Brasilian tour groups?

[sseely40851]

I can see why a group of kids may need a guide, but teens and adults? I don't care where you're from, wouldn't it be more enjoyable for small group of 4-5 friends to hit the parks, rather than 40 or 50? I mean they can't all be that close.

 

[sambisc]

Although the large groups can be annoying, don't let it bother or change your trip plans. I try to put myself in their shoes, traveling in a tour group in another country.

 

[ppony]

I was just in the 'World' from 1/17 - 1/21/12. I lost track of how many different Brazilian groups we saw. They all have their own shirts, vests, and flags to differentiate each group.

Yes - they travel in hoards and we always made sure we were ahead of them in a line if possible.

Honestly - we didn't see any chanting or singing, and most were pretty well behaved.

What really bothered me was that their group leaders would run ahead and get 50 - 70 fast passes at a clip. Not that they aren't entitled to the fastpasses - but it closed out the popular rides, specifically TSM, by 10:30am. That left nothing for the average family coming into the park. JMO

Same here. I perosnally didn't notice poor behavoir (not that it didn't happen) but when they got into lines, whatever the ride time was listed ended up being WAY off and you'd not know until you were already in it and one of those time checkers got through a line to update teh wait time. We never actually saw the big groups go into the liens or you BET we would have not gone in behind them. We just seems to "find" those groups constantly and wait tines were often WAY WAY off. That's the only explanation I can come up w/ for it. DH and I ended up not riding a lot, and since it was just us w/o the kids, we were cool w/ that. We were there to relax (mentally) anyway. This time.

 

[erddig]

It's too bad Disney won't institute a few rules to apply to all groups. Many places limit group size to chaperone (guide) ratios, Disney could limit tour groups to 1:15 for example, they could also limit the number of fast passes an individual can get (this would be hard to enforce) or the could set up special fast passes for larger groups. But the chanting is a big problem, especially in a cue, that simply has a serious negative impact on too many people and is just wrong. Ban the chanting, get warned, get thrown out. JMO

Unfortunately I doubt Disney would, even though I think most groups would come even if they weren't allowed to chant.

 

[newrygirl]

I have to admit I loved it when a group of about 60 of them checked into our hotel because they swam in the pool every morning and my 3 teenagers who never wanted to get up before noon where up, showered, dressed, had breakfast and where poolside doing some gazing by 10am every day after they checked in

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

I have to admit I loved it when a group of about 60 of them checked into our hotel because they swam in the pool every morning and my 3 teenagers who never wanted to get up before noon where up, showered, dressed, had breakfast and where poolside doing some gazing by 10am every day after they checked in

Ha! I just snorted coffee out my nose! That is hilarious!

 

[eliza61]

Gosh, you guys are making me so nervous! We've never been in January before, but we are headed to Disney World tomorrow! I don't have any patience for people who cut lines, so I'm really hoping we can avoid these groups. I wonder why the CM's allow them to do this? I've been to other amusement parks where there are signs posted saying no cutting, or you'll be kicked out of the park (and once, at Six Flags, actually saw someone being escorted out!).

Op, I wouldn't worry about it, the main problem is they travel in packs. Now the two times I observed the line jumping the folks in the line squashed that idea real quick. Most rules breakers back down real quick when the entire line confronts them and didn't matter if they understood english or not. A group of people yelling versions of NO & "$%#NO, got the message across.

 

[Oglet]

And the CM do nothing about it.

That is because in many cases we are not allowed to say anything.

 

[RebYork]

Which months are usually the busiest for these Brizalian or Argentina groups? We will be in Disney June 8-16 and was wondering how many groups will be there? I checked a website that says that most schools in South America go from Feb. to Nov. with a 3 week break in July. I do remember going in July many years ago and their were lots of them.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I was at Epcot Wednesday night and the tour groups were out in full force. Didn't have issue till we were getting ready to leave. They were chanting and screaming. We tried to hang back to let them all get out of the park but to no avail. Thankfully they were all going to the buses as we were going to the parking lot. This was probably first time I was happy we weren't staying on property hahahaha.

 

[gojoe]

I think it's nothing particular about the fact that they are Brazilian. It could be a cheerleading group or any other large group, and there is the risk of them being misbehaved and annoying. When a group of 50-70 people gets in the single rider lane all at once, it can be pretty aggravating when you are behind them as they are fooling around and singing/chanting. I think the Brazilian tour groups just get talked about a lot because there are a lot of them every January. We encountered these groups last year, could they be annoying?, yes, but like I said so can any large tour group.

