Standing room only on buses

[english rose 47]

I will be happy to be on vacation and obviosly I can,t expect someone to give up their seat! But some of the reasons and negative comments make me wonder. This and smoking threads tend to get nasty. As you can see from my signature I grew up in a far of land in high school ( what America calls High School) we stood up when a teacher entered the classroom, so you can see where I have a different outlook. On the other hand my family when visiting were VERY impressed by the coutesy of drivers to pedestrians and school buses and emergency vehicles.

 

[Hugpug]

I don't have a problem standing as long as the driver does not drive like a jerk. Stopping on a dime,taking turns on 2 wheels,etc. I have a bad knee but manage very well as a rule but when you have to stand on a bus with a driver who cares less that just too much. Sure some of you say rent a car or take a cab but that adds expense that one may not be able to afford. I'm not asking anyone to give up their seat but the drivers need to drive more safely more so when he has a bus load of people who are standing.

 

[lorli]

I have been reading much of this thread and though I agree with both sides of the coin, I will almost always lean toward waiting for the next bus where we can all ride seated and safe. There is a reason the states put in place car seat laws, now I realize that they are impractical on buses, but holding a child on your lap is not truly safe. If, as it has been stated at least a few times on this thread, the bus driver slams on the breaks the child in the lap is often times at the right height to hit the seat in front of them. We have given up seats, stood with a small child, held a small child in our lap, and waited for subsequent buses. You'll have to forgive me for looking at the safety and concern for my entire family.

Yes everyone has been at the park on a hot day and feeling very tired, and maybe just maybe the guy sitting is feeling so tired he just doesn't feel it would be safe to give up his seat and stand. I choose to refrain from judging my fellow human beings, that is up to a higher being than I. Besides, as stated in this thread, everyone is just as tired as I am, my family too, why should I expect, yes expect, an equally tired person to give up a seat. I'll wait for the next bus.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There have been times when comming back at night from Downtown Disney when the buses have been standing room only. A big reason for that is because the Contemporary which is where my family & I stay, also goes to the Polynesian & sometimes the Grand Floridian causing back log on the buses. Some nights we have been lucky & got a seat only because we happen to be at the front of the line & got right on the bus & no my family & I did not block the lines, because it was only me my Mom & Dad. Other times we have just made a bus & were forced to stand because unlike some people we do not want to wait for another bus to arrive, since bus service from Downtown Disney - Contemporary sucks & we would have to wait like another 30-45 minutes for another one. So all I am saying is we have not felt like people were looking at us to give up our seats, however there have been times in the past where one of us has done that so an elderly person could sit down. However the way I see it, if my family & I are on the bus why should have we have to give up our seats just because people look at us & they say to themselves god those people are selfish. If we waited paitenly & sat down why should we feel guilty? Like I said before if we someone who needs to sit down we will give up our seat, but we won't because someone looks at us in a funny way.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Look, easy solution and I don't care who thinks I'm rude. If you have a disability (visible or invisible), or in any other way feel you can't stand (have a baby you're holding/etc.) do NOT expect someone else to give up their seat for you- wait for another bus so you can sit down. Period. The people you are upset with because they aren't jumping up to give you their seat might have done the same thing! They may have passed up a bus so that THEY could sit down- so how dare you then get on the standing room only bus and get upset with them (in your mind or verbally, facial expression, whatever) for not giving you their seat.

If EVERYONE did this- we wouldn't have threads like this. The reason we have threads like this is because everyone who thinks they have to have a seat thinks they can get on a standing room only bus and someone "they" deem less worthy of a seat should get up and give them their seat. I don't think so. When we had a baby- we refused to get on a bus that we'd have to stand with said baby, we waited for the next bus! When the kids were older- some would stand... (but we usually would only get on a bus with atleast one seat so youngest could sit or sit in one of our laps- too short and young to hold on well!) our CHOICE. When it's late at night and my knees and/or back are hurting- I'm not going to stand. I'll wait for another bus and sit. Again my choice. I would never- not with a baby or with my body hurting from my own disabilities or whatnot (or even age or other factors) get on a standing room only bus and get upset that someone else didn't offer me their seat.

