Disney Transportation Etiquette
When I vacation somewhere, I never want to be *that* tourist. You know, the one everyone is secretly (or not so secretly) fuming at. The one who does all the wrong things. The one the cast members say "Have a Magical Day" to with *that* voice.
And let's be honest, you don't want to be that person either, because annoying people embarrasses your family and doesn't earn you any karma points. You will have a better time if you get along with people, and you'll feel good about yourself.
Today, I want to talk about etiquette when aboard Disney's transportation. It may seem like a very refined topic (see what I did there?) and it is, but I see so many etiquette "violations" aboard transportation!
So, without further ado, here's how to do Disney transportation like a nice person:
1. Allow those disembarking from any mode of transportation off first before you attempt to board. This should be common sense. There will be more room once they exit. If you insist on boarding first, you likely have to push past them and that's not comfortable. Teach your kids to wait as well.
2. Be aware that on busy days, and especially at opening and after the nighttime shows, you will likely be standing. They can and do really pack those guests onto the bus and monorail in particular.
As an aside, if you think you will be standing and you have choice for mode of transportation, I would go with the boat (very smooth ride, no turns, no abrupt changes in speed) as my first preference, followed by monorail (fairly smooth but stopping and starting can cause some jostling), and then finally, the worst, the bus (NOT a smooth ride at all. Prepare to be jostled). Also, the monorail and ferry from Magic Kingdom can fit a surprising amount of people, so do not let lines dissuade you. If you have options and it's busy, I would recommend choosing boat or monorail first.
3. If there is standing room only, give up your seat for those needing assistance.
One time, returning from Iluminations with my 4-year-old half-asleep daughter, a healthy looking young woman sat and smiled at us the whole way back to our resort, while the 4 adults formed a protective circle around our little girl who could not reach the handrail and who could hardly stand. Maybe it WAS cute. I don't know. I was furious. There were several prime adults on this bus and not a single one offered a child their seat.
Please, please, please... I know you are probably tired. Everyone is. Give your seat up for children, the elderly, pregnant mothers, parents carrying babies, and anyone who looks to have an injury or handicap in any way. Not sure if they need assistance enough to give up your seat? Offer it. They can always decline and likely will if they don't need the seat.
4. Fold your stroller BEFORE it's time to board.
Don't wait until you are standing at the door of the bus before asking your child to depart their stroller and folding it. I know this means you might have to ask your child to stand for two minutes. Please just do it. Do it when the bus shows up. Begin to get the child out from the stroller and fold the stroller, aiming for this entire process to be done when the bus has finished unloading so that when it's your time to board, you are ready.
5. Obey the signs.
On the monorail, everyone's favorite announcement is "Please stand clear of the doors". There is also a sign on each door that says the same. But people still lean on those doors. If those open while in transit, the entire monorail will stop and you won't be going anywhere for a long while.
On the bus, the areas around the door are clearly marked with yellow tape where you should not stand. If you are standing there, the doors won't be able to open. Also, neither of these places are safe places for you to stand.
6. Hold onto the handrails
If you are standing, hold onto the handrails. Not only does this keep you safer, but it helps you avoid jostling other guests.
7. Be mindful of your backpack.
Backpacks! The bane of my Disney existence! Backpacks in crowds are so much "fun", because it seems like the person wearing them always forgets how large they actually are. I've been lucky enough to be hit in the face by a swinging backpack as the person wearing it turned abruptly on a crowded bus (I'm short, ok? Get over it). They had no idea. And they also didn't seem to notice their backpack hit anything.
Here's what I do: When I enter a crowded area, I swing my backpack to the front of my body so it's over my tummy. This way, I know exactly where it is. Not only will I not get pick-pocketed, but I now exactly how much clearance I have and whether I'm about to hit something.
8. Scooters and wheelchairs load first.
Scooters and wheelchairs will always be loaded to buses first, as well as any accompanying members of the party. There are only 2-3 good scooter/wheelchair spots per bus, so it's important those aren't taken by other guests.
I see people visibly sigh when the long awaited bus pulls up and then everyone is told to wait while scooters and wheelchairs load. I understand these people are likely tired or in a hurry, but let's be honest, it's rude. You should assume those riding scooters or wheelchairs are doing so because they need to. You are not a doctor, so don't go trying to determine who "looks" well enough to not need one. Many diseases are invisible, and even folks that are fine around their home don't get around Disney as well walking 7-10 miles a day. Next time you are feeling impatient about waiting the 5 extra minutes it might take to load these people, consider how very lucky you are that your own two feet are good enough to get you around and that you have the stamina to get around under your own power.
9. Wear deodorant.
You know what's fun at the end of a long day? Standing on a bus next to another person who is holding the handrail and baring their sweaty armpit right in your face. You know what's even more fun? When that sweaty armpit stinks.
Deodorant is a serious deal in the Florida heat and humidity. You WILL stink, but you can make efforts to control how much you stink. Once a day is sometimes not enough. I tend to apply in the morning and again in the afternoon on Disney days.
10. Allow extra time.
If it says the bus takes 20 minutes to get from your resort to Animal Kingdom, that is not including the following wait times:
Time walking to the bus stop (5-10 minutes)
Time waiting for the bus to arrive (up to another 20 minutes)
Time walking from the bus to the park entrance (5-10 minutes)
If you take those times plus the 20 minute bus ride, you are looking at up to an hour of transportation time. Be realistic, and allow yourself this time when planning to be at a park at a certain time.
If you need to get to a resort from another resort, this will take even more planning. I would allow at least 90 minutes if you have a solid plan, and up to 2 hours if you aren't quite sure of the transportation situation. One time, it took us 2.5 hours to get from Port Orleans Riverside to the Boardwalk Resort, even though you could see EPCOT across the street from Port Orleans!
Transportation snafus can happen. You will be much happier if you allow extra time so that whatever does happen doesn't ruin all your plans.
Have you witnessed any of these breaches of transportation etiquette? Do you have tips to share that you feel I left out? Leave a comment!