I can see your point. I've heard of sport teams being kicked out of hotels and some issues in the parks (loud ) but those seem to few and far between. If you even mention Brazilian tour groups on these boards in no time you'll have people posting their complaints. I think where there is smoke there is fire. Your best bet is to let people just get it out.

 

[hookedonears]

What really annoys me is that a few get in line and then more get in line a while later. The later bunch then pushes past everyone to get to their friends jumping lots of people in line They claim to not understand what people are saying and will physically barge past anyone (including small children) who gets in their way.

And the CM do nothing about it.

This pretty much hits the nail on the head, though you left out all of the singing and chanting of songs from competitive schools and towns. 25 or so will be singing or chanting one song while 25 or so will be singing and chanting another song all at the same time. This is all done at the top of their lungs and they try to drown each other out. You may have 4 or 5 different songs going on at the same time and your right in the middle of it.

 

[GraceMonica]

I've been here over a week and only had two days where I didn't encounter an annoying tour group.

Sunday we were at DHS. My sister, her friend, our cousin and I were on our way over to ToT and we walked by one with all teenagers, mostly girls. We weren't looking at them, just minding our own business and a group of about 3 or 4 girls came up to us and got up in our faces and started screaming at us. We couldn't understand them because they refuse to use english...They were all loud and obnoxious.

Another instance that same day, when we finally made it over to ToT there was another tour group in the fast pass lane, probably close to 100 in all. I didn't mind because it was a nice day, but as soon as we got up to the front the CM asked them how many and the boy said seven. So he counted off seven of them and stopped them. The 8th boy way like "we're with them." The cast member said "He said there are only 7, how many do you have?" They looked at him confused and said "30!" Oh my Since we were at the front of the line I expressed how annoyed I was at this group [mostly teenage boys who were overall better than the girls, but not by much] (He gave me that look that he knows how I feel) and I begged him to please let the Standby line go so we wouldn't be stuck in the room with them. He actually did just that. Partially because he felt my pain and because he wasn't about to send the other 23 to that door with me and my little group. (This is why I love the CM's at ToT!)

I have so many more horror stories about this week. I honestly tried not to be bothered by them, but there are so many of them that its so hard to just ignore the issue.

It doesnt help that obama is telling them all to get their behinds in here. Perhaps he should spend a day with 5+ tour groups and he'll change his mind.

Alright. The two main issues I've seen this year is not enough chaperones and the fact that they're staying in a group. I've been coming in January since 07' and noticed they started coming in 08' they weren't a big deal until this year because they would ALWAYS split up. Past years I would rarely see the big group during the day, just small groups of 3-5 running around the park. It didn't bother me then. It bothers me now.



I have three more park days left. Hopefully today will be like yesterday at AK where we only saw one group towards the end of the day. Hoping and praying!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

The mantra of any tour group:

"To crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and to hear the lamentations of their women!"

 

[goofy4tink]

All groups are an issue. The same kids that behave nicely and are basically polite, turn into raging monsters due to the 'pack mentality'. Put more than 5 of them together and you have mayhem on the loose. And when you add the issue of English not being the language of choice (and I say choice because a ton of them know English just refuse to use it so they can profess ignorance)...well, it's not a good combination.
The foreign tourist groups are big money for Disney....and with the govt encouraging them to be here, well, what can we do??? Not much.

You get a group of maybe 30 or so teens. They are being led by a tour leader..part of their group. The leader heads to a FP machine and takes a ton of time getting FPs for all the kids in the group. Then, they head off in a huge swarm, not much watching where they are going. They get loud and rambunctios..they are kids after all. Then, heaven forbid you get on a ride with them. I found myself on The Great Movie Ride with a large group. Thank heavens they had been loaded in the front part of the first car, and I was in the middle of the last car. But man, were they loud and obnoxious. I felt really badly for the poor CM. Then there was the time I got stuck on PoC with a group. Holy moley, that was one long, noisy ride. Much screaming.

I refuse to allow groups to cut in front of me to get up to their friends. Either enter a ride together or go with whomever you are with currently.

