Never had a problem with SA Tour groups until...

[natnelliesmom]

We just got home from 9 days in WDW yesterday.
Had a wonderful trip!!
We did run into the usual rude, clueless people, and many more nice, friendly people

Up until this last trip I didn't have any real problems with those South American tour groups. I put up with the line holding and cutting, the way the leader will run ahead and hog the fast pass machines printing out 100 at a time, how they save seats at shows and parades, how they have no concept of personal space and breath down your neck in line, the way they swoop in and steal all the seats at a restaurant and how they conveniently don't speak any English when they are being rude.

BUT.... I now officially can't stand these tour groups. My patience is gone.

This past Monday night at Magic Kingdom was extra magic hours till 1:00 am. My DH and I stayed with our DDs 4 and 6. We were last in line to meet Mickey and Minnie back behind the castle. It was just past 1:00 am. Several tour groups passed on their way back and each time people would try to hop into line. There were a few people in line ahead of us and a CM was at the end of the line to inform people it was closed.

You should have heard the sob stories these people from the tour groups were trying to give the CM!! From my child has been sick... to this will be our only trip to WDW ever. We heard it all!! The CM told me that the people in these groups are known for the most terrible lies to try to get things for themselves and their kids. She said at first it was hard not to believe them, but that she's developed a thick skin.

We finally got up to see M&M. Minnie and Mickey were so sweet and spent a good amount of time with my DD. The CM with them said that Mickey and Minnie would like to do something very special for my DDs.
We walked over to the carousel and the CM reopened it for us. Mickey and Minnie, with two CMs and a photographer took us onto the Carousel. It was supposed to be a special ride just for my kids.

WELL.... this South American Tour group, with especially rude people, stormed the ride, pushing past the CM at the entrance and jumping the gates to get their kids on with M&M. They were shouting and calling out to the characters and one man actually tried to push his child onto the horse next to Mickey while I was buckling my first DD onto her horse! The CM stepped in and told him to move and Mickey himself waved his finger at the man to say it wasn't okay!!

The CMs were very apologetic and you could tell they were angry that these people would do this... but what could they do? They kept saying that the ride was closed and the park was closed and they had to leave, but these people all pretended they didn't understand.

We got our "special" ride, and I didn't let my DDs see how mad I was. It was truly enraging to see how these rude people were so selfish!
You should have seen them swarm over M&M when we tried to exit the ride. The CMs actually took us back out of the way after the ride to get some more photos. I was so thankful to these wonderful CMs who tried to give us something special.

I don't think I can ever forgive that tour group for doing their best to ruin a special moment. Unfortunately it has soured me on all of these groups.

Just had to vent.
-Sarah

 

[Daddee]

I totally agree with you but

 

[Jennasis]

I'm so sorry the group ruined your special moment. But what a moment!! It sounds like you guys got a pretty special bit o' pixie dust. So cool!

 

[disneynutz]

Disney could stop this poor behavior but they choose not to. The money that they make from these groups is worth more to them than our happiness.

Bill

 

[Ava]

I'm surprised the CMs didn't call security to remove those people from the park. It sounds like their behavior could've put others in danger.

You got a great bit of Pixie dust though, despite the rude people! I hope you got some wonderful photos of your DDs on the Carousel with Mickey & Minnie.

 

[RMulieri]

That is some wonderful pixie dust for you, and I am sorry it was ruined by "less then magical" guest behavior

 

[GovieMom]

Disney could stop this poor behavior but they choose not to. The money that they make from these groups is worth more to them than our happiness.

I have to agree.

 

[jb01]

Nothing wrong with venting about these groups.

 

[ltex]

I have a friend who is a CM. He reported the following:

WDW used to not press charges for shoplifting if the item was under a certain dollar amount. They would just stop the person and retrieve the item and on occassion escort person out of park.

Well, according to him this got around to the tour leaders of international tour groups and the guides told their charges which led to people were trying to steal everything, b/c no charges would be pressed.

In response, WDW has since updated the policy and now prosecutes everything.

 

[brunette8706]

One word.

Unbelievable.

​

 

[mickeymousemom]

I had never seen too many of the "SA" tour groups until a few years ago..even then we never encountered many problems, but I could tell there were some issues just by watching them. I had a friend who worked at Pop Century for awhile and she said they had alot of problems with them and at that time(about 4 years ago) they were actually banned from that resort. Not sure how true that is but it made sense at the time. Since then, we have encountered them more often and I find it absolutely unbelievable that WDW refuses to do anything about them. They are loud, rude and obnoxious beyond belief. I realize that its incredibly unrealistic to stop these people ourselves, but holy crap...something needs to be done.

 

[mlittig]

I am so sorry they forced themselves on your special time That is so wrong

 

[Jennasis]

Perhaps anyone going during that time of year when these groups are prevalent, might want to learn a fewkey phrases in Portuguese?

No cutting in line....nenhum corte na linha

Yes you DO speak English....Sim voce fala o ingles

You are being rude and obnoxious...voce esta sendo rude e obnoxio

I am calling security...Eu estuo chamando a seguranca

(please no nit-picking my translations. It's babelfish!)

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Are the tour groups there now?

I thought they only visited WDW in January and July?

OP: I'm so sorry this happened to you; It certainly was a magical time for you and your family but would have been more so without the rude and obnoxious tour group.

And I agree with the poster who said Disney could stop it, but they choose to look the other way.

 

[DVC4US]

We have encountered them several times during the summer when it is generally all teenagers. One evening we had staked a spot on the curb to watch the parade and there was a group across the street from us. As we were waiting they got up in the middle of the street and preceeded to do some chant/song in their language. This was bad enough, but then they had the nerve to pass around a hat looking for money. I could not believe the CMs just stood there and let them do this. It happened several times while we waited for the parade.

I know they bring in money, but Disney really needs to do something about these groups.

 

[VillageMama]

I'm writing down those Portuguese sayings!

I'm really sorry that your special moment was taken over like that. I'm normally a very patient person but if someone is intentionally rude and it effects my children, it could get ugly!

 

[winjos]

That's what we called them when we were on our honeymoon in 1994. Every time we saw the blue shirt gang, we would go the opposite direction. Thank goodness it was January and the crowds were minimal. At times, it would almost be like a game to try and outwit the group: I spy with my little eye ... a yellow flag followed by lots of folks wearing the same shirt. Hey, maybe my DH & I should develop a game?

Sorry to hear about your experience. Neat hearing about the extra time with M & M!!

 

[pkondz]

...then they had the nerve to pass around a hat looking for money...

Sweet! I'd dig right in there. I can always use a few more bucks in my pocket.

 

[DisneyGerry]

as well as Florida taxes

 

[hookedonears]

I might not be the best one to be saying this, but, we experienced similar rudeness several years ago. It was awfull. What's a little alarming, though I thought that the SA tour groups were primarily only there during the summer, (July and August). We've always purposely stayed away from those dates because of them. Wow, year around now, that's depressing.