Is Brazil closed?

[beachblanket]

Surprise! I just got an emial from a gentleman in the executive offices of WDW. He sent his telephone number and wanted to speak further to me about this. I will be calling him today.

Congratulations - you are in a small, select universe of those who succeed in sending a written message to Disney that strikes them so hard that they actually respond personally.

I had a similar experience four years ago when I wote them about some real problems I'd had with the way they were managing their Disney VISA program with then-partner Bank One. I wrote a middle manager in charge of that program a letter, but copied a number of other Senior Disney Executives on it. Got a phone call and fedex letter back four days after sending it from a Disney Senior Vice President, and suffice to say when we spoke she listened!!

 

[moppety]

Surprise! I just got an emial from a gentleman in the executive offices of WDW. He sent his telephone number and wanted to speak further to me about this. I will be calling him today.

Congrats! I'm so surprised to hear this. Please keep us posted!

 

[sillysassy]

Hi , Just got back this morning (really early) and yes they were still there . they were just as annoying as always, with the rediclulous chanting, cheering and general loud boisterous behavior. The tour guides were actually encouraging it from what I did observe. We were in line for the MGM stunt spectacular on Monday and they were SO LOUD That my mom (who is 68) was starting to get sick ( a bad headache and some quisiness)from the loud noise. We could not even hear the loud speaker when it came on. I actually turned and yelled at them to shut up and of course they pretended to not understand.
We paid A LOT of money for our trip, and how can you enjoy the "magic", when you can not even hear the wonderful sound effects that disney has

 

[Principessa Alba]

Surprise! I just got an emial from a gentleman in the executive offices of WDW. He sent his telephone number and wanted to speak further to me about this. I will be calling him today.

Not to say that you won't do this, but try not to make it seem like you are anti-Brazil, as many people seem to. I think there is some very good constructive criticisms you could offer about the handlings of large groups and want to thank you for doing this on behalf of the rest of us.

Again, not saying that you are a bigot who would unfairly characterize an entire population, but others do and I just think you need to be careful how you say it so they don't think you are one of those people, and so that they take you seriously.

 

[Daxx]

Huge sign on country: "BRAZIL CLOSED ... COME BACK AGAIN!"

Just back from 11 days in WDW (July 16-26) and every Brazilian was there. Nobody's left in the country. It was insane!!! Easily, 10 to 15 groups at our resort (All * Sports) alone. There were more at Movies and Music. Pop, too, I'm sure! I have been to WDW in Julys past and the groups were never as plentiful as they were this year!!!!

OK -- if Disney is that packed in July, I hate to think what Easter's like! The non-fast pass line waits were insane! An hour for IASW? Since when!? We waited in line to get our fast passes for Splash Mountain for a half hour! That's just to get the passes!!!!!! The tour group guide gets in line w/a stack of 100 room keys and is fast passing them all! Now, I'm not saying these people should be denied fast passes -- but there has to be a better way for them to get these passes than keeping everyone waiting in line for 1/2 hour to get theirs! Maybe the tour group should go to Guest Relations and say "We need XXX number of fast passes for Splash Mountain" and they're pulled from there (thus programmed so the machines are in accordance w/what guest relations gives out)? I don't know ... but waiting that long for fast passes was v. discouraging.

And, they kept saying "We can't be separated" on every ride. Uh-- if you're old enough to come to WDW on a tour, you're old enough to be able to find your group at the end of a ride! Esp. since most rides dump you off in a gift shop!!!! The thing that killed me is that they're at POTC and saying they "can't be separated" -- well, guess what -- there's no POTC boat that seats 150!!!! You're gonna get separated. I mean, you carry that flag so everyone knows where you are! Highly doubt you're not going to find each other as you're all wearing group t-shirts. DS10 and I did a lot of single-rider lines (b/c the regular lines were insane) and he knew to meet me at the gift shop or exit of the ride. Why can't these teens be told the same thing!?!?!?

And, the chanting/singing/clapping. I don't go to a foreign country and chant, sing and clap my way throughout. What's up w/that?! And, it's in a foreign language so, even if I wanted to join in on your fun, I can't. That makes no sense. I was really tempted to get everyone from the US to sing "100 Bottles of Beer On The Wall" while waiting in the lines.

