More tour groups from South America?

[markstudy]

I've heard a lot of stories that the weak dollar is causing even more tour groups from South America to show up this month? Any truth to this?

Any good stories?

Thanks

[bpgstudios]

I don't know if its particularly the weak dollar as a cause, but there has been an unexpected influx of Brazilian tour groups over the last 2 weeks in Magic Kingdom. Had 2 or 3 groups of 50 in Philhar per hour last weekend. Some were good listeners, some were pretty crappy and rowdy. Took me by surprise as I didn't remember them showing up in January last year (I remember lasy year they came in the summer, june or august maybe).

[Cranbiz]

I too have noticed an influx of Brazillians the last week or two. Most have been much better behaved than the last groups.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

maybe someone from guest relations is sending them some info about how to behave?

[mechurchlady]

Maybe all the bad ones are barred from the parks or maybe the Brazillian government realized that its people are a pain in the neck and that the Brazilian nation has lost face because of them rowdy arses. Get me to WDW and I will take care of them with my ECV.

[rwdavis2]

I saw 3 at MK on 1/18 and another couple groups at Epcot on Tuesday the 22nd. No problems that I experienced. Maybe they should be the rude groups on Journey into Imagination with Figment? To be polite, that ride is lacking.
Bob

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I saw 3 at MK on 1/18 and another couple groups at Epcot on Tuesday the 22nd. No problems that I experienced. Maybe they should be the rude groups on Journey into Imagination with Figment? To be polite, that ride is lacking.
Bob

I have never seen any when I have gone to WDW, but then again we usually go in September. I have read quite a few stories, some funny, others just sad that SG's seem to have a "herd" mentality.

[Ms. Matterhorn]

I don't know if its particularly the weak dollar as a cause, but there has been an unexpected influx of Brazilian tour groups over the last 2 weeks in Magic Kingdom. Had 2 or 3 groups of 50 in Philhar per hour last weekend. Some were good listeners, some were pretty crappy and rowdy. Took me by surprise as I didn't remember them showing up in January last year (I remember lasy year they came in the summer, june or august maybe).

Well, it is summer in Brazil!

[Big Wallaby]

The ones this year haven't been all that bad. At least, not at KSR, and not when I've been working land positions (any position *NOT* driving a truck, regular to any attraction). I have also been lucky that I did not wind up driving them, except one group that had a guide that wanted to translate, and they all listened, and they were quiet. Not sure what they thought of the poacher scene. For that run, I turned off Wilson, just took them on a tour of the animals, complete with the conservation facts and message. It takes a finesse, but it can be done.

[HarryFromMarydelDE]

I've seen tons and tons of Brazilian guests in the Confectionery for a while now, I've never had any problems with them except for a handful of language problems which were usually pretty easily resolved (it helped that we had a lot of Brazilian ICPs until last week). I like them, but the younger ones seem to be "extra-giggly" so I guess they might be a problem on some attractions. As someone pointed out, most of Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere so it's their summer. I definitely think the strong real/weak dollar is having an effect, as I have had a number of conversations with Brazilian ICPs on this subject. (I have also had quite a few Canadian and British guests mention the exchange rate as a reason they are making the trip this year.) Someone told me that Disney has really increased their advertising throughout South America recently, I don't know if this is true but if it is it might be having an effect as well.

-Harry

[Princess Susi]

Maybe all the bad ones are barred from the parks or maybe the Brazillian government realized that its people are a pain in the neck and that the Brazilian nation has lost face because of them rowdy arses. Get me to WDW and I will take care of them with my ECV.

You and me Churchy, together we can form an SUV-ECV armada and run em down!!!!!!! LOL!:D:
susi

[Big Wallaby]

I'd get an ECV to help with that! Or maybe I'll just put my mom in one.

[EeyoresButterfly]

At least they are being well behaved this year. I remember a couple of years ago we had a huge incident at the sorcerer's hat. It was time for one group of characters to replace the other. The people in this one particular tour group had figured out where we came on/off stage. After the group came out to replace their respective characters, the group blocked the exit to backstage and proceeded to go after the characters, even attempting to pull the heads off of several. :eek: I know that there have been problems before with these groups on parade routes attempting to pull off costume pieces, especially gloves. It's sad because really, the majority of tour groups are quite well behaved. It only takes a few bad ones to turn the CMs sour on all groups.

