I just got back from wdw, it was our first trip. I loved it!!! The only time I got irritated was when the hotel bus came to the park at the end of the day to take us back to cbr. He tried to pack us into the bus. I was standing near the front, my kids were pushed back a few people in line, and by my account the bus was full. Then the bus driver ask everyone to push back, face front and double up so he could fit more people on, after adding about 4 more, one with a stroller and young child all standing he once again asked us to move back so he could add 8 more. I'd had enough, called for my children and told him he could have my place I would wait for the next bus. The next bus was there in less than 10 min and we were all able to sit. To me stuffing us all into a bus like sardines was dangerous. My advice to anyone using the buses is if it looks like it getting to full, just get off and wait for the next one, don't let someone force you to be uncomfortable. Anyone else have this problem?
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Whats up with the bus driver?
- Thread starter dianna
- Start date
luckyeye13
New Member
Seriously? Oh good God, the humanity... people have to stand on a bus!!!!! Now, before I continue, this is not aimed at those people who personally choose not to stand on a particular bus trip. Just step to the side and let the people behind who want to get on the bus continue on. (In fact, I saw that being done several times on my WDW trip just this past weekend. One of those times, my family was the next group in line and we, along with two other Guests, managed to squeeze on because the group ahead of us wanted to wait for the next bus. There is definitely no problem here at all.)
However, to whine on and on about having passengers stand on any bus at all every couple of posts just gets a little old. Now, as the overwhelming majority of those posts come from Americans, I do understand that there is a cultural difference in play. For most Americans, the use of Disney Transport will probably be their only experience with public transport as it is not anywhere near as widespread as in other parts of the world. I do live in the US, but I wasn't born here and I have lived abroad for a short period of time during college, so, to me, public transport is nothing novel. I can tell you that, from my experience, people stand on buses, trains, and boats all over the world. Just a few weeks ago, I rode on a packed bus in Geneva after going to a festival and I am pretty sure that I turned out alright after that. Of course, some places, like India, go a little crazy and people are hanging on to the sides of trains and buses (certainly an experience to remember!), but we aren't talking about it being at that level at WDW. No matter what city I was in, someone (sometimes yours truly) had to stand while riding a bus at some point. As the buses are designed for standees, Disney Transport is no different. Plus, I am sure that everyone has seen news stories about accidents that involved motor coaches (which are not meant for standees and have seat belts) and a number of passenger deaths, and in which standing passengers wasn't an issue.
Plus, if the impractical idea of having everyone seated and seatbelted on a transit bus were to be adopted, why stop there? Why not have everyone seated and wearing a seatbelt while riding the subway? After all, there have been crashes of trains, too. I was on a train that derailed once (in India, where safety comes first
) and I am pretty sure that would have not made a difference is saving lives if the derailment had happened at high speed, rather than the 20 mph or so that the train was doing, as it was in an urban high-traffic rail area.
Anyway, back to the point. Disney Transport buses (all three models) are designated for a capacity of 72 passengers. Although a bus may be packed in your opinion, it does not mean that it is over capacity. In fact, rarely, if ever, have I seen a bus reach a Signal 72 (WDW code for a full bus) by actually having that number of passengers onboard. When I worked for Parking & Transportation Services at Rutgers University, it was not uncommon to report the RTS buses (the old ones with steps) as having 90 passengers onboard because there is no prohibition there against standing in the rear stepwell and students would simply squeeze themselves into any available spot to get to class on time. (RU also has a whole bunch of Novabus LFS models, the low-floor buses with the rounded front and window in the back, in the fleet, but, as those came in after I was done there, I can't make any comparisons in capacity between the buses of that model at WDW and RU.) As long as transit buses are approved for standees, there will be people standing on them, including at WDW.
However, to whine on and on about having passengers stand on any bus at all every couple of posts just gets a little old. Now, as the overwhelming majority of those posts come from Americans, I do understand that there is a cultural difference in play. For most Americans, the use of Disney Transport will probably be their only experience with public transport as it is not anywhere near as widespread as in other parts of the world. I do live in the US, but I wasn't born here and I have lived abroad for a short period of time during college, so, to me, public transport is nothing novel. I can tell you that, from my experience, people stand on buses, trains, and boats all over the world. Just a few weeks ago, I rode on a packed bus in Geneva after going to a festival and I am pretty sure that I turned out alright after that. Of course, some places, like India, go a little crazy and people are hanging on to the sides of trains and buses (certainly an experience to remember!), but we aren't talking about it being at that level at WDW. No matter what city I was in, someone (sometimes yours truly) had to stand while riding a bus at some point. As the buses are designed for standees, Disney Transport is no different. Plus, I am sure that everyone has seen news stories about accidents that involved motor coaches (which are not meant for standees and have seat belts) and a number of passenger deaths, and in which standing passengers wasn't an issue.
