vent about WDW bus passengers

[disneyjunkie]

Last time I was there I saw a women whose precious Coach bag obviously needed the seat more than anyone who was standing. She got lots of glares from people but never moved the bag. When I passed her getting of the bus I sort of mentioned to her that her bag must have been very tired and looked like it really needed the seat.

I think the lady with the bag and the people glaring were nuts. If you're on a crowded bus, don't put your bag in a seat. If you see a bag in a seat and you want to sit, don't glare, open your mouth. "Excuse me, can you move your so that I can sit down?"

I can't believe a bus full of people would stand instead of asking the woman to hold her bag.

Like I said in earlier posts, I completely understand if the adult has a medical condition ect., and no, many times I wouldn't know just by looking at them, however when there are 20+ adults on a bus, I highly doubt every single one of them has some hidden medical condition The fact is many ppl. are just inconsiderate and only care about themselves. Just to be clear, this obviously wouldn't be your dh, as you've said he has a medical condition, but like I said those cases with sitting adults I gaurantee are not the norm.

What about the folks who got on the crowded bus expecting someone to give them a seat? Do you think they only care about themselves as well?

I've been giving my seat on buses and other places to people my entire life. As a child, my parents would have pushed me out of a seat if there had been adults standing while I was sitting. Even if I were tired, it would not have been acceptable for my dad or for me to sit while a lady was standing. As an adult, I continued giving up my seat because it was the considerate thing to do. Now as a 64-year-old woman, you are telling me I'm supposed to give up my seat to a child since he/she may be tired, ready to have a melt down or won't be happy if he has to stand. When will I be entitled to a seat? I've ridden buses at Disney World many times, and I can't remember anyone ever trying to offer me their seat except for a few very elderly men who clearly needed to stay. seated. I've never accepted their offer since they needed the seat much more than I did. Children always stood when I was a child, and if we fell, we were told we weren't paying attention or holding on as we should. Now I'm supposed to stand so your child can sit simply because he is a child and since you think his comfort is more important than anyone else's. I'm healthy, I'm not pregnant, I don't have a hidden disability, and I don't have a problem standing, but when will it be my turn to be entitled to sit? I want to be entitled like everyone else seems to be, and I'm afraid I've missed out on being special and more important than anyone else.

I'm so sorry, but you missed the snowflake era.

Very well spoken.
The problem is most parents now a day suffer from the "my child is so special" syndrome.
I'm really wondering if there are no "normal and healthy "children any more.
Obvioulsly a new disease is wandering around called the "special snowflake disease". Just wait until l these "snowflakes" meet the real world and mommy or daddy are not capable to protect them from the mean people that are out there.

I for one hope Disney keeps the buses they have. Those were made for standing. Millions of people ride the same type of buses around NYC day in and day out. Thousands of kids ride city buses and subways to and from school here each day. We haven't had a rash of standing kids flying up and down moving buses.

I agree with the person who said most DISers/WDW visitors just are clueless when it comes to public transportation. No matter how much pixie dust they toss on it, the WDW buses are just a form of public transportation. The buses will be packed during peak times and some people will have to stand.

If they didn't want some folks to stand, they would use coach buses. (The buses they use for Magical Express)

 

[luvmy3]

I'm pretty sure the majority of the people who posted don't really have a problem being considerate and giving up a seat to a person in need. It's the self-entitlement that people are having problems with. "I have a sleeping kid, I'm pregnant, I have a small child but I'm going to get on this standing room only bus anyways and somebody better offer me a seat!!! Otherwise they are rude and they weren't raised right."

If you are too pregnant to stand on the bus, then maybe you're too pregnant to be hiking all over the parks all day. If your child needs to sleep after a day at the park, rent a car and put them in their own carseat so they can. If you see that you will be the last ones on the crowded bus, let someone else get on and wait for the next one. These are all pretty simple things to do, yet the people who won't do these things for themsleves are the ones complaining about people not giving up a seat for them and their needs. Entitlement mentality at its finest

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I think people are so afraid of someone getting one up on them. They can't stop and think to be nice just for the sake of being nice. I count myself very lucky I'm able-bodied, my kids and husband are healthy and in good shape.. We will help someone in obvious distress..regardless whether they have a 'Sense of entitlement'

If they have so many troubles..maybe they are entitled to having someone be nice to them??

