For those going soon...they're baaaack...tour groups

[jediteacher]

So what advice would you give in dealing with this kind of behavior? We leave for WDW in a few days. Avoid? Ignore? Speak up? Talk to a CM politely? I want to enjoy my trip with my family. I know everyone is different and responds differently, but I'm wondering if anyone has found something that has worked for them.

 

[serenitynow]

If I wasn't trying to stop my 5 year old child from being knocked over - literally in the wave of 60+ teenagers running/pushing past us in the dark on the Space Mountain line - I would have certainly taken a video, I'm not above that. But, safety was an actual concern here...

I wasn't trying to criticise or mock other people's encounters with out of control tour groups. I really DO want someone to post video of this unruly mob behavior so that everyone can experience, through video, the dangerous and frightening behavior being described here.

I am sorry that your family endured this scary episode and I hope it didn't ruin your trip!

 

[Whilykit]

No, and I'm serious! Normally, I would have! This time it caught us by surprise, we were so far ahead of them we couldn't believe how fast they were running and how serious they were about getting in front of those already tagged into the fastpass line! I didn't think you were mocking - we go every year for the 4th of July, we were there for 16 days this trip.
I know how to avoid the groups (Im a pro) I usually go the other way or wait until their ALL load on the ride in front of us. They were very busy singing and taking pictures with selfie sticks, so I thought we were good to go! All of a sudden they were upon us. This particular group was very aggressive and took even me by surprise!

 

[Whilykit]

So what advice would you give in dealing with this kind of behavior? We leave for WDW in a few days. Avoid? Ignore? Speak up? Talk to a CM politely? I want to enjoy my trip with my family. I know everyone is different and responds differently, but I'm wondering if anyone has found something that has worked for them.

Let they go in front of you if you can, so you don't get run over. Walk the other way. When you see 50+ backpacks on the ground avoid the area. Cast members are very understanding, but as the CM in the video said - there isn't much they can do. It will be fine, just know your surroundings and try and avoid. Personally, I now avoid busses with them as well as last summer they were dancing inappropriately, making out and singing VERY loudly and my 4& 2 year old were scared. Just take your time and steer clear of the flags and chanting!

 

[Bluegrrl]

One thing to do is document the groups name/tour company and report them to Disney via Disney guest communications and guest services in the park. Disney has been known to either ban those groups who act up/can't control the group or take other actions. Brush up on Portuguese and Spanish key phrases, like "stop", "move", "you're in my - pick your swear word - way" Give the cms tools that they can use on the tour groups, like the YouTube kid had, like laying on the ground is a safety hazard. And like he said, don't let them throw you because they "sense fear". (Wow, three likes in one paragraph!)
Picking up some language skills is a really good idea, since nothing will through someone for a loop as when you know what they are saying and they think you don't. Besides, learning another language is good for you and your brain! When I visited Spain, most of my friends spoke English, Spanish, and two other Spanish dialects fluently.

But do report the tour groups that act up in every media possible. We shouldn't have to do this, but sadly, for some groups it does come to it. And selfie sticks are banned officially. If any tour groups have them, it's a big no-no.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Last time I was there in May and there was a group staying near us at Cor Springs and they were very loud and late at night at the quiet pool.
Very disturbing.

It isn't just them though, I think some people get so excited that they are there, they do not think of others.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

When you see someone with an iPad don't brush by them or tell them you're too busy to answer their questions. They usually ask your zip code and email address. Every one will send you a questionnaire after you leave. I filled them out in the way home from our trip.

 

[smidgy]

WOW! And have you been back since this DB told you this?

Not in July! we heard about the terrors of these groups but thought "how bad could it be?"
the ONLY reason we went in July was because the restaurant where I work closed for the entire month. hubby is retired so we thought why not?

 

[Grandma G]

If you, or your child, is intentionally touched, pushed, shoved, or bodily blocked or overrun, I would suggest that you document the group's (and the individuals') identifying characteristics and call 911 rather than a CM. Your rights do not end at WDW's gates. And, in fact, simply holding up your phone as you are filming/photographing the offender(s) and forcefully announcing (in English) "911! Police!" might make actually placing the call unnecessary (if you feel that the cessation of the battery is a sufficient remedy).


From FindLaw:

"When the defendant makes physical contact with the victim, Florida state laws allow for prosecution of the act as a battery. To prove a battery case, the prosecutor must show that the defendant intentionally touched or struck the victim. The physical contact must have been against the victim's will and done without the victim's consent.

