Big tour groups

[Ksims616]

We had it over in Epcot tonight too. Witnessed a family with small kids get cut off from each other and the attempted phone call to find each other, but drowned out by the chanting. I feel they weren't as bad this week last year.

 

[Shanti]

I was also told these groups get no hotel discounts but pay premium prices.

Did a Disney representative tell you that? I find it hard to believe that a tour group company that annually rents dozens of rooms at a time would not get a group rate. Even my travel agent gets a group rate...

 

[HopperFan]

Did a Disney representative tell you that? I find it hard to believe that a huge group renting dozens of rooms at a time would not get a group rate.

Have you looked in and seen what they do to the rooms?

Only way to have a dance party is to stack the furniture against a wall ....

Yes, told by onsite Disney employee. They don't have to give them any discounts, they will still come. These kids are coming for once in a lifetime trip from affluent families. Money is just not an issue. They will never move offsite unless kicked out so they can charge them whatever.

And from personal experience, no not all groups get discounts. Sports team attending Disney event wanted to stay at POP as coaches didn't want kids with all the other teams. Disney would not let them stay there unless they paid full price. They paid it.

 

[Shanti]

The last time we were there with them - the Fantasmic line is exactly where they were the most annoying. Chanting very loudly - while laughing - they seemed to do it on purpose to annoy people.

That must have been annoying. What about the way they were doing it seemed to indicate to you that they were trying to annoy people? I've been to WDW in July twice and seen groups in the parks, only saw chanting once, but it was at a reasonable tone and they weren't acting arrogant or confrontational. They were calm- it just seemed like it was the thing to do for them, probably a cultural thing.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I'm at Pop Century now. I can confirm that the Brazilian Tour Groups are here in huge numbers. We arrived Thursday and their presence has been obvious everywhere we have been.

BUT it hasn't impacted our vacation a whole lot yet. Our little running joke in the family is that we have to avoid the BTGs just like the survivors have to avoid zombie herds on The Walking Dead. If you see a BTG headed for a queue, just forget it.

I guess everyone is different but I don't mind the chanting and singing, at least not yet. Just kids being happy for the most part. Their cultural norms sure are different from mine though. I can see how they would make some guests upset, but we are trying to be real positive and real chill.

 

[Shanti]

Yes, told by onsite Disney employee. They don't have to give them any discounts, they will still come. These kids are coming for once in a lifetime trip from affluent families. Money is just not an issue...And from personal experience, no not all groups get discounts...

Interesting to know. Their families can't be that wealthy, though ("money is no object" wealthy), or they would not be at the values.

 

[HopperFan]

Interesting to know. Their families can't be that wealthy, though ("money is no object" wealthy), or they would not be at the values.

Other than some minimal reports of them at moderates, Disney puts them where they want them. And the Tour Groups are tacking on their profits so they will want them at the lowest price location.

 

[mousehockey37]

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!!!

That little part at the end is the key. As long as those international groups from SA keep paying, they're gonna keep coming.

This board is a great place to vent, although preaching to the choir.

There are options for dealing with these groups in the future though:

- find out when they frequent WDW less and go during those times
- go the other way if you can
- stay in a different class resort (if you're able to afford it)
- make sure you stop at Guest Relations every possible time to report everything.
- record things on your phone if needed to prove your point

This is a start.

The best advice for right now though, is to document everything. Who you talk to, complain to, etc... and what you tell them. Try again with your resort management to do something. If they don't budge, the information for the Disney execs is around on these forums, call, email, write and tell them your story. But don't let this issue ruin everything. Try to find some good. Just make sure you take care of your venting there, so they can physically see how upset you are.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

That must have been annoying. What about the way they were doing it seemed to indicate to you that they were trying to annoy people? I've been to WDW in July twice and seen groups in the parks, only saw chanting once, but it was at a reasonable tone and they weren't acting arrogant or confrontational. They were calm- it just seemed like it was the thing to do for them, probably a cultural thing.

They were waiting for Fantasmic and not really staying on the line - getting on and off and cutting people to get closer to the front of the line. Chanting very loudly and laughing at people when they were complaining about them. I wasn't going to Fantasmic I was there sitting waiting for my family to get off ToT. I was watching people complaining and asking the leader to stop the chanting. I have seen it where they were walking and chanting but here they were waiting in line and being loud. The people waiting on line were so frustrated. It was hard to watch.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Interesting to know. Their families can't be that wealthy, though ("money is no object" wealthy), or they would not be at the values.

I don't know about that. Trip companies want to maximize profits and Disney has zero reason to put them in deluxe. I doubt it's an option.

I thought the tours were budget things but apparently it's quite expensive. It just happens to be slightly cheaper and less hassle than a quincenera party according to some girls I met. WDW isn't the only option- just one that is heavily advertised.

 

[mousehockey37]

They were waiting for Fantasmic and not really staying on the line - getting on and off and cutting people to get closer to the front of the line. Chanting very loudly and laughing at people when they were complaining about them. I wasn't going to Fantasmic I was there sitting waiting for my family to get off ToT. I was watching people complaining and asking the leader to stop the chanting. I have seen it where they were walking and chanting but here they were waiting in line and being loud. The people waiting on line were so frustrated. It was hard to watch.

I've heard there were instances in the past where CM's got so miffed by the chanting that they literally made an announcement that it had to stop or the show (whatever it was) would be cancelled. I forget where I saw it, but it was that bad.

Also... there are different types of SA tours.... Brazilian and Argentinean. The Argentinean's are somewhat more subdued. So keep that in mind as well.

 

[mousehockey37]

I don't know about that. Trip companies want to maximize profits and Disney has zero reason to put them in deluxe. I doubt it's an option.

I thought the tours were budget things but apparently it's quite expensive. It just happens to be slightly cheaper and less hassle than a quincenera party according to some girls I met. WDW isn't the only option- just one that is heavily advertised.

The parents of these kids can get rid of their kids for weeks at a time... They'll pay what they have to, to make them go away, lol.... Also, Disney is just one stop. It's a whole Central Florida thing. They hit SeaWorld, Universal, Disney... all of it. It's like a 3 or 4 week thing. So it's not just Disney.

 

[Shanti]

Disney has zero reason to put them in deluxe. I doubt it's an option...I thought the tours were budget things but apparently it's quite expensive...

Well, getting more money would be a reason for Disney to put them in a deluxe. Just like they'd rather I paid $300 for a deluxe rather than $100 for a value...I have no doubt that it's pricey to travel from Argentina or Brazil to Disney, but that doesn't mean these kids are rich. The ones who are rich likely don't travel in mass groups to stay at values. Instead, they'd likely go in small groups with friends and stay at luxury resorts.

 

[Shanti]

The parents of these kids can get rid of their kids for weeks at a time... They'll pay what they have to, to make them go away, lol....

How do you know this?

 

[mousehockey37]

How do you know this?

What's it matter?

 

[adelaster]

What are they chanting?

 

[MainMom]

I just want to know when they start to leave (and are not replaced with new groups.) Anyone?

 

[WDWNY]

WDW isn't the only option- just one that is heavily advertised.

I can confirm this I once saw them in Times Square and was confused where I was for a second. LOL

 

[WEDWDW]

The annual "BTG Thread" is a little late this year.

It is July at WDW-it will be like this as long as there is a July and as long as there is a WDW.

July will be even more "interesting" when the Brazil Pavilion opens!lol

 

[WEDWDW]

I just want to know when they start to leave (and are not replaced with new groups.) Anyone?

Early August-The 15s head back to school then.