Pop Warner Week...

[jpolak]

Yep....so glad my middle school age daughters don't attend these fine quality public institutions (we homeschool). I promise to stay off my soapbox about the lack of character, discipline and common courtesy being taught.

Too late. As a parent you know that values, morals, and general manners are taught by parents. So blame the parents who instilled these fine values in their children that caused them to act this way. Yes, I am a teacher in a fine quality public institution.

 

[girli565]

Too late. As a parent you know that values, morals, and general manners are taught by parents. So blame the parents who instilled these fine values in their children that caused them to act this way. Yes, I am a teacher in a fine quality public institution.

Amen!!

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

As the father of a high school football player, I am a true believer in the "acorn doesn't fall far from the tree" theory. Sitting in the stands, there are certain parents that you avoid being within ear shot of, and they are known widely as being problems. Granted, it's not a definite, that bad parents will raise bad kids, but it's a strong factor. It's obvious to all of us that if kids act out, and parents act much the same, they will not understand our complaints or ever act upon them. Sad to see this anywhere, including Disney.

I'm not picking on football families - we've seen the same thing in baseball and basketball programs as well (been in them all).

 

[TDC Nala]

Pop Warner week is in December, not April. Am I misunderstanding what 4/08 means?

The poster you are responding to is referring to the national cheerleading championships which do take place at WDW in the spring - not Pop Warner. That poster, due to the past experience in April, apparently now wishes to avoid all times when WDW hosts large youth sports groups.

 

[dqpowell]

The poster you are responding to is referring to the national cheerleading championships which do take place at WDW in the spring - not Pop Warner.

I did work that out later on by going back and reading through the thread again. But the thread title is "Pop Warner Week," and the general discussion was about how prevalent (or overblown) problems with Pop Warner kids are. Furthermore, CDizney responded to a comment of mine in which I specifically mentioned Pop Warner with, "I did experience what I experienced which is truth and yes, I am paranoid in dealing with this group ever again." I had mentioned Pop Warner, she (he?) replied to that comment by referring to "this group." My initial confusion was understandable, yes?

That poster, due to the past experience in April, apparently now wishes to avoid all times when WDW hosts large youth sports groups.

Her choice, obviously. I'm not participating in this discussion to convince people to visit at times they don't want to. I just wanted to point out that such incidents tend to be emphasized beyond their actual prevalence in discussions here, and (to a lesser extent) to defend Pop Warner kids, the vast majority of which are well-behaved.

My son is a Pop Warner football player and my daughter is a Pop Warner cheerleader, so I'm familiar with the general demeanor of the kids who participate. The Pop Warner organization has strict rules of conduct for participating kids and minimum grades must be maintained. One of my son's teammates was kicked off the team when he misbehaved during a practice, and he was one of their best players. Of course not every coach enforces the policies like they should, but in my experience most of them do.

David

 

[dolphindan1]

Too late. As a parent you know that values, morals, and general manners are taught by parents. So blame the parents who instilled these fine values in their children that caused them to act this way. Yes, I am a teacher in a fine quality public institution.

I agree with this to a point....

Also these children are a direct reflection of there coach and his attitude...especially football players

also we have to put some blame on peer pressure, especially when dealing with kids this age. Peer pressure has a strong influence on how these kids will behave especially when they are a group of 3 or more....reason and upbringing will sometimes take a back seat when a child is trying to fit in....

I am not condoning the behavior but we must recognize at times a parent can only do so much....now how a parent handles a bad situation is the more important factor

 

[kissthemouse]

Well, I'm going on Monday and I'm going with a poositive attitude. Luckily, we're staying at Shades of Green, so we shouldn't have an issue there, and I'm choosing to believe everyone who says they aren't a problem in the parks, cuz really, what am I going to do about it now? It will be what it will be and I refuse to let a few unruly teenagers ruin our Magical Experience! I'll just run them over with my stroller if need be!

 

[TDC Nala]

Pop Warner Dad, I do hope you're right about the coaches clamping down because I am staying at Allstar Music next weekend...

They didn't keep me away, obviously.

 

[jpolak]

I agree with this to a point....

Also these children are a direct reflection of there coach and his attitude...especially football players

also we have to put some blame on peer pressure, especially when dealing with kids this age. Peer pressure has a strong influence on how these kids will behave especially when they are a group of 3 or more....reason and upbringing will sometimes take a back seat when a child is trying to fit in....

