Transportation Complaint

[dreamer17555]

We just got back from an overall amazing trip but both me and DH had one big complaint dealing with Disney Transportation. Now this has nothing against the Disney CM, we stayed at POP and bus service was outstanding, monorails are always nice, and so are the Ferries. No our problem is with the people using Disney Transportation.

My kind hearted DH stood over 90% of the time to free up seats for children and those needing help but by the third day was growing a little weary of it because it seemed like so many little children (Under 5 for sure) we having seats to themselves while their parents sat in another seat. Anytime we traveled and the bus was anywhere close to having people stand I made my DD6 (Who is the size of an 8 yr old) sit on my lap to free up a space. I was utterly shocked about the amount of kids that stood when a mom could have easily placed her child on her lap and let another person's child have the seat.
This seems to happen everywhere.

I have heard that if it is too busy you should wait for another bus but most of the time the CM was trying to get everyone on board. Also I could never seem to judge if it was the old bus with more seats or a new one with less. In anycase if there were smaller children I made myself and DD6 stand (DH was normally already standing) even if they got on after us. Still it would have been nice for others to be considerate as well. I don't understand why more adults cant place their small children in their laps so another person (child or adult) may sit.

-Becca-

 

[Cool-Beans]

Pink is hard to read.

 

[Ziggie]

I was interested in your subject line, but the pink text is too hard on my eyes (sorry) :<

 

[dreamer17555]

Pink is hard to read.

Switched. I love my pink font. I hate that it is so hard for others to read.

 

[Tinks Girls]

I completely know how you feel. We had the same thing happen to us. I think that folks just get so tired and they feel as if they have paid a large sum of money - So, they will seat.

My DH and I both stood a lot while the kids sat. We always gave up our seats to an elderly rider or for someone with a young child.

 

[worm761]

on one hand i kind of agree with you. on the other, they can always wait for another bus. that is what i do. now when my son was younger i would put him in my lap. and if we hit a bus where we had to stand, well i didn't expect anyone to get up for me. those buses run on first come, first serve. everyone knows it. what i can't stand are the ones that complain because they have to stand. they CHOSE to get on a bus with standing room only. that was their choice.

 

[#1_Grumpy_Fan]

I also stand most of the time to allow older couple or young kids sit. I don't usually mind standing. I have done it so many times that I'm pretty much used to standing and expect to stand.

 

[maxiesmom]

I used to agree with you. But then a mom posted that she just didn't feel safe holding her child on her lap, that she would have no way to brace either of them if the bus ride was bumpy. At least if her child was in the seat next to her, she could put one arm out and hold on to her own seat with the other arm. It does make sense, and I am not going to argue with a parent for making a decision that they made out of safety concerns for their child.

Never forget that Disney transportation is just public transportation. While you may feel the need for someone to give up their seat, they may not look at it the same way. You can only control what you do, and if you choose to give up your seat for someone else, great. But I won't condem anyone who chooses to keep their seat.

 

[mantysk8coach]

I kind of gave up on bus etiquitte on our trip in December. I was seven months pregnant (very visable...not one of those cute petite pregnant women!) and my husband was holding our sleeping 40 pound 3 year old, and we always managed to end up having to stand when coming home from parks. Not one time did anyone ever offer us a seat. I mean, we survived, and it wasn't that big of a deal really...but that is just what we observed.

Like I said...it didn't bother us, me and my kankles survived (LOL), but it was just kind of an observation, and a little bit surprising after reading endless bus etiquitte threads on the DIS.

I don't think people mean to be rude sometimes, I think they are just oblivious at the end of a long day.

ETA...I realize this post sounds rambling and pointless. I edited four times and still am not sure it makes sense, or has a point. Sorry! Long day.

