Brazilian tour groups...aaargh!

[mattsdragon]

I have spent the morning browsing the forums and was motivated to regsiter when I saw this thread!

I thought my family was the only ones who intensely dislike the behavior of Brazilians in the parks, I guess not! Our experiences have been quite similar! My wife is the most kindhearted helpful person in the world and when she sees a line that has a group of Brazilian girls in it, she refuses to get in line. The same for restaurants. We now scan the restaurant or dining area for Brazilians and if they're there, we move on.

Completely selfish, inconsiderate and rude. And it's not just some of them - it's all of them. The girls think the world revolves around them and you'd better not do anything about the line cutting or you'll get a nasty earful from them. It's a real shame.

Ironically, in our business, we sell on a website and ship products all over the world. Can you believe we had to completely stop selling to Brazil due to unreasonable and annoying Brazilian customers. No other country in the world, only Brazil!

That's a very common problem. People think that it's just them and therefore don't let their concerns be heard. But then they get home and complain on the DIS.

When your kid does something wrong, do you correct them on the spot, or wait until you get home?

If you complain about it, they will act. You may have to build a baseball field, but it'll happen.

 

[SnyderFam]

We've never actually been there when the tour groups are...but we were there when a bunch of American school groups were on our honeymoon. While waiting in a loooong line at Splash Mountain, this teenage boy 4 + people behind us was being beckoned...by his adult chaperone to cut in front of all of us. The people behind us let him through, but my dh was VERY reluctant to. The guy who let him through behind us got beligerent with my dh for NOT letting the kid though. I made light of it and said something about it being the happiest place on earth and to chill out...meanwhile, said teenager got through to his group. These kids were rowdy, rude and doing dangerous stuff (the same kid leaned over the side of our boat and stuck his head in the water ). I think any group of teens that are not well supervised are going to act out in a similar way. You can either let it bug you, or choose to let it roll off your back. However, if they are pushing, shoving and injuring people in their wake...that should NOT be overlooked.

I think alot of the time people are reluctant to stand up for themselves because, unfortunately, you just know how people are going to react to being stopped. I live in the 'burbs of Chicago, and one of the last times I went to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee as a teen in college, we were in line for the American Eagle. It's a wooden roller coaster....high demand and always a long line. We were standing in line, minding our own business when 3 or 4 guys behind us decided they'd had enough of waiting and started to push on us. A girl with us tried to not get pushed and the guy hauled off and punched her in the face. Over a ride. We let them ahead (and noone came to our aid...a group of 3-4 girls...no guys even tried, noone said anything). When we made it up to the front...we told the ride operator, who called SF police (I call them the mounties since they wear similar outfits...or used to). Those guys were pulled off the ride, taken out of the park and we had to go to court about the assault. We had to be taken to our car because they were right outside the gates, waiting for us. Seriously...because we didn't let them line jump. Not meant to scare anyone...but that is probably a very big reason why people don't speak up. Sorry to go off on a tangent.

Not all teens are bad...but alot of them get lumped together with the ones that are acting horribly. Some of those kids probably are polite, but the rudeness outshines the kids that actually know how to behave.

I wish I had been there. The jerk would have been punished (by me!)

 

[MHSweb79]

I'm not going to get into the Brazilian thing (we saw one large group once at Fantasmic and they were having fun but not bothering anybody, if anyone's keeping score ) but I think letter writing is a waste of time.
If a large unruly mob is ruining your park experience, how about going to Guest Relations and asking for your money back? Or, if you don't have park hoppers, why not ask for admission to a different park? Explain exactly why you either don't feel safe or don't feel respected by the CM's who are doing nothing about the problem. Every family that did this would make a far bigger impression on TPTB than a hundred letters sent after they've already gotten your money.

 

[SnyderFam]

That's a very common problem. People think that it's just them and therefore don't let their concerns be heard. But then they get home and complain on the DIS.

When your kid does something wrong, do you correct them on the spot, or wait until you get home?

If you complain about it, they will act. You may have to build a baseball field, but it'll happen.

I think you're right. Well, I can promise you that this has empowered us to not just take their crap this time. We'll still avoid them but also won't be walked on either.

Is there any way of letting Disney know directly how we feel?

 

[goofy4prez]

I quote Bluto Blutarsky, "Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor?"

You didn't finish that quote. There were two more words.

 

[DisneySweetheart]

Hi to all my fellow Ohioan Cedar Point peeps.

While I admire the young brazillian's enthusiasm and zest for life I will not tolerate line jumping...From them or from anyone.

The best way to handle this is to put your foot down. Maybe if enough of us do it, we'll get our point across.

 

[goofy4prez]

Hi to all my fellow Ohioan Cedar Point peeps.

While I admire the young brazillian's enthusiasm and zest for life I will not tolerate line jumping...From them or from anyone.

The best way to handle this is to put your foot down. Maybe if enough of us do it, we'll get our point across.

Hello back to you as well fellow N.E. Ohioan and Cedar Point Peep.

