Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

I've never did the whole bus deal. I am worried.

1.) No car seats? Will my baby be okay? I mean, we go through pages here on the safety of needing proper car seats and correct usage, and what - I just go to Disney and am supposed to feel comfy with NOT using one with my 5 month old? All because it seems like nothing bad can happen there? KWIM? (although I know public transportation doesn't offer car seats) Ease my mind.

2.) I am staying at a value resort and I think they share the bus. I have heard horror stories of how long it takes. I will be going in Oct. Do you think this will be an issue still? Any tips?

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

I've never had to travel with a child yet to Disney however, I can tell you that when we stayed on Disney property all we used was Disney transportation to get everywhere and it was WONDERFUL!!! We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus and you were dropped off right at the gates. LOVED it! We will never rent a car again while we're down there!!

Secondly, I lived in FL for 4 years and went to Disney ALL the time and October is one of the BEST times to go. It's not crowded (all the kids are back at school) and it's not hot. Great time to be there!!!!

Have an awesome trip!!

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

We took the transportation system for the first time when DD was 15 months old. She would sit on my lap or DH's.

Maybe it's the time of year we go, but we have had nothing but agrivation with the buses. It takes time to get to places, so if you do take the bus, give yourself extra time, especially if you are trying to get to a reservation. In October, the crowds are lighter, but for me I'd rather rent a car. You do what is comfortable for you!

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

We've been to Disney tons of times. With and without kids. I have never worried about my kids on the bus. I usually hold them when they are little on my lap and my older daughter sits in the seat right next to me where I can make sure she's sitting down and being safe. If you are truly worried then you might want to rent a car, but the parking lots (MK especially) is far from the park. For MK you have to park, take a tram, then take the monorail or a boat to get to the park.

We stayed at Pop Century (a value resort) when we went down last October. It took a little longer to get to MK, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios but only because it was closer to Animal Kingdom. It wasn't really crowded in October. The only problem we had was we stayed at All Star Sports on our honeymoon and the buses used to stop at all three All Star Resorts. So sometimes that was time consuming. But even driving to a park and parking you'll still need to leave yourself extra time. We usually give ourselves 45-1hr to get to a park. So if we have a reservation at 8am we would plan to leave at 7am.

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

We stayed at a mid-range hotel and took the buses (November). The only time I thought the wait was bad was when we stayed until the MK closed so we could see the fireworks. So many people are getting on the buses at the same time, so the wait was longer than I would have liked.

Any other time, the wait was literally not more than 5-10 minutes, I think.

We are going in October too.

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

I don't have kids, so I am crashing here.

I've seen parents hold infants in their laps without incident.
That having been said I would try for the most part to NOT stay for the latest fireworks and try to leave with the throng. That is the longest wait (really the only time the wait for buses is more than 10-15 minutes), and the buses are extremely crowded. you're packed in like sardines and they turn the lights off on the bus. I think most people are very considerate, especially of those holding babies, but I would be concerned about backpakcs and people who are standing falling into me.

Most of the bus seats face into the aisle like a NYC subway car, but there are some buses that have several rows of seats in the back of the bus that face the front. if the one of you holding DC sits back there closest to the window, you'd wliminate the possibility of someone falling and wiping out on DC.

Honestly though, the buses are driven very slowly and smoothly so people are generally not falling all over each other,

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

I think there needs to be an unofficial GTG all month of Oct in Disney World! LOL

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

We just got back from Disney and yes, parents had their babies and toddlers on their laps with no problem.

Re: Disney World aficionados... question on the safety of the bus and potential aggravation w/ bus and resort.

did it with my 3 yr old and 2 yr old..last year..went early october...the 2 yr old sat on my lap and my the 3 yr old sat next to me...my DH was usually standing with the stroller! I didnt have any problem doing it! Not much different than all the people that do in on the NYC transit every day IMO !

I never waited that long during that time of year at our hotel (value - ALL Star Movie) and at any of the parks leaving at night!

I say go for it and dont think/worry about it that much!

I would do it again if I was going!