I will say that I was v. pleased w/one tour group who had their own charter bus that took them to the various parks. The bus met them at the side of our resort (I saw them one morning as I left our room). Why doesn't Disney think of giving these Brazilian groups their own bus to take them to the different resorts? At least it would alleviate some of the lines for buses.

Many times, we got pushed and shoved as the tour groups attempted to stay together when a ride (ie: RNRC) would go into the "pre-show" staging area. They'd walk in and not stay in a group. Then, the doors would open and there'd be some kids who weren't w/their group pushing and shoving to get back w/their group. They could've used manners. Why didn't they just all stay together to begin with!? I just told DS to hang back and be the last one out of the room to avoid the pushing and shoving. When they'd walk w/their group, they'd walk in a huge clump. Might've been nice to have some organization. You know how crowded Disney can get ... they'd just take up most of the middle of every street and wouldn't let anyone get around them or pass them by. And, the cutting lines for the soda machines at the resort, etc. Unreal. And, they'd find a friend close to the front of a food line and 12 would jump in w/that person. What's up w/that!?

We did meet many nice kids who were thrilled to practice their English language skills on us. DS rode as a single rider at Test Track w/a small group (wow -- they can be separated!) and he said that they all shook his hand after the ride ended. One of the girls in a group said to us "Not all of us behave like the rest of them!" So, even she knew that some behaviors were inappropriate!

We saw a lot of "under-chaperoned" groups (imo). And, I think that's a majority of the problem. We did see one group that seemed to have enough chaperones ... which is funny b/c this must've been a more "family oriented" tour group b/c there were moms and dads w/their own kids (ages from toddler up) w/this group. They were v. good, v. polite and managed their children.

It wasn't a bust of a vacation ... don't get me wrong ... but it was frustrating at times!

 

[beachblanket]

Not to say that you won't do this, but try not to make it seem like you are anti-Brazil, as many people seem to. I think there is some very good constructive criticisms you could offer about the handlings of large groups and want to thank you for doing this on behalf of the rest of us.

Again, not saying that you are a bigot who would unfairly characterize an entire population, but others do and I just think you need to be careful how you say it so they don't think you are one of those people, and so that they take you seriously.

With all due respect, disneyaggie is already on top of this and is walking the fine line you describe.

Disney clearly has been "looking the other way" on this issue for too long because nobody has called them out on it, from the perspective of " your ongoing tolerance of the blatantly inappropriate, selfish behavior of this particular segment is eroding your brand with other customers."

God bless Disneyaggie for doing that, because Disney desperately needs to hear that -NOW.

 

[Daxx]

I ask again, why does WDW allow this?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Plain and simple. It's about the revenue. Can Disney guarantee that the same number of non-tour groups (ie families) will fill those rooms, buy those souveniers, those sodas, meals, etc.? Of course not. Brazilian tour groups are a cash cow to Disney.

 

[dburg30]

Or they need to have a calendar like they do for other special events, ie: pop warner. Then at least you would know when they were going to be there

ie: May 15-30 is brazil days.. be prepared for large groups of them..

I think that's why you may hear some complaints about other times, like the pop warner, but at least you KNOW if they are going to be there or not.

And I dont know if anyone is sounding anti-brazil, but if they have the flag, wear the colors, say that's where they are from, are in a big ole group with a leader, what else do you call them but Brazil Tour Groups?!?!?!

 

[Principessa Alba]

With all due respect, disneyaggie is already on top of this and is walking the fine line you describe.

Disney clearly has been "looking the other way" on this issue for too long because nobody has called them out on it, from the perspective of "your ongoing tolerance of the Inappropriate behavior of this particular segment is eroding your brand with other customers."

God bless Disneyaggie for doing that, because Disney desperately needs to hear that, and NOW.

No disrespect from me was intended. I believe that she is walking that line and I said so.

I just think if she words it the wrong way, it could be misconstrued.

Personally, I have been to Disney with Brazil and with cheerleaders and I'll take Brazil. The cheerleaders drive me insane and I won't go back when they are having their competitions.

