Pop Warner event's effects?

[Pigletlover]

Could someone please tell me what the Pop Warner event is and how many people it brings in? I am trying to plan our days around this.

Will they be staying at the Pop Century?

Will they cause the parks to be crowded on December 10 and 11, or do they go home on the 11th?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I am wondering the same thing. I will be there from the 9th-12th.

 

[WDWorBUST]

You'll see the kids at the parks but it isn't a really big deal. However last year we stayed at Pop Century and they made me crazy - kids running everywhere - pools mobbed at all hours of the day - the food court was a nightmare. Now we did have a 13 month old with us last year which may have been why they annoyed me a little more than perhaps in the past....but after being there this past week I have forever sworn off Pop Warner week - at least at a Value hotel. Oh...and we had went a prior year (2002) that same week at All-Star Sports and although it was a little annoying did not bother me near as much as last year. My main advice (especially at Pop Century) is try to go to the food court EARLY if you are going for breakfast and off hours for any other meals....it will still be crowded....but nothing like at peak times. And don't stress about them - you really can't change them being there or their behavior only prepare yourself for it and how you react to it will make all the difference.

Oh and it's the Super Bowl of little league football (and the cheerleaders are there too) - in a nutshell.

 

[TiNKERBELLAo5]

When pop warner is in Disney ist a big mob everywhere... i've been to the nationals the past 2 years(`03 CBR '04 POR)and once in `01(POR) has a participant...Obnoxious teenagers cutting in lines.. there are 90 cheerteams plus family and plus the league boards , football teams and familys with league boards also the dance teams with there familys... also one nigth during the week MGM closes early for the participants of the championships... sorry for the bad news

 

[tink2]

Well, this is a topic that gets lots of responses on these boards. Most of the negative ones I've read have to do with the hotels. If I were you, I'd try to avoid a value at all costs. Last year, we stayed at POFQ the whole week they were there. The only effect we really encountered was one night at the food court- it was crowded, but they were all well behaved and polite. We did see a few large groups once or twice in the parks- but no big deal. The crowds were still very light in the parks. If we saw a large group, we would simply go to a different ride and come back to the one we were originally going on. We learned this after being in line with a group for Big Thunder Mountain- probably the longest we waited in line all week- about 20 minutes and they were cheering the whole time. Not only were they cheering, they were a hispanic group and we had no idea what they were chanting. Anyway, from then on we just went the other way when we saw a group- which was only a couple of times anyway. The Friday night of that week they have a big party for the groups at MGM- we were there Friday last year and it got more crowded as the day went on. I would avoid MGM Friday if I could. Other than that, unless you are staying at a value, I think you will be fine. Have a magical time!!!!

 

[Pigletlover]

Thanks guys!

So do most of them go home on December 10 or 11?

 

[Mysteria]

I've been twice during Pop Warner and never experienced a problem with them either at the resort (AS Music) or in the parks. Normal teenage behaviour yes, listening to them practice yes, but I've never experienced any of the rudeness that other people seem to have.

Myst

 

[puffkin]

We were there in 2003 during their week. Stayed at AKL so we didn't have any problems with them at the resort (seem to mostly stay in the values and mods). We didn't really notice them in the parks at all, they are pretty much tied up with their events all week. Only on the last Saturday did we see them in droves, when their events were over. I believe they are pretty much gone by that Sunday.

 

[Leighannapb]

When will they be there?

 

[Mom to Jordan]

As long as you avoid value resorts it is fine. We did see a lot of the kids in the park but we encounted NO rude or bad behavior. We talked to a few familes and found all to be quite delightful. HOWEVER...seeing the lines for the buses to the values was a shockers. THey were unreal. People would have to wait though several buses often accouring to some girls 45 minutes or more each time. We were at WL and had no issues what so ever.

Jordan's mom

 

[Leighannapb]

Never mind. I searched around and found out the dates.

 

[lentesta]

What are there, maybe a hundred teams? And how many people per team, fifty? Sixty? So that's five to six thousand extra people spread out over four theme parks. I don't think it's enough to make a difference, even if the actual number is double the estimate.

Len

 

[MinnieM21]

I was there last year (December 2004) while Pop Warner was going on. I didn't even know they were at WDW. There weren't any crowds and it was the perfect time to go.
Don't worry about it and have a great time.

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone around this time the past 7 years and it really wasn't a big deal (I stayed at BWV, not one of the values). You will see small groups in the parks and some annoying behavior but it isn't a big deal.