Big tour groups

[smallworldnh]

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.

Maybe Disney knows how irritating and annoying they are and will not put them in the mods and deluxes as to not upset the higher paying guests and chance losing them? Just a thought....

 

[smallworldnh]

[


[/QUOTE]

And they will be back in January and February ....

And this will be the new pavilion, and am sure the chanting will be .... this ......

OMG, no thank you, not even for free.

 

[smallworldnh]

I just can't see calling the police over a noise complaint at the hotel. It wastes the police's time. It probably annoys the front desk. And in my experience, the police don't do anything unless it's a potentially dangerous situation- drugs or alcohol.

A group of chanting teen girls? Not a dangerous situation.

the sad thing is you never know if one of the other guests is a loose cannon with an anger issue who might snap if they get upset enough. Awful to think of but in this day and age, awful things seem to happen.

 

[jsmla]

I've been visiting late January/early February for many years and feel things have definitely improved. I usually stay at Pop and the food court was a nightmare if you hit it at the wrong time. I once had a young girl physically push me aside at one of the stations, she actually grabbed my shoulders (I'm short) and pushed me away from the counter!

On my 2017 trip I noticed that, during breakfast at Pop at least, Disney seems to be setting aside an area for the tour groups and delivering the food via a runner. I don't like their chanting/blocking walkways either but the resort is where I had the most issues.

 

[asbyrneva]

Hi Just got back last night. While I'm sure there are times when tour groups cheer and are loud (maybe at the hotels they are worse) I didn't experience any of what is described here. The only time in the parks I saw a big space taken up on the ground was a spot out of the way with backpacks and "holders" out side tower and rock and roller coaster yesterday but I didn't find it at all a safety hazard. I was too busy dodging scooters! The only real line cutting I saw was a young american millennial couple that literally pushed pass 75 people in line for the tower elevator "They need 2". People started jeering at them as they got onto the elevator. 1) no CM asked for two and 2) there were multiple parties of two in front of them.

On RNR they were cheering and counting down in the cars but they weren't loud in line at all. Yes the group moves as a mass so if you get behind them it seems like you are stuck behind a big group that is "in your way" but if it was a bunch of people in different tshirts you would be behind 50 people no matter what language and what country they were from.

One nice thing about the tours is that they are prepared. They know where they are going- the tour operators have all the fast passes set and there isnt that horrible moment when you realize there is a group of 12 people in front of you that dont have any fast passes set and are attempting to go through the fast pass line and clog up the entrance making you wait while they argue with the CM. (boy did I see that all week long!!)

I'm in no way discounting your experiences but as others have said the Cheerleaders are no picnic. They have been the worse groups I have encountered. They were rude and disruptive, "School spirit Cheering in the middle of haunted mansion???" and cut lines threw trash and were overall snotty tour group ever.

Yes the BtG are enthusiastic. They are having fun at an amusement park.

 

[AngiTN]

Hi Just got back last night. While I'm sure there are times when tour groups cheer and are loud (maybe at the hotels they are worse) I didn't experience any of what is described here. The only time in the parks I saw a big space taken up on the ground was a spot out of the way with backpacks and "holders" out side tower and rock and roller coaster yesterday but I didn't find it at all a safety hazard. I was too busy dodging scooters! The only real line cutting I saw was a young american millennial couple that literally pushed pass 75 people in line for the tower elevator "They need 2". People started jeering at them as they got onto the elevator. 1) no CM asked for two and 2) there were multiple parties of two in front of them.

On RNR they were cheering and counting down in the cars but they weren't loud in line at all. Yes the group moves as a mass so if you get behind them it seems like you are stuck behind a big group that is "in your way" but if it was a bunch of people in different tshirts you would be behind 50 people no matter what language and what country they were from.

One nice thing about the tours is that they are prepared. They know where they are going- the tour operators have all the fast passes set and there isnt that horrible moment when you realize there is a group of 12 people in front of you that dont have any fast passes set and are attempting to go through the fast pass line and clog up the entrance making you wait while they argue with the CM. (boy did I see that all week long!!)

