Was there a Bus related Incident at Disney

[sfeinst]

Just back from my trip to WDW and let me tell you, the buses moved at a snail's pace whenever they got into a parking lot. They also moved slowly just driving and it seemed all the drivers did it the same way. Thought maybe there was an accident or something causing Disney to put on the extra-precaution techniques.

Here is what I saw:
1) Once in the parking lot, people walked at just about the same speed at the bus moved, literally. We watched a couple walking next to our bus and we tried to see who would get to the corner first.
2) Every stop sign required a 5 second wait (could have been longer but I think it was 5) And not 1-2-3-5, it was 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, 4 Mississippi 5 Mississippi
3) The long path was taken. We went to Epcot. The road splits for Taxis and buses. One time we took Taxi path to our stop. The other time, we took the bus path, looped around the parking lot at that snail's pace and then went into the taxi line to get to our stop. I thought maybe the driver took a wrong turn, but based on the driver's demeanor and reactions, I don't think so. I think she was told to follow that path. Weird.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

Haven't heard of anything. Could be new driver, could be someone complained so crack down on driver requirements, could be any number of things.

What you are describing though (aside from the snail's pace - never seen them THAT slow) sounds like normal SOP for bus drivers. They are very deliberate and careful while navigating a parking lot where there may be pedestrians. And they do take stop signs very literally.

 

[sfeinst]

It was multiple drivers so I don't think it was a "new driver" thing. The stop signs weren't even just parking areas. On the rode, stop signs were a good 5 second stop. I don't normally take a bus, so SOP for a bus driver is definitely possible. I just don't remember all of it the last time we were there (about 5 years ago).

 

[DManRightHere]

For one thing, I bet people complain of a "rough ride" on the buses. Therefore drivers want to take it easy. I'm sure there are many many reasons for buses to drive "easy".

Are you from New Jersey?

 

[sfeinst]

Are you from New Jersey?

Not me, but one family member is

 

[corxxgold]

I know when I was in Disneyland last year I mentioned to my wife that I could walk faster then theses guys were driving.. I can see if its a packed bus and people have a hard time hanging on but on a bus where everyone is seated ..let er rip

 

[Goofyernmost]

My guess is that it has nothing directly to do with the people inside the bus. For the most part there is no better place in the world to find people (kids and grownups) darting around vehicles and stepping out in front of a bus then a parking lot. There are just way to many distractions in WDW to not realize that people are preoccupied and extra careful steps would be taken not run anyone down just because a few are in a hurry to get to the parks.

Just as a rule of highway law a full and complete stop must be made at all stop signs. Anything other then that would be considered a rolling stop, which is not legal.

Having been in bus management I can almost hear the words used at the meeting... "anyone caught driving over 5 mph in a parking lot and not making a complete stop at a stop sign will be asked to leave". And as a backup all buses have internal and external camera's and systems that record every speed and every motion made by the bus while in operation. They don't even have to be sitting there watching to have a way to find out just exactly what happened during any given moment of the buses operation.

 

[dodgr98]

Coming from an insurance background, when we were there this past fall, the first thing I noticed were the cameras mounted on all of the buses. They've probably had a more than a few instances of guests claiming that they were either hit or their vehicle was struck by a bus as it approached or passed them by.

 

[EpcoTim]

Not likely a bus incident, but stupid people incidents.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Coming from an insurance background, when we were there this past fall, the first thing I noticed were the cameras mounted on all of the buses. They've probably had a more than a few instances of guests claiming that they were either they or their vehicle was struck by a bus as it approached or passed them by.

Deep pockets create a vacuum that sucks in many a get rich quick situation. I think we are lucky that there are any moving vehicles or rides still in operation. It's wonderful to live in a world filled with honest people isn't it?

 

[blueboxdoctor]

Maybe they finally realized how uncomfortable those kneeling buses are when going fast (they bounce around and end up getting people sick) compared to traditional buses (there are only a few of those left in rotation at WDW). But I have noticed them taking the long way to get places at times, kind of strange, and since I can't stand buses in general, I find it rather annoying.

 

[sfeinst]

We rode the normal buses and those few traditional buses you might see outside of Disney. They hold more people but we did not like them. The rows were too narrow and I had to kind of walk sideways out because of all the things in my pockets (camera, phone, etc). Also seats are not meant to hold bags with you, very tight. And if you can't get out of a wheelchair, no way to ride that bus. No Disney signs on them. Every time they were used, people did not get on at the hotel until the driver came out and said, yes I am going to MK.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Maybe they finally realized how uncomfortable those kneeling buses are when going fast (they bounce around and end up getting people sick) compared to traditional buses (there are only a few of those left in rotation at WDW). But I have noticed them taking the long way to get places at times, kind of strange, and since I can't stand buses in general, I find it rather annoying.