I'm with you. I do not allow anyone to line jump in front of me. Fortunately as you know this is not a problem at Cedar Point. They took the initiative on this. Regardless if it's a group of senior citizens, teens, a Cub Scout Pack, or an individual,line jump and your out. No need to bombard them with emails, letters, sky messages above the park. They get it and don't tolerate it.

 

[bytheblood]

You are correct in stating that Disney is in the business of making money. However, in charging what they do for that money they also owe it to their guests that unruly, harmful, and unfair actions of others are treated in a proper matter, not turn the head the other way as they have.


As I said I worked at Cedar Point for two years while in college and I go there at least twice a year. They have a 0 yes I said 0 tolerance to the above behavior. And they also are in the business of making money and also have a reputation as a national attraction being the best park in the world for coasters.

I do not disagree that Disney Corporation owes their guests the kind of visit you described. Yes, they owe that to each of us, but do they care about it? No. Not enough to put a stop to it.

Disney is in the business for making money and money shouts real loudly over any amount of complaints. Disney will never stop the rude tour groups, cheerleader groups, etc because it is guaranteed yearly money. If I don't go back, my 10K a year on a Disney vacation means nothing to them in comparison.

 

[oobidoo]

We just returned from WDW late last night, and I have a few words regarding the Brazilian tour groups. I do not post very often, but I feel that this needs to be said, and folks that are going to be there in the next week need to know just exactly what they are up against. While we did manage to have fun while we were there, the tour groups came as close to ruining our trip as anything ever has. There were 40,000+ practically unsupervised Brazilian teens there this past week. They were extremely rude, pushing and shoving, loud, and any other negative adjective you can think of. There were times that my 14-year-old daughter was actually afraid. If I had known, we NEVER would have gone during this time. The lines/waits were nearly as bad as summertime, so not the numbers that Disney wants you to believe for January. They seem to feel entitled to be at the front of every line, and it is true that they will try to move an entire group of 15 or 20 up through the line. I understand that sometimes families get seperated, and I have no problem letting dads, daugters, sons, and grandmas pass by us in line so they can be together. However, there is NO excuse for a group of that size to push through the line and jump in front of people who have been waiting. Oh yes, let us not forget the singing/chanting/tamborine playing. This started in the bus line for All Star Movies Thursday night. The kids started rocking, jumping, pushing...it looked like some kind of mosh pit! After this went on for about 5 minutes, low and behold the even larger group in the bus line next to ours started the same stuff! Finally, the CM that was "managing" the lines went to the 3 adults (yes, three adults for about 150 kids) and told them that it had to stop. The guy went and told them to stop, and they did. Well, then we got on the bus, and it started all over again. I had this guy's crotch in my face the entire ride back to the resort, with him trying to rock back and forth the whole time. They all started rocking the bus, yes, literally rocking the bus, and me and a couple of other fed-up families held up our hands and said, "NO!!" Everytime they would start, I would start screaming no at them, and they would stop for a while. There was a definite mob-like mentality that made everyone very uncomfortable, and some even downright fearful.

Also, I saw at least 6 actual police officer/security guards at All Star Movies at one time, which I have never seen before. No one can tell me that Disney does not anticipate trouble, or they would not have to have so much security.

In short, I really don't care what their intentions are. All I know is that if we as Americans went to any other country and behaved in this manor, we would be locked away somewhere never to be seen again. I have a Puerto Rican friend who has always used the "culture" excuse for everything, and I have had enough of that. I think that courtesy and decency are known universally, so that should never be an excuse.

 

[Joanna71985]

ETA~ and the character handlers WERE aggressively keeping them from causing troubles with the character meet n greets. I was pretty impressed.

We have lots of practice.

I don't care who it is. I won't let anyone hurt my character(s).

 

[delmar411]

We have lots of practice.

I don't care who it is. I won't let anyone hurt my character(s).

Well you all are doing a great job.

The ones I saw (maybe you! LOL) wouldn't let those kids within 30ft of the characters when they tried to swoop in from the sides. They were quick, firm and meant business and the kids backed off immediately.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

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.

When can I go to experience THIS???

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

I was thinking the exact same thing when I was reading the first two pages. It's a shame that American teens can act the way they do in Cancun. They get drunk (and stink of alcohol), and vomit everywhere. Whats even worse is the rich little American kids stealing from shops where the owners probably make less in a year than the kids do in a month LIVING AT HOME!!! I had some run ins with them myself on my trips there. I've been to Cancun many times, and they are HORRIBLE! Our last trip was after graduation. After asking these 3 little American teen chumps to stop cussing so much in front of my children, and each time getting mocked by one of them, I offered to pull him and his 2 friends off the bus and shut them up personally. They finally got the picture, and they shut their friend up. I never should have had to do that.

Now, I'm not defending the Brazilians! I too have had run ins with them as well, especially as a previous poster mentioned; the Brazilian girls, who are just as rude when grouped together. If there were as many there as people are saying, I'd leave and come back in a month, but I realize most of you don't have that option.
The Brazilian men are just as bad. Some of the language you hear them using and the THINGS they are talking about in the restrooms makes you want to pour mouthwash in your ears. Too much info!!! I don't need to hear about your pills that you take to plug you up!!! Especially not the details and such.

