Brasilian tour groups?

[jcvalenti]

I've been fortunate to travel the world, both as a student and, for the last 20 years, on business. I feel I have a pretty good basis with which to render an opinion on the subject of these tour groups. For what it's worth, when we were there last (in Mid-July last year), I found the Brazilian tour groups to be some of the most unruly and disgustingly behaved people I've ever witnessed. I was positively shocked that Disney allowed that behavior on property.

I would say there were days in the park where it seemed fully half of the crowds were in tour groups. Yes, many of them in an individual setting were polite and well behaved ... but get more than 10 together and they generally displayed absolutely no awareness of others around them, or consideration for their enjoyment. There was no concept of lining up, no hesitation to push others out of the way when they walked 8 or 10 abreast ... it was ridiculous. And if you didn't outrush the tour group leader to the FastPass line ? Forget it - you'd be waiting half a day to see an attraction.

On more than one occassion, our young child's stroller got stepped on or tripped over by a Brazilian kid running by or trying to cut in front. And Fantasmic ? Forget it. We lined up for an hour and a half only to have the flood gates open and the tour groups surge into the stadium, pushing right by our group of young kids, to the point where I had to use my frame (6'3, 275) to literally knock tourists out of the way. The stadium, once filled, degenerated into a raucous futbol stadium crowd chant that lasted for an hour until the show started, to the point where you couldn't even talk to the person next to you.

I've never seen any tour group in any other country in my life behave like this. I've certainly never in my life (even in my teens) behaved like this in a foreign country. Disney has obviously made their choice to support and encourage this type of behavior; all I can say is I hope it's worth it, because we cancelled our plans to return this July and I will never be going to the parks during January and July.

I was editing some vacation videos just the other weekend and watching the footage I took throughout the 10 days we were there and relived all over again how bad some of it was.

 

[U2_rocks!]

It probably would be better if they separated into smaller groups.

My DD's gymnastics team is competing at ESPN WWoS on President's Day weekend, and our head coach had the idea that we would all meet at Magic Kingdom so we could get a photo and do a couple of rides together. There are over 50 of us, so after some discussion we decided it just would not be practical. I just don't see how it could be fun to try to herd 50+ people around! The kids wouldn't care, they'd be with their team-mates, but us parents would suffer! So anyway, now we're just going to do our own thing in small groups - much easier for all concerned.

 

[skater]

My DD's gymnastics team is competing at ESPN WWoS on President's Day weekend, and our head coach had the idea that we would all meet at Magic Kingdom so we could get a photo and do a couple of rides together. There are over 50 of us, so after some discussion we decided it just would not be practical. I just don't see how it could be fun to try to herd 50+ people around! The kids wouldn't care, they'd be with their team-mates, but us parents would suffer! So anyway, now we're just going to do our own thing in small groups - much easier for all concerned.

It just makes so much better sense. Takes away the mob mentality and is probably much more fun for the people in the group.

 

[Art 1]

I've been fortunate to travel the world, both as a student and, for the last 20 years, on business. I feel I have a pretty good basis with which to render an opinion on the subject of these tour groups. For what it's worth, when we were there last (in Mid-July last year), I found the Brazilian tour groups to be some of the most unruly and disgustingly behaved people I've ever witnessed. I was positively shocked that Disney allowed that behavior on property.

I would say there were days in the park where it seemed fully half of the crowds were in tour groups. Yes, many of them in an individual setting were polite and well behaved ... but get more than 10 together and they generally displayed absolutely no awareness of others around them, or consideration for their enjoyment. There was no concept of lining up, no hesitation to push others out of the way when they walked 8 or 10 abreast ... it was ridiculous. And if you didn't outrush the tour group leader to the FastPass line ? Forget it - you'd be waiting half a day to see an attraction.

