Teen Tour Groups

[Kath2003]

What exactly is the deal with these people? You know who I mean (obviously not ALL teen tour groups) - the rude ones who seem to think that common curtosy does not apply to them?:shrug:

I've seen them numerous times in WDW/US/SW myself - literally swarming the place, cutting in lines, trampling anything or anyone in their path (and sometimes pretending they do not understand basic English) - how do they get away with it?

How are staff supposed to handle this problem? Having read the "Have you ever had a Shock?" thread - or, at least, the first 93 pages today! - it seems I'm not the only one they've offended, and they seem to be ruining a lot of people's day. How do you suggest the "problem" is fixed?

Would just like to stress that I realise that this trait isn't common to ALL teen tour groups - I'm only 21 myself and realise that theme parks are great fun with loads of your mates, and I have indeed met some very lovely people who were part of one of these tour groups, and I am not pinning the blame on a specific nationality or culture here...please don't hurt me!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I literally had the worst 30 minutes of my life because of a tour group. We were on our way back to All star from Downtown Disney. 3/4 of the bus was filled with screaming girls. 1) I HATE SCREAMING TEENAGE GIRLS. HATE IT. (keep in mind I am only 20) 2) They were screaming in Portugese which I can't even understand. We had seen the Brazilian tour group all around WDW that week without a problem. So they were sreaming about God knows what..when we were pulling into the parking lot one of them apparently said something very mean about my DGF's sister.... well she speaks portuguese... you can only imagine the outcome.....


Its funny know but it was absolutely horrible then

 

[noladave]

I hear ya. Our entire wait for the boat ride in Mexico was filled with teenage girls doing one of those stupid chants/cheers/songs.. DW was not happy, either.

 

[Kath2003]

It's just the way they almost...take over? the area so that anyone else who was originally there enjoying themselves or would like to participate cannot....an absolute blinkered view of the WDW-community, kinda "I am here, therefore your situation is irrelevant"...

But how are Disney supposed to stop it, when these large groups are ruining everyone else's enjoyment? There's so many of them, and of course they do get plenty of groups who are considerate guests who cause no problems whatsoever.

I just find it sad that these people are allowed to ruin everyone else's Disney Day

 

[Sylvester McBean]

after encountering the same types of behavior from the brazil tour groups, I can only come to the conclusion that it's taught. and the big thing is the attempted line cutting. there was one group at busch gardens last week and they behaved the same as they do at Universal or WDW. someone's telling them it's OK to line cut if they see anyone else in the same color shirt.

 

[Epcot242]

I'm 18 and I can't stand some of these tour groups. They come in herds and feel as if it's their God-given right to be there and that everyone else had to get out the way or be trampled. I understand holding together a large group is difficult and watching behavior is even more difficult, but at what point did group leaders just stop caring about common etiquette in public places? My family tries to steer clear of these groups when possible, but sometimes you just can't. Like Kath2003 said, they end up ruining your day (if you encounter enough of them) just because the lack of courtesy. Oh well, I suppose some things we're just going to have to deal with though.

 

[dixipixi]

I actually witnessed Disney stopping a teen group at DQ last June. It was a group of about 10 boys and girls somewhere around 14-15 yrs. old. They were American and didn't seem to be in any sort of recognizable, organized tour group. They were using some of the FOULEST language I've ever heard. We have teen boys, so I know how they can be. But this was totally over the top. Our 16 y/o started to say something to them because he had enough of it.

When we get to the entrance, DH and the gentleman next to us in line are complaining about them. The CM tells us that EVERY SINGLE party that came through the doors had complained about them. (we were there at opening...we had been witnessing this behavior outside in line).

The CM wouldn't let them in. They actually refused admittance to them because they felt like they would ruin the other customers day if they were allowed in!

We were later told by a different CM that it pays to speak up in numbers. When they have enough complaints from different parties, then they know this is a real problem. We were told they will remove them from rides, restaurants, even the parks if the behavior bothers enough other guests.

So start speaking up people!!! We got the feeling that they kind of wait on complaints from other guests. If no one is complaining, then they feel like everyone is ok with it.

 

[Markstudy]

So start speaking up people!!!

Disney hates bad press. Start taking photos.... is my advice.

Sending photos to Orlando papers or USA Today or CNN might be fun.

Next time I see a group at Disney I might follow them for a few rides and get some good photos of them stepping on a little kid or something.

Brazil Tour Groups set such a bad example.....their teens act like animals, pushing and shoving in line.

It is our fault for being too polite to speak-up, that allows this to go on year after year. USA is too "P.C." and Brazil teens know it!

I'm sorry, but I call them like I see them

I have had bad experiences at both Bush Gardens and Disney with the lawless behavior of Brazilian Tour Groups.

Shame on you Brazil Your childern are the worst behaved of any I have ever seen in public.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I actually witnessed Disney stopping a teen group at DQ last June. It was a group of about 10 boys and girls somewhere around 14-15 yrs. old. They were American and didn't seem to be in any sort of recognizable, organized tour group. They were using some of the FOULEST language I've ever heard. We have teen boys, so I know how they can be. But this was totally over the top. Our 16 y/o started to say something to them because he had enough of it.
.

Here is the reason they were stopped, they were American & without a recognizable organized tour group. The CM's were confident that they would not have a tour organizer ready to have his head for stopping them.

I do think the idea of the bad press is a good one. In defence of tour group organizers, I do not think they tell the teens to cut in line. I know someone that was a tour guide for the Brazilian teens & she said it was one of the hardest jobs she ever had. She had problems controlling them when they go that way. She was not happy when they acted like that.

 

[Kath2003]

In defence of tour group organizers, I do not think they tell the teens to cut in line. I know someone that was a tour guide for the Brazilian teens & she said it was one of the hardest jobs she ever had. She had problems controlling them when they go that way. She was not happy when they acted like that.

No, I doubt they do, teenagers don't exactly need encouragement to "rebel" a little and parents struggle enough with one or two sometimes! They're nearly grown adults, they know their behaviour isn't acceptable, but because they're with their friends they egg each other on and they think that the sheer numbers of them makes them invincible. And it does, to an extent - if one person cuts in line in front of a small family, chances are you'll say something to them. But if ten people cut in line in front of you, do you really want to end up in a potential arguement with all of them?

And no, it's not Disney specific, it's all theme parks, unfortunately

 

[TinkGirl]

It's not just teens. In January an adult tour group from South America was everyone we went in MGM. We got tired of being pushed by in line so 10 people could join the rest of their group and being surrounded by loud group chanting. It was even a little scary to my kids because it was grown ups exhibiting exactly the kind of public behavior we don't tolerate. We were about ready to cheer when the cm at RnRc wouldn't let them go by everyone.

 

[seashoreCM]

One thing for park security to try (does park security already) is detain one or two members of the group. The others would have the choice of following.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm