Big tour groups

[Polybound]

I really do think it is a size thing and not a cultural thing. There has been some scary and interesting news in The U.S. about things that happen when people gather in large groups. I don't think they would say or do some of those things if they were alone or in smaller groups. Being a part of a big group makes them feel powerful and invincible- and can lead to irrational, uncivilized thoughts and actions.

There is some interesting science behind "Mob Mentality" or "Herd Mentality" or "Crowd Psychology" you can read about. Gustav LeBon said, “In a crowd … a man descends several rungs in the ladder of civilization. Isolated, he may be a cultivated individual; in a crowd, he is a barbarian.” That phrase is just as true today as it was in the 19th century. People in big groups can be scary.

What prevents Disney from asking tour groups to split up and not travel in more than x number of individuals? Seems it would be safer and more pleasant for everyone.

I've seen lots of large groups at WDW, groups from America as well as other countries, though none compare to the obnoxious behavior of the Brazilian Tour Groups.

 

[bladiator]

The Brazilian tour groups ruined our trip about 10 years ago. Swore we'd never go back in July.

OK, so like someone earlier said, when are the tour groups there? I went in January about 5 years back, and that is when I met up with them. It wasn't horrible that year, but they were definitely just plopped down in the middle of crowded walkways in the middle of the day which seemed really weird. I started reading on here that January is their "summer vacation" so that's why they are here. So why July? Winter vacation?

 

[bladiator]

No doubt, but I'm bringing it up as context. I've said other things too, but in any case, you can ignore this "tidbit" if you want.

I suppose, but the context seems to be "well, if you don't like the BTG, then take a good long hard look in the mirror because you're the problem, too." That's not really the issue here. I don't need to self loathe my American-ism because of some global survey. I also know that I'm not the issue at Disney World and that I have seen BTG that are.

 

[bryanb]

OK, so like someone earlier said, when are the tour groups there? I went in January about 5 years back, and that is when I met up with them. It wasn't horrible that year, but they were definitely just plopped down in the middle of crowded walkways in the middle of the day which seemed really weird. I started reading on here that January is their "summer vacation" so that's why they are here. So why July? Winter vacation?

Yes, I think you're right. July is designated as a holiday month.

From: https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/brazil/family/schooling-education/school-year (emphasis mine)

Brazilian law demands that every child between the ages of 6 and 14 receive at least 200 days schooling per year. It is up to the individual school to decide on the division of this academic year across the calendar year.

The only other legal stipulations which the government make are for July to be a holiday month and that there should be another break, called a Recesso Escolar, at the end of the year.

 

[bladiator]

Yes, I think you're right. July is designated as a holiday month.

From: https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/brazil/family/schooling-education/school-year (emphasis mine)

Holy moly ... I want my govt to make a holiday month!

 

[GoBlue21]

As i type this im sat waiting for Fantasmic to start, with the Brazillian tour group chanting reaching a tedious mind numbing creschendo.

I've been here for nearly 2 weeks, with the family. I can honestly say much of our vacation has been ruined, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it, by Brazillian tour groups. I known it sounds dramatic, but;

1. We have had Brazillian tour groups in our hotel almost constantly, who have been relentlessly noisy to the extent that many members of our family have often had trouble sleeping and have resorted to telling the front desk-to no avail. Disney have been as much use to us in this regard as a bicycle would be to a goldfish

2. Mass crowds sitting on the floor of shops. No. Just don't. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS OF SAFETY AND GOOD MANNERS!!!!

3. Constant queue jumping. The first few times the odd straggler brazenly tried to push ahead to their larger group, we let it go. Now? If you ain't with your group, tough s**t. That's what lines are for, you ain't getting past me, my patience is too far gone for that.

4. The chanting. The constant. Never. Ending. Chanting.

In many ways I don't think it's the fault of the individuals on the tours. They have every right to a fun vacation, but has Disney seriously not taken on board the years of complaints about the groups and their disruptive behaviour, mainly egged on by the tour leaders, and evidently tolerated by the many Portugease speaking Disney liasons accompanting the groups.

Of course they haven't, they are thinking only of the $ signs. Well guess what Disney, everyone else has paid to be here too, and have a right not to have their vacations disrupted.

Sort it out Disney!!!

