We go to WDW every January, staying at Pop, so we have experienced the groups many times. I must say in their defence that they are usually quite respectful. I especially don't mind the Fifteens. I shudder when they show up en mass, but quickly get over it, when I note their curtesy. I'm usually pushing DD in her wheelchair, and they always hold doors for us and even step out of our way if we are moving faster then they wish to. I find if I smile, they smile back, and it makes up for a lack of communication. I remember one time, we were on a bus to DTD with only them. They of course exited the bus first, and the wheelchair and I were last off. I tend to walk fast when pushing the wheelchair, and as I reached this large group of girls, they stepped aside to let me pass, and called to the girls ahead and they in turn stepped aside and called to the group of girls ahead to move over. I assumed that's what they called. They could have been shouting a warning to the girls ahead that their was a lunatic with a wheelchair ready to bowl them over, but I don't think so, since they all smiled, as I thanked them. The only time there was a problem was at MK. We had watched the MSEP. Since we had seen Wishes the night before, we were heading back to our resort. However, Main Street U.S.A. was completely clogged at the hub with 15 year old girls who were waiting for the fireworks, but the fireworks were not scheduled for quite some time. They were sitting down on the street and no one could get through. Hundreds of people wanted to leave, but there was no way to exit and it could have been very dangerous. In behind this massive group of girls sitting on the road, it was all clear, but we couldn't even get to the stores and go through that way. I spoke to the CM to ask how to leave, and the poor kid was so frustrated. He said he had been dealing with them since 9:00 a.m. but they said they couldn't understand him, and he didn't speak spanish. So, I slowly went through with the wheelchair, and the girls moved over while still sitting down. They didn't want to get run over, and I didn't want to injure anyone either. Meanwhile, I don't know how many hundreds of people followed us out through the path we had just cleared. Yet the girls were very pleasant. They were tired, and wanted to sit while waiting for Wishes.
I find the BTGs the same. A smile goes a long way. It has to, because I don't speak portueguese either.
I enjoy the vitality of the cheerleading groups. Sometimes they are in the food court with curlers in their hair, sometimes practicing their routines in an out of the way part of the resort, but again usually courteous.
The food court at POP in the morning can be very stressful, especially when trying to find a table that is WC accessable, but that is not because of the groups, but because so many people are rushing , trying to get breakfast and start their day at a park. I understand. Lunch time and supper time at the food courts are much slower.
I don't think the financial problems in Brazil will effect the Fifteens, because they all seem to be from Argentina
excuse me, I'm due back on planet earth now...