On more than one occassion, our young child's stroller got stepped on or tripped over by a Brazilian kid running by or trying to cut in front. And Fantasmic ? Forget it. We lined up for an hour and a half only to have the flood gates open and the tour groups surge into the stadium, pushing right by our group of young kids, to the point where I had to use my frame (6'3, 275) to literally knock tourists out of the way. The stadium, once filled, degenerated into a raucous futbol stadium crowd chant that lasted for an hour until the show started, to the point where you couldn't even talk to the person next to you.

I've never seen any tour group in any other country in my life behave like this. I've certainly never in my life (even in my teens) behaved like this in a foreign country. Disney has obviously made their choice to support and encourage this type of behavior; all I can say is I hope it's worth it, because we cancelled our plans to return this July and I will never be going to the parks during January and July.

I was editing some vacation videos just the other weekend and watching the footage I took throughout the 10 days we were there and relived all over again how bad some of it was.

I like your post. Unless one has experienced the Brazilians they have no idea how bad they really can be, and are. I will not let them pass us in line and will not walk around them with they walk with their arms chained. Once in Fantasmic we were in the center, there was a large group on the left and a large group on the right, it was awful, just awful. I will leave if they are ever in there again with us. We once had the misfortune of having two bus loads of them in a hotel that we were staying in in Miami. I truly wondered if they were people or animals the beviour was so attrocious.

 

[JoJostar]

I don't mind the tour groups for the most part. I just try to go the other way. However, last January I had a bad experience with one of the tour groups. I happened to be riding the Haunted Mansion ride with my 6 year old (who loves the haunted mansion and has ridden it many times) and we were surrounded by a teenage tour group. The ride had some sort of a problem and got stuck while we were in the mansion. The behavior and the screaming coming from the tour group around us terrified my DD. We were trying to make jokes and see the silly things around us while we were wating for the ride to start up, but the bad behavior of the group kept escalating.

 

[jrtoastyman]

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.

I was there during this same time period, and found all of the groups to be very well-behaved as well. Didn't have any problems with them at all, and didn't notice any FP issues, either, although it stands to reason that a person getting 50-75 FPs at a time would have an impact.

What I DID notice, however, was my own reaction to them as a result of reading the many threads on here about the dreaded "Brazilian Tour Groups." I'd see them coming, and immediately think to myself, "Oh, $%@#, Brazilians!" It honestly made me feel a bit racist, lol. Hopefully, my internal reaction wasn't outwardly apparent, because these kids were all perfectly well-behaved.

 

[raidermatt]

I don't buy the cultural differences excuse at all. When you go to another country you do your best to adapt to them, not expect the opposite. True, these maybe kids, but then it's up to the parents, chaperones, tour guides, etc., to educate them.

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

We just returned from a 7 day trip..I can say that the only real issue with the tour groups we had (if we saw a flag we just went in another direction) was that they will walk 10 wide and not respond if you say excuse me to get around. And they just park themselves at the exit or on bridges blocking paths at the end of the night causing a serious bottleneck issue. There seemed to be a lot more adults with them this time so I think that helped with the immature behavior. I was also told by one of the group leaders that they are now sending at least 1 older and 1 younger leader with every group. The older to keep them in line and the younger to have fun.

I did however feel bad for the CMs when they were trying to communicate to any of the foreign travelers what seat number to go in on certain rides and the person is just standing there staring at them, and they are saying "ROW 10..sir ROW 10!) It's a free country and I am all for people visiting to help the economy and such. But being a little bit aware of the language of the country you are in could make it a better experience. I personally liked the girl trying to order a pretzel and the pretzel guy is just staring at her like "What in the world are you trying to tell me you want??"

 

[ggeorgiagirl]

yes...they chant, stomp their feet, and act crazy. I took teenagers last year (in December) and even they were scared of them!

 

[Oomiak]

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 haven't read all the posts, but I just got back from WDW. This is it exactly! Whenever I encountered the tour groups they were loud, obnoxious and have no regard for personal space and display no courtesy. They are for the most part, a wild, unruly, unsupervised bunch of teenagers.

