Pop Warner Week - NEVER AGAIN. Anyone Feel The Same???

[WDW Poly Princess]

I felt the presence of the groups a LOT more this year than in the past, too. Normally, I only remember seeing big crowds at breakfast, but this year, they seemed to be everywhere!

I will say that I saw some of the Pop Warner groups that were really well behaved.

A funny thing I overheard while I was at PO-FQ (which was full of Pop W. people). A group of 5 or so cheerleaders ran over towards the hot tub, and then I saw them walking back the way they came a few minutes later. One yelled to what I assume was someone else from their team, "It's full of OLD people!". Turns out that there were people in *GASP!* their 30's and 40's over there!

 

[FatCow]

I read that post. I have no problem with them staying at one of the value resorts. I do have an issue with the fact that Disney is going to accomidate the larger crowd next year by letting the teams start staying at the Moderates. This basically leaves those people who don't want to be in the middle of wall to wall popwarner reps to stay at Deluxes. Who can afford to pay $300-$400 a night on top of everything else. This is also going to cause the week after this is over to be much more crowded than it usually has and harder to get a room that you want.

That's what being called as "Disney's Magic". Your money will magically disappear by $300 to $400 more each night!

 

[John Dobbertin]

I felt the presence of the groups a LOT more this year than in the past, too. Normally, I only remember seeing big crowds at breakfast, but this year, they seemed to be everywhere!

I will say that I saw some of the Pop Warner groups that were really well behaved.

A funny thing I overheard while I was at PO-FQ (which was full of Pop W. people). A group of 5 or so cheerleaders ran over towards the hot tub, and then I saw them walking back the way they came a few minutes later. One yelled to what I assume was someone else from their team, "It's full of OLD people!". Turns out that there were people in *GASP!* their 30's and 40's over there!

Just the age of their parents! Oh My ______!!

 

[FatCow]

LOL! I'm considered OLD by them.

 

[crazee4mickey]

We were at WDW from Dec 3-13, 2004 and I was absolutely disgusted by the adult chaperones of Pop/Warner kids.
The kids would be in line for a ride or sitting for a show and it would be the adults who would get them going! The first couple of times standing in line and hearing them cheer, you thought "oh they're just kids having fun" but it went on all the time! Standing beside 15-30 girls cheering in your ear time after time gets really annoying! It's great to be at WDW and have fun but show respect for others as well.
I also had a problem with the boys---I was in tears when I left the Magic Kingdom our very first night there. I was going down Mainstreet with my little kids looking in the windows at the displays when we passed about 10 boys at one section. We went around them and continued looking-they were whispering and nudging each other one bumped my 8 year old but we continued walking. The next window we stop at to look, we are standing there when all of a sudden there is a loud "farting" noise in my ear complete with spit! I couldn't believe it, I don't allow my own kids to spit let alone have some strange kid spitting on me! I had enough and went over to them saying that what they had just done was incrediably rude and uncalled for--of course they laughed. As I am leaving one of the male chaperones comes over to the boys and they tell him I gave them heck because one of them farted! The chaperone plus all of the boys stood there glaring and then burst out laughing! All of my kids were upset and my husband was furious--I told him just to leave it alone as it was almost like the chaperone was wanting to "get into something"-arms folded, the way he was looking at us! (there was my husband, 2 teenage boys 16 and 18, my other son 8 and my daughter 6)
The adults of these groups have no idea how to have these kids behave appropriately--and I don't mean sitting quietly with their hands folded--I mean enjoying themselves but without infringing on others enjoyment as well---I was extremely disappointed with Pop/Warner as this was our first time to WDW and each time they behaved they way they did, it took something away from our very special holiday together as a family.

 

[Magickndm]

We stayed at PO-FQ Dec. 11th - 12th and they were everywhere. I don't have a problem with that, but I do have a problem with the fact that so many were left unattended at the food court. They were pushy, loud, and made breakfast miserable. And, I do in fact have my own teenage daughter, so it's not as if I'm not used to giggling and nonsense. These kids were just plain rude, but I don't blame them. Why behave when your chaperones are back at their hotel room enjoying not being a chaperone?
Gives a really bad name to Pop Warner.

 

[John Dobbertin]

TO THE MODERATOR OF THIS SITE: This entire thread should be forwarded to Managing Director WDW. Someone at MouseHQ needs to put a lid on PopWarner.

 

[KevinM]

I agree with everything that's been said on this thread (I should - I started it!). But the cold reality is that there is very little WDW can do in this type of situation. Aside from sending "Park Rules" to the Pop participants. And rules are only effective if they are followed and enforced.

