The Group That Scared Cast Members (Tour Groups Revisited)- Confessions of a Theme Park Worker
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- There aren't many groups of people that scare Disney cast members, groups that they hated when they arrived. But there was one when I worked there: The Argentinian and Brazilian tour groups! What was so horrible about them? Are they as bad today? Or have things changed?
This is looking back on my original video, the Groups That Scared Cast Members, and updating it.
A behind the scenes look at what a former worker at Disney World, Silver Dollar City, and Busch Gardens Florida experienced in his time working at the parks. From driving large safari trucks around live wild animals while cracking one silly joke after another, to spending 5 years as a #PhotoPass photographer at #WaltDisneyWorld and seeing and experiencing all sorts of things, to being a conductor and #trainrobber on the famous Frisco Silver Dollar Line at #SilverDollarCity. With 10 years of working in the parks, there's lots of stories to tell. Here is some of them...
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Here's a link to the original video I did about this 3 years ago. It's my most viewed video. ua-cam.com/video/jGzWopSeGqc/v-deo.html
One of those groups tripped me at Disneyworld and I got knocked unconscious by someone's foot
I have already seen that video, sorry. I do like your "behind the lens" type stories. Things that you caught on camera always make me laugh or smile.
I remember being at It's A Bugs Life and a group from Brazil pushed their way around my family, even pushing my daughter who was about 8 at the time to the ground I was impressed by the Cast Member who stopped them, made them go back, escorted us and a few other families to the front, made sure my daughter was okay and even offered a special fast pass for her After that we tried avoiding the groups.
Hey! I'm from Brazil and I'm preparing myself to work as a tour guide for some of these groups at Walt Disney World, and it's great to see this type of video and read the comments, this way I can learn what's wrong with Brazilian groups and, hopefully, make them better. Thank you for talking about this topic!
Nicole said they were a pain but if they misbehaved the green shirts as they were called stopped it quickly. Oh and you are wearing my shirt! 😂
I feel bad for the cast members that have to deal with these groups.
Can u say the lion king stampede anyone that’s what I think of these groups reminds me of
Having seen tour groups in person, I can see how bad it could get. I can’t even imagine how bad they were. “Mob mentality” anyone?
Are there any further suggestions you have regarding the tour groups? Like limiting the size of them? Maybe if they all broke off into several small, manageable groups things wouldn’t be so chaotic?
Now I know what they remind me of!- The anchovies in Spongebob. It's the first episode.
I loved your bump and shove video effects! Counting is hard, especially when there are bigger numbers than 1 hand. ;)
I didn't notice any tour group or cheerleader issues during my March 2019 WDW trip, but I do remember, not so fondly, issues from the past of being (figuratively) run over a few times (a Spaceship Earth moment of 20+ people is particularly poignant) and also hords of cheerleaders in uniform doing chants and traveling in clumps throughout the parks on competition weekends which overlapped early February trips we took at least twice.
I remember going to universal studios in Hollywood and having Japanese tourists in groups run and push me out of the way to get on Harry Potter it was scary
Very unusual of the Japanese
So, the first and only time I went to Orlando was in 2013. I don't remember any tour groups (thankfully) but you're right about them being culturally different (of course).
The only story I have is I believe a family from Brazil (they were definitely from South America) was sitting near me at Islands of Adventure. One of them left their wallet on a table for anyone to steal. Me, being a good person, decided to pick it up and give it to them. They gave me dirty looks for even touching the wallet! Maybe that's not a cultural thing but I have never forgotten their reaction.
