Brazil Tour Groups!!

[Art 1]

Well that seems a tad extreme and overly dramatic don't you think? I mean I understand whole heartedly where you're coming from regarding the experience you described but if you let them keep you away then they won, and eventually they'll have the show all to themselves.

I have been in Fantasmic when it was about 1/3 full of Brazilians. If it happens that way again I will walk out. I'm lucky though, I can go whenever I want. I feel bad for families who come once in a lifetime only to have the show ruined.

It was a horrible experience being stuck in that stadium with them.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Have booked to go in July next year

We usually go in summer due to school holiday over here and have had the occasional run in with some tour groups. I think the most annoying things are the chanting (Don't they ever get bored of it. Especially during the wait for Fantasmic.) and the line cutting. It is so irritating to be passed by small groups of 3 or 4 catching up with the others. My Mum is great for solving it. She puts her arms out and holds on to each side of the barrier and refuses to be moved. They are persistent though and will push and shove till they get past. Then they give you the "I don't understand what you are saying or why you are mad" look.

This type of behaviour is rude no matter who is doing it. There are no excuses and no explanation that makes it OK.

I did have the experience a few years back of an American family doing the same thing in line and I was really getting mad but I was on my own with 2 small girls and they were on the large side to say the least. I felt that a confrontation was not in my best interests. I left it to my 5 year old who pointed out very loudly that the people skipping the line were very very rude! Being called out on your behaviour my a 5 year old would perhaps bother some people and make them think but not this family.

I guess what i am trying to say that rudeness exists everywhere - it is not linked to race or nationality. However, the behaviour of the majority of BTGs and their disregard for the enjoyment and safety of others means that discussions like these will continue.

Oh, and as an overseas visitor to the US for my summer holiday I ensure that we behave in a way which is appropriate. The same as I would when visiting other countries. For example, when visiting Morocco, I ensured that I dressed and behaved appropriately.

Its about respect for others.

Disney should be stepping in to ensure that the enjoyment of ALL guests is important.

 

[DDM101]

We encountered several groups this past February, but we didn't notice many problems. The groups were large, so we tried to avoid them, but even when watching the castle show and wishes, the groups seemed to act in a respectful manner. In fact, most of the tour groups sat on the ground when viewing the castle show, but the MK castmembers made them stand for Wishes. The entire crowd that comprised the tour groups were placid and enjoying the spectacle of fireworks. Everybody seemed to enjoy the experience in unison.

 

[Brian Noble]

At the risk of repeating myself---are you guys sure we're all talking about the same thing? I've been the last two Julys running, and both times I found the tour groups generally well behaved, excited to be there, and really kind of fun. Even the chanting is moderately cute.

There have been a few exceptions along the way, but no worse (and, generally, better) than the average clump of domestic teens.

 

[Amunet]

I am also highly confused ... this thread says every July and even a trickle into the first week of august has many of these tour groups (BTG or otherwise). I went on my Honeymoon to WDW at the end of July and I didn't run into any groups (following neon flags). By the descriptions, I should have noticed them but there was nothing other than the usual crowds.
This was true for when we visited MK, Epcot, DTD and TL (granted, most people got rained out of TL).

Did we get crazy lucky or are there really not that many at the end of July?

 

[ChrisHartman]

We encountered several groups this past February, but we didn't notice many problems. The groups were large, so we tried to avoid them, but even when watching the castle show and wishes, the groups seemed to act in a respectful manner. In fact, most of the tour groups sat on the ground when viewing the castle show, but the MK castmembers made them stand for Wishes. The entire crowd that comprised the tour groups were placid and enjoying the spectacle of fireworks. Everybody seemed to enjoy the experience in unison.

We had a similar experience last October during Columbus week. There were several tour groups at MK and HS on the days we went. We ended up leaving HS, but only because of the fact that it was so crowded, not because of anyone's behavior...and we had hoppers. The only annoyance I found was the sheer mass of people....but they were all respectful, well-behaved kids. At least in our experience.

I think any time you get a mass of that many people together, there's bound to be bad behavior....we just got lucky....

 

[vellamint]

That kind of behaviour is not accepted anywhere on Earth!
Believe me when I tell you that BTGs are ALSO discussed on Brazilian Disney Forums. Only it's much worse there because we all extremely ashamed of the way the act and how that reflects on us and our country. When people find out that you're Brazilian in Orlando you can tell they're sorta expecting you to be rude, disrespectful or try to take advantage. It's really awful!

I don't know WHY they behave like this when on vacation. I mean, teenager behavior will mostly depend on their chaperone. If they're negligent, hell will break lose for sure. But we also see a lot of families and grown-ups cutting like and worse. I could not find one single rational explanation for this.
Of course, there are rude and selfish people everywhere, but some of these people I am sure would not dare to act like that when in their home town.
Maybe they think since they "don't speak English" or don't know anybody there that it's OK to be oh-so-smart and take advantage of things. Sure, these same people would be pretty angry if someone did the same to them. So, really, no logical explanation!
Knowing that they will probably not be punished is not logical enough for me. I know in Brazil people would get mad and would start a argument, things would be messy. Maybe since they don't think that's gonna happen in WDW, they feel like doing as they please and being jerks.


