The bus...

[mickey&minnie04]

This may sound really dumb.. but some of you guys are saying you will pass up 1,2 or even 3 buses just so you can have a "seat" on the bus.. What are you doing when you are waiting for those buses to roll in? Are you not "standing" ? If it was late, the kids were tired, I didn't stand around waiting even longer, dealing with them, and waiting for another bus.. we got on the bus As long as they could stand and hold onto a pole, they were fine. The only time I had a hard time was with the stroller, a baby and 2 other children.. me alone with them. That was hard because I couldn't hold the baby & the stroller. I had to have a seat so the baby could go on my lap the the stroller between my legs. Once they all were able to stand and hold.. why wait for several buses to go by?? I think it is worse standing with 3 kids whining and complaining they are tired as you watch the buses go past you.. just because you want a seat for all of you.. I would rather get on the bus.. hold the pole and get back to the room... the sooner the better...

We don't usually stand ....there are benches nearby. Grab a seat and people watch it kills time and can be quite fascinating!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We don't usually stand ....there are benches nearby. Grab a seat and people watch it kills time and can be quite fascinating!

At the value resorts, this is really not an option. The lines are unshaded and chained off to form a queue. (Similar to the bus queues at MK or Epcot, but without any shelter). Waiting for the next bus is not something I would want to do.

Similarly, at night end at the parks, you are standing and waiting in the queues. If you wait for the next bus, you step aside and wait. It's not too bad as the buses come frequently at night. In the morning at the resort, not so much.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

This thread has been an eye opener for me, I didn't realize it can get that bad on the buses. For the record, I cannot argue with you anymore. As you can see, trying to maintain a level of brevity on these forums is not working for me. I like you and you sound like a such wonderful DH and Dad. I can no longer argue effectively with you. Its not just you, StitchSpawn is another one that comes to mind. Even though she hurt my feelings and royally flamed me in another thread that I care not to mention, I just couldn't argue back with her, lol. Its weird. I'm done.

In general, I don't think most guests on Disney buses are that rude. I was at the Broncos game last night and tried to get out of the parking lot. Talk about rude people!!!! I'd trade that for Disney anyday.

Regardless, there are some rude people on the buses IMO. It's not every trip and many times, everyone is quite kind, but we've seen it happen numerous times where we perceived "rude" behavior. I know there are some that say you should wait for the next bus if you truly need a seat. If that's the case, why do the bus drivers often play the automated spiel that says to "Kindly give seats to those who need them..." (I'm paraphasing, but it basically says to give up seats to those who need them more).

I also don't know why this bothers me anymore. Our kids were out of strollers and have been able to stand on their own for at least the past 5 years. I just hate seeing others being affected by this. Although we no longer use the Disney buses, when we did, I had all three of our boys stand each and every trip even if we were the first ones on. It was just the nice thing to do when the buses were so crowded. We obviously don't need seats, so why use them when there are others who do.

The thing is, you don't know if that man had a real need of the seat or not. For your own state of mind, it is better to think of it that way, then to think he just wanted a seat and didn't care that you were standing.


I also hold the same views of the poster who stated they feel they are the ones responsible to see that their children have a seat if they need one. It is my responsibility to see to my family's safety. If I allow the to get on a full bus, thinking one of them had to have a seat, then it is shame on me. Not shame on a bunch of total strangers for not seeing to my family's needs.

We should never go around demanding or expecting others to put themselves out for us. But be thankful when they do.

You are right, I would never demand or expect someone to give up their seat. In an ideal world, there would be seating for those that need it. Boarding buses is an imprecise science. When you're getting on and you're in the "middle", you don't know if all the seats are gone yet or not. This is especially true when you're at a second or third stop on a bus that makes multiple stops. When you get on and get to the back and notice there are no seats, it is very difficult to get off the bus. Many get "trapped". Yes, they could push, shove, use a loud voice, etc. to try to go against the flow and get off the bus, but that is not easy. There are many other times that people get on and innocently don't know if there is a seat or not. It's not so black and white IMO.

