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

[DizzyStitch]

A wise person I know says bullies only understand the language of bullies. I am SO non confrontational -- but if this had happened to me, especially at 1am, I probably would have gone off. uggggh.

I wonder how these groups treat the hotel properties where they stay, if they trash the rooms or whatever. Boorish behavior tends to spill over to many aspects of life.

That's a neat idea. BTW this is not just in WDW. I have been to Chuck E Cheese and encountered some pretty bad behavior. It takes all kinds. Tonight I saww some guy so into a football game that he didn't even care when the ball hit his infant child in a stroller. It takes all kinds!

 

[brittanyherndon]

We encountered a brazilian family ( I know a bit of Porteguese ) when we were at Epcot late Sept. We wanted one last ride on Test Track - so the 4 of us opted for the Single Rider Line. A group of 4 young adults also got in the line. I heard the mother say in English - that;s single rider - oldest bot ( early 20's said that's OK - they will let us ride together ). I pointed out to them the signs saying you WILL be separated. He shrugged at me and said - doesn't matter.

Well a great CM - young gal - told them to split up or leave the line. They refused to split up - she told them again. They then tried to climb under the bars and get in the regular line - she told them to leave and she called security. GOOD FOR HER !


99% of the folks I have met from the UK have been super sweet - including a very nice man - who insisted on buying my iced coffee at BB. I gave his daughter my tube in the wave pool when I saw she was scared - I also told her a funny story and made her laugh. I ran into him later and he insisted on treating me.

Contrast that with the british gent and his son who pushed by me on the path and made me trip on the way to Crusher Gusher and then grabbed a tube out a little girls hands who was inline to get the tube. .... the CM and I were really stunned and my DH and another guest were going to say something to him - but ehh I let it go .... it was that important to go 5 seconds before me.

My mom and I decided to do sigle ride and we did not get seperated so it depends on the crowds I guess

 

[cindyfan]

That doesn't make it acceptable.

absolutely NOT acceptable!!!!!!
Under no circumstances is this behavior acceptable!!

I think Disney can control the size of the groups and how many visit at the same time....

 

[Dizzyworld]

Maybe if Disney doesn't want to do anything about the rude behaviors or doing something about the size of the groups that come at one time, at least Disney could post more visable security that could step in when needed.

I was thinking of going to WDW during this week next year, but now I have second thoughts just like we no longer go during Pop Warner week.

 

[cindyfan]

Maybe if Disney doesn't want to do anything about the rude behaviors or doing something about the size of the groups that come at one time, at least Disney could post more visable security that could step in when needed.

I was thinking of going to WDW during this week next year, but now I have second thoughts just like we no longer go during Pop Warner week.

my suggestion... find a different week!!!!

maybe Disney can also find a way to limit the number of FP given to one person at one time. I know there are large families out there... but limit to like 12 or 15. that would cover the large families and keep the groups from over-running one ride while their leader grabs all the FPs for another!

 

[quantumottle]

In reference to the OP, isnt' that border-line harrassment!???

I see what you did there.

Are the tour groups there now? I thought they only visited WDW in January and July?

Nope, they were there last December too. We were there the first 2 weeks of Dec. 08' and the Brazilian Mob was in force.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I wonder why you dont see big groups like the Brasilians from other countries--such as large group of German or Chinese teens roaming the parks?

I think I read somewhere that it is common to take a holiday at a certain age and tour groups to Disney are very popular. Hence, you don't see Asian groups etc so much. They are there, you just don't see them as much, also the Asian or German, or whatever, don't generally go around chanting or acting like out of control teenagers (which most of the SA groups are).

 

[SuperTink]

What a mess! Sorry you had to experience that. I would have been pretty hot.

Venting is fine, but did you attempt to contact any Disney official, either at the time or after?

I think people need to stand up for what they think is right. Even if I tend to be pretty cynical, I think that if every person who had a bad experience would take the time to write Disney, it might actually make a dent. In any case, I can't see not trying.

Hope the remainder of your holiday was great and you don't draw that dice ever again.

 

[disneyshakeygirl]

When we went in February, there were quite a few SA tour groups, but they were so well mannered/well behaved. OP, I'm so sorry that happened, those bad moments never make for a good time

 

[talfonso]

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

Oh gosh - I feel you pain about those tour groups ruining your moment with M&M. I would have been tickered off if those Brazilian tour groups mob me and Woody if we were to spend a moment riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Anyway, I don't like them that much!

