Pop Warner week....

[kimwim8]

Can someone please fill me in on Pop Warner week. I've heard some details on these boards, but still don't really "get it".

We will be in WDW during that week (I think) and want to know what I'm dealing with ahead of time.

Isn't that week supposed to be a non-peak week?

What exactly is Pop Warner, and where do they come from?

TIA!

 

[twotoohappy]

Can someone please fill me in on Pop Warner week. I've heard some details on these boards, but still don't really "get it".

We will be in WDW during that week (I think) and want to know what I'm dealing with ahead of time.

Isn't that week supposed to be a non-peak week?

What exactly is Pop Warner, and where do they come from?

TIA!

Pop warner is boys football with their cheerleaders. I'd do a search on the boards for people's opinions if you're concerned. It is a crowded week with pop warner, points for DVC are low so there are a lot of DVCers that week (myself included), Mousefest and other internet groups usually meet that week also. The park is do-able, but it does get crowded. I'd avoid MK on the first Saturday because that's when they film the Christmas Parade and that's crowded! As for pop warner, here's their dates info http://www.popwarner.com/articles/December05.asp
basically they're there the 4th - 10th.
My only problem when I was down there was a lot of line cutting (one kid holds the line and then 30 of them jump in) and they don't watch where they're going (my dd was 7 then and got knocked into several times by kids running loose). BUT, it would not deter me from going. When the park starts getting crazy, we pack it in and head to another park or back to the hotel for a swim. BTW - they usually stay at the value resorts so I'd stay away from them also.

 

[MinnieM21]

I didn't even notice them in the parks and saw no affect on the crowds. It isn't crowded at all and is a perfect time to go. Don't worry, you'll have a great time!

 

[dolphindan1]

I have to kindly dis agree with the previous poster...We have been 3 years in a row and have never had a problem with crowds....The longest wait we have ever experienced was 35 minutes on TT...Most lines say 10-15 minute waits but that is a little mis leading....thats usually walk time thru the line...By the time you get to the ride its a walk on...I have had 1 issue with some bratty kids one time at MGM....they were just being well kids...it could have happenned at any park at anytime of the year...I will say avoid MGM on the friday of POP week as they have a special event after closing for them and it fills early with POP kids....MVMCP was crowded last year on a Tuesday but I will not blame it on POP because the previous 2 years was great....I think it was due to Hurricane people....Also we stay at the all stars every year and we have had no issues with POP....I have heard the horror stories but must say I havent experienced...I dont know if I am that good of a planner or what...LOL....I wouldnt change my plans and in fact I just posted my Itenerary for our next trip thats right you guessed it POP week....

 

[KevinM]

I would never tell anyone to change their plans over Pop Warner week, because I have been there 2 years in a row and had different experiences.

In December '03 we didn't realize that Pop was happening at all until mid-week. The only noticable change was that the food court at POR was very crowded in the mornings. A few times we had screaming teenagers run by our room late at night, but nothing terrible. Near the end of the week we saw more and more large groups in the parks, but it didn't seem to affect wait times, etc.

December '04 was a different story. We stayed at the Dolphin, so there were no groups at the resort. The real problems were on the busses and in lines at MK and MGM. 99% of the problems seemed to stem from inadequate or indifferent supervision. They would cut in line, roam in large unruly groups, use foul language, act loud and obnoxious (break into cheers on a bus at the end of the day with sleeping children on board), etc... While I did see some footballers misbehaving, by and large the worst groups were the cheerleaders/dance teams.

I think the difference was unlucky planning on my part; they just seemed to be at the same parks we were at any particular day, unlike in 03 when we seemed to avoid them on most days. On Friday they close MGM early for them, however they fill up the park early on that day so I would try to avoid it.

Enjoy your stay, don't become overly concerned. I personally won't return at that time again, but I have a low tolerance for that kind of behavior.

 

[kimwim8]

Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely avoid MGM on that Friday. I think we're staying at VWL (we're DVC) and if not, it'll probably be Boardwalk, so we should avoid them at the resort. We won't be changing our plans at this point, so we'll see how it goes. Looks like it could go either way!

Thanks again!

 

[HayGan]

Pop warner is boys football with their cheerleaders. I'd do a search on the boards for people's opinions if you're concerned. It is a crowded week with pop warner, points for DVC are low so there are a lot of DVCers that week (myself included), Mousefest and other internet groups usually meet that week also. The park is do-able, but it does get crowded. I'd avoid MK on the first Saturday because that's when they film the Christmas Parade and that's crowded! As for pop warner, here's their dates info http://www.popwarner.com/articles/December05.asp
basically they're there the 4th - 10th.

I have to say that this is the first report I have read whwere someone has said that the parks are crowded. I've been reading up on this week as well (we will be there the 3rd - 10th) and I'm not really worried about it at all. We aren't staying at a value or moderate resort and I can't imagine that the crowds would be worse than say Christmas or Easter (or even Spring Break). We will be staying away from MGM on Friday (we are going on Thursday.) I figure no matter when you go there will always be people there that are obnoxious or unruly. I won't let them ruin my vacation

 

[Mermaid02]

We'll be there 11-30 thru 12-07 and I don't anticipate a crowd problem. I'm really looking forward to our trip and will make up my own mind if "Pop Warner" impacts it at all.