Pop Warner and MGM Friday?

[wasabi girl]

I've read some of the posts on Pop Warner week at WDW. I'll be there the same week. I saw that MGM closed early on a Friday for a special event for them. Is the rest of the day at MGM okay? I was making a preliminary itinerary and DDs and I were meeting up with DH for a late lunch (around 2-ish) at 50's Prime Time Diner on the Friday of our vacation. Will that work? I'm not complaining about Pop Warner kids or anyone else (I have kids of my own, sometimes seemingly multiplied geometrically when their friends are at our house too!) I'm just wondering how exactly the early park closing affects the rest of the day and is this the only special event that affects everyone NOT Pop warner during the week? Thanks for any information, it is much appreciated.

 

[Lorelai]

I don't have any answers, just another question. We too may be visiting while the pop warner event is happening, & I'm wondering if there is a certain amount of time that they are not in the parks - I've heard they have most of their time at Disney's wide world of sports. With 3 little ones I'd rather have some info so as to avoid massive amounts of pre teens. I know I'll be traveling with my own preteens someday soon, but for now I'd rather dodge the masses. Thanks for any info.

 

[DebbieB]

I was at MGM on a Friday one time before their party, about 3 years ago. It got extremely crowded in the late afternoon, they were probably admitted early. There was also a sign out front that Osborne Lights closed exactly at 7:00pm. Other than that, I don't think it has a big effect on overall crowds. They travel in small groups. The girls can be a little annoying, they breakout in spontaneous cheers and do intentional freak outs (like screaming at the top of their lungs on ToT). Unless you are staying at a value or moderate, I wouldn't change your plans.

 

[musicmom3]

Many PW folks take the Mears busses that are provided for them from the resorts. These busses don't start loading until about 40 minutes before the MGM party begins. The busses take you to a special entryway where the party passes are checked, probably to avoid a big crush at the front gate as people are leaving. MGM seems to be a hot spot with PW kids, so I think you will always find more athletes there during that week than at the other parks.

 

[dolphindan1]

We learned the hard way to avoid MGM on friday during POP week....POP crowds got an early start on there day at MGM...it was the most crowded time of the week at any park....I always advise when I post about POP week to avoid MGM on that day....

As far as POP week goes....Do not change your plans except for Friday....We stay at the aLL STARS every year and have yet to have a problem we just ask for a quiet room of the beaten path....You will notice groups in the park but its no problem and as far as the cheerleaders go I think the squealing ands to the fun of the rides like TofT and RnR....but I wouldnt want to hear on Spaceship Earth....U know what I mean....I think they are well behaved for the most part and you will have a great time

 

[KevinM]

We were there for Pop Warner week in 03 and 04. Don't really notice them in 03, but we did have more than a few problems in 04. There are other threads discussing that, so I won't get into it...

Anyway, we were at MGM on Friday during Pop Week in 04 and it was literally overrun with cheerleaders by early afternoon. A CM at the ToT told us that he was called into work that day because they were closing the park early for them. All he said was "Lucky me! 10 thousand cheerleaders!" and rolled his eyes. I would try to avoid that park on Friday.

 

[dolphindan1]

I agree with Kevin....avoid it on Friday..Last year was busier than 03 by a longshot but that wasnt just POP causing the influx...Hurricanes caused alot....That being said Tourism is picking up and I expect this year to be even busier and POP is already saying they expect more....But it is still better than Easter or June or any other time of the year....As for problems with POP like I said before it was not a big issue as with any crowd anywhere anytime there will be the bad apple that spoils the bunch....With alot of planning you should have no problems....If you see a crowd go right take a left....or whatever...You will have a GREAT trip....

 

[John Dobbertin]

Ah, yes. Back to cheerleaders-dancers-footballers. We've been there with all three. Problem is not in the Parks. Problem is at AS & PC. These youngsters are bunked-up in rooms in large numbers. Basically unsupervised. Anyone who says they were at AS with cheerleaders & "didn't have a problem" was (a) unfortunate enough to be able to book a room, and (b) oblivious to everything around them! WDW must print $$ on these groups or they wouldn't put up with them. If you booked at AS or PC while these groups are there, strongly suggest moving.

 

[dolphindan1]

I have to kindly disagree with you John....I have read the Horror Stories about the All Stars during POP week....We have yet to have a problem at the resorts with the noteable exception of the cafeteria...It stayed packed....WE always requested a quiet room off the beaten path and were never disturbed....Last December we stayed in the back of the Toy story building 3rd floor and down our hall we saw 6 people all week....Now keep in mind we were only in our room to sleep....the year before that we were 1st floor at one of the Touchdown buildings and it was quiet....Now I have 2 young boys so maybe my tolerance is a little higher than most and I always sleep with the TV on...BUT I stress I had no problem at the All Stars whatsoever....Now MGM was a different story and it was one incident that could have happened anywhere....People who complain about these guys have obviously had very bad problems and I understand there caution but I cannot say enuff that its still a great time to go and I would just ask for a quiet room at check in....

 

[wasabi girl]

Thanks for the tips! We're staying at the CR so I don't anticipate any problems. I was really wondering about our lunch on Friday at MGM and wondering if the closing of MGM early is the only special POP warner thing at WDW that will affect the parks, recreation, etc. It looks like we will rearrange that lunch!