Lighten up people. Karma

 

[Aliceacc]

If it's any consolation, my kids have also missed the "snowflake" era.

If an adult is standing, they offer their seats. The last time we were in Disney, I don't think my son got to sit more than 3 or 4 times. (And, no, he didn't need prompting. It's 11 years of parenting kicking in.)

When the busses were crowded, they stood. Then again, so did we, frequently-- there was often someone elderly or pregnant or holding a small toddler who needed the rest more than we did. Should those people have called it a day eariler? I don't know and I don't care. I'm only responsible for the behavior of myself and my family.

There's no way I would EXPECT a seat on a bus during a crowded time. If anyone in my family were THAT incapacitated, I think we would have taken a cab back to the resort-- then seriously re-considered the way we approached the parks to avoid a recurrance.

But my kids are being taught that the world does not revolve around them. I love them too much to let them be snowflakes.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you are too pregnant to stand on the bus, then maybe you're too pregnant to be hiking all over the parks all day. If your child needs to sleep after a day at the park, rent a car and put them in their own carseat so they can. If you see that you will be the last ones on the crowded bus, let someone else get on and wait for the next one. These are all pretty simple things to do, yet the people who won't do these things for themsleves are the ones complaining about people not giving up a seat for them and their needs. Entitlement mentality at its finest

While I agree with most of what you posted I don't agree with what I bolded. Standing on a moving bus is much different than hiking the parks. The buses swerve, turn, stop suddenly etc. It is apples and oranges. I will however agree that if I want to sit then I wait for a bus so I can sit. I do not expect anyone to do anything for me or my family. I have experienced people pushing past me and my children when I was clearly first in line though. That is rude and yes, I should be getting that seat before them since I did wait.

For me, I don't think it has anything to do with entitlement. I expect nothing from anyone but I do think that it's just a nice thing to do. Like holding the door open for the person behind you. If you see someone struggling - regardless if they should have waited etc.- why wouldn't you (a general you) see what you can do to help? It seems like basic human kindness has fallen to the wayside.
I for one don't think that children are snowflakes and entitled to things etc. simply because they are children. I do think that common sense dictates that it is safer for them to be sitting than standing on a bus. Heck they have to be in carseats until almost High School now! That doesn't mean that I expect other people to make sure my kids are sitting. I make sure they are if I feel they need to be. Of course there are times where you simply have no choice- and yes- that does happen. It doesn't mean we didn't plan better etc. sometimes things are simply out of your control. When that does happen it is nice when someone sees your plight and tries to be helpful. It means a lot and is appreciated more than you can imagine. I do find it quite sad and almost disgusting when people see someone struggling and they sit and watch and do nothing to help. Are we really so important that we can't be bothered? That is just very very sad.

I also feel like maybe they are having a rough day. You never know when it might be YOU (a general you) who might be having that rough day. The kindness of strangers can sometimes turn your whole day around. It has happened to me and I try to remember that. YMMV.

 

[Britgirlus]

I mentioned this thread to dh (54) last night, and he was appalled to hear about people not offering their seats to others. He stood just about every bus ride last year, standing up and giving up his seat at every opportunity. I sat most of the time, with my 5 year old sitting on me. We told our son that this year, he will be expected to stand if necessary to let "needier" people sit, he thinks that is a wonderful idea (he'll be almost 7). Of course, I will stand also. On a side note - I had an appointment this morning at the US Immigration office -there were 3 chairs, occupied by myself and two young men. Two women came in, with a couple of small children - the 2 men immediately stood up to let the women sit down

 

[disney_fan1972]

I mentioned this thread to dh (54) last night, and he was appalled to hear about people not offering their seats to others. He stood just about every bus ride last year, standing up and giving up his seat at every opportunity. I sat most of the time, with my 5 year old sitting on me. We told our son that this year, he will be expected to stand if necessary to let "needier" people sit, he thinks that is a wonderful idea (he'll be almost 7). Of course, I will stand also. On a side note - I had an appointment this morning at the US Immigration office -there were 3 chairs, occupied by myself and two young men. Two women came in, with a couple of small children - the 2 men immediately stood up to let the women sit down

Ok, first... I love my home, the USA... but this made me currious...

