Help! Scared of Pop Warner

[smhull]

My family has gone to Disney World the first week of December for the last 3 years. This year we are going Dec.3-9 and from what I am reading here Pop Warner is there at the same time. Does anyone know how many people usually attend the Pop Warner events and does it really make the parks crowded? We are staying at the Poly, so I don't think it will affect us at the reosrts and I have all my ADR's and MVMCP tickets, but I am worried about the parks since it usually so nice that time of year.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been there twice now with the POP kids. And we stayed at ASMusic with them to boot. Since they are in competitions for the most part of the day, the parks aren't a big issue. The parks do get a bit more crowded at night, but I haven't yet had a problem with it. There is one night, usually the last Sat night they are there, that Disney shuts down MGM early (around 8ish) and then reopens for a private party for the POP kids.
I'll be there on Dec 7 and I'm not too concerned.

 

[smhull]

Thanks. That makes me feel better. We love that time of year there and are really looking forward to it!

 

[paladin]

SMhull, you said you have been there the last three years the first week in December. Pop Warner was also there at the same time. How did it seem to you on your past trips? I also go the same time and don't really notice them having much of an impact on the parks. Last year we noticed some groups of Pop kids at Epcot, but they were fine - not large enough to have an impact and very well-behaved. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[smhull]

It was my understanding that the are usually there the 2nd week of December. If they were there at the same time as me, then yes they are very well behaved and didn't notice them at all. Please excuse me if someone miss understood me. I didn't mean I was scared of the kids themselves, just worried if there would be a spike in the crowds at the parks since it usually a non busy time.

 

[amy4bruce]

Since we were there last year for the first week in December, and Pop Warner was there, you know, as we do, that it's a non-issue. And we stayed at a value (POP Century, which supposedly was an overflow hotel.)

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

I was there last year with them and it sounds like they are usually there from around the first weekend thru the second weekend. The parks weren't much busier...but I felt that they were a pain in the you-know-what! I stayed at the POR (BIG MISTAKE) and they were everywhere...and so rude too! The parents has NO control and they were screaming and chanting constantly...at breakfast, in the buses and at the parks. This year I am going the 8th - 13th, so i will only have to deal with them for 2 days instead of the entire time I am there. Like the previous posters, I did not feel like the parks were TOO impacted by them, but I still would not like to go while they are there!

 

[JRawkSteady]

I have seen things from Pop Warner kids so rude and disgusting that I don't want to even mention on the public boards. I honestly would take a look at their website and make sure you are where they are not. That includes parks and resorts. I, myself will never go back during Pop Warner, unless it's for the sole purpose of going to DisMeets...and I'll stay at a deluxe resort.

 

[paladin]

Obviously others have different experiences, however we are always there the same time the Pop Warner kids are and have not noticed them at all (other than in groups in the park) and have found them to be no worse than many other guests - some well-behaved, some not so much. My experience has been that they don't make a difference, but YMMV based on which hotel you are staying at.

 

[pugdog]

I would much more perfer a week with the PW kids vs. a group from Brezil. Now THEY are rude.

 

[dianemb]

We stayed at POFQ and only saw kids on the bus at resorts a few times. Saw cheerleaders at Epcot one night. They sort of traveled in packs and did the occasional cheer. We're going again in December that week (3rd time) and really have never had a problem.

 

[ParrotBill]

I have to agree the Pop Warner kids were better behaved and less of an impact than the Brazil youth groups.

During the last week and a half we saw a lot of the Brazil groups and they did far too much chanting, pushing and shoving, and talking, talking talking during shows.

The pop warner groups we've seen in years past were better behaved and not a constant presence... we did stay in deluxe hotels so never experienced them at our hotels.

 

[100AcreWood]

I doubt you will notice them at the Poly. They stay at the AS and POR resorts. I was there last year during Pop Warner week. We did hear the cheerleaders in the morning but we were up anyway (POR Riverside). And they were definitely a lot around the resort but we don't frequent the food courts so no big deal for us. I rarely saw them at the parks and when I did I only saw may two or three sets that were unsupervised. Overall they seemed to be good kids and their parents seemed very "engaged" and responsible. However I have heard very different experiences from people staying at the all stars!

Have fun!

 

[kaelarad]

I agree that I would rather be around the POP kids than the Brazil groups. With POP kids you need to remember that "kids will be kids" and that their excitement level is through the roof. They are not an issue in terms of park attendance. The parks are a little busier at night perhaps. Since they stay at the same resorts, if you avoid them you should be fine.

