injury) to try a different way. With one kid on my right and 2 on my left (or vice versa), I can support all of them when necessary. I don't think paranoia is a very fair word, and is quite insulting.

 

[disneymom2one]

I bolded the sentence I am responding to because IMHO you hit the nail on the head. My sil is not healthy, but looks perfectly healthy and according to your post and many others she would be considered rude. She is not rude.

She looks great and is young so would not fit into the category of those you would give up your seat for. Due to her MS she would wait for the next bus rather than stand and she would not give up her seat because she can't.

So you can't assume or decide by looking at someone if they are rude or disabled. Many are probably just tired - but for me its just better to assume that they got the seat and it is up to them to sit in it or give it up. Its really not my business why they are sitting.

Honestly, if you don't want to stand wait for the next bus, grab a cab or rent a car, IMHO its just that simple. If you decide to board and are willing to stand great, if someone gives up a seat its a bonus but not a given.

TJ

I'm bolding this part of your post because this is something we face each and every time we visit WDW (and we go at least twice a year). We have a soon to be eleven year old who looks (and mostly acts) perfectly normal. But she has Asperger's and extreme sensitivity to movement. Standing on busses terrifies her. Otherwise she loves riding them. But we absolutely allow her to sit on a bus each time - and with her lanky legs she's just too big to sit on our laps anymore. But the thing is ... you would never, ever know looking at her that anything was amiss.

MB

 

[corrinna]

My 12 yo ds has been going to disney for 3 years and is always one of the first kids who would be happy to give up his seat for someone else. I have also given up my seat for older people and people with small children. I think this is just the polite thing to do.

I, however do agree that not all people are able to stand, and I agree with the above posters about you can't always tell by looking at someone whether they have a disability or not. For example people think my mom looks like she is in her early 40's when indeed she is 53 with severe arthritis in her knees. She usually walks getting on and off buses, but has to rent a scooter to really get around at the parks. Her knees give out on her so easily that she falls because it happens just that quick.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

How do you know I am paranoid? I believe I said that with one child on my lap, I didn't have the ability to help support the other two. I learned from trial and error (which included an injury) to try a different way. With one kid on my right and 2 on my left (or vice versa), I can support all of them when necessary. I don't think paranoia is a very fair word, and is quite insulting.

 

[NJDad18]

Let me share something that happened to us on one of our last trips. It doesn't have to do with the bus, but it does have to do with giving up seats. DW and I were on an adults only trip for our 10th anniversary and we arrived very early to watch the LK show at AK. We sat in the front row. Granted we had to wait something like 25 minutes until the show started. We are not big people, I'm 5'6 and DW is 5'3 so the front row was a nice treat for us. Two minutes before the show started as they were not allowing any more people inside a couple with their 2 kids who just came in (we were checking out all of the families with kids since we did not have ours) and they came up to us and asked us if they could have our seats so their kids could see. DW said, "We arrived 25 minutes before the show starts so we could have these seats." The husband got all bent out of shape with us because we would not give up our seats. He had this disgusted look on his face. DW then said, "When we have our kids with us we arrive just as early so they can get a good seat."

I still stand by our decision to not give up those seats. They were not entitled to them because they had their children with them and we did not.

 

[ReneeA]

We never had any problem with rude people on the busses, and last time we went, we had our 2 & 3 year olds with us. I guess I don't really let things get to me, though.

There wer a couple times DH & I stood and nice older people in the seats offered to sit the kids on their laps (my kids are very social and friendly and had no problems with it), and other times where my kids sat shared a seat/lap with us.

 

[shasess]

Let me share something that happened to us on one of our last trips. It doesn't have to do with the bus, but it does have to do with giving up seats. DW and I were on an adults only trip for our 10th anniversary and we arrived very early to watch the LK show at AK. We sat in the front row. Granted we had to wait something like 25 minutes until the show started. We are not big people, I'm 5'6 and DW is 5'3 so the front row was a nice treat for us. Two minutes before the show started as they were not allowing any more people inside a couple with their 2 kids who just came in (we were checking out all of the families with kids since we did not have ours) and they came up to us and asked us if they could have our seats so their kids could see. DW said, "We arrived 25 minutes before the show starts so we could have these seats." The husband got all bent out of shape with us because we would not give up our seats. He had this disgusted look on his face. DW then said, "When we have our kids with us we arrive just as early so they can get a good seat."

I still stand by our decision to not give up those seats. They were not entitled to them because they had their children with them and we did not.

I cant believe those people expected you to give up your seats to them. They were being ridiculous.....I think you guys made they right decision

 

[daisax]

They were not entitled to them because they had their children with them and we did not.​

Sounds like my friends' neighbors. Bought a postage stamp plot of land, put a house, pool AND tennis court on it, and then expected their children to be able to play in my friend's yard "because we only have this three foot strip of grass along the driveway, and on your side it's practically a whole yard, and you don't even use it."

To which my friend's husband replied "We have an extra bedroom we don't use, and you can't have that, either!"

 

[traviesojmt]

Let me share something that happened to us on one of our last trips. It doesn't have to do with the bus, but it does have to do with giving up seats. DW and I were on an adults only trip for our 10th anniversary and we arrived very early to watch the LK show at AK. We sat in the front row. Granted we had to wait something like 25 minutes until the show started. We are not big people, I'm 5'6 and DW is 5'3 so the front row was a nice treat for us. Two minutes before the show started as they were not allowing any more people inside a couple with their 2 kids who just came in (we were checking out all of the families with kids since we did not have ours) and they came up to us and asked us if they could have our seats so their kids could see. DW said, "We arrived 25 minutes before the show starts so we could have these seats." The husband got all bent out of shape with us because we would not give up our seats. He had this disgusted look on his face. DW then said, "When we have our kids with us we arrive just as early so they can get a good seat."

I still stand by our decision to not give up those seats. They were not entitled to them because they had their children with them and we did not.

As the mother of DD3 and DS8, it would never occur to me to ask someone to give up their seats so that I might have them. I do not believe that having children entitles me to special treatment. You were perfectly right to refuse to give up your seats. If I want my children to sit in the front, then I had better be sure and get where I am going plenty early to ensure that it happens.
Regarding the buses, my Air Force husband never sits on a crowded bus. He always offers his seat to someone who might need it more. He also holds doors for others, helps someone if they are having trouble loading their stroller and is polite to everyone. We are raising our son to be the same way. Having said all of that, I still don't expect or assume that anyone will do the same for me. If I chose to get on a standing room only bus, then I feel that I made that decision willingly and I can't complain about it. It has been my experience that the majority of people willingly get up to let others sit though.