I wonder, were the two gentlemen who stood American or immigrant? For those of you who are well versed in using public trans outside the US, what is the public transportation ediquite (think I spelled that wrong, sorry... not my strong suit) like?

 

[Aliceacc]

OH, I think common courtesy is alive and well in the US, at Disney and elsewhere.

But it doesn't make an impression on us the way a lack of courtesy does. If someone holds a door or offers a seat to us, we gasp a "Thanks!" and continue on our way. And if they do it for someone else, it barely makes our radar. But I think it's a lot more prevalent than we realize.

 

[brockash]

I've been giving my seat on buses and other places to people my entire life. As a child, my parents would have pushed me out of a seat if there had been adults standing while I was sitting. Even if I were tired, it would not have been acceptable for my dad or for me to sit while a lady was standing. As an adult, I continued giving up my seat because it was the considerate thing to do. Now as a 64-year-old woman, you are telling me I'm supposed to give up my seat to a child since he/she may be tired, ready to have a melt down or won't be happy if he has to stand. When will I be entitled to a seat? I've ridden buses at Disney World many times, and I can't remember anyone ever trying to offer me their seat except for a few very elderly men who clearly needed to stay. seated. I've never accepted their offer since they needed the seat much more than I did. Children always stood when I was a child, and if we fell, we were told we weren't paying attention or holding on as we should. Now I'm supposed to stand so your child can sit simply because he is a child and since you think his comfort is more important than anyone else's. I'm healthy, I'm not pregnant, I don't have a hidden disability, and I don't have a problem standing, but when will it be my turn to be entitled to sit? I want to be entitled like everyone else seems to be, and I'm afraid I've missed out on being special and more important than anyone else.

I think ppl. have been pretty clear on the fact that they're not talking about an 8/10 year old healthy child that they'd feel that they'd give their seat to. They're talking about ppl. being more in need of a seat than they are. It's really not that complicated. For me, when I'm 64 and perfectly healthy without having a problem of standing, I absolutely will still be giving up my seat to the elderly person/small child/pregnant woman or anyone else that I see that clearly needs the seat more than myself. It's really not that hard of a decision, but that's just me. For me, it's not about "but when's it my turn to sit, what about me...???" It's about doing what's polite and in my opinion what's right to do. It's about treating other ppl. the way that I would want myself or my family to be treated. If I can stand on a bus without a problem, why would I not offer my seat to someone that needs the seat more than myself????

 

[luvmy3]

While I agree with most of what you posted I don't agree with what I bolded. Standing on a moving bus is much different than hiking the parks. The buses swerve, turn, stop suddenly etc. It is apples and oranges. I will however agree that if I want to sit then I wait for a bus so I can sit. I do not expect anyone to do anything for me or my family. I have experienced people pushing past me and my children when I was clearly first in line though. That is rude and yes, I should be getting that seat before them since I did wait.

For me, I don't think it has anything to do with entitlement. I expect nothing from anyone but I do think that it's just a nice thing to do. Like holding the door open for the person behind you. If you see someone struggling - regardless if they should have waited etc.- why wouldn't you (a general you) see what you can do to help? It seems like basic human kindness has fallen to the wayside.
I for one don't think that children are snowflakes and entitled to things etc. simply because they are children. I do think that common sense dictates that it is safer for them to be sitting than standing on a bus. Heck they have to be in carseats until almost High School now! That doesn't mean that I expect other people to make sure my kids are sitting. I make sure they are if I feel they need to be. Of course there are times where you simply have no choice- and yes- that does happen. It doesn't mean we didn't plan better etc. sometimes things are simply out of your control. When that does happen it is nice when someone sees your plight and tries to be helpful. It means a lot and is appreciated more than you can imagine. I do find it quite sad and almost disgusting when people see someone struggling and they sit and watch and do nothing to help. Are we really so important that we can't be bothered? That is just very very sad.

I also feel like maybe they are having a rough day. You never know when it might be YOU (a general you) who might be having that rough day. The kindness of strangers can sometimes turn your whole day around. It has happened to me and I try to remember that. YMMV.