[markstudy]

I heard on another board...that they are now playing a message in Portuguese at Fantasmic to try and end the yelling matches between tour groups.

He said that right after a "who can yell louder contest" a message came over the stadium in Portuguese... is this new?

Also someone else mentioned that the larger groups are being led by former Disney staff (what ever that means) as a new attempt by Disney to get more qualified group leaders .....sort of the school of thought-(we don't need to fix 50 bad kids, just one bad group leader)

[EeyoresButterfly]

The group leaders are the worst! We were at Indy when a couple of tour groups came in. They were getting ready for the pre-show, and the groups were chanting as loud as they could, everybody in my area was mad. I was upset, but at least I can go see the show anytime I want. At one point somebody tried to throw a stack of FPs to another group member and hit a British guest who was sitting next to us in the head. She picked them up to see what they were and got yelled at by the tour guide to give them back. During the pre-show, the group kept yelling and chanting, everybody in our area was asking why CMs weren't doing anything. When they went to pick somebody from the section we were in, the tour guide jumped on stage. Poor Marion, you could tell she let him do it just so they wouldn't create a scene. He started to conduct his group from the stage. I finally got up and left, and when we got outside I asked to speak to a GSM. Trying to remain calm I explained what happened and asked why no CMs had intervened. He gave us a No-Strings even though we said that's not what we were looking for, that we were more concerned about the guests. He said stage management had called him and told him to keep an eye on the group and they were going to talk to the CMs about how to handle this type of behavior. It's jsut disappointing that the show was ruined for all of the guests, not just in our section, but in the show because of this one group with a bad guide.

[Big Wallaby]

I hope the FastPasses in question were not given back. Especially when the tour guide started yelling at the person to do so. Had I been there as a guest, I would have taken them to the GSM or something.

[Cheshire Figment]

Also someone else mentioned that the larger groups are being led by former Disney staff (what ever that means) as a new attempt by Disney to get more qualified group leaders .....sort of the school of thought-(we don't need to fix 50 bad kids, just one bad group leader)
I have seen CMs at the Epcot GRO with Brazil on their nametags.

[vixen101485]

Maybe Disney actually listened to/read suggestions that people put up on the internet. I have seen and suggested that more then once as a solution. Thankfully I have never had to experience the massive tour groups chanting but you bet your sweet booty I would have been having a chat with the leader over respecting others cultures.

[Mar]

:eek: now I'm getting scared ~ I leave next Friday.... hope they're not obnoxious, I only know how to swear in Spanish, not Portugese.... think they'll understand anyway? lol

[vixen101485]

To quote a certain octopus (she is an octopus right?) NEVER underestimate the importance of BOOOODDDDY language.:D:

[Ms. Matterhorn]

I've always held that Portuguese is just mushy Spanish! Bom gia = buenos dias!

[Randy B]

You and me Churchy, together we can form an SUV-ECV armada and run em down!!!!!!! LOL!:D:
susi

Move over Hell's Angels. Here come the Heck's Gimps. :D::twisted:

The Angels have their "colors" on black leather jackets. What "colors" will be the sign of the HG's?

Randy

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Move over Hell's Angels. Here come the Heck's Gimps. :D::twisted:

The Angels have their "colors" on black leather jackets. What "colors" will be the sign of the HG's?

Randy

WHAT ELSE BUT::flybongo:

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

When DW and I went in Dec. the group we ran into at the CP character breakfast made me want to commit Harikari. It was horrible, we both had one plate of food then beat feet.

Good thing the only reason we went was for some decent castle shots.

Sean

[mechurchlady]

Move over Hell's Angels. Here come the Heck's Gimps. :D::twisted:

The Angels have their "colors" on black leather jackets. What "colors" will be the sign of the HG's?

Randy
The handicapped symbol of a smilie in a wheelchair in bright blue.

WE STOP FOR NOBODY
big blue smiley in wheelchair
EXCEPT FOR CMs!!!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

When DW and I went in Dec. the group we ran into at the CP character breakfast made me want to commit Harikari. It was horrible, we both had one plate of food then beat feet.

Good thing the only reason we went was for some decent castle shots.

Sean

Sounds like a story there......(??)

[Randy B]

Sounds like a story there......(??)

No GP, they are talking about photos of the castle, not alcoholic shots from a castle shaped glass. ;):D:

Randy

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

No GP, they are talking about photos of the castle, not alcoholic shots from a castle shaped glass. ;):D:

Randy

I was thinking more along the lines of a group of people at breakfast that would make him want to do himself in!!

