Never had a problem with SA Tour groups until... - The DIS Discussion Forums

natnelliesmom · 10-22-2009, 02:53 PM

We just got home from 9 days in WDW yesterday.
Had a wonderful trip!!
We did run into the usual rude, clueless people, and many more nice, friendly people

Up until this last trip I didn't have any real problems with those South American tour groups. I put up with the line holding and cutting, the way the leader will run ahead and hog the fast pass machines printing out 100 at a time, how they save seats at shows and parades, how they have no concept of personal space and breath down your neck in line, the way they swoop in and steal all the seats at a restaurant and how they conveniently don't speak any English when they are being rude.

BUT.... I now officially can't stand these tour groups. My patience is gone.

This past Monday night at Magic Kingdom was extra magic hours till 1:00 am. My DH and I stayed with our DDs 4 and 6. We were last in line to meet Mickey and Minnie back behind the castle. It was just past 1:00 am. Several tour groups passed on their way back and each time people would try to hop into line. There were a few people in line ahead of us and a CM was at the end of the line to inform people it was closed.

You should have heard the sob stories these people from the tour groups were trying to give the CM!! From my child has been sick... to this will be our only trip to WDW ever. We heard it all!! The CM told me that the people in these groups are known for the most terrible lies to try to get things for themselves and their kids. She said at first it was hard not to believe them, but that she's developed a thick skin.

We finally got up to see M&M. Minnie and Mickey were so sweet and spent a good amount of time with my DD. The CM with them said that Mickey and Minnie would like to do something very special for my DDs.
We walked over to the carousel and the CM reopened it for us. Mickey and Minnie, with two CMs and a photographer took us onto the Carousel. It was supposed to be a special ride just for my kids.

WELL.... this South American Tour group, with especially rude people, stormed the ride, pushing past the CM at the entrance and jumping the gates to get their kids on with M&M. They were shouting and calling out to the characters and one man actually tried to push his child onto the horse next to Mickey while I was buckling my first DD onto her horse! The CM stepped in and told him to move and Mickey himself waved his finger at the man to say it wasn't okay!!

The CMs were very apologetic and you could tell they were angry that these people would do this... but what could they do? They kept saying that the ride was closed and the park was closed and they had to leave, but these people all pretended they didn't understand.

We got our "special" ride, and I didn't let my DDs see how mad I was. It was truly enraging to see how these rude people were so selfish!
You should have seen them swarm over M&M when we tried to exit the ride. The CMs actually took us back out of the way after the ride to get some more photos. I was so thankful to these wonderful CMs who tried to give us something special.

I don't think I can ever forgive that tour group for doing their best to ruin a special moment. Unfortunately it has soured me on all of these groups.

Just had to vent.
-Sarah

Daddee · 10-22-2009, 03:35 PM

I totally agree with you but

Jennasis · 10-22-2009, 03:59 PM

I'm so sorry the group ruined your special moment. But what a moment!! It sounds like you guys got a pretty special bit o' pixie dust. So cool!

disneynutz · 10-22-2009, 04:18 PM

Disney could stop this poor behavior but they choose not to. The money that they make from these groups is worth more to them than our happiness.

Bill

Ava · 10-22-2009, 04:27 PM

I'm surprised the CMs didn't call security to remove those people from the park. It sounds like their behavior could've put others in danger.

You got a great bit of Pixie dust though, despite the rude people! I hope you got some wonderful photos of your DDs on the Carousel with Mickey & Minnie.

RMulieri · 10-22-2009, 04:29 PM

That is some wonderful pixie dust for you, and I am sorry it was ruined by "less then magical" guest behavior

GovieMom · 10-22-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneynutz

[color="Blue"]Disney could stop this poor behavior but they choose not to. The money that they make from these groups is worth more to them than our happiness.

I have to agree.

jb01 · 10-22-2009, 04:54 PM

Nothing wrong with venting about these groups.

ltex · 10-22-2009, 05:01 PM

I have a friend who is a CM. He reported the following:

WDW used to not press charges for shoplifting if the item was under a certain dollar amount. They would just stop the person and retrieve the item and on occassion escort person out of park.

Well, according to him this got around to the tour leaders of international tour groups and the guides told their charges which led to people were trying to steal everything, b/c no charges would be pressed.

In response, WDW has since updated the policy and now prosecutes everything.

brunette8706 · 10-22-2009, 05:15 PM

One word.

Unbelievable.

mickeymousemom · 10-22-2009, 05:50 PM

I had never seen too many of the "SA" tour groups until a few years ago..even then we never encountered many problems, but I could tell there were some issues just by watching them. I had a friend who worked at Pop Century for awhile and she said they had alot of problems with them and at that time(about 4 years ago) they were actually banned from that resort. Not sure how true that is but it made sense at the time. Since then, we have encountered them more often and I find it absolutely unbelievable that WDW refuses to do anything about them. They are loud, rude and obnoxious beyond belief. I realize that its incredibly unrealistic to stop these people ourselves, but holy crap...something needs to be done.

mlittig · 10-22-2009, 06:01 PM

I am so sorry they forced themselves on your special time

That is so wrong

Jennasis · 10-22-2009, 07:02 PM

Perhaps anyone going during that time of year when these groups are prevalent, might want to learn a fewkey phrases in Portuguese?

