OFFICIAL JULY 2009 THREAD!!! (Part 2) It's here!!

[Grandma4ever]

We also were at Food & Wine last October. We also did not encounter any rude or drunk guests. We had a great time. I was actually a little disappointed with the portion sizes of the "snack" items at the little booths. For instance, in the Sommerfest QS, they have apple strudel for $3.59. At the Food & Wine station, the apple strudel was much much smaller and was about $4.00. It wasn't even as good as sommerfest's. I also had a glass of sangria. It was pretty small for the price, compared with what was available in the Mexico pavilion's regular places. They did have booths for countries that aren't normally there, like Greece.

We too will not go back in July again. I can deal with the heat, and I've had crowds during spring break before, although not as bad as this July, but the Bazillion Brazilian tour groups... they've got to go. We ate dinner at Planet Hollywood only to find that the entire top floor was taken by the tour groups. Not only were they chanting and shouting at each other, but they were stomping their feet!! It was so loud we couldn't have a conversation. We ended up leaving instead of ordering drinks and dessert. Apparently, Brazil and Argentina try to out shout each other. I also encountered a rude teen who wacked me in the face with his backpack... 4 times. I asked him to remove his pack and carry it. We were in the crowd of people just after you get into Haunted Mansion. When they herd everyone together! He refused to remove it from his back and wacked me a few more times with it!!

We're planning to go back during Spring Break. We bought annual passes for me, DH and DD7 because we knew we'd go back before July. We didn't get one for DS17 because he got a plus ticket and the plus AP was too expensive on the chance that he'd not come back. He's coming back with us, and we're bringing his twin best friends when they all earn their Eagle Scout rank in February. Good luck boys!!

We didn't have any issues with the tour groups. A little chanting, but that didn't bother us. Being in a restaurant like that would be annoying, but probably why they picked a loud restaurant like Planet Hollywood. We had a Bachelorette party a year ago in there that was loud.

We were just at MK this past Sunday and not one tour group was there, so maybe August is a good time to go.

I was told they start in June and are gone by August so August is a great time to go!!

I hope WDW is listening because I am sure that there were many other people who were turned off by these groups and unlike me who are opting to just go at a different time will opt not to return at all. If this had been my first trip to WDW I would not want to return.

I really feel that some basic restrictions on group size when in the park and the number that can be in one resturant at any given time would be good. If the groups want to come together then maybe they should all come at once and WDW be closed for others. Then they can be as loud as they want and push and shove together. I hope WDW is listening.

 

[trennr]

Hey all...I've Started my trip report here...

LINK

Hope y'all sub and enjoy.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

They weren't the only people that were loud and rude! On the day we got off the cruise, we went back to Epcot for the day before our flight home. We ate at the counter service in Mexico and there was a group ouf about 5-8 guys and 1 girl talking so loudly about getting drunk and cursing A LOT, I mean like F-word...and LOUD. It was so hard for me to enjoy my nachos! And then, when they got up to leave, they all got on motorized scooters!!! Now normally, I avoid confrontation at all costs but I don't know what came over and I said, "Why are you guys riding those?" I KNEW why. They wanted to get drunk and didn't want to walk. They just lauged it off but the girl got all snotty with me, "Why do you care?" "Because some people actually NEED them!"

I'm so glad you said something, Nikki. Good for you!!

The tour groups never really bothered us. We noticed them occasionally (how can you miss bright yellow skintight shorts), but were never inconvenienced by them.

Same here -- we managed to pretty much avoid them in both the standby lines and the FP lines. There were a few groups at Fantasmic, Beauty and the Beast, and Finding Nemo, and lots of groups at LMA with us but they didn't do any chanting or stomping...there was a group in front of us Spectromagic and Wishes but they were pretty much polite and quiet (although some of the girls stripped down to their sports bras and boyshorts...bet the teenage boys in the area loved that!). I can only think of once when we were in line with any of the tour groups (BTMRR) and they were fairly well-behaved. We pretty much followed the UOG touring plans and maybe they were using other touring plans, because we saw them walking around A LOT and EVERYWHERE but really didn't have any issues with them at all.

I was told by a CM that the tour groups were there for only about six weeks running tours for 10 nights then starting with a new group. They start the middle of June so by the end of July the numbers begin to drop.

When we were there we had group members push pass us in line at almost every ride every day. It got very old. We had the guide to stand in line to get fastpasses for hundreds of people at once. If you were behind them in line you would have to wait almost as long to get a fasspass as you would wait for the ride. Then they would all go to use the fast passes together making your wait that much longer at the ride.

We would have to go around them to get into the bathroom as they loved to meet up right outside the doors both at the parks and at the resort. By the way most of the groups were at the Allstars.

