Mousefest and Pop Warner Overlap in Dec?

[n2mm]

I noticed on another thread that mousefest is setting their tentative schedule for their big meet week in WDW. Right now it looks like they are planning the first weekend of December. I know last year we were in WDW the second weekend of December and encountered the Pop Warner groups. Does anyone have the dates for the Pop Warner visit for December 2005. I'm curious how these two LARGE groups are going to overlap again this year. Right now we are holding a ressie for AKL for Dec. 1-5 (the first weekend). I know last year these groups had a HUGE impact on the parks and resorts. Finding a room for the second weekend of December proved to be a challenge for us, but worked out just days before we left. Anyone who plans to visit WDW the first 2 weekends of December will want to pay close attention to these 2 groups and where they are staying. Their arrival will impact the availability of several resorts and also have an impact on some restraurants.

 

[mom_rules]

Oh my! We have ressies at PC 2nd week in Dec.

Sure would like to know what the situation will be then so we can plan accordingly.

 

[WDWorBUST]

The Pop Warner Championships at Disney are 12/4-12/10 this year. I think it's a great program but after being there 2 different years with this group and seeing how much it grew between 2002 and 2004 I will not go back during this time frame. If it were the ONLY time I could go I would definitely stay deluxe. I thought it was bad at ASSP in 2002 but POP was 10X worse in 2004.

 

[mom_rules]

From disney's site: "Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex will host the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships from December 4 - 10, 2005."

and Mousefest is -Walt Disney World -- November 30 - December 3
Disney Cruise -- December 4 - 8

So looks like one is just finishing up and the other is just starting up?

 

[n2mm]

Thanks mom rules for doing the research! So looks like there is no escaping a large group. Did you say you are booked at Pop? ouch! Looks like we will have to pay close attention to the schedule of the mousefest folks to avoid some of the more impacted places....I saw mention of a breakfast at Trail's End (that would pretty much wipe out availability there on that morning). Happily we booked AKL for that trip. But other folks should note that availability will be limited at the resorts for these 2 weekends. And these are the 2 big events we "know" about, I'm sure there are other things going on in addition to the Osborne Lights and other holiday attractions. Good luck to all other early December vacationers!

 

[ccgegg]

I also found out from one of Len Testa's posts that the Performance Racing Industries trade show is held Dec 1-3. 45,000 attendees.

 

[erikthewise]

The OP overstates the impact. We go early Dec every year and have been there during Pop Warner a couple times. I participated in Mousefest in both 2003 and 2004.

As fun as it is, Mousefest is a relatively small event. Although there may have been roughly 1000 participants overall, it is rare for a single Mousefest event to have much more than 100 participants. The MegaMouseMeet has several hundred but unless you go (at the Swan/Dolphin) you wouldn't even know it happened. The impact of Mousefest on park attendance is nil.

Although Pop Warner week has a major impact on certain resorts, the affect on park attendance in the past has been minor. Unless they change their habits, this is unlikely to change. I have yet to notice a large, identifiable Pop Warner group in the parks. Early Dec remains a time of relatively low park attendance.

 

[CarolMN]

ITA with erikthewise. We've been every year around this time since 1998 and never noticed a "large identifiable Pop Warner group" in the parks. And ss far as the parks go, MouseFest is a non-event!

Best wishes -

 

[n2mm]

The OP overstates the impact. We go early Dec every year and have been there during Pop Warner a couple times. I participated in Mousefest in both 2003 and 2004.

As fun as it is, Mousefest is a relatively small event. Although there may have been roughly 1000 participants overall, it is rare for a single Mousefest event to have much more than 100 participants. The MegaMouseMeet has several hundred but unless you go (at the Swan/Dolphin) you wouldn't even know it happened. The impact of Mousefest on park attendance is nil.

Although Pop Warner week has a major impact on certain resorts, the affect on park attendance in the past has been minor. Unless they change their habits, this is unlikely to change. I have yet to notice a large, identifiable Pop Warner group in the parks. Early Dec remains a time of relatively low park attendance.

