PopWarner:Should I reschedule?

[123SA]

I have booked 2 connecting rooms at ASMo Dec 6 -16 for me DH, DD6 & DS4. The chatter about Pop Warner kids over running value resorts has me worried. The point of renting 2 rooms is so the kids will go to sleep. Also, we were looking forward to the Toy Story bldg for DS4. Has anyone actually experienced Pop Warner week at their resort? How bad was it? Would you suggest I change my dates? Or should I just deal with the kids in one room at a moderate resort? (oh and which one doesn't have PoP Warner kids?)

 

[DisneyWisher]

I'd switch the reservation over to Pop. I'll never do All-Stars again when Pop is there. You can't count on your building request being honored. When we checked-in we had also asked for a close up building (jazz, ASMu) we were given Country Fair 3rd floor 2nd to the last room from the far end. At first I wasn't concerned about location because knowing that Pop Warner was going to be there we would not eat at the resort (too many people) but they had the back parking lot closed off for Pop Warner's buses and reception area. So walking to the room was a bit much. When I first checked-in and saw what room they gave me I asked was anything else available. I was told no. But when I got to the room and was not happy, I called the front desk and they switched me to Jazz (like I originally asked) first floor facing the courtyard. I thought ok this will not be too bad. I was wrong. To say that All-Stars is overrun with kids during Pop Warner week is an understatement. The cheerleaders began practicing outside at 7 am one morning. Not the way you want to be woken up. Don't get me wrong the only time we saw Pop Warner kids was at MGM. The other parks didn't seem to be overly crowded. We enjoyed MVMCP very much. I had no problems getting ADRs for character breakfasts. But its just too many kids and not enough adult supervision. We didn't run into overly rude children but hearing the constant chanting can be overwhelming. I would suggest going to Pop. Its been said that they will not place Pop Warner there.

We had decided to go again in February and got stuck with another cheerleading competition but this time there were no early wake up chanting or cheering. I know I sound like a party pooper and I'm not trying to be. When my older girls (now 22 and 20)were younger they loved going during Pop Warner week (more boys) actually during any sports tournament. The Pop Warner kids are creating exciting memories (being at a competition with your best friends at WDW what more could you ask for) Priceless! But if you are concerned about the crowds, I would avoid All-Stars.

Good Luck

 

[lamchop]

the beginning of Dec is a great time to go to WDW! weather is still great (usually!), Christmas decorations, etc. I have been down during that week several times over the last few years, the last time being Dec 2004. HOWEVER.... I would stay away from the value resorts if at all possible. In 2004, Pop Century had some over flow cheerleaders. I won't elaborate, but they were told to pack up and leave. their daytime presence in the parks was minimal, but look out during the evenings. the Pop warner football players were fine, never saw any problem with them, but the cheerleaders were OUT OF CONTROL. screaming, shrieking during rides, shows, parades, cutting in line, knocking people and small children over, (saw this at both the parks and the POP pools). Poor, poor chaperoning of cheeleaders. I am pretty anti-cheerleader at this point, and probably would stay away from that week myself. But if your kids are little, and won't be up very late at the parks when the cheerleaders are around, i would give it a try at a moderate if you can swing it. I say a moderate cuz we certain knew when they returned to POP CENTURY from the parks at night! Good luck and enjoy the Christmas time atmosphere at WDW!

 

[G's mommy]

You might also consider Swan or Dolphin, especially if you can qualify for teacher, nurse, military, gov't worker or have AAA. There is not as much theming, but you won't find any POP cheerleaders there and the location can't be beat!

 

[Boater]

the Pop warner football players were fine, never saw any problem with them, but the cheerleaders were OUT OF CONTROL. screaming, shrieking during rides, shows, parades, cutting in line, knocking people and small children over, (saw this at both the parks and the POP pools). Poor, poor chaperoning of cheeleaders. I am pretty anti-cheerleader at this point, and probably would stay away from that week myself.