These groups were the worst. We went in 2012 and there were people waiting in line for the park to open including us. When this big group got there they split up and ran for the lines. A group of four girls just squeezed themselves in a small gap in front of us. We told them they had to go to the back of the line and they just looked at us like they didn’t know what we were talking about . Then my husband told them in Spanish with a stern voice and they left. Ha ha. They looked like they felt like the park was for them. No one else mattered. We would make our way to a line that was short and a group of 30 would run to the line so then we were waiting for the end of their group to get in which was a lot and then once you were in line a few that were late would want to join them. We finally started blocking them from doing that. We also stopped waiting for the whole group to pass to get in line and started just jumping in when there was a gap. It was like playing hop scotch. Lol My husband was called a bad name in Spanish by one of them while waiting in line at the lion king because their whole group was scattered in the line under trees and groups on the grass that there was a huge gap when we got there. They started telling us they were in line which it was hard to tell that they were. We just told them when the doors opened for the show we would let them in first. That’s when they got mad at curse at him. The worst was in 2016 when the fireworks were going to start. I guess during the night parade they all had the spot in front of the castle where the partner statue is and decided to stay there in the exact same spot for the fireworks show. They were all sitting down and the spot where the parade had passed in front of the castle was wide I’m open for people to stand there to see the show . So people started filling in the spot in front of them waiting for the show. They then began shouting for all of us to sit down. I looked around and there were elderly that were not going to be able to sit down on the hard pavement and get up. A lot of us did not want to sit down just because. When we did not sit they began walking up to people and telling them to sit. The whole group started chanting “ Sit down (clap clap) sit down ( clap clap). Some people got scared and sat. Then our group started chanting “ stand up! (Clap clap) stand up ! ( clap clap). It was hilarious. They thought we were going to block the fireworks by us standing up and they were sitting. I told one of them that fireworks will be in the sky. and they will be able to see them. They didn’t get it and kept on with it until an announcer said that nobody had to sit down. They would all be able to enjoy the show. When the show started they all stood up and a lot ran through our group to be in front of the castle 🏰. Sorry so long but I still remember these stories till this day and we still talk about them. 😆
I haven’t seen that many tour groups recently I’ve only seen one at universal I think which was a group of sick/disabled kids which they were really lovely
I worked at Toy Story Mania earlier this year and they were the worst in the queue. Their chanting would echo through the building and you could hear them yelling inside the ride which ruined the immersion. The groups were so big that they would still have people waiting in line while others were getting off. The only position I liked them at was grouper where you put people into rows because you could just say "2 to row 1, 2 to row 2, 2 to row 3..." and didn't have to worry about keeping the group in the same ride vehicle since they wouldn't all fit in one. During my time there, I can only remember one good tour group. I was out monitoring fastpass and somehow the whole group all got the same fastpass for the same window and they were so organized! I was honestly shocked. The leader holding the flag stood by the touchpoints making sure everyone had their tickets ready. One of them didn't have the fastpass but I just didn't say anything because it would have caused a bigger hassle if I did. By the time I got rotated back inside they had just made it to the ride and they were well behaved inside too! Honestly I thought the cheerleaders were much worse, although I did have a few very respectful groups, because at least the tour groups had adults with them trying to keep everyone in line. Most cheer groups would just let the teens go around in small groups without adults.
When I was at Disney 3 years ago I can’t recall seeing any tour groups but ill keep my eye open next year I’m going hopefully end of October in 21
Last year my family and I went for my birthday and one of the groups cut us in line at Rockin Rollercoaster. They literally just started shoving past us. Thankfully a couple of cast members came and escorted them back to the back and gave us all that they shoved around some stickers and apologized.
Yes, we need these guides/ambassadors. I wonder if the groups go through orientation with ground rules? Thank you G for yet another fun video.
I've never had any experience with these groups personally, but I've seen some videos, and heard some real horror stories. It's good to hear that they're getting better though! Hopefully this continues! I'm friends with a few individuals from Brazil, and they're very nice people, so I always hated that particular groups of the past made them look bad because of the way they would behave! Anyway, thanks for another great video, and I hope you and your family are staying healthy!
Oh my god those Brazilian tour groups! I always waited to see what direction they were going and then I went the other way. I remember seeing one of those tour groups at Universal Studios Florida just after Transformers opened. Thankfully they were at the arch so I made a beeline for the turnstiles as a passholder and got in as quick as possible. I made it far enough into the Transformers where I didn’t even hear them in line.
they should have issued riot gear to cast members and characters.
A couple years ago we found ourselves at DAK and there was THE tour group. We avoided them most of the morning. We were sitting outside at pizzafari finishing lunch when a wad of them shows up. I was huh oh. Poked my husband and we watched. They was all clumped together about 20 trying to read the menu convert money on their phones etc. but they was pretty much ok. We have been there when the chant lines went thru and we would go immediately to what ever park might be less jammed up usually Epcot since it’s so big and we can negotiate around them. They used to be just overwhelming. I can’t imagine what their parents paid for this trip or why!!!!!
I have had several encounters with the Brazilian tour groups, and *none* of them were pleasant. I believe it was around 2009 or so, I was at the Magic Kingdom when the Wall of Yellow came marching and cheering and shouting into Liberty Square. For some reason, they decided to do a flash mob and all of them stood still in the same pose. Just standing there, blocking the flow of traffic. They also laughed at me for putting on sunscreen. Later on, in 2015, I was in line for the Minecart ride, and this group came barreling into the queue, and I got cut in line several times.
No sense of decorum from these people.