Now, I don't hate cheerleaders, some of my kids friends are cheerleaders and they are great kids. If I called, I'd have to remind myself not to sound like a cranky cheerleader hater.

 

[Principessa Alba]

And I dont know if anyone is sounding anti-brazil, but if they have the flag, wear the colors, say that's where they are from, are in a big ole group with a leader, what else do you call them but Brazil Tour Groups?!?!?!

You call them what they are. But there have been so many threads about this and sometimes people just end up "sounding" more bigoted than maybe they intend to.

 

[CaptHook34]

LOL. Funny subject. We just got back from Disney, and we saw MANY Brazilian Tour Groups. I made a couple of comments after seeing them every, every day at each park. I don't mind them, but they become very rude at times when we went to go on the rides. Also, we were walking down Main Street a little before Spectro Magic, and they all just huddle in a giant circle in the middle of the walking road area ????? Its hard for people to get by.... please move lol

 

[disneymom8589]

Surprise! I just got an emial from a gentleman in the executive offices of WDW. He sent his telephone number and wanted to speak further to me about this. I will be calling him today.

Thank you for your willingness to address this situation! We were there last week and everything people described is absolutely true! When the weather is stifling hot, it makes it even worse!! I am DEFINITELY not anti-Brazil, just frustrated with ANY huge group that would act in the manner these tour groups did. The fact that the "chaperones" encouraged this behavior was also frustrating. Maybe Disney needs to make it clear to the organizers of these groups (and any large tour groups) about park protocol.

 

[marivaid]

And, the chanting/singing/clapping. I don't go to a foreign country and chant, sing and clap my way throughout. What's up w/that?! And, it's in a foreign language so, even if I wanted to join in on your fun, I can't. That makes no sense. I was really tempted to get everyone from the US to sing "100 Bottles of Beer On The Wall" while waiting in the lines.

I didn't experience any of the other problems you mentioned in your post however the same night I posted here that they weren't too much trouble, we went to see Fantasmic.
We were there over an hour early and so were they.They didn't stop chantin and yelling until the show started. The thing that annoyed me the most is that they started yelling BRAZIL BRAZIL. Like they're taking over the US or something.
So DM & I start chanting/clapping U-S-A! instead and that made the tour group closest to us stop and look at us like we're insane. Come on people you're not in Brazil, and if you like it so much better you should have stayed there. We're not even American ourselves and we found it rude and inappropriate.

We had a nice conversation with the family waiting in front of us and he told us not to bother, we were outnumbered He also said they did the same thing the night before at Illuminations and were blocking everyone's view as well.

By the end of the night I was yelling at them to SHUT UP! and I'd only had to put up with the chanting for one night! I can't even imagine sharing the resort, buses, food court... with them for a week. Straightjacket,please.

 

[jenelope]

What I don't understand is why WDW doesn't require large groups who'll be touring the parks en masse to pay for a WDW guide. Guests who plan private events in the parks (i.e., wedding parties) are required to pay for one guide for every 50 guests. Now, I know that waiting in line for rides is a bit different than an Illuminations dessert party, but if you've got a group of 100 people who will not separate and are travelling all together, I think that group becomes a kind of moveable private event and should be treated as such. It also wouldn't be that hard to prearrange (and prepay) food and Fastpasses. If large groups want to tour the parks like this, they should have some sort of structure.

And even if teens are teens, lining up isn't part of the culture, and the kids may not know the local customs, the guides who accompany them should. No self respecting tour guide should travel to another country and not get to know the local customs. I don't care where they're from or where they're going. The purpose of a tour guide is to guide the group. The purpose of a chaperone is to ensure good behavior.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

about 10-15 years ago we were at Epcot with my parents and I remember waiting in line at Spaceship Earth with about 300 Brazilians in front of us, they all had red shirts on.
I guess everyone needs a vacation.. but I wonder how big a tour group is!

