I'm about to cry... (Need people that know about Pop Warner at POR)

[gigi1313]

Moving to POFQ wouldn't really help with the whole food court situation. We are just going to think magical.

fyi, POFQ and POR have two separate food courts... not that it matters 'cause you've made your decision (and i think it's a good one)... relax and ENJOY!

 

[goofy4tink]

How do you know when that is? We are heading to WDW for "Jersey Week." We are not from New Jersey and I had never heard of "Jersey Week" before I joined these boards. Some of the "Jersey Week" threads have me a little nervous about crowd levels, but what can I do but just enjoy my vacation anyway.

I am seriously starting to wonder what time of year to plan our next Disney vacation. September is hurricane month, October is convention month, November has "Jersey Week" and Thanksgiving, December has Pop Warner and the holidays, February has President's Day (aren't cheerleaders here somewhere too?), March and April have spring break, and June, July, and August have summer crowds and summer heat. So what does that leave us? Are January and May our only options? I am sure I am missing something and those months have something as well. In fact, aren't there graduation nights in May?

I am seriously asking, what month should we be heading to WDW if we want comfortable temps and low crowds? I honestly think the choices are becoming more and more limited.

I would love anyone's input as to what time of year they think is the best.

It is confusing isn't it??!! It used to be that if you went after Labor Day but before Thanksgiving, you were all set...maybe a storm but that was not likely. Now, with those 3 hurricanes hitting last year people are very hesitant about going in Sept...please remember, that was highly unusual. I really think the Oct is a wonderful time to go...as well as the week after Thanksgiving. There are many good times to go to WDW...no one time is going to be perfect. There will always be some group or another down there...just have to take our chances.

 

[TnTsParty]

Does anyone know the exact dates of Pop Warner this year? I am planning for Dec 14-18 and hoping there won't be any groups.

 

[mushumadness]

we have changed hotels from the all stars because of the problems we had last time with the teen groups, mainly the constant teasing about our accents from groups of teen girls, (I mean yes we do have accents we are english but its not that funny). and the number of times we had to sit through cheers on buses (especially that year when we had my 4yr old niece with us, and it was later in the evening and they woke the whole bus up).

we dreaded going back to the hotel unfortunatly, and we did ask to move, and were moved along with 10 other familys on the same day to another hotel.

I hope it doesnt spoil this year

I mean dont get me wrong I am only 23 and remember quiet well being a teenager, but if I had insulted someones accent my mum would have got me good

 

[Meezers]

Maybe I am mean.

I say...stay where you are. You are an adult and if you have problems....address them. Either by yourself or through security.

No way is a gaggle of high school cheerleaders or anyone else ruining my stay.

I would arrange to stay out of the food courts while they are mobbed...but I do that even if there aren't large sports groups!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Does anyone know the exact dates of Pop Warner this year? I am planning for Dec 14-18 and hoping there won't be any groups.

The Pop Warner event is December 3 - 10th. You will be fine.

As for the others, as an experienced youth chaperone I can tell you that 98% of the kids there will be well supervised, behaved, and just fine to share a hotel with your family. It is the other 2% that you pray never cross your path because they can literally ruin your whole day.

But the same thing can be said about international tour groups, senior citizen tour groups, bachelor parties, conventions, and on an on. There are just some people out there who have zilch consideration for other people around them.

 

[CheshireVal]

Maybe I am mean.

I say...stay where you are. You are an adult and if you have problems....address them. Either by yourself or through security.

No way is a gaggle of high school cheerleaders or anyone else ruining my stay.

From what I've heard, calling security doesn't do much good.

Disney knows it's a problem every single year and they don't do anything about it. They get their money either way, so why should they care?

 

[tzuhouse]

Thanks everyone.

For the person asking the dates: Pop Warner is 12/4-12/10, from what I've been told.

I have now located an off-site property with full kitchen, larger space than POR room and saving us $600. Even renting a car for the rest of the nights will still save us about $400. We won't have to get up so early, since we can be at the parks for our early morning ADRs without waiting for the bus. I have an AP, so parking at parks would be free. It's a small hotel, so should not have a lot of crowds. We can cook, which will save us money.

