Brazil Tour Groups!!

[torinsmom]

Are they more common in July or something? We went in June last year and I don't remember seeing many groups. We are going August 12-19 this year and I hope most of the big tour groups will be done by then.

 

[Amunet]

3 years ago we went for our honeymoon and I don't remember any groups like this. We went 27th - 30th I think. Is this recent tradition for Brazil tour groups to come in July?

We're going again (26-31st) here in a week or so and am curious if these groups thin out towards the end of July or if they are still going strong?

 

[Boston Tea Party]

What if they are adhering to social norms? What if the way they are acting is perfectly acceptable in Brazil? How is this any different that complaining about "fat" or "lazy" people who look "perfectly fine" using ECV's and not knowing how to drive them? I am not sure why, but threads about these tour groups seem to be some of the most blatantly racist threads on these boards.

Here are some simple truths:
(1) any large group of people traveling together can cause issues within a theme park (lines, waits, etc.
(2) take ANY group of teenagers and put them together away from home and they are going to act obnoxious to some degree
(3) chanting in a line is far less annoying that people talking through rides or taking flash pictures during dark rides.
(4) anyone that has issues with large numbers of people may find that WDW is not the most magical place to vacation.

A good plan and some flexibilty is all that is needed to avoid drama associated with any tour group.

Brazilian is not a race.

I think that complaints about any out of control group - who move as a large group and thereby place a drain on resources - would be warranted.

Have we not agreed that they are not adhering to social norms? Being rowdy, loud, blocking pathways for others, coming in at 2 AM and disrupting others, these are acceptable social norms?

 

[Gustavo Castanheira]

I appreciate your input, however, avoiding them wouldn't be necessary if they would adhere to social norms - appropriate noise level, respectful of others, sharing the space, etc.

Do you have any thoughts, perhaps, on why this seems to be impossible for these groups?

They are dozens of teenagers put together, most of them are not under their parents supervision, they are excited to be visiting another country (to most, it's the first time abroad). This, I think, is the main reason.

 

[Brian Noble]

take ANY group of teenagers and put them together away from home and they are going to act obnoxious to some degree

My experience is that the S. American tour groups are generally well behaved---much more so than their domestic counterparts.

And, I find the chanting to be kind of fun. But, I also like futbol, so YMMV.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I hope that my experience mirrors yours. I simply want to enjoy the parks without feeling intimidated by a large, rowdy, seemingly uncontrollable group about which Disney does nothing. I think that is all that any of us want.

 

[Disney_Jill]

A lot of the tour groups I saw didn't use the Disney busses, they had their own charter busses. The ones at CBR had their own bus. I thought it was only because they were going to Universal but one of their guides said they had it every day. This was a group of 120 Brazilian girls. There may have been more but the lady told me her group had 120.

 

[mrbghd]

My experience is that the S. American tour groups are generally well behaved---much more so than their domestic counterparts.

And, I find the chanting to be kind of fun. But, I also like futbol, so YMMV.

I totally agree. My point was that these kids were acting like teenagers.

 

[mrbghd]

Brazilian is not a race.

I think that complaints about any out of control group - who move as a large group and thereby place a drain on resources - would be warranted.

Have we not agreed that they are not adhering to social norms? Being rowdy, loud, blocking pathways for others, coming in at 2 AM and disrupting others, these are acceptable social norms?

Coming in at 2am and making noise is less annoying to me than kids running up and down the hallways of a resort while screaming while their parents are not doing anything to stop them.
You have placed a value based judgment on their behavior. I am not familar enough with the cultural experience in Brazil to make the determination as to whether they were not adhering to societal norms. They were not behaving up to your expectations, that is not the same thing. You are correct Brazillian is not a race, it is a nationality/ethnicity. Statements like yours though represent a bias that you have. We all have different types/levels of bias. I was just commenting that bashing Brazillians is acceptable, while wondering why so many people get GAC cards because their precious little one can't sit still for 5 minutes is evil and horrible? Bias is bias and prejudice is prejudice.

 

[rock_doctor]

Go get him the foam ear plugs, they work great to dull the sound but still hear what is going on. I keep a cleaned out mini M&M tube with 4 pairs in my purse at all times. My youngest daughter has problems with loud noises and environments with lots of noise, so I use them A LOT for her including at Disney.

