Strollers on buses

[nonzerosum]

I've read alot about what a pain it can be hauling strollers on and off the buses and the looks people have gotten akin to bringing a crate of chickens on board. I'm just wondering what the set up of the buses actually is. Are they like city buses with wide isles and lots of room to stand, or are they more like a greyhound bus or motorcoach where the seats are plush, isles very narrow, and you're not really meant to be standing? Any info would be helpful. I'm only bringing 2 small light umbrella strollers, but I like to be in the know in advance. Are the ME buses different than the buses that take to to and from the parks and resorts?

 

[MiniGirl]

I've read alot about what a pain it can be hauling strollers on and off the buses and the looks people have gotten akin to bringing a crate of chickens on board. I'm just wondering what the set up of the buses actually is. Are they like city buses with wide isles and lots of room to stand, or are they more like a greyhound bus or motorcoach where the seats are plush, isles very narrow, and you're not really meant to be standing? Any info would be helpful. I'm only bringing 2 small light umbrella strollers, but I like to be in the know in advance. Are the ME buses different than the buses that take to to and from the parks and resorts?

The buses from the resorts to the parks are like city buses -- usually. We have also seen the motorcoach type buses during busy seasons and after park closings. The ME buses are like motorcoaches.

I think you'll be fine with 2 umbrella strollers. It is a problem when people bring on those mondo allterrain strollers. They fold them up, lay them down on the floor in front of 2 seats, put the diaper bag on another seat, then a seat for junior, and 2 seats for mom and dad. Seriously, I've seen a party of 3 take up 6 seats -- plus some standing room. Umbrella strollers can easily be folded and stored underneath your seats. No problem.

 

[MandM-Mom]

The ME buses are like greyhound but all your stuff goes under the bus. The resort buses are like city buses with lots of room to stand. Its tough with a stroller but not impossible you just got to be quick with the fold and ready to move fast. In august we used a snugli at the bus stop so we could just get on quickly and already had the stroller folded locked and ready to roll. PLus if we had to stand I could still hold on to the other 2 girls.

 

[TJA]

Agree with others above. Personally, we love taking a double jogger with us, so we sort of avoid the buses if possible (LOL). However, when we do take a bus (to AK, for example), it's not that big of a deal. DH folds it and finds a spot, normally near or at the wheelchair section, and I take the twins somewhere else where there is available seating.

 

[tanyaandallie]

We just returned and took our double stroller on the bus no problem. Granted, we rarely had a crowded bus. The one time we did we had no problems either, just a bit tight. We held the stroller in front of us.

I guess I see so many people here complaining about parents with strollers on the bus. I never once saw a person with a stroller bothering any other person or taking up too much room on the bus. Ours was a double and big and we never took up more room than necessary. A person with a double stroller has as much right to take up room on the bus as any other person. If their stroller takes up the space of 6 people, oh well. The bus system is for everyone, including those who decide to travel with their strollers instead of renting.

 

[all4fun]

I've read alot about what a pain it can be hauling strollers on and off the buses and the looks people have gotten akin to bringing a crate of chickens on board. I'm just wondering what the set up of the buses actually is. Are they like city buses with wide isles and lots of room to stand, or are they more like a greyhound bus or motorcoach where the seats are plush, isles very narrow, and you're not really meant to be standing? Any info would be helpful. I'm only bringing 2 small light umbrella strollers, but I like to be in the know in advance. Are the ME buses different than the buses that take to to and from the parks and resorts?

Just had to at your "crate of chickens" comment. Too funny! We took our single jogging stroller on our last trip (it has a swivel wheel but it's still pretty big folded up). We didn't have any problems on the busses. It probably depends where you're staying how crowded they are though. When we stayed at All Stars the busses were crowded in the early morning and late evening/closing times, but not so crowded mid day. When we stayed at SSR and BWV the busses were rarely crowded, although I did have to stand and hold the stroller at least once. But not really a big deal. I look at it as six of one, half a dozen of the other. There are pros and cons to both taking and renting. We like to have our own so we can use it past the park gates, and in the airport.

hth!

 

[thepeach80]

We had no problems w/ our double either and it's HUGE. There were 6 adults most times and 3 kids so we had plenty of people to spread the love around w/ holding the stroller, holding the stuff, holding the kids etc.

 

[MiniGirl]

A person with a double stroller has as much right to take up room on the bus as any other person. If their stroller takes up the space of 6 people, oh well. The bus system is for everyone, including those who decide to travel with their strollers instead of renting.

That's true. The buses are there for all Disney resort guests. The scene I mentioned above though could have been avoided. Mom and Dad placed the stroller on the ground in front of 2 seats. Instead of putting Junior and the diaper bag in those seats (they didn't need the leg room after all) they placed them in 2 other seats. Is it their "right" to do that? Sure. It just wasn't very considerate. I'm also sure the people that had to stand while holding their (about) 15 month old would have appreciated being able to sit.

I have no problem with the big strollers. I just don't like when someone waits until they are at the door of the bus to take all the stuff and the kiddos out of the stroller and then fold it up, leave the bags at the door, put the stroller down and then go back for the bags. However, I also understand it takes a few times to get a system down. I do understand that. All I ask is that stroller users (and everybody else for that matter) be considerate of those who have also been waiting for the bus.

 

[mrstomrice]

We have found a great place to stash the stroller while on the bus is under the seats of the seats that sit facing the windows. I believe that these seats are the areas where wheelchairs and scooters fit, so this advice is assuming that those seats are not needed for that reason. We were able to fit our single stroller nicely under thses seats and we did not take up any extra room. We also found that so many other guests were soooooo helpful as we were getting on and off the bus wuth 2 strollers and 2 young children. Many would wait to help carry one on or off the bus. It is a bit stressful at times, but most people do what they can to help make it smoother Have fun!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have found a great place to stash the stroller while on the bus is under the seats of the seats that sit facing the windows. I believe that these seats are the areas where wheelchairs and scooters fit, so this advice is assuming that those seats are not needed for that reason. We were able to fit our single stroller nicely under thses seats and we did not take up any extra room. We also found that so many other guests were soooooo helpful as we were getting on and off the bus wuth 2 strollers and 2 young children. Many would wait to help carry one on or off the bus. It is a bit stressful at times, but most people do what they can to help make it smoother Have fun!

If you are at resort with multiple bus stops and someone with a wheelchair gets on at one of the stop, you will be asked to move. So, that is a possibility to be prepared for.

 

[PrincessMom4]

We had an Eddie Bauer double stroller and it folds to the size of an umberella stroller (BEST investment ever).we had no problems with it. I didn't appreciate the people that would take up more room then needed.