So, I'm looking for someone that can convince me to stay at POR. I've never been there, so I'm open. We would NOT be attending early morning hours anyway, so that perk of being a resort guest doesn't matter. My ADRs are all made and the lady at WDW Dining said, even if I cancel my POR ressie, it won't affect my ADRs, at all.

Anyone?

Mary

 

[belleandthebeast]

I've been to Disney a few different times for Pop Warner. I will never go during that time again. All those who commented on the bad experiences I have encountered.

They do have the tendency to take over the food court, be loud and obnoxious on the buses, and be very rude in the parks. Again, not all I know most are well behaved but none that I've encountered and I've been there numerous times w/ them (learned my lesson, it took me awhile )

I refuse to try to "relax and enjoy" while they are being loud and rude so I book at other times. JMO, no one wants to hear 20 teenage girls cheering so loud I think the state of Georgia can hear them, after being in the parks all day and extremely exhausted. And no one should have to

 

[StrwLady]

I would say that easily 90% of my stays there has been some teen group thing going on. Whether it was cheerleader competitions or band competitions or spring break.

In 1997 we were at the All Star Music when the cheerleaders were. And I really don't remember any noise problem. I'm not a light sleeper either. It was fun to look at the decorations the cheerleader put on their doors and in their windows too! I do realize that was 8 years ago and kids could have changed but I really haven't had problems with the teens in the parks either. Really my only concern is when I see them at Epcot around the fountain doing lifts and such. That’s so dangerous to be doing that on cement and it not only puts themselves in harms way but also anyone passing by. Also puts Disney liable for injuries.

Mary go with the expectation that you will completely enjoy your vacation. If there is too much noise or problems at the resort, calmly talk to someone at the front desk. Ask for the manager if you feel you need too ask to be moved. Like someone else said just cus they can't find somewhere you can afford now doesn't mean there won't be somewhere to move you once you are there. But above all HAVE A GREAT TRIP. And tell Mickey I'll be arriving the day after you leave

Take Care
Jamie

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Mary,

Don't get spooked away from your Disney resort. Remember, these are all just opinions. One person's nightmare could be completely missed by the next person. Be flexible and keep a sense of humor.

You've picked a wonderfully themed resort, with plenty of space for everyone. Staying on property is so much more relaing than commuting back and forth.

And here's one of those nasty little truths about vacations and weddings...there is no such thing as flawless perfection. Just look most of the likely flaws and imperfections as the moments that you will laugh about for a long time. They'll give your vacation character!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

So, I'm looking for someone that can convince me to stay at POR. I've never been there, so I'm open.

Well now you are into the whole Onsite/Offsite debate and that is a whole 'nother story. Personally we have never been offsite people. Sometimes our group splits up and some of us go back to the room for naps or swimming and some of us stay. I don't like to drive a car while we are there -- DH and I have a traditional dinner at California Grill where we always order a 2nd bottle of wine and we just don't want to mess with the whole designated driver thing...package delivery .... all the usual arguements.

If it were me, I'd stay at POR and if the teens got too loud I'd put on my best Mom face and tell them to knock it off. If they didn't, I'd be at the front desk telling them to find me a quieter room somewhere.

But others will give you a different opinion.

 

[back2disney]

Thanks everyone.

For the person asking the dates: Pop Warner is 12/4-12/10, from what I've been told.

I have now located an off-site property with full kitchen, larger space than POR room and saving us $600. Even renting a car for the rest of the nights will still save us about $400. We won't have to get up so early, since we can be at the parks for our early morning ADRs without waiting for the bus. I have an AP, so parking at parks would be free. It's a small hotel, so should not have a lot of crowds. We can cook, which will save us money.

So, I'm looking for someone that can convince me to stay at POR. I've never been there, so I'm open. We would NOT be attending early morning hours anyway, so that perk of being a resort guest doesn't matter. My ADRs are all made and the lady at WDW Dining said, even if I cancel my POR ressie, it won't affect my ADRs, at all.

Anyone?

Mary

Be careful some teens may be staying offsite, double check your new hotel to make sure they haven't followed you over there..