They were so loud we could not talk with each other while we waited in line because we could not hear each other.

I'm glad we won't have to deal with the tour groups when we go for our quick weekend trip in October. Like I said, we didn't have any problems with them at all (thank goodness -- it sounds like most of our July DISers had unpleasant experiences with them -- I'm so sorry!), but I'd really rather not be around large groups of teenagers anyway -- particularly when they don't appear to be well supervised. Since we're staying at a value resort in October, it's good to know that there won't be big groups of kids staying there at the same time.

Um....what do you mean "this Ariel"???

That reminds me of a story (that I will eventually put in my Trip Report). We had just arrived at the Magic Kingdom for our first full day. The show in front of the castle was going on with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, etc.

We made a left into Frontierland, and who do we see.....Donald wearing his coonskin cap. As if a 5-year-old boy isn't asking enough questions already?!?!!?

Uh-oh! So how did you explain that one??? And I guess you've decided to succumb to peer pressure and write a TR?

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Uh-oh! So how did you explain that one???

"The show must be over." Then kept walking and changed the subject.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

"The show must be over." Then kept walking and changed the subject.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Another example from Crystal Palace:

West: Why does Piglet have a zipper on his back.
Me: Duh. Cause he's wearing a sweater. Would you like some more pizza?
West: But Tigger has one too.
Me: So, what was your favorite ride so far?

 

[tinkerbell60]

Yep, Brad called it the Week of a Bazilion Brazilians!! Started to title that in my TR, but knew some flaming would start!

I agree, Tom, start on those shirts, and Mindy can make us a flag! Viva Disboards! At one point, DH Brad, held up the scarf I had tied on Sophie's stroller for visibility and yelled "Just started my own tour group, anyone that wants to jump to the front of the line, push behind me" That was while we were waiting for Fantasmic gates to open. I was SOOOOO embarassed, but hey, he made it until Thursday!

If we would have heard your husband we would have joined your tour group!!!

They weren't the only people that were loud and rude! On the day we got off the cruise, we went back to Epcot for the day before our flight home. We ate at the counter service in Mexico and there was a group ouf about 5-8 guys and 1 girl talking so loudly about getting drunk and cursing A LOT, I mean like F-word...and LOUD. It was so hard for me to enjoy my nachos! And then, when they got up to leave, they all got on motorized scooters!!! Now normally, I avoid confrontation at all costs but I don't know what came over and I said, "Why are you guys riding those?" I KNEW why. They wanted to get drunk and didn't want to walk. They just lauged it off but the girl got all snotty with me, "Why do you care?" "Because some people actually NEED them!"

I couldn't even have another bit of nachos after that. And there were a few groups we encountered in WS that day that weren't as bad, but similar. I have never been to food and wine but it made me nervous that we might encounter some more of that behavior when we go in October.

Good for you Nikki!!! We saw several "questionable" scooter riders - Ashley commented quite loudly a few times. She would make a great "park policeperson".

Um....what do you mean "this Ariel"???

That reminds me of a story (that I will eventually put in my Trip Report). We had just arrived at the Magic Kingdom for our first full day. The show in front of the castle was going on with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, etc.

We made a left into Frontierland, and who do we see.....Donald wearing his coonskin cap. As if a 5-year-old boy isn't asking enough questions already?!?!!?

Your son is SOOOOOOO cute - love the pictures and his comments!!

We also were at Food & Wine last October. We also did not encounter any rude or drunk guests. We had a great time. I was actually a little disappointed with the portion sizes of the "snack" items at the little booths. For instance, in the Sommerfest QS, they have apple strudel for $3.59. At the Food & Wine station, the apple strudel was much much smaller and was about $4.00. It wasn't even as good as sommerfest's. I also had a glass of sangria. It was pretty small for the price, compared with what was available in the Mexico pavilion's regular places. They did have booths for countries that aren't normally there, like Greece.

We too will not go back in July again. I can deal with the heat, and I've had crowds during spring break before, although not as bad as this July, but the Bazillion Brazilian tour groups... they've got to go. We ate dinner at Planet Hollywood only to find that the entire top floor was taken by the tour groups. Not only were they chanting and shouting at each other, but they were stomping their feet!! It was so loud we couldn't have a conversation. We ended up leaving instead of ordering drinks and dessert. Apparently, Brazil and Argentina try to out shout each other. I also encountered a rude teen who wacked me in the face with his backpack... 4 times. I asked him to remove his pack and carry it. We were in the crowd of people just after you get into Haunted Mansion. When they herd everyone together! He refused to remove it from his back and wacked me a few more times with it!!

