A few weird things we saw people do on our trip

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Maybe this isn't the best place for this question, but I've been wondering what is the deal with the Brazilian tour groups? Have they just recently started coming in droves because I haven't ever noticed them before. Are they around all year or just during certain times? From what everybody says, it would be best if I didn't encounter some of these groups. I would be one of those crazy women who confronted them also, much to my husband's embarrassment!

That's a good question. I have seen them mentioned on this thread and several others. Are they just trying to be organized and efficent time-wise or trying to be a pain on purpose? (guess we will never know that!) anyone else had experience?
(mabey they are all grouchy from wax?)

 

[grandma jan]

This was the main reason we stopped going in July!!! Although I did have one pleasant exchange with a few of them. We had boarded the bus at ASM for MK and there were no seats. In the back of the bus was a group of the boys from Brazil. One of them got up and offered me his seat. They all spoke English and we had a really nice conversation about our vacations. They all had very good manners and I told them so too. It was a really nice bus ride.

Now the groups that did all the chanting and yelling about drove me nuts especially at Fantasmic and waiting for the bus at night...most of those were girls too!!!!

 

[WillCAD]

Maybe this isn't the best place for this question, but I've been wondering what is the deal with the Brazilian tour groups? Have they just recently started coming in droves because I haven't ever noticed them before. Are they around all year or just during certain times? From what everybody says, it would be best if I didn't encounter some of these groups. I would be one of those crazy women who confronted them also, much to my husband's embarrassment!

I've been hearing people complain about them for at least 10 years, although I have not had a lot of experience with them myself until the last 3-4 years. They do seem to come at particular times of year, but I don't know which times; I do remember that British and Japanese folks (not tour groups, just folks on holiday) seem to come a lot in September. But I think that's because Disney markets heavier in those countries for September trips since Sept is the low season at WDW.

That's a good question. I have seen them mentioned on this thread and several others. Are they just trying to be organized and efficent time-wise or trying to be a pain on purpose? (guess we will never know that!) anyone else had experience?
(mabey they are all grouchy from wax?)

I think the majority of things that people complain about with the Brazillian and other south American tour group stem from a combination of A) Cultural differences, and B) Normal teenage rambunctiousness. American teens can be just as obnoxious in large groups when travelling without enough adult supervision.

But if they are loud, rude, and pushy, it doesn't matter why, it only matters that they are. And not all of them are.

 

[Fitswimmer]

They've been around for years, I believe always in July. I haven't been to the World in July in YEARS, partly because of the heat, but the tour groups were a factor. I also try and avoid Cheerleader week. Roving packs of screaming teenagers kind of reduces the magic for me....

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

They've been around for years, I believe always in July. I haven't been to the World in July in YEARS, partly because of the heat, but the tour groups were a factor. I also try and avoid Cheerleader week. Roving packs of screaming teenagers kind of reduces the magic for me....

When is cheerleader week? I have always heard that it was a crazy time to go, but don't know when to stay away!

 

[oliviansmom17]

Ok so here's my story we were at Magic Kingdom watching Wishes and my husband looked over at me gave me a smile and a wink, looking at him a little confused i asked him what "that look" was for and he said you were just grabbing my butt. yeah NO there was a man standing behind us trying to pick pocket my husband's wallet. YEAH not a good idea on the other's guys part. My husband made it known what had happened the guy and his family was going to get kicked out of Disney but my hubby did not want to see that happen because he had small children so he told the CM to let it go but gave the guy a firm warning !!!
I always say i hope he did not do that to someone else

See...I've always wondered about that. "Are nefarious people at WDW, too?" I naively figured that it costs a heck of a lot of money to get into a WDW park just to steal. But the truth is that it's probably a small price for a shot at the buffet of "mentally occupied" park-goers not paying attention to their belongings. I'm seriously guilty of that. A thief could definitely pay back their park ticket/annual pass with a few wallets- esp. at Disney!

 

[Passions71203]

When is cheerleader week? I have always heard that it was a crazy time to go, but don't know when to stay away!

I figured you wanted to know so you could see all the cheerleaders

 

[rayelias]

I guess that's where I differ in terms of what I think is common and what is not common. I don't believe that when I go to amusement park and there is a fountain with drinking fountains surrounding it I would think "Oh I am going to stick my feet in there".

Or (my personal favorite), using the drinking fountains as a "baby bidet."

I think the excuse of "my feet are hot" is a poor excuse for dipping your feet in what appears to be a drinking fountain setup with the main fountain as decoration.

Different custom or not, I think what probably should've tipped them off that it was not acceptable in WDW was that in NO OTHER FOUNTAIN were people bathing in public. If, out of the other 100,000 people in the parks, you don't see anyone taking a dip in a fountain, chances are that it's not appropriate.

Simple lesson in a foreign culture... when in Rome do (or in this case DON'T do) what the Romans do (or don't do).

 

[debbiet1]

omg i've seen people use fountains as baby bidets.. you want to go up to them smack them on the back of the head and say .. wth do you think you're doing? lol

 

[PDJPrinceCharming]

Me & my friend just about lost it when we saw a grown man, his wife or gf & their son(?) running & screaming for their lives from the love bugs at ASM last year. He captured the footage on his cell phone & it provided many laughs for the trip.

