Large groups at resorts?

[Makcarly]

We were at Pop Century this past April. There were a ton of teen groups there but I have no why. Sports and dance groups maybe? They took over a pool one day, the food court one morning, etc. I'd like to avoid groups for my upcoming trip in April. Is there a way to find out if there will be any groups there?

 

[WEDWDW]

April's main group events are Cheerleading and Dance Worlds and The Summit.

Both events are late April/early May.

It seems there are very few times at WDW without either The 15s and/or Cheer-Sports groups anymore.

I just returned form WDW-December has historically been "15s Free",but they were there this year(along with Pop Warner).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The best way to avoid large youth groups is to stay at Deluxe resorts, she said, helpfully spending your money.

 

[nkereina]

I don't believe Disney publishes the groups but you can google and stumble across some of the group's pages. Typically it's the value resorts that are susceptible to the school/sports groups. Convention resorts like some deluxe and CSR cater more towards business groups, so more adults.

 

[RustManFan]

Or pitch a tent at FW! Very doubtful any large groups head there.... unless there is a sudden SCOUT infestation!!

 

[lustergirl]

End of April: cheerleading competition and they stay at the values. I experienced that first hand this past April on a solo trip and made the mistake of staying t AS Sports in a standard room. I was in the hoops section, on the 3rd floor, right in the middle of loud and obnoxious teenagers. The cheerleaders were there along with many young men who were on class trips. Not good.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I think that there is a Wide World of Sports link I saw somewhere that lists out when all the cheer competitions are (I can only handle so much "Perky!") I am not sure about the 15s

Tom

 

[dansdad]

We were at Pop Century this past April. There were a ton of teen groups there but I have no why. Sports and dance groups maybe? They took over a pool one day, the food court one morning, etc. I'd like to avoid groups for my upcoming trip in April. Is there a way to find out if there will be any groups there?

Like @nkereina stated, WDW does not publish Tour Groups that are staying On Site. However, they do publish Sports Teams and Competitions that are happening On Site. Check out https://www.espnwwos.com/events/#view=calendar

And then what I do if I find a competition is happening when we are there is check out that Organization's website for details on the travel packages available for the participants to see where they are staying.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

They also stay at some of the moderates too. We ran into the cheerleaders at POR & they practiced everywhere there was grass. They cheered on the buses, the boats & always took over the lobby & food court. We now avoid the moderates during that time frame & go to the BWI instead.

 

[nkereina]

They also stay at some of the moderates too. We ran into the cheerleaders at POR & they practiced everywhere there was grass. They cheered on the buses, the boats & always took over the lobby & food court. We now avoid the moderates during that time frame & go to the BWI instead.

Moderate resorts are generally used as overflow, save for Pop Warner where CBR and CSR have been offered most recently as an option. Your greatest chance at encountering young groups are at the All Stars, Pop Century, then Moderate resorts except POFQ. In that order. Good to note for someone hoping to avoid them.

 

[Miked0292]

Also watch out for the Brazilian groups , they can become quite loud and have ruined a couple of moments where i was trying to relax Deluxes resorts for the win

 

[Amanda999]

FWIW A friend's daughters are going to POR mid-April with their dance group (young teens) - for a performance somewhere at WDW (not competition, IIRC). I.e., POR isn't their group's overflow resort - that's the chosen resort. (POR was chosen partially because they can fit 5 in AB rooms.)

 

[VAfamily1998]

Ugh....My 16 year old son and I will be staying at CBR in mid April for the Star Wars half marathon. I had totally forgot about the cheerleading groups when I booked. I'm guessing my son will not mind

 

[NatalieMT]

April 23rd-25th is Cheerleading and Dance Worlds typically people start arriving 21st/22nd (although the official accom info says 20th) and usually leave the 26th, then you've got The Summit April 29th to May 1st, people generally start arriving the 28th and will leave the 2nd. The hotels on both competition packages are AS Sports, AS Movies, AS Music, Pop Century, CBR and Coronado Springs.

We are going in April for Cheerleading Worlds but staying at Saratoga Springs because the buses to/from WWoS to hotels on the travel packages are just a nightmare especially late at night, thought we'd be best off staying somewhere else and just paying for taxis etc. Although stayed at AS Sports last April for the event, we were in Home Run and it was totally fine. Yes it was busy and yes people were getting in some practice on the football field but there wasn't any noise that disturbed us in our room.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just came back from a stay at POP during Pop Warner week. It actually wasn't bad at all. Maybe because I had mentally prepared myself for a nightmare. We only saw the kids in the morning in the food court and the kids that stayed at POP were the little ones. I know the teams were all around us as the parking lot at our building was filled with team trailers/buses and personal vehicles with team stuff written on the windows.

I've also stayed in Jan, Feb and March. There are teams and bands every weekend.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

this is when DVC really comes in handy. I'm not sure it never happens but if it does, it is extremely rare that youth groups stay at deluxe or DVC resorts.

I am also not sure that they end up at Art of Animation - they haven't been putting them in suites, and there are very few regular rooms there.