Disney bus transportation etiquette rant

[Texas84]

Our bus from Riverside to AK was a charter for some reason. Very nice.

But I've stopped trying to give up my seat to women because too many act insulted, including one pregnant woman who rudely turned down the offer.

 

[WDW_Jon]

Signs no, I agree, but changing the environment absolutely changes behavior.

In some things yes, but don't at all see how an all seater coach for example would change anything as them all we'd hear about is them bring less accessible with people having to walk to the back and then about etiquette when piling off as you know some would charge from the back leaving others further forward waiting.
Complicating loading and unloading would make things worse IMO.
Not to mention the stroller/wheelchair issues on such coaches.

 

[jloucks]

Our bus from Riverside to AK was a charter for some reason. Very nice.

But I've stopped trying to give up my seat to women because too many act insulted, including one pregnant woman who rudely turned down the offer.

It is a societal shift on a massive scale. Special treatment based on sex is offensive to many, and the numbers are increasing.

 

[wdwjmp239]

Since my wife comes down with a serious case of motion sickness while riding the bus, we just take the car or monorail. We think the bumpiness of the bus and the "stop and go" when the bus is making its resort stops sets her off.

I was raised by my parents who taught me to stand up and make room for those older than me. It's the respectable thing to do and I have no problem doing it.

 

[BuddyThomas]

WARNING- POTENTIALLY UNPOPULAR OPINION BELOW

As a New Yorker, I sometimes feel like I spend half my life cramming onto sardine packed subways and busses trying to get a seat. Elderly people here will turn into Super Senior and knock you into a gutter to get on before anyone else can claim their precious real estate.

If a subway is too crowded (almost aways), I wait for another one. At rush hour I sometimes have to wait three trains before there is one with room to breathe. I don't like it, but that's life. No one is forcing me to live in this lunatic asylum and my subway fare did not guarantee me or entitle me to a seat - only transportation from point A to point B.

That is my way of prefacing why I am not getting up from a WDW bus seat for just anyone. I will get up for you if you have a broken limb, if you are visibly pregnant, or if you are Grandma Moses or Methuselah. On the other hand, I don't necessarily see why someone is more entitled to my seat (that I got to before they did...........and maybe even waited for the next bus to get) just because someone decided to travel with very small children or because they are of a different gender. We've all been walking miles and miles in the heat all day and every last one of us has sore feet and the option to wait for the next bus to be the first one on to claim a seat.

If that makes me sound like a jerk, I'm sorry, and if someone said to me "Ezcuse me but I'm really feeling ill, and I was wondering if I could sit down..." or something like that, I would instantly give up my seat. But it just seems like there is a whole lotta seat entitlement going on in this thread.

That said, after reading this whole thing, I am going to make it a goal to offer at least one seat or more (assuming I even get one seat) to a person incapacitated in some way on my trip that begins Thursday. It's true that sometimes people get caught up in our own situations and forget to show kindness to strangers. If I can offer a small dose of pixie dust, why not? But not if you are as able bodied as myself, regardless of gender or family size. That just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

WARNING- POTENTIALLY UNPOPULAR OPINION BELOW

As a New Yorker, I sometimes feel like I spend half my life cramming onto sardine packed subways and busses trying to get a seat. Elderly people here will turn into Super Senior and knock you into a gutter to get on before anyone else can claim their precious real estate.

If a subway is too crowded (almost aways), I wait for another one. At rush hour I sometimes have to wait three trains before there is one with room to breathe. I don't like it, but that's life. No one is forcing me to live in this lunatic asylum and my subway fare did not guarantee me or entitle me to a seat - only transportation from point A to point B.

That is my way of prefacing why I am not getting up from a WDW bus seat for just anyone. I will get up for you if you have a broken limb, if you are visibly pregnant, or if you are Grandma Moses or Methuselah. On the other hand, I don't necessarily see why someone is more entitled to my seat (that I got to before they did...........and maybe even waited for the next bus to get) just because someone decided to travel with very small children or because they are of a different gender. We've all been walking miles and miles in the heat all day and every last one of us has sore feet and the option to wait for the next bus to be the first one on to claim a seat.

