Large Groups at Disney World Are the Worst (...Or Are They?)
Vložit
- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Tommy and Kenzie discuss South American tour groups, school trips, band trips, cheerleaders, extended families, summer camps, and other types of large groups that occasionally descend upon Walt Disney World.
---
Hi everyone, we're Tommy and Kenzie, and we used to work at Walt Disney World! We created this channel to share our thoughts about the Disney parks!
Follow us on TikTok: / backstagethoughts
Follow us on Twitter: / bstagethoughts
Follow us on Instagram: / backstage.thoughts
---
0:00 General Thoughts
3:36 Guest Perspective
11:08 Cast Member Perspective
16:45 Group Leader Perspective
#disney #disneyworld #castmember
As a retail cast member at Disneyland, the only time that big groups were a serious issue was when I was working at Savi's Worskshop in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Because the workshop was a very small space, each builder (the guest constructing their own lightsaber) was only allowed to bring one or maybe two other people inside with them. You can see the problem immediately. Unlike a ride, where the group simply gets split up into different ride vehicles, we would literally have to turn people away--deny them the opportunity to watch the experience--simply because they weren't each paying $200+ for their own lightsaber!
Suppose one member of a family of four pays to build a lightsaber, but the other three family members want to watch. Sure, maybe we can make an exception if the third person is a small child. But if a larger group (say, with two or three builders but six or more non-builders) would all try to come inside, the room's safe occupancy rating would be exceeded. So heartbreakingly, we would have to turn much of the group away. This was extremely sad, because those who were being turned away weren't simply being bumped back in line; they were never going to see the experience unless they paid $200+.
I wouldn't have felt so bad for these groups if the price point was lower, or if Galaxy's Edge had other live entertainment (like a cantina band, or a stunt show). But since Galaxy's Edge remains woefully devoid of entertainment (other than a few walk-around characters), Savi's Workshop is the only live show-and it's behind a $200+ paywall. It felt a lot like the Galactic Starcruiser situation--"Sure, you paid hundreds of dollars to enter the park, but we couldn't be bothered to follow through on our promises about what Galaxy's Edge was going to be, so you've got to pay even more if you want the full experience!"
Family groups are great for people watching. The heat brings out some bad behavior. Get well soon!
people watching is sometimes the best attraction. Last time I went. I overheard a couple bickering over which way space mountain was 😂
I’m in Photopass and oh boy I have seen quite a few of these groups. The worst by far was a school group of probably several hundred. They basically marched and chanted down Main Street and the couple I was trying to take photos of had to squeeze next to me so they wouldn’t get run over. It’s not all bad though. I’ve had some really amazing groups that were super nice to me too.
Sorry to hear that you had COVID. I came back from WDW with it in February. The first time I experienced the large crowds was in July 1998. There were so many Brazilians at the parks, I was thinking we got invaded. They followed the flag. Even though they moved around in large groups, they seamed well behaved. A few years later, we were there when it was cheerleader time. I found most of those groups annoying. Too much cheering going on while in line for attractions and at the resort. Last year, we went with relatives and there were several bands there. One relative was in one of those bands and marched at the Magic Kingdom. The kids appeared to be well behaved. Went with the same relatives 3 months ago (8 total) and had a blast. We rode some attractions together, but also enjoyed splitting up.
Sorry you're sick and hope you get well soon. I experienced a large group and the kids kept cutting in front at lots of rides. When I said no then girl in front of me kept flipping her hair in my face.
My biggest issue is more with the transportation. I was waiting for my bus after MK one night. There was a group of about 15 cheerleaders in front, and then me. Over the next 15 minutes, more cheerleaders kept walking up in groups of 3 or 4 and walking to the front and cutting the other cheerleaders. Once it got to the point where I might not make the next bus, I had to say something. I shouldn't have to. I wish the employees around would have said something to them, especially that many people. You want to stay together? Join the people that got there the latest. If it's a handful of people, no problem. But when it's 30-40 people cutting, absolutely not. And in that 15 minutes, a ton of other guests had gotten in line as well. Many of those missed the first bus and probably the next one because of this group. They were there before the majority of those cheerleaders.
Very good point. That's definitely annoying, and not at all fair to you or the other people waiting in line.
my biggest issue with tour groups is that they'd harass the characters, and as a character attendant that was horrible, i'm also brazilian so i'm allowed to say it, the brazilian tour groups were the WORST of the worst
Get better, covid sucks for sure. Depends on which park but some large groups were inconsiderate cause they always expected to get their way especially if they had friends in line and wanted to cut in line. I just tried to avoid them at all cost. Get some rest.
Have you ever been to Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
We both have (not together), but it was a long time ago for both of us. The only thing I remember was that it rained so hard everyone flocked to the nearest building for shelter, which happened to be the men's restroom lol. We were packed in there like sardines waiting for the thunderstorm to pass.
Interesting video. Man I ask, are you related to each other?
No, we're dating lol
Hope you guys get better soon.
The thing that bothers me with groups, and I know it is Disney WORLD, is what I call the Jibber Jab. You get this group chirping in some foreign language. It just bugs me because you don’t.t know if what they are saying is not something that is better not said ar all.