I'm in no way discounting your experiences but as others have said the Cheerleaders are no picnic. They have been the worse groups I have encountered. They were rude and disruptive, "School spirit Cheering in the middle of haunted mansion???" and cut lines threw trash and were overall snotty tour group ever.

Yes the BtG are enthusiastic. They are having fun at an amusement park.

Your experiences mirror ours down to every last crossed T and dotted i.
Even where we've seen them gathered, outside of RnR.

Most of the time, if it wasn't for the matching shirts I wouldn't have known they were a group. Some groups of family reunions are just as large too. Groups misbehaving are bad, no matter where they are from.

-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.

This is something DH noted to me as we had several LatinAmericans push past us as we waited in line for something. I hadn't thought about it and your post brought it back to me. There is a culture difference between the more "European way here in the US (where they did bring over many European ways that we still use today)" and the "Latin American way". We queue for everything here. Lines are just how we do things. Everywhere you go, you stand in line. Not just at Disney but in your day to day life you wait your turn and you learn to do it in preschool. But in other parts of the world they never queue up for anything. Lines just aren't done, you gather closely together and all try at once, it seems. Now, how anyone ever gets services or gets things done in that system is beyond me. But I assume when it's something you've done all your life it's just something you get used to and it just works out. I imagine it gets chaotic and loud at time, not orderly like we are more used to. And as yulilin says, it's not going to be something that they can change just coming to the US. Not to excuse it, just to explain it in a way I hadn't thought of before.

 

[anniemae]

I think the issues are more at the hotels than in the parks. In the parks you can avoid them to a certain extent. The line cutting is bad, but that is up to the cm's to stop, which I am hearing that they don't.

I keep hearing numerous reports of people at hotels that are so frustrated with the noise, the chanting, the late hours and blatant disrespect for other guests. Staying up all hours being loud.

I really wish Disney would stand up to these groups.

 

[bladiator]

-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.

And as yulilin says, it's not going to be something that they can change just coming to the US. Not to excuse it, just to explain it in a way I hadn't thought of before.

I don't think this excuses the behavior at all. If Americans travel overseas to Europe, don't we usually think about the culture over there and try to adapt to it? I mean, yes there are plenty of people that don't care, but if I don't want to find myself in a European pokey, I make sure before I go that I'm not going to make some big mistakes just because "I didn't know."

Now, the BTGs aren't doing anything that is regarded as breaking the law, but at the same time, these tour groups have been bringing teenagers over for dozens if not hundreds of trips. So, you're telling me that they can't have a little handout before they go that says "BTW, in the USA, they do this thing called 'getting in a line'. I know, we don't see anything like that here, but it's looks like this *show diagram of people in a line*. If you move past someone in this line, they will all get very upset, and we don't want anyone to get punched by an angry drunken American. Let's all work together, people!"

(translated into whatever language the Brazilian people speak)

Point being, I do not understand this idea that "different culture" and "teenagers" means they can't adapt to some common courtesy in their host country.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I was there last week- stayed at Pop- and had no issue at the resort. Maybe because I was in a top floor, lake view room in the 70's section away from the groups. Also could be because I was out by 8 am and not back until 12:30 or 1 am most nights, so I completely avoided the pool area. Maybe that should be a new room request option: Far Away from Tour Groups.

I did, however, run into a couple of issues in the parks. Mostly just annoying, like groups chanting in line and a massive group cutting in the fastpass line when I was going in for Na'vi River Journey. Four of them came running up and cut in front of me, which meant I had to wait for all hundred or so of them to get in a boat. The Disney CM was great. She worked hard and fast to get them in boats. She even then apologized to me (not necessary at all- she did her job well- but she obviously realized how annoying the groups can be). They had on shirts that said, "Happy Tour." I found that ironic. I was happy, though, when I entered Pandora later that evening to see the "Happy Tour" heading out.

One morning heading into Pandora just as it was opening, I saw a tour group with their little flag in the line for FoP. I think a lot of people thought it was the flag to get behind, because there was a huge line of non-tour group people following the flag. Some of them may have really been meaning to get in line for FoP, but I heard someone say to her companion, "This is the line to get into Pandora." I laughed to myself as I walked to the right and had a clear path to Satu'li Canteen as just about everyone else walked behind that flag.