I know I've had a disagreement with a BTG that consisted mostly of adults and families at the bus stop once. I think it was on POP, I don't remember.
It was a Marathon Day and we were heading to MK (curiously, their guide had no clue about that huge event, so here’s an agency I’ll SUPER recommend! #NOT). Anyway, the line was huge and all buses were taking really long to arrive. There were about four people of the group in the line when a few others arrived and joined then. I thought: “Oh! Ok, rest of their family…”
A few minutes later, more people “joined” them. And then some more! So I got really fed up and decided that I HAD to speak up, because everyone around me was just as annoyed, but I could speak their language. So I asked really loudly: “How many more people are you going to put in front of us?”. Some woman, she was almost embarrassed, said “It’s the ones in our group”; to which I replied “All NINETY of your group??”.
I had a bad case of sore throat that day so my voice was really hoarse, it was sorta ugly/scary (me being a girly girl and all). Had I not been sick, had it not hurt my throat so much to say anything, I would have continued my verbal fight. There was, I found out later, another Brazilian family behind us in line and they were pretty angry too, the woman there, I think she would have joined me pretty soon! LOL

Well, it is terrible for everybody! But I can proudly say that I have been on WDW many times since I was 6 and have never followed a neon flag! LOL
I do sometimes think that I should try to hold one someday, just to see if “my group” would be polite and respectful.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[DOOM1001]

Since I'm still in my blackout Disney seasonal pass dates I did a non-Disney trip the last couple of days,we did do Typhoon Lagoon on one day though.We encountered Brazilian and a few Argentinian tour groups basically everywhere we went,Universal,Sea World,Typhoon Lagoon,DTD and Busch Gardens.I haven't seen them in these numbers for a long time,especially at Busch Gardens where the numbers must have been in the thousands.I've been seeing these groups come to the Central Florida parks for years and from what I saw on this trip I feel that they've actually improved their behavior overall from years ago,they're still not perfect but I was still pleasantly surprised.

 

[always]

I think it's really sad that some of you begrudge a mother the chance to wash vomit off her feet.

Let me get this straight, washing urine and feces off your hands in the washroom sink=not gross.

Washing vomit off your feet in the washroom sink=gross?

So it would be okay to just wipe off your hands with a paper towel and some soap after changing an explosive poop diaper? You couldn't wash your hands in the sink because what if the next person washes their face there?!?!?!?!

Sorry this is OT but really....

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I think it's really sad that some of you begrudge a mother the chance to wash vomit off her feet.

Let me get this straight, washing urine and feces off your hands in the washroom sink=not gross.

Washing vomit off your feet in the washroom sink=gross?

So it would be okay to just wipe off your hands with a paper towel and some soap after changing an explosive poop diaper? You couldn't wash your hands in the sink because what if the next person washes their face there?!?!?!?!

Sorry this is OT but really....

To be honest I found this strange too. Was she expected to walk around all day with the remains of vomit on there? I think that is unfair.

 

[Wadecool]

I think it's really sad that some of you begrudge a mother the chance to wash vomit off her feet.

Let me get this straight, washing urine and feces off your hands in the washroom sink=not gross.

Washing vomit off your feet in the washroom sink=gross?

So it would be okay to just wipe off your hands with a paper towel and some soap after changing an explosive poop diaper? You couldn't wash your hands in the sink because what if the next person washes their face there?!?!?!?!

Sorry this is OT but really....

I wouldn't mind if you washed vomit off your feet in the bathroom.

That isn't nearly as bad as the mother who was seen using a water fountain like a baby bidet, washing feces off her baby's butt. That was one I do have a problem with.

 

[Gustavo Castanheira]

Posted this on the other thread too:

are there any Brazilians or other South Americans who are lurking or posting on the Dis that could clue us in to why these people behave as they do and if the behavior is acceptable and tolerated in their own country.

Being Brazilian - and also part of a BTG visiting Orlando in '92 - I belive the reasons why they behave that way is because they're a large group of teenagers, thousands of miles away from their parents, excited to be visiting another country, under unefficient supervision of a few young, unprepared chaperones.

All the line cutting is not acceptable, not in WDW and certainly not here in Brazil. They do it because they think they can get away with it. I think they woulnd't do it if they were alone. But they act in some kind of "teen pack mentality".

The chanting, on the other hand, woulnd't be considered out of place in a theme park in Brazil.

 

[PeterPan09]

Being Brazilian - and also part of a BTG visiting Orlando in '92 - I belive the reasons why they behave that way is because they're a large group of teenagers, thousands of miles away from their parents, excited to be visiting another country, under unefficient supervision of a few young, unprepared chaperones.

All the line cutting is not acceptable, not in WDW and certainly not here in Brazil. They do it because they think they can get away with it. I think they woulnd't do it if they were alone. But they act in some kind of "teen pack mentality".

