The bus...

[mrsksomeday]

My perspective is from traveling with my DBF who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a power wheelchair. We get loaded on the bus first and get stares, whispers under people's breath's etc. a lot from people standing in line. I know he has to get on the bus first for safety. I on the other hand feel bad about getting first choice of seats on the empty bus.

Many times on the way to the parks I stand behind his wheelchair if there are a lot of people waiting. On the way back to the resort, I do sit. I will give up my seat if need be but I will sit because it gives me the breather I need before I have to help with personal care when we get back to the resort.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

My perspective is from traveling with my DBF who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a power wheelchair. We get loaded on the bus first and get stares, whispers under people's breath's etc. a lot from people standing in line. I know he has to get on the bus first for safety. I on the other hand feel bad about getting first choice of seats on the empty bus.

Many times on the way to the parks I stand behind his wheelchair if there are a lot of people waiting. On the way back to the resort, I do sit. I will give up my seat if need be but I will sit because it gives me the breather I need before I have to help with personal care when we get back to the resort.

OMG! You sound like a very kind and selfless person. And yes, you too are entitled to a seat on the bus. Please don't feel guilty and I am sorry that you get mean stares. By the way, are we talking about the same place, WDW right? Honestly, what kind of buses are we talking about here. I have had my fair share of trips on the buses and I had never witnessed kids "hogging" seats on crowded buses and elderly/handicapped forced to stand.

This is unreal, I've only witnessed one incident when a very pregnant woman boarded the bus. DH immediately offered his seat, she politely declined. Then these really pushy women insisted that she sit with them, almost to the point where it was condescending. She said very loudly, "please no thank you -- I really want to stand". Other than that, I guess our family has been fortunate. But if I encounter any entitlement bus issues on this trip, I will gladly secure a cab/town car from that point on.

 

[DisneyFamilyDad]

We always give up our seats. I'm of course the first get up. The kids don't seem to care (unless they are dozing) if they are standing or not. The bus is like another park ride to them. We live in a rural area and the only time a bus is ridden would be on a school field trip.
I wonder what percentage of those that appear to be the "tough luck granny, I was here first" types deal with real world public transportation on a regular basis.

 

[maxiesmom]

The whole thought of what you just said makes me cringe. Care about others every once in a while. You might make their day very special JUST because you gave up that seat. I understand they're fair game but c'mon, they could've walked just as much or more as you did...

Do you know what makes me cringe? The thought that a family would place the responsibility for their family's safety or well being on total strangers. Don't want your family to stand? See to it yourself that they don't. Rent a car, use taxis to get around, or wait for a bus with open seating. Don't get on a bus expecting someone else will see to their safety and comfort for you.

Honestly, if I see a family get on the bus with grandma in tow, and grandma needs a seat, my first thought is that someone in that family should have cared enough to take care of grandma. Not that some total stranger should hop up and do it for them.

If someone wants to get up and offer their seat, fine. But expecting someone to do it is pretty rude in itself, imho.

 

[drinkme]

I don't care if I get a seat or not. I have MANY times been offered a seat by a gentleman or boy. My ds10 never sits on the bus. He has always just stood. He's been doing that since he was around 5 or 6. When I am sitting, I have also offered to hold strollers for men who are standing with the strollers.

I could care less who is standing/sitting on the bus. However, there was a time when NO ONE offered their seat to an elderly lady. I saw many people sitting who I thought should have given up their seat. But eh, you never know which people have some type of disability that isn't visible. I'm sure most people don't have a disabilty, but you don't know which ones do and which ones don't, so I don't judge.

So, I don't care...sit or stand. One day I'll be old and I hope someone gives up their seat for me!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I usually give up my seat if I'm near someone that needs it - a disabled person, an older person (which I'm closing in on that too), an obviously pregnant woman or someone holding a small child. But seriously, if you need a seat and you see the bus is already full and people are standing, then you really should have waited for the next bus. At park closing, usually one pulls in as soon as another leaves.

I was very appreciative when my children were younger and being held when on occassion someone offered a seat - but it didn't happen very often - and I didn't expect it to.

 

[miralys]

Thanks, I will ride that bus, especially when I am making an all-nighter of it. It's nice not to have to worry about navigating the roads when I've been up for so long and partying so hard

Honestly, the only bus routes I have ever seen bad behavior on is the DTD routes. Even then, it's less poor behavior than just crammed conditions.

I will give up my seat to the elderly, pregnant and any others who look like they are less able to handle a bus ride standing up than I am. It doesn't bother me. I am frankly just happy to have someone else do all the driving, even if it's for a little while.

 

[tardin1964]

I make it easy. I don't even take a seat when I see the bus will be crowded. I just sand in front of where my wife and kids are sitting.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I rarely ever get a seat leaving the park (unless we are leaving at an odd time), I do sometimes in the morning. I WILL give up my seat for a pregnant lady or elderly..if it''s easy to do. If I am trapped in the back then no. People with wheelchairs and scooters are already allowed on first.

HOWEVER I also believe that if you REQUIRE a seat for yourself,children or whoever in your party then you should make arrangements to do so. Like wait for another bus, let others willing to stand go ahead of you,so your first for the next bus and you'll get your seat,take your own transportation,call a taxi etc..there are many ways around WDW.