You are not alone. My family went for the first time in January three years ago, and I was not aware that the Brazil tour groups came in July and January. They are horrible. They are rude, disrespectful, idiotic, and have no common courtesy. It is like they think they can do whatever they want.

 

[bryanb]

I suppose, but the context seems to be "well, if you don't like the BTG, then take a good long hard look in the mirror because you're the problem, too." That's not really the issue here. I don't need to self loathe my American-ism because of some global survey. I also know that I'm not the issue at Disney World and that I have seen BTG that are.

Okay, but I'm not going to argue with you on this. I've posted several things in agreement with the challenge of Brazilian tourists, and one item of context about Americans elsewhere. Just to clarify, I'm not asking anyone to loathe their Americanism. Let's move on.

 

[Disney_traveler]

Try this:
Callate! Obtener algunos modales!

Shut up! Get some manners!

 

[LucyBC80]

Don't know, I've always heard that the infestation of Brazilians is at it's worst during July and February.

So now we're a plague?

 

[LucyBC80]

Try this:
Callate! Obtener algunos modales!

Shut up! Get some manners!

MODOS it's the PORTUGUESE translation of manners. Modales is nothing but gibberish to us. But go ahead and scream that, I'd love the laugh.

 

[Polybound]

As i type this im sat waiting for Fantasmic to start, with the Brazillian tour group chanting reaching a tedious mind numbing creschendo.

I've been here for nearly 2 weeks, with the family. I can honestly say much of our vacation has been ruined, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it, by Brazillian tour groups. I known it sounds dramatic, but;

1. We have had Brazillian tour groups in our hotel almost constantly, who have been relentlessly noisy to the extent that many members of our family have often had trouble sleeping and have resorted to telling the front desk-to no avail. Disney have been as much use to us in this regard as a bicycle would be to a goldfish

2. Mass crowds sitting on the floor of shops. No. Just don't. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS OF SAFETY AND GOOD MANNERS!!!!

3. Constant queue jumping. The first few times the odd straggler brazenly tried to push ahead to their larger group, we let it go. Now? If you ain't with your group, tough s**t. That's what lines are for, you ain't getting past me, my patience is too far gone for that.

4. The chanting. The constant. Never. Ending. Chanting.

In many ways I don't think it's the fault of the individuals on the tours. They have every right to a fun vacation, but has Disney seriously not taken on board the years of complaints about the groups and their disruptive behaviour, mainly egged on by the tour leaders, and evidently tolerated by the many Portugease speaking Disney liasons accompanting the groups.

Of course they haven't, they are thinking only of the $ signs. Well guess what Disney, everyone else has paid to be here too, and have a right not to have their vacations disrupted.

Sort it out Disney!!!

I can remember several years ago, watching the night parade on Main street near the hub, and there must have been at least 500 Brazilians kids sitting in the hub also watching as well. When the parade was over, they immediately got up and left. I've never, ever in my entire life, seen as much trash on the ground that they left behind. It was like they all had sack dinners with drinks that they just dropped and left. Not only had they been obnoxious the entire time, they were incredibly trashy as well.

 

[DisneyOma]

Friendly reminder to keep this conversation as civil as possible. I knew this thread was coming, it does every summer. A couple of points:
-please email Disney about your experiences with the groups if they have affected negatively your trip. wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com
-For the most part, the kids coming in the tour groups from South America are acting just as they would do at home, it's the culture, the way of life, to be loud and what people here in the US consider pushy or getting in your personal space. It's how they regularly act back home, I know cause I'm from a South American country myself. Obviously they should try and conform to the culture here but they are on vacation, the last thing on their mind is to change their ways for a week to please other people.
- Most of the time when you hear them chanting outside it is the tour operator grabbing a video for their website, so the chanting will stop eventually. Chanting inside a queue is a no no, but sometimes they still do it. If it is affecting you to the point of not being tolerable please contact a CM on the spot or go to Guest Relations and put in a complain, the BTG have gotten way better if you can believe it, because people have been more outspoken about them
-CM can do something when it comes to safety, but for the most part they don't interfere just how they don't interfere when there are parents putting kids on their shoulders or stopping flash photography in dark rides, or some overlooking obvious rules, like rolling coolers and luggage coming into the parks...