 

[huge mickey fan]

I am sorry but I can't get behind the safety as a factor for not giving up a seat. Overloading the buses the way they do isn't safe at all. I always put my 5 year old on my lap on the bus if we have seats. If an older couple or a parent with really small children or even sleeping children get seats before we do. Yes I have seen people carring their small sleeping children out of the park and they don't get to sit on the bus.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am sorry but I can't get behind the safety as a factor for not giving up a seat. Overloading the buses the way they do isn't safe at all. I always put my 5 year old on my lap on the bus if we have seats. If an older couple or a parent with really small children or even sleeping children get seats before we do. Yes I have seen people carring their small sleeping children out of the park and they don't get to sit on the bus.

How can you argue with a parent doing what they think is best for their child? Have you never used public transportation? There are no seatbelts, and they do try to cram as many people on as they can. Disney busses are not different. Busses are safer because of their size, but I can see how a parent would be more comfortable with their child in their own seat.

If you are physically unable to stand on a bus, don't get on one that you have to stand on. There are taxis available at all Disney parks. If you feel that you are putting yourself at risk by getting on a bus, then don't get on! Just because Disney provides them doesn't mean you have to use them.

 

[rockin_rep]

We just got back from an overall amazing trip but both me and DH had one big complaint dealing with Disney Transportation. Now this has nothing against the Disney CM, we stayed at POP and bus service was outstanding, monorails are always nice, and so are the Ferries. No our problem is with the people using Disney Transportation.

My kind hearted DH stood over 90% of the time to free up seats for children and those needing help but by the third day was growing a little weary of it because it seemed like so many little children (Under 5 for sure) we having seats to themselves while their parents sat in another seat. Anytime we traveled and the bus was anywhere close to having people stand I made my DD6 (Who is the size of an 8 yr old) sit on my lap to free up a space. I was utterly shocked about the amount of kids that stood when a mom could have easily placed her child on her lap and let another person's child have the seat.
This seems to happen everywhere.

I have heard that if it is too busy you should wait for another bus but most of the time the CM was trying to get everyone on board. Also I could never seem to judge if it was the old bus with more seats or a new one with less. In anycase if there were smaller children I made myself and DD6 stand (DH was normally already standing) even if they got on after us. Still it would have been nice for others to be considerate as well. I don't understand why more adults cant place their small children in their laps so another person (child or adult) may sit.

-Becca-

I couldn't agree more!!

Regarding the saftey issue: it must not be an issue or WDW would have it changed.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I used to take public transportation quite a little bit. Exclusively for a while. For YEARS I did that, which is why I don't take the bus at Disney - I flippin hate the bus and avoid it at all costs.

In the whole time I rode the bus, I saw a guy get up for someone ONCE. I commented loudly about how nice he was and how refreshing it was to encouter a gentleman on the bus. People started clapping for him. Then another guy got up. Pretty soon all the guys on the back half of the bus got up. It was so funny. People were clapping and laughing - it was great.

But it only happened that one time. People just don't get up. Not for moms with small kids and laundry, not for old people, not for pregnant women. They just don't.

If you're going to take the bus, my advice is (and I mean this in the nice way) get used to it. If you don't, you'll be very disappointed with public transportation. Just figure that nobody will get up and then be pleasantly surprised if they do.

 

[divawife]

I keep reading two different takes on this-1) If you don't want to stand then wait for the next bus and 2)The CM's insist you get on the bus and you have no clue when the next one will come along

I would prefer to wait for the next bus but it seems that there is no guarantee of another one coming along very close after the one you let go.

So basically, I am getting more and more confused about the bus transport. BTW we going to be at Music

 

[Tink888]

I am sorry but I can't get behind the safety as a factor for not giving up a seat. Overloading the buses the way they do isn't safe at all. I always put my 5 year old on my lap on the bus if we have seats. If an older couple or a parent with really small children or even sleeping children get seats before we do. Yes I have seen people carring their small sleeping children out of the park and they don't get to sit on the bus.

