Cheerleaders OH NO!

[alisonbestford]

I think it's kind of rude of you to post other athletes don't work hard only the cheerleaders!! You are doing to other athletes what many posters on this thread are doing to the cheerleaders posting negatively about them.

I think dancermom was 'getting at' metallicat rather than other athletes here for posting such scathing comments about chaperones

I know they sort of 'riled' me and I've never been a chaperone

 

[aviva_dawn]

Are these girls who cheer, REAL cheerleaders (I mean girls who made the cheer squad at school who cheer for a football team) or are they the dancer type cheerleaders that their parents PAY for them to belong to? if so, what exactly are they cheering for, if they don't have a school team to root for?
I don't understand the POP Warner thing at all. are they dancers, or REAL cheerleaders? someone please enlighten me....

As a former member of a HS cheer (and colorguard) squad, I'll explain the differences between Pop Warner, All-Star and School squads.

All of these have their own federations: All-star cheerleading is a relatively young sport and does not have an official association that is in charge of events. Companies that run competitions include AmeriCheer, US Spirit, Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA), National Cheerleading Association (NCA), American Cheer Power, Cheerleaders of America (COA), World Spirit Federation (WSF), The competitions that take place at Disney World are usually Nationals. (Which my squad never had the luck of making it to....)

All-Star cheerleaders often cheer for whichever team they happen to belong to. So if there is a squad from "Indian Hills All-Stars" (Whose colors are Blue and Red) They would have a cheer something like thisThis is a made up cheer squad....)

Go Blue (Audience says Blue) AND Red. Come on now BLUE and RED!

Their cheers will also have something to do with the name of their teams as well.


For some All-Star squads, you have to audition. For others, it's kind of like a Dance Team at a Dance School that competes against other dance teams from other dance schools. The parents help to defray costs for membership on the squad.

School (and college squads) require auditions. They cheer for their school, mascot and their school colors.

,

I consider cheerleaders cheerleaders as long as they are cheering for something. So, under my definition, all the types of squads that you spoke of in your post are Real Cheerleaders.


I hope this answers some of your question.

 

[jjarman]

How can you find out when they will be there and where they will be staying so I can avoid them? Will WDW give out this information when I book my room?

 

[alisonbestford]

How can you find out when they will be there and where they will be staying so I can avoid them? Will WDW give out this information when I book my room?

I had a heck of a job (from the UK) finding where they'd be this year so that we COULD see them - DD was intrigued

Someone on DIS gave a link for the varsity site so that I was able to find the dates and then someone else told me that the competition would take place at MGM in the Indiana Jones area.
Not sure if they're always there?

 

[wdw4us5]

OH MY GOSH!!!!! I hope everyone feels better now that they've vented.

I am a 33 year old mom to 2 DS, 10 and 6 and my DH. We have been to Disney through some weeks the cheerleaders were there. I have chaperoned numerous field trips for my DS starting at age 4. With that said, I thought it was so cool to see the energetic BOYS and GIRLS in the competitons. It's like you get to live vicariously through them with all there excitement and happiness. I talked to alot of the girls asked how there day went, told them how neat there costumes were, how cute their hair looked and how well mannered they were. I truly saw they were behaving well. Now I can say that I have seen adults in Disney act far worse than these kids ever acted. We have to remember that teenagers are gigley and crazy sometimes with all the energy they have to expend for the competition, but when they are rude or try to cut the line, Have you ever called them on it, cause I would just tell them that it's pretty rude to cut or use that language etc... and sometimes they just need to hear it and it puts it in their place. If you ever watch them, as I did early in the AM practicing you can tell they worked SUPER hard to get to where the are!!!!

I like being around all that energy, It's great to see.

 

[alisonbestford]

OH MY GOSH!!!!! I hope everyone feels better now that they've vented.

I am a 33 year old mom to 2 DS, 10 and 6 and my DH. We have been to Disney through some weeks the cheerleaders were there. I have chaperoned numerous field trips for my DS starting at age 4. With that said, I thought it was so cool to see the energetic BOYS and GIRLS in the competitons. It's like you get to live vicariously through them with all there excitement and happiness. I talked to alot of the girls asked how there day went, told them how neat there costumes were, how cute their hair looked and how well mannered they were. I truly saw they were behaving well. Now I can say that I have seen adults in Disney act far worse than these kids ever acted. We have to remember that teenagers are gigley and crazy sometimes with all the energy they have to expend for the competition, but when they are rude or try to cut the line, Have you ever called them on it, cause I would just tell them that it's pretty rude to cut or use that language etc... and sometimes they just need to hear it and it puts it in their place. If you ever watch them, as I did early in the AM practicing you can tell they worked SUPER hard to get to where the are!!!!