No cutting in line....nenhum corte na linha

Yes you DO speak English....Sim voce fala o ingles

You are being rude and obnoxious...voce esta sendo rude e obnoxio

I am calling security...Eu estuo chamando a seguranca

(please no nit-picking my translations. It's babelfish!)

roliepolieoliefan · 10-22-2009, 07:16 PM

Are the tour groups there now?

I thought they only visited WDW in January and July?

OP: I'm so sorry this happened to you; It certainly was a magical time for you and your family but would have been more so without the rude and obnoxious tour group.

And I agree with the poster who said Disney could stop it, but they choose to look the other way.

DVC4US · 10-22-2009, 07:20 PM

We have encountered them several times during the summer when it is generally all teenagers.

One evening we had staked a spot on the curb to watch the parade and there was a group across the street from us. As we were waiting they got up in the middle of the street and preceeded to do some chant/song in their language. This was bad enough, but then they had the nerve to pass around a hat looking for money. I could not believe the CMs just stood there and let them do this. It happened several times while we waited for the parade.

I know they bring in money, but Disney really needs to do something about these groups.

10-22-2009, 02:53 PM	#1
natnelliesmom Mom to 3 Disney Princesses in Training Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CT Posts: 743	Never had a problem with SA Tour groups until... We just got home from 9 days in WDW yesterday. Had a wonderful trip!! We did run into the usual rude, clueless people, and many more nice, friendly people Up until this last trip I didn't have any real problems with those South American tour groups. I put up with the line holding and cutting, the way the leader will run ahead and hog the fast pass machines printing out 100 at a time, how they save seats at shows and parades, how they have no concept of personal space and breath down your neck in line, the way they swoop in and steal all the seats at a restaurant and how they conveniently don't speak any English when they are being rude. BUT.... I now officially can't stand these tour groups. My patience is gone. This past Monday night at Magic Kingdom was extra magic hours till 1:00 am. My DH and I stayed with our DDs 4 and 6. We were last in line to meet Mickey and Minnie back behind the castle. It was just past 1:00 am. Several tour groups passed on their way back and each time people would try to hop into line. There were a few people in line ahead of us and a CM was at the end of the line to inform people it was closed. You should have heard the sob stories these people from the tour groups were trying to give the CM!! From my child has been sick... to this will be our only trip to WDW ever. We heard it all!! The CM told me that the people in these groups are known for the most terrible lies to try to get things for themselves and their kids. She said at first it was hard not to believe them, but that she's developed a thick skin. We finally got up to see M&M. Minnie and Mickey were so sweet and spent a good amount of time with my DD. The CM with them said that Mickey and Minnie would like to do something very special for my DDs. We walked over to the carousel and the CM reopened it for us. Mickey and Minnie, with two CMs and a photographer took us onto the Carousel. It was supposed to be a special ride just for my kids. WELL.... this South American Tour group, with especially rude people, stormed the ride, pushing past the CM at the entrance and jumping the gates to get their kids on with M&M. They were shouting and calling out to the characters and one man actually tried to push his child onto the horse next to Mickey while I was buckling my first DD onto her horse! The CM stepped in and told him to move and Mickey himself waved his finger at the man to say it wasn't okay!! The CMs were very apologetic and you could tell they were angry that these people would do this... but what could they do? They kept saying that the ride was closed and the park was closed and they had to leave, but these people all pretended they didn't understand. We got our "special" ride, and I didn't let my DDs see how mad I was. It was truly enraging to see how these rude people were so selfish! You should have seen them swarm over M&M when we tried to exit the ride. The CMs actually took us back out of the way after the ride to get some more photos. I was so thankful to these wonderful CMs who tried to give us something special. I don't think I can ever forgive that tour group for doing their best to ruin a special moment. Unfortunately it has soured me on all of these groups. Just had to vent. -Sarah __________________ Mom DH DD6 DD5 DD<1 '94 Off Site, '07 SSR, '08 SSR, '08 OKW, '09 BCV, '09 OKW

10-22-2009, 03:35 PM	#2
Daddee Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 137	I totally agree with you but __________________ Dad (42) Dee (8) Get it Daddee Cant wait to go back!

