How were Pop Warner crowds?

[Koda]

How were the Pop Warner groups at the resorts this past week? DH and I wound up switching resorts before arrival to avoid them (I believe they stayed at CBR and All Stars). Just wondering if they were as bad as people were predicting, or if we didn't really need to switch resorts after all.

 

[aubriee]

They are still there. They arrived this past Saturday (12/03/11) and will be there all week. I was there until Sunday night, but was at CSR, so didn't notice them.

I was there the same time they were last year, but did a split stay at CSR/YC to make sure I avoided them at the resort. I would have never known they were there, if I hadn't known what their dates were. I never noticed them in the parks. However, a few years ago, I was stuck at POFQ with them, when they were using POFQ for the PORS overflow. They were absolutely horrible. They ruined the trip and we even checked into going home early to get away from them and would have if it hadn't cost so much to change our flight. They were that obnoxious. Even the CMs at POFQ said that although they are always bad, that particular group was much worse than usual, so it just depends on which particular groups are booked at your resort I guess.

 

[raven69david]

Encountered them 2 years ago. They were not really present on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. However as the eliminations start, they began to be seen throughout MK primarily during the afternoons hours into the evening. I noticed them starting on Tuesday and for the rest of the week. I didn't notice them too much at the other parks but they were there. Do the E-ticket rides early and you can avoid the longer lines caused by them. We didn't really had a problem with them once we learned how to avoid them. You do NOT want to be at a Value resort during this time though. We had to switch to another resort after 2 nights of dealing with screaming kids at night. The hotel ended up comping us 1 night and allowed us to leave early to AKL.

 

[mb187143]

Just returned from CBR on Tuesday. They were there. We didn't see much impact until Saturday/Sunday. There were a few here and there on buses to the parks, but by no means was there a crowd really. The biggest impact we saw was that the main pool and the village pools were taken over by the parents and kids in the evenings. On Sunday night, security was called a few times to address some problems in our village (Aruba), but other than that, we didn't really hear them and while we saw groups in the parks, they definitely didn't impact crowds much.

 

[dazednconfused]

Thanks for the info.

I think, for the sake of all who visit WDW during the same time as the PW crowd, perhaps it would be a good idea to list the resorts they normally stay at. That way, those who wish to avoid them will be able to do so, at least where resorts are concerned. Can't do much about avoiding them at the parks though.

 

[dazednconfused]

Pop Warner crowds were at:

1. All Star Sports (08 and 09)
2. All Star Music (08 and 09)

Any other resorts??

 

[JanB]

We were there 11/27 thru 12/2 (Friday). There were some cheer groups that checked in on Thursday 12/1. This was at Coronado Springs --- so they are not all at the values and PO. I suppose you'd have to stay at a Deluxe to avoid being with them at a resort.

We checked out on Friday before there were more groups to check in. While those few groups did not necessarily ruin our final night there, there was distinctly more noise that afternoon and evening --- slamming doors, screaming, squealing, and yelling. Also, some of the groups were having cheer practice (with their coaches) in the walkways and seating area next to the outdoor bar, outside the main building.

In the parks we also encountered some high school choral groups that Thursday 12/1 and Friday 12/2. No behavior problems that we saw --- we just noticed the groups. I assume that they were part of the Mass Choir that was in the Candlelight Processional. I do not know which resorts they would be staying in.

 

[mb187143]

I know this year, some of the groups were at CBR due to the POR renovations. We saw a lot of rooms decorated with signs and lights, and like i said the pool areas were loud and overrun with parents and the players/cheerleaders in the evening. One cheer group held a practice on the pool deck which did not fly with security. Other than that, while it was probably a little louder than it would have been, we had no problems with the buses, the food court (both lines and getting a table), or in the parks.

 

[maxiesmom]

We were at the All Star Music last year, and while I knew that Pop Warner groups were there, they were not badly behaved AT ALL. We saw them out and about, but were not privy to any random cheering or bad behavior on their parts.

It could have been because it was so stinking cold, but all I can say is going by what I saw last year, reports of their bad behavior are greatly exaggerated. It wouldn't move from a resort I truly wanted to stay at just to avoid them.

 

[herb102211]

We were there this past weekend 12/3-12/6 and didn’t notice them at all in the parks. We stayed at the BC/BCV. The only time we encountered some of them and the cheerleaders were on our flight down on Saturday. I’m not sure how crowded it was at the resorts they were staying at though.

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

Sorry if it's a dumb question what's pop warner

 

[sarahbug79]

We were there 11/29-12/7 we stayed at POR and none of them were there. I did see them in the parks. I only saw one big group at AK. The only issues were when they were moving around in a large group they would just stop in the middle of a street and the adults were good asking them to move aside so others can get around them. In smaller groups we saw lots of them. We did get to the parks early and did the big rides right away. Friday-Mon the crowds were in general bigger not sure if it's just the weekend or pop.

 

[Laketravis]

we're here now, have been since last Saturday. Haven't really noticed them, we're staying at CSR. Saw some groups in the parks late afternoon into the evenings, but not really that big of a deal. I expect it to be much busier tomorrow and Saturday. Overall, this week (12/3-12/11) has been much busier in the parks than I remember last year being (11/27-12/4)

 

[jaceraden]

There are many threads dedicated to Pop Warner and where they typically stay. The general trend was All Stars and POR. Though that is out the window due to the POR refurb.

 

[nkereina]

Pop Warner crowds were at:

1. All Star Sports (08 and 09)
2. All Star Music (08 and 09)

Any other resorts??

Their contracts are with the All Stars and POR. This year they stayed at CBR due to several building closures due to the POR refurbishments. I would expect them to be back at POR next year since that's where their contract is, although rumor on the POR FAQ thread is that POR loved not having them this year and may be trying to get out of their contract with them. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

Sorry if it's a dumb question what's pop warner

Pre-teen/teen football teams and cheerleaders.

 

[aubriee]

We were there 11/27 thru 12/2 (Friday). There were some cheer groups that checked in on Thursday 12/1. This was at Coronado Springs --- so they are not all at the values and PO. I suppose you'd have to stay at a Deluxe to avoid being with them at a resort.

We checked out on Friday before there were more groups to check in. While those few groups did not necessarily ruin our final night there, there was distinctly more noise that afternoon and evening --- slamming doors, screaming, squealing, and yelling. Also, some of the groups were having cheer practice (with their coaches) in the walkways and seating area next to the outdoor bar, outside the main building.

I was at CSR 11/26-12/4. Those cheerleaders at CSR checked in Thursday and were NCA, not Pop Warner. They were there to march in the Christmas parade that was filmed Sat. They left Sunday 12/04. I spoke with one of the mothers and she kept stressing that they were a 'good group' and not affiliated in anyway with Pop Warner. The Pop Warner kids checked in Sat 12/03 and are there for this whole week. They are all supposed to be at the All Stars and due to the construction over at PORS at CBR this year. They are normally given a choice of the All Stars and one moderate to stay at.

 

[Missytara]

The Pop Warner kids checked in Sat 12/03 and are there for this whole week. They are all supposed to be at the All Stars and due to the construction over at PORS at CBR this year. They are normally given a choice of the All Stars and one moderate to stay at.

Let me tell you, it was very eerie this year leaving POR on Saturday and while normally very hectic, it was soooooo quiet with no one checking in for Pop Warner.