Cheerleaders OH NO!

[alisonbestford]

My DH took his grown handicapped brother to WDW a couple of years ago and happened to be there during a cheerleading convention. They loved it! They didn't mind at all looking at yound girls in cheerleading outfits! I guess it depends on who you are! His brother talked about the cheerleaders as much as Disney.

LOL DS (17) was pretty 'gutted' to have missed the cheerleaders due to having to stay at home for college exams on our Feb trip

Goodness, when all's said and done, we're talking about kids having a great time and doing something they're passionate about
I thought that's what WDW was all about?

Okay, kids need to have respect for other people but how true is it that most DIS members have 'forgotten' themselves at some point when they were kids?
I wonder what your parents, and others, have to say about those occasions? He, he.

I have 3 kids, ranging from 6 to 21 years, and I like to think that they are all mindful of others at all times. In reality I know this can't be so
I have to admit that there have been times in my own 43 years where I've 'slipped up' due to being over-enthusiastic......

Good luck to the cheer leaders, and their parents. If you don't want to see them at least, thanks to the DIS, you know when to avoid WDW

 

[edingerc]

I'm thinking that most of the negative posts here are from folks that are forgetting what it's like to be the age of the cheerleaders, going to a national cometition and at WDW, no less! It's no wonder that these normally vivacious young ladies (as girls FAR outnumber the guy cheerleaders) will be laughing, giggling and spending time practicing their chosen sport. The chaperones are there to make sure that nobody gets into trouble, not that all the girls are silent and marching in a straight line, so that they don't get other guests upset.
That being said, I would have as much trouble as the next person if they were chanting on the bus or monorail. Even though their cheers mold them into a group and they're probably working off nervous energy. None the less, I'd nip that stuff in the bud, a bus is just TOO SMALL.

People say that the cheerleaders are being rude by keeping them up at night by laughing and possibly doing cheers in the hall. I think they're being teenagers. Let's be serious! How many of us at 16-17 would be shutting our friends up in similar situations. Being self centered isn't a trait, it's a requirment of being a teenager. They eventually grow out of it or they become Obliviots and end up in the Fox's Grrr Column.

They're teenagers and fairly well-behaved ones at that. Try not to ruin your own vacation by focusing on them.

 

[mitros]

It's kind of hard to not have them ruin one's vacation when they are screaming at the top of their lungs in the confined spaces of a bus or monorail car. I'm sure they must have some wide open spaces outside, away from the general public where they can "act like teenagers" without disruptng the vacations of others. It makes no difference if they are cheerleaders, "other" teenagers, or a tour group from Brazil, you need to have respect for those around you. Do unto others.....

 

[edingerc]

That's why I said that when it came to the bus, I'd have to nip that one in the bud. I have no problem taking charge in a situation like that. When I retired from the AF, I didn't give back my ability to project my voice and I'm sure every adult on the bus would very quickly back up any attempt to reign the chanting in.

 

[plutolovr]

My daughter cheered for an all-star team. They don't cheer. They said one little chant during their routine and that was it. They didn't know any cheers.
I guess their disturbing the peace is no different than someone's 2-year old screaming on the bus, or crying in line or having a temper tantrum during MY dinner or disturbing my sleep at 2 a.m.

Live and let live.

 

[mitros]

Right, but the thread is about cheerleaders at WDW. I guess we can start a thread on screaming babies just as easily.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Thanks for your "support!"

My dd made the high school competition squad this year (9th grade!), we will be there in February . . . HOPE TO SEE YOU!!! GO BLUE JAYS!!

My dd WON'T be the one yelling obsessively!!

 

[mikesmom]

Good grief, don't anyone tell my son. He'll be ready to cut school to go down there. We were leaving WDW one year on the very day the cheerleaders were starting to arrive. I thought he'd die of pain (also of the whiplash from turning back for a 2nd look at some of the young ladies).

 

[tiggersmom2]

My family and I recently had our first "cheerleader experience", though not at Disney. We decided to try a non-Disney area, and had our first stay in the Pigeon Forge/Smokey Mountain area.

Last tuesday evening we had supper at the Apple Barn, a local restaurant recommended by several on the Disboards. We had just had our starters when a group of about 30 cheerleaders were seated in out area. From the moment they sat down to the time we were moved to a different area of the restaurant ( at our request ) the three of us could not carry on a conversation at our table. I also noticed that several other tables left with more than what I would consider to be more than the normal amount of "to-go" containers, say 6 ~ 8.