10-22-2009, 03:59 PM	#3
Jennasis It's a miracle! I stayed awake during the El Rio Del Tiempo ride! Let's not even TOUCH the whole Dog vs. dawg vs. Dowg thing! PLINKO baby! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: The Triad, NC Posts: 8,625	I'm so sorry the group ruined your special moment. But what a moment!! It sounds like you guys got a pretty special bit o' pixie dust. So cool! __________________

10-22-2009, 04:18 PM	#4
disneynutz Earning My Ears One At A Time Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,802	Disney could stop this poor behavior but they choose not to. The money that they make from these groups is worth more to them than our happiness. Bill __________________

10-22-2009, 04:27 PM	#5
Ava DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 840	I'm surprised the CMs didn't call security to remove those people from the park. It sounds like their behavior could've put others in danger. You got a great bit of Pixie dust though, despite the rude people! I hope you got some wonderful photos of your DDs on the Carousel with Mickey & Minnie. __________________ 1983 (age 3): Buena Vista Palace 1988: Fort Wilderness 1991: Off-site Sept 1997: All-Star Music Aug 2002: All-Star Music March 2004: All-Star Movies April 2006: All-Star Music - 1st trip with my DP 2012: DD's First Trip to the World! Ava 29 Julie 33 Margot born 4/30/09

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10-22-2009, 04:29 PM	#6
RMulieri DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Down the Rabbit Hole Posts: 9,848	That is some wonderful pixie dust for you, and I am sorry it was ruined by "less then magical" guest behavior __________________ Next trip 2011-Disneys Beach Club Villas "Once you Choose Hope, Anything is possible"

10-22-2009, 04:54 PM	#8
jb01 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 912	Nothing wrong with venting about these groups. __________________ As you approach life's crossroads...look both ways

10-22-2009, 05:01 PM	#9
ltex Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 33	I have a friend who is a CM. He reported the following: WDW used to not press charges for shoplifting if the item was under a certain dollar amount. They would just stop the person and retrieve the item and on occassion escort person out of park. Well, according to him this got around to the tour leaders of international tour groups and the guides told their charges which led to people were trying to steal everything, b/c no charges would be pressed. In response, WDW has since updated the policy and now prosecutes everything.

10-22-2009, 05:15 PM	#10
brunette8706 DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 825	One word. Unbelievable. __________________

10-22-2009, 05:50 PM	#11
mickeymousemom Missing: Three tags last seen in this space. Large reward for any info leading to their return. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: An hour north of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and 90 minutes south of legendary NOTRE DAME...Go Irish! Posts: 2,236	I had never seen too many of the "SA" tour groups until a few years ago..even then we never encountered many problems, but I could tell there were some issues just by watching them. I had a friend who worked at Pop Century for awhile and she said they had alot of problems with them and at that time(about 4 years ago) they were actually banned from that resort. Not sure how true that is but it made sense at the time. Since then, we have encountered them more often and I find it absolutely unbelievable that WDW refuses to do anything about them. They are loud, rude and obnoxious beyond belief. I realize that its incredibly unrealistic to stop these people ourselves, but holy crap...something needs to be done. __________________ First trip to WDW in 1977 and too many times to count since then! Next up>>>POR Oct 2009!!

10-22-2009, 06:01 PM	#12
mlittig DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern Massachusetts Posts: 527	I am so sorry they forced themselves on your special time That is so wrong __________________ 5/87 First time to WDW Polynesian 5/90 Polynesian 12/02 Off site 8/08 Port Orleans French Quarter 6/09 Port Orleans French Quarter 8/09 All Star Sports (impromptu trip ) 4/23/10 Port Orleans French Quarter

10-22-2009, 07:02 PM	#13
Jennasis It's a miracle! I stayed awake during the El Rio Del Tiempo ride! Let's not even TOUCH the whole Dog vs. dawg vs. Dowg thing! PLINKO baby! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: The Triad, NC Posts: 8,625	Perhaps anyone going during that time of year when these groups are prevalent, might want to learn a fewkey phrases in Portuguese? No cutting in line....nenhum corte na linha Yes you DO speak English....Sim voce fala o ingles You are being rude and obnoxious...voce esta sendo rude e obnoxio I am calling security...Eu estuo chamando a seguranca (please no nit-picking my translations. It's babelfish!) __________________

10-22-2009, 07:16 PM	#14
roliepolieoliefan DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: City of Champions , PA Posts: 5,385	Are the tour groups there now? I thought they only visited WDW in January and July? OP: I'm so sorry this happened to you; It certainly was a magical time for you and your family but would have been more so without the rude and obnoxious tour group. And I agree with the poster who said Disney could stop it, but they choose to look the other way. __________________

10-22-2009, 07:20 PM	#15
DVC4US DVC Member since 1998 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 1,459	We have encountered them several times during the summer when it is generally all teenagers. One evening we had staked a spot on the curb to watch the parade and there was a group across the street from us. As we were waiting they got up in the middle of the street and preceeded to do some chant/song in their language. This was bad enough, but then they had the nerve to pass around a hat looking for money. I could not believe the CMs just stood there and let them do this. It happened several times while we waited for the parade. I know they bring in money, but Disney really needs to do something about these groups. __________________ LeiLani

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