I like being around all that energy, It's great to see.

 

[Metallicat]

We were at Disney this February during the competition and didn't have a single problem with a cheerleader. Granted, we stayed at AKL, but did see them in the parks. I never experienced anyone being rude, cutting in line or cheering obnoxiously through the parks.

A word to everyone that bashes the chaperones, my daughter is an all-star cheerleader (never performed in Disney), but I think you feel being a chaperone is easier than the job really is. I have chaperoned at overnight competitions and believe it or not I did not spend the night at the bar, but realized that this is the event of a lifetime for most of these girls, and let them be kids. We have a set curfew, try to keep them as toned down as possible, but you can't have them walk around like zombies.

If you don't like kids and were apparently born an adult, then I would stay away from Disney during that time, otherwise go, have fun and enjoy watching these kids experience something they will remeber forever.

Also, a word to metallicat, if you watched these girls you would realize they are better athletes and have worked harder than most of the "sports" teams they chear for!!!!

Being the Mom of a 'real' cheerleader who made the squad by actually trying out, I do know how hard these girls work. what I don't get is, who do the Pop Warner/ All stars cheer for if they don't have a team to root for? are they a dance team or something? then why call themselves 'cheerleaders' if they have nobody to cheer for?? why wear a cheer uniform if there is no team? I just don't get it.

 

[nwdisgal]

I don't know Cheer from up or down, but there was a major competition going on at WDW when we were there last March 2005. The Dolphin (where we were staying) had a cheer conference at its facility as well as one going on at Wide World of Sports. There were large numbers of cheerleaders from all over - often saw them posing for group pictures in the lobby, and some groups practicing cheers on the grounds. I never had a problem with any of them. They were very curtious as a group, and even the ones that were going through their practice on the grounds were doing their routines without the shouts to keep the noise level down.

 

[Metallicat]

I think dancermom was 'getting at' metallicat rather than other athletes here for posting such scathing comments about chaperones

I know they sort of 'riled' me and I've never been a chaperone

Well, I HAVE been a chaperone for my DD's high school cheer squad (never at WDW) and we made sure we kept an eye on the girls and we made sure they didn't get loud and annoy hotel guests. we were with them at ALL times.

I have witnessed for myself many moms sitting by the pools sipping their cocktails chatting away, while who knows where the girls they are suppose to be watching are, or WHAT they are doing. I don't think the average resort guest would be wearing a nametag that says "Britneys Mom" or "Ambers Mom" during a competition week. so, they must have been chaperones.

I have also seen groups of girls who would be wandering around outside the resort at 11 and 12 at night, without any adult with them. once my DH had to yell at some girls who were right outside our window with boys with them really late at night. there is a chance they might not have been the cheerleaders, but this went on during the cheer week we were there.

All I can say, is never again will I go during that time.
I can understand little kids making noise, filling their mugs full of ice pouring it out again and again, but these pre-teen/teen girls should know better.

BTW, If anyone has a problem with noise from these girls that are causing them to lose sleep in a room that they are paying good money for, do like I did and call security and complain. they will take care of it.

 

[Metallicat]

As a former member of a HS cheer (and colorguard) squad, I'll explain the differences between Pop Warner, All-Star and School squads.

All of these have their own federations: All-star cheerleading is a relatively young sport and does not have an official association that is in charge of events. Companies that run competitions include AmeriCheer, US Spirit, Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA), National Cheerleading Association (NCA), American Cheer Power, Cheerleaders of America (COA), World Spirit Federation (WSF), The competitions that take place at Disney World are usually Nationals. (Which my squad never had the luck of making it to....)

All-Star cheerleaders often cheer for whichever team they happen to belong to. So if there is a squad from "Indian Hills All-Stars" (Whose colors are Blue and Red) They would have a cheer something like thisThis is a made up cheer squad....)

Go Blue (Audience says Blue) AND Red. Come on now BLUE and RED!

Their cheers will also have something to do with the name of their teams as well.


For some All-Star squads, you have to audition. For others, it's kind of like a Dance Team at a Dance School that competes against other dance teams from other dance schools. The parents help to defray costs for membership on the squad.

School (and college squads) require auditions. They cheer for their school, mascot and their school colors.

,

I consider cheerleaders cheerleaders as long as they are cheering for something. So, under my definition, all the types of squads that you spoke of in your post are Real Cheerleaders.


I hope this answers some of your question.

Thank you for explaining that. personally, I don't consider a cheerleader a real cheerleader unless they tried out in front of their peers, try out every year, and cheer for their schools team. you know, the way it USED to be.