The only way that happened was if the air bags were over inflated by the driver. It wasn't routine and otherwise a normal situation. The newest of buses all have the kneeling action, even the flat floor, no stairway ones. Those are here to stay because it is helpful to people with disabilities to keep everything nearly level.

 

[Goofyernmost]

We rode the normal buses and those few traditional buses you might see outside of Disney. They hold more people but we did not like them. The rows were too narrow and I had to kind of walk sideways out because of all the things in my pockets (camera, phone, etc). Also seats are not meant to hold bags with you, very tight. And if you can't get out of a wheelchair, no way to ride that bus. No Disney signs on them. Every time they were used, people did not get on at the hotel until the driver came out and said, yes I am going to MK.

????? I'm not sure what you are talking about. Backup buses maybe? They certainly wouldn't be part of a regular schedule.

 

[sfeinst]

They looked like a greyhound bus. Tons of cushiony seats. All white. No Disney signage at all. During our 9 days, we got that kind of bus twice. So it is possible it was a backup bus. But I did see them going around.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

The only way that happened was if the air bags were over inflated by the driver. It wasn't routine and otherwise a normal situation. The newest of buses all have the kneeling action, even the flat floor, no stairway ones. Those are here to stay because it is helpful to people with disabilities to keep everything nearly level.

Oh yeah, I completely understand the advantage of them, I'm just saying they always feel bouncier than a regular bus (happens every time if it is a longer ride, I don't actually get sick but I start to feel it, of course the stop start nature of a bus in general gets to me when in traffic). I obviously deal with it since I can't seem to stop going back to WDW. But yeah, I do agree with why they have them, the accessibility they offer is really great (just like how I like how Toyota always demos their accessibility features for their vans at auto shows while other car companies just show the flashiest vehicles).

 

[Goofyernmost]

Oh yeah, I completely understand the advantage of them, I'm just saying they always feel bouncier than a regular bus (happens every time if it is a longer ride, I don't actually get sick but I start to feel it, of course the stop start nature of a bus in general gets to me when in traffic). I obviously deal with it since I can't seem to stop going back to WDW. But yeah, I do agree with why they have them, the accessibility they offer is really great (just like how I like how Toyota always demos their accessibility features for their vans at auto shows while other car companies just show the flashiest vehicles).

Well, there is another way. Rent a car and you will never have to set foot on a bus again. A car is faster, it's more convenient and it's private with your own AC and no wait for it to show up.

That said, I'm not sure what you mean by a regular bus. Do you mean an across the road one like Greyhound or a city bus. To be honest there isn't a whole lot of difference between any of them. Large tour buses generally have a softer suspension, but, they are usually just on regular highways and not roaming around parking lots or doing a lot of stop and go.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

Well, there is another way. Rent a car and you will never have to set foot on a bus again. A car is faster, it's more convenient and it's private with your own AC and no wait for it to show up.

That said, I'm not sure what you mean by a regular bus. Do you mean an across the road one like Greyhound or a city bus. To be honest there isn't a whole lot of difference between any of them. Large tour buses generally have a softer suspension, but, they are usually just on regular highways and not roaming around parking lots or doing a lot of stop and go.

I don't know, seems like the ones with the aisle down the middle and rows of seating on either side ride better, I'm not a bus expert, but it has just been my observation. As for a car, I have no interest in driving once I'm on vacation (unless I could rent something cool, I'm thinking leave everyone behind as I drive around in a Mazda MX-5 or Subaru BRZ or WRX).

 

[Goofyernmost]

I don't know, seems like the ones with the aisle down the middle and rows of seating on either side ride better, I'm not a bus expert, but it has just been my observation. As for a car, I have no interest in driving once I'm on vacation (unless I could rent something cool, I'm thinking leave everyone behind as I drive around in a Mazda MX-5 or Subaru BRZ or WRX).

Use your imagination and that is exactly what you will be driving. Fantasy doesn't have to end at that exit gate.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

Use your imagination and that is exactly what you will be driving. Fantasy doesn't have to end at that exit gate.

If I didn't live around snow in the winter I'd be all over a BRZ/FRS, but a new Mazda3 will do just fine and still enjoyable enough to drive.