I am not condoning the behavior but we must recognize at times a parent can only do so much....now how a parent handles a bad situation is the more important factor

True. My objection was to the posters over generalization and innuendo that schools are responsible to teach your children manners, social graces, and how to be polite. Yes kids on a trip will act out of control and the chaperones have a responsibility to limit this and to actively monitor the students they are responsible for. Children will act in a manner they see to be appropriate and the most influential role model is family.

 

[bytheblood]

From what I understand...the teams are only given the options to stay at All Stars and the PO resorts...families can stay anywhere.

Right, that is exactly what I typed, which you quoted.

 

[disneyin2008]

I sure would have said something to these kids....but thats just me

Well, my daughter did say something (before I had a chance, lol) and received the "bird" for it....so honestly, talking to them would never have had any positive result. Sad.


And...I wanted to report that we're here at POR and the POP Warner "invasion" seems to have started. We saw two buses full of students unloading and the lobby was almost impossible to get through to the food court this afternoon. Tonight the girls and I took a carriage ride around POR and the horse had to be stopped twice and the driver had to request that the kids get off the path. One group I'm not positive were POP Warner, but the other group of 4 teens all had Cheerleader on their shirts. I made a comment to the driver about the invasion starting and she said "yes, and it's started early this year". I told her we leave tomorrow for Caribbean Beach and she said "that's a smart idea, wish I could go with you.". So this staff member at least isn't looking forward to this upcoming week.

It's really too bad that this type of behavior is being tolerated. I read reports about last year's incident that resulted in a school being removed from the resort and told to leave. I wish that Disney would do that more often when guests (POP Warner or others) repeatedly violate the rules. As a guest, I feel that I have the right to expect others to follow the rules especially when their behavior affects MY enjoyment of vacation. I'm not in any way saying everyone should behave the way I do, or do what I want....but in all things in life there are rules, and Disney has quite a few especially for group activities like this and their YES program (which I've also witnessed kids out of control). I think if they clamped down and enforced it more often, they'd find that the adults of the group might start to do something about their kids behavior. It's easy to just shrug it off when you figure no one else cares anyway....but I imgaine that the adults that were a part of the group that was ejected had some uncomfortable questions to answer when they got home.

Ok, hoping off this soap box yet again.....watch out below!

 

[scrappindad]

We're at ASMu right now and we noticed both cheerleaders and footballers arriving yesterday. We are in a building near Celebrity Hall (we asked to be away from the pools) and we heard girls cheering at midnight. It didn't last long but we're moving to the CR tomorrow.

Debbie

 

[dolphindan1]

Well, my daughter did say something (before I had a chance, lol) and received the "bird" for it....so honestly, talking to them would never have had any positive result. Sad.


And...I wanted to report that we're here at POR and the POP Warner "invasion" seems to have started. We saw two buses full of students unloading and the lobby was almost impossible to get through to the food court this afternoon. Tonight the girls and I took a carriage ride around POR and the horse had to be stopped twice and the driver had to request that the kids get off the path. One group I'm not positive were POP Warner, but the other group of 4 teens all had Cheerleader on their shirts. I made a comment to the driver about the invasion starting and she said "yes, and it's started early this year". I told her we leave tomorrow for Caribbean Beach and she said "that's a smart idea, wish I could go with you.". So this staff member at least isn't looking forward to this upcoming week.

It's really too bad that this type of behavior is being tolerated. I read reports about last year's incident that resulted in a school being removed from the resort and told to leave. I wish that Disney would do that more often when guests (POP Warner or others) repeatedly violate the rules. As a guest, I feel that I have the right to expect others to follow the rules especially when their behavior affects MY enjoyment of vacation. I'm not in any way saying everyone should behave the way I do, or do what I want....but in all things in life there are rules, and Disney has quite a few especially for group activities like this and their YES program (which I've also witnessed kids out of control). I think if they clamped down and enforced it more often, they'd find that the adults of the group might start to do something about their kids behavior. It's easy to just shrug it off when you figure no one else cares anyway....but I imgaine that the adults that were a part of the group that was ejected had some uncomfortable questions to answer when they got home.

Ok, hoping off this soap box yet again.....watch out below!