This really is good advice. They are super cheap at harbor freight tools. I buy a couple boxes before we go and wear them almost constantly when on property. I think i pay less then $2 for a box of 5 (on sale) and imho they are a must have... If you can't find any then a set of silicon ear buds not plugged into anything or plugged into an iPod will also do the same thing. Plus people will not strike up a conversation with you in line thinking you are listening to something....

 

[oceangirl]

I think the point is that all children and/or teens require adequate and involved adult supervision. It's annoying when several children are misbehaving and running wild; it's just that much more annoying when hundreds of children or teens are doing the same thing. The nationality is not so much an issue as the behavior. It just so happens to be a fact that many people have experienced this type of bad, poorly supervised behavior with Brazilian Tour Groups. It's not racist to state this. People are objecting to the behavior, not the nationality.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Coming in at 2am and making noise is less annoying to me than kids running up and down the hallways of a resort while screaming while their parents are not doing anything to stop them.
You have placed a value based judgment on their behavior. I am not familar enough with the cultural experience in Brazil to make the determination as to whether they were not adhering to societal norms. They were not behaving up to your expectations, that is not the same thing. You are correct Brazillian is not a race, it is a nationality/ethnicity. Statements like yours though represent a bias that you have. We all have different types/levels of bias. I was just commenting that bashing Brazillians is acceptable, while wondering why so many people get GAC cards because their precious little one can't sit still for 5 minutes is evil and horrible? Bias is bias and prejudice is prejudice.

I am biased against people behaving badly. I don't care where they come from or what color they are, and I will kindly ask you to stop insinuating that I do.

Your current location determines what behavior is acceptable; therefore, they should adhere to the societal norms present at Walt Disney World including but not limited to: acceptable noise level in enclosed places, leaving room for others to pass in public places, being considerate of your neighbors when you arrive at your hotel for the evening, standing clear of the doors and waving napkins at Chef Mickeys.

Surely you are not implying that Brazilians have a medical issue that makes them rowdy and rude?

I really think that the comparison is apples to oranges. But that is my humble opinion and I am no one of consequence.

Your opinion has been noted, as has mine, and I will kindly bid you good night. May all your trips be filled with behaviors that you desire.

 

[quirty30]

We were there from July 2nd to the 11th and saw many of the tour groups. I witnessed no rude behavior whatsoever, in fact, I've seen American teenagers behave a heck of a lot worse. The chanting did not bother me in the least.

 

[Magic3forme]

we encountered large groups this weekend at both the waterparks. I expected the worst and to be honest, they really didnt bother anyone.. it was just tough because there were over 100 in the one group. So when they got in line, the lines got super long. (but that could be said about any type of group.)

now last night at HS, we were on ToT when the rain started, well a big group took shelter in ROR and the place was insane.. wall to wall tour groups. They werent bothering anyone, but again.. large groups of kids in one small area. can we say claustrophobia??

I did notice the bus lines were extra large for the All Star Movies and All Star Sports. (around 9pm.) a mad dash for the buses after the rain started, but 2 buses later and the crowds were gone. and a few other groups had their own tour bus.

we found there were more rude adults --that had nothing to do with tour groups, than teenagers from the tour groups.

 

[juliebug1997]

We saw plenty of groups a few weeks ago. Some had charter buses and some used the Disney Transportation. Unfortunately, we managed to get behind a group going back with us to POR but a second bus came within five minutes so we weren't disappointed.

Last year was actually the thing that nearly drove my husband over the edge. We were at 'Ohana and I don't think their "handler" told them that the characters were coming to their tables, that you could get autographs, etc. Explained nothing! They started waiting out of the door where the characters come out and would then mob them. Mickey and Pluto were pulled back due to the issues. We should have been the second table to get visited but the girls would rush the first table (some poor family of four) and interfere in them being able to take their pictures. The girls had two adults with them and neither seemed inclined to correct their behavior. My husband, to this day, still does not say nice things about these girls. The next day was a completely different experience with a different group at Crystal Palace. They stayed seated, the waited patiently, they weren't loud and obnoxious (so thankful for the not being loud part, especially since it was 8 AM).

The family tour groups are not nearly as bad since, generally, the parents are there.

I don't mind anyone, small group, large group, family grand gatherings, a couple returning for their anniversary but a little common courtesy is not out of line. I don't think that anyone wishes that they wouldn't come just because they're Brazilians. It mostly has to do with a lack of manners and common courtesy to others who happen to be in the same spot at the same time as you.