If that makes me sound like a jerk, I'm sorry, and if someone said to me "Ezcuse me but I'm really feeling ill, and I was wondering if I could sit down..." or something like that, I would instantly give up my seat. But it just seems like there is a whole lotta seat entitlement going on in this thread.

I pretty much agree I will get up and always do offer my seat to any elderly person, I however am not giving my seat to a pregnant women or someone packing a kid, I look at it this way if you kept your kid out too late and they fell asleep that is your problem, and if you are insane enough to come to Disney World pregnant, you can stand.

That said, after reading this whole thing, I am going to make it a goal to offer at least one seat or more (assuming I even get one seat) to a person incapacitated in some way on my trip that begins Thursday. It's true that sometimes people get caught up in our own situations and forget to show kindness to strangers. If I can offer a small dose of pixie dust, why not? But not if you are as able bodied as myself, regardless of gender or family size. That just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Soarin2u]

We have been on vacation for just over a week from the uk and we have been having a wonderful time. We have been making the most of all of the time we have here, and have enjoyed the hospitality of Disney and its visitors. The only fly in the ointment has been our amazement at the lack of manners displayed on the late night busses back from the parks and DTD. So far every packed bus has seen grown men and teenage boys steadfastly sitting down while elderly folks, very small children and pregnant women have had to stand. I have stood to give up my seat on every journey and so has my wife and 10 year old daughter, we see it as the right thing to do. Is this a forgotten thing to do I the states? I hope not?
On the bus back tonight from HS in the seats in front of me sat 2 single guys, a rather large man with his 2 teenage sons ( who's wife stood ) and 2 young girls. Standing in front of them in the isle was a lady holding a sleeping 4 year old, an elderly couple and a family with 2 small children. You guessed it the sitting people made a great effort not to make eye contact all of the way back to our hotel.
At first I thought it was just on one bus, but so far it's been on all of them. It's a sad state of affairs when this becomes the norm and acceptable.
Sorry for the rant, but I had to get it off my chest!

Just got back from my trip there today. And may I agree, but I must expand upon it in my own needless rant.
Scooters.
60% didn't need the scooters or at least externally they didn't appear to need it. One instance that really ruffled my family feathers is when a obese woman sat on a scooter. Not the first one like so, but she had no problem getting off the scooter (taking three seats) and walking up the stairs and taking up two full seats in the back with her husband. It was a cramped bus and she took up 5... 5! Seats.

Lastly there is no need to be louder on a full bus so your pals can hear you. Especially when the entire bus is dead silent. Even if it wasn't, not necessary to be sure bob can hear you through two standing passengers.

 

[Hockey89]

Thanks for the comments, but I will have to disagree about pre judging people that might not be able to stand. You can't tell me that most of the people who were sitting could not have given up their seat. Just by the law of averages most of the people sitting would have been fit and healthy. As for feeling they have just as much right to sit just doesn't cut it from how I was brought up. And how does a husband and sons sit while their mom and wife stands? Manners are manners and healthy men should always give up their seat to others, period.

Disagree completely.... We live in a world where feminist demand equality(Actually special treatment)...Sorry you get what you ask for.... I can CHOICE to stand if I want to but if I don't tough....

 

[Hockey89]

Chivalry isn't dead... maybe it's just on vacation too. It's too bad really.

Why should there be chivalry anymore? You can't demand equality left and right and cry when other aspects of life change...It's not the 1950.... Unattended consequences of choice... I would never give my seat to a fit female...Every

 

[wm49rs]

Disagree completely.... We live in a world where feminist demand equality(Actually special treatment)...Sorry you get what you ask for.... I can CHOICE to stand if I want to but if I don't tough....

Not sure equality and special treatment are one in the same. But then again, coming from you....

