Transportation Complaint

[Maggie'sMom]

I think it's polite for a parent to put a small child on their lap to free up a seat, but I also think that you can't get upset at children occupying seats of their own. Having ridden with my DD on my lap, it was much more difficult for me to brace myself and her when she was in my lap as opposed to being in her own seat.

I had a completely different experience than you on the Disney busses when we were there in 2/2007. I had several men offer to give up seats for me and my daughter at various times. One time one seat was offered for us by a gentleman and when I sat down with my DD on my lap, the preteen boy next to us gave up his seat and told me to let my DD sit there. I protested that she was fine on my lap, but this young man (probably around 9 or 10) insisted that I should let her sit in his seat. I guess he just wanted to spread a little Disney magic at the end of a long day.

 

[123SA]

I think it is hit or miss. I too have stood very pregnant, holding a sleeping 2 yr old on the bus. During the same trip, I also was given a seat. Sometimes, people are so weary, or paying attention to their children, that they aren't paying attention to you and the fact that you may need a seat.

 

[KorieDWnut]

I think it is hit or miss. I too have stood very pregnant, holding a sleeping 2 yr old on the bus. During the same trip, I also was given a seat. Sometimes, people are so weary, or paying attention to their children, that they aren't paying attention to you and the fact that you may need a seat.

That's what I think too. I don't think everyone is looking around and seeing if anyone wants a seat. I don't think I am being rude if I don't give up my seat because I honestly don't look around on the bus. If I am tired and I get a seat, then I sit, maybe close my eyes, rest my head on dh or the wall.

I know it is nice and all that to offer my seat but I don't always pay attention.

 

[tnmomof4]

On our trip last year, which was in June, I had many kind men offer their seat to me as I was holding my sleeping 3 year old or just trying to hold on to both my twins hands. If I do get a seat I will put both my twins on my lap and put my stuff under the seat.

Those people are the ones who really spread the magic. When threads come up about pet peeves in Disney or rude people at Disney, I always say that there are some who are very kind and thoughtful.

My DS who is 11 has often offered his seat to someone all on his own. I am so proud of him.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

In an ideal world, the woman that has an infant or toddler in her arms or a carrier would wait for the next bus. But it's not always easy to see when the seats are going to run out. And in any case, regardless of what she should have done, she's on the bus, now. It is very hard to keep one's balance on a moving bus holding an infant or toddler while standing. She therefore 100% needs a seat and any able bodied person nearby should give up their seat.

 

[EnnEss]

Bus ettiquette is so difficult and many are extremely judgmental. I take public transit (bus and skytrain) everyday for 2 hours in each direction to and from campus. Its four hours, ughhhhhhhh, in rush hour. I could drive but its free for our college to take transit, so my car stays home ( you think disney is expensive to park at? My school is 18 dollars a day, real estate is insane here).

I get up for the elderly, but to be honest I don't even bother any more for middle aged people who are older than me most of the time. I used too, especiallfy if they were a family or something, but I just don't care any more, its public transit. This was triggered because I had broken foot last year, but it was out of the cast but painful (my school also involves an amazing amount of walking, like disney) after a day at school and someone on the bus got upset I wasn't getting up for her, she was about 40, im late 20s.

Never again after that, just don't care. Parents and their kids run wild a lot of the time too, I'm reading, doing homework and have a kid beside me and the parents standing or sitting behind them while the kid pokes me, spins in the seat kicking me or whatever else. I dont care enough to say anything or even glare or anything like that, but I don't give up my seat, I'll do homework or sleep instead sitting.

This attitude carries with me at Disney, its public transit, no one's entitled to the seat, if a family has a 3 year old in a seat, thats fine, if they have an empty seat beside that seat, im going to sit there if I'm tired. I don't mind standing if im not. I'll always get up and insist for the elderly to sit whether they look like they need it or not, thats it, everyone else is a free for all.

I think if you see someone in a seat on a bus basically, and you're under sixty, there is really no circumstance that they should get up for you, unless you have a medical issue, and there are handicap seats at the front you should ask for in that case.

*Edit - Babies too young, as mentioned a bunch previously, dont qualify as able bodied people. A six year old though, again I just dont care.

 

[troynkasey]

I've kind of given up on expecting others to be polite and kind. From people running me over with their stroller, to people pushing and bumping me in line, to people not watching their child as they run around me, bump into me or do whatever else. I myself would not expect someone to give up their seat. Have I given up my seat? Sure. I can stand and my wife and daughter sit together.

You have a choice to ride the transportation or take your own vehicle. You also have the choice to wait for a seat for the next ride (which I've seen people do).

 

[Desnik]

I think the bigger issue is how Disney crams the buses with people. It is one thing to have to stand on a bus with wiggle room and a bar to hold. It's another thing to stand on a bus with elbow to elbow people, a sleeping kid in your arms, a stroller between your legs and no bar to hold onto!! Yes this has happened to us! DH and I have always given up our seats for the elderly, children or anyone who is pregnant or holding a sleeping kid. We will always let our kids sit first. What happens with us now is after a very bad car accident, DH and I can't do the balancing act mentioned above anymore. So now we sit with a kid each on our laps. Works for us.

I grew up in NYC and public transportation was an every day occurrence for me. I just can't believe Disney packs the people on the buses like they do. It really is ridiculous. It will only get worse now with the stroller rental prices because more people will be bringing their own strollers. Where the heck are people going to put their strollers, there is no room now as it is. I bring an umbrella stroller and even that is hard to control on the bus. Could you imagine what parents will be going through with their big strollers, or doubles?

