New Cast Members-Brazil

[cer]

So I just wanted to give a little mini trip report on something I am pretty excited about.

We were walking through Port Orleans Riverside (on June 16, I know because it was my birthday) and spotted some lanyard-wearing cast members who had the Friendship Boat pins (our latest quest) - which is why we stopped them.

These guys were great, they were from Brazil and hired by Disney. They were wearing collared shirts that were a true green with the symbol from the Brazilian flag embroidered on them. We really enjoyed visiting with them and learned that they were part of a group of Brazilian cast members hired by Disney to bridge the gap between Disney, the average Disney guest and these groups. Sort of like "Good Will Ambassadors".

Later in the week I saw a second pair of these Brazilian representatives standing with the security guards at the "no bags to check" entrance at MK.

It just made me feel good to see Disney making efforts to improve the experience for everyone where these large youth tour groups are concerned.

I think it is a good thing.

Has anyone else seen or met these new cast members?

[BrerGnat]

Wow, that's impressive!

At least Disney has acknowledged that the tour groups can get out of hand.

Wonder what these people will actually be doing, though? A lot of the Brazilian tour group "behavior" is a cultural thing. They are acting "normal", based on how people tend to behave in that country. Are these CMs here to explain to Americans that the groups are doing nothing wrong? Or, are they there to explain to the Brazilian tour groups that in America, their behavior will not always be seen as appropriate.

Interesting nonetheless.

[Christine]

Any effort to help is a good thing in my book too, Thanks for letting us know!
And I hope you got all the boat pins

[disney obsessed]

I hope it is to help the kids understand the cultural differences. I would never travel to another country and expect to be treated as an american. When I do travel, i am embarrased by the entitled american tourist. I see no differance.

Just my opinion.

[gerald72]

Great idea.

The Brazilian tour groups Are doing something wrong, when they rush to the front of lines- whether it's accepted in their country or not.

If they ever put Brazil in World Showcase, they wouldn't need to build queue lines.

[Scar]

Are these CMs here to explain to Americans that the groups are doing nothing wrong? Or, are they there to explain to the Brazilian tour groups that in America, their behavior will not always be seen as appropriate.

My guess would be somewhere in between, a little of both.

[Christine]

I'm going to be keeping my eyes out for these people and see if I can talk to them. My hope is that it's a liaison type of situation. I think that would be a good thing. I truly don't believe brazilians sit over in brazil booking trips with the intent to disturb Americans. I truly think they just are beyond excited and come from a place that doesn't have the same considerations and customs as we do.

That is my optimistic face on it. I am weary of the tour groups, to be honest. I am tired of seeing them line the floors of shops in WDW parks when it's hot or raining outside, taking naps and having picnics to where you cannot shop. I am stunned at the hygiene issues I've seen (once while in line for Beauty and the Beast, DH & I saw a tour member have a BM in the bushes so as to keep their primo spot in line. I've seen them strip at the water parks to change into dry clothes- right in the open, not in the restrooms. I've had them sit in massive groups behind me at Fantasmic & scream and chant to the point where I had a headache and had to leave.


I am just happy that Disney realizes the situation and is making an attempt to help it. I know two cast members at resorts and they say the tour groups destroy their rooms! It's the same out and about in the area- Florida mall, Best Buy, Target, etc become inundated with tour groups and they can tear a store to shreds. So good for Disney. Any help to make the tour groups less oppressive is a good thing!

[11290]

These are not "new" to Disney. They come to us in the summers to assist with the tour groups, being able to speak their languages and assist in communication issues. You will see them with a green shirt and either khaki pants or shorts and usually with a Panama style hat that most wear.

They are officially known as "SuperGreeters" and have been with us for at least the 5 years I have worked and had started being used at least one year before that that I know of. All the ones that I have worked with on Main St. have been a great group.

[Christine]

These are not "new" to Disney. They come to us in the summers to assist with the tour groups, being able to speak their languages and assist in communication issues. You will see them with a green shirt and either khaki pants or shorts and usually with a Panama style hat that most wear.

They are officially known as "SuperGreeters" and have been with us for at least the 5 years I have worked and had started being used at least one year before that that I know of. All the ones that I have worked with on Main St. have been a great group.

Then this is disappointing as this has not put a dent in the problems in 5 years.

