Brazilian tour groups...aaargh!

[dobtia]

Normally these groups are not to to bad in early June. Maybe they are not out of school just yet.

Saying that, last year we were just a few days later than normal. At the end of our trip there were a few groups showing up. One day at DHS I was near the entrance of ToT. Here comes a group pushing by. They made it a few feet when they hit a wall of three LARGER men who took up a lot of space. Couple of the kids pitched a royal fit as the CM escorted them out of the que. He actually got some applause.

 

[photobob]

I believe I've read before that January and July were the biggest months for the groups because of school breaks.

 

[bytheblood]

Yep, they are terrible.
They really make the Pop Warner kids look good.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I found this on wikipedia:
"The school year usually begins during the first week of February. There is a 3-week long winter break in July. The Brazilian school year ends in December, summer in Brazil"

 

[bytheblood]

Write all you want, but do not expect Disney to do ANYTHING to curb or control the obnoxious behavior of these groups.They make too much $$$ of of them to even think of doing that.
This sort of thing has been going on for YEARS.

That is 100% EXACTLY it. Disney is more in the business to make money, not make guests visits more comfortable.

 

[star2500]

Yep, they are terrible.
They really make the Pop Warner kids look good.

Oh Lord....we leave on Monday for a week...anyone know if it's a popular week for these groups to be there then too? We were there last year with PopWarner....we had no issues. We didn't stay in the a Value...and I think that was a key thing. Although even in the parks we really had no issues....more issues with adults...then the kids. Wonder why some kids act like they do...usually take a look at their parent.

Anyhows....not going to worry about it. Although my DH has zero tolerance for that....I'm the one that might just let a thing slide or two just to prevent a confrontation in front of my children. But my DH.... I might be calling home for bail money joking...lol..well...mostly lol.

 

[MyMuse]

Note to self: watch for the flags and go the other way.

I don't like confrontation either and it takes ALOT to get me upset, but when I'm there...uo oh! I better just steer clear of the flags and preserve the magic.

 

[tink too]

This is an issue that has been left unresolved for years at WDW. We first encountered the tour groups back in the mid 90's at All Star Sports Resort. Believe me, the problems were not just at the parks, they were left to run riot around the resorts, too.

We had a real giggle one morning while waiting for a bus from the resort to the parks. There were maybe 20 guests already waiting when about 200 kids turned up with their guides and thought that they should all get on the next bus! A CM politely but firmly advised that if they all wanted to travel together, they would have to organise buses themselves (probably about 4 at a time to get them all where they were going). The guide threw a fit and pulled the "we've paid a lot of money to get here" line - like the rest of us guests were there for free LOL - I think not! They were told that if they wanted to use regular park transportation, they'd have to limit their party sizes to about 15-20 people per bus. That didn't wash well with the guide or the kids.

At night, the kids were left unsupervised to do whatever they liked out in the public areas around the resort. I remember DH saying that if we ever had kids, he was not letting them travel in a school group if this is how things go!

We saw the Wave and singing/chanting being done several times during our vacation both at WDW and Sea World that trip, too.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks this! We headed over to the prime outlets by Universal the other day and the whole place was foreigners, and by all means I have no problem with that, but man are they rude!!! We got bumped into several times and not one person said sorry or even acknowledges that they hit you. My mom is in a wheelchair and my friend accompanying us would hold the door when we would enter a store and out would walk a line of people, or people would push in front of us to get in the store before I even had a chance to get my mom in. One of the shoe stores we went in there was a group with about 15 kids all throwing soccer balls and kicking them across the store while running all over the place like maniacs while the parents just sat there. I know they aren't from the U.S., but come on don't they teach manners over there??

 

[iheartdisney]

We were there over MLK and on the third day my mom said she wonders if anyone in Brazil ever stays in Brazil...
I agree about the CMs doing nothing. We were in line for the characters, and were next to meet Chip and Dale, behind 2 teenage girls. By the time we finally got up to Chip and Dale, 10, thats right, an additional 8 girls had come up. And the character's handler did nothing. We were in line to meet the Fairies the next day at MK, and I had my kids stand 3 abreast because the group behind kept trying to inch up. And I know all it takes is one to get in front, and the battle is lost.
But I did want to say...when we were at Epcot, there was a group there with matching "Faith" something shirts on, so I guess a church group of some kind... they were probably the friendliest and most polite group of teens I've ever witnessed!

