Well, we just moved our Jan 30-Feb 3 trip tp Jan 28-Feb 1 to avoid the cheerleaders, after getting some insight from a "cheerleader mom" in my office who attended this event last year. Though she didn't make it seem so bad, we are taking our daughter on her first trip and want to avoid as much hassle as possible.
Cheerleader mom:
"my experience has been that the cheerleading event kept the cheerleaders and their spectators occupied for the greater part of the day. After the competition, and usually after the park closes, the park provides a "block party" for the cheerleaders and spectators and allows them an opportunity to ride the rides that they missed during the day. The one concern that I would have is if you are staying through a Sunday. If the competition is over on Saturday, the cheerleaders are usually given an extra day pass to return to the park after the competition. Most groups will go to the park on Sunday and get on their buses to drive home about dinner time. If you all could arrive Wednesday evening, have a Thurs, Fri and/or Sat at the parks, and come on Sunday or leave mid-day Saturday, you should be safe from all of those masses of cheerleaders. "
Mike