 

[stargazertechie]

The whole thought of what you just said makes me cringe. Care about others every once in a while. You might make their day very special JUST because you gave up that seat. I understand they're fair game but c'mon, they could've walked just as much or more as you did...

So even though I was in line before them, it makes me a mean/selfish/heartless person for not giving up my seat?

Honestly, 9 times out of 10 I will give up my seat, regardless of how tired I am, or offer to hold a small child on my lap for the ride back to the resort, but there is no reason people should get their knickers in a twist if someone won't give a seat up.

If you require a seat you should do one of the following

1) Wait for the next bus
2) Call a cab
3) Rent a car

Oh, and in my experience- the little kids WANT to stand. It's a novelty to get to stand up in a moving vehicle for them, and in park closing crowds everyone's packed in so tight that there's really no chance of them falling over.

And as for the "care about others" remark- I've given away probably $200 in pins to young children, upwards of 150 glow sticks during parades, and 3 rolls of stickers over my past 5 trips. I care about others plenty.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

This whole thread topic is just one of the many many reasons we no longer use Disney buses.

After a few years of driving, we decided to save some money on a trip and not rent a car. Huge mistake!! We now just budget a rental car for each trip. Our last trip was so much more relaxing not having to use the buses.

 

[stargazertechie]

This whole thread topic is just one of the many many reasons we no longer use Disney buses.

After a few years of driving, we decided to save some money on a trip and not rent a car. Huge mistake!! We now just budget a rental car for each trip. Our last trip was so much more relaxing not having to use the buses.

See, to me, driving requires actually waking up before leaving for the parks. I'm a commando rope-dropper, which normally requires me being out the door and on my way no later than 6:30 for an 8AM EMH rope drop.

With the bus, I can stagger through the lobby, fill my mug with coffee, and powernap on the bus ride over.

 

[POOHsie]

I'm sorry, and I know this is a flammable opinion, but at the end of the park day, aside from guests in wheelchairs who obviously require a specific spot on the bus, the rest of the seats are fair game, and I will not be giving my seat up after 13-17 miles of walking in the park.

So even though I was in line before them, it makes me a mean/selfish/heartless person for not giving up my seat?

Honestly, 9 times out of 10 I will give up my seat, regardless of how tired I am, or offer to hold a small child on my lap for the ride back to the resort, but there is no reason people should get their knickers in a twist if someone won't give a seat up.

If you require a seat you should do one of the following

1) Wait for the next bus
2) Call a cab
3) Rent a car

Oh, and in my experience- the little kids WANT to stand. It's a novelty to get to stand up in a moving vehicle for them, and in park closing crowds everyone's packed in so tight that there's really no chance of them falling over.

And as for the "care about others" remark- I've given away probably $200 in pins to young children, upwards of 150 glow sticks during parades, and 3 rolls of stickers over my past 5 trips. I care about others plenty.

You posted two opposing opinions. First, you said you won't give up your seat on the bus. Then, you said you will give up your seat 9 out of 10 times. It's confusing.

 

[skater]

As for me and mine, we will always give up our seats for people more needy. And teaching my kids those kind of manners has carried over into more complicated issues in their lives. I love it that my worldly, cool and tough (at least he thinks he is ) teen son can't walk past an elderly lady without offering to help her (carry groceries, hold the door, etc.). He has empathy for those who are less healthy than he is - and he treats them carefully in all aspects of his life.

At Disney, he's not stopping to judge whether or not they should have stood on the concrete for 20 more minutes to wait for the next bus, or pay $12 for a cab. He just cares about them regardless of chocies they could have made. Most people wouldn't think to wait for a bus anyway, and most don't think about the cabs either. Not everybody at Disney is as travel savvy as many of us on the DIS .

Now, I don't look around on the bus and judge you all who don't give up your seat - that's up to you. But again, as for my family, we will use kindness and manners in everything we do as much as possible, and without expecting anything in return.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

i figure I'm an able bodied man. I'm not in the best shape, but I can stand for 30 more minutes between waiting on the bus and the ride to the resort. I've been walking in the park for 13 hours, what's another half hour?

If there is an empty seat available I will take it. If a woman boards, I will offer the seat, no questions. Some take it, some do not. If a mother and child board I will move regardless. If the seat remains empty and the mother chooses to stand (it has happened), so be it. My duty as an East Carolina Pirate has been fulfilled.

I understand frustration and weariness. It's a hard day at the park, what with the fun rides and hugging on Pooh and the parades and the wonderful characters who spend all day in those hot costumes in the Florida heat. It's tough to walk around and enjoy all that and then feel I should give up a seat for a woman or anybody else.

I think the rudeness of some in the parks wears on us as the day goes on, and it's not until the end of that day, when we are all on the bus, tired and frustrated and weak and not thinking so clearly that these things really become a problem. At that point we may become like "Dang it! I've been bumped around all day and now I am gonna keep what's mine!"

Just one man's opinion.