I'm sure that individually they may be sweet young ladies, but as a group we found the "group" must either be rude, uncarring, or partially deaf. I also (assume) that there may have been a adult/coach/whatever with them, but that person must have been equally uncarring or deaf as nothing was said to them as a group and no reduction in the noise level was noticed during out time with them.

They definitely seemed to live "down" to their reputation.

Omigosh!! We must have been in Pigeon Forge at the same time. The cheerleaders were at the pancake pantry in Gatlinburg one morning and at the Applebarn later in the day when we went. We were moved both times!!! An unruly 2 year old would have been more bearable!

 

[alisonbestford]

Wow, and I thought it was we British who took the prize for not having much patience with kids - teenagers, babies or even in between!

 

[cindyfan]

The year we happen to be there with the cheerleaders.....
most of them seem to be at the All Stars... we stayed at CBR that time I think.
But...... OMG they were everywhere in the parks!
Every line we waited in....we had to listen to these LOUD SCREAMING girls..... they would walk around the parks doing their routines....
It got to be so annoying! Thank goodness it was just the first few days, then they left and we still had 5 days to enjoy ourselves.

If you are prepared to deal with it.....we didn't have any idea they would be there! but, you will have fun no matter what!
Good Luck!

 

[cindyfan]

Just thought I's add.......
My 14 yr old DD is in the marching band.... first year...
But last year the band went to WDW for Magic Music Days and they will go again when DD is a senior......
So..... I get just as annoyed with them as the cheerleaders!!!
I plan to go as a chaperone when they go.....but I tell her "This will be work!"
and If they act up....I will put them in their place!

I know most of it is just being teenagers.....but even if I have one....I don't have to LIKE TEENAGERS!

 

[Dodie]

Do a search on "Pop Warner" or "cheerleaders" and you'll see a LOT of posts about this topic.

Here is an example: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=807581&highlight=cheerleaders

See my history/signature below. The only "bad" (less than ideal) trip we've ever had at WDW was in 2000 when we stayed at the All Stars in March with a "bazillion" teenage cheerleaders. It was flat-out awful. No supervision. Lots of screaming and yelling at all hours! Pushing. Rudeness on the buses.

We had no beef with the All Stars or with the value resort concept vs. the moderates we'd stayed in in the past. Just the cheerleaders.

 

[heatherfeather24]

I think the parents we've heard from here have a point: the giggling, clapping, and general excitement are to be expected. They're kids, they're excited, and they're in a really fun place for a really fun experience. They should be allowed to have a good time.

That said, the massed cheering and chanting in the parks, buses, and food courts, the cutting in line, etc. are not within the realm of acceptable. To me, these are young ladies (and boys) who are old enough to know that their actions impact everyone around them. And if, for some reason, they aren't, their parents and chaperones should -- and should do something to put an end to it.

Now if only we could get the cheerleaders and the Brazilian tour groups to go at the same time . . . and get some sort of notice from Disney so that I, personally, could avoid, I'd be a happy girl

 

[JennyDrake]

We have stayed at CBR 2x during the championships and honestly, other than seeing them out practicing on occasion during the day, we never noticed a thing. Again, we SAW them practice--never heard them.

 

[mitros]

Your last three lines were perfect! I'd vote for that.

 

[Metallicat]

I'll never forget how unbelieveably rude and uncaring the cheerleaders were when we stayed at All Star Movies last year. They used foul language, they svcreamed on the buses, they yelled and ran up and down the halls at all hours of the night. Honestly, I don't blame them though. I blame the chaperones who let them get away with this behavior, and just sit there smiling about it.

Don't let it ruin your vacation. Just deal with it when you have to, then seperate yourself from them.

While the girls are out and about the resort screaming and keeping guests awake with their obnoxious behavior, the chaperones can usually be found sitting by the poolside bar getting a buzz.

 

[Metallicat]

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....

 

[dancermom]

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!!!!

 

[sue1013]

Dancermom I will agree with you on most of your post. I think a lot of people forget what it's like to be a teen. Parents whose children are young will change their ideas as their children grow up. That doesn't mean rude behavior should be exused. While I don't disagree that the cheerleaders work very hard, 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.