As with assault, Florida law establishes several types of battery. Simple battery only requires an intentional, unwanted physical contact between the defendant and the victim. If the defendant has a previous conviction for battery, state laws permit the prosecutor to charge the defendant with felony battery for a subsequent offense. To prove aggravated battery, the prosecutor must show that the defendant intended to cause serious bodily injury to the victim or that the defendant used a deadly weapon.

Defenses to Assault and Battery Charges

• Accident
• Lack of intent
• Consent given for physical contact
• Self-defense
• Defense of another person
• Defense against harm to property

Penalties and Sentences

The consequences of an assault or battery conviction depend on the specific charge pursued by the Florida state prosecutor. Each offense includes a sentence requirement set by state law, as follows:

• Simple battery is a first degree misdemeanor, for which the state can request a sentence of imprisonment lasting up to one year and a fine that cannot exceed $1,000.

• Felony battery is a third degree felony, which can lead to a sentence of imprisonment for up to five years and a fine in an amount up to $5,000.

• Aggravated battery is second degree felony, for which the defendant might receive a sentence of imprisonment lasting up to fifteen years and a fine in an amount up to $10,000".

 

[oceanmarina]

We got RUN OVER by them yesterday. Literally, RAN, pushing our group of 6 (with a 5 year old) out of the way on Space Mtn. The Cast Members were trying to stop them and couldn't even scan 1 out of (estimate) 4 of them into the ride. Then they proceeded to RUN up the queue - passing others in line. We got stuck in the middle of them and they kept pushing past. Finally the leader showed up and asked us to move and I LOST it on him. He pretended not to speak english. I was polite, but let him know that with young children around, running and pushing isn't appropriate! We are ALL waiting for a ride and they should let people go in before them NOT plow over others with locked arms. when they started chanting and screaming, he did his best to quiet them.. I know he understood every word we said. (AND they all had selfie sticks.... which made me even madder!)

If I wasn't trying to stop my 5 year old child from being knocked over - literally in the wave of 60+ teenagers running/pushing past us in the dark on the Space Mountain line - I would have certainly taken a video, I'm not above that. But, safety was an actual concern here...

If you, or your child, is intentionally touched, pushed, shoved, or bodily blocked or overrun, I would suggest that you document the group's (and the individuals') identifying characteristics and call 911 rather than a CM. Your rights do not end at WDW's gates. And, in fact, simply holding up your phone as you are filming/photographing the offender(s) and forcefully announcing (in English) "911! Police!" might make actually placing the call unnecessary (if you feel that the cessation of the battery is a sufficient remedy).


From FindLaw:

"When the defendant makes physical contact with the victim, Florida state laws allow for prosecution of the act as a battery. To prove a battery case, the prosecutor must show that the defendant intentionally touched or struck the victim. The physical contact must have been against the victim's will and done without the victim's consent.

As with assault, Florida law establishes several types of battery. Simple battery only requires an intentional, unwanted physical contact between the defendant and the victim. If the defendant has a previous conviction for battery, state laws permit the prosecutor to charge the defendant with felony battery for a subsequent offense. To prove aggravated battery, the prosecutor must show that the defendant intended to cause serious bodily injury to the victim or that the defendant used a deadly weapon.

Defenses to Assault and Battery Charges

• Accident
• Lack of intent
• Consent given for physical contact
• Self-defense
• Defense of another person
• Defense against harm to property

Penalties and Sentences

The consequences of an assault or battery conviction depend on the specific charge pursued by the Florida state prosecutor. Each offense includes a sentence requirement set by state law, as follows:

• Simple battery is a first degree misdemeanor, for which the state can request a sentence of imprisonment lasting up to one year and a fine that cannot exceed $1,000.

• Felony battery is a third degree felony, which can lead to a sentence of imprisonment for up to five years and a fine in an amount up to $5,000.

• Aggravated battery is second degree felony, for which the defendant might receive a sentence of imprisonment lasting up to fifteen years and a fine in an amount up to $10,000".

Whilykit so sorry this happened to you, thank God you were able to keep your child safe. I agree with Grandma G, if me or anyone were knocked down in a situation like the one you described, i'm calling 911. I'm not going to a CM who clearly can do nothing about it since Disney clearly does NOTHING about this unsafe situation - or won't till something terrible happens and they get bad publicity and they get sued.

I wish someone did have video of this behavior in a ride que - imagine all the bad publicity that Disney would get. Come to Disney world where you and your young child can get run down and trampled by a group of 50 or so aggressive teens carrying selfie sticks. Maybe if this surfaced on youtube Disney would actually do something about this.

Whilykit I also strongly recommend that you e-mail Disney at - wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Whenever they I have e-mailed them - from anything like a complaint or a concern or compliment, they ALWAYS get back to you. Leave your phone number, and vacation reservation number in the e-mail , because many times they will actually call you back to discuss your issue.