We as a nation can't control our own teens in Mexico. That's true. Brazilian tour groups are rude and inconsiderate. True as well.
I have had the same problem at WDW from groups of black kids, groups of white kids, and groups of Mexicans.
My guess is that it's more of a case of not enough authority for the amount of kids attending than it is a case of who they are. That combined with the mentality of "we're in another country, and no one here knows me and can tell my parents."

 

[Flametamr]

I too am doubtfull it will stop unless Disney take a proactive approach to this. They need to require more chaperones with these groups. Then require them to stay in smaller groups. And finally law down the law that certain things like pushin, shoving or line jumping will void your ticket for that day. Then train the CMs to enforce these rules.

Like everyone keeps saying this is mob mentality at work. These are basically good kids but they have been taught by peers that they can do what they want and see twice as much by being rude and playing dumb and it works.

Finally we are just as guilty for looking the other way. More of us need to stand our ground without being violent. Also if we would just file one complaint at guest services each day that we were treated badly it will add up.

Finally if you feel strongly about not returning to Disney write a letter telling management why you are chosing to spend your money somewhere else this year. Silence never solves anything.

 

[SnyderFam]

It's amazing how Americans are not allowed to criticize any other nationality these days.

The simple fact is, you go to Cancun during spring break to see drunkeness and debauchery. Period. Don't go there and then complain about the lawlessness. You also don't plan three years ahead of time to take your family to Disney World only to have it ruined by selfish, rude Brazilians who are incapable of showing a measure of consideration for others within the confines of an organized, orderly themepark.

In 2007 we stayed at Sports, and the Brazilian teenage girls basically had a strangle-hold on the resort. At one point they started line-dancing in the dining room and couldn't have cared less that they were getting nothing but filthy stares from everything trying to eat peacefully. In Jan. 2008 we stayed at Port Orleans and saw no sign of them at the resort and are hoping desparately for the same.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We are all paying...us, the tour groups, EVERYONE! so why should those of us not part of the touring group have to alter our (sometimes time-consuming, well planned, and paid for) touring plans? Rules are rules and whatever they are they should be upheld by CMs for everyone. If it is not ok for us to play music too loud in our own homes or cars or behave in manner that could harm others (that the police could be called for disturbing the peace) why is it ok anywhere in the "World" or world?

I totally agree with letting guest relations know your feelings then and there in the parks. However, even with a hopper or offer of changing parks why should I have to change parks just to have a nice experience? GR should, if they are aware of the problems, take steps to curb the unacceptable behavior. It can be done without offending the groups.

And for the person who asked about reprimanding children when the unwanted/unacceptable behavior occures...You bet I do!!! Waiting to deal with the issue does not have the same impact (INHO). Maybe that's why Cedar Point removes the offenders immediately, not just tells them they are not welcome back their next trip.

 

[goofy4prez]

I do not disagree that Disney Corporation owes their guests the kind of visit you described. Yes, they owe that to each of us, but do they care about it? No. Not enough to put a stop to it.

Disney is in the business for making money and money shouts real loudly over any amount of complaints. Disney will never stop the rude tour groups, cheerleader groups, etc because it is guaranteed yearly money. If I don't go back, my 10K a year on a Disney vacation means nothing to them in comparison.

I also do not disagree with you about Disney making money. I have no problem with Disney allowing cheerleader groups, warner football groups, or even Brazillian groups. But if Walt Disney World can enforce a NO SMOKING RULE( I don't smoke) so sternly they can do the same with unruleness, line hopping, and pyhsical assault on a guest. If other parks across the country can and sucessfully do it, I don't understand why Walt Disney can not. If I wanted to pay for something and get trampled on I'd go to Pamplona Spain and run with the bulls.


This is really the only complaint I have about WDW.

 

[fireflymedic]

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.

now I'm realy worried, grrrrr,

Well I will know soon enough first hand, but I hope I can avoid thim.

I do have park hopper so guess I can try differnt parks

My 3 yr. old is most excited to ride the train so maybe I'll just keep using transportation and tell him its a ride,

 

[DaveStroem]

I wonder if these groups are worse (QTY) at the EMH parks compared to non-EMH parks.
For those that did have issues, was it a EMH park that you experienced the BTGs?

 

[MissionMouse]

Complain, when you are on-site, to Disney management until they respond and take action ...according to Disney everyone is suppose to have a Magical Vacation and no one is suppose to have their magical time at the expense of other guest or Disney policy or regulation.

I would expect Disney Management to act to stop the inappropriate incidents ...maintain Disney policies, rules, etc. and a family environment.

That when you are on vacation you do not expect to continually complain to Disney management about something they should clearly have the initiative to control to ensure all guest are having a magical time. When I have to complain I am not vacationing. Ensure them you are not having a magical time and your are (i.e., mad, upset, disppointed, etc).

I also believe video taping incidents, encounters and CM/management action or omissions is a great way to make a complaint or to inform others in the future...

 

[mcvixen]

Sorry, newbie here....

Is there a particular time (or times) of year that these Brazillian tour groups seem to descend? Or is it pretty much all year round?