 

[wdwjmp239]

WARNING- POTENTIALLY UNPOPULAR OPINION BELOW

As a New Yorker, I sometimes feel like I spend half my life cramming onto sardine packed subways and busses trying to get a seat. Elderly people here will turn into Super Senior and knock you into a gutter to get on before anyone else can claim their precious real estate.

If a subway is too crowded (almost aways), I wait for another one. At rush hour I sometimes have to wait three trains before there is one with room to breathe. I don't like it, but that's life. No one is forcing me to live in this lunatic asylum and my subway fare did not guarantee me or entitle me to a seat - only transportation from point A to point B....If that makes me sound like a jerk, I'm sorry......

As a fellow New Yorker (originally from Long Island and am familiar with your transportation situation), I would like to say, "You're a jerk!" LOL!

No, but I get it, the subway fare only guarantees you a trip from point A to point B. Nowhere on the MTA ticket does it say, "This ticket guarantees you an assigned seat." Though, I'm sure that would pretty cool if it actually said that. Then, watch the subway fares REALLY go through the roof (as if they're not through the roof already).

I think what it is at Disney is that everyone gets wrapped up in their own lives and they only think about themselves and their families. I've seen teenagers not even make the effort to get up for an older person. But, it is what it is....and if one person can make a difference by getting up for someone who really needs it. Then, I thank that person.

Enjoy your Disney trip! Welcome to Florida!

 

[Rutt]

Personally, while I would give up my seat for almost anyone of any gender if they looked like they needed it more than I did. That being said, I dont care if youre female. If youre able bodied, you can stand. Chivalry is dead, feminism killed it.

Also, you should never judge a book by its cover. Our first trip to WDW, I became extremely ill while at MK. We left and there was only one seat left. My wife insisted i take it. Another man got up but shot me a look the entire ride to the hotel. The next morning at Epcot, I passed out shortly after getting off the bus. Turns out I was having some sort of vascular episode. I would not have taken that seat unless i really needed to but whatever, i hope that guy feels really good about himself.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I've noticed a similar lack of good manners on the part of some Disney guests. As for my family, we always give up our seats for anyone who appears to be disabled, elderly, pregnant, etc. We still enjoy the convenience of the Disney buses, though: our negative experiences have been very few and far between, and on bus rides when we've had "chatty" neighbors, we've really enjoyed meeting folks from all over the world.

 

[Communicore]

There was one time, some schmoe was like, attempting to make a audio recording of the fanfare that they play when the bus pulls into the MK bus stop. Well, of course, people cheer and clap their hands, and essentially celebrate as this happens, and the dude got really mad and yelled "Quiet!!" lol

 

[Seanual757]

I see this all the time heading back to and from the park no respect.

 

[Marianm]

I used to feel the same way about healthy looking people sitting while those who appear to need the seat more stand. And then I learned, you don't always know by looking who needs the seat and who doesn't.

You wouldn't know by looking at me that some days my knee would pop out and I would fall if I tried to stand on a moving bus. My balance would be shot. Many people may look healthy at first glance, and may not be.

Plus, it is the way of public transportation in the states. Some people give up their seats for others, but it is not expected. Also, the buses hold many more people standing up than they do sitting down. I look at it from the other side--if you our a loved one can't stand or shouldn't be standing on a moving bus, then don't use them. Or at the very least, don't get on one that has the few seats already taken. I can't think too highly of someone who would get on a standing room only bus with a pregnant family member, expecting someone will give them a seat.

This. Although I will give up my seat on bus/monorail to someone in need, I won't judge someone else who does not.

 

[PhilharMagician]

I always have given up my seat as well as my wife and daughter for those who have young children or the elderly. One time we gave up our bench seat for a woman holding her infant and as we stood up and moved, a couple of teens to early 20's slipped in and laughed. They refused top get up. the next step was to beat them out, but jeopardizing my vacation wasn't worth it.

