Brasilian tour groups?

[Wadecool]

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.

The universal signal for "Go back from whence you came". Very effective regardless of cultural differences!

 

[goofy4tink]

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.

Um, I don't have an issue with different cultures. But I do have an issue with rudeness. And when you're in a country other than your own, it's a good idea to understand what cultural differences are. I really can't believe that the behaviour I have seen, by South American groups, is behaviour that is santioned at home. Running into people, tossing trash on the ground and leaving it, cutting in lines, yelling and shouting so that others can't enjoy an attraction.
This isn't a question of being held up at the FP line. Well, maybe it is. When you get to a FP machine and have to stand there, watching the return time change in front of you, as the tour guide 3 people down the line is getting FP after FP...about 30+..well, it's bothersome. And I don't much care where they're from. Have more than one person stand in line and divide up the number of FPs each person is getting, rather than hold up just one line...or put in a FP machine soley for the use of large groups, with a CM in attendence.

My dd is full of exuberance when in WDW as are her friends. And there is no way the above behaviour would be okay for them. I will never embrace rudeness..nope, not ever. I can't imagine going to another country and figuring my bad behaviour would be okay and excused because I was a foreigner. I would expect travelers to understand the local customs. Besides, it's not 'American' to patiently wait in a line, or to clear your own table of trash, or to watch where you're running when in a crowd of people. It's not 'American' to keep your voice at a level that doesn't prevent others from enjoying the same things you are. It's called common courtesy. And that is pretty much the norm all over the world.

These kids from Brazil??? These aren't under-priviledged kids from the other side of the tracks. They are usually from upper middle class to upper class families. They have money to spend. Some of these kids have actually been overheard saying..'Do you know what my family paid for me to come here??? I should get to do pretty much anything I want!!' Yep, that was overheard. And I have overheard some very similar comments from these kids.
So, cut them some slack? Not happening. I have been pushed, shoved, cut in front of, yelled at...all by those who profess to not speak English. I had one woman decide that she had to be in front of us at the DHS parade many years ago. Now, understand, a CM had put us in a particular spot because my dh is a big guy and he figured that no one would try to push him around. The CM didn't want anyone else in that spot...just a few people since it was on a corner and room for only a few people. But, man, did it have a good vantage point. We were there for about 45 mins, standing and waiting. Well...about 5 mins prior to the parade start, a woman and her child (about 8ish) walked up, looked at me, and moved in front of me!! Seriously??? My child was already there!! But they shoved her to the side. Now, there was no room at all....and my dh was now sticking out into the area the CM had wanted to be kept clear. I told the woman she couldn't stand there. "No English...I here.'' 'No, you have to move' I tried to tell her. Her response..'No English!!!' Well, thank heaven that CM came along and told her to move...in Spanish after she tried the 'No English' on him !!! OMG!!! Thought I was going to kiss his feet. That woman walked away, muttering about stupid know it all CMs and who did he think he was!!!
So while I think different cultures are a wonderful thing, being from another country does not excuse you from good behaviour in a different country.

 

[goofy4tink]

You are my hero!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!

That is something called; flavor!!!

ESL Techer from the USA Territory of P.R. And proud Army Wife.

My brother is married to a Japanese woman....he was in the Navy for 20+ years. I 'get' the whole 'flavor' thing. But it doesn't excuse bad manners. Do you truly think that if you were stationed over seas and your kids behaved this way, it would be excusable??? That is was just vigor and exuberence?? Doubt it. I know my nephews wouldn't be allowed to behave that way.

 

[Jazzerfan]

This is a hot button topic.

The hoards (and that is an appropriate description) tend to be LOUD, rude, obnoxious. They cut in line, pretend not to speak English when confronted and will loudly chant, clap, sing songs while walking through the park, standing in line, waiting for a bus, and sometimes while riding a ride. They've been known to mow down unsuspecting people on pathways, and they are woefully under supervised. A bunch of unruly teens let loose in the parks. Many complain that the guides "clog up" FP lines gathering 50 or more FP's at a time for the group.

I generally just walk the other way when I see them coming.

Welcome to the DIS.

I experieced the same whem my family went last August (2011). We went the last week which was actually very nice cause crowd levels were low, but encountered several groups. I agree, too, the chanting, cutting in line and rude/obnoxius behavior. Not all, but most. We were waiting in line at TRR and had several cut through the regular line. Needless to say, it didn't spoil our trip. We had a great time and ignored most of it.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

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.

The Brazilian kids pretend not to understand English and ignore you and the home grown kids curse you, then ignore you. What's the real difference?