This is a pleasant surprise! I found your channel through the first video about these groups just last week, and immediately subscribed to you. Great video!
Thank you so much!!
I’ve been bumped and jostled by these groups like I was invisible.
We ran into an Asian tour group here in Disneyland on one of those 24 hour events a couple years ago. I dont think a lot of the group could speak any English fluently and some of them pushed people out of the way. That's when we decided it was time to leave cause my boyfriend didn't want to deal with them the whole day. Leaving the resort took forever because thats when I guess the tour group decided to leave as well unfortunately.
They flooded the tram shoving us out of the way even though we were next in line and my boyfriend just about lost his temper. The cast members came to the rescue , we got put into a van normally reserved for handicapped and their families I think?
We haven't done any more 24 hour events
although I think they discontinued them recently
I’m originally from South America and I remember those tour groups when I was a kid. The ones holding the flag (chaperones)try to keep everyone entertained by having their group cheer and sing. They probably were one group against another, so whoever is louder wins something. It’s a cultural thing. Mostly down in South America.
Now, after being in the US for 20+ years, longer than in my birth country. I seen these groups and having a child. I felt embarrassed. It’s a horrible behavior. I actually said it’s on now, since they cut you off even when you’re pushing a stroller so I just hit them with the stroller. They pissed me off.
I don't remember ever having a run-in with a tour group. I do remember last time I was at WDW (Feb 2015), dealing with the cheerleaders. I think it was the weekend of a cheer competition, so they were there. I remember being in the queue for Space Mountain and a few of them were yelling/cheering. Inside the SM queue is very echoey and loud and that was not pleasant. Luckily a cast member was walking around saying that they had 2 seats open. My dad and I took that opportunity very quickly!!!
I've been conducting (spieling) on the trains at Busch Gardens Tampa and I've had to stop mid-sentence because they would stop in the middle of the pathway behind the Nairobi train station and start cheering/clapping/singing at the top of their lungs. It'd just drown out what I was saying.
I've also had to pull the emergency brake to stop at 76 ton train from leaving a station...because they'd try to walk in through the back EXIT GATE to try and get on the train; and then get mad when we've had to tell them no, because they could've cost me, the engineers or the station attendance our jobs.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Welcome to our park, have fun, have a great time! Just PLEASE keep the safety rules in mind. We don't wanna see you get hurt! :)
Awesome video
From what I heard disney told the tour groups and cheerleaders if they were acting up the got banned it made a world of difference working at Hollywood studios aka mgm both groups were quieter and more respectful towards the cast members
Whilst we (my brother & I) were returning to our Resort Hotel (PO Riverside July 2018), a HUGE group of Brazillian got on the same Bus as us and once they realized they were at the wrong resort, they crowded the driver saying that he had not gone back to the correct hotel (Old Key West). PO Riverside gave them 2 interconecting rooms to get changed and explained how to get where they needed to go and provided 4 staff members to accompany them. The reason I know it was Two Interconnecting rooms were All girls going into one and boys going into another, then 2 hours later boys and girls with sheepish looks (hot and flustered) falling out of both rooms - which you know that had not entered. They were out of their "Tour Clothes" and were (the girls particually) inapproprite clothing (barely there bikini tops & belts - failing to be skirts) decending on the food court and then almost sinking the boat to Disney Springs.
At another magical theme park they were worse when I first started working there, but now it doesn't seem too bad. I'm not a hundred percent sure if we have implemented similar things but there is a difference. Might be better companies or something? I've enjoyed time with the tour groups actually, and have been able to joke with them more than I used to. Granted in smaller venues that I worked at where it was slower but still. I don't know if it is the companies or the kids but I have met alot more polite kids. I mean don't get me wrong kids will still be kids and you'll always have a more rambunctious few but there is a difference. However this is when I worked last which has been a few months even before the closures.
And you are right about the families though, they are usually very nice. Personally I always thought it was cute when I would run the dipping dots stand and have a little kid try to ask for one in English. It was always cute because they were very shy and always drag their parent over to help them. But it was usually positive memories. Granted there were bad eggs but that's with anybody honestly.
The intro is boss
Hello. I know its not about this video, but i watched the live stream tonight and could not comment in time. You had ducktales in your Disney plus que and mentioned you liked the three Caballeros movie. A great disney plus series from a few years ago, and was never available in the US, is the series legends of the three Caballeros. It was amazing and even had daisy's nieces, april, may, and june. I think you will like it.
Honestly I had not noticed them at Universal recently, before the lockdown. (I only have AP for UO.) I guess that says something.
