Brazil Tour Groups!!

[DisneyFive]

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.

Yes, thank you for sharing! Interesting to hear this from your perspective, and that most Brazilians are frustrated with this behavior too. I am almost certain that if a huge group of teenagers from the US visited Disney with so few chaperones, they would act very similar, except for the chanting.

Fortunately, I didn't hear any of the chanting or see these large groups last year in late Sept, but I know that the chanting would really bother me.

I also think if larger groups from the US were acting this way, there would be a lot more confrontation, because they all speak English.

Dan

 

[juliebug1997]

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.

Back in March, we saw a lady plop her little boy down on the concrete (it was 80 degrees or so) and change a very dirty diaper. Maybe even better than that? Grandma was taking a picture of it.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Back in March, we saw a lady plop her little boy down on the concrete (it was 80 degrees or so) and change a very dirty diaper. Maybe even better than that? Grandma was taking a picture of it.

That's almost as gross as those who let their little ones go diaper-clad into the splash pads - with very apparent leaky, dirty diapers. That's so gross and it makes me

 

[DianeV]

Just remembering something my husband said when we were there end of June into July. There were huge amounts of Happy tours groups there and we noticed alot of boys and girls together (like maybe boyfriend/girlfriend or??) My husband said I wonder how many Brazilian girls come home pregnant??

I laughed but really if they are going with a boyfriend/girlfriend or just hooking up that is concerning especially with 'chaperones' that arent much older and dont seem to care much. In fact we saw a young girl holding hands with one of the chaperones..

 

[manning]

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.

It would be better if that age was 25. Studies show that the human brain matures around that age.

 

[juliebug1997]

It would be better if that age was 25. Studies show that the human brain matures around that age.

While 21 would be better than what most of us see, 25 would be awesome!

 

[manning]

[qoute]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. [/quote]


What's that old saying? "when in Rome do as the Romans do."

 

[Magpie]

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....

ITA! I read that post and wondered if I was weird or something, because someone washing their feet wouldn't bother me at all (though I'd be a little worried they'd lose their balance and hurt themselves).

I may have done it myself at one point or another...

Considering people get worse stuff on their hands, and then wash them in the sink, I don't think it's a big deal.

Just remembering something my husband said when we were there end of June into July. There were huge amounts of Happy tours groups there and we noticed alot of boys and girls together (like maybe boyfriend/girlfriend or??) My husband said I wonder how many Brazilian girls come home pregnant??

I laughed but really if they are going with a boyfriend/girlfriend or just hooking up that is concerning especially with 'chaperones' that arent much older and dont seem to care much. In fact we saw a young girl holding hands with one of the chaperones..

Pregnancy is probably less of a concern at Disney than it is at home, where the kids don't have so many things to distract them and tire them out. And where it's easier to find privacy.

 

[cleverclovers]

As I'm reading about the bad behavior by guests, when is the best time to go to Disney? When are the LEAST number of student groups there?

 

[Brian Noble]

As I'm reading about the bad behavior by guests, when is the best time to go to Disney? When are the LEAST number of student groups there?

It would be easier to just skip threads like this. Mountains, molehills, etc.

Signed: happy July visitor in both 2010 and 2009.

And where it's easier to find privacy.

I'm not sure this is a requirement.

 

[goofyredraider]

I forgot to add earlier something that shocked even my beer-enthusiast husband...

While we were there July 10-18, we noticed MULIPLE "chaperones" enjoying "refreshments" as they chaperoned these teenagers. One was completely LIT (not out of hand, but you can tell she was having a good 'ol time) at Epcot. I don't know how they find their chaperones, but um yeah.

 

[glammadiva]

I've encountered TGs and have been lucky. The only thing that upsets me is the chanting. I lived in Europe for 5 years while growing up, and at very uneasy times of
political unrest and terroism. Because of that hearing the chanting makes me very anxious. Guess it's a little PTSD there. But we always had respect for our host country and tried our best to comply with their customs, like no shorts, going out in hair rollers, wearing any clothing that promoted an enemy of the host country, etc. In May we encountered a large TG from NY and not only were they delightful, we never heard them at the resort and we were all at AsMo!

 

[skater]

As I'm reading about the bad behavior by guests, when is the best time to go to Disney? When are the LEAST number of student groups there?

I don't remember seeing any in Sept., and I'm sure there are other times too. I've been in Feb. and seen a few groups - and they're less stressful when there aren't so many of them. Part of the problem is the sheer number of them. When there are a few, you can avoid them fairly easily. It sounds like you can't do that in July.

 

[heidijanesmith]

As I'm reading about the bad behavior by guests, when is the best time to go to Disney? When are the LEAST number of student groups there?

We went for the first time in May, the 1st week. It was lovely! Great weather, low crowds, no tour groups! Now that DS is in highschool, May is out. I will NOT go again in July, we had a great trip, but I want to avoid the tour groups. We are going to try in August, probably 2nd week and I am hoping to be tour group free.