 

[fireflymedic]

I wonder if it would do any good to write directly to the WDW tour coordinators in Brazil and to politely make them aware of the situation as well as the powers that be at WDW.

Also, I'm just wondering how many people would back me up if , during an attempt at line jumping, I were to step in the groups way and simply, forcefully say "No!" I am seriously considering doing that at our next visit which will be this week next year. Maybe instead of letting it happen and complaining, we need to take control of the situation.

I'm leaving on Tue. for a 3 day stay at DW, I would/will "back any one up" trying to stop this. I cant stop someone from jumping over a barrer, but they are not walking buy me!

Also what if you get thim on vidio pushing someone down, can you not call 911 and asst. that the police come and arrest thim. Is it not also leagal to "detain" someone untill the police do get there for an avence such as "assult and battery"

I think if the police came and reports were singned for assult/battery and it was getting into the news, DW managers would feel forced to do something.

Also if Disney knows of this problim and they do nothing about it they are liable for any injures. Perhaps when we right to disney we need to mention that also.

I hope they have left before I get there, my only hope is being teenagers and me being there with a 2 and 3 yr. old we will be going to different rides (with the exception maybe of Toy Story and Buzz

I can not tell you how much this info. has upset me grrrrrrrr

 

[buffettgirl]

But I did want to say...when we were at Epcot, there was a group there with matching "Faith" something shirts on, so I guess a church group of some kind... they were probably the friendliest and most polite group of teens I've ever witnessed!

Brazil is the LARGEST Catholic nation in the world, so lets not go there. According to some sites, Brazil has almost 90% of it's people belonging to some form of Christianity.
Being blessed with the opportunity to have a large Brazilian population in my area and having my church at home host a Brazilian community of worshipers from all over MA, I can tell you that their intent is not to be rude. These are people who like to sing, chant, dance and celebrate. Everything they do, is filled with singing and liveliness. We had a church bbq last year and they brought some serious fun to an otherwise dull event. So I just don't want people getting the impression that these are teenagers who are faithless heathens. They just show it in a different way.

that said, I have encountered them at disney as well (find another thread of mine where I talked about my young teenager brother being flashed by girls with wet t-shirts) and we have been nearly plowed over by them. We just go the other way now.

 

[buffettgirl]

I hope they have left before I get there, my only hope is being teenagers and me being there with a 2 and 3 yr. old we will be going to different rides (with the exception maybe of Toy Story and Buzz

I can not tell you how much this info. has upset me grrrrrrrr

I've been in line on Dumbo when they've line jumped. They actually exited the line off the ride and then immediately got back on. the CM just stood there.

 

[Cottager]

Sadly, I've had a bad record of picking my vacation times this past year. In 2008, we selected the end of January, the end of July and the beginning of December for our trips since they were considered Value seasons at the Deluxe resorts (http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2009.html). As it turned out, that's exactly when the Brazilian tour groups travel and Pop Warner in December.

I'm a planner so I worked out every detail including what parks to go to, what rides to take first, where and when to grab our fast passes etc. In the end, we had to throw all of our strategies out the window and develop a new strategy to deal with these large tour groups. With the economy the way it is and the attendance down this year, there's no way that Disney would step in at this stage to risk losing these tour company's business. Therefore, the only thing we regulars can do is to plan around the groups and learn ways to deal with them. Here's a few of my suggestions:

• Avoid visiting the parks at the end of January, end of July and the beginning of December.
• Don't visit the parks on the days with EMH. The groups tend to choose these days and I'm sure they don't purchase park hopper tickets.
• With large groups, they tend to set out in one direction in the park and continue in a straight path. They don't jump around from one type of ride to another so if they go left from the entrance...go right.
• Always look ahead in the line ups to see if there are any coloured group shirts or flags. If they are still close to the end of the line, odds are others may be coming and will try to move up the line to their friends ahead of you.
• Never stay in a fast pass line if you see any tour group ahead of you. As mentioned, they grab tons of fast passes at a time so where there is one....there's always tons more filling up the fast pass line ahead of you.
• Complaining to CMs and even the tour guides will always fall on deaf ears. Unfortunately, this is not a normal situation where people are being reasonable. Just maintain the strategy of avoidance. There's no sense in getting yourself or your family upset over something we can not control. Manners are different in every country, therefore, we can't expect everyone to act the same way as we do.
• Try to avoid the Value and even the Moderate resorts (POR, CBR) if you can during these times.

Well, that's just a few of my observations after enduring 3 challenging Disney trips with tour groups in 2008.

 

[kapoof]

it's a shame these people have to act subhuman they are really ruining alot of good people's vacations. disney really needs to wise up.

 

[chigirl]

I agreed with the poster who said Cedar Point does a good job controlling line jumpers...I saw three people get kicked out, no refund/no apology when we were there this past June, two for line jumping, one for foul, loud language.

I guess the thing is, if people just stopped it, if everyone wasn't afraid to be non-PC and say, "Hey, no way! Quick pushing!" maybe they would stop, but we are all too busy being polite Americans, we let people walk all over us...
I am not saying "throw down", but I know I would not stand for it. I had a group of teens (non-American) try to push past my family at Six Flags Great America in July here in Chicago and I put my hands up and said, "No!" very firmly, and then spoke to them in Spanish and said "Hey, we paid to be here, too...wait your turn." They did...sure, they gave me dirty looks, but they didn't try anything. I can tell you we are going to WDW in June and I will not stand for it. This is a terrible economy and I am spending precious dollars taking my family on a trip, nobody is going to ruin it. I manage a high-volume major nationwide department store and I have people act crazy all the time....kids on Heelies zipping through the store, knocking down senior citzens; people pushing ahead of others in line...I stop what I see. It is a bad economy and every dollar is hard-earned, but the people who act like uncivilized morons will do it every time they shop, I'd rather risk losing their business than put civilized customers in harm's way.

Political correctness is bad...if these large tour groups from Brazil are NOT a problem, why are there so many posts about them? Sure, they make Disney money, but their bread & butter has always been American customers and WDW has an obligation to ensure our safety and our right as paying customers to enjoy the parks. There is nothing un-American about expecting people to adhere to a code of conduct! I also agree with the poster who said people should write to WDW and ask them to address this issue.

 

[tinkfan4ever]

I think the best thing is just go the other way.... but the next best thing is to say no. I know I have no problem letting families with older parents or younger children in front to ride together (as I know how it is with bathroom time for them -lol). With that being said, teenagers know better. If you allow the misbehavior then that only encourages it. I will be saying no to the line jumping tour groups - no matter what nationality. A line is a line for a reason. If they want to throw a fit so be it... I'm used to seeing youngsters throw temper tantrums. lol

People on the dis are so nice and accomodating! I've been happy to get great advice from great people on these boards! Now we just need to all say no.

 

[Kblue]

I lived in Brazil for many years as I was growing up, and I just wanted to say that Brazilian people are some of the sweetest people that I have ever met. As a whole. All that they ever talk about it how much they love the U.S and WDW. So for them to be able to come is a fulfilment of a life long dream. I understand that they get rowdy in the parks and that is not cool at all. But I think that people notice it more because there is a larger group of them. I have seen tons of Americans crowd jump but it was just families so no one said anything about it. And I am sorry that people have been pushed down, but I have been pushed so many times at WDW by Americans who never said sorry or even turned around. Brazilians are just loud people who enjoy life. The culture there is different than it is here. If you went there, they would probably say that you were rude too.

 

[CookingMama]

When we last stayed at an AllStar, we had our phone ring with crank calls, kids running and banging on our door through the night, and all kinds of obscenitys shouted out. That was in 1995. Those groups are bad news and the main reason we don't stay at the Values. I went to DL for my grad night was I was a high schooler and we were rowdy but not the meaness & foul stuff you see from the Brazillian teens. They just don't care.

They behave as badly as our American teens do in the Mexican Beaches on spring break.

 

[SuperTink]

They behave as badly as our American teens do in the Mexican Beaches on spring break.

I'm glad you said that. It puts things in perspective.