 

[plutolovr]

Actually all-star cheerleaders DO try out. Sometimes the tryouts go on for weeks especially on some of the more elite squads. Some all-star programs will have teams that start as young as 5-years-old and these kids continue on through high school. It's very competitive at the elite levels.

 

[tnkrbell]

Being the Mom of a 'real' cheerleader who made the squad by actually trying out, I do know how hard these girls work. what I don't get is, who do the Pop Warner/ All stars cheer for if they don't have a team to root for? are they a dance team or something? then why call themselves 'cheerleaders' if they have nobody to cheer for?? why wear a cheer uniform if there is no team? I just don't get it.

I do have to wonder why you are so angry with allstar cheerleading when you nothing about it.
Allstar cheerleaders DO have to try out!!!! Yes we pay and pay allot!!! But to compete on the level these girls and guys compete on they can not just let anyone on the team. There are several levels and divisions. No they do not stand in one place and do only "cheers" they have a 2 minute routine of stunts,jumps,tumble,dance and do a cheer in their routines. These routines are for competition purposes only. They are very strong athletes!! These are for sure "REAL" cheerleaders.
And who do they cheer for you ask???
Noone better........THEMSELVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I would like to add that on our allstar team, probably 3/4 (probably a litltle more) cheer for their various schools in addition to the allstar team. They are tremendous athletes. There are no "politics" involved in the try outs either. If you've got the skills you make the team.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I do have to wonder why you are so angry with allstar cheerleading when you nothing about it.
Allstar cheerleaders DO have to try out!!!! Yes we pay and pay allot!!! But to compete on the level these girls and guys compete on they can not just let anyone on the team. There are several levels and divisions. No they do not stand in one place and do only "cheers" they have a 2 minute routine of stunts,jumps,tumble,dance and do a cheer in their routines. These routines are for competition purposes only. They are very strong athletes!! These are for sure "REAL" cheerleaders.
And who do they cheer for you ask???
Noone better........THEMSELVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sheri,

You have summed this up perfectly. These kids take great pride in their teams and their gyms. In fact, many do cheer for their Middle and High Schools as well. Their dedication, commitment, training, physical attributes, and discipline serve as a true testimony to sportsmanship and athletics. All it takes is to visit one of the Gyms and see the endurance, extensive choreography skills, leadership and physicality of these kids to truly appreciate their talents. As my brother said upon seeing his first competition…”I had no idea that their routines were so complex and athletic and wow everyone of these kids are “ripped”! They truly are phenomenal athletes!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I would like to add that on our allstar team, probably 3/4 (probably a litltle more) cheer for their various schools in addition to the allstar team. They are tremendous athletes. There are no "politics" involved in the try outs either. If you've got the skills you make the team.

 

[Marilyn Mc]

Aw, come on. The cheerleaders are fun! I would never change dates to avoid them. I haven't stayed at a resort they were at, but I would probably watch them practice. Cheerleading has come a long way since I participated back in the 80's. Give em' a chance.

 

[vfb2girls]

We encountered cheerleaders when we stayed at CBR in March 2004 and I have to say that we had no problems whatsoever with any of them. In fact what we found to be that the cheerleaders were couteous, friendly..we would meet up with some of them at different parks and they would always smile at us and wave...so for us it was a very plaesant experience and I wouldn't hestitate again to go when the cheerleading competitions are going on.

 

[HLAuburn]

OK, assuming you stay at a deluxe, how "visible" are the cheerleaders at the parks? I'm guessing they won't be a problem at the resort or on the busses, but if they're in the lines at the parks doing cheers the whole time, I'll go crazy!

 

[tnkrbell]

As my brother said upon seeing his first competition…”I had no idea that their routines were so complex and athletic and wow everyone of these kids are “ripped”! They truly are phenomenal athletes!

Gordon,
what is so funny about what you said, I myself had NO idea what we were getting into 2 years ago when my DD was approached at a cheer camp.
Untill I went to my first competition (The cheer coach keeps all practice closed so it is a surprise when we see them on the floor the first time)
I was sooooo shocked to see what these kids do and as little as 5 years old!!!
It is so much fun and so great to watch. I have so much respect for these atheletes. I think untill you see these kids compete you really have no idea what the allstar cheerleading is really about.

 

[alisonbestford]

DS (18) has every respect for the cheerleader's stringent regime

He has quite bad asthma but trains as a basketball player - for one of the major junior teams in South Yorkshire

This was one of the reasons he was so upset to miss their performance on our Feb trip
There were other reasons of course.....