 

[keristars]

3 years ago we went for our honeymoon and I don't remember any groups like this. We went 27th - 30th I think. Is this recent tradition for Brazil tour groups to come in July?

We're going again (26-31st) here in a week or so and am curious if these groups thin out towards the end of July or if they are still going strong?

My experience (granted, ten years old at this point) was that the groups mainly come in July and August. July for the South American teenagers, and August for the European ones. Of course, July and August are also prime for the American and Canadian groups, too.

It did vary some at how many tour groups would be in the parks on any given day, but it's a lot easier to ignore them if they're not dressed in identical t-shirts...

And, it's true, that many of the groups are well-behaved, but the ones that are irritating are more memorable, unfortunately.

 

[MikeOhio]

I honestly don't understand why people get so bent out of shape about the big tour groups in the parks. I just came back from an 8 day trip yesterday and there were TONS of big tour groups. Yes they were loud, chanted alot, and walked together. So what? You are in disney world and the parks are playgrounds. It's going to be loud. I actually enjoy the chants because it's fun to see others having such a great time. That is what disney is all about. I would rather hear chanting Brazilians than screaming children lol (not that I let either bother me because both are simply part of the reality of disney world). I can't understand why so many people would let others affect the quality of your vacation. If you don't let it bother you it won't. If you want a nice quiet vacation go to the beach.

On the other hand the tour groups being loud in the hotels during sleeping hours is a different story.

 

[macraven]

I honestly don't understand why people get so bent out of shape about the big tour groups in the parks. I just came back from an 8 day trip yesterday and there were TONS of big tour groups. Yes they were loud, chanted alot, and walked together. So what? You are in disney world and the parks are playgrounds. It's going to be loud. I actually enjoy the chants because it's fun to see others having such a great time. That is what disney is all about. I would rather hear chanting Brazilians than screaming children lol (not that I let either bother me because both are simply part of the reality of disney world). I can't understand why so many people would let others affect the quality of your vacation. If you don't let it bother you it won't. If you want a nice quiet vacation go to the beach.

On the other hand the tour groups being loud in the hotels during sleeping hours is a different story.

besides the poor behavior of the btg at soaring last year, which i was in line behind them, their behavior at the hotel was totally unacceptable.

i was solo on my vacation last year.
at 2 in the morning, about 5 of the young people/btg, woke me up by pounding on my door.
i was terrified.......woke up but still half asleep to think someone was trying to break into my room.

i looked out the peep hole and i yelled at them to leave, but they continued and were very loud and laughing.
this continued until they smeared pizza and food on the door and window of my room.


i called security and i was not laughing.
the only thing disney did was clean up the mess in the morning.

any group of young people that disturb and frighten other guests should realize this is not acceptable behavior.

i have no idea why the chaperones allowed the teens to be out and wandering loudly around the resort when others are sleeping.

 

[Wadecool]

Coming in at 2am and making noise is less annoying to me than kids running up and down the hallways of a resort while screaming while their parents are not doing anything to stop them.
You have placed a value based judgment on their behavior. I am not familar enough with the cultural experience in Brazil to make the determination as to whether they were not adhering to societal norms. They were not behaving up to your expectations, that is not the same thing. You are correct Brazillian is not a race, it is a nationality/ethnicity. Statements like yours though represent a bias that you have. We all have different types/levels of bias. I was just commenting that bashing Brazillians is acceptable, while wondering why so many people get GAC cards because their precious little one can't sit still for 5 minutes is evil and horrible? Bias is bias and prejudice is prejudice.

What on Earth are you talking about? Being Brazillian is an ethnicity, since when? Ok, I'm an American, so please tell me what my ethnicity is? What people are complainng about is a pattern of behavior, it just so happens that many of the groups in question come from South America. There are plenty of threads about unruly cheerleading groups as well. Are you on those threads as well championing the "ethnicity" of those cheerleaders too? I'm guessing probably not.

 

[manning]

That's hilarious!!!

Also, when I was doing crowd control, you'd have to get people out of the trees who were also using the bathroom because they didn't want to give up their spot for Illuminations!

Sigh...those were the days my friend.......

Now if we could get some sheriff deputies out there and make a few indecent exposure arrests that would stick maybe the word would get back to Brazil to knock it off.