Cheerleaders: Respect the Guests! Rah-Rah-Rah!

[luvthemouse71]

I read through most of this thread and I never saw anyone who said ALL cheerleaders were like this. They were just sharing horror stories from SOME of the cheerleaders they encountered. As with any group of people, there will be good ones and there will be bad ones.

I think the reason everyone is getting so annoyed is because, let's face it, a lot of people over the age of 20 don't find ANY group of hyper-active pe-teens/teens amusing. Let alone, hyer-active cheerleaders for that matter. It's just annoying to most people. It's something about tween girls' piercing, shrill cheering that grates on a lot of people nerves and invokes a response of hostility. Another thing that makes people angry, is that cheering in inappropriate places is perceived as a way of getting attention, "Look at me! I'm so great! I'm a cheerleader!" Maybe that is not the case, but it is still aggrevating to have to sit through a cheer session, especially when you hate cheers (I said cheers, not cheerleaders) as much as I do. I would never confront someone for simply cheering, however. I would just sit queitly screaming in my head "SHUT UP! for the love of God, PLEASE?!"

Yeah, that! I also find it somewhat amusing that the word "punk" has got the cheerleading brigade's pom poms in a tangle-Many of us, when faced with the obnoxious cheering have called these girls something else a lot worse than punk( quietly of course!) Punk is actually quite tame and tactful compared to what I'm thinking!

 

[disprincesspatty]

I've found that as I get older, the age groups that annoy me change. When I had younger children, it didn't bother me if I heard younger children carrying on in a restaurant. When my own children turned into teenagers, (and my daughter did cheer at Disney World) I realized that at some point most of us acted like idiots when we were teenagers, tried to make sure they knew to be respectful of other people, (but who of us did not do things our parents wouldn't approve of when they weren't around). Now that my children are grown I realize that I do not have the patience I had when I was younger. It's not just the cheerleaders (who get on my nerves also). They just happen to travel in groups which makes it more pronounced. There are just as many people that let their young children act out, and even adults that are just rude and inconsiderate. I am sure we have all annoyed some age group other than our own at some point in time.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

It might help a little if PW told the kids they couldn't wear their uniforms into the parks. Look like a cheerleader, act like a cheerleader.

 

[chevyAZ]

I'm just glad they travel in large groups which allows me to get away.

I even asked a castmember to hold them up and ask them questions about where they were from to give me a better lead.

I pay for my kids to experience disney, not their cheers.

In my opinion, they can cheer all the way home while their parents listen. .

b..bye .

 

[Amity 3]

our daughter's team competes at WDW every year. the nice thing is we live close enough to drive over and not waste time on WDW transportation. or to hear the whining of people that schedule their trips during this time.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

I have read all the threads in reference to the PoP/Cheerleaders week. I must say I am VERY WORRIED about our trip in February. Our first weekend is during the National Cheerleading Championships. Does anyone have any experience with this?? Is it going to be close to the same problems as December?

 

[canwegosoon]

I have read every post...and hate to say I agree with those that say things are slipping. 3yrs ago...no problem, cheerleaders well behaved(except doing dangerous stunts on the patio at POR...but that is the chaperone's problem/disney legal dept.). 2 years ago...started noticing the packs of crazy kids..but seemed very late at night and I brushed it off. Last year we were almost trampled by 30 cheerleader running and holding hands after F! at MGM...I said something to them on the spot...I had 2 7yo children with me they never saw. Now from what I am reading seems like total mahem.

Besides contacting Popwarner, I think Disney needs to know that their core customers(that's us) are not happy with this. WDW need to limit the number of groups/activities and places that cheering is allowed. It should not be allowed in parks or busses...period. Bus drivers/security/cm's and even guests should be getting names from chaperones and unrully children(even if it is off clothing), and their orginizations should be banned. WDW will weed out the uncontrolable ones pretty quick. Perhaps there should be some kind of regional elimination to decrease the number of teams competing. Also the # of chaperones needs to be increased. Also perhaps some kind of manditory orientation needs to be given when these groups check in by Management or Security.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have read all the threads in reference to the PoP/Cheerleaders week. I must say I am VERY WORRIED about our trip in February. Our first weekend is during the National Cheerleading Championships. Does anyone have any experience with this?? Is it going to be close to the same problems as December?

I have never been during Pop Warner but I have been that first week of Feb. It was not a problem really. I did notice tons of young girls and their moms but there didn't seem to be that many of them in the parks except for one or two nights. I think this event is not the big deal that Pop Warner is. What resort are you staying at? I seem to recall that most of these groups are at the All Stars with some overflow into POR maybe. Hopefully someone else can give you more specific infor. All I can say is that in Feb. 05 it was not a big deal for my family.

