Rude Tour Guide

Review for Door County Scenic Trolley Tours

Door County, WI

Door County Scenic Trolley Tours in Door County, WI

by jdm514 October 21, 2011

Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

School-Age Kids

Pre-Teens & Teens

I purchased four tickets in advance for the Door County Ghost Tour. My wife, my mother and father in-law, and I arrived a half hour early, which was recommended by the trolley company on the itinerary. We have been on Door County Trolley tours in the past, including the ghost tour. My wife and I were excited to take her parents on this tour because it was an enjoyable experience in the past and this was my in-laws first vacation to Door County. When we checked in for the tour, "Bob" the tour guide directed the four of us to a trolley that that was four seats shy of full. Bob told us that once we boarded the trolley, it would leave shortly thereafter. We were surprised, as we had arrived at 5:30 PM and the trolley tour was not supposed to depart until 6:00 PM. When we boarded the trolley, we then realized that the four remaining seats were not next to each other and our party would be separated for the tour. We got off the trolley and expressed our dissatisfaction to Bob, as we wanted to experience the tour as a family. Bobs response to my family and I was, "Theres room on this trolley. Youre getting on. Come on!" The tone he used was very condescending and rude and made us feel very uncomfortable. Bob then boarded the trolley and called for us from within the trolley, in front of all of the other passengers already inside. We reluctantly boarded the trolley again, feeling that he would become more confrontational if we didnt, and cause additional embarrassment. Once we boarded the trolley, I sat in the last row in between two couples that I didnt know. My wife was seated in the middle of the trolley, and my in-laws were seated near the front of the trolley. A woman seated next to me evidently watched this whole incident unfold. When Bob stepped off the bus she made the comment to the entire trolley that if she was in our situation, she would refuse to be separated and demand to be seated on the next trolley. My wife, in-laws, and I then left the trolley. My wife and in-laws began to board the next trolley, which they allowed incoming customers to board. I approached the ticket shed where Bob was talking to his other colleagues. I advised Bob that we decided we wanted to sit together and wished to board the second trolley. Bob responded, No, you will be staying on that trolley! Bob again used the same condescending tone with me. I kindly explained to him that we purchased the tickets in advance, arrived a half hour early and intended to experience the trolley ride together as a family. Realizing that he was left with no other argument, he responded rudely with something to the effect of Just go then. The whole reason for purchasing the four tickets together a month in advance was so that we could experience the trolley tour TOGETHER! Furthermore, we had arrived a half hour early to ensure that we would be able to sit together for the duration of the tour. Half of the enjoyment of going on vacation as a family is to share and enjoy each others experiences and reactions along the way. My advice is to not cave in to aggressive or confrontational tour guides that attempt to separate parties prior to the tour. It is the tour companys responsibility to accommodate their customers. I was very disappointed with this experience and do not plan on booking any tours in the future.