I was just trying to make the point that YOU (general you) are in control of your own vacation. If you can manage to be on your feet all day, riding some of the rides a WDW then surely you could handle standing on the bus, even with swerving. Is it uncomfortable, sure but if its something you can't handle then you are the one that needs to do something about it, nobody else. I could have worded it differently but my point is that you are in control of how you get to and from the parks and maybe the bus just isn't the right option if you are the type who expects people to give up their seat for you becaue you have a certain condition mentioned in any of these posts here.
All that being said, I would offer my seat to a pregnant woman, elderly person, disabled person or a parent carrying a small child. My children would do the same and in fact we did do this on our trip, the only time we sat was when we left early the night of MNSSHP and there were seats available. My problem is that there are people who expect you to do that, and there is a difference between them and people who are appreciative and thankful because they don't expect a seat just because........

 

[brockash]

I think the lady with the bag and the people glaring were nuts. If you're on a crowded bus, don't put your bag in a seat. If you see a bag in a seat and you want to sit, don't glare, open your mouth. "Excuse me, can you move your so that I can sit down?"







What about the folks who got on the crowded bus expecting someone to give them a seat? Do you think they only care about themselves as well?


)

I don't think the majority of the ppl. posting here EXPECT to have someone give them a seat just because they're elderly/more in need ect., however I think it's absolutely the right thing to do, and yes it really does put a bad taste in my mouth when I hear about perfectly healthy ppl. say they don't have any problem sitting while someone more in need stands. That's just sad, but it does go to show a big problem with our society.

 

[bonoriffic]

I wonder, were the two gentlemen who stood American or immigrant? For those of you who are well versed in using public trans outside the US, what is the public transportation ediquite (think I spelled that wrong, sorry... not my strong suit) like?

Just this week I saw that the UK will start making new immigrants take a class in how to queue, as many countries do not have a culture of standing in line. Most former and current socialist countries have a system of pushing your way to the front. It is chaos to outsiders.

Public transportation in Japan employee people whose sole job is to push and cram you onto the train. And I actually mean push, not gentle encouragement to move to the back.

A large percentage of the world still has a class based system of public transportation, where your status in society dictates your seat over others.

 

[brockash]

If it's any consolation, my kids have also missed the "snowflake" era.

If an adult is standing, they offer their seats. The last time we were in Disney, I don't think my son got to sit more than 3 or 4 times. (And, no, he didn't need prompting. It's 11 years of parenting kicking in.)

When the busses were crowded, they stood. Then again, so did we, frequently-- there was often someone elderly or pregnant or holding a small toddler who needed the rest more than we did. Should those people have called it a day eariler? I don't know and I don't care. I'm only responsible for the behavior of myself and my family.

There's no way I would EXPECT a seat on a bus during a crowded time. If anyone in my family were THAT incapacitated, I think we would have taken a cab back to the resort-- then seriously re-considered the way we approached the parks to avoid a recurrance.

But my kids are being taught that the world does not revolve around them. I love them too much to let them be snowflakes.

This thread is not about "special snowflakes." It's about giving your seat up to someone more in need. I'm just wondering if all of you feel the same about giving up a seat to an elderly person, or someone with an obvious handicap??? I don't get the resentment some ppl. seem to have towards children, but that is not what this thread is about, so that discussion can be for another time.

Ppl. aren't talking about an able adult giving up a seat for an 8/10 year old child. They're talking about giving up your seat for someone more in need, whether that be a parent holding a child, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a small child that's unable to reach the bars/or a short adult unable to reach the bars. It really isn't going to hurt anyone to have a little courtesy.

 

[livndisney]

This thread is not about "special snowflakes." It's about giving your seat up to someone more in need. I'm just wondering if all of you feel the same about giving up a seat to an elderly person, or someone with an obvious handicap??? I don't get the resentment some ppl. seem to have towards children, but that is not what this thread is about, so that discussion can be for another time.

Ppl. aren't talking about an able adult giving up a seat for an 8/10 year old child. They're talking about giving up your seat for someone more in need, whether that be a parent holding a child, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a small child that's unable to reach the bars/or a short adult unable to reach the bars. It really isn't going to hurt anyone to have a little courtesy.