This can happen with any group..it is not just groups from other countries. The absolute worst groups I have seen?? Day trips from schools and church groups in the area. OMG!!! I mean seriously??? You are wearing a shirt with the name of your church on it and you're behaving badly??? Not just normal kid behaviour....I mean swearing, cussing, pushing, shoving, running into other guests. Dropping trash on the ground and leaving it.
So, it's just a group mentality.

 

[nkereina]

I think it's nothing particular about the fact that they are Brazilian. It could be a cheerleading group or any other large group, and there is the risk of them being misbehaved and annoying. When a group of 50-70 people gets in the single rider lane all at once, it can be pretty aggravating when you are behind them as they are fooling around and singing/chanting. I think the Brazilian tour groups just get talked about a lot because there are a lot of them every January. We encountered these groups last year, could they be annoying?, yes, but like I said so can any large tour group.

True that any large group can be annoying (Pop Warner anyone?!) but the Brazilian part is a factor because they pretend not to speak English. And some of them, I'm sure, probably really don't speak English. When you have those language barriers - real or not - and they are misbehaving, it's a problem. Also, I don't think it can be much of a coincidence that so many separate Brazilian tour groups all act in the same manner. It's not as if the same group of 50 teens are there all the time - its different people each time. And they almost all act the same way and most all get complaints.

 

[weesignlanguage]

I agree with all of the above mentioned issues but one thing I haven't seen mentioned that was very obvious to my family on our trip two weeks ago was the messiness the groups exhibited. I can't tell you how many restaurants (quick service) we were in where groups literally ate and walked away. Most times they were within 3 feet of a trash can too!!!

My hubby struck up a conversation with a CM at AS movies food court one morning and the CM said it is the one time of year he dreads. He said it's not th big groups or inability to speak English but how they treat the resort....they trash the rooms and leave disgusting amounts of trash behind in their rooms and after they eat. He said he dreads January and July bc of them. Sad.

I see exactly what he is talking about...I saw it first hand two weeks ago.

 

[lugnut33]

They are disliked because they are kids with lots of energy and youthful exuberance. Can you believe that, kids at Disney World? Add on top of that kids that come from another part of the WORLD.

For many of those Brazilian kids this is their once in a lifetime trip to Disney World and they are there to make the most of it. They pay their money just like anybody else does.

I can't believe someone here actually has a problem with promoting tourism to the state of Florida just so the fastpass line isn't held up a few minutes. Really? Mention that to all those unemployed people in the Orlando area and see what they think about it.

Some of you people need to learn to go with the flow and embrace cultural differences. Us Americans could learn a lot from Brazilian culture if we took the time to experience something outside World Showcase.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Sorry if I offended anybody.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

They are disliked because they are kids with lots of energy and youthful exuberance. Can you believe that, kids at Disney World? Add on top of that kids that come from another part of the WORLD.

For many of those Brazilian kids this is their once in a lifetime trip to Disney World and they are there to make the most of it. They pay their money just like anybody else does.

I can't believe someone here actually has a problem with promoting tourism to the state of Florida just so the fastpass line isn't held up a few minutes. Really? Mention that to all those unemployed people in the Orlando area and see what they think about it.

Some of you people need to learn to go with the flow and embrace cultural differences. Us Americans could learn a lot from Brazilian culture if we took the time to experience something outside World Showcase.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Sorry if I offended anybody.

While I would agree with you that they should be just as welcome as anyone else, I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be annoyed by loud, crass behavior, regardless of where it comes from. You yourself said it best, "people need to learn to go with the flow and embrace cultural differences." I see no reason why that shouldn't apply to others, and if anything, the burden of cultural assimilation applies more to visitors.

 

[Teacher Princess]

They are disliked because they are kids with lots of energy and youthful exuberance. Can you believe that, kids at Disney World? Add on top of that kids that come from another part of the WORLD.

For many of those Brazilian kids this is their once in a lifetime trip to Disney World and they are there to make the most of it. They pay their money just like anybody else does.

I can't believe someone here actually has a problem with promoting tourism to the state of Florida just so the fastpass line isn't held up a few minutes. Really? Mention that to all those unemployed people in the Orlando area and see what they think about it.

Some of you people need to learn to go with the flow and embrace cultural differences. Us Americans could learn a lot from Brazilian culture if we took the time to experience something outside World Showcase.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Sorry if I offended anybody.

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