I just wish more people could see that others have needs greater than theirs. I'm not talking about any specific individual on any bus and would never insinuate that any specific person should give up their seat. But if there are 10 seats around a Mom holding a sleeping child, I can't imagine that all 10 of those people waited for the next bus, have a silent disability or need that seat more. Yes, maybe 3 or 4 of them, but all 10?? Whatever happened to common courtesy? That's all I'm saying. Those who insist that you not enter a bus unless you have a seat seem very judgmental toward parents who enter a bus holding a sleeping child. Why is it okay to be so judgmental against these parents and it's not okay for those parents to be a little judgmental about the "crowd mentality" on the bus that no one gives up their seat? JMHO

I think Disney needs to post signs in several languages at bus stops and at some shows defining the term Standing Room Only!!!!

If you get on a bus that is SRO or a show that is SRO it means you, not me, not my DH, not my Kids, not the guy in the third row, but YOU will stand.

It never fails to amaze me how this simple logic isn't understood.

What about the automated spiels that ask that you give up your seat to those who need it more? This isn't always played, but I heard it many times and it was ignored. I guess the whole bus spoke a language other than English except us.

 

[Hannathy]

I

What about the automated spiels that ask that you give up your seat to those who need it more? This isn't always played, but I heard it many times and it was ignored. I guess the whole bus spoke a language other than English except us.

That's easy quit playing it.

I actually think it is rather nervy of Disney to expect me to overcome their shortcoming in providing enough transportation for all the people they have taken money from for rooms and transportation.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

That's easy quit playing it.

I actually think it is rather nervy of Disney to expect me to overcome their shortcoming in providing enough transportation for all the people they have taken money from for rooms and transportation.

Not even the monorails or ferries have seats for everyone. I've heard the spiel on the monorail about moving into the car and giving seats to those who need it.

I don't find it nervy at all by Disney to expect common courtesy.

 

[livndisney]

That's easy quit playing it.

I think they did quit playing it. I have been on several buses recently and have not heard it once.

 

[skater]

Again, as a parent it is my responsibility to ensure that my children are not experiencing any "desperation" of any kind. Some children need naps and they prefer to not deviate from their nightly bedtime schedule or sometimes they get overwhelmed.

My DD had a catastrophic meltdown at 50's Prime Time. Just as we were walking to the table, she burst out in tears. It took five seconds for us to realize it was time to go.

The waitress was very kind and even offered to make "to go" orders for us. We tipped her anyway and politely declined. DD had enough and needed rest. No pot roast for DH, no milkshakes to go and no Fantasmic for us that night. No regrets.

If I know my children need to get to bed, then I am not going to wait until the park closes to leave, because I should know the buses will be crowded. Wishes and Fantasmic are not more important than the overall well-being of my children.

Wishes and Fantasmic are wonderful and if you want to experience this with your children that's great, but don't complain about the buses when you along with the entire park has to exit at the same time.

Again, its okay to wait and stand in line for "rides and fun", but when its time to leave, its time to complain. Why must others sacrifice for our choices and how we choose to vacation?

Then you do your your best to exit the park when the buses are not at their peak. Its not the end of the world if you don't get to see the fireworks.

Again choosing to place your children in situation that is not conducive to their well-being, all in the name of "fun" suggests otherwise.

Okay, I agree. However, if they are negatively impacted by the buses and continue to return year after year fully aware of the bus situation at the same resort(s), they know what to expect. Either make adjustments by renting a car -- use a cab/town car -- wake up super early or stay especially late.

Again, it is disheartening to hear this. No child or elderly or anyone in need of a seat should have to stand, it sickens me. If I ever witness anything like that, I probably would not use the buses anymore, because it would be war. But I have yet to see this, thankfully.

My family -- in addition to other families we did not know, made the choice not to board a crowded bus. I don't believe that my children deserve a seat over anyone else. Yes, that includes the guys too. I much prefer to wait.

This! I haven't had to wait on two buses yet, but I will wait as long as I have to. If I can wait in that long @ss line for TSM or Peter Pan, the buses are nothing. Rope drop and fireworks are just not that important if it compromises the comfort and happiness of my children.

.

Many people (sometimes myself ) realize their kids need to go to bed when they're at the bus stop. But I have never ever felt that my kids deserved a seat over anyone else. But I will not wait for the next bus if I can get on the crowded one. It just ain't happening. And I surely don't expect anyone else to sacrifice themselves for us.