 

[JKB DIS]

We were there the 14th-20th and I would have to say they are impossible to avoid. There were too many of them. That being said, we did not have any of the reported problems of chanting, line cutting, rude behavior. I did see one group running through DHS, but I blame this on the tour guide that was leading the way. We saw more disrespectful behavior, (swearing, dodging in and out of large groups of people), from the American teens. I think we will avoid July in the future.

 

[Turk February]

I didn't read all 16 pages, but we encountered the July Brazilian tour groups last year, and I will never ever ever go back to Disney in July. They're terrible. Yelling, line cutting, rude, etc. They're all privileged back home and think they own WDW. July and January are their breaks and I'll avoid both months.

 

[cleverclovers]

Would June be a good month?

 

[Teacher Princess]

Well...what to say about the issue. What is really the issue? I understand that people are loud at times and that...well, they are in the U.S. and that they should respect our customs. But really, what are customs? We have multiple cultures in the US, all nations living under one flag...for better or worst...but that is what makes us who we are. Acceptance! As a military officer, I tell you this much...we need to accept people and their cultures...is what makes us unique. Do we respect people's culture when we are abroad? Really? Are you sure? You can probably speak for yourself, but you can't speak for the rest of the US Citizens? I am a US citizen...born here in the US and raised in the Island...but I am proud of my cultural differences, my heritage as a Puerto Rican as well as an American. Have any of you been overseas like Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, even to some remote Caribbean Island? It is amazing how different we all are...and what we seen to be loud for us, is common down there. How you think they view us when we are in another country? That we may be spoiled, we are arrogant, that they only thing that we are looking for is a McDonald...why are they not speaking our language (English)? We are the tourist in their country, we are their guest and they should speak our language....right? Nope! We are the guest, but they don't need to accomodate us. However, they know the pro's and con's of speaking another language in order to help their economy. So, why I have gone this far? Because sometimes is better to put ourselves in someone's else shoes so we can understand them. Even if you don't understand differences in culture, you are right...is no excuse for some ...let's call it, undesirable behaviors. We, the US Citizens of this country, no matter where we come from, have an unique characteristic among ourselves...we have freedom to express ourselves (guarantee by the US Constitution)...and that is what I am fighting for all you on a daily basis...for better or worst. Can I ask you this, can we be more forgiving and tolerant to others that are different from us? I surely do on a daily basis...here abroad as well as back home.

MAJ G (Name with held due to nature of my location)
USAR
Mrs. Teacher Princess Husband

 

[drgnfly30]

Well...what to say about the issue. What is really the issue? I understand that people are loud at times and that...well, they are in the U.S. and that they should respect our customs. But really, what are customs? We have multiple cultures in the US, all nations living under one flag...for better or worst...but that is what makes us who we are. Acceptance! As a military officer, I tell you this much...we need to accept people and their cultures...is what makes us unique. Do we respect people's culture when we are abroad? Really? Are you sure? You can probably speak for yourself, but you can't speak for the rest of the US Citizens? I am a US citizen...born here in the US and raised in the Island...but I am proud of my cultural differences, my heritage as a Puerto Rican as well as an American. Have any of you been overseas like Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, even to some remote Caribbean Island? It is amazing how different we all are...and what we seen to be loud for us, is common down there. How you think they view us when we are in another country? That we may be spoiled, we are arrogant, that they only thing that we are looking for is a McDonald...why are they not speaking our language (English)? We are the tourist in their country, we are their guest and they should speak our language....right? Nope! We are the guest, but they don't need to accomodate us. However, they know the pro's and con's of speaking another language in order to help their economy. So, why I have gone this far? Because sometimes is better to put ourselves in someone's else shoes so we can understand them. Even if you don't understand differences in culture, you are right...is no excuse for some ...let's call it, undesirable behaviors. We, the US Citizens of this country, no matter where we come from, have an unique characteristic among ourselves...we have freedom to express ourselves (guarantee by the US Constitution)...and that is what I am fighting for all you on a daily basis for better or worst. Can I ask you this, can we be more forgiving and tolerant to others that are different from us? I surely do on a daily basis...here abroad as well as back home.

MAJ G (Name with held due to nature of my location)USAR
Mrs. Teacher Princess Husband

Edited since I realize now that Ms. Teacher Princess needed DH to defend her...not TP herself.. I admittedly didn't read the entire post because I can no longer bear her grammar...

BTW Mr. Gonzalez from Colorado.. you do realize that Mrs. has already posted your name & whereabouts?! Perhaps you should inform her that once something is on the internet it's forever!?!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41896989#post41896989

God Bless.

 

[juliebug1997]

Sir,
I respect what you do as does, I'm sure, most everyone on this board. For many of us, the argument is not about yelling and being enthusiastic. It is about safety in crowds. One lady reported on one of these threads that the tour group on her bus got on the bus and started rocking it back and forth while she and her children were on it. Some have reported unsupervised children knocking on their doors in the middle of the night. Some have said that their children have been knocked down to the ground and the teenagers in these groups don't even bother to turn around to say their sorry or make sure the little one is okay. These are just a few that I remember reading.

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful time at your upcoming Disney vacation and hope that you don't have to endure what some have had to endure from these groups.