The ECV's kill me. I know some people need them, but many people use them just because that they don't want to walk. Then when they get on the bus and the ECV alone take up the space of 2+ people plus the operator of the ECV takes up a seat on the bus. How many time have you seen a middle aged couple rolling up to the busses handicap loading zone with there humungous Lazy-Boy recliner on wheels after you have stood there waiting for a 1/2 hour and they are loaded before you while taking up 20% of the bus space and making you wait yet again for the next bus.

There are so many things wrong with WDW transportation in general. There should be some restrictions put in place. I remember being @ the Contemporary and trying to leave to get to the Poly for dinner. MK was closing for a holiday party @ 7:00 PM and it took us over an hour to get onto the monorail. As MK emptied, many guests headed onto the Resort Line and nobody was getting off at the CR so there was no room for anyone to get on. We could have walked to MK and took a launch or took a launch from the CR to MK and transferred, but that is what the resort line s for. They should at least close off one car for resort inter travel so guests can get on.

It does get frustrating when you try to think of others first and it seems like most everyone around you thinks of only themselves.

 

[Mr Anderson]

Ive had plenty of rude reactions from women who were offended that I dare offer them my seat .

Look ladies, I get it, your tough. Im just being a gentleman like my father taught me, Im not trying to suppress the women's lib movement. This country is a$$ backwards.

Reminds me of the time I held a door for a young lady, and she went o-f-f OFF on me, something to the tune of "YOU DON'T THINK MY WEAK GIRL ARMS CAN OPEN THE DOOR ON MY OWN, HUH?? Oh, I need a BIG STRONG MAN to do it for me, huh? You CHAUVINIST..." blah blah blah

I just stood there, slack-jawed until her rant ended, and then I explained, "No, ma'am, you see, it's just that I'm from Texas, and I was brought up holding doors open for ladies, pulling chairs out for ladies, things like that. My manners were very important to my parents, and they're now very important to me."

She scoffed and stormed off in another rant.

This was all the way back in 2000. I've been lucky enough to not encounter such a strong reaction again *knock on wood*.

 

[LAKid53]

I think people would ignore it, just like they ignore being told to move to the back of the bus to fill in all available space.

I've seen bus drivers get out of their seat and usher people to the back of the bus to accommodate additional passengers. And say "we ain't moving until everyone standing moves to the back of the bus so others can get on."

I rode a very crowded bus one morning from POR to the MK and the bus driver did inform riders as he pulled up to the last stop (and saw several mothers holding young children) that any seats vacated by exiting passengers would be for the mothers holding young children at that stop. To which two teenagers moved from standing to the vacated seats. And so my daughter and I gave up our seats to a very grateful mom with two toddlers. And I glared at those two engrossed in their electronic device teenagers the entire ride to the MK. And their equally clueless parents. If they'd been MY kids, they would have gotten a smack to the back of their heads and told to stand. But then I wouldn't have let them take the vacant seats in the first place after the bus driver made his announcement.

 

[MinnieM123]

Reminds me of the time I held a door for a young lady, and she went o-f-f OFF on me, something to the tune of "YOU DON'T THINK MY WEAK GIRL ARMS CAN OPEN THE DOOR ON MY OWN, HUH?? Oh, I need a BIG STRONG MAN to do it for me, huh? You CHAUVINIST..." blah blah blah

I just stood there, slack-jawed until her rant ended, and then I explained, "No, ma'am, you see, it's just that I'm from Texas, and I was brought up holding doors open for ladies, pulling chairs out for ladies, things like that. My manners were very important to my parents, and they're now very important to me."

She scoffed and stormed off in another rant.

This was all the way back in 2000. I've been lucky enough to not encounter such a strong reaction again *knock on wood*.

People have their own beliefs about what is appropriate in any given situation. If the young woman didn't want you to hold the door for her, that's o.k. for her own situation; but I object to how she handled her response. A more thoughtful approach from her to you could have been something like, "Thank you for the gesture, but I'm fine holding the door, myself."

If someone extends any kindness toward me, I always thank them. I've extended a helping hand to others as well, regardless of their gender or age. It's just a gracious way to treat one another, despite differences of opinion from time to time.