I disagree, this thread was started by someone complaining that no one gave up their seat for her child(ren).

 

[Elisa84]

I always give up my seat to those who look like they need it with no exception, especially small children because there really is not much for them to hold onto. If I can walk all day in the park, I can suck it up for another 20 minutes. If you don't want to give up your seat, fine, that's your choice. I'd rather promote courtesy and help out another person whether it's merited or not , but I guess that's just the Kansas in me.

And besides, those good vibes might come back to you when you least expect it.

 

[brockash]

We are staying at the POR resort now, and have stayed at ASMo in the past, this just irritates me to the bone! The adult passengers on a crowded resort bus not getting off their lazy you know what and giving up their seats to the small children that are standing! These people know good and well that these children cannot reach the bars! I understand that their are some adults that need to sit and those that are holding sleeping children, but my gosh people, if you are able to stand then give up your seat to a child! Ok, getting off my soapbox now and going to do laundry so we have clothes to wear the rest of the week.

I disagree, this thread was started by someone complaining that no one gave up their seat for her child(ren).[/QUOTE]

As you can see above, it was started about many adults not volunteering to give their seat to a "small child" that isn't able to reach the bars. -In my mind, this would qualify as someone that is more in need of a seat than myself. I don't get the big deal, like I said it's really not going to hurt me at all to give my seat up to that small child unable to reach the bars, in fact (gasp) it might even make me feel a little good

 

[NHdisneylover]

Can I say that my view on this has changed now that I have children. I have always stood however. I would get frustrated pre-baby about cranky kids and would give up my seat but didn't really REALLY understand. Most people with young kids at DW will experience a meltdown and be in that situation. Last time DD was so upset and someone let me sit with her and I still remember that. I also the old lady pissed off a me standing with a sleeping baby because I asked her to move so I could get off the monorail. I ave also gone visibly pregnant and had people just stare at me while I held on bus rail and almost fall over. Yes I know it was my choice to take a bus rather than a cab and took a chance. And my father is a dialysis patient (was actually...just got a transplant) and he is in very bad health and even HE gave up a seat for a baby and mother.

Well, my view has changed now that i have children as well. Having now stood on busses holding a sleeping child (two sleeping children a couple of times) and having been pregnant, etc. I now know just how possible it is. I am truly less tolerant of the aruments that revolve having a youn child meaning you deserve special treatment now that I have been there and done that than i was before

As for the teens/young adults who say that they are tired all day and too bad for the child who needs to sit because they were in a stroller all day, well, if you were MY child- I would rip your butt out of that seat so fast your head would spin (but hey, that's just me). I get being tired etc. but a small child simply cannot balance and hold onto the rails the same way a young adult could. It is dangerous. It is not an issue of the child needing to sit and rest. Of course you are entitled to behave in any manner you chose but I will still have my opinion of it.
.

Do you have a teen or young adult yet? I ask because my DD had decent balance at age 2. She could stand well on a bus and I could easily hold her and catch her if she did start to fall. Now at 13 she is a good two inches taller than me and growing upwards and in all sorts of other ways at a rapid pace. Her rapidly changing body has thrown her balance way out of whack (and can make her much more tired than normal) and her bigger size makews it impossible for me to hold onto her on the bus. She still stands on busses and trams (pretty much every day actually as we live in the land of great public transit), but hoenstly she probably needs the seat more than a toddler from a safety standpoint

These concerns should be directed more to Disney, that way we won't end up fighting amongst ourselves on the beloved Disboards (not that there has been a lot of fighting on this discussion, I've read all the comments and they've been pretty civil.)

This is a very legitimate concern in that it involves safety and liability issues, more so than courtesy. I really think that the best way to effect change would be to let Disney know how you feel. The buses can be a bit ridiculous with the long wait times between runs and numerous stops before reaching one's final destination, but at $79 per ticket per day base price, if enough folks brought up their concerns, the company would probably listen.

I disagree. Standing on busses is common for public transportation the world over--including many places in the USA. If you are not happy with standard public transportation practices then do not use the public transportation at WDW.

Ok, first... I love my home, the USA... but this made me currious...