 

[chevyAZ]

I wouldn't say its whining. If I go to a concert, I expect loud music, if I go to a cheer leading competition I expect loud cheering, but ...

If I go do WDW I expect the Disney Experience which includes all the sites and sounds associated with it. Remember, I didn't book my vacation at your cheerleading competition, they were cheering at a totally different venue, which other guests and I found inappropriate and inconsiderate. Keep it where it belongs is all we're saying. I'm sure I'll be a proud parent when my daughter is old enough to be a cheerleader, but for a three year old listening to 50 girls yelling at the top of their lungs is not a very comfortable experience.

I'm glad that you live close to the parks, but I flew over 2000 miles to be here and it wasn't to hear cheerleaders. If I wanted to hear cheers, I could have gone to my local High School and it wouldn't have cost me a dime. Sorry to be so blunt, but its my honest opinion.

 

[Amity 3]

I have read every post...and hate to say I agree with those that say things are slipping. 3yrs ago...no problem, cheerleaders well behaved(except doing dangerous stunts on the patio at POR...but that is the chaperone's problem/disney legal dept.). 2 years ago...started noticing the packs of crazy kids..but seemed very late at night and I brushed it off. Last year we were almost trampled by 30 cheerleader running and holding hands after F! at MGM...I said something to them on the spot...I had 2 7yo children with me they never saw. Now from what I am reading seems like total mahem.

Besides contacting Popwarner, I think Disney needs to know that their core customers(that's us) are not happy with this. WDW need to limit the number of groups/activities and places that cheering is allowed. It should not be allowed in parks or busses...period. Bus drivers/security/cm's and even guests should be getting names from chaperones and unrully children(even if it is off clothing), and their orginizations should be banned. WDW will weed out the uncontrolable ones pretty quick. Perhaps there should be some kind of regional elimination to decrease the number of teams competing. Also the # of chaperones needs to be increased. Also perhaps some kind of manditory orientation needs to be given when these groups check in by Management or Security.

it's never going to happen.

 

[Hixski]

DH and I want to go next year to see the Christmas decorations. We will now be going Nov. 25-28. I originally wanted to go the first of December as we would be in BCV. No way after reading all this. I am not taking any chances.

 

[Amity 3]

I wouldn't say its whining. If I go to a concert, I expect loud music, if I go to a cheer leading competition I expect loud cheering, but ...

If I go do WDW I expect the Disney Experience which includes all the sites and sounds associated with it. Remember, I didn't book my vacation at your cheerleading competition, they were cheering at a totally different venue, which other guests and I found inappropriate and inconsiderate. Keep it where it belongs is all we're saying. I'm sure I'll be a proud parent when my daughter is old enough to be a cheerleader, but for a three year old listening to 50 girls yelling at the top of their lungs is not a very comfortable experience.

I'm glad that you live close to the parks, but I flew over 2000 miles to be here and it wasn't to hear cheerleaders. If I wanted to hear cheers, I could have gone to my local High School and it wouldn't have cost me a dime. Sorry to be so blunt, but its my honest opinion.

understood, we stay at the All-Stars a couple of nights during their competitions. it's loud and filled with 13 year old girls. we take the AP discount and live with it.

everyone else needs to plan around the event and book another resort and the parks. because the event isn't going away.

 

[C.Ann]

it's never going to happen.

-----------------------------------

I learned a long time ago that when you say something is "never" going to happen, guess what? It happens..

When large numbers of visitors that spend thousands of dollars a year at WDW complain, more often than not the folks at Disney listen - and institute changes.. Started with the smoking in parks - so they went to "designated areas".. The "best rate" program resulted in numerous complaints - so they dropped it.. Families complained about the kids menus not being healthy enough - changes were made..

If it's a choice between disruptive yearly events - and hanging on to the well-paying customers that visit several times a year and spend enormous sums of money - it's a no brainer.. All they need is enough people to voice their opinions and things will most assuredly change..

 

[MP2002]

We are going in February and people have mentioned some cheer groups will be there then. Does anyone know any specifics. We are scheduled to be there 2/5-16. Please don't let it be during any cheer events. I have been ill for the last 2 years and we have had to cancel our last 2 scheduled trips. I want to have a magical trip as always not being bombarded by cheering barbies (as much as I love a barbie I don't want to hear one cheering!) Anyone know the February event info? Thanks.

 

[marivaid]

everyone else needs to plan around the event and book another resort and the parks. because the event isn't going away.

In order to avoid the event, you need to know WHEN it is, and Disney is not very forthcoming with that information. Do a search for "pop warner" on their site, or even "cheerleading". Nada. This alone tells me that they know very well how much their guests enjoy sharing Disney with the little angels. Obviously, to them, the money they bring in is more important. It is a business after all.