I agree. My family has done our share of standing and giving up our seats. If we do happen to get a seat on a crowded bus, I've always put my son on my lap. He is ten now and to this day (thankfully he isn't that heavy), if were both tired, he'll hop on my lap to may room for someone else. To me it's safer and considerate to put your kids on your lap so that as many folks as possible can have a seat. Everyone on the bus is so tired at the end of a long day, every little bit of consideration makes the ride go by that much quicker. JMO

 

[mantysk8coach]

I keep reading two different takes on this-1) If you don't want to stand then wait for the next bus and 2)The CM's insist you get on the bus and you have no clue when the next one will come along

I would prefer to wait for the next bus but it seems that there is no guarantee of another one coming along very close after the one you let go.

So basically, I am getting more and more confused about the bus transport. BTW we going to be at Music

As far as waiting for another bus to sit, if you have to choose between standing in line to wait for another bus (having no idea how long it will be), or standing ON a bus, you might as well just get on the bus...know what I mean? Either way, you are still standing, and if you get on the bus, at least you know you are going back to the resort.

 

[mombrontrent]

As far as waiting for another bus to sit, if you have to choose between standing in line to wait for another bus (having no idea how long it will be), or standing ON a bus, you might as well just get on the bus...know what I mean? Either way, you are still standing, and if you get on the bus, at least you know you are going back to the resort.

Now that makes alot of sense

 

[teach22180]

I kind of gave up on bus etiquitte on our trip in December. I was seven months pregnant (very visable...not one of those cute petite pregnant women!) and my husband was holding our sleeping 40 pound 3 year old, and we always managed to end up having to stand when coming home from parks. Not one time did anyone ever offer us a seat. I mean, we survived, and it wasn't that big of a deal really...but that is just what we observed.

Like I said...it didn't bother us, me and my kankles survived (LOL), but it was just kind of an observation, and a little bit surprising after reading endless bus etiquitte threads on the DIS.

I don't think people mean to be rude sometimes, I think they are just oblivious at the end of a long day.

ETA...I realize this post sounds rambling and pointless. I edited four times and still am not sure it makes sense, or has a point. Sorry! Long day.

This SHOCKS me that people didn't give up a seat for a pregnant lady. We stood all the time, usually giving seats up for older folks, but it would have been an easy decision with a pregnant person. I've never been pregnant, but it can't give you a great sense of balance! One on bus, we had too many people standing up for an older couple that they had their choice of seats. I'm sure some people are oblivious, as you say, but really. A PREGNANT woman??? That seems likea no-brainer to me.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

1st time poster long time lurker so let me say hello,
regarding the safty issue for the child, i don't see the difference in holding the child with on hand in another seat or holding the same child with one hand around their waiste while their in your lap. but in the end it is first come first serve so i wouldn't give any ugly looks if someone didn't offer to relinquish their seat to a lady or an older person.
P.S. -after walking for 8-12hrs i am pretty sure i can handle another 20mins standing.
Paul

 

[rockin_rep]

This SHOCKS me that people didn't give up a seat for a pregnant lady. We stood all the time, usually giving seats up for older folks, but it would have been an easy decision with a pregnant person. I've never been pregnant, but it can't give you a great sense of balance! One on bus, we had too many people standing up for an older couple that they had their choice of seats. I'm sure some people are oblivious, as you say, but really. A PREGNANT woman??? That seems likea no-brainer to me.

Wow, i didnt see her post the first time! That shocks me too, and makes me mad, and sad! How rude! I guess it takes all kinds but really, that takes nerve. Maybe its time the CM drivers make an announcement as part of their SOP.

Our kids sat on our laps for years amd years. We had a few older couples and pregnant women one night last month and people kindly stood for them. Another time last month i sat on DH's lap and our kids basically shared a seat (not liking it) while surrounded with toddlers in their own seats.

So speaking of safety, while we're all in good / great shape, you wouldn't have wanted any of US flying out of our seats if the bus hit a bump!!!