I am so with CleveRocks on this. It's MY responsibility to take care of myself and my family. If we need a seat- we wait until we can get on a bus that has seats for us. If we're okay with standing- then we get on a bus that has standing room only. I don't expect the world to revolve around us and get on a standing room only bus and look around waiting for someone to get up and give me a seat. They may have just waited a long time passing up busses that were only standing room so that they could have that seat. What right would I have to then expect them to give up that seat they waited for? That's just wrong.

 

[BostonTink85]

Look, easy solution and I don't care who thinks I'm rude. If you have a disability (visible or invisible), or in any other way feel you can't stand (have a baby you're holding/etc.) do NOT expect someone else to give up their seat for you- wait for another bus so you can sit down. Period. The people you are upset with because they aren't jumping up to give you their seat might have done the same thing! They may have passed up a bus so that THEY could sit down- so how dare you then get on the standing room only bus and get upset with them (in your mind or verbally, facial expression, whatever) for not giving you their seat.

If EVERYONE did this- we wouldn't have threads like this. The reason we have threads like this is because everyone who thinks they have to have a seat thinks they can get on a standing room only bus and someone "they" deem less worthy of a seat should get up and give them their seat. I don't think so. When we had a baby- we refused to get on a bus that we'd have to stand with said baby, we waited for the next bus! When the kids were older- some would stand... (but we usually would only get on a bus with atleast one seat so youngest could sit or sit in one of our laps- too short and young to hold on well!) our CHOICE. When it's late at night and my knees and/or back are hurting- I'm not going to stand. I'll wait for another bus and sit. Again my choice. I would never- not with a baby or with my body hurting from my own disabilities or whatnot (or even age or other factors) get on a standing room only bus and get upset that someone else didn't offer me their seat.

I am so with CleveRocks on this. It's MY responsibility to take care of myself and my family. If we need a seat- we wait until we can get on a bus that has seats for us. If we're okay with standing- then we get on a bus that has standing room only. I don't expect the world to revolve around us and get on a standing room only bus and look around waiting for someone to get up and give me a seat. They may have just waited a long time passing up busses that were only standing room so that they could have that seat. What right would I have to then expect them to give up that seat they waited for? That's just wrong.

very well said, I totally agree! I don't think you're being rude, you're just stating the truth, plain and simple.

 

[LilyWDW]

Very, very, very well said BibbidyBobbidyBoo!

I would like to just point out one thing to people who say "well, if you have a leg problem how do you walk around Disney?". There is a big difference between walking and having to brace yourself while standing on a bus. I can walk around New York with no problem (except for silly me spraining my ancle my first day! )... but I had to stand a certien way so I could brace myself on the subway. It all has to do with the way the ligaments strech and where the cartilage is worn away.

 

[MyZoeJane]

Here's my 2 cents on buses--blunt, but the truth:
1) I realize some have special circumstances and this may not apply to them, but, it AMAZES me that any adult can spend ALL DAY...HOURS...walking around a park and then act like children if they don't get to sit on a freakin' bus. I'm tired, you're tired, we're all tired.
2) If I feel like I absolutely, HAVE to sit on the bus. I will wait for a second one. I assume that unless you are one of the people in a wheelchair or scooter waiting up front, then you've been walking around the park all day without problems and therefor are perfectly capable of standing on a 15 min bus ride as well. (I know there are exceptions, but I find it hard to believe for the MOST part that you have a physical ailment that let you walk in the park, but won't let you stand on the bus.

That's what my brain tells me, but I know that it's just not how things are. So, I do now and will continue to give up my seat to someone who I feel needs it more, be it an elderly individual, someone with an infant, etc. Not because I have to, because morally I feel that is what is right and I want to stay in Mama's good graces. My decision to do so is based on what my gut tells me, generally based on something that is physically observable. If I felt like someone else NEEDED it more than me. No, I'm can't accurately judge other people's needs...so if you have any other ideas, let me know.

