Dates to avoid at Pop?

[perla75]

Hi there!

We are planning our first trip to Pop Century, but not yet sure when & we are trying to go during a value season. We are trying hard to AVOID dates when "teenager large groups" will be there (like Pop Warner, dance competitions, grad weeks, etc...)-please no flames, that is just one age group I have trouble tolerating in large doses...

Can anyone tell me dates we should try to avoid? If we end up sharing the resort with a similar group when we get there, we'll live with it of course, but if we could avoid it, that would be great.

Thanks!!

 

[bas71873]

I would say, just from this past February, February!!!! We were there the week of Mardi Gras (because schools here are closed) and while the crowds at the parks were tolerable (except EMH night at DHS...WOW), and there were no large groups at Pop, there were plenty of spririted girl groups in the parks....it's cheer & dance competition "season".

Also, keep in mind that in Feb. 2009, the Superbowl is in Tampa at the beginning of the month, the dance & cheer competitions are the 2nd and 3rd weekends in Feb (someone correct me if I'm wrong there, but seems to be the pattern), Mardi Gras is the week of February 23 and then President's week is the before that.....

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We were there the first weekend of Feb and it was not crowded at all. So early, not mid or late Feb, would be a good time.

 

[goofy4tink]

To the best of my knowledge, POP is not one of the resorts normally booked for large groups. I have been at POP twice now, at the same time as the PW kids were at WDW, and there were no excess kids at POP. They are over in the AllStars with some at POR.

 

[perla75]

Thank you-that is great to know!!

 

[mmmears]

As far as I know, the cheer and dance and other groups are put at the All Stars and not at Pop, so you hopefully can have a peaceful trip.

 

[BamaFan121s]

From what we saw last year, I'd say any date when there is free dining! LOL.

 

[HopperFan]

POP traditionally does not allow groups to book, we tried for years. We were told point blank they do not do group bookings there. This year they did allow a cheer group, I believe it was February. So knowing this, our group once again tried, they did not want to book us, but they had no availability at the All Stars. All they would offer was CBR at a group rate, we did not want to stay there. They finally allowed us to stay at POP (March) but we paid full price. Most groups want discounts, so if the hitch is you must pay full price....I don't think you will find too many there. I have been 4 times with no groups in sight (May & Sept). If you are hoping to go Value and be group free, POP is your best bet.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Jan is quiet