[11290]

Then this is disappointing as this has not put a dent in the problems in 5 years.

Actually, for the two areas I work in, Turnstiles and Parade Audience Control (I can't speak for other business units), they have made a HUGE difference.

Their ability to speak the languages of both the Brazilian and Argentinian groups has been VERY beneficial and I am very appreciative of all the help they give us.

[Christine]

That's good and I'm glad they've proven beneficial in your work areas. But they either need more manpower or more authority because the problems that guests experience due to these tour groups are very much not improved. Here's hoping ...

[Main Street Jim]

They're not *that* new, really. I think they "experimented" with these "guides' as far back as about 2007 or so; i remember having them in Tomorrowland for Christmas week when I first started there (in TL).

I've seen them "used" for *very busy* periods of the year, like the holidays.

[Melanie]

I am weary of the tour groups, to be honest. I am tired of seeing them line the floors of shops in WDW parks when it's hot or raining outside, taking naps and having picnics to where you cannot shop. I am stunned at the hygiene issues I've seen (once while in line for Beauty and the Beast, DH & I saw a tour member have a BM in the bushes so as to keep their primo spot in line. I've seen them strip at the water parks to change into dry clothes- right in the open, not in the restrooms. I've had them sit in massive groups behind me at Fantasmic & scream and chant to the point where I had a headache and had to leave.

I too was growing very, very weary of them before we moved. I couldn't believe that day at Epcot when you pointed them out to me on the grassy areas all spread out napping. It's gotten out of control, and it is sad if these ambassadors still haven't made an impact after 5+ years. In fact, I watch the issues get worse in the 3 years I was living there.

[ransam]

I know i'm in the minority, but i like these groups. It's disney, it's exciting, it's fun, it's awesome. and they add to it.
seeing their excitement, hearing them sing, seeing the smiles, makes me smile.

[texas211]

I too was growing very, very weary of them before we moved. I couldn't believe that day at Epcot when you pointed them out to me on the grassy areas all spread out napping. It's gotten out of control, and it is sad if these ambassadors still haven't made an impact after 5+ years. In fact, I watch the issues get worse in the 3 years I was living there.

Amen. I can't stand them, and they push all my buttons. I always find myself stepping on their backpacks as they've laid 300 of them in front of the restroom, or the door, or wherever.

Outside of WDW, Brazil has turned into the Dallas Cowboys. I root for anyone against them in soccer.

The only place I've been where there is anything equally annoying is in Austin. The state HS track meet is there and the crowds cause tons of problems.

[Altair]

Now you know how people in other countries feel about us when we go there and act like spoiled brats.

[Melanie]

Now you know how people in other countries feel about us when we go there and act like spoiled brats.

Touche. But I definitely have kept that in mind when in foreign countries.

[MNNHFLTX]

Now you know how people in other countries feel about us when we go there and act like spoiled brats.

I don't fully buy into that argument, at least based on my experience. Whenever my family has flown overseas we research (okay, I research) the cultural norms there and we try to assimilate into them as much as possible. I can also honestly say that on those journeys I have never seen Americans acting spoiled or entitled; I've seen tourists from other countries (which shall remain nameless) and even local residents have meltdowns though. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it happens. But I don't think Americans deserve the bad rap they sometimes get overseas.

I think the difference with what we experience while traveling internationally vs. what you sometimes see with the tour groups at Disney Land is that the groups, by virtue of size, are their own self-contained microcosm and there probably isn't as much pressure or expectation to conform to the norms of the country they are visiting. I also think that if you live in Central Florida and go to Disney World on a regular basis, the exposure to the groups gets a bit wearing after a while. We had the same feelings back when we were "locals" and from the sound of it the groups have only grown in number since then.

[MNNHFLTX]

Whoops, meant Disney World.

[DisneyGiant]

What bothers me most about the tour groups is when they use fast pass all at once.

I would love to be able to vacation when they aren't there, but we have to follow the school year, so July is basically the only time we can visit until these pesky kids graduate!

I wrote in once to Guest Relations to complain about the tour groups - I can't believe that WDW hasn't figured out a better way to accommodate them. Other theme parks have group picnic areas, special "resting" areas - surely the newer parks (DHS, Epcot, AK) could accomplish even that small change?

Heading to the parks next week - I hope they aren't too bad this time........