 

[bcvprincesses]

I would much more perfer a week with the PW kids vs. a group from Brezil. Now THEY are rude.

Totally agree. The kids from Brazil were out of control and they were everywhere. Whenever we saw a flag we went the other way.

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

I would much more perfer a week with the PW kids vs. a group from Brezil. Now THEY are rude.

I have never been there with the Pop Warner kids.... Now, The Brazil tour groups!!!!!! We were there July 5th thru 8th..... For the most part they were very rude and pushy...

We had a fast pass for a time and when we came back to use it... One Brazil group was there waiting for there time to come... They held there hands and arms together not allowing us to get by.... We had to yell over them to get the attention of a Cast Member who was definately overwelmed by them... He made them put clear a path for us... Then they yelled to us... "Cutters"... Can You believe that????

The Pop kids couldn't be that bad.... Although I don't know... But I doubt it..

 

[goofy4tink]

I was last at WDW from May 15 to the 21st, this past May. Late that week, Epcot was crawling with groups of kids from various clubs, organizations, youth groups...whatever. It was incredible. I have never seen so much bad behavior in my life. So.....we drive to Tampa to visit with my son. We went to BG on the 21st. Well...it seems that BG isn't exempt from the groups from Hates!!! While waiting in one line, with my dd, we had to stand behind a group from a church, who insisted on seeing how far they could each spit into the bushes!!!! Girls and boys alike!!! You know..you would think that if your organization's name, and town, are on your tee-shirt you would behave better. Nope.
I never had the kinds of issues I had with the diifferent tour groups in May with POP kids. I would take them any day!!!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Maybe they aren't as rude as some of the other groups mentioned, but I know (having been in December once during Pop and once later) that, if I had the option, I would rather NOT be around them. They may not be "brazilian tour group" rude, but they most definitely ARE ruder than the average WDW guest IMHO. The simple reason is that there aren't enough chaperones for the kids there. Obviously, the youger kids are generally fine and with their parents anyhow. but the jr. high and high school aged kids are off on their own. Large groups of teenagers is always a recipe for distaster and there are lots of em during pop. Again, this is only my opinion and I am sure toher tour groups can be much worse..I just haven't seen it (and hopefully never will )

 

[HayGan]

We went during Pop Warner last year and had absoutely NO problems with them. The crowd levels were low and it was a wonderful time to visit! We are even going back the same week this year! My DH has absolutely no tolerance for crowds or rowdy teenagers and even he said it was the PERFECT week to go!

 

[pugdog]

Found this on the PW website. Thought it was interesting. I think that if you do run into rude kids it would make good sense to complain to PW direct to take care of the problem.

I've been there the same time for like the last 5 years and have never had any problems with them but it is nice to see this too.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
TO: All Pop Warner Association, League & Regional Officers
FROM: Jon C. Butler, Executive Director
RE: Personal Responsibility at PWLS Events/Activities
DATE: September, 2005
As Pop Warner’s events grow and attract more media attention, each of us has a
duty to make sure that ALL of the people at those events represent Pop Warner
appropriately.
We’ve had serious behavior problems at past Pop Warner Super Bowls at WALT
DISNEY WORLD. This note gives you and your participants, young & old,
players & coaches, parents & fans fair warning that such problems have not been
tolerated in the past, and certainly will not be tolerated this year.
Every Pop Warner Association is accountable for its players, cheerleaders,
coaches, administrators, parents and others from your area at all Regional and
National events. Any incidents of unacceptable behavior from any person(s)
affiliated in any way with your Association will mean:
• A possible immediate ejection from the Pop Warner Super Bowl events
and WALT DISNEY WORLD property. The persons involved risk
forfeiting hotel and other deposits. Revised Air reservations/ ticket
payments will be your problem, not ours nor Disney’s.
• Possible lifetime ban from Disney World.
• An AUTOMATIC PROHIBITION from all Regional and National events
for all teams/squads from that Association for one full season.
• Possible suspension and/or probation from coaching or administering
within Pop Warner.
Each Association is responsible for those who represent it. So is each League.
So is each Region. If repeated problems occur within a particular Association,
League or Region, additional measures will be taken.
Pop Warner is a family. Let’s all act like it. If our Pop Warner family behaves
well, then everyone – whether part of Pop Warner or not - will respect us.