One of these days, what's going to happen is that a parent, or more than one, after spending several sleepless nights at their resorts, hearing cheers all day long in the parks, and being told to buzz off by one too many lovely little angel, is going to clock her one. And then Disney will be forced to care.

I've been going for vacations on the FL coast for several years, it is now becoming harder and harder for anyone under 30 to find a room during "Spring Break". Too much damage, too many complaints from guests and locals. SOME hotels do decide that money is not worth the hassle.

There are several things Disney could do to make it better for both the groups and the regular guests. For example :

- Use the values ONLY for the groups. Let them all stay together and put regular guests somewhere else. No one is going to say "no" to an upgrade.

- Give them fastpasses to attractions during the day so that they don't wait in line with other people, and give them a few hours in the evening when they have the parks to themselves. (Yes, it's not really cool to see them all go in before you, but would you rather listen to the cheering for 20mns in line??)

- Have separate bus(es) for the members of the groups, after all they're all going to the same resorts anyway.

- Open a different restaurant for the groups only on each night of their stay.

In other words, do what it takes to keep them away from the (edited) Guests-Who-DO-NOT-Cheer-In-Lines-Buses-and-Hotels-til 3am-cut-in-line-push-around-little-kids-travel-in-packs-of-30-and-use-profanity-when-someone-complains. as much as possible.

(Obviously since this is our first trip to Disney (in 13 days, yay!) I have never encountered them IN Disney, but I have shared hotels with these types of groups often enough to know I wouldnt want to be anywhere near Disney during Pop Warner. And would be pretty upset if I paid $3000 and had to put up with them for a week.)

----

SnackyStacky,I have edited my post since apparently my use of the word "normal" shocked you. By "normal" I meant regular guests who are not part of the organization. Maybe I should have used the word "regular" instead. Though I've got to wonder, considering the words that other have used on this thread, why mine stood out so much to you.The fact is, they're not acting like normal guests, are they? Or there wouldnt be half a dozen threads about them. Oh well, live and learn, I'll stick to lurking from now on.

 

[FigmentGuy]

So is there somewhere that we can find what dates are planned for these events? Does anyone know of a list? like for gay days, jersey week, pop warner cheer-a-thon week.. etc? That way you can plan to attend or not attend Disney during those time periods. I've never seen anything like that in all of my disney searching/planning.

 

[CinderellasSister]

So is there somewhere that we can find what dates are planned for these events? Does anyone know of a list? like for gay days, jersey week, pop warner cheer-a-thon week.. etc? That way you can plan to attend or not attend Disney during those time periods. I've never seen anything like that in all of my disney searching/planning.

Try mouseplanet.com. That's where I first found out about the cheerleading/dance competitions that I'll run into.

 

[fhtpdw20]

The cheerleaders want attention. Ask them where they are from first and then give them what they want. Most everyone has a camera or camcorder with them and a picture is worth a thousand words. When videos of the antics of these little darlings as well as the reactions of those around them start showing up on the internet or other media both Disney and Pop Warner will take action. If they are dressed in their uniforms, Pop Warner should be able to ID them. You could even send a copy to the hometown TV stations to let them see how well these young people are representing their area. It would also let the parents know how well they have been chaparoned.

 

[canwegosoon]

it's never going to happen.

Well I for one(who's joining me ) am going to make it happen(sorry cheerleading groups and popwarner don't own Disney). fhtpdw20 Has the right idea...lets take photos/videos of these problems, report them to management and anyone else who will listen on the spot. I 've always got my camera with me at the parks(to video tape the packs gone wild and loud "screaming" cheering), and who doesn't have a cellphone that can't take a picture on a bus.

Some of these kids do not belong away from home...and I'm not talking about the nice group doing a small (half voiced) cheer for a CM or someone that has asked them. Or the ones walking around polietly being good kids...they are a credit to their organizations and we need LOTS more of them!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Ladies and gentlemen:

Remember what I just posted? The boring thing about adhereing to the guidelines for posting? Since that post I've already seen people that can't adhere to them. So let me give you a few reminders.

Profanity - don't use it. Don't try to use! There's a filter. And if you attempt to go around the filter, it's a bannable offense.

Negatively sarcastic/rude posts are also not allowed. There have been several, but the one sticking out in my head is referring to the cheerleaders as abnormal by calling those NOT cheerleaders - normal guests. (Again, I don't mean to single anyone out - that's the only one that's sticking out in my head!)

It's now getting to the point where if it keeps up, I have to close the thread because it would take too long to just try and "clean it up" by removing offensive posts.

Have I gotten the point across?