I was using a fastpass to ride Toy Story, the Castmember asked me how many in my group, I say 2, the guy in the standby line says 80...no, 100! You should have seen the Castmember's face. It was pretty funny.

 

[Oomiak]

I've been fortunate to travel the world, both as a student and, for the last 20 years, on business. I feel I have a pretty good basis with which to render an opinion on the subject of these tour groups. For what it's worth, when we were there last (in Mid-July last year), I found the Brazilian tour groups to be some of the most unruly and disgustingly behaved people I've ever witnessed. I was positively shocked that Disney allowed that behavior on property.

I would say there were days in the park where it seemed fully half of the crowds were in tour groups. Yes, many of them in an individual setting were polite and well behaved ... but get more than 10 together and they generally displayed absolutely no awareness of others around them, or consideration for their enjoyment. There was no concept of lining up, no hesitation to push others out of the way when they walked 8 or 10 abreast ... it was ridiculous. And if you didn't outrush the tour group leader to the FastPass line ? Forget it - you'd be waiting half a day to see an attraction.

On more than one occassion, our young child's stroller got stepped on or tripped over by a Brazilian kid running by or trying to cut in front. And Fantasmic ? Forget it. We lined up for an hour and a half only to have the flood gates open and the tour groups surge into the stadium, pushing right by our group of young kids, to the point where I had to use my frame (6'3, 275) to literally knock tourists out of the way. The stadium, once filled, degenerated into a raucous futbol stadium crowd chant that lasted for an hour until the show started, to the point where you couldn't even talk to the person next to you.

I've never seen any tour group in any other country in my life behave like this. I've certainly never in my life (even in my teens) behaved like this in a foreign country. Disney has obviously made their choice to support and encourage this type of behavior; all I can say is I hope it's worth it, because we cancelled our plans to return this July and I will never be going to the parks during January and July.

I was editing some vacation videos just the other weekend and watching the footage I took throughout the 10 days we were there and relived all over again how bad some of it was.

Well said! I also have travelled the world. 23 countries at last count and I have NEVER behaved the way these tour groups do! I am kind and courteous and try to blend into the culture of the host country I visit. The Brazilian tour groups have no intention of doing this! I hope to never encounter them again!

 

[DisCookie]

Been here for the past week, encountered their loud chanting and nearly been stuck behind their guides at the fast pass machine. Luckily I had saw some mention about them on the boards so I got in a different line. I wanted to warn the guy that did get in the guide's line that it was going to be a while, but I wasn't quite sure yet...

 

[Oathkeeper13]

I went last January and the tour groups were terrible. Mind you I dont think the brazilian teens were more obnoxious then any other group that age, my problem lies with the tour guides. They insist on keeping 80 or so people together at all times. They completely take over walk ways and heaven help you if your group gets separated and you have a sea of red t-shirts between you. I was on the backstage tour at Hollywood studios about to board the tram when a tour guide literally laid their hands on me and held me back so that a group of 50 could cut in front of me. The cast members did nothing. I know that these groups bring a lot of money in but they should not get special treatment. Cutting in line and laying your hands on another person so that you can do so is unacceptable. I went to Disney twice while I was in high school once I went to Disney land with my marching band, and i went to disneyworld once with my entire high school. They let us in the park told us to stay in groups of no less then three and gave us times to check in. If the Brazilian groups did that I would have no problems with them. Sadly they insist on staying in absurdly large groups and cutting in line.