The bottom line is that Pop Warner generates $$$$ for WDW at a time when revenue is traditionally lower (the "quiet" weeks after Thanksgiving). In the end, Disney is a business, and a business needs money to survive.

 

[John Dobbertin]

I agree with everything that's been said on this thread (I should - I started it!). But the cold reality is that there is very little WDW can do in this type of situation. Aside from sending "Park Rules" to the Pop participants. And rules are only effective if they are followed and enforced.

The bottom line is that Pop Warner generates $$$$ for WDW at a time when revenue is traditionally lower (the "quiet" weeks after Thanksgiving). In the end, Disney is a business, and a business needs money to survive.

WDW is indeed a business. For every one view expressed on this thread, there most likely are at least another 100 folks who feel the same way. Having a rowdy group like PopWarner ruining the Disney experience for other paying guests can rapidly become a big-time loss for WDW. I have held back describing two incredibly negative experiences I had with PopWarner punks at PC. Adult supervision was nowhere to be seen. I've dealt with worse so I had no problems handling the situation. Word will spread quickly -- as it is here. Believe me, this will cost WDW some Big $$$. WDW is very much dependent on repeat customers for its success (try 70% repeat business), and WDW generally works very hard to keep customers happy. One thing for certain, real security folks in uniform should be at AS & Pop in numbers when PopWarner punks are there.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Since there isn't a set date for popwarner nationals championships except that it will probably either be Dec 4-9 or Dec 11-16 if the move it back a week. I will wait and see when they will be there and then choose a different week to go. I am going to be very flexible and have even come up with three dates: Nov 25-Dec 5, Dec 1-11 or Dec 10-20.

I really would like to go towards the end of November into the beginning of December because I want to see the parks decorated and see MVMCP along with the other Christmas related shows and stuff.

I don't feel like paying $3000 for a WDW package to not enjoy it. Atleast while my May 27-June 6 trip will be busy because of it being around memorial day weekend, there won't be football players and cheerleaders up at all times of the night making tons of noise.

 

[FatCow]

TO THE MODERATOR OF THIS SITE: This entire thread should be forwarded to Managing Director WDW. Someone at MouseHQ needs to put a lid on PopWarner.

Agreed... immensely.

I'm feeling cheated out of my (approx) US$4000 trip. I know it's not much compared to how much other people tend to spend on a trip, but it is a big deal for me.

Oh well, instead of having me there twice a year, now most probably I will never visit WDW again (my pre-paid trip in November '05 is excluded).

 

[FatCow]

The bottom line is that Pop Warner generates $$$$ for WDW at a time when revenue is traditionally lower (the "quiet" weeks after Thanksgiving). In the end, Disney is a business, and a business needs money to survive.

Well, definitely next year that period they will make less money than this year because of people's experiences this year.

I talked to many people during the times I lined up to complain about many things at ASMu's Guest Services counter and 100% of them don't want to go back to WDW, at least not during that time of they year, ever again.

 

[rbuzzotta]

As a cheer mom of 3, I can agree with most of the posts!!! My girls do not do pop warner and are involved in an All Star program which travels alot!! My girls are ALWAYS with a parent. It bugs me to no end to watch some of these girls run rampant!!

The reason why there are so many more PW cheerleaders this year is that they have 'even the playing' field and added 3 different divisions. It went from a 2 day cheering comp to a 5 day cheering comp. There are now 3 times the amount of cheer teams going to WDW from this year on..........!! They say PW is doing this to make money but I am not sure!!! Disney definetly makes money on this..............there were 4 teams from my town going, with the average cost per person 750!!!!! for 4 nights. Taking the kids out of school for one week for this is totally another topic!!! PW is suppose to be "little scholars' but the kids miss 1 week of school directly at mid-term!!!

So, expect more and more cheerleaders as they add divisions!!! It will continue as PW is a strong organization!!

Good luck to all those wishing to visit WDW that time of year.

 

[goofyernmost]

Just the age of their parents! Oh My ______!!

Just the age of my children! OH MY MY MY________!!!!!

 

[Rafikifan]