 

[stargazertechie]

You posted two opposing opinions. First, you said you won't give up your seat on the bus. Then, you said you will give up your seat 9 out of 10 times. It's confusing.

Let me rephrase:

During the day, 9 times out of 10 I will give up my seat, regardless of how I'm feeling

At park closing, however during the mass exodus- you'd have to pry me off of that seat

 

[eastcarolinafan]

As for me and mine, we will always give up our seats for people more needy. And teaching my kids those kind of manners has carried over into more complicated issues in their lives. I love it that my worldly, cool and tough (at least he thinks he is ) teen son can't walk past an elderly lady without offering to help her (carry groceries, hold the door, etc.). He has empathy for those who are less healthy than he is - and he treats them carefully in all aspects of his life.

At Disney, he's not stopping to judge whether or not they should have stood on the concrete for 20 more minutes to wait for the next bus, or pay $12 for a cab. He just cares about them regardless of chocies they could have made. Most people wouldn't think to wait for a bus anyway, and most don't think about the cabs either. Not everybody at Disney is as travel savvy as many of us on the DIS .

Now, I don't look around on the bus and judge you all who don't give up your seat - that's up to you. But again, as for my family, we will use kindness and manners in everything we do as much as possible, and without expecting anything in return.

nice.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Do you know what makes me cringe? The thought that a family would place the responsibility for their family's safety or well being on total strangers. Don't want your family to stand? See to it yourself that they don't. Rent a car, use taxis to get around, or wait for a bus with open seating. Don't get on a bus expecting someone else will see to their safety and comfort for you.

Honestly, if I see a family get on the bus with grandma in tow, and grandma needs a seat, my first thought is that someone in that family should have cared enough to take care of grandma. Not that some total stranger should hop up and do it for them.

If someone wants to get up and offer their seat, fine. But expecting someone to do it is pretty rude in itself, imho.

AMEN! My family and I have ridden the bus exactly two times and hated it both times. Now we always have a car to use. If you REALLY want to make sure you have a seat - use a car or a taxi. Otherwise, don't expect others to make you comfortable. If it happens - great. If not - that's life. There are lots of ways to be rude - it just depends on your perspective.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's the issue, for those of you who feel the need to judge others....
there are many who look fine, but have issues. My dh, at 6'4'' and only 50 y/o, looks very fit. BUT..he had knee surgery. Before that knee surgery, you really didn't want him standing anywhere near you on that bus...he was so uncomfortable standing and he was never sure when his knee would give out. But, he would insist on getting up and offering his seat.
Same thing with my dad....basically fit at 89+ years, but has inner ear issues. He could no more stand on a moving bus than fly to the moon..but he would be the first one up to offer a seat.

I get up for those holding young children, for the elderly (understand that I am 62!!), pregnant, or those in obvious physical need. I have had young men jump up and offer me their seat...told their moms how nice the boys were.

But to generally just assume that if you are entitled to a seat is going to end in a not so good experience. Everyone is hot and tired. Perhaps that gentleman you see sitting in a seat has very bad blisters on his feet and he just can't stand anymore, but to you, he looks more than able to give you his seat.

The things that boggle my mind??? When the bus is filling and a woman takes the one remaining seat towards the front of the bus, but her dh refuses to leave her side and stands there, blocking the aisle. Or, those getting on the bus and move about half way back. They don't go far enough back to see the few empty seats left. And then, they have now blocked off the rest of the bus...even though the driver is yelling "Please, move all the way to the back!!''
Or, those people who feel that their shopping bag is much better off on the seat next to them than on the floor at their feet. I mean, really..can you blame them??? Someone they don't know might actually sit next to them!!!
Or the families with several adults and a gaggle of kids. They all take a seat...even the little ones. So now, rather than have each adult take a child on their lap, and empty up some seats for others, they take up 8 or so seats!!

So, basically?? Try to be charitable when on the bus. Try to understand that even though someone looks like they should be able to stand, perhaps they just can't.
Oh...and those of you who complain about the ECV's??? Law states they have to board first. Sorry if that holds you up. The only issue I have is when one person in an ECV gets to bring along their entire group of 10 with them when they board. Sorry, but that's wrong. One person should board with the person in the ECV, all others get to wait in the line with everyone else. Yes, that might mean they get on different bus. But, is it fair to those who have been patiently waiting for the bus for 15 mins to have someone in an ECV come along, with his entire group of 10, just as the bus approaches and they all get on first?? Only if there is going to be enough room on the bus for everyone else. I would think the bus driver could make that call. If they all insisted on being together, they could wait for the next bus if they were going to have to split up to get on the first bus.

 

[AnjieNet]

Eh, to each his/her own. I've ridden while pregnant and had people give up their seat for me. I didn't feel "entitled" to their seat but rather grateful. I've ridden while holding a sleeping toddler and had people give up their seat for me. Didn't feel "entitled" to their seat then either, just grateful again. I'm still an able bodied lady and respond now in kind if someone gets on the bus and needs a seat I'm occupying. Hubs always stands if there is not enough seats for everyone as well. DD too and hopefully I'm raising her so that she will continue to be so thoughtful of others. Not because she "has" to but because she "wants" to.