Plus, if the impractical idea of having everyone seated and seatbelted on a transit bus were to be adopted, why stop there? Why not have everyone seated and wearing a seatbelt while riding the subway? After all, there have been crashes of trains, too. I was on a train that derailed once (in India, where safety comes first
) and I am pretty sure that would have not made a difference is saving lives if the derailment had happened at high speed, rather than the 20 mph or so that the train was doing, as it was in an urban high-traffic rail area.Anyway, back to the point. Disney Transport buses (all three models) are designated for a capacity of 72 passengers. Although a bus may be packed in your opinion, it does not mean that it is over capacity. In fact, rarely, if ever, have I seen a bus reach a Signal 72 (WDW code for a full bus) by actually having that number of passengers onboard. When I worked for Parking & Transportation Services at Rutgers University, it was not uncommon to report the RTS buses (the old ones with steps) as having 90 passengers onboard because there is no prohibition there against standing in the rear stepwell and students would simply squeeze themselves into any available spot to get to class on time. (RU also has a whole bunch of Novabus LFS models, the low-floor buses with the rounded front and window in the back, in the fleet, but, as those came in after I was done there, I can't make any comparisons in capacity between the buses of that model at WDW and RU.) As long as transit buses are approved for standees, there will be people standing on them, including at WDW.
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mousebymarriage
Active Member
The PP's were not whining about having to stand on the bus they were in fact making an observation about how crowded the buses are at times. I agree that the buses can probably hold more than are actually packed into them but, a vast majority of people are just not used to that level of personal space invasion. I grew up in an urban area and rode public transportation every single day for the better part of my youth and I am still not comfortable with strangers rubbing up against me in a crowded bus or subway. Also remember that the number of people allowed on the Disney buses may be 72 but, that certaintly doesn't account for those holding strollers (which take up space) or the extra space that is used for wheelchairs or scooters.
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bruiser659
Member
Hey we are lucky that disney gives us bus service,I can not believe the number of people that complain about the Disney's buses.
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Susan Savia
Well-Known Member
Much easier to drive your own car. Simply park it, walk to the tram etc.
In the evenings, just walk to the tram, then to your car, hop in and go... No fuss, no muss...
In the evenings, just walk to the tram, then to your car, hop in and go... No fuss, no muss...
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worldfanatic
Well-Known Member
Sure, once in a while you'll get stuck on a crowded bus and may have to stand, but that's to be expected.
I, for one, LOVE the Disney transportation system! Even the buses.
It's a major reason WDW is so magical for me. Knowing I can leave my resort and travel to so many different places within WDW without having to get into a car and drive is amazing. My God, I'm in my car all the time at home. On vacation? NO WAY!!!
As far as transfering to get places and waiting for buses and boats, it's part of the magic. I love to watch people.
Boats, buses and even bus stops are an awesome place to 'people watch'.
On my first trip back in 1991, not knowing the extent of the Transportation system, I rented a car from the airport.
Then I got to the World and learned the extent of the transportation available. The next day I drove back to the airport and returned the car.
18 years later, I've never again rented a car, and 30 years from now, I can virtually guarantee I'll still have never rented a car.
I know a rental car is very important to many because of small children or mobility issues. And others just like having car. I can't argue with that.
But for me, the thought of driving a car around Disney World and seeing those buses, boats and monorails moving other guests around is a nightmare.
Bravo to Disney for their amazing ability to get people around the Best place on Earth.:sohappy:
I, for one, LOVE the Disney transportation system! Even the buses.
It's a major reason WDW is so magical for me. Knowing I can leave my resort and travel to so many different places within WDW without having to get into a car and drive is amazing. My God, I'm in my car all the time at home. On vacation? NO WAY!!!
As far as transfering to get places and waiting for buses and boats, it's part of the magic. I love to watch people.
Boats, buses and even bus stops are an awesome place to 'people watch'.
On my first trip back in 1991, not knowing the extent of the Transportation system, I rented a car from the airport.
Then I got to the World and learned the extent of the transportation available. The next day I drove back to the airport and returned the car.
18 years later, I've never again rented a car, and 30 years from now, I can virtually guarantee I'll still have never rented a car.
I know a rental car is very important to many because of small children or mobility issues. And others just like having car. I can't argue with that.
But for me, the thought of driving a car around Disney World and seeing those buses, boats and monorails moving other guests around is a nightmare.
Bravo to Disney for their amazing ability to get people around the Best place on Earth.:sohappy:
Upvote
0