 

[lizardqueen]

I'm probably going to get flamed for my opinion. But everyone on that bus (including children, able bodied men, women and smurfs) is just as tired and wanting of that seat as the next person. The problem is with everyone who choses to get on the bus and then feels that they are entitled to someone else's seat. I am sorry, it really doesn't have anything to do with being polite or kind, as I know plenty of us here are. We waited for a seat on the bus, and if we didn't feel like standing on an already full bus, we probably stood for longer just to get a seat. So sorry, I'm not giving it up for anyone. For what it's worth, I don't agree with the way Disney piles people in the busses, but they do and obviously don't see a problem with it. So I either get on the bus with no complaints or take a taxi.

 

[msmouse]

My son would get a thump to the back of his head if he did not give up his seat to someone in need, i.e. elderly, small child, pregnant woman. However, I never had to do this because my son knows common courtesy.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Honestly, if everyone who felt entitled to having someone give up their seat for them got a seat, no one would ever be standing.

Yes, I think it's nice to give up your seat if you are able to stand but I don't think it's a requirement. (I also don't know why people think men should have to stand but not women.) In my experience with Disney buses, people were generally pretty polite and I saw lots of people giving up seats. I only remember one rude bus incident during my whole trip and that was a lady with a child in a stroller who thought that she could just go to the front of the line while waiting for the bus.

 

[snow88]

I'm probably going to get flamed for my opinion. But everyone on that bus (including children, able bodied men, women and smurfs) is just as tired and wanting of that seat as the next person. The problem is with everyone who choses to get on the bus and then feels that they are entitled to someone else's seat. I am sorry, it really doesn't have anything to do with being polite or kind, as I know plenty of us here are. We waited for a seat on the bus, and if we didn't feel like standing on an already full bus, we probably stood for longer just to get a seat. So sorry, I'm not giving it up for anyone. For what it's worth, I don't agree with the way Disney piles people in the busses, but they do and obviously don't see a problem with it. So I either get on the bus with no complaints or take a taxi.

If you have a child and take a taxi. Don't you need to have a car seat? I've been dying to ask that question because I don't drive so I have to use Disney transportaion or a taxi but haven't used a taxi because my baby is only 18 mths.

 

[lizardqueen]

If you have a child and take a taxi. Don't you need to have a car seat? I've been dying to ask that question because I don't drive so I have to use Disney transportaion or a taxi but haven't used a taxi because my baby is only 18 mths.

Sorry, I've not taken a taxi with a child that young. I know that someone on here will have the answer for you.

 

[123SA]

If you have a child and take a taxi. Don't you need to have a car seat? I've been dying to ask that question because I don't drive so I have to use Disney transportaion or a taxi but haven't used a taxi because my baby is only 18 mths.

Yes. You need a car seat. Many of the taxis in my experience had car seats in their trunk. You can also call the taxi company direct and request a car seat. However, at the Magic Kingom, taxis are at the TTC, so you would need to take the monorail there first.

 

[Amusement]

If you have a child and take a taxi. Don't you need to have a car seat? I've been dying to ask that question because I don't drive so I have to use Disney transportaion or a taxi but haven't used a taxi because my baby is only 18 mths.

Car seat laws usually do not apply to taxis. You can usually hold a young child on your lap. However, Taxis have the same risks as any other car or mini van where buses have been proven to be safer for children traveling without a car seat. It's up to the parent to decide if they are comfortable with the risk.

You can always bring a car seat to pop in a taxi and I know that you can sometimes order a taxi with a car seat where I live. I don't know if the taxis that serve Disney World have that option.

 

[Amusement]

Just wanted to add that I'm am trying to google florida laws to see if they are one of the states that does require a cart seat in a taxi.

 

[123SA]

Car seat laws usually do not apply to taxis.


You can always bring a car seat to pop in a taxi and I know that you can sometimes order a taxi with a car seat where I live. I don't know if the taxis that serve Disney World have that option.

1. I didn't know that the law didn't apply to taxis -- I guess that makes some sense since it doesn't apply to buses.

2. What will the poster do with the car seat while she is at the park? A little too much to lug around and are the lockers big enough to hold it? I have struggled with the car seat issue and would like to hear if there are any solutions (other than the obvious -- rent a car!)

3. Yes, you can most definitely order a taxi with a car seat. It was no problem when we left from a resort or DTD. Trying to find your taxi when leaving a park at closing....I have never tried this and I frankly think it wouldn't work very well. You'd have better luck if you were leaving before the masses.

 

[Amusement]

And to finish serial posting...
A quick glance at this makes me think Florida does require car seats in a taxi. I would call and ask the taxi company if they provide car seats/boosters or if you need to provide your own.

http://flsenate.gov/Statutes/index..../SEC613.HTM&Title=->2003->Ch0316->Section 613

 

[Amusement]

1. I didn't know that the law didn't apply to taxis -- I guess that makes some sense since it doesn't apply to buses.

That is the case in many states. I wouldn't be comfortable with it just because taxis have the same risks as a regular car. I did a quick google search and it looks like Florida does require car seats for taxis. They listed buses as exempt, but not taxis.

 

[eliza61]

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.

1) I think they over load the buses so they won't have to hear folks complain about having to wait 15 minutes for another one. I am always amazed how many people I hear gripping at the bus stop because they have to wait.

2) no way to enforce common courtesy. Face it, over time we have become a very rude society. Go to the mall. Why would you think at Disney, it would be automatically different? Pixie dust only goes so far. Lately I have seen more and more guest behaving badly then I ever did.