I really can't believe that the behaviour I have seen, by South American groups, is behaviour that is santioned at home. Running into people, tossing trash on the ground and leaving it, cutting in lines, yelling and shouting so that others can't enjoy an attraction.

Yeah. United States citizens never do any of that stuff. Littering? Why we in the U.S. would NEVER do any of that. I wonder where all the litter in every U.S. city comes from? Maybe it all blows in when we get a stiff breeze from the south. Blows it all in from Brazil. Yeah that's it.

 

[Aroth28]

Ok, in all our trips to WDW we have never encountered a single BTG. I'll consider that very lucky I guess
I do want to know one thing though: What in the HECK do they chant?? Do they chant like those European monks "aaahhhhh, ohhhhhh, ehhhhhh" or what?

Honestly have no idea what they chant although it does sound a bit creepy

 

[gojoe]

Just a bit off topic but; quite a few years ago I was touring Germany & Austria. Tourist were having a problem with the Japanese tour groups (buss load mob mentality). At the time the Japanese were keeping these tourist areas going. What they did was to separate them from other tourist. Please I don't have cultural issues with Japanese or Brazilian but it is a problem Disney need to address.

 

[lugnut33]

Goofy4Tink,

I think you are generalizing about all Brazilians. My guess is there are some with bad manners just like you'd find anywhere else.

I don't think you'll see Disney turning them away any time soon. Here's a good article on CNN about the impact of BTG's in central FL:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/24/travel/brazilian-tourist-invasion/index.html

Spending that kind of money I welcome them with open arms, besides Brazilian women are gorgeous.

Here are some highlights from the article:

Brazilians outnumbered all other international travelers to Florida in 2011, up 41% from the previous year, according to state tourism officials.

And there's no sign of this Brazilian invasion slowing down: The U.S. Commerce Department projects 1.5 million Brazilians will visit the United States in 2012 -- and most of them will head to Florida.

It's a long process for many Brazilians to get to the United States: On average, people have to wait 76 days just to get an interview at the largest U.S. consulate in Brazil, in Sao Paulo. And with only four U.S. consular offices in a country that is bigger than the continental United States, a lot of Brazilians trying to visit the U.S. must travel long distances for their interview. As a result, many are opting to travel to Europe because the visa process is easier.

In 2010, Brazilian visitors spent nearly $6 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services, nearly 30% more than the prior year, according to a report from the U.S. Commerce Department. It's a trend that has been going on since 2003

And while the US economy was tanking the BTG's helped keep Disney profitable and able to maintain upkeep:

Disney World says 2011 was a record-breaking year for Brazilian guests at its parks.
As a result, Disney hired 54 Portuguese-speaking "Super Greeters," most of them from Brazil, to assist Brazilian tour groups throughout Disney's parks.

 

[disneyba]

Does anyone know if these groups come to the World all winter or just in January?

We are arriving on February 5th, 10 night split stay (BC/POFQ).

Thanks.

 

[skater]

Does anyone know if these groups come to the World all winter or just in January?

We are arriving on February 5th, 10 night split stay (BC/POFQ).

Thanks.

There will be some BT's during your trip, but not so many you can't avoid them for the most part.

 

[lugnut33]

Does anyone know if these groups come to the World all winter or just in January?

We are arriving on February 5th, 10 night split stay (BC/POFQ).

Thanks.

According to Wikipedia:

"In Brazil, Summer holidays start in early December and end in early February[3]. Winter holidays are generally the whole month of July. "

Though I think some of the summer vacations in Brazil now go until the end of Feb. Remember, it's summer in Brazil right now.

 

[irishtigger]

we got stuck on the monorail with them from tupperware. Let me just say I will never purchase anything from tupperware again for the rest of my life. SO loud, SO rude, there is no reason or excuse for their behavior they display. I dont want to hear them sing do you?

 

[mjp12831]

Count me in as someone who likes them.

They're festive and fun and add to the experience - why hate on groups of people having fun at WDW? Wouldn't you have loved to have that experience as a kid?

I'm sure the ratio of rude to non rude kids in the groups is about the same (or maybe fewer) than rude Americans touring the parks.

 

[ppony]

Thanks for posting that lugnut! It was really interesting!

 

[MVC1225]

I have been to Disney many times during the times when Brazilian tour groups, cheerleaders, etc. are also attending.

I do not generally have an issue with the chanting in the park but I do think it is rude to do it in a line (or during a ride/attraction/restaurant) when you are in a tight space with other people that may not want to hear loud chanting. That is common courtesy.

