Tell me about Brazillan groups

[Pookasaurus]

We just got back from our trip and were in Disney last week - I had read that they could be an issue in January but they really weren't. For the most part the groups all seemed much smaller than I expected (and had even seen in sept). The only chanting/singing was waiting for Fantasmic and it wasn't really an issue - they were just having a good time. We did actively avoid the few larger groups when possible though.

The only "issue" we did have was Saturday night in the mass cattle herd to the monorail. The flag lady was winding and shoving and snaking her way through the mass of people, which led the people in the tour group to do the same since they had to catch up with the flag while linking arms and such. One teen girl took her elbow to my 7 yo 3 times who was standing right with me waiting appropriately. Finally after I told her not to touch my kid the 3rd time she shoved through the next line of people and was away from us. But ultimately I think that was the actions of one rude person (and not very many people are decent in the post wishes monorail push anyway, ugh, hate getting stuck in that) and not really an issue from the whole group.

Other than that, no complains! We did encounter a good amount of groups, but as said they were all smaller groups and for the most part polite and kept to themselves

 

[ellie05]

Right now in the southern part of South America is summer so they are off school. I have to say it does seem the groups have gotten better in the past few years. The difference I find in this Brazilian groups are that most of the teens here come from somewhat well to do families and they feel entitled. If they pretend not to speak English tell them you know they speak English. However the worst encounter with a Brazilian group was in panama while we were trying to check in for our cruise. The tour guide was making her whole group skip the line. An employee saw what she was doing and told her she couldn't do that and send her to the back. Not long after that she was at it again. I told her she was already told not to do that and that we are all waiting. I said let one more person through and I will personally go cut in front of her group and will tell the other people in line to do the same. The people in line clap the tour group turn red. Let's just say every time this lady saw me on ship she turn the other way. The funny thing is most likely she has never been confronted I bet she never do that again.

 

[JanaDee]

If you want to get a true picture of what the South American tour groups are like, read Trip Advisor. Those reviews can't be deleted or censored.

 

[WEDWDW]

The tour groups are much better now than they were in the late '90s and early to mid 2000's.

I agree.

The staffing of Super Greeters has really helped and they seem to have private buses much more frequently than in the past.

Having "lived" with them every Summer,I have just learned to try to "enjoy" them.

For example,this past July during The World Cup,Germany beat Brazil 7-1which in Soccer is a HUGE BLOWOUT!!!!

After that,when an Argentina Tour Group would pass a Brazil Tour Group,they would all hold up 7 fingers and yell "Siete,Siete!".

Pretty interesting!lol

 

[IBLarsen]

I have to say, we usually go to DLR in CA, and have run across large Japanese groups there multiple times and have never had an issue. I find them to be very sweet and seem to strike up conversations with many of them. They are so appreciative to be able to come to a place like Disneyland, and love to talk to Americans. I have had about 15 different Japanese girls befriend my little girl at different times. They are polite and respectful, never an issue with rude behavior that I've encountered at least.
Then one trip to WDW we encountered what we generically and likely unfairly called "Brazilian" groups. And we had no pre-conceived notion of what to expect, having encountered so many large Japanese groups, it didn't bother us at first. However, we were quite irritated by the end of our trip with these large groups. We experienced multiple issues on Pirates of the Caribbean. They were taking lots of flash photography, (like every single person in each of 3 boats ahead of us). They were loud and yelling through the ride. (This happened TWICE on the same trip, on the same ride, it was like de ja vu).
On Splash Mtn, where lines were long and we didn't have FP, there seemed to be continuous streams of these groups bypassing us in line, making their way to the front where they had a fellow group member waiting for them.
This also happened on a few other rides, and it wasn't just one or two people, which would not be a big deal for anyone. It seemed to be 30 people at a time. CM's at Splash were telling them they couldn't do that, and they acted as if they didn't speak English.
These are a couple of the things that stood out, after things happening multiple times with these large groups, I realized it likely wasn't a one time issue, but what they perceive as acceptable behavior.
Definitely made me weary, and if we saw a large group going one way, we went the other.

Have to add, on Pirates when we complained to the CM after the 2nd time, because we literally couldn't enjoy any of the ride and didn't want to stand in a long line yet again for a 3rd attempt. The CM said something to the effect of "yes, we know, I'm very sorry, we have these issues with the Brazilian groups often, and we try to find their guide and talk to them, but it doesn't seem to help", and he let us get right back on the ride and go again, which was very kind. So makes me think we aren't just complaining about something that has happened one time with one particular group.