My only point was that not everybody has planned ahead and taken their children out of the park at the perfect time like you do. And I just can't imagine letting that bus pass me by. Sometimes I'd be willing to ride on the top of the bus just to get to bed .

The funny thing is though, while I've never felt entitled to a seat for my children, I still think that some manners are not relative. And my older children, as well as myself and DH will always give up our seat for someone needier than us. And I don't judge parents who may have kept their children in the park a little too long - sometimes children are fine at 10 p.m., but not by the time they get to the bus stop. If those kids need to sleep, they're getting a seat from me. And you might not want or expect it, but I would do the same for your family.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I think they did quit playing it. I have been on several buses recently and have not heard it once.

That's a shame. It's been since 2009 since we've ridden the buses so that'd be the last time we heard it. After that fiasco of a trip dealing with buses (especially resort-to-resort or to DTD), we simply avoid the buses at all costs anymore. Like the PP, at night, we just want to get back to the resort. After waiting 45 minutes for a bus, tie me to the top if needed. We find having a car is much faster. We stay at BLT, so we just walk or take the monorail there. For all other parks, we find driving to be much faster (which is corroborated by the editors of the Unofficial Guide), we find Disney easy to navigate and we don't have to deal with this whole standing/sitting issue as we all have our own seat! All things considered, much more relaxing for us. YMMV

 

[Hannathy]

Not even the monorails or ferries have seats for everyone. I've heard the spiel on the monorail about moving into the car and giving seats to those who need it.

I don't find it nervy at all by Disney to expect common courtesy.

common courtesy as you call it wouldn't be needed if Disney provided more seats at rush times. They are more than willing to book all those people into rooms and take their money promising transportation, They then should quit looking only at the bottom line and provide more seats.

And I'm the first to say Disney is a business and needs to make money but how they expect people to wait at rush times is not acceptable.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's easy quit playing it.

I actually think it is rather nervy of Disney to expect me to overcome their shortcoming in providing enough transportation for all the people they have taken money from for rooms and transportation.

I think it's nervy to expect WDW to provide personalized transportation out of what is actually public transit. Sure, guests could 'strike' - all refuse to board buses once the seats are full. It will take a lot longer to get to one's destination, since Transportation is unlikely to increase the number of units deployed, but everyone will get where they're going... eventually.

Or, people who don't want to wait and don't want to stand could take personal responsibility - and a cue from KSDisneyDad - and rent a car, or take a taxi, and be guaranteed a seat.

 

[maxiesmom]

I just wish more people could see that others have needs greater than theirs. I'm not talking about any specific individual on any bus and would never insinuate that any specific person should give up their seat. But if there are 10 seats around a Mom holding a sleeping child, I can't imagine that all 10 of those people waited for the next bus, have a silent disability or need that seat more. Yes, maybe 3 or 4 of them, but all 10?? Whatever happened to common courtesy? That's all I'm saying. Those who insist that you not enter a bus unless you have a seat seem very judgmental toward parents who enter a bus holding a sleeping child. Why is it okay to be so judgmental against these parents and it's not okay for those parents to be a little judgmental about the "crowd mentality" on the bus that no one gives up their seat? JMHO

If you are talking about the safety of the mom and the little one, then the first person to see to both of their safety should be the parents, or another family memeber. It just seems a bit arrogant to me for someone to be holding a sleeping child to get on a full bus and expect someone to offer them a seat. Expecting a courtesey is wrong, and you are only setting yourself up for trouble. Why would you gamble on something as important as the safety of your family?

I think many of us who argue that the family should be the ones looking after its family members are also quick to hop up and offer our seats. Thinking people should take care of their own family members does not mean that we just ignore people in need when we see them. I just don't think it is right from a safety standpoint that anyone put themselves into a situation where they feel unsafe and are dependant on total strangers to make everything good. Seems pretty reckless.

 

[maxiesmom]

common courtesy as you call it wouldn't be needed if Disney provided more seats at rush times. They are more than willing to book all those people into rooms and take their money promising transportation, They then should quit looking only at the bottom line and provide more seats.

And I'm the first to say Disney is a business and needs to make money but how they expect people to wait at rush times is not acceptable.

I don't think Disney needs to provide more seats. They never have promised everyone a seat to begin with. Nor is anyone stuck using WDW transportation. There are even nice enough to allow taxi stands on property, for those people who decide to use them. No one should feel trapped or forced to use Disney transportation if it doesn't suit them.

 

[TriMickey]

Ok....as much as I'd like to use the Disney Bus for transport, most being that I drive alot for work...close to 1000 a week.

I still can't get over how rude and inconsiderate people are on the disney bus! So....u all take that bus. AND I will stay at MK till 3am!

Exactly why I drive EVERY WHERE in WDW

 

[mickey&minnie04]

At the value resorts, this is really not an option. The lines are unshaded and chained off to form a queue. (Similar to the bus queues at MK or Epcot, but without any shelter). Waiting for the next bus is not something I would want to do.

Similarly, at night end at the parks, you are standing and waiting in the queues. If you wait for the next bus, you step aside and wait. It's not too bad as the buses come frequently at night. In the morning at the resort, not so much.

That's not really true.....We've mostly stayed Value, there are benches ( and they are shaded ) behind the que area. We sit on the bench if it's too crowded and then when the lines have diminished we get in line. There are benches at every bus loading area and most if not all have some kind of shading.

 

[kaligal]

Standing is part of riding the bus. It sucks, but it is one of the many reasons that taking the bus sucks.

If you absolutely, positively need a seat, either rent a car or stand there and wait for the next bus.

That's not really true.....We've mostly stayed Value, there are benches ( and they are shaded ) behind the que area. We sit on the bench if it's too crowded and then when the lines have diminished we get in line. There are benches at every bus loading area and most if not all have some kind of shading.

It is possible that when you get to the bus stop, there will be people sitting on the bench. In that case, you need to stand.

Besides, when it is crowded, if you never get off the bench and stand in line, you'll never get on the bus.

 

[skater]

That's not really true.....We've mostly stayed Value, there are benches ( and they are shaded ) behind the que area. We sit on the bench if it's too crowded and then when the lines have diminished we get in line. There are benches at every bus loading area and most if not all have some kind of shading.

I would much rather get on a crowded bus than sit on a bench and watch buses go by and lines get shorter. Everybody's different and I respect your right to do that, but I couldn't stand it .

 

[skater]

I know that many people have experienced rudeness and I've seen some of it, but in our experiences, the buses have been mostly great. My kids like to chat with other families riding to the parks, and we've met some great people that way. They talk about each others' pins and what they're going to ride that day. In all honesty, this is part of the fun for us. And we like not having to drive.

At night when we're tired, we commisserate with other adults and my kids get to learn by example and now that two are older, by experience, how to treat other people.

My only complaint is that it seems like managiement of the system seems a little off at times. Who knows why there will be 3 Epcot buses leaving the resort half empty while there are no MK buses in the same time span? Who knows why one resort seems to have 3 buses at night to every one for another resort? I'm sure there are little glitches every day for this huge system, but when I'm the one who's waiting, it can get a little frustrating .

 

[mickey&minnie04]

Standing is part of riding the bus. It sucks, but it is one of the many reasons that taking the bus sucks.

If you absolutely, positively need a seat, either rent a car or stand there and wait for the next bus.

It is possible that when you get to the bus stop, there will be people sitting on the bench. In that case, you need to stand.

Besides, when it is crowded, if you never get off the bench and stand in line, you'll never get on the bus.

I did state that we wait until the line goes down and then get in line. Here is exactly what we do. When we get to the bus stop and see that the lines are crazy we grab a seat on a bench even if it's not a bench at the stop we need ( if the benches are taken at the stop we need ) then when we see the line has gone down or even diminished we get in line. This always worked for us and never wait more then 20 minutes....it all depends when you go. This is what works for us to guarantee us a seat. To each his own, we are at Disney to enjoy and relax....we don't rush to any ride when the park opens, if we make a rope drop so be it...I must say the only times we really have to wait for a bus is after park closing and then I'm perfectly happy to find a bench and wait.

 

[mickey&minnie04]

I would much rather get on a crowded bus than sit on a bench and watch buses go by and lines get shorter. Everybody's different and I respect your right to do that, but I couldn't stand it .

We mostly do this at the end of the night at closing......we don't have kids so we just sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, it can be quite romantic!

 

[lustergirl]

We mostly do this at the end of the night at closing......we don't have kids so we just sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, it can be quite romantic!

Me too:I like to people watch