I have 2 choices: Do things one way just because I feel that is what logic should be, or do things because it is not going to kill me to be a better person. I have been on the recieving end of an offered seat when I had a young (as in 1 year old, not 6 or 7 year old) child in my arms. I know how appreciative I was. I'm not required to return the favor, but why not?

Outstanding! Bravo!

My thoughts exactly. It comes down to a personal choice. This sentiment could be applied to any number of things... not just bus seats. Some people might easily justify keeping a bus seat simply because "they got it first".... others maybe justify it for health or safety reasons... When you look at a person on a bus you'll never know HOW they are justifying their seat! Hell, maybe they don't feel the need to justify it all? I mean, it IS only a bus seat... they're not stealing or inflicting harm!

But what it comes down to for me is, "How far am I willing to go to do a good deed?" And if you're pondering this thread, that's all you have to ask yourself, too. It's an individual decision. Maybe my toe REAAAAALLLLLLY hurts from walking all day. Maybe I am SOOOOOO sweaty that I couldn't bear the thought of my 2 year old sitting on my lap... I might possibly make that judgement call.

I can guarentee, though, that 99% of the time I am going to jump at the chance to do a good deed. No matter how bad my toe hurts... EVEN if it means being "put out" in some way. It makes me FEEL good. But that 1% of the time that I might really feel like I need to keep that seat (or refrain from doing any other miscellaneous good deed/gesture) is enough for me to realize that I've no room to judge when I see a person sitting comfortably in a bus seat when I get on my with two year old and her stroller. If I REALLY needed a seat, I would wait for another bus... but I have FAITH in humanity and just as numerous other posters have pointed out... CHANCES ARE SOMEONE is going to give me their seat.... because we are all intrisically GOOD.

Maybe that person in the seat in front of me has developed some horrible back pain from walking around the park too much and that is why they don't offer? Maybe that person is feeling dizzy? Or maybe that person is simply too self-absorbed to even THINK about offering me a place to put my daughter down? Whatever the reason, I'm not gonna judge... because there's only ONE PERSON who can judge another human being (you're all thinking I'm gonna say God, aren't you? Well, I'm not!) and that is THE PERSON THEM SELF.

I go to bed knowing I'm a thoughtful person and feeling good about myself. If you keep your bus seat and are able to do the same..... who am I to judge?

 

[vhoffman]

Let me just jump in on this thread--I can walk around the parks for a fairly long time but can't stand on a bus. I have arthritis and walk with a cane, however, like I said, my endurance is actually pretty good.

My problem is balance. I have pins in both ankles and they don't bend. I also don't have much strength in either hand so can't hold on to much to steady myself. For those reasons I usually don't take the bus, unless I have my supersized husband to hold on to. However, I know my limitations better than other bus passengers, therefore, I decline taking the bus at WDW, opting for a rental car or taxi instead. Yes, its more expensive, however, a trip to WDW is a luxury, not a necessity. I figure if I can't afford to travel in a manner that accomodates my situation, I can't afford the trip. It would be different on a city bus, perhaps someone taking it for necessary transportation, such as to work, etc. Also, you don't know the situation of the seated passengers. They might be not as healthy as they look. I appear fairly young and healthy, especially if seated. I've received dirty looks from standing passengers, elderly, pregnant, carrying packages, obviosly expecting me to give up my seat for someone who need it more. Well, I need it more than they do. That's the few times I've opted to ride a bus.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

I'm proud that I have a 15 year old son and 16 year old daughter who would never think of sitting on a Disney (or any other) bus if an older person or any woman were forced to stand. That being said, I think my husband and I get some credit because we taught them from a very early age that if there ever were ANY people standing, we would quickly scoop them up and onto our laps so that others can sit. I didn't read every post in the thread, so I'm not sure if anyone divulged those top secret reasons why little kids should have their own seat, but I'm a pretty safety-conscious mom and I can't come up with any good reason.

