English in the parks - help

[carolahmed]

Hello everyone
I came here to look for help regarding English language in the Parks. Im from Brazil and a lot of Brazilian people always come to Orlando without speaking or understanding anything in English. So i would like to help some of them who are my friends and family. I tried to teach them the basic, like asking for help or directions. But i was wondering, what sentences or questions would help A LOT both guests and cast members if they'd knew before going there? What are some of the most important things to know that would make it easier for everybody?

Thanks!

 

[AndyS2992]

Hello, good bye, please and thank you go a long way first of all. They will be asked ‘how many?’ When boarding attractions so learning the number of how many there are in the group will be important. Language is important but etiquette is also important such as not cutting in line, keeping your voices down, no flash photography, eating, drinking or smoking on rides, the parks are non smoking apart from designated areas and so on.

On entering the park, grab a map and entertainment schedule as well make sure to download the My Disney Experience app before you go. Make sure to plan and research as much as possible before a trip. The more prepared you are before you go, the less questions you will need to ask which will help.

 

[WDWBusDriver]

In my line of work, knowing where you are staying in English is very helpful. Knowing left, right, straight, and numbers 1 to 55 are most helpful in helping bus drivers help you get where you are going. Andy is also right in Hello, Goodbye, Please, and Thank You all go a long way. Same with how many.

Guide maps are available in Portuguese (assuming that is the language they speak) as well as many other popular languages. If they need help with be sure to visit Guest Relations, they can help with basic translations as well with native Portuguese speaking Cast Members.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Teach them to say:

"Where is the bathroom?"

/end.

 

[carolahmed]

Hello, good bye, please and thank you go a long way first of all. They will be asked ‘how many?’ When boarding attractions so learning the number of how many there are in the group will be important. Language is important but etiquette is also important such as not cutting in line, keeping your voices down, no flash photography, eating, drinking or smoking on rides, the parks are non smoking apart from designated areas and so on.

On entering the park, grab a map and entertainment schedule as well make sure to download the My Disney Experience app before you go. Make sure to plan and research as much as possible before a trip. The more prepared you are before you go, the less questions you will need to ask which will help.

These are great! Thanks!

 

[carolahmed]

Teach them to say:

"Where is the bathroom?"

/end.

May i ask what makes you say that? Im curious. Haha do they have trouble asking about the bathroom?

 

[carolahmed]

In my line of work, knowing where you are staying in English is very helpful. Knowing left, right, straight, and numbers 1 to 55 are most helpful in helping bus drivers help you get where you are going. Andy is also right in Hello, Goodbye, Please, and Thank You all go a long way. Same with how many.

Guide maps are available in Portuguese (assuming that is the language they speak) as well as many other popular languages. If they need help with be sure to visit Guest Relations, they can help with basic translations as well with native Portuguese speaking Cast Members.

Thank you!! Never thought of help with transportation as well. Important tips. Thanks!

 

[Shouldigo12]

Do they know phrases for ordering at a restaurant, like the basic foods and drinks and things like that? I would also teach them "please scan your magic bands".

 

[Gitson Shiggles]

Do they know phrases for ordering at a restaurant, like the basic foods and drinks and things like that? I would also teach them "please scan your magic bands".

“I would like...” is useful when ordering.

 

[carolahmed]

Do they know phrases for ordering at a restaurant, like the basic foods and drinks and things like that? I would also teach them "please scan your magic bands".

They do... i taught this already because they have to learn all the basic stuff to go to restaurants and stores outside the parks. Im thinking more about regular park situations like the one you said "please scan your Magic bands" and things like that.
Thanks for your help!

 

[larryz]

How about "No Flash Photography"... they'll hear that phrase a lot.

 

[eliza61nyc]

May i ask what makes you say that? Im curious. Haha do they have trouble asking about the bathroom?

lol, I travel to Europe and that is the first thing I try to learn. truthfully I use the phrase more in restaurants, I tend to make a quick trip to the ladies room before leaving. so the ability to ask the waiter where it is, can be useful.

How to ask for help maybe useful. not that some thing bad would happen but if you are traveling with kids knowing how to get help in case some one gets separated/lost.

 

[Minnie Mum]

The basic courtesy phrases and common questions are always important to know. It wouldn't hurt for at least one person in the group to have a pocket English/Portuguese dictionary/phrase book with them. And since almost everyone always has their smart phone with them, Google Translate can give them both written and audio translations in seconds, as long as you keep it simple.

 

[thomas998]

May i ask what makes you say that? Im curious. Haha do they have trouble asking about the bathroom?

The reason is you don't alway have a map available showing where the bathrooms are and if you need one they aren't always easy to find depending on where you are in the park. The other thing to do is determine where the bathrooms are and map them out for you so that they will know where they are.

 

[graphite1326]

Hello, good bye, please and thank you go a long way first of all. They will be asked ‘how many?’ When boarding attractions so learning the number of how many there are in the group will be important. Language is important but etiquette is also important such as not cutting in line, keeping your voices down, no flash photography, eating, drinking or smoking on rides, the parks are non smoking apart from designated areas and so on.

On entering the park, grab a map and entertainment schedule as well make sure to download the My Disney Experience app before you go. Make sure to plan and research as much as possible before a trip. The more prepared you are before you go, the less questions you will need to ask which will help.

I believe there are maps available in front of the parks in several different languages.

 

[Disorbust]

So when I'm in a pinch with my spanish speaking patients we usually end up using an app that translates your phrase or question, I would recommend to look for one that works for your situation.

 

[Driver]

I believe there are maps available in front of the parks in several different languages.

This is true, and a trip to guest relations will get maps in not so common languages as well.
After reading all the post the question that sticks out in my mind is . If these folks speak Portuguese and you teach them how to ask a question in English, how will they interpret the answer?

 

[ppete1975]

id remind them singing and chanting is looked at poorly in this culture, as is cutting in lines. Also people in this country have a bubble (this goes for a lot of countries as americans bubbles are bigger than in most societies ..as is our waistlines)

 

[Weather_Lady]

One other thing for which the OP's friends might want to have English answers ready: "Are you on the Dining Plan?" (This will be asked by cashiers and restaurant servers whenever they are ordering food and beverages). Also, teaching them to recognize the words and symbols for "Standby" ride entrances and "Fastpass"/"FP+" entrances (and even phrases like, "is this the end of the line?") will help them avoid any confusion about which line to enter or where to wait, as the queue entrances are often right next to one another, and during time of heavy crowds, temporary queues are often set up which can extend back beyond the marked entrance (usually with a cast member at the very back, holding up a tall sign that says something like, "End of Line').

Other than that, it just comes down to common courtesy -- some non-language related tips would be: obey directions from cast members (Disney employees) and ask for clarification if you don't know what they're telling you to do, avoid engaging in loud or distracting behavior while on attractions or at shows, don't litter, at counter service restaurants clean up the table and take care of trays/trash when you've finished eating, etc. Also, I believe the tipping customs here are similar to Brazil: we usually tip anyone who handles our luggage for us ($1-$2/bag), servers at table service restaurants (~20%, unless the gratuity is already included in the price, as with the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue dinner show - if it's included, that information will be clearly indicated when you make your restaurant reservation), hotel housekeeping ($1-$2 per person in the room, per day), and cab drivers/rideshare drivers (15-20%, unless the gratuity has already been included in the price).

I believe the My Disney Experience app (which has maps, wait times and other tools, and can be used to organize and modify dining reservations and Fastpasses) can be used in a number of different languages, and might also be a handy tool for gathering information, finding nearby restrooms or dining venues, etc.

 

[MAGICFLOP]

id remind them singing and chanting is looked at poorly in this culture, as is cutting in lines. Also people in this country have a bubble (this goes for a lot of countries as americans bubbles are bigger than in most societies ..as is our waistlines)

I agree, they need to do like Americans do (or should do), study what is culturally acceptable behavior...
I've been to the parks many times when there was Brazilian tour group kids.. They certainly don't show the Brazilian culture in a good light, and I do realize they are spoiled rich kids.

Americans are extremely forgiving and patient when it comes to language, but not behavior...