~ Marina

 

[mister morrow]

So what advice would you give in dealing with this kind of behavior? We leave for WDW in a few days. Avoid? Ignore? Speak up? Talk to a CM politely? I want to enjoy my trip with my family. I know everyone is different and responds differently, but I'm wondering if anyone has found something that has worked for them.

i live in the ny/nj area and up here we don't put up crap of that nature and whenever we encounter them (and are rude) we say something. i honestly would yell at them (in english) and then in portuguese if they "don't understand" what i am saying. you paid good money to have a good vacation, there is nothing wrong about putting somebody in their place.

NOTE: before anyone says i am politically incorrect, and assumes i am prejudice against brazilians- i am not. they have every right to go disney as we do, but when they are outright rude, i can't stand them.

 

[yulilin3]

i live in the ny/nj area and up here we don't put up crap of that nature and whenever we encounter them (and are rude) we say something. i honestly would yell at them (in english) and then in spanish if they "don't understand" what i am saying. you paid good money to have a good vacation, there is nothing wrong about putting somebody in their place.

NOTE: before anyone says i am politically incorrect, and assumes i am prejudice against brazilians- i am not. they have every right to go disney as we do, but when they are outright rude, i can't stand them.

Talking to Brazilians in Spanish will do nothing since they speak Portuguese

 

[BigRed321]

Does wdw have security? Maybe to could call security if there are issues??

 

[mister morrow]

Talking to Brazilians in Spanish will do nothing since they speak Portuguese

changed it!

 

[jediteacher]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'm definitely going to keep my eye out, but I certainly hope any groups we interact with are pleasant.

 

[Kelly Anne]

Talking to Brazilians in Spanish will do nothing since they speak Portuguese

Some if not most do understand Spanish somewhat, as the language is different but similar in some ways.... I am Portuguese and understand some Spanish but I just can't speak in Spanish.

 

[yulilin3]

Some if not most do understand Spanish somewhat, as the language is different but similar in some ways.... I am Portuguese and understand some Spanish but I just can't speak in Spanish.

I know what you mean, I'm also bi lingual (Spanish and English) and understand some Portuguese

 

[cdnjason]

When you see someone with an iPad don't brush by them or tell them you're too busy to answer their questions. They usually ask your zip code and email address. Every one will send you a questionnaire after you leave. I filled them out in the way home from our trip.

Very true. I get emailed questionnaires from Disney all the time. I always answer them.

I encourage everyone to offer Disney their feedback, when offered the opportunity.

 

[CaliTex]

Not in July! we heard about the terrors of these groups but thought "how bad could it be?"
the ONLY reason we went in July was because the restaurant where I work closed for the entire month. hubby is retired so we thought why not?

smidgy, I am afraid I would have a tough time returning after being spoken to that way by a CM--yours was not a "petty" complaint, and the response of the CM was horrific. Just wondering--did you ever go further up the customer service chain with this issue? I'd be curious how they handled it.

LOL, smidgy @ "How bad can it be?" Every single time I embark on a disaster those are the exact words I use just prior to finding out just how bad it can be. American Airlines? How bad can it be? Sea World at Spring Break--how bad can it be? All you can eat Chinese seafood buffet near the underpass of I-35--how bad can it be? Answer: Bad. Crazy bad.

PS: smdigy, I'm going to have to check out your trip reports--I'm a trip report junkie and yours have very clever (without trying too hard) titles!

 

[CaliTex]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'm definitely going to keep my eye out, but I certainly hope any groups we interact with are pleasant.

I hope that for you as well. I am not the least afraid of confrontation, but I do not enjoy it or in any way look forward to it. I would much, much rather live at peace and enjoy my vacation, which may include meeting new people from new places. I enjoy that, but---I raised my children; I have no desire to raise someone else's in line at BTMRR. Or anywhere else.

As for language, most Brazilians speak some english, particularly the young people from the socio-economic group from which these tour groups draw. But: "KNOCK IT OFF, NOW!" with accompanying body language and facial expressions is universally understood, I find.

I agree with PP that suggested capturing the bad behavior on video. I also agree with calling 911 for cases of assault or battery. What would you do if this happened anywhere else?

Disney was supposed to limiting the size of these groups, I thought. Seems a simple solution. Because if they allow this to persist and someone (Heaven forbid) is actually hurt, a multi-million dollar lawsuit may change their minds regarding the financial aspects of allowing these groups to run amok. NOTE: I am not litigious, and I don't wish to engage in litigation-by-Disboard. I'm just sayin'.