I couldn't agree more, even though we stay in deluxes.
We were there in Feb when some sort of Cheer thing was going on and there were these packs of them running all over AK. Yelling and screaming all over the place.
We were in line for EE and there was one gaggle of brats cheering at another gaggle of brats farther back in line this went on for 45 minutes. Most people were ready to kill them.
I don't know where the chaparones were, but they're mostly former cheerthing or wannabe's so they don't see anything wrong with the behavior,
because they're "special" girls, not like those regular plain girls.

 

[123SA]

yikes! Thanks for your input. I guess I'll try a mod resort (hubby won't be happy -- we loved having 2 rooms last time.) Does anyone know if one of the moderates is definitely free of screaming screeching cheerleaders?
My husband is in the army reserves so i guess i'll chech out the swan & dolphin too.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

I am getting worried! we are going December 2nd to 9th, and we can't change our week unfortunately. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, so hopefully we won't hear any commotion or fuss. and I am really hoping we don't come across any of the aforementioned activities! esp pushing in the parks and budding.

 

[Corky's Mom]

As a Pop Warner cheerleading coach I would also reccommend staying away from Port Orleans Riverside. This is where my squad stayed last year and there were TONS of cheerleaders. I am sorry about bad experiences with the Pop Warner girls. I for one would NEVER let my girls cause a scene by cheering and chanting on rides. They are with chaperones 24/7. These parents are hand picked and are responsible the the girls behavior. We expect them to be curteous of others. Hope you have a great visit! It is the best place on earth!

 

[noladave]

RUN - RUN - RUN!

I will never ever again stay at an All Star resort becuase of our visit there during a cheer event that was going on. Everything was mobbed, and (shock) there was a ton of noise constantly, even at 1 or 2 in the morning. I would at least try a moderate, if it's economically feasible, or as you asked, change the date.

Good luck.

 

[cvjw]

We stayed at POFQ two years ago during Pop Warner - we had no idea they would be at that resort. They were cheering and shrieking everywhere. It was especially awful on the buses when they broke out into full on cheering. My youngest son was 4 at the time and he pretty much hit the nail on the head when he declared that he needed "earplugs and a big shut-up sign" on the way home from MGM when they were still cheering after Fantasmic. Pop Warner week is out for us and I try and steer other friends and family away also.

 

[Tricialiv]

We were there last Dec with PW. I had reserved ASM in Fantasmic building 15 months in advance for 1 night before heading to Poly. We were changed to AS Music because of overbooking. I can see how 1 night wouldn't make a priority, but I heard of others that were moved all around too. So if you really want a special building you may not get it. We didn't have any problems with the kids, but it was only 1 night before the switch. We didn't ever encounter the kids behaving badly, barely saw them on our park schedule. I stayed away from all EMH parks which worked GREAT! That is definately my new stragegy.

 

[kimmikayb]

We've not been during Pop Warner (not even really sure what it is) but we were there in Feb. during the dance competition. The parks weren't bad until later in the day but the value resorts were HORRIBLE!!!!!! Rude and obnoxious girls who felt entitled. Running all hours of the the night, food courts impossible, and the practices? All over. PLUS we got evil looks if we dare walk near them, which was impossible not to because they took up the entire sidewalk!!!!!!!!! We did run into one group that was wonderful. The mom with them was very attentive (unlike many of the other supervisors/mothers who were more worried about their hair and nails) and she was fun. Plus the girls were respectful and even played with our kids. A whole resort of girls like that would have been very pleasant.

OP, if I were you I'd check into a different resort.

 

[Bronte]

Does anyone know the exact dates the pop warner kids will be there this year...
We did go last dec (8-11) and they were there ... it was "ok" except for MGM.
We want to go again this year but I would rather go for a weekend that they are not going just to be safe ... it is such a short trip, we are only going for 4 days that I would rather no deal with cheerleaders.
I know last year everytime I would call Disney to ask questions about this they said "nothing offical" is going on, that privet groups/conventions happen all the time at Disney, and that even if there was a "privet party" at MGM for them that Saturday (the night we did go to MGM) that Disney would not say so offically because they are under 18.