I also have an issue with one tour guide getting in the FP line and getting 100FP tickets. I do not think Disney should limit the number FP obtained per person but I do think Disney should have a special FP machine specifically designated for people that are obtaining say more than 15 FP. It can be a dedicated FP line just for tour guides or other large groups.

As for line cutting, yes it is annoying and yes it happens but it is in our hands to report that to a CM.

As a Floridian however, these are minor annoyances when tourism is what keeps this state afloat. In a bad economy any dollar, even loud chanting Brazilian dollars, are appreciated.

Finally, to some posters that complain about them not understanding English or "pretending" to not understand English, that is extremely xenophobic. They do not understand English because they are from another country. When I went to Italy, I did not understand Italian. Should I have stayed home? It is not a requirement to speak English to visit Disney World or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[magicbob]

Count me in as someone who likes them.

They're festive and fun and add to the experience - why hate on groups of people having fun at WDW? Wouldn't you have loved to have that experience as a kid?

I'm sure the ratio of rude to non rude kids in the groups is about the same (or maybe fewer) than rude Americans touring the parks.

I think I speak for most of the people who have expressed dislike of the BEHAVIOR of many of these groups when I say, we are not "haters."

I'm all for people "having fun at WDW" but there should be a mutual respect, not just one-way. When groups are shouting DURING rides, shows, etc. so that no one else can hear what's going on, then they are preventing others from being able to have fun at WDW. Those tour groups should respect the other guests enough to behave in a manner that allows EVERYONE to enjoy themselves.

As my previous post points out, I have experienced many tour groups that behaved respectful of others and I, in turn, respected them and everyone had a good time. But the behavior exhibited by many of these tour groups goes beyond youthful exuberance and is flat out disrepectful. Shouting during rides and ruining the experience for the rest of the guests is inexcusable behavior no matter where you're from.

I have traveled around the world and lived in other countries. I love experiencing other cultures. While living and traveling abroad, I was always mindful of my actions and attitudes to ensure that I was not perceived as "the ugly American." BTGs at WDW can (and do) conduct themselves appropriately. But first-hand reports on these boards document that many, MANY BTGs do NOT. Tour groups that behave poorly and ruin other guest's vacations are the ones responsible for negative attitudes toward the BTGs, not some latent bigotry of Brazilians.

 

[SnapesGirl]

Hate to say this, but we encountered a lot more rude behavior coming from American adults than foreign kids! I agree with many others than its more the fact that they're a large group, rather than where they come from. Put any large group of teenagers together (with little supervision) and its a nightmare! I'm only 27 and can't handle most teenagers! lol

 

[ppony]

Finally, to some posters that complain about them not understanding English or "pretending" to not understand English, that is extremely xenophobic. They do not understand English because they are from another country. When I went to Italy, I did not understand Italian. Should I have stayed home? It is not a requirement to speak English to visit Disney World or anywhere else for that matter.

Juts my take, but I don't think or at least I didn't read anyone's posts as thinking anyone SHOULD understand English to visit. I certainly would never think so. I think people had issues w/ those that actually did (you can tell sometimes like when you see them following the instructions of a CM for example) but decided to "play" ignorance as an excuse to be rude to others.

I was at HS on Monday and I was trying to squeeze behind a gal in a store there. I had no idea she was foreign nor spoke anotehr language but when I politely asked if I could squeek behind her she said "si" and moved. It was so sweet and what I think most people are just wanting.

 

[magicbob]

Hate to say this, but we encountered a lot more rude behavior coming from American adults than foreign kids!

Yes, and there countless examples of people here complaining (rightfully so) about those individual jerks as well. The reason why the BTGs often get mentioned specifically is because they so often engage AS A GROUP in poor behavior.

Do a search of "Pop Warner" and you'll see lots of generalized statements about the poor behavior of cheerleaders and football players as well. Does this mean ALL cheerleaders and football players are bad people or that others are engaging in "bigotry" against them? Of course not. But there are enough consistent examples of these groups behaving in a manner that warrants criticism. Not because they are cheerleaders, but because of how they conducted themselves. It's the same thing with BTGs.

 

[BillBrasky]

Besides, it's not 'American' to patiently wait in a line

The idea of waiting in a line is a rather American concept. There are great stories about when western businesses like McDonald's entered the Asian marketplace decades ago... customers would just horde in front of counters and wave money over the heads of people in front of them while yelling orders... until they started hiring people to basically teach the customers how to queue. Most countries in the world don't have the construct of queueing to the extent that America does, though with the world shrinking, this is starting to change in recent years. I'm sure the Brazilian tour groups get a lesson in American manners from their guides before they arrive, but how often do teenagers listen to lectures like that?