 

[LorieR]

Been at POR Mansions twice in December when Pop Warner cheerleaders were there. The only problem we had is with the food courts -- they were absolutely mobbed in the mornings!! (Stayed there last November and really noticed the difference it made!) Absolutely LOVE Riverside and are going back in three weeks!!! Can't wait!!

Lorie

 

[dipin]

This might be too late, but I am going at about the same time and we are staying at the Dolphin. It is more expensive than a moderate, but a lot cheaper than the deluxe, with the added bonus of being within walking distance of mgm and epcot (no buses with cheerleaders...)

 

[dipin]

oh, and on a side note: if you don't want to stay at POR, I wouldn't stay at POFQ either: they share buses and the boat to DTD

 

[Princess Mommy]

I'd stay put- if you have any problems with them, I'd report it to the front desk, but I would assume there would be a cerfew, they are there competing most of the day anyway, right?
POR is a BEAUTIFUL resort- they even have beautiful, holiday carriage rides You'll LOVE it

 

[bengalbelle]

Thanks again, to everyone! I began thinking I'd switch to a DTD resort and started looking into those. I could save a little $$ per night, but with 8:00am ADRs, we'd have to take a taxi at $14.00, just to get to the ADRs on time. Plus, we would not be able to use Magical Express from and to the airport, so a taxi for all of us with the luggage would be $45 each way. That savings is starting to dwindle. I liked the Grosvenor Disney view room, but then I started looking at the comments on the off-site hotel thread and I'm thinking my best bet is to stay put, at the resort we've had ressies for since February, and hope for the best. I'm thinking the odds of us having a bad time are higher by moving than by staying. We will only be at the resorts in the evenings, anyway, and I have NO problem contacting security if they are keeping us awake. And, being that it is a competition, I would hope they would be getting their rest so they would have more energy the next day.

I guess I'm calmer now. Mostly because I really don't have much of a choice. Moving to POFQ wouldn't really help with the whole food court situation. We are just going to think magical. It would confuse Tinkerbell if we moved now. She's going to be delivering golden tickets each morning, along with little presents that are themed for that day's events. Would have to confuse the poor thing.

TTYL
Mary

Obviously people have different experiences with them, but we stayed at POFQ last year and there were some cheer groups there. As far as noise at the resort - we didn't even know they were there. We spend the majority of our time at the parks and we saw way more cheerleaders there. They will break into cheer without any warning so be prepared for that . It's kind of fun unless they're right behind you or surrounding you because they're really LOUD, lol.

The only time we saw the groups from POFQ was on the bus. They were very well mannered and usually got on last, leaving the seats for other guests. It was no issue for us at all.

Now the value resorts - I've read nightmarish stories about the groups there. If you were at a value I'd say get the heck outta there, but I think you'll be fine at POR.

 

[allaboutmm]

We just changed hotels for our trip 12/7-12/12, we were staying at the POP, but now are staying at the CBR. The reasons for the change....the Pop Warner Crowd- I know they are just their to have a good time,I am sure they all are nice people, I was a rah, rah girl in high school, but the thought of a gazillon of them, no thank you.Now I know that the CBR might have an over flow of them, but I am sure it still doesn't compare to the value hotels. The second reason is b/c with the December codes, we paid $130.00 to up grade. We thought it was worth it.This is our families X-Mas present, and to us its like staying at a Deluxe! I would stay put, or try to shop around for some place on site, but thats just my 2 cents. What ever you choose, have a great trip!

 

[goofy4tink]

I was discussing this thread with my dh. He nicely reminded me of the flight home from Florida he had about 8 years ago. Seems he was on the same flight with about 30 girls from Medford that had been to a cheerleading competition. Ohhhh, he wasn't a happy camper. Seems those girls cheered almost all the way home..3 hours, and that didn't include the wait at the airport. Can't you just imagine being on a plane with them?? So, I will concede that there is a possibility for some 'upheaval'. But, don't let it wreck your good time. I've seen families of just 4 make more commotion than any teams I've seen!!! Can we talk about the family that thought it was hysterical to watch their little darling chase around the ducks at Captain Cooks at the Polynesian.....videotaping her running under people's tables, knocking things over, running through the landscaped areas...all the while screaming..."Here ducky ducky....here stupid duck!" Oh yes..good times.