I only stated that these large groups will have an impact on some peoples plans. As for us, we will gladly be in WDW during mousefest as we have many friends that will be there during this event. I know first hand what impact it had on us last December. We came for the second weekend of December (10-13) and found it incredibly difficult to find a place to stay. We originally snagged a room at A/S sports and tried daily to relocate only finding a room at BWI within days of arriving (at a CM discount). We also know first hand that we were at MGM on Saturday evening the 11th and stood in line for 1 hour to get through the turnstile. After being informed that earlier the park had reached capacity and the park had just reopenned. We were only entering to eat at the 50s PT. I have never been to WDW during capacity, so was shocked to see this was happening during this odd--reportedly slow time. We only encountered the Pop folks at the 50s Prime Time for dinner, and of course, if you did not have a PS you did not get in that night anywhere in MGM. While neither of these groups will make any difference in our plans, I felt it only fair to report what I know so that folks will plan. Suppose you were planning to go to Trail's End for breakfast, as a walk in, on the morning that the mousefest folks are planning their breakfast meet. That is a long commute over, only to find out you can not get in because the restraurant is filled, or had an hour wait. It's only fair that everyone share as much information as possible so that we can all be better prepared for our trips to WDW. As I stated in my original post, these groups (along with other groups) will impact the parks, especially in terms of restraurants and will impact the resorts. Eveyone should plan accordingly. I also find that there is no slow time at WDW. Since we are a cast member family, we visit WDW every other month and have found moderate crowds and heavy crowds, but still haven't found a slow time to visit.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Although Pop Warner week has a major impact on certain resorts, the affect on park attendance in the past has been minor. Unless they change their habits, this is unlikely to change. I have yet to notice a large, identifiable Pop Warner group in the parks. Early Dec remains a time of relatively low park attendance.

Pop Warner is getting bigger though. I heard the 2005 group will be 20% larger than the 2004 group and 2004 was 30% larger than 2003.

While Pop Warner really does not effect park crowds during the day, they do take over DTD at night and you may be sharing your MVMCP party night with them or have one of the parks close early for a private Pop party.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Oh I totally agree that Pop Warner doesn't affect park levels that much. But the value resorts have a major impact on them from the event. I am a laid back go with the flow person and like I said in 2002 we thought it was bad but didn't get overly concerned about going again that time of year at a value. Maybe it was having my daughter or being a couple of years older - but it was really bad in 2004. The food court was always packed. There was never enough chaperones with the kids and the chaperones I did see were hanging around the pool boozing. I will say that the bad behavior always sticks with you - but it was really bad. I witnessed a "chaperone" having it out with a security guard because someone had finally got fed up and alled them. His behavior was ridiculous. I feel like the Pop Warner program is awesome. But I also think that people should have a fairly good idea of what a resort with the Pop Warner kids staying at it will be like. And after this last trip we will not go back that time of year to a value resort. I might go moderate but I've heard they sometimes take over there too so most likely if I couldn't go deluxe that week I wouldn't go at all - especially while my dd is young. I might have felt completely different about this past year even if it weren't for her.

 

[tigerlilly]

We are supposed to go to WDW Dec 2 to the 11th and I am getting increasingly worried...I just keep telling myself that there will never be a time where there will not be some large group there right? We have not been to WDW in 6 years and after the trip this year in 2005 I do not see another trip for at least 5 or more years so I really want this one to be great!
I have seen so far that Mousefest is from Dec 1-3 at the parks and leaving for the cruise on Dec. 4th. Pop Warner is there from Dec 4 to the 10th. I have also read they usually film the Disneyworld Christmas parade that first weekend in the MK.
So is there really any escape from crowds this particular weekend? Does anyone know where the schedule is for the Mousefest events? I know I have called CRO and asked which Hotels the Pop Warner groups will be at this year and they will not say (which I guess I understand) so we have decided to just go Deluxe. Does anyone know Pop Warner Schedule (I have read they get MGM to themselves for a private party one night..Friday...I think) Lastly how much impact does the Christmas Parade taping have on the MK?

 

[exwdwcm]

I became concerned when I read this too and know how annoying cheerleaders can be, i was just in orlando at the gaylord for business in march when they had some other cheerleading competition there and it drove us nuts hearing them all the time. i was one of those rowdy girls when i came to a competition in orlando 15 years ago for nationals so i can say that!

but it seems it doesn't affect the parks too much. We already have reservations at POR and have our airline tickets booked, so no hope of changing anyways. hopefully not many overflow to POR and we are hoping for a great rate at WL to open up and move there anyways.

we aren't planning to hit the parks until monday the 5th (will avoid mouse and christmas parade crowds) and are leaving the morning of the 11th, so here's to hoping we don't experience to much craziness!

 

[k_k_100]

I also found out from one of Len Testa's posts that the Performance Racing Industries trade show is held Dec 1-3. 45,000 attendees.

This is what I'm worried about

I've read that the CR is already full or has it's rooms on "hold" for this time. The Dolphin is TOTALLY full 11/30 the best rate through the 3rd is $250/nt - The Swan has limited avail. for the 30th @ $339

Len Testa has stated that the filming of the Parade doesn't have much of an impact on the MK crowds (12/3) But according to some trip reports I've read it sounds like it is chaos that day!