The chanting, on the other hand, woulnd't be considered out of place in a theme park in Brazil.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. The groups average age is 15, and the age requirement for chaperones is 18. There's part of the problem right there! I would love Disney to ask that chaperones be at least 21 so that there is some chance that the chaperone isn't going to think what the kids are doing sounds like fun.

 

[Maps05]

Why doesn't Disney produce leaflets in multiple languages and distribute them with entry tickets/keys when booking in, etc. that give clear do's and don'ts for exceptable behaviour on ALL Disney property, stating you will made to leave the park/hotel and money will NOT be refunded! and enforce it? Disney gets their money, reasonable behaviour reigns supreme.
I live in England and believe me, we have leaflets about EVERYTHING in any language you can imagine...lol. But seriously, it took us 15 years to be able to afford a second holiday at Disney and Pop Warner nearly ruined the first week with running past banging on doors, screaming, swearing back and forth to the pools, into the early hours of the morning. Security did nothing despite repeated calls from our party. That shocked me the most...were they scared of them?? Disney moved us to a different resort and all was fine but the point I'm making is not everyone can just return at another time and enjoy a group (ANY!)free break.
Everywhere needs rules, common sense, not military.. so all have a good time.
After all...you've paid for a holiday, you should get one!!

 

[kidd_freeper]

Being Brazilian - and also part of a BTG visiting Orlando in '92 - I belive the reasons why they behave that way is because they're a large group of teenagers, thousands of miles away from their parents, excited to be visiting another country, under unefficient supervision of a few young, unprepared chaperones.

All the line cutting is not acceptable, not in WDW and certainly not here in Brazil. They do it because they think they can get away with it. I think they woulnd't do it if they were alone. But they act in some kind of "teen pack mentality".

The chanting, on the other hand, woulnd't be considered out of place in a theme park in Brazil.

I was in WDW last week.

I don't mind the chanting...its kind of fun to see others getting into the spirit of things.

Yes, there were some rude individual teenagers (line cutting, blatant lesbian behavior). However you make a good point that these are teenagers without parents. I've seen worse behavior from American teens without parents at Six Flags type parks.

It would be nice if they were in smaller groups so that they wouldn't MOB a ride. But that has nothing to do with being Brazillian...it has more to do with how the tour group is ran and especially the SIZE of the group.

 

[dadschum]

Gustavo said: "Being Brazilian - and also part of a BTG visiting Orlando in '92 - I belive the reasons why they behave that way is because they're a large group of teenagers, thousands of miles away from their parents, excited to be visiting another country, under unefficient supervision of a few young, unprepared chaperones.

All the line cutting is not acceptable, not in WDW and certainly not here in Brazil. They do it because they think they can get away with it. I think they woulnd't do it if they were alone. But they act in some kind of "teen pack mentality".

The chanting, on the other hand, woulnd't be considered out of place in a theme park in Brazil."


Gustavo thank you for your input. If the average age of the teenagers in a BTG is 15, and you were a part of one in '92, I would assume you are in your mid 30's by now. So you have a perspective on both sides of the coin on this issue.

I would guess many, but not all teenagers, attempt to push the boundaries of good behavior in some fashion when not under their parents rule and travelling with their friends. Most of us have done it in some way shape or form. The boundary varies however based on the upbringing you may have and the values your parents may have imparted and what you have taken from those values. Even the best behaved kid will push a boundary in some way or another.

That in no way excuses the behaviors I have seen described on these forums both from BTG's and Pop Warner and cheerleaders and other groups of teens.

That said, why do you think those folks planning these tours send such large groups of teenagers out of the country with so few chaperones and the chaperones are still teens themselves. Even though at 18 or 19, these chaperones are legally adults, they are far less inclined to enforce proper behavior of those in their charge than an older adult, even one in his mod twnties might enforce. At age 18 or 19 they want to be one of the group and be their pal, not "the enforecer".

Is there a way to find out who are the agencies who plan these trips? Maybe it is worth the time and effort of folks who are disturbed by this behavior to contact these agencies with their complaints and seek answers to why they are so poorly chaperoned. Also, it the examples of poor behavior could be conveyed to these agencies to see what their reaction is.

As for the chanting, it may be appropriate in Brazil but not here in the US. Again, visitors should be aware of local customs and aim to conform to them. If they do they will be far better received.

 

[always]

That isn't nearly as bad as the mother who was seen using a water fountain like a baby bidet, washing feces off her baby's butt. That was one I do have a problem with.

That is disgusting. Wow.

 

[andylcq]

 

[jdmn2010]

Sounds like a much worse problem in July than January. We see plenty of tour groups in January but it seems like an older crowd than teenagers and I've never witnessed the kind of behavior described here. In fact, I had someone from a BTG run after us to return a Pluto stuffed animal my son had dropped out of his stroller.

 

[jdmn2010]

Originally Posted by Wadecool View Post
That isn't nearly as bad as the mother who was seen using a water fountain like a baby bidet, washing feces off her baby's butt. That was one I do have a problem with.

That is disgusting. Wow.

I once saw someone change her baby's diaper on an outside dining table. WDW has bathrooms with changing tables all over the place, but some people are just gross.