 

[labattblue]

Maybe I was just lucky, but I was at WDW last month for 5 days, and while there were a LOT of BTG's, I witnessed no line cutting, FP machine hogging, chanting, or any other bad behavior.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I went last January and the tour groups were terrible. Mind you I dont think the brazilian teens were more obnoxious then any other group that age, my problem lies with the tour guides. They insist on keeping 80 or so people together at all times. They completely take over walk ways and heaven help you if your group gets separated and you have a sea of red t-shirts between you. I was on the backstage tour at Hollywood studios about to board the tram when a tour guide literally laid their hands on me and held me back so that a group of 50 could cut in front of me. The cast members did nothing. I know that these groups bring a lot of money in but they should not get special treatment. Cutting in line and laying your hands on another person so that you can do so is unacceptable. I went to Disney twice while I was in high school once I went to Disney land with my marching band, and i went to disneyworld once with my entire high school. They let us in the park told us to stay in groups of no less then three and gave us times to check in. If the Brazilian groups did that I would have no problems with them. Sadly they insist on staying in absurdly large groups and cutting in line.

Physically restrained you??!!?!? I would have called the police and had them arrested! Seriously.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I was just there from July 21-Aug 4th and saw no really poor behavior out of the tour groups. Yes, there were many groups, but didn't see poor behaviors.

One woman, whom I didn't see, threatened to run me down with her wheelchair if I didn't move out of her way. She came up from the side of me, and I didn't see her. I moved towards the side and ended up in front of her (she was behind me, my back was to her & we were going in the same direction). She yelled at me telling me if I didn't move she would run me over and was nasty about it. She could have said excuse me. No, she was not Brazilian, she was American. That was the only really rude person I came across this trip.... Oh and the father who yelled at me when I went to play the Sorcerer's of the MK game. He had his back to the portal (not even next to it), digging through a diaper bag when I came up to play. I scanned my key card and he yelled "man why did you do that, I was going to play" like I was suppose to know he was going to play?? Ok, you want to play, you have your items ready and you are near the portal (or at least facing it). He was American also.. they were the only two rude guests I came in contact with... I apologized to the game player, I really didn't know he wanted to play. The rude wheelchair guest, I just ignored her and moved out of her way as fast as possible. She would have ran me over had she gotten the opportunity!

 

[GAN]

Yeah, I'd have to agree -I've had far more incidents involving Americans than Brazilians. But it could be just the luck of the draw. We'll find out next week when we arrive.

 

[KellyNY]

I saw way too many on my trip a month ago but in parks I only saw chanting, when we saw them we were changing direction so it was fine however we were unlucky to live with them in a same hotel for 10 days. CBR turned into college dorm, screaming, running, chanting at 1AM, pushing, blocking your way, cutting in line at food court, and costume parties with music and everything so we could hear it at food court area. So much for relaxing CBR.

 

[MND]

I saw way too many on my trip a month ago but in parks I only saw chanting, when we saw them we were changing direction so it was fine however we were unlucky to live with them in a same hotel for 10 days. CBR turned into college dorm, screaming, running, chanting at 1AM, pushing, blocking your way, cutting in line at food court, and costume parties with music and everything so we could hear it at food court area. So much for relaxing CBR.

My family was at WDW late last month and saw several tour groups. Some were chanting, many were large groups, and some appeared to be from Brazil. They all appeared to be having fun!

I attribute the dislike of these Brazillian groups to RACISIM. If guests have an actionable complaint, they need to bring it up with a CM. Fortunately, dislike of an ethnic group is not an actionable complaint!

 

[minnie mum]

I attribute the dislike of these Brazillian groups to RACISIM. If guests have an actionable complaint, they need to bring it up with a CM. Fortunately, dislike of an ethnic group is not an actionable complaint!

I attribute your opinion to NOT BOTHERING TO READ ABOUT THE VALID COMPLAINTS OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RUN ROUGHSHOD OVER. The actual nationality of these tour groups is incidental. The opinions expressed about these tour groups would have equally applied if they had been English, Mongolian, Arcturan, Romulan, or Pandoran. The objections have nothing to do with ethnicity and EVERYTHING to do with behavior. Many of the posters have reported that they have complained to either CMS or Guest Relations and nothing was done.