Where do the "notorious" tour groups usually stay?

[Cad1173]

I am sitting here shocked. I can't believe they peed in the bushes in front of Epcot. That is so disgusting. I have a very curious 4 year old daughter. I can just imagine trying to explain that to her. LOL.

[disneynarula]

To be fair... I have seen similar behavior (outside of the public urination) from American groups as well. We has some very unpleasant run ins with some baton twirlers at All Star Movies a few years ago. We were pushed in the lines at several rides by the same group. One person would hold a spot in line and the whole group would swarm in later.

Same thing happened during Pop Warner week. Lots of cheering in the food court. I don't think it should be allowed in public areas. They were behaving as if they were the only ones there. It was being encouraged by the adults.

It is bound to happen when there are large groups of teens/pre teens with limited supervision.

I think the groups from Brazil just seem worse because they travel in larger groups.

[azcavalier]

Just read a post on the Epcot Explorer's Guide website (epcyclopedia) about Disney's "Super Greeter" program for tour groups from Latin America, and most notably, Brazil. At the end of the article it says that Disney will host these groups at the All Star Resorts, Port Orleans Riverside, and Coronado Springs.

[PCruzer]

Just read a post on the Epcot Explorer's Guide website (epcyclopedia) about Disney's "Super Greeter" program for tour groups from Latin America, and most notably, Brazil. At the end of the article it says that Disney will host these groups at the All Star Resorts, Port Orleans Riverside, and Coronado Springs.

Yikes!!! Does it say when these resorts will be hosting these groups?

[azcavalier]

Yikes!!! Does it say when these resorts will be hosting these groups?

It just says "summer". Yep...planning to go in November is looking better and better!

[TinkerbellT421]

Yikes!!! Does it say when these resorts will be hosting these groups?

January is a definite.

[Melanie]

Yes, definitely January and July in full force. June and August see some action from these groups as well.

[Buttercup]

Definitely January. They were at All Star Movies this past January and hoo boy, they were loud. Not so much in the rooms and hallways, but the foodcourt was crazy! I think the main problem is that they travel in such LARGE groups. So when you're trying to cross a pathway, and there are 100 people from the tour group going past, you have to wait until they all finish going by before you can cross. Nobody lets you in! So that's a bit of a headache at the parks. But steer clear of them as best as you can and it's totally manageable.

[Melanie]

But steer clear of them as best as you can and it's totally manageable.

That's the thing though. I noticed this month that the amount of groups has increased significantly. It was almost impossible to avoid them altogether like so many suggest here. Now that I'm not local anymore, I'll definitely be planning any future trips around their visits. I hate to say it, and point out this group/nationality in particular, but it's fact. They bother me, plain and simple, and I will avoid them at all costs.

[MissMaryPoppins]

My family and I were staying at All Star Music for a couple of nights and there were many, as we call them, "flag people" staying there. They were very loud and rowdy in the food court and by the pool. My Dad and I took a walk to get some ice and we discovered the kids hanging out in the hall had emptied every ice machine near our rooms. It looked like they were throwing it at each other or something because ice was all over. When we were leaving the next morning to head to Old Key West we walked past rooms with their curtains open and the rooms seemed to be trashed. We were so glad when we checked into Old Key West and got to really relax...with ice in our villa.

[azcavalier]

That's the thing though. I noticed this month that the amount of groups has increased significantly. It was almost impossible to avoid them altogether like so many suggest here. Now that I'm not local anymore, I'll definitely be planning any future trips around their visits. I hate to say it, and point out this group/nationality in particular, but it's fact. They bother me, plain and simple, and I will avoid them at all costs.

According to the article I read, the interviewee stated that this year was going to be "record-breaking" regarding the tour groups. So, yep, it has increased.

[PCruzer]

Is there any way to find out if they will be at POR the first 2 weeks in September? Or any resort for that matter! Maybe they're back to school by then?

[kakn7294]

They are only there during the months of January and July.

We stayed at Riverside last week. We did have a couple groups of only girls who were actually very polite and well-mannered. The groups in the parks, not so much...

[biggun35]

We were in Orlando last week and ran in to the BTG at all Disney parks, Universal Studios and at Seaworld. We left Seaworld after a couple of hours because they were in line at every ride and show, it was an hour wait for every ride. Didn't have many issues with them but you knew to get out of the way when you saw the flag carrier.

[buzznwoodysmom]

We are here now. At CBR and so far no signs of any groups. We were at DTD for several hours today and didn't see any groups there either. We spent most of today at the pool and it's been pretty quiet. We won't be in the parks till tomorrow, but so far so good at the resort. Although I'm sure they are in the parks right now. It may be different tonight when the parks start closing.

[Melanie]

Glad to hear the good report so far Denise!

[PirateLover]

They may travel heaviest in January and July, but they are certainly there at other times. I have seen groups during trips that occurred in December, late May, and late June. The worst we've experienced was definitely the late June crowd, which makes sense since it's so close to July. Our last visit was late August, and I don't recall seeing any.

As for their behavior, I'm more likely to subscribe to the theory that its more of a group mentality thing rather than a cultural thing. I have been on the recieving end of more rude behavior from Pop Warner and Cheerleading groups. We haven't been recipients of rude behavior from Brazilians per say, but I will say that they don't seem to stop for anything. The fearless leader marches on with the rest of the group in tow. Don't even try to cut through, just wait for them to pass. The only issue we've run into was with FastPass-the group leader carries all of the cards and puts them into the FastPass machine. There was an issue where the leader realized he didn't have the right number of FastPasses and he must have missed one ticket along the way. The CM was going to make him reinsert each card, which is not only a waste of time but also a waste of paper because it spits out a paper to tell you that you can't get another FP yet if its invalid. My DH said something and the CM just printed a comp ticket for him and sent him on his way.

[texas211]

I know I ran into them heavy at All Star Music last year. I'll never stay at a Value or in the summer, again. I decided to go cheap and paid the penalty for it.

Disney couldn't do anything about the noise or the commotion outside our room, even after several hrs and late at night. I threatened to confront them all and make them pay attention. Strangely enough, Disney felt they then needed to move me to a moderate, free of charge, to make the situation right.

[eandrsmom]

With big numbers comes big $. On our first morning, I was picking up our tickets at DQ, and was behind a tour leader. She was picking up tickets for their group. She must have had at least three stacks of tickets that were over an inch thick! I can't even imagine what the cost of those tickers had to be. I'm sure Disney is making a ton of money on these groups, so regular folks will be moved. I think they're happy to accomodate these large groups.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

Just got home yesterday from a WONDERful trip--with NOOOO problems from any tour groups! Arrived on the 25th, stayed at CBR, and had a peaceful, terrific experience! Saw a few medium-sized groups of mostly girls in the parks Saturday, but no chanting, no problems with lines, nothing!!!! Crowds in general were amazingly low!! Was not expecting that in July!!!