The worst, most dangerous thing I saw involving the groups was at AK right after Rivers of Light had just ended. I was heading across the bridge next to EE toward Dino Land when a mob of teens in white shirts came barreling across the bridge (probably headed to EE to get in line after the show ended) toward me. There was a CM on the bridge yelling, "Stop running! The bridge is wet! It is not safe!" He was all but drowned out and of course, no one in the group listened to him. As I continued to walk on, trying my best to avoid the herd, I passed the tour group leader at the exit to Rivers of Light. He was holding his flag, yelling, and waving his arms in a "go! go! go!" gesture, apparently encouraging the girls to run so they could get in line quickly.

It occurred to me that there is no controlling large groups of people. If a child runs across the bridge, a CM has a chance of slowing him down. When a huge group of over 100 runs, especially when encouraged by their leader, how is anyone going to stop them? Seems that one thing Disney could do is to refuse to allow people to travel in these massive groups. Break them up. These girls are old enough to go in groups of 3-5 on their own. Meet back at a certain time. Mob behavior can be scary and dangerous and difficult (if not impossible) to control. It really is the size of the group that is the problem.

 

[Jennasis]

It IS a cultural difference thing...but you know the saying "When in Rome...do as the Romans do". If you are going to a foreign country it is your duty to research the customs and norms of that country an comport yourself appropriately.

These kids have no excuse.

 

[LucyBC80]

-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.

We queue for everything here. Lines are just how we do things. Everywhere you go, you stand in line.

I promised myself I'd stay out of this discussion this time but I just can't because this upset me greatly. As a Brazilian who has been to Disney over ten trips (and never with a tour group) I can firmly say we know how to queue and we wait for our turn. How to you think we conduct business in Brazil? Just push towards the front like a bunch of maniacs? No, we stand in line and wait our turn like North Americans, like Europeans, Japanese and all other civilized culture around the world. We're not an uncultured country and we know how to follow rules just like everyone else.

Line cutting is a tour group / cheerleader thing. It's NOT a cultural way of thinking, it's a learned behavior and one that I hate with a passion and it's not ingrained in our genes to act like that.

Most Brazilians who travel by themselves HATE the tour groups because we're all lumped together with them and they give a whole country this ridiculous reputation of line cutters, uneducated individuals.

And to whomever said Argentinians are more subdued, you must haven't been stuck behind them in line like I did a few years back. We left Animal Kingdom because they were ruining our park experience and we had a much better time at EPCOT.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Yeah, Animal Kingdom on July 4th....This was my first experience with them and never again, please.

I will keep in mind the photographing the backpacks and tour group names if it ever happens again.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I promised myself I'd stay out of this discussion this time but I just can't because this upset me greatly. As a Brazilian who has been to Disney over ten trips (and never with a tour group) I can firmly say we know how to queue and we wait for our turn. How to you think we conduct business in Brazil? Just push towards the front like a bunch of maniacs? No, we stand in line and wait our turn like North Americans, like Europeans, Japanese and all other civilized culture around the world. We're not an uncultured country and we know how to follow rules just like everyone else.

Line cutting is a tour group / cheerleader thing. It's NOT a cultural way of thinking, it's a learned behavior and one that I hate with a passion and it's not ingrained in our genes to act like that.

Most Brazilians who travel by themselves HATE the tour groups because we're all lumped together with them and they give a whole country this ridiculous reputation of line cutters, uneducated individuals.

And to whomever said Argentinians are more subdued, you must haven't been stuck behind them in line like I did a few years back. We left Animal Kingdom because they were ruining our park experience and we had a much better time at EPCOT.

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.

 

[bryanb]

Thanks for sharing! This doesn't seem to be so bad. As long as they're not chanting in the attractions themselves, it seems to be entertaining. I like how two cast members clapped along and one raised her hands to the rhythm.

I just remembered that in a recent global survey, it's American tourist groups that rank #1 as most annoying when we're in other countries. Of course, there are probably bigger numbers of us, but we're not immune from ignorant behavior. Maybe we don't chant like this, but we have other obnoxious behaviors that I'm sure fill message boards from those countries. I can't say I was the best behaved when in a large group of friends as a teenage boy.

 

[LucyBC80]

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 wish Disney did that. There should be a park rule that all groups should be split into smaller groups of no more than 20 individuals including a tour leader/chaperon. And mandatory talks about rule following and proper manner for all groups. If Disney just invested a little more money on taking care of these groups, we wouldn't have so many complaints about them.

 

[Polybound]

Hi Just got back last night. While I'm sure there are times when tour groups cheer and are loud (maybe at the hotels they are worse) I didn't experience any of what is described here. The only time in the parks I saw a big space taken up on the ground was a spot out of the way with backpacks and "holders" out side tower and rock and roller coaster yesterday but I didn't find it at all a safety hazard. I was too busy dodging scooters! The only real line cutting I saw was a young american millennial couple that literally pushed pass 75 people in line for the tower elevator "They need 2". People started jeering at them as they got onto the elevator. 1) no CM asked for two and 2) there were multiple parties of two in front of them.

On RNR they were cheering and counting down in the cars but they weren't loud in line at all. Yes the group moves as a mass so if you get behind them it seems like you are stuck behind a big group that is "in your way" but if it was a bunch of people in different tshirts you would be behind 50 people no matter what language and what country they were from.

One nice thing about the tours is that they are prepared. They know where they are going- the tour operators have all the fast passes set and there isnt that horrible moment when you realize there is a group of 12 people in front of you that dont have any fast passes set and are attempting to go through the fast pass line and clog up the entrance making you wait while they argue with the CM. (boy did I see that all week long!!)

I'm in no way discounting your experiences but as others have said the Cheerleaders are no picnic. They have been the worse groups I have encountered. They were rude and disruptive, "School spirit Cheering in the middle of haunted mansion???" and cut lines threw trash and were overall snotty tour group ever.

Yes the BtG are enthusiastic. They are having fun at an amusement park.

At the expense of other people's fun at an amusement park. I have little tolerance for people and cultures who are not considerate of others.

 

[bladiator]

I just remembered that in a recent global survey, it's American tourist groups that rank #1 as most annoying when we're in other countries.

Well, when we're all chatting about issues on othercountriesboard.com, this will be a very useful tidbit, but right now we're talking about BTGs at Disney World.

 

[disneyseniors]

OP, don't just think about emailing Disney, do it!!!! They will probably call you and try to placate you with an extra day free on your next visit, or free fp next visit. Don't take it. Insist on talking with a manager and or higher up, or they will placate you with their first line of defense. If you feel you were negatively affected by these groups, don't settle, but keep insisting to go to the higher level with your complaints.
We have heard all the negativity associated with these tour groups, and were very apprehensive about our trip this past February. We usually go to WDW in November and had heard all the horror stories.
So here is our story: We saw very few tour groups, but we saw large groups of cheerleaders ( 50 to 100) at a time.
The BGT's we saw were undercontrol. The largest one had an older woman who was the leader, and she organized them into 3 lines and made them be quiet (no chanting) before leading them onto BTRR. I was really impressed as I watched this unfold. We had only one small group chanting (not loudly) in adventureland as they walked around.
The cheerleaders were more intimidating just because of the sheer size of their groups, but we just walked the other way and got on another attraction. They weren't overly loud or irritating in the parks, just a lot of them.
I guess I was surprised at the tour groups leader who clearly had control over them, and they Behaved!!! with someone older who controlled them.

So I guess I feel that if Disney would insist that all the leaders be older men or women that more controlled behavior would result. It seems from reading here that most of the groups have teens or very young me "leading" them who have no more control than the teens.

I would probably not go in Feb again, or whenever they are there, and go on our usual time of November.
OP, please document and write to lots of people at wdw with your very real and valid complaints. So sorry your trip was ruined.

 

[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!!!

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

 

[bryanb]

Well, when we're all chatting about issues on othercountriesboard.com, this will be a very useful tidbit, but right now we're talking about BTGs at Disney World.

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.