I wonder, were the two gentlemen who stood American or immigrant? For those of you who are well versed in using public trans outside the US, what is the public transportation ediquite (think I spelled that wrong, sorry... not my strong suit) like?

Hard to know. In the year we have been in Germany (taking trams and trains nearly daily) I have rarely seen people give up seats on the trams. The exception to this is the seats marked as for wheelchairs or strollers. People nearly always get out of them as soon as they see a stroller or wheel chair begin to board. We offered our seats to elderly people with canes a few times early on. On every occasion we were greeted with either grudgun acceptance or flat out refusal and got the clear impression that it was insulting to insinuate that the person was not capable of standing for the ride. At least in the Heidelberg area the prevailing attitude seems to be that no one wants to be thought of as not capable of standing (and for many people here it IS their main or only option--lots of people ener even got driver's licenses, especially among older women). Toddlers manage quite well every day.

 

[bavaria]

Hard to know. In the year we have been in Germany (taking trams and trains nearly daily) I have rarely seen people give up seats on the trams. The exception to this is the seats marked as for wheelchairs or strollers. People nearly always get out of them as soon as they see a stroller or wheel chair begin to board. We offered our seats to elderly people with canes a few times early on. On every occasion we were greeted with either grudgun acceptance or flat out refusal and got the clear impression that it was insulting to insinuate that the person was not capable of standing for the ride. At least in the Heidelberg area the prevailing attitude seems to be that no one wants to be thought of as not capable of standing (and for many people here it IS their option--lots of people ener even got driver's licenses, especially among older women). Toddlers manage quite well every day.

People are raised to be self-sufficient and not to rely on others but to be responsible for themselves. We look after each other of course but we do not demand that people do so to us. It is a matter of pride frankly not to need help. I cringe with embarassment the very few times a year I have to ask. It is a very very different mentality from the 'everyone owes me because I am special.'

Go on holiday to a Kur location, or visit one of the communities for war injured, and everyone helps everyone else, including the disabled and the elderly. In our family who lives in the war vetaran community everyone makes up for someone else's shortfalls. The man with one arm reads the paper to the blind man and the blind man runs errands for the man with one leg.

The irony is that our neighbour on this thread was torn down for not being compassionate when she falls into many of the categories we most likely all agree 'deserves' a seat. Yet she doesn't feel the need to demand one even though she is an old sick lady who was pregnant in past. She probably needs a seat more than most of the young healthy people posting with outrage.

On another thread someone did complain about being asked to move - he and his family were seated in the seats marked for special needs passengers and someone in an ECV boarded.

All of that doesn't mean that we are hard and uncaring. I think that it means that we are hardy and strong. We have compassion and we give assistance but we don't demand it for ourselves.

 

[bavaria]

Just this week I saw that the UK will start making new immigrants take a class in how to queue, as many countries do not have a culture of standing in line. Most former and current socialist countries have a system of pushing your way to the front. It is chaos to outsiders.

Public transportation in Japan employee people whose sole job is to push and cram you onto the train. And I actually mean push, not gentle encouragement to move to the back.

A large percentage of the world still has a class based system of public transportation, where your status in society dictates your seat over others.

it is one question on the citizenship test, not a class.

For all that this website loves to look down on 'foreigners' some of the most kind and considerate people I know are in countries which have very little relative wealth. The people don't play these games of 'I deserve more than you'.

A few weeks ago I was waiting in a very hot crowded room in India for over an hour. I chose to stand, but it was amazing how every single man and child rose and offered a seat to women and elderly when they walked in.

I don't see that in North America so often and it definitely stood out.

 

[livndisney]

I disagree, this thread was started by someone complaining that no one gave up their seat for her child(ren).[/QUOTE]

As you can see above, it was started about many adults not volunteering to give their seat to a "small child" that isn't able to reach the bars. -In my mind, this would qualify as someone that is more in need of a seat than myself. I don't get the big deal, like I said it's really not going to hurt me at all to give my seat up to that small child unable to reach the bars, in fact (gasp) it might even make me feel a little good

I think it is nice that you give up your seat to a small child. But as a parent of a child who physically can't hold on to the bars-it is my responsibilty to keep my child safe. I don't get on a standing room only bus. I wait for the next bus. I would never expect someone to give up their seat.