We're planning to go back during Spring Break. We bought annual passes for me, DH and DD7 because we knew we'd go back before July. We didn't get one for DS17 because he got a plus ticket and the plus AP was too expensive on the chance that he'd not come back. He's coming back with us, and we're bringing his twin best friends when they all earn their Eagle Scout rank in February. Good luck boys!!

When is your spring break - we are hopefully going then too with our APs....ours is March 29 - April 2nd.

 

[hpkalika]

We saw the groups, but I can't say we heard any of them chanting or stomping. We had some in line ahead of and behind us for a few things but no pushing.

As for backpacks, we got smacked by a few random backpacks not travelling in a group. I yelled at some woman with a gigiantic purse on the Riverboat for smacking it into my kids head while her and her friends tried to pose like supermodels. I understand people need something in a park, but if you need a sherpa to carry it for you, then maybe you need to rethink what you are bringing. I've been to a lot of parks over the years and I have never seen people bring that much stuff. To avoid the check the bag lines, I stuck my card in my pocket and off we went. I am glad my daughter is long past diaper bags.

And I am totally grateful for this thread to still be open so I can detach from Disney slowly.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We heard the groups clapping and chanting a couple of times. Once that I can remember was when DH was shopping in the Star Tours shop and they exited into the store from the ride chanting "BRA-ZIL! BRA-ZIL!"

ALSO, we saw the American Idol Experience and all three singers were good but #2 was just fantastic. 16 years old, so cute and someone who I could really see at least make it past round one on the show. Well, the girl that won was from Brazil. As soon as they asked her where she was from and she said Brazil, I KNEW she was going to win. Half the audience was from Brazil.

 

[WLfamily]

Yep, Brad called it the Week of a Bazilion Brazilians!! Started to title that in my TR, but knew some flaming would start!

I agree, Tom, start on those shirts, and Mindy can make us a flag! Viva Disboards! At one point, DH Brad, held up the scarf I had tied on Sophie's stroller for visibility and yelled "Just started my own tour group, anyone that wants to jump to the front of the line, push behind me" That was while we were waiting for Fantasmic gates to open. I was SOOOOO embarassed, but hey, he made it until Thursday!

I love your husband!!! By the way, my ds name is Brad too, another reason to love your husband!

 

[Mindy5767]

If we would have heard your husband we would have joined your tour group!!!

Good for you Nikki!!! We saw several "questionable" scooter riders - Ashley commented quite loudly a few times. She would make a great "park policeperson".

Your son is SOOOOOOO cute - love the pictures and his comments!!

When is your spring break - we are hopefully going then too with our APs....ours is March 29 - April 2nd.

Our spring break is also March 29 to April 2nd. Unfortunately that is exactly when passover begins. We really don't have another choice of when to go with the Eagle Scouts, and we already have the passes. Family members and close friends may explode though!

 

[meanmom121]

They would be a big part of the reason I will never go back in July!!! I confronted one of them when he cut in front in line and he looked at me and said "my group is up there" I said then you should have got in line with your group. He stood there for a bit and cut in line. They were loud and very rude!!!

Disney are you listening???

Thankfully we didn't have any cut in front of us but they were way too loud at times.

 

[meanmom121]

I was told by a CM that the tour groups were there for only about six weeks running tours for 10 nights then starting with a new group. They start the middle of June so by the end of July the numbers begin to drop.

When we were there we had group members push pass us in line at almost every ride every day. It got very old. We had the guide to stand in line to get fastpasses for hundreds of people at once. If you were behind them in line you would have to wait almost as long to get a fasspass as you would wait for the ride. Then they would all go to use the fast passes together making your wait that much longer at the ride.

We would have to go around them to get into the bathroom as they loved to meet up right outside the doors both at the parks and at the resort. By the way most of the groups were at the Allstars.

They were so loud we could not talk with each other while we waited in line because we could not hear each other.

Tom, be happy because they were some of the worse behaved folks. Now in their defence, they were all young and had very little supervision or adults to give direction when they got out of line. There had to be at least 30 kids or more to each adult and the adults did not look to be that much older.

In general be happy there were fewer because it was a mess. Lois

I know what you mean about very little supervision - A couple of all girl groups I saw had a couple of college aged boys as their supervision - and their was a lot of flirting going on between them and their chargtes. - Made me feel pretty certain my daughter wouldn't be going off alone with a group like that.

 

[meanmom121]

We also were at Food & Wine last October. We also did not encounter any rude or drunk guests. We had a great time. I was actually a little disappointed with the portion sizes of the "snack" items at the little booths. For instance, in the Sommerfest QS, they have apple strudel for $3.59. At the Food & Wine station, the apple strudel was much much smaller and was about $4.00. It wasn't even as good as sommerfest's. I also had a glass of sangria. It was pretty small for the price, compared with what was available in the Mexico pavilion's regular places. They did have booths for countries that aren't normally there, like Greece.

