Tour Group season is upon us

[beautybutafunnygirl]

I don't believe it is fair to group all teenagers together. I'm Canadian, and I went on a trip to Europe last spring break with 36 other teenagers. I have witnessed the tour groups in Disney World, and we did not act like them at all. We received many compliments about how well behaved we were.

 

[Piebald]

I saw a group of American girls start singing (chanting?) the star spangled banner on the subway in Paris upon seeing a guy in an American flag shirt (clearly not American just a fashion thing).

So to those who think this is exclusively Brazilian, just remember that any large group of young kids will go full no matter where they are or what they're doing. I have witnessed it many times in other countries as well.

 

[tdpolo26]

couldn't we just put bark collars on them... they get to loud and they get a warning... 5000 volts to the neck should do it.... pretty simple solution

 

[darkwingeeyore]

Anyone know how FP+ works for the groups? I'm well accustomed to seeing the group leaders feeding hundreds of tickets at a time into the FP distribution machines, then they all end up riding an attraction together at the same time and cause a huge backlog. I wonder since MM+ if this has changed? Do the individuals have access to the MDE app to make their own reservations? Do the Super Greeters control reservations? Or do the leaders still have control and have all their group's tickets linked to a MDE account? Its giving me a headache just thinking about it...

I was wondering this too. On my Honeymoon in July 2007 we were always in the same park as the tour groups and somehow always behind some one with 100+ tickets getting fastpasses. I must have looked really annoyed one day because there was a CM at tower of terror's fast pass distribution that handed me two passes with time overlaps. Not sure what happened that he had a stack but I was very grateful.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I don't believe it is fair to group all teenagers together. I'm Canadian, and I went on a trip to Europe last spring break with 36 other teenagers. I have witnessed the tour groups in Disney World, and we did not act like them at all. We received many compliments about how well behaved we were.

Right? Most teenagers are perfectly fine, upstanding folk excEPT WHEN YOU PLAY LOUD MUSIC LIKE THAT LADY CA$HA OR BEIBER OR TWERK TO 'HAPPY' AND YOU ALL HAVE WEIRD HAIR AND CLOTHES WHAT'S THE WORLD COMING TOO AND.....

Nah. Most teenagers, surpringly, manage to visit WDW having fun as perfectly happy visitors who don't give anybody any bother. This makes it all the more incomprehensible that Disney refuses to clamp down on those that do ruin the atmosphere with their chanting and mob mentality.

 

[TestTrack Dummy]

Had my first WDW vacation about 3 years ago with my girlfriend. We mistakenly chose a week in July and I learned my lesson. NEVER AGAIN! Those tour groups ruined out vacation, you can't escape them they're everywhere! They even chanted during most of the pre shows on rides like Dinosaur and ToT.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Agreed. Americans really set the bar for bad behavior (not all of us, but all it takes is a few.)

That said, my daughter had quite the run-in with a BTG in a DHS Ladies Room a few years back. A number of girls stripped naked in front of the sinks to change. I realize in comparison to many other countries, we're absolute prudes here in the states, but Yeesh.

This is what I don't get. It's expected for American's to tolerate what is questionable or even distasteful behavior in our country when people from other countries visit here. Then, let an American stumble into a faux pas in another country (ie. go tromping around indoors in our shoes in say Japan) and we're considered rude and boorish. Double standard much? I firmly believe if you're visiting another country it is the responsibility of the traveler to do a little homework ahead of time and be mindful of your behavior....don't feign ignorance and steamroll yourselves thru the environment you are in. It's inconsiderate, rude, and insulting. THIS is what I find the utmost in distasteful with these mobs of poorly behaved guests.

 

[wogwog]

This is what I don't get. It's expected for American's to tolerate what is questionable or even distasteful behavior in our country when people from other countries visit here. Then, let an American stumble into a faux pas in another country (ie. go tromping around indoors in our shoes in say Japan) and we're considered rude and boorish. Double standard much? I firmly believe if you're visiting another country it is the responsibility of the traveler to do a little homework ahead of time and be mindful of your behavior....don't feign ignorance and steamroll yourselves thru the environment you are in. It's inconsiderate, rude, and insulting. THIS is what I find the utmost in distasteful with these mobs of poorly behaved guests.

I might get dragged in the park in a week or two by visitors to FL. My first visit in a year or more. I have been waiting for the slow season to visit. Must have missed slow season while I was on a cruise. Not looking forward to the mobs. anyway, best response to the chanting I ever heard about was from a cast friend that saw a lady who had "smuggled" in one of those sporting event small air horns in her bag. She was in line at an attraction with one of the Brazil chanting fools. Every time they started a chant she hit the horn.

 

[FabulousFigment]

Never Again! We went one year and a group running towards the exit of MK trampled my family. One of them fell into our carriage and I was just so grateful my husband was carrying DS. In the same trip, we wound up on the same boat with part of a group in Mexico and they got out and walked around the show scenes!! Same group also cut the whole line because they seemed to be familiar with the CM. (not that there was much of a line but they did hop in front of us and a few other families) We also had a group leader in front of us in the standby line at TOT and about halfway to the building, no less than 50 kids joined him and skipped in front of everyone. They used their phone flashlights on the ride itself.. it was really ridiculous. When I complained, they offered me a re-ride and I was told, "yeah, thats just something they do".

I know kids can be crazy when there are large groups together but this was just downright disrespectful. I'm not sure if the CM's are told not to bother them too much because I never saw anyone say anything to any of them.

 

[note2001]

I might get dragged in the park in a week or two by visitors to FL. My first visit in a year or more. I have been waiting for the slow season to visit. Must have missed slow season while I was on a cruise. Not looking forward to the mobs. anyway, best response to the chanting I ever heard about was from a cast friend that saw a lady who had "smuggled" in one of those sporting event small air horns in her bag. She was in line at an attraction with one of the Brazil chanting fools. Every time they started a chant she hit the horn.

Just my reaction, but that air horn would have scared the crap out of me. I'd much rather put up with some chanting. We'll see how I feel when I return from our visit over the 4th here... my tune may change LOL

 

[216bruce]

This is what I don't get. It's expected for American's to tolerate what is questionable or even distasteful behavior in our country when people from other countries visit here. Then, let an American stumble into a faux pas in another country (ie. go tromping around indoors in our shoes in say Japan) and we're considered rude and boorish. Double standard much? I firmly believe if you're visiting another country it is the responsibility of the traveler to do a little homework ahead of time and be mindful of your behavior....don't feign ignorance and steamroll yourselves thru the environment you are in. It's inconsiderate, rude, and insulting. THIS is what I find the utmost in distasteful with these mobs of poorly behaved guests.

Just playing devils advocate here- both groups are wrong in the countries that they are visiting- neither group is 'doing their homework', but I have never seen adult tour groups cause much of a stink in WDW as far as chanting, etc. goes. Conversely, I've seen LOTS of adult Americans overseas really screw up with behavior. Is it loud? Not always, but most of it is best classified as arrogant or disrespectful like what women wear in churches when touring, cathedrals etc., talking loudly in the Sistine Chapel, etc. When they get 'shooshed' they get really angry too and ALL are warned beforehand. Many folks in 'Merica seem to think the rules don't apply to them. Not all, but lots do.
I really think it's more the age of the offenders than a strictly cultural thing- Pop Warner Football kids, Cheerleader tourneys, etc. are just as bad noise-wise and behaviorally as any foreign group.

 

[Bolna]

The interesting thing in this thread seems to be that Disney is actually addressing the problem by having those super greeters.

I still would love to know how FP+ works for them. Nobody here with any insight into that.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Just playing devils advocate here- both groups are wrong in the countries that they are visiting- neither group is 'doing their homework', but I have never seen adult tour groups cause much of a stink in WDW as far as chanting, etc. goes. Conversely, I've seen LOTS of adult Americans overseas really screw up with behavior. Is it loud? Not always, but most of it is best classified as arrogant or disrespectful like what women wear in churches when touring, cathedrals etc., talking loudly in the Sistine Chapel, etc. When they get 'shooshed' they get really angry too and ALL are warned beforehand. Many folks in 'Merica seem to think the rules don't apply to them. Not all, but lots do.
I really think it's more the age of the offenders than a strictly cultural thing- Pop Warner Football kids, Cheerleader tourneys, etc. are just as bad noise-wise and behaviorally as any foreign group.

Oh I agree. There's no acceptable excuse in either situation regardless of age. I wouldn't make excuses and I won't accept them. Period. If I knew my teens behaved that way I'd snap em down quick enough and respectful apologies made. I don't tolerate poor behavior.

Oh I know! Even 'Mericans in 'Merica act this way (the Sistine Chapel example). Just go to The Alamo. No hats. Body parts must be covered. Behave in any manner other than quiet reverence and the Rangers will escort you out in a flash. They don't tolerate it. Signs outside state clearly what us expected. Can't follow the rules? Get out. As it should be. Know where you are and be respectful. There's a reason for that.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

What exactly is a "Super Greeter"?

 

[tdpolo26]

couldn't we just put bark collars on them... they get to loud and they get a warning... 5000 volts to the neck should do it.... pretty simple solution

Maybe they could build it into the magic band

 

[Mr Anderson]

What exactly is a "Super Greeter"?

What exactly is sweet pee?

Sorry, I had to ask.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

What exactly is sweet pee?

Sorry, I had to ask.

Get your mind out of the gutter. LOL! My hubby and I took each other's wedding bands to have engraved before we got married. We had only known each other less than 4 months. We agreed to engrave a nickname for each other to be used for the rest of forever. Unfortunately, my poor husband is captain of the World's Worst Speller Club. He wrote on the engraving form "SweetPee" vs. Sweetpea like the flower. Could've been worse. What if he'd put "sweatpee" or "sweatpea"????

 

[wogwog]

Get your mind out of the gutter. LOL! My hubby and I took each other's wedding bands to have engraved before we got married. We had only known each other less than 4 months. We agreed to engrave a nickname for each other to be used for the rest of forever. Unfortunately, my poor husband is captain of the World's Worst Speller Club. He wrote on the engraving form "SweetPee" vs. Sweetpea like the flower. Could've been worse. What if he'd put "sweatpee" or "sweatpea"????

Super Greeters are mostly Brazilian college kids hired for the Tour season to translate and at least try to teach the groups the way to blend. Not always successfully. Most have been on an ICP program from Brazil in previous years.

 

[Mr Anderson]

Get your mind out of the gutter. LOL! My hubby and I took each other's wedding bands to have engraved before we got married. We had only known each other less than 4 months. We agreed to engrave a nickname for each other to be used for the rest of forever. Unfortunately, my poor husband is captain of the World's Worst Speller Club. He wrote on the engraving form "SweetPee" vs. Sweetpea like the flower. Could've been worse. What if he'd put "sweatpee" or "sweatpea"????

Hey, it wasn't in the gutter, that's just an odd username, that's all; I kept seeing you post and my curiosity got the best of me, thinking 'WHAT DOES IT MEEEEAN?!' That's a hilarious backstory, btw. One of my buddies did something similar... his wife's wedding ring has "I lvoe you" engraved inside, true story.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Hey, it wasn't in the gutter, that's just an odd username, that's all; I kept seeing you post and my curiosity got the best of me, thinking 'WHAT DOES IT MEEEEAN?!' That's a hilarious backstory, btw. One of my buddies did something similar... his wife's wedding ring has "I lvoe you" engraved inside, true story.

Oh no offense & I wasn't fussing. As I have the mind of a 12 yro often (side effect of raising teen boys) I think the spelling can be rather...uh...questionable? LOLOLOL! That's hilarious about your buddy! I'd be writing on all cards, love notes, texts, etc. for the rest of time to him specifically "Lvoe you!"