 

[rayelias]

omg i've seen people use fountains as baby bidets.. you want to go up to them smack them on the back of the head and say .. wth do you think you're doing? lol

I'm sad to say, I've seen it more than once. Happens in the restrooms with the hand-sinks, too. Surprisingly, I've seen it happen more at drinking fountains than in the restrooms (although I'm a guy, and it's not too frequent that I see babies being changed in the mens' rooms.)

Needless to say, don't drink out of the fountains. I USED to think the bottled water was expensive. Now, it's the best $2 I can spend!

 

[Passions71203]

Me & my friend just about lost it when we saw a grown man, his wife or gf & their son(?) running & screaming for their lives from the love bugs at ASM last year. He captured the footage on his cell phone & it provided many laughs for the trip.

LOL LOL

 

[allerobed]

Last week at CBR I saw a father and his two daughters rinse off their sandy shoes in the main pool. I was so mad at myself all day for not having the nerve to say something to them!

 

[PrincessMom4]

That's disturbing to know about the water fountains. I had grown adults pushing my kids aside and had the nerve to expect me to apologize to them.

Love the redneck comment.

 

[Guzzi]

Your husband may be my new hero but I think I need more details so I can get a full mental picture - where exactly did this "incident" occur and what color was the guide's flag? Inquiring minds have to know!!

I think I have one worse than her husband, in 06 I got fed up at epcot by brazilian tour groups just charging in masses around the park running over all in thier path. Im a good size guy, 6ft, about 225, ex college rugby player so i decided instead of trying to get out of the way of these mass groups i would just bull my way through. I shouldered a few rude teenagers and cleared path for my family. I suppose I should not have done it but I couldnt help myself

 

[Guzzi]

I never said I wouldn't get up and offer a seat. I said you shouldn't expect it. Truth is sometimes I will offer my seat to someone who I think needs it. Sometimes I can't. You see, I am one of those people when you look at them looks perfectly healthy. And then I have days where every step I take hurts. On those days, I will stay in my seat. Nice to know that there are so many people out there who will be giving me the evil eye when I choose to do so.

I think the only thing my mom was able to achieve in raising me right is manners concerning opening doors and giving up my seat. (As an aside, I have two very bad feet, and by the end of the day walking the parks I am in alot of pain) On the Disney Buses i dread them being crowded because if there is a lady, a child or an older adult I give up my seat to them. I know my kids are watching this and my older one, a daughter who was 12 on our last trip also gave up her seat to an older women(it made me more proud of her . Its just common curtesey. The folks on those buses at park closing in the summer look like a bunch of punch drunk boxers dead on their feet. Until I am too old to do so I will always give my seat to a mom, a child or a senior
Dont worry maxiesmom, if you're hurting you deserve to stay in your seat!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I figured you wanted to know so you could see all the cheerleaders

Wellllll YES, but that post was the "OFFICAL VERSION" for the benifit of DW!!

Pirate Translation"
Arrrrhhhh Arrrrgghghh! Ahoy matey, ye be observent O' ta ways of O'l Grumpy. ME wench that be we wife has a sharp eye, and Saber! I be sure tat she be a happy wench by not yell'in at O'l Grumpy with the gale force winds that she be hav'in in her arsenal!! O'l Davy Jones hisself be a'tremblin when she be a'rasin 'ta Joly Roger!! O'l Grumpy just misunderstood! Since me went to sea as a lad, I vever had 'da chance 'ta cheer fer a team O' scallywags a'playin 'ta sports games! I just be help'in ta little lassies (and lads) what be leading 'da cheer fer their shipmates!!
I also be hav'in a bridge in new amsterdam tha be fer sale!!
Arrrrhhhh ArrrrggghhhH!!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Buhler? Buhler? anyone, anyone?

 

[MEK]

A) If it pertains to Alcohol, its always wrong.
B) If it is different it is always wrong
C) If it is not following the letter of the law its always wrong

NOW

YOU ARE ON VACATION. ENJOY! DON'T WORRY WHAT THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU IS DOING. YOU WILL NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN. IF YOU CAN'T IGNORE THEM, MOVE ON. WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK CAUSE WE ARE NEVER GOING TO SEE YOU AGAIN. IT ISN'T WORTH YOUR MONEY & TIME TO GET UPSET ON VACATION. PEOPLE ENJOY VACATION DIFERENTLY, IF YOU DON'T LIKE FEET IN THE FOUNTAIN MOVE ON. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE BIG MOUTH MOVE ON. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE GUY WITH THE BEER MOVE ON. RELAX ENJOY YOUR VACATION IT DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG JUST ENJOY YOUR VACATION. YOU ARE NOT ON VACATION TO PUSH YOUR VALUES AND MORALS ON OTHER PEOPLE. JUST MOVE ON ANE ENJOY YOUR VACATION NAD FOR GODS SAKE HAVE A BEER

I have to say that I agree with this! I probably wouldn't give those people in the fountain a second look, because I really don't care that much. A group of people (from any ethnic background) can get away with things that one or two people can't. Sometimes a large group's judgment and impulse control is just not the smartest.

 

[cabanafrau]

Am I truly the only one who occasionally pops in on this (holding my breath & saying a quick little prayer, no less) just to make sure our family didn't do something to make an appearance in this thread?

Oh, & so far, so good from a quick skim or two.