WOW! This thread reminds me of all the Jersey bashing that went on after Jersey Week! Some people have said it really wasn't a problem for them but boy some other posts are a little rough. Unlike Jersey Week I was not there during "Pop Warner Week" so I can't comment on my experience there, but I do have a teenage daughter who was a PW Cheerleader and now cheers for her Middle School so I have an idea what it's like to be around them. I'm sure they could have been at little "loud"(after all most cheerleaders are) at times and to some who don't have teenage girls maybe that might be seen as obnoxious behavoir, but remember where these kids were! They were not in school or in church they were at Disney World! Imagine yourselves being a young girl or boy on a trip with a large group of friends and how you might have acted at that age in their position. I'm not saying that gives them the right to purposely be rude or intentionally try to ruin other people's vacations but I'd bet that wasn't what they were doing. I'm sure they were just very excited children on a trip of a lifetime and didn't realize they might be disruptive to some people.
I don't mean to flame anybody but some posts were a little rough and some people need to lighten up. Remember these kids are usually 14 years old and younger. Again OP I don't mean to be rude to you but if your young one wants to cheer someday you might not want to let her or you'll be around alot of noise for many weekends through many football seasons. And yes , I know that at football games and cheering competitions that's where noise belongs but you can't expect to put a bunch of YOUNG CHEERLEADERS in DISNEY WORLD and expect them to be quiet! So in closing, I think it's fine to report on your experinces during "Pop Warner Week" however, I think you were a little rough on the girls.

Very well said! I'm sure there were some annoying individuals as there are with any group but I don't think it's fair to label the entire group.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I agree with everything that's been said on this thread (I should - I started it!). But the cold reality is that there is very little WDW can do in this type of situation. Aside from sending "Park Rules" to the Pop participants. And rules are only effective if they are followed and enforced.

The bottom line is that Pop Warner generates $$$$ for WDW at a time when revenue is traditionally lower (the "quiet" weeks after Thanksgiving). In the end, Disney is a business, and a business needs money to survive.

Like mentioned before - Disney may find those "quiet" weeks even quieter as these groups alienate more and more guests each year. Disney needs to enforce those rules and make those teams deal with the consequences. I can't imagine them losing money by asking a team not to return. I'm sure there are PLENTY of other teams out there that would be more than happy to fill that slot, and the word of how strictly Disney enforces the rules would hopefully, eventually be enough to calm these kids down. It wouldn't be fun to go home with your entire team angry at you for eliminating them from Pop Warner permanently.

Carrie

 

[FatCow]

Very well said! I'm sure there were some annoying individuals as there are with any group but I don't think it's fair to label the entire group.

SOME? Yeah right! MOST is the more accurate term.

 

[septbride2002]

Trust me - the Pop Warner mess has everything to do with poor supervision and indifferent parents. I bring my high school choir each year to perform in the Candlelight Processional (we're doing the 6:45 and 8:15 shows on December 26 this year). I make absolutely clear my expectations regarding behavior and remind the students that they are representing our school throughout their entire visit - not just when they are on stage performing.

I will not tolerate behavior such as the examples many have provided in this thread. Students know that a single offense will prevent them from performing in Candlelight. The next time? They will be sent directly home (at their/their parents' expense).

I simply cannot fathom why the chaperones of these groups believe it is okay for their kids to destroy everyone else's experience. We are often complimented as a group when traveling by hotel managers, restaurant servers, Disney CMs and others, because I believe in holding my students to a higher standard of decorum.

It is possible to ensure that your kids are not infringing upon others' vacations. Unfortunately, there are too many self-possessed individuals responsible for chaperoning these groups who are unwilling to sacrifice their personal freedom. I understand that when I travel with my students, my personal freedoms will be necessarily limited because my main focus is the behavior and safety of my charges. I'll have other vacations without them where I can do what I want to do, when I want to do it.

I would just like to thank you for being an active parent and chaperone for your choir. We stayed at POFQ the first week in December and encountered many Pop Warner Football players. One day I watched a young man take the cap off of his soda and throw it into the bushes. His chaperones were right there but were to busy talking amongst themselves. I proceeded to pick up the cap and walk up to kid and say, "Young man, I will throw your bottle lid away since I see the trash can is so far from you." And walked not even 2 feet to the trash can and threw it away. Now I said this loudly and I KNOW the adults could here me - not a single one said anything.

Then they made the food court an absolute mess. Jumping from line to line and just being obnoxious. Another parent was telling me that they were at the pool last night and the kids were using language that a sailor would be embrassed by. And that secruity was called twice - the parents at the pool just let the behaviour continue. My first thought was - thank goodness I didn't have a pool view!

In all seriousness I hope that Disney continues to get complaintes and that they will either shut down Pop Warner or they will make the groups invited smaller.

~Amanda

 

[FatCow]

How would you expect security to do anything? It's not easy to handle a situation like that. I'm saying that because I had to call housekeeping three nights in a row just to get my body-wash dispenser refilled (it was empty from the first moment I entered the room at ASMu)

 

[KevinM]

OK - So what do we do to let Disney know of our concerns?

It would have to come from A LOT of people, otherwise it will look like just a handful of whiners who don't like cheerleaders. (Maybe that's what we are!! LOL)

If specific incidents are required, I can think of at least a dozen from this year's trip. And that's just bus/park incidents (I didn't see any at the Swan/Dolphin).