 

[Hisgirl]

We saw this a few years back, the one person in line then 35 shoving to get in line where the one was. The chanting, the mass of humanity plowing through the crowds all holding arms.

One of the funniest stories I read was on here. A Dad saw the linked arm line coming towards him and had seen kids get knocked down. He was a formidable size and stood, locked and ready like at a football game. When they hit, they hit hard, but he didn't move. They did, though, and their plan to move through guests like an ice-breaker ship backfired as several went flying.

A CM told me last year that disney was making changes to improve the issue. The past four times I've been I haven't seen any of this and honestly, it's one of the main reason we only stay at Deluxe resorts. That and the cheerleading groups. Not a fan of the huge groups.

 

[lugnut33]

While sitting at Sunshine Season last year I saw a Brazilian group do the greatest thing. There was a group of around 20 girls and they formed two lines on each side of the stairs that end right near Soarin. As people would come down the stairs they were forced to go between the two lines of cheering Brazilians. It was great and spontaneous. I would have loved to have been one of the lucky people to get that treatment. Would have made me smile and laugh like a teenager.

 

[JennyHall]

Last year I went to Disney World during Fourth of July. A HUGE tour group was with them and they were the most disrespectal group I have ever seen in my life. During the Fourth of July fireworks when the intercom honored America all 200 girls from the group started booing, chanted Brazil (another chanted Venezuala) and then they screamed/sang their national anthem over ours. Then they would be like America sucks and after the fireworks they were mocking Americans and saying vulgar things. They were at every park we were at and were loud and obnoxious. They were even at Planet Hollywood when we were and took the whole third floor and everyone was complaining because they were screaming and chanting their country and singing their countries song. At least 5 families left because it lasted well over an hour. We couldn't even hear the music videos! During shows such as Fantasmic they were being loud and screaming like they were drunk. Even during the Tower of Terror pre show where you are watching the video they were so loud and didn't care that no one else could hear. They would run around and knock into us and just laugh. They cut in front of us and would be rude. Those 200+ girls almost ruined our trip. There is more but I'm saving myself the anger of remembering everything from that 11 day trip!

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

We were at WDW last week and saw some tour groups but had absolutely no issues. We stayed at AofA as I read that the tour groups stayed at the All Stars if they stayed on property.

ps...loved AofA !!

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

The only two issues we've run into are:

1. the line cutting like has been mentioned. more than once we saw 4-5 people cut through the line to get to one or two people up near the front.

2. when they head to a ride you might as well head the other way. not so much for their behavior, but because they're coming in a group of 20-50 people and the wait is gonna triple!

 

[Kellykins1218]

I've read many comments over the years about the rudeness of these groups. Without trying to start an international incident, just what do they do that causes strong feelings against them?

It's been several year since we had a bad experience them but on that trip they...

1. Chanted...in the parks...on the bus...waitiing in line..at the food court at ASMu
2. Cut in line...we're talking groups of 15-20 pushing their way past people who had already been in line for quite awhile.
3. Played soccer in the courtyard and hit our door with the ball TWICE
4. Got into a fistfight (also in the courtyard and right in front of our door)

We finally had to get security involved.

We've seen other groups since then and thankfully haven't had another problem. I guess we just got the REALLY bad groups that year. I don't think all of the groups are bad. They're just a bunch of mostly-unsupervised kids and that's exactly how they act.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I agree.

The staffing of Super Greeters has really helped and they seem to have private buses much more frequently than in the past.

Having "lived" with them every Summer,I have just learned to try to "enjoy" them.

For example,this past July during The World Cup,Germany beat Brazil 7-1which in Soccer is a HUGE BLOWOUT!!!!

After that,when an Argentina Tour Group would pass a Brazil Tour Group,they would all hold up 7 fingers and yell "Siete,Siete!".

Pretty interesting!lol

We were there when you were in July and noticed the "rivalry" between the Argentinian and Brazilian groups after the Brazil-Germany match. They have been somewhat better our last few trips but once we were literally trying to stay ahead of them after Fantasmic but got caught up with them while in full chanting mode. They seem to stay only in Values because we have not seen them at POR or BWV. My biggest problems with them are the chanting and cutting in line and generally acting like they own the place. There should not be many of them there in March when we are.