I really don't want to sound preachy, but I find soooo many parents these days raising their kids with this crazy sense of "entitlement" - they are so special they deserve to have that seat over an adult who is standing. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I guess I'm just glad my husband and I have always been on the same page about teaching our kids what we consider common courtesy and respect for adults.

 

[taximomfor4]

I'm proud that I have a 15 year old son and 16 year old daughter who would never think of sitting on a Disney (or any other) bus if an older person or any woman were forced to stand. That being said, I think my husband and I get some credit because we taught them from a very early age that if there ever were ANY people standing, we would quickly scoop them up and onto our laps so that others can sit. I didn't read every post in the thread, so I'm not sure if anyone divulged those top secret reasons why little kids should have their own seat, but I'm a pretty safety-conscious mom and I can't come up with any good reason.

I really don't want to sound preachy, but I find soooo many parents these days raising their kids with this crazy sense of "entitlement" - they are so special they deserve to have that seat over an adult who is standing. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I guess I'm just glad my husband and I have always been on the same page about teaching our kids what we consider common courtesy and respect for adults.

I am guessing that this post was in part aimed at me. I did in fact explain my "top secret reason" for my kids being on seats, not on
my lap. As much as I really do respect your opinions, forgive me if I choose not to debate this with you or anyone else anymore. I will say, however, that my kids are extremely well-behaved and polite AND courteous. We teach them that. But apparently, it all means naught if they sit on bus seats. This is one of those things where people won't all see eye to eye.

 

[tjmw2727]

I'm proud that I have a 15 year old son and 16 year old daughter who would never think of sitting on a Disney (or any other) bus if an older person or any woman were forced to stand. That being said, I think my husband and I get some credit because we taught them from a very early age that if there ever were ANY people standing, we would quickly scoop them up and onto our laps so that others can sit. I didn't read every post in the thread, so I'm not sure if anyone divulged those top secret reasons why little kids should have their own seat, but I'm a pretty safety-conscious mom and I can't come up with any good reason.

I really don't want to sound preachy, but I find soooo many parents these days raising their kids with this crazy sense of "entitlement" - they are so special they deserve to have that seat over an adult who is standing. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I guess I'm just glad my husband and I have always been on the same page about teaching our kids what we consider common courtesy and respect for adults.

My kids are not old enough to stand on the bus yet imho and I will wait for the next bus so they can sit.

I am one of those who will not put my kids on my lap in a bus, I will however give up my seat and stand in front of them. How is this any different than scooping them on my lap? Same amount of seats "given up".

Honestly my kids don't feel 'entitled to" anything especially a bus seat.

TJ

 

[inkkognito]

I'm to old to fight guess I'd just have to shoot someone for a seat

And the cool thing about that is that it's perfectly legal here in FL:
http://www.shootfirstlaw.org/law/

You may now legally shoot someone who you feel poses a threat to you here in the Sunshine State. If you've got kids and they don't, they're posing a threat to you because the poor kids might go flying in case of an accident. If you're unable to stand for any reason, from age to hidden disability, they are also posing a threat to you because you might collapse. Actually, they're posing a threat just by being there...after all, the SOBs might have been rude enough to actually wait for that particular bus in order to ensure a seat because the one before it was SRO. Talk about jerks who need to be shot!

Barb

 

[mrstbalt]

We will be staying at the Polynesian next mid spring. What is it like(time/crowds) to say AK or DTD? Can you take the bus to DTD from AK or do you have to go back to the resort then catch a bus to DTD?? Thanks

 

[CleveRocks]

We will be staying at the Polynesian next mid spring. What is it like(time/crowds) to say AK or DTD? Can you take the bus to DTD from AK or do you have to go back to the resort then catch a bus to DTD?? Thanks

Sorry, no buses directly from theme parks to DTD. You'll have to get to a resort first (any resort that is convenient), and then get a bus to DTD.