Controversial Post Incites Debate About Kids Taking Seats on Disney Transport

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Magic Kingdom ferry boat

Credit: D23

It’s a debate that has always plagued the Disney Parks fan community: Who should get the limited seats on crowded busses, monorails, and ferry boats?

disney bus
Credit: Disney

Some feel tired parents should get seats. Some feel the seats belong to little ones and pregnant people. Walt Disney World Resort encourages Guests to give their seats to the elderly and Guests with disabilities.

Related: Disney Park Is Making It Tougher For Disabled Guests to Visit

An unpopular Reddit post reignited that controversy this week. The Guest wrote:

I was at MK headed back to parking via the ferry yesterday and some guests need to raise their kids better. There were numerous elderly guests standing near the seating area on the main floor of the ferry and the kids seated (teens) on the benches. Those kids could have given up their seats to the elderly. Do better.

Disney World Bus
Credit: ITM Reporter Kelly Coffey

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Many commenters disagreed. u/americanpeony said:

I hate to say it but Disneyworld is not the place to go if you need to sit down a lot and you have to rely on the politeness of others to get through your trip comfortably. I’ve been very pregnant multiple times as well as with a baby multiple times and I can’t even count the number of times I’ve had to stand on the bus in both of those situations while grown men have sat in the seats.

It’s not just kids who don’t always know/follow etiquette, it’s adults as well.

However, unless one has a DAS pass you just cannot and should not expect it at WDW. A lot of people aren’t even trying to be rude, they’re just enjoying their vacation and not thinking about it. Or they don’t want to embarrass you or make assumptions about a stranger. I don’t take it personally.

disney bus
Credit: Inside the Magic

Related: “Absolutely Disgusting,” Disabled Guest Warns Others to Avoid Magic Kingdom

u/Mrs_TikiPupuCheeks had a more optimistic outlook, writing:

Maybe the kids already asked the elderly and they said no. Maybe the elderly aren’t so elderly and are still able to stand. Maybe the elderly are family of the teens and they chose to let the kids sit down cause the kid(s) have some hidden disability.

Could they have given up their seats? Sure, but we don’t know the whole story so why condemn them just based on visuals?

It’s always best to give up your seat for Guests with disabilities, but it’s also important not to make assumptions about other Guests sitting down. Not all disabilities are visible

Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on a personal Disney Parks Guest experience. No two Guest experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with Inside the Magic’s personal views on Disney Parks operations.

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