 

[Kycha]

In 2004, Pop Century had some over flow cheerleaders. I won't elaborate, but they were told to pack up and leave. their daytime presence in the parks was minimal, but look out during the evenings. the Pop warner football players were fine, never saw any problem with them, but the cheerleaders were OUT OF CONTROL. screaming, shrieking during rides, shows, parades, cutting in line, knocking people and small children over, (saw this at both the parks and the POP pools). Poor, poor chaperoning of cheeleaders. I am pretty anti-cheerleader at this point, and probably would stay away from that week myself. But if your kids are little, and won't be up very late at the parks when the cheerleaders are around, i would give it a try at a moderate if you can swing it. I say a moderate cuz we certain knew when they returned to POP CENTURY from the parks at night! Good luck and enjoy the Christmas time atmosphere at WDW!

lamchop,
I was staying at Pop Century Dec 2004 and didn't see any of this behavior, at all. Granted, we didn't spend much time at the resort. Usually we were up and out to the parks by 8am. But, we did have 2 down days, where we hung aroung the resort a little bit. We did have the cheerleaders practice outside our room one morning around 7:30am. But, we were already awake, so this didn't affect us at all. The only time I was aware of the Pop Warner kids was the one morning we slept in and went to the food court around 8:30 for breakfast. The place was a madhouse. The other time was at MGM one night, the kids were everywhere. But, they were all well behaved kids. There was no pushing, shoving, butting or any other rude behavior. There was a little cheering , but nothing obnoxious.

 

[kaelarad]

Stay Away, far, far away from the value resorts and Port Orleans!!! I am a middle school teacher and the behavior of the girls and adults in horrible! Choose another resort at least! Pop Warner will ruin your vacation at the resort, especially if you have young children. Disney also does nothing, so don't bother complaining!

 

[123SA]

WOW!! I certainly do not want to risk wrecking our vacation!! I am sure that there are many well behaved and mannered girls, but the obnoxious ones will always been the ones remembered. We have decided to change our dates to Dec 10 -20, avoiding this event altogether. Will the crowds still be low?

Thanks to all for your responses

 

[Quinn222]

We have decided to change our dates to Dec 10 -20, avoiding this event altogether.

Excellent idea, 10-20 is a great week to be there.

 

[warpdarkmatter]

look i'm not much for a bunch of noisey teenagers but i was at the asm a few years ago and these kids were pretty well behaved if you dont mind seeing som kids practicing out side there room in the afternoon you shouldent have a problem if you see a large group of kids heaing in one direction in the parks head the direction they just came from chances are that ride line will be small the only other thing is when you go to the bus you might encounter a large group there or you might not i never let small things like that bother my vacation i guess im just to be at wdw

 

[goofy4tink]

When I stayed at Music back in '03, the kids were there. But, you know....they were pretty well behaved. I got there towards the end of their stay. I had no issue with the kids. In the food court I found the girls to be pretty polite. Maybe I just lucked out and got the well mannered group.
I was there for part of their run last Dec also.....I did notice more younger girls in the parks, yelling and running around frantically. Didn't see any adults with them.
Would I change my trip to WDW because of Pop Warner kids being there? No. They really haven't impacted my stays at all. THey aren't in the parks all that much since they are busy with competitions during the weekdays.
If you are staying at a value, I would ask for a room higher up, on the backside for the bldg. That's what we had and it was one of the quietest stays on-site we have ever had.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I was there during Pop for 2004. We stayed at POFQ and there were only a couple teams staying there with us, but we had to share the busses with the large number of teams staying at POR and it wasn't fun. Did they ruin our vacation? No, definitely not, but they were noticeable and when running into groups of teams, very loud and extremely thoughtless of other guests. So with Pop getting bigger every year, would I risk my hard earned vacation and book the same week as them ever again?.......NO! - If you can manage it, book the week after Pop!