 

[Buckeye Princess]

I am sad to say that I was once part of a youth group who acted quite poorly. Even at the time I was very embarrassed. I made an elite field hockey team as a freshman and we went to FL for nationals. Everyone else on the team was a senior so I felt shy and nervous. While at WDW (my first time there) we were in line and they started playing this "game" that involved taking turns saying the anatomically correct term for a certain male body part. Each person would then say it louder. I was so embarrassed as there were lots of little children around. Needless to say when I pointed this out to them I was just laughed at as I was just a little freshman to them.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

wow. This thread is making me embarrassed to be an American. But then, I've heard all too many times, that 'people in France, esp. Paris are rude.' 'People in New York are rude.' I've heard about rude Japanese tourists that take WAY too many photos (as in they just keep taking them and block access that way). And now SA tour groups.

Honestly the most rude behavior I've ever encountered was Americans outside of America.(and sometimes even inside America) Indeed, it was well known in college that 'you could go up to Canada and act like a boor,' or a deliquent and 'get away with it,' becasue you were in a foreign country and unlike America the drinking age was 18. The prevailing attitude was, "they want our money and they will put up with almost anything we do."

Oh, and don't get me started on the legendary conduct allowable in the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam. Ft. Lauderdale more or less outlawed spring breakers because they would trash the town every year. One year I even withnessed a bunch of guys peeing in the intercoastal in front of everyone at my resort pool - including kids, just because they could. Oh, that was classy. And, though it's technically not South America, what about the hordes of Spring Breakers that have been trashing Mexico every spring for many years. Do you really think spring breakers are models of exemplary conduct? Or are we forgetting about that because it's just 'what we do'?

Yes, Americans have FAR more of a bad reputation around the world than anything I've ever seen from a SA tour group.

If there is any group that goes around the world with an attitude of entitlement, it's Americans. All too often Americans just expect everyone around the world to speak English and get all upset when they honestly can't. And in spite of that...I've seen LOTS of people outside this country do their best to be helpful- even whenthey clearly only speak a few words of English. So maybe, just maybe....we should remember the old adage about treating guests the way they want to be treated. I'm not saying guests are never rude. Probaly op's example is good case in point...I'm just saying sometimes what we assume to be rude is about cultural differences. Sometimes the way to fix rudeness is with kindness. Taking the misconduct of one group, as posted on an internet forum as 'proof' that all tour groups are going to be rude is horrible.

If we are automatically rude to all travelers, just because they are foreign or from a certain region of the world how bad does that make us Americans?

 

[aaronowlzbaseball]

wow. This thread is making me embarrassed to be an American. But then, I've heard all too many times, that 'people in France, esp. Paris are rude.' 'People in New York are rude.' I've heard about rude Japanese tourists that take WAY too many photos (as in they just keep taking them and block access that way). And now SA tour groups.

Honestly the most rude behavior I've ever encountered was Americans outside of America.(and sometimes even inside America) Indeed, it was well known in college that 'you could go up to Canada and act like a boor,' or a deliquent and 'get away with it,' becasue you were in a foreign country and unlike America the drinking age was 18. The prevailing attitude was, "they want our money and they will put up with almost anything we do."

Oh, and don't get me started on the legendary conduct allowable in the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam. Ft. Lauderdale more or less outlawed spring breakers because they would trash the town every year. One year I even withnessed a bunch of guys peeing in the intercoastal in front of everyone at my resort pool - including kids, just because they could. Oh, that was classy. And, though it's technically not South America, what about the hordes of Spring Breakers that have been trashing Mexico every spring for many years. Do you really think spring breakers are models of exemplary conduct? Or are we forgetting about that because it's just 'what we do'?

Yes, Americans have FAR more of a bad reputation around the world than anything I've ever seen from a SA tour group.