We too will not go back in July again. I can deal with the heat, and I've had crowds during spring break before, although not as bad as this July, but the Bazillion Brazilian tour groups... they've got to go. We ate dinner at Planet Hollywood only to find that the entire top floor was taken by the tour groups. Not only were they chanting and shouting at each other, but they were stomping their feet!! It was so loud we couldn't have a conversation. We ended up leaving instead of ordering drinks and dessert. Apparently, Brazil and Argentina try to out shout each other. I also encountered a rude teen who wacked me in the face with his backpack... 4 times. I asked him to remove his pack and carry it. We were in the crowd of people just after you get into Haunted Mansion. When they herd everyone together! He refused to remove it from his back and wacked me a few more times with it!!

We're planning to go back during Spring Break. We bought annual passes for me, DH and DD7 because we knew we'd go back before July. We didn't get one for DS17 because he got a plus ticket and the plus AP was too expensive on the chance that he'd not come back. He's coming back with us, and we're bringing his twin best friends when they all earn their Eagle Scout rank in February. Good luck boys!!

Thankfully, we didn't have any tour groups at any of our meals but we also ate at odd times. i.e lunch at 1100 and dinner at 430 to 445

 

[WLfamily]

Okay guys, I have started my attempt at a trip report. No promises that it will be any good. I have tried to link it in my signature. I hope this works. Remember how much trouble I had just trying to post a picture before?!?

 

[tinkerbell60]

Our spring break is also March 29 to April 2nd. Unfortunately that is exactly when passover begins. We really don't have another choice of when to go with the Eagle Scouts, and we already have the passes. Family members and close friends may explode though!

Let's keep updated with our plans - maybe we will see you there! We used to live in Silver Spring (Colesville) before moving back to Pittsburgh. It would be fun to have a "July Disboard meet" then.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Let's keep updated with our plans - maybe we will see you there! We used to live in Silver Spring (Colesville) before moving back to Pittsburgh. It would be fun to have a "July Disboard meet" then.

That's our Spring Break, too, but unfortunately we won't be able to go to WDW. My parents want us to go on a cruise with them that week...so I've got to start saving up for that. I don't see now a non-Disney cruise can top any amount of time at WDW...but this will be our first cruise so we'll see.

 

[tinkerbell60]

That would be fun if you could go. I am sure the cruise will be great though. At least you get to go to MNSSHP - we are too far away to go, airfare has been lousy, and we cannot take the kids out of school - one in high school and one in middle school.

 

[meanmom121]

That would be fun if you could go. I am sure the cruise will be great though. At least you get to go to MNSSHP - we are too far away to go, airfare has been lousy, and we cannot take the kids out of school - one in high school and one in middle school.

i WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A TRIP BUT MY SON IS DYSLEXIC AND TRYING TO KEEP UP IS A NIGHTMARE FOR HIM ANYWAY - i WOULD HATE TO THINK HOW HARD IT WOULD BE FOR HIM TO CATCH. i USED TO TAKE THEM OUT WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER AND i LOVED IT

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

That would be fun if you could go. I am sure the cruise will be great though. At least you get to go to MNSSHP - we are too far away to go, airfare has been lousy, and we cannot take the kids out of school - one in high school and one in middle school.

i WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A TRIP BUT MY SON IS DYSLEXIC AND TRYING TO KEEP UP IS A NIGHTMARE FOR HIM ANYWAY - i WOULD HATE TO THINK HOW HARD IT WOULD BE FOR HIM TO CATCH. i USED TO TAKE THEM OUT WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER AND i LOVED IT

One of our girls is a sophomore in high school and the other is in 5th grade. This is the first time we have taken the girls out of school for more than half of a day for a family trip. If it was more than one day we wouldn't take them out of school unless it was a family emergency. We're lucky -- our girls are straight A honor students and so keeping up/making up the work isn't an issue. But it is SO important for them to be in school. Please note everyone -- I'm not trying to start a debate on this subject!!

Anyway, DH is a teacher and only gets two personal days per year (we won't know if he can go with us until possibly the day before the trip...ugh), so it's unusual for us to go anywhere at all during the school year! Since we only live 5 hours away, a weekend trip is do-able...so we decided to go ahead and do it. I'm hoping maybe next year we can find a weekend to go to MVMCP. We'll see.

I found out AFTER I made the reservations and bought our MNSSHP tickets that we could have gone on Monday, October 12...DH and the kids are out of school on October 12 and 13. But my parents couldn't have gone with us, which is the main reason we're going.