Is Pop Warner a Concern?

[GoofyJoofy]

We are going to WDW Dec 9 - Dec 12 and just found out that the Pop Warner Cheerleading and Football Competitions will be happening Dec 5 - Dec 11.

Just wondering how this group effects the crowds at the Parks and MVMCP? Anyone been to Disney when these groups are there?

How does (or does it) this group effect the lines at the rides and attractions?

Thanks

 

[laceemouse]

I have never heard of Pop Warner affecting the parks at all. The only complaints I have seen are at the value resort where crowds of unsupervised kids are roaming around. We went to Disney once in early December. It was 1999 and we stayed off-site. I have no idea if Pop Warner was going on at the time. Hopefully someone with more experience will respond. I would not worry about it too much if I were you. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[DisneyFan79]

We were there this past December when Pop Warner was going on. Except for the fact that I knew it was going on, I would have never known. I never saw any of the participants the whole time I was there. We did however stay at the WL. I guess if you were to stay at one of the hotels they are staying at you might get to see more of them. We also went to MVMCP and didn't see any of them. By the way, if you are going during that time, make sure you at least check out the Wilderness Lodge. If you can, I definitely recommend staying there. The Christmas decor is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Thanks for the information and encouragement.

DisneyFan79 - We will be staying at Grand Floridian, but we are planning some resort touring time so that we can check out the decorations at WL, Poly & the Epcot resorts (BC/YC & BWI)

With a comment like yours, I am looking forward to seeing how WL is "done up" for the holidays!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We were there during that time last year (also at WL)! We had no problems with Pop Warner. I think that the only problem you would have would be staying at the All Stars. We did see a lot of the children in the parks, but they were well supervised and behaved well. We did however see huge packs of kids trying to catch buses from the parks to the all-stars and I think using bus service would have been a night mare for this resort. There were pop kids at MVMCP the night we were there but I don't really think that it increased the crowds at all.



Jordan's mom

 

[crow11ad]

I am glad we moved from the movies to WL. Woohoo come on December.

 

[Scoobmuzic]

We were there in Dec 2001 staying at PO Riverside. We saw mostly groups of cheerleaders staying at PO. We would see groups in the parks from time to time, they all wear the colors of thier teams, but it didn't seem to impact the wait times. You see the cars all done up with the team names too.

Friends of ours were staying at the All Star Sports at the same time and they said NEVER AGAIN would they stay there during POP Warner. They said the kids were in the pool until all hours and being very loud. They said the parents were just as bad, drinking and partying outside the rooms until all hours. I was very glad we had booked PO that year!

 

[disneyw/kids]

Does anyone know the dates that the POP Warner thing is going on? And I guess by the posts that they do seem to stay at the AS, we are at the GF so I hope we will be okay.

 

[flyinglizard]

GoofyJoofy- Have no fear, just don't go near the All Stars!

We always go in early December and have never had or seen a problem with the kids from the Pop Warner group. But you should see the lines for the busses in the mornings from the AS Hotels!!!

Yeah they are young and letting off some steam, but they are a very good group of kids and for a lot of them, this is a dream come true.

Now that you are looking for them you will see them, but I really don't think they will have ANY affect on your trip or your enjoyment of the magic!

 

[Uncleromulus]

THis "matter" has come up often. Consensus seems to be that they don't have much effect on the parks, but you don't want to be staying at ANY Disney hotel where they are booked. In addition to AllStars, it appears that they will occasionally spill-over to other WDW low-end/moderate hotels.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to jump to the defense of the kids staying at AllStarMu last Dec. We checked in on Fri the 12th. Yes, it was towards the end of the Pop Warner/cheerleader time but we never had an issue. It could have been that my dd and I used the food court earlier than the cheerleaders but we never had a problem. Yes, they were all over the resort but for the most part they wer quite well-behaved. And I did go knowing they would be there and I was loaded for bear, so to speak. But it was never a problem. I saw these kids on the buses, giving up seats to older people or those with young kids. Once or twice I did hear some less than desirable language but not very often. So, go and have fun. The parks didn't seem to be any worse with them or without. We toured the other resorts as well and never saw any more kids at them. MGM was closed down one night for an event for just these folks. I think they went in at 8:30 or so and had the park to themselves at 9 or so, after Fantasmic.

I wouldn't have any hesitation in going at that time again. Well, except maybe for the chilliness. I did find that more bothersome than the cheerleaders!!

 

[Magic2000]

We've also visited a couple of times in early Dec (twice staying at All Star Movies, once at Grand Floridian). If they were there while we were, we certainly didn't know it!!! Never had a problem with buses or loudness. We never heard our neighbors!

Go and enjoy!!! We'll be back again this year, staying at our new favorite - Wilderness Lodge!

 

[scrump]

We were there at the All Star Sports between 12/3 - 12/11 last year, and we definitely noticed them. As the others have posted, if you're not in the All Stars, you should be OK. Otherwise, just enjoy the FABULOUS Christmas decorations!

 

[Strings]

Will Pop Century be a problem? We're going 2005, and we were going to do PC or CS.

 

[bhillier]

What kind of pop warner competitions? Are they play off games? Are they teams from Fl? How many kids (aprox)?

 

[dolphindan1]

We stayed at the all star sports last year and I didnt see a major problem. The only problem was eating at the comon times was very busy. Most of the kids were well behaved but there is always that few that have to make them all look bad. I do believe the last night there they open up MGM after closing for the POP Warners we were at MGM that day and it was packed and as we left at closing more buses were coming in full of kids.

POP WARNER is the little league football and cheerleading championships. team from all arounf the US compete in this event. Its usually pre teens and younger.

I am currently trying to confirm the dates this year for it so I can play my stay accordingly. I didnt have any issues just want to avoid MGM that day

 

[disneyw/kids]

If you find out any dates please let us know. I am trying to do the same. thank you

 

[NotUrsula]

Here is the link to their calendar page, the dates for 2004 are Dec. 5-11:

http://www.popwarner.com/articles/December.asp

 

[dolphindan1]

Thanks for that link....

 

[crow11ad]

Yeah but what about the mgm night. Ahhhh may have to change some things...