I am sorry that happened to your daughter but I would have really done something then. I would have grabbed that child and took them to the closest CM or found there chaperone. I may have gotten sued or arrested or whatever but sometimes you have to stand up for yourself even against punk kids. It wouldnt be the 1st time I would have done it. I did it at Carowinds one time when a kid on a ride in front of us spit into the air while the ride was going and it landed right on my wifes face. All 3 kids and the adults with them were escorted out of the park. Trust me I ran after the kids when the ride stopped and grabbed them, marched them to my wife and made them apologize, as the security guard walked up....they were very nice when they had to deal with a pissed off adult.....

I would never tolerate or expect anyone to tolerate it from my kids....and if the adult thought there child was in the right maybe they need a swift kick too...JMHO

 

[cheerky]

I'm sorry for anyone who has planned a family vacation and ran into rowdy sports team, cheer teams, school groups, etc. I feel like it is the responsibility of the adults in charge to teach children how to behave. Ten years ago, I coached college cheerleading. We attended the Collegiate Cheerleading Championships in Daytona. Lets just say that the team's behavior was less than desirable... I packed up my team and returned to campus two days early. Lesson learned- and these were college students!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Unfortunately, we are going back to WDW during Pop Warner before our cruise even though I said never ever again after we went in 2006.

I will admit that honestly, it was not the Football players I had the issues with, it was the CHEERLEADERS and their Mothers!! Evidently, as someone said previously, the acorn does not fall too far from the tree.
We were at Epcot I believe and my DD's were 2.5 and four months old. The name of the cheer group was "Brick Mustangs" We had seen other girls just break into spontantious cheers and such and kind of laughed it off. One group decided to come running off a ride and right into us and I wasnt pleased, but, I was just a bit a bit miffed when the handlers, mothers or whatever they were did not even say sorry or tell their kids to watch out, quit running, whatever.
But the worse was these brick mustangs. They had been walking in front of us and acting a bit goofy, we were just kind of laughing about it. All of a sudden two of them stopped broke out in a sudden kickingcheer and before we could move, kicked my DD square in the face!!!! Now instead of the mothers even saying is your DD alright or omg I am sorry, we got a berating from the adults for not watching where WE were going and they huffed off!! It took all I had and a restraining grab from my DH not to knock the mothers square on their hineys!

 

[azcater]

Well, I thought I was safe when I booked off site at Emerald Isle, but last night a whole group of pop warner boys landed just a few doors away from me and are staying in a bunch of the townhouses in our culdesac. I thought they were supposed to stay on property???? Rowdy is an understatement.

 

[scrappindad]

Katiesmommy, wow! That is horrible! I'm sorry that happened to your poor DD.

Just wanted to give an update. Last night I'm happy to report that there was no cheerleading late at night. Our area of the hotel was very quiet.

This morning, instead of heading to a park, we stayed at the hotel to do laundry before heading to the CR. To say the food court was crowded would be the understatement of the century. You could barely even get in to get food, there were so many people. We were there at 7:45am. I think the workers did a fine job and were pretty efficient, but it was packed! In all fairness I do need to say that we always go to WDW off peak and we are usually at the food court earlier than this so I'm not sure how this crowd compares, but thought I would mention it.

Debbie

 

[bellaphia]

Katiesmommy that is horrible-but to be honest I know the team you are speaking of and it really doesn't surprise me one bit--but just so everybody knows NOT ALL teams are like that-my daughters friend went down on Friday and is coming back Tues. her competition isn't until Monday and the girls are not allowed any "park" time until after their competition--until then it is all business!! I think they have a total of 1/2 day to do a park...they all have to have at least one parent attending with them as well...

 

[Tbella]

I've heard from a friend, whose son will be down there for POP, that they and the cheerleaders will have an after hours event at Universal from 7Pm until ? on Saturday the 13th of December. That night, at the very least, should be somewhat tame at the WDW parks.

Oh my! We are arriving at Universal on the 12/13 and than going to Disney late 12/14. One of the reasons we choice to to Universal first is do completely avoid the Pop Warner kids. Where can I find the information about them being at Universal on 12/14? I am super nervous now !

 

[rahwest]

so ... we just got home ... and all i have to say is ..

i rode soarin' with 30 cheerleaders that screamed THE ENTIRE time.
um... not exactly the "soarin experience" that i wasted a fastpass for

they are in the parks and you'll know when you see them