If there is any group that goes around the world with an attitude of entitlement, it's Americans. All too often Americans just expect everyone around the world to speak English and get all upset when they honestly can't. And in spite of that...I've seen LOTS of people outside this country do their best to be helpful- even whenthey clearly only speak a few words of English. So maybe, just maybe....we should remember the old adage about treating guests the way they want to be treated. I'm not saying guests are never rude. Probaly op's example is good case in point...I'm just saying sometimes what we assume to be rude is about cultural differences. Sometimes the way to fix rudeness is with kindness. Taking the misconduct of one group, as posted on an internet forum as 'proof' that all tour groups are going to be rude is horrible.

If we are automatically rude to all travelers, just because they are foreign or from a certain region of the world how bad does that make us Americans?

Did I miss something? Was not the complaint about behavior of these groups? The complaint was about the way these groups act. It was not that they are from Brazil. You say "Americans have FAR more of a bad reputation around the world than anything seen from SA groups." How do you know? Have you been around the world and asked people? You have been to each and every country and ask how Americans behaved? There is a consistent problem that many people are obviously noticing with tour groups for South America. However, I guess we are all horrible because we have the audacity to notice that many of these groups comes from SA. I forgot as an American living in 2009 every problem is THE WHOLE WORLD is my fault. I forgot that being white means I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and have trees in my yard that grow money. I forgot how much every country in the world loved Americans until about 10 years ago and now we are the scum of the earth. Disease, war, famine, anger would all be gone if America just sank in the ocean. You are right! Shame on us for not saying to "sorry" to these groups as they run all over.

 

[BYC]

The part that amazed me the most was that you were there at 1:00 AM with a 4 and 6 year old! How did you get them to stay up and enjoy themselves at that hour? My kids would have been unconscious!

 

[PHXscuba]

Although many of the examples seem to come from one particular culture, I think it's the group size that is the biggest issue. While an individual family may be doing something equally as rude as a tour group, the impact is so much greater when you have 100 people doing ANYTHING, especially something unacceptable. I generally avoid big tour groups of any kind -- kids, senior citizens, etc. -- because whatever they do it will clog up around them.

I guess I don't mind that they all come to WDW area together, but traveling in "mobs" in the parks rather than splitting up almost guarantees there are going to be problems. I think the tour leaders have figured out that taking the place with size on their side will force everyone else to bend to them.

PHXscuba

 

[nilla]

When we were at Epcot last May for Illuminations, there was a group from (I'm assuming) a Florida middle school, and the boys were yelling, shoving each other, and messing around the whole time. It was annoying, but not overwhelming. Actually, the worst part of it all was that the chaperones just stood there through the whole thing. The problem is not nationality, it's kids/teenagers with no discipline.

 

[KateMW]

The part that amazed me the most was that you were there at 1:00 AM with a 4 and 6 year old! How did you get them to stay up and enjoy themselves at that hour? My kids would have been unconscious!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who was amazed by this! My DD would be wrecked for the next day or two staying up that late. Totally not worth it to me.

 

[JimmyJr'sMom]

And we won't take any crap from any tour group. We speak a moderate amount of Spanish and will brush up on our Portugese. Count us in at 17 large. No one is going to push us around, cut in front or any other rude behavior if we have anything to say about it. Hey- maybe this willbe just the incident WDW needs to address the issue.

 

[KellyNY]

Although many of the examples seem to come from one particular culture, I think it's the group size that is the biggest issue. While an individual family may be doing something equally as rude as a tour group, the impact is so much greater when you have 100 people doing ANYTHING, especially something unacceptable. I generally avoid big tour groups of any kind -- kids, senior citizens, etc. -- because whatever they do it will clog up around them.

I guess I don't mind that they all come to WDW area together, but traveling in "mobs" in the parks rather than splitting up almost guarantees there are going to be problems. I think the tour leaders have figured out that taking the place with size on their side will force everyone else to bend to them.

PHXscuba

True, this is why I hate tour groups. When we took a bus tour to Niagara, park as usual was overcrowded and our tour guide was running like nutz with colorful umbrella up, that was too much for me, I approached him and let him know that we accidentally getting lost and will tour the park on our own. I do not see why Disney groups cannot do the same, are they that afraid to get lost or we just scare them

 

[Charleston Zurg]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who was amazed by this! My DD would be wrecked for the next day or two staying up that late. Totally not worth it to me.

You ever see what a Red Bull can do to a kid

Really some kids can handle being up late better than others. My 8 year old would not have a proble with it. However 12 year old would sleep for days after that