Do we want to avoid the parks and Pop during Pop Warner week?

[IwannaseeMickey]

I've been all fired up to plan a secret week long trip to DW during the 1st week of Dec. My son would be out for the week of Thanksgiving, then in a week then gone a week at DW and then have one more before Cmas break (he'll be in 1st), I was all excited to start planning untli I did some reading and found out that that likely will be Pop Warner week.

We stayed in POR last time and were going to try Pop Century this time, but if it's over run by kids, we don't want too. Guess the draw of pulling him out of school is to not have the parks/hotel packed. Anyone w/ any BTDT in the parks that week?

 

[raven69david]

In a word "YES". From reading the posts from Pop Warner week 2005, it was really crowded and the hotels were booked. Best of luck.

 

[hockeygirl]

It wasn't really that crowded!! I was there this year, and it was more crowded than in past years when I have been there the same week, but I didn't think it was that bad. Honestly, I didn't really notice that they were there. Now, we stayed at the Boardwalk and they don't stay there, but I didn't notice tons of them in the parks. I really just think that time of year is attracting more people than in the past and that is why it was a little more crowded.

 

[conwaym98]

We were there this year. The parks weren't bad at all. Most rides had waits under 15 minutes. We stayed at POR. Most of the time it wasn't bad, except at teh food court in the morning and evening, although we were only there for the first few days. I'd definitely go again during the 1st week, but I'd aviod the values and POR/POFQ.

 

[BYC]

When is Pop Warner week exactly? Is it a Monday-Friday week? December 1st is a Friday this year. Wouyld it begin that Monday, the 4th...or the 11th?

 

[HollyJoy]

Well we were there the first week of December in 2004, and I never even knew it was Pop Warner week! I never saw a huge amount of cheerleaders walking around. We're going back again the first week of this December, and looking forward to it!

 

[dmonroe]

We've been several times during Pop Warner, and we've never really noticed them in the parks. There was only one Saturday afternoon at MGM that there seemed to be a lot of football teams there. I only really noticed because of the jerseys. It wasn't like they had taken over the park or anything.
Now, the hotels were a different story! One year we stayed at POR and they had A TON of football players and cheerleaders there. The food court and pool were almost always VERY crowded!

 

[wasabi girl]

I was there this year during POP week. I saw groups in the parks occasionally but that's it. It was not crowded, very short waits (except for soarin'). We stayed at Poly so I don't know about hotels but the parks were not bad. I think they go the first full week in Dec.

 

[Viki]

We were there 12/2-12/10. The crowds were large. We didn't wait in lines at the parks because I'm old pro with a great touring plan, but most folk were waiting in long lines and we ran into two groups of the cheerleaders at DD - two groups, each 90 strong, everyone eating at PH. We had an ADR, but it didn't matter. With all of those teens eating at the same place, we waited forever.

 

[BoCat]

When is the Pop Warner week for 2006. Dec 3 thru the 9 or Dec 10 thru the 16???

 

[melmel]

We were there this year. We stayed at Pop and I didn't notice them there at all. We did see some groups in the parks, but mostly on the weekend days, or late afternoon, and the crowds seemed fine no long waits at all.

Melissa

 

[pugdog]

We have gone during this time several times and never had any problems. The food court would be the only problem place.

If you read on their website for them to be able to participate in the games they MUST stay at the AS sports and music OR POR and book through WDW sports bookings. Family members can book with the team or on their own but the kid that is playing has to stay with the team. The tickets they get are only good on the parks for certain days and hours which explains why you don't see them in the park alot.
Also on the friday they close MGM early and have a private party for all of the kids.
WDW does provide seperate buses to get them to the games but only during curtain hours and after that they have to use the regular buses with us.
So if you want to avoid them, and you don't need to, then book else where.
We are going back to POP and this same time this year again.

Their website states the 2nd week of December so for this year it would be the 3rd to the 9th. ug:

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

Pugdog, thanks! I did look at the website but couldn't navigate my way around it to find what you told me. I think we'll go and stay at Pop Century and take our chances. That's the best week to go for us, I think!

 

[RF536]

We were there 12/6-12/13 and the parks weren't crowded at all. We were able to basically walk on most rides during the week. We did not follow any touring plans, we basically did what we wanted when we wanted. We did avoid MK during the day on Sat. but went there after dinner for Spectro. and Wishes. While waiting for Wishes we hung out in Adventureland and we were able to walk on POC, Jungle Cruise, Country Bears and Tiki Birds. After Wishes, we easily got a curb seat in front of the castle for Spectro. We even were at MGM on the Friday that it closed early for Pop Warner and didn't meet any large crowds, the longest we waited was 10min for the Great Movie Ride right before it closed to the general public.

If this week works for you go for it.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I didn't read all the posts so I am sorry if this was already addressed, but is Pop Warner week always the same time every year and when and how do you know when it is? We are planning on going in the beginning of Dec, 1st or 2nd week..

 

[Tricialiv]

We had no problems at the parks. But- the first night of our stay was to be at ASM, then after that we were at the Poly. At check at the ASM was crowded with POP people. After standing in line I was told they had overbooked and we were being moved to the Music. I was bummed but for one night it was okay. The problem was this move caused our luggage to be MIA for 8+ hours. I think if we had our entire stay at the All Stars we would have been bothered by long bus waits. Check and see what hotels they are using if you can, I would avoid those. Have a great trip!

 

[pugdog]

It is always the 2nd week of December ug:

 

[donac]

Pugdog is right. My neice was involved this year and her family stayed at POR for a couple of days and then they stayed at ASM for the last two nights. I know they were told t stay at POR and were only at the ASM because it was cheaper for them to fly home on Monday instead of Sat when the some of the other team left.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I only stayed 1 night at ASMu with them, and the resort/pool area was noisy. I definitely would not want to spend a week at a resort with them. I'd go to WDW, but stay at a resort they don't frequent.

Bobbi

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Don't avoid the parks during Pop Warner.
2) What to avoid are the resorts where they stay !