 

[newharmony]

When my oldest son was in high school, he was chosen for an all-state marching band that traveled to Taiwan, the Phillippines and China. The group learned about customs and protocol for this trip. The organization that accompanied the students wanted them to be a positive representation of the young people in the USA. It seems that any tour group going to WDW, or anywhere, would want to make a good impression. Couldn't WDW send along "customary behavior" guidelines to the chaperones/adults of any groups?

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Thank you for your willingness to address this situation! We were there last week and everything people described is absolutely true! When the weather is stifling hot, it makes it even worse!! I am DEFINITELY not anti-Brazil, just frustrated with ANY huge group that would act in the manner these tour groups did. The fact that the "chaperones" encouraged this behavior was also frustrating. Maybe Disney needs to make it clear to the organizers of these groups (and any large tour groups) about park protocol.

I don't think it's park protocol, but common courtesy and respect, although Disney could disguise it as park protocol to be polite. They really should coach the chaperones in how ensure that their group doest not annoy the rest of the people in the park and give the other guests a bad impression of their country.

 

[mickaholic4077]

^^ What Hidden Mickey said!!!!

 

[Daxx]

I am DEFINITELY not anti-Brazil, just frustrated with ANY huge group that would act in the manner these tour groups did. The fact that the "chaperones" encouraged this behavior was also frustrating.

Right there w/you on this! Well said! Also, you would think that the chaperones (who should be responsible adults) would know better! As for the chaperones, they appeared to be college age kids!

What I don't understand is why WDW doesn't require large groups who'll be touring the parks en masse to pay for a WDW guide. Guests who plan private events in the parks (i.e., wedding parties) are required to pay for one guide for every 50 guests. Now, I know that waiting in line for rides is a bit different than an Illuminations dessert party, but if you've got a group of 100 people who will not separate and are travelling all together, I think that group becomes a kind of moveable private event and should be treated as such. It also wouldn't be that hard to prearrange (and prepay) food and Fastpasses. If large groups want to tour the parks like this, they should have some sort of structure.

Valid point! If it's done for other events (weddings, grand gatherings, etc.) then why not make it so for these groups?

And even if teens are teens, lining up isn't part of the culture, and the kids may not know the local customs, the guides who accompany them should. No self respecting tour guide should travel to another country and not get to know the local customs. I don't care where they're from or where they're going. The purpose of a tour guide is to guide the group. The purpose of a chaperone is to ensure good behavior.

That's the thing ... the people in charge act as both tour guides and chaperones. Actually, I don't even think they're really guides as they're more pied pipers w/their teen travelers trailing behind them. Putting one person in charge of 75 or more people is unreasonable. There need to be more adults to keep those teens in line. And, they're really encouraging the singing/chanting not hushing it. If the tour guides/chaperones don't know how to behave, what can we expect from their charges?

BTW -- at well after 2 am when they rolled in from EMH at MK, I really didn't enjoy hearing them chanting/singing and clapping on their way to their rooms while DS and I were trying to get some sleep. It's just common courtesy that you're quiet in the wee hours of the morning.

 

[ShesAPirate]

I'm hoping not to run into any of these problems in September (this will be our first time going in September). I don't usually have any issues. I understand a bit of Portugese, so maybe that helps. Still, a few facts to consider.

-The thing is, when you get any large group of teenagers together, essentially unsupervised, they're going to be obnoxious more often then not. (It even starts to grate on my nerves when my niece (15) and a few of her friends are together -- with the constant giggling).

-Then add the fact that they're on vacation. (People are generally more boisterous when on vacation - sometimes, unfortunately, to the point where they're rude to others.)

-Next add the fact that most of these kids already have more money than any of us will ever see in our lifetime (I'm an ex-employee of the Hard Rock Cafe in NY, which is, from what I've witnessed, the 2nd most popular destination for Brazilians in America after Disney. These kids would come in with a wallet full of credit cards and a roll of cash - AND a stack of travelers checks - that made my eyes bug out every day).

It would be wonderful if Disney could do something to keep ANY large group under better control. I don't want to see it become a police state, but perhaps a larger presence of CMs or Disney security would help. We had long queues at Hard Rock, too -- but we had not only security but also line hosts to keep people in order and behind the ropes.

Until that happens... I guess all we can do is remember that July is Brazil month and plan accordingly.