Again I am not condoning uncivil behavior in the parks or at the resorts, especially at late hours, I am just trying to give you the point of view of the tour groups and what you can do.

Nice excuses for a bunch of entitled brats. I've chaperoned a group of over eighty 13-14 year old students at WDW. We didn't get one complaint about these kids, and some actually got rewards from CMs for being polite and helpful. Kids were in their rooms at night, and we had a staff member or two assigned to "hall duty" to keep them in their rooms. There was also a magnet strip placed on the outside of their doors to alert to any mischief. We had a good ratio of staff to kids though - and my guess is there are not enough chaperones to rein in a bunch of spoiled kids.

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

If I had to choose between being stuck with BTGs and packs of cheerleaders, I would choose the BTGs.

I have a sincere question since I will be there in 3 days: How do the tour groups react if you physically block them from cutting in front of you?

I want to know before going so I can either let them go through or stand my ground. But, if I stand my ground, I don't want to cause some kind of altercation.

 

[Disney_traveler]

MODOS it's the PORTUGUESE translation of manners. Modales is nothing but gibberish to us. But go ahead and scream that, I'd love the laugh.

I took Spanish. Here in America we are taught that ALL of Cental America and South America DO speak Spanish. Brazil is NOT Portugal, so I'm sure some of these swarms would understand it. And I can also throw in some words in both Spanish and Portuguese that are not proper here if need be.

 

[LucyBC80]

If I had to choose between being stuck with BTGs and packs of cheerleaders, I would choose the BTGs.

I have a sincere question since I will be there in 3 days: How do the tour groups react if you physically block them from cutting in front of you?

I want to know before going so I can either let them go through or stand my ground. But, if I stand my ground, I don't want to cause some kind of altercation.

It's easier to stand your ground when you speak the language but a firm no will stop 90% of them, for those other 10%, if they say they don't speak English just stand shoulder to shoulder and link hands with your family, they'd have to physically try to move past you and at this point I have no problem calling for a cast member, like I usually do when dealing with line cutters of any nationality.

 

[LucyBC80]

I took Spanish. Here in America we are taught that ALL of Cental America and South America DO speak Spanish. Brazil is NOT Portugal, so I'm sure some of these swarms would understand it. And I can also throw in some words in both Spanish and Portuguese that are not proper here if need be.

So you believe you know more about my country than I do uh? Must be glorious to have access to such quality education.

 

[Disney_traveler]

So you believe you know more about my country than I do uh? Must be glorious to have access to such quality education.

Typical

 

[cruisingtwins]

Friendly reminder to keep this conversation as civil as possible. I knew this thread was coming, it does every summer. A couple of points:
-please email Disney about your experiences with the groups if they have affected negatively your trip. wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com
-For the most part, the kids coming in the tour groups from South America are acting just as they would do at home, it's the culture, the way of life, to be loud and what people here in the US consider pushy or getting in your personal space. It's how they regularly act back home, I know cause I'm from a South American country myself. Obviously they should try and conform to the culture here but they are on vacation, the last thing on their mind is to change their ways for a week to please other people.
- Most of the time when you hear them chanting outside it is the tour operator grabbing a video for their website, so the chanting will stop eventually. Chanting inside a queue is a no no, but sometimes they still do it. If it is affecting you to the point of not being tolerable please contact a CM on the spot or go to Guest Relations and put in a complain, the BTG have gotten way better if you can believe it, because people have been more outspoken about them
-CM can do something when it comes to safety, but for the most part they don't interfere just how they don't interfere when there are parents putting kids on their shoulders or stopping flash photography in dark rides, or some overlooking obvious rules, like rolling coolers and luggage coming into the parks...

Again I am not condoning uncivil behavior in the parks or at the resorts, especially at late hours, I am just trying to give you the point of view of the tour groups and what you can do.

I don't know where you are from but I'm from south america too and we definitely don't act like that in my country.

 

[LucyBC80]

Typical

Why yes, quite typical of one knowing what language their own country speaks. It's not my fault your education system failed you.

 

[Disney_traveler]

Why yes, quite typical of one knowing what language their own country speaks. It's not my fault your education system failed you.

No it didn't. It's as clear here as it was there. They are all the same behavior-wise.