When I was there last year I remember seeing lines for Peter Pan being over 1 hr. during the day (friday) This year is going to take some serious planning - but - It's still going to be an amazing trip!!!!

 

[erikthewise]

n2mm,

Your contributions are very welcome! None of us sees all or experiences all. My only objection was to your characterization of Mousefest as a "LARGE" group (which it ain't) and the impact of both groups on parks as "HUGE". Your personal experiences with these groups, while unfortunate, are informative and I'm glad you shared them.

If you don't like crowds, I suggest avoiding MK on Saturday, Dec 3 as there probably will be taping of the Christmas Parade going on. It could continue on Sunday as it did a couple years ago. It will probably seem worse than it really is though, as the crowds will be concentrated on Main Street. If you get there at opening and do your priority rides early, you could be just fine. The hard part is getting out

I do recall MGM closing an hour early one night last year, and there was some huge party in the evening -- it could have been Pop Warner. We saw the party only because we were on an Illuminations Cruise, which went to the MGM dock.

 

[GoldenOldie]

...I know first hand what impact it had on us last December. We came for the second weekend of December (10-13) and found it incredibly difficult to find a place to stay. We originally snagged a room at A/S sports and tried daily to relocate only finding a room at BWI within days of arriving (at a CM discount).

That wasn't because of MF. The Mega Mouse Meet at the Dolphin drew about 400 people. Hardly a problem group with well over 20,000 hotel rooms available on site.

Suppose you were planning to go to Trail's End for breakfast, as a walk in, on the morning that the mousefest folks are planning their breakfast meet. That is a long commute over, only to find out you can not get in because the restraurant is filled, or had an hour wait.

There were about 25 people at that breakfast and they had a completely separate dining area in Crockett's Tavern set up for them. Impact on other guest's dining: none.

As I stated in my original post, these groups (along with other groups) will impact the parks, especially in terms of restraurants and will impact the resorts.

Pop Warner will definitely have an effect on those things. Believe me when I tell you that Mousefest will not.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We were at WDW in December (at CBR), for the entire week of Pop Warner and during the end of Mousefest. We barely noticed the Pop Warner kids in the parks, only a few stray small groups. I understand that MGM was closed at six that Friday night for their personal use. The people who were most impacted by the Pop Warner group were those who stayed at the same value resorts that they did - there are lots of reports about unruly and noisy crowds of kids at the food court and pools and on buses. CBR was very peaceful and quiet. We did trip over a few Mousefest gatherings, once at Pizzafari at AK, but the group was fairly small - a couple dozen maybe - and certainly didn't take over the place. If other resorts are fully booked, it is for reasons other than Pop Warner and Mousefest. And as long as you don't stay at a value resort, I don't think you'll even notice the Pop Warner kids. The crowd levels during that week last December were very low, and we were able to see everything we wanted with practically no waiting in line.

 

[daisy_77]

Do these Pop Warner cheer groups affect the buses to the parks in the morning or are they competing during the day? We are staying at Pop...hopefully that was not a mistake to book a room there.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I don't want to scare you off - but the one time my DH had to take a bus he was trapped with loud cheering girls the whole way. And a drunk chaperone....drunk enough the bus driver wasn't going to let him on until the girls begged and pleaded and he gave in. And this chaperone was so drunk he could hardly walk on the bus using the handrails. It was for MVMCP and we didn't ride the busses much during the day because our stroller was such a pain....and the only reason he did then was because he forgot his ticket in the room....But after that we were really glad we didn't. I won't say that a room at Pop was a "mistake" just be prepared. When I say the kids take over I am not exaggerating. I mean the quiet pool was PACKED all the time day and night. So packed that even if we had wanted to use the pool I would not even have attempted it - even if it had only been me and DH - but especially with DD. And screaming and running around. I feel like the rooms are fairly well insulated but we could hear the kids up until VERY late.....fortunately our DD slept through all the noise. Just remember it's a bunch of pre-teen and teen kids without enough adult supervision and you'll get a pretty good picture of what Pop was like this past December....not to scare you off - only so you do know what to expect.

 

[daisy_77]

I talked it over with my husband and he prefers another resort. So we looked into it and we decided to stay at CSR...it is a bit more than what we are originally paying, but he did not realize that Pop did not have high-speed internet access. That is the main reason we are going to CSR. He owns his own business and even though we are on vacation, he has to respond to emails and stuff in the morning (I am just babbling, now). I am just glad we are going!!! Thanks to everyone for getting the dates up for Pop Warner !