Pop Warner Football Teams

[mtrice]

Someone told me not to plan my trip the week of December 5-11 because the Pop Warner Football Teams and Cheerleading squads would be in town performing. Has anyone been when they are there? Would it be better if we went at another time. We are flexible right now as to when in late November into December that we could go.

Please advise.

Thanks!
Melissa

 

[MinnieM21]

I was there from the 6th of December to the 16th. I saw no affect on the crowds in the parks. We never had to wait in long lines and the crowds were light on the weekends and weekdays. It was our first trip and we had a wonderful time. Go during Early December, it's a perfect time!

There will always be crowds in the parks no matter what time of the year you go. Have a plan, pick the best parks for the best days, use fastpass and you'll be fine.

 

[DebbieB]

I would only avoid it if you are planning on staying at a value or moderate, that is where they stay. According to reports, they monopolize the pools and food courts.

 

[cobbler]

I was at a value with them last year. It was ok unless you were in the food courts. Not terrible but just really really crowded.
Also there was no way you were going to have pool time if they were on property, it was a mad house.

The parks weren't bad at all. We were away from them in the rooms so I can't say how it is in the rooms at night because we weren't in any rooms that were to close to them.

 

[mma]

We went last year Dec. 4 thru 10 and it was more crowded than when we went the year before in the first week of October. In Dec. the decorations were great but there was so much to see already and the crowds congested the parks so much that you had to pay more attention to navigating than looking at xmas decorations. We had to wait 20 to 30min. for shows and rides as opposed to the year before when we walked onto everything. It was a lot more fun just walking and looking at things too because no one was crowding you. I can't imagine going when it is crowded! It really changed the experience some for us especially with groups of cheerleaders chanting everywhere. We stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and there were some groups there but not a lot. I noticed them more in the parks. We will be going the 3rd week in Sept. in 2006 just to avoid the crowds as much as possible.
Good Luck.

 

[mtrice]

We will be checking out on the 4th - does anyone know when they start checking in???

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I agree with DebbieB. We stayed at a Deluxe and I didn't even realize they were in the parks until I returned and heard complaints on the Dis.

 

[scrump]

I stayed that first week in December in 2003. You won't notice them in the parks, just at the resorts if you are staying at a value or moderate. Admittedly, the food court was CRAZY when we were there, but we didn't stay long and I actually didn't mind that much. If you're in a moderate, just ask for a section away from them. Enjoy!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

We were at SSR last December during Pop Warner / Cheerleader season. Only two time we noticed: 1) at the bus stop in SSR - a lot of them seemed to use it for a connection point (DTD? Hotels?) and 2) once at DTD, a swarm (flock? school? murder?) of cheerleaders was shrieking non-stop. It did not materially affect our time in the parks.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'd avoid going the Warner,/Cheerleader week if I were you--especially if you are staying at ANY resort where these groups are warehoused.
There have been far too many stories of bad experiences to take the chance. IT's simply not woth risking having your long awaited WDW vacation spoiled. You might get lucky and not have your vacation impacted--but if it were, I believe you would be sorry for not going at another time.
Go in late November and leave before they get there!!

 

[crazee4mickey]

We were there Dec. 3-13 this past year--it wasn't totally out of control but enough to make us not want to return at this time again. It sounded like this past year was by far the worst. Unfortunately the actions of some have reflected badly on the group as a whole.
This time of year we got to experience really beautiful weather and take in all of the Christmas activities without the Christmas crowds----
We had a rather unpleasant run in with one group of football players which ruined our first night ever at WDW, they were the only football players we saw the entire time!
There are lots of cheerleaders and at first we thought it was neat the way they cheered all the time but the constant cheering in your ear as you waited in line got to be a little much. Also, the rudeness and lack of consideration for others in the parks-I know everyone can be rude but it is worse when they are in a pack of 20!
If you could get there just after Thanksgiving so you can enjoy the WDW Christmas events that would be perfect.
I know this is a very "touchy" subject on the DIS boards but if someone asks about recommending visiting during this time I'm not going to pretend like the time we experienced was the best ever, so Flame away!
If you do decide to go at this time hopefully enough Pop/Warner adults read the posts on DIS to realize that they are not the only ones who are at the parks for a "once in a lifetime" experience" and have respect for others.

 

[Rneighh]

How soon will the schedule for 2006 be posted?

Renee

 

[dolphindan1]

You can count on it always being the 2nd full week in December....We always go that week and its never an issue plus we stay at the All stars...Food COurt stays busy at normal eat times....Parks are still un crowded....We are planning to go again this year same time same week....

 

[janice1234]

we have gone 3 times in december during pop warner competions. only once we stayed inthe same hotel as the football players, it was never loud or crazy just a ton of kids. the parks have not ever made a difference. the only thing that bugged me was one time coming home from disney, the cheerleaders were on our plane ride home. they continually cheered, that was something. (please do not hate me) i am a mom of football, and cheerleader, but there is a time and a place. the parks are beautifully decorated for xmas, and pretty low crowds. have fun.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

It really changed the experience some for us especially with groups of cheerleaders chanting everywhere.

I've had this happen a couple of times in lines and it is very annoying. I wonder why they do this? Don't they get all the "cheer" out at the competitions?