 

[WEDWDW]

We were there when you were in July and noticed the "rivalry" between the Argentinian and Brazilian groups after the Brazil-Germany match.

Yes,definitely an interesting "rivalry" between the 2 groups!lol

After Germany beat Argentina,The Brazilians were carrying Germany flags around the Parks!lol

And,of course,there was "The Incident" at End Zone during the Germany-Argentina World Cup Final.

I might even call it a "HEATED" rivalry!lol

 

[anniemae]

Do they normally go in Jan and July?

 

[revdon64]

I was there last week, saw a number of BTGs, but didn't really have any problems with them. Only heard one group singing/chanting one time while walking down Hollywood Blvd. Didn't experience any line cutting or obnoxiousness, although I've seen it in the past. I stayed at ASMo and did have some unruly kids in the room next door, but I think they were little children and mom wasn't supervising them. Saw security shortly afterward patrolling outside my door, so someone called. They also seemed to have their own busses too.

 

[disneyseniors]

just, Wow! I've been reading these tour group posts for a while now, and can say that I have never vacationed when they were there! I guess we are just lucky.
But, the one observation I would like to make is: WHY DOESN"T anyone write, call, email message, just BUG Disney management with these complaints???? I think if they get enough complaints maybe they will be forced to do something about it. If they don't, then the tg's will continue to be rude and entitled.
I don't know about you, but if I encountered any of that type of rude behavior, I would have confronted them and then gone to guest services to complain. Someone would listen to me, that's for sure!!! I would feel that I had the right to do that, as I had paid probably more than they had (with their discounts and specials sent to them from Disney), with flights, resort, food, etc, etc. Why should we, as Americans, just give in and feel frustrated as if we can't do anything about it. I think it is cultural, as we try to accept other cultures and don't understand their animosity towards us.
Anyway, I wish everyone who has been bothered by these groups should pester Disney til they do something. Just my thoughts. Hopefully, the almight dollar will not mean more than dissatisfied American guests.

 

[Kara315]

Im glad someone posted this,I wanted to ask but didnt want to be offensive. We are going to WDW in the second week of June,9-17,staying ar POR. Im not too worried about the parks but I am terrified about the resorts. I have read some horror stories on Tripadvisor. I would actually have changed to a Deluxe or AOA but my daughter is really looking forward to the princess room we got and I dont want to disappoint her.
We live in an apt. bldg which is very noisy and loud on a regular basis and we so wanted to have a calm relaxing time at the hotel.
Do you think these groups will be a large problem the second week of June? Also is it possible to change resorts when we arrive if these groups are there?

Thanks for any help, this issue has become so stressful to me I have actually considered cancelling but my daughter woukd be crushed. I hope things will turn out all right in the end.

This is around the time we are going too, and was wondering about this. I heard July and January are the big months they go, but thought someone mentioned the end of June, so was wondering if anyone saw them around the first/second week of June as well or if that was too early.

 

[Kara315]

Do they normally go in Jan and July?

Those two months are the most common months year after year I see people post about seeing them. I think someone said it has to do with their school breaks.

 

[MKMomma]

just, Wow! I've been reading these tour group posts for a while now, and can say that I have never vacationed when they were there! I guess we are just lucky.
But, the one observation I would like to make is: WHY DOESN"T anyone write, call, email message, just BUG Disney management with these complaints???? I think if they get enough complaints maybe they will be forced to do something about it. If they don't, then the tg's will continue to be rude and entitled.
I don't know about you, but if I encountered any of that type of rude behavior, I would have confronted them and then gone to guest services to complain. Someone would listen to me, that's for sure!!! I would feel that I had the right to do that, as I had paid probably more than they had (with their discounts and specials sent to them from Disney), with flights, resort, food, etc, etc. Why should we, as Americans, just give in and feel frustrated as if we can't do anything about it. I think it is cultural, as we try to accept other cultures and don't understand their animosity towards us.
Anyway, I wish everyone who has been bothered by these groups should pester Disney til they do something. Just my thoughts. Hopefully, the almight dollar will not mean more than dissatisfied American guests.

It falls on deaf ears. People have been complaining to Disney about the groups for years.