(do they HAVE castle shaped glasses??)

[Randy B]

(do they HAVE castle shaped glasses??)

Sure they do. Most of them have dark colored lenses.

(Having fun, intentionally missing every point in any way possible.) :D:

Randy

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Being a table of two, we were fortunate enough to be wedged between two tables of shrieking Brazilians. Think nails on a chalkboard x16 (two table of 8). Then the roll tossing began, mind you at my house it is a common occurence, but when bits of food from other peoples table land in my breakfast cassarole I get slightly upset. OT, has anyone had that cassarole, it is like some sort of bread pudding with raspberries and cinnamon. Mmmmm bread pudding :drool:. (can we get a drooling smilie? I didn't see one)

Sorry. Anyway the charachters begin to filter around the room and the entire group, maybe 50 of them, start crowding the characters. Now being 30 the character interaction really isn't my bag but I did want one pic with Tigger (my favorite). The handlers were overwhelmed and we just beat feet.

We got what we went for some good pictures of the castle. As for the castle shots? Make mine Black Sambuca and keep them coming!

Sean

[Zazu]

Mmmmm bread pudding :drool:. (can we get a drooling smilie? I didn't see one)Look again: :drool:

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Look again: :drool:


Sorry I must have missed it..

Sean

[Goofyernmost]

WHAT ELSE BUT::flybongo:

I'm sorry but I cannot make out what that is a picture of. Please enlighten me! Thanks.:confused:

[Shorty82]

I'm sorry but I cannot make out what that is a picture of. Please enlighten me! Thanks.:confused:

As the tooltip that pops up when you mouse over the smilie says it is a Flying Bongo, an invention of SGT.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

As the tooltip that pops up when you mouse over the smilie says it is a Flying Bongo, an invention of SGT.

A flying bongo that shoots Poison Quills!!!

[Whazzup]

A flying bongo that shoots Poison Quills!!!

And it's the official pet of the SGT web site! And a personal favorite of Big Wallaby.

[Big Wallaby]

I love bongos, but I especially love the flying bongo that shoots its quills.

[Planner]

Hey did they ever manage to get that Bongo over at AKL to stay inside the security fence? When we were there he was between the first "fence" and the building, kept trying to hide out in the bushes near the rock. The animal guide folks said he learned to get loose and just would not stay in. Freaky to see him walk right under our balcony one day, lovely animal but a big boy.

[BRWombat]

Hey did they ever manage to get that Bongo over at AKL to stay inside the security fence? ...Not a problem... Even if it was flying it'd just bump into the invisible dome. :rolleyes:

Oh, are we talking about a real one?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Not a problem... Even if it was flying it'd just bump into the invisible dome. :rolleyes:

Oh, are we talking about a real one?

Dont forget that it is quite possible that the burrowing alligators made a tunnel for him!! (A Utilagator?)

[Zazu]

Look again: :drool:

Sorry I must have missed it..You didn't miss it, I only just uploaded it.

You're not losing your mind, I'm messing with it!

[paddington2004]

I work in the box office at Cirque and I have noticed more and more Brazillians coming into town.

I was wondering if being extremely indecisive is a common occurance in South American families?

I see it with all sorts of people, but a lot of the time, South American families will come up to the booth, stare at the prices and chat about it for about 5 minutes...then ask to see the seating chart, chat for another 10 minutes, ask me every single question available, then talk amongst themselves for awhile longer....then, they ask for front and center seats which have been sold out for at least 3 weeks.

On another note: I don't understand SGs who come to Cirque on the day of show expecting to get A+ seats. It's an extremely popular show, and any every-day joe can figure out that a reservation would be a good idea.

[hobie16]

then, they ask for front and center seats which have been sold out for at least 3 weeks.

On another note: I don't understand SGs who come to Cirque on the day of show expecting to get A+ seats. It's an extremely popular show, and any every-day joe can figure out that a reservation would be a good idea.
It's because they're...

...Special!

[Theme Park Where]

On another note: I don't understand SGs who come to Cirque on the day of show expecting to get A+ seats. It's an extremely popular show, and any every-day joe can figure out that a reservation would be a good idea.

Don't worry, it's not just you. They do that at Blue Man Group too!

[StephM]

A flying bongo that shoots Poison Quills!!!

OMG I thought it was dropping S-bombs! :D: