Let's talk Cheer Squads / Competitions?

[zavandor]

We have had groups at All Stars Music blasting their boom boxes to practice their routines in the middle of the day. If you were trying to sneak back for an afternoon nap for your kids, you would be kept awake. It was that loud all over at the end of the resort. If staying at a value, I will stay Sunday to Thursday if the calendar shows a competition in Orlando

When has this happened? I've read it's better now, but maybe not?

 

[Cfabar1]

Where does one even go to view the calendar of groups?

 

[Tink3815]

When has this happened? I've read it's better now, but maybe not?

This was January 2024

 

[Tink3815]

When has this happened? I've read it's better now, but maybe not?

Where does one even go to view the calendar of groups?

https://www.espnwwos.com/events
https://www.myvarsity.com/CompetitionSearch?endDate=1/31/2025&startDate=1/1/2025&state=FL

or you can google competions in Orlando FL

 

[zackiedawg]

I run into them pretty much every year. Because I go to Disney 4-5 times a year and one of them always falls in Jan/Feb, that tends to put me right in that window for the cheer squads. I'm also often there during the Pop Warner season, the Brazil tour group season, and other large groups that can sometimes be a little rowdy or noisy - but honestly I'd say it's more rare behavior - most of the time, the groups are reasonably respectful, at least as much as any family groups where the kids occasionally act up. As others mention, my encounters are almost always in the parks - I've never been at a DVC resort where they were staying there. I probably have the most negative experience with the Brazilian and South American groups - not because of them personally, but just because of the sheer volume - I've seen groups that are 40-60 strong, and had 2-3 of those groups all in the same area - so we're talking 180 or so people all trying to stick together as they walk along, which can make for some difficulty trying to cross a street when they're heading past!

 

[bdrex28]

daTHANK YOU, ALL! Yep, your comments agreed with my expectations: might see them in the parks but not, as a concentrated population, at the DVC resorts.


So, umm, yeah, well ... hmm. Here is my new discovery: The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel is a new type of animal.

• DLH has a convention center which hosts cheer/gymnastics competitions (etc).
• The DLH convention center is unavoidable as one navigates between the DVC tower at DLH and the self-parking lot.
• Competitions can consume 100% of the available self-parking.
• The convention center is easy to access from the general neighborhood and may "attract" somewhat unsavory observers.

I criss-crossed between the DVC Discovery Tower and self-parking a few times during our visit. Seeing the scantily and provocatively dressed young girls was one thing. Seeing the supervising adults directing them in floor exercises including "downward-dog" yoga positions (with their backsides to an open walkway!) almost triggered me ... as I found that I wasn't the only one seeing these moves. There were plenty of men watching, too. UGH. I wanted to throw towels around the girls and get them shuffled to a space deeper inside the conference center! UGH. What were these people thinking?

EDITED TO ADD: The hotspot/link around the hotel name in my "discovery" statement is not mine. It goes to a board sponsor (advertisement) and I cannot remove it or turn it off. (Just giving the reader a heads up ... )

I am glad I was a volleyball dad rather than Cheer/Dance Dad. Much simpler and easier. I guess I still am as one is just about to play her final college season. I suppose with them being 6'2 and 6'3 they would have looked weird doing cheer/dance. LOL

I would guess that the getting ready in the morning is about 5 minutes for volleyball. No telling how long it must take these young ladies for their cheer/Dance comps. hour+?

Anyway, as to the original question. We saw them for the first time this last trip we were there, but it was just a small group (May 11-18th) in Epcot carrying around their trophies and still in their uniforms. I'm sure they were pretty excited. But, definitely didn't see any issues.

Volleyball did have some national qualifiers in Orlando but not specifically at WDW. Although we'd always make a trip to the parks before and after the tournament. There's a pseudo national championship hosted at the Orlando convention center in July. I say Pseudo because it's a pay and go tournament. You don't earn the right to go. If I recall, although it's been years since we were involved in club volleyball, it used to be hosted at Disney/ESPN.

 

[SL6827]

I think AKL will be the new deluxe offered going forward each January and February.

 

[keishashadow]

WE have run into Cheers many a Feb. They stay mostly at AllStars..or Pop...might see them at Contemp for the large convention rooms..but do alot at Sports Complex and sometimes perform at DS.
Seen them at the parks after but most times they are good

From those I know ho currently attend, WBC appears to be “the” place to be these days. It is lovely there and better value for most who don’t own DVC

We have had groups at All Stars Music blasting their boom boxes to practice their routines in the middle of the day

And i thank them for that from the bottom of my heart.

It was the tipping point for the mr to turn to me and say “go ahead & buy DVC”

I'm also often there during the Pop Warner season,

U onsite properties are their official hotels for last few years. We never had an issues with running into their groups over the years, their chaperones appeared to run a tight ship & seemed to be more parents with their entire families vs X # kids to one chaperone

I am glad I was a volleyball dad rather than Cheer/Dance Dad

many of us were stretched in different directions with kids competing in multiple different school, club and individual endeavors. Happily, often riding shotgun now with GD too (gymnastics, cheer & various sports), different sort of experience than with my boys.

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

I think AKL will be the new deluxe offered going forward each January and February.

Just curious why you believe that. Generally, they stay where there are larger areas to practice both inside and outside eg Coronado, and All Stars even other convention hotels in the immediate area. I have encountered cheerleaders, dancers and their parents at Coronado mostly. I can deal with youth events, there is activity everywhere at Disney to be sure. What does concern me is with the increased presence of scooters and strollers I have witnessed little ones and mobile challenged persons getting somewhat trampled when at the parks and Disney Springs. I saw a group of cheerleaders I believe, given their outfits and chants, nearly run over a toddler and it was scary. I do not believe they have ill will or intention at all. Just caught up in the moment. However despite what group affiliation be it cheerleaders or otherwise perhaps a general policy that addresses safety with larger moving organized groups might help. I have seen CM’ s with flags and vests that take VIP tours out and it seems to work well. They are generally 6-10 people tops though.

 

[SL6827]

Just curious why you believe that. Generally, they stay where there are larger areas to practice both inside and outside eg Coronado, and All Stars even other convention hotels in the immediate area. I have encountered cheerleaders, dancers and their parents at Coronado mostly. I can deal with youth events, there is activity everywhere at Disney to be sure. What does concern me is with the increased presence of scooters and strollers I have witnessed little ones and mobile challenged persons getting somewhat trampled when at the parks and Disney Springs. I saw a group of cheerleaders I believe, given their outfits and chants, nearly run over a toddler and it was scary. I do not believe they have ill will or intention at all. Just caught up in the moment. However despite what group affiliation be it cheerleaders or otherwise perhaps a general policy that addresses safety with larger moving organized groups might help. I have seen CM’ s with flags and vests that take VIP tours out and it seems to work well. They are generally 6-10 people tops though.

Well I think AKL will be the Deluxe that is offered because that's what's been being offered. But I bet it's the least chosen resort because of the price tag. Who knows going forward?

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

Well I think AKL will be the Deluxe that is offered because that's what's been being offered. But I bet it's the least chosen resort because of the price tag. Who knows going forward?

Oh thanks for sharing. I never knew they offered deluxe resort packages . Good to know. Makes sense it would be AKL due to its proximity to ESPN. Thanks for letting me know. It probably would not influence my decision to stay there to be honest but I learned something new. Never knew they had deluxe packages for youth events. I love AKL. I imagine they would not be too noisy anyway as there is no real area to congregate anyway with the exception of parking lot and maybe the courts on kidani side. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

 

[Mouseforward]

Had a bad experience with cheer groups at SD in Feb 2023. Late night screaming and door slamming coupled with "chaperones" who excused all the behavior - hotel had to step in. No issue in the parks.