At 9:33, they look like they are walking to SCHOOL instead of the next ride at a major theme park, ha.
No wonder I seen tourists and lines weren't taken over
That would drive me crazy
Reminds me of young heathens weekend
Sadly that was a whole nother thing down there. Night of Joy, as Disney called it, was a, shall we say, "experience"
Safety in numbers? Apparently not if you're a cast member!
I wonder how they will behave after the parks start opening back up..... Will they still follow the [inevitably new, and hopefully temporary] rules? Or will they be the ones that "ruin" it and make Disney close back down? Guess we'll find out! If they're as good as they were in your recent trips, hopefully they'll still be good! I have horror stories from June 2012 about them..... I also have a bad experience (not TOO bad, not like, trip-ruiningly bad) with an AMERICAN tour group from early October 2017 at Magic Kingdom. They wanted to have special seating on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the ride attendants were trying to get things sorted out for them, but they had too many people in their tour group to fit in one train even though they wanted to try. I don't remember what the outcome was, but the tour leaders were insistent they stay together in as few trains as possible and the CMs were like, we can't exactly do that the way they were wanting it to happen. How about you split your group into smaller groups over more trains? It was a mess.
The problem is they are usually very young and with little to no supervision. Same as events like Rock The Universe where parents dump their kids at the gate unchaperoned, because what could happen to them at a theme park during a faith event! Kids do as kids are. The tour groups were the same, their parents stayed home and sent their teenage kids alone with scores of other similar, normally well behaved kids who have been given carte blanche to go wild for the first time in their young lives. OF COURSE they are going to misbehave! And the peer pressure of the group to join in is huge. Yes, this is not about a particular country or culture, it's about hormones!
I encountered only one bad group in a themepark. It was a choir group. Over one hour in line and they were singing churchsong half the time. Every time someone asked them to stop some group members said: "Only one more.", "We all just having fun here." and "It`s sunday we always sing on sundays." Many people waited after the ride so we could all go in the opposite direction.
I've no problem with people singing in line some, especially if they sing well. But when people are asking them to stop and they refuse, that's discourteous and disrespectful to those around them. Being from a church background, they were probably thinking they were "being a good witness" to those around, when they were actually having the opposite effect of what they intended.
They're moving in herds.....They do move in herds.
I live on the west coast so Disneyland is our main Disney park. We have Asian tour groups and, while they can be a bit rude (like pushing or not saying “excuse me” when passing someone), they are well-behaved. If it wasn’t for the tell-tale flag, you wouldn’t know they were there because how quiet they are.
Pushing is touched. And uninvited touch is assault.
Some countries don't respect lines
Oh, I’m so happy Disney was proactive finally!
That should have been in your why Disneyland and why Disneyworld is better videos. Disneyland doesn't really have them, they all go to Disneworld.
They may not have these particular groups, but I've heard they have others they have issues with. :-)
@@SirWillow Oh no, really? Which ones?
Brazil: Bring in the Germans.
Argentina: Bring in the French.
And if we can get the Germans and the French to work together, both can be handled at the same time.
Americans when the trees start speaking vietmese
Russians when the snow starts speaking Finnish
Cast members when the ride line starts speaking Brazilian Portuguese
Love your video ❤️ Come and join our party 🎉🎤🎉
I find this fairly racist. You have to understand we flew for hours and hours to be here with our classmates and friends, of course we are going to be overly enthusiastic. Many of our families are poor compared to the average American family and for most of us this is a one in a lifetime experience. Sorry for making the most out of it, and if our cultural norms are different from yours.
I've traveled internationally. As I said, I've seen Americans do some of the same bad behavior in other countries, which is why I was embarrassed of it when I was there (both in France and Israel) It's still not appropriate behavior, wherever you're from.
perhaps read some of the other comments from other people's experiences and then ask yourself, do you want people doing that to you?
It's fine to have different cultural norms, but when you are visiting another country it's rude to think the ppl "living there" should bend their own cultural norms in their own home to cater to yours. It's rude when Americans do it overseas, and it's rude when visitors to America do it too.
When you go to someone else's house you don't get to create your own rules, offend the ppl that live there, then turn it around on them. No, you should be respectful in someone else's home. Not saying you should be a robot, of course, enjoy yourself and do you. But when "doing you" becomes a problem and interferes with others around you...then you're being rude. That goes for citizens within a country, or visitors to a foreign country. It's called being considerate to the ppl around you.
It's a cop out to call it "different cultural norms." Diverse norms are fine, but if you're visiting another country then you should be mindful of THEIR cultural norms as well.