POR during Pop Warner... CRAZY??????

[NHBelle]

Okay, we are not only going during Pop Warner, but we are also staying at POR. We have too as we are a family of 5 and are on a tight budget this trip. Anyway, how bad is it? Do they at least put them all in one section? It's a huge resort, so if we could at least be on the opposite end I think it will be okay. I am mostly concerned about them all hanging out in the pool at night. We actually love to take a dunk at night and will especially want to take a soak in the hot tub. We like the quiet pools though, so I was thinking if we are at the opposite side of the resort in a quiet pool we'll be okay. What do you think?? Also do they really trash the food court? We like to get late night snacks and am snacks at the food court. I don't think I will mind seeing them everywhere, I just don't want them to be "wild" everywhere.

 

[buzzrelly]

I would love to know this as well. Which week is it? And do they all stay at POR? This would definitely make me change my plans. Thanks!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I was at Disney at the same time as Pop Warner for 2007.

I didn't stay at POR/POFQ where a limited number of them stay, but rather I stayed at GROUND ZERO - All Stars Sports.

It wasn't bad at all. They were well enough behaved I thought.

This year it's December 7th to 13th. And frankly, it's not worth changing your week over.. I might change my resort if I was at All Stars but not at POR/POFQ.. those resorts are spread out enough, I'd just request to be placed farther away from them at check-in.

And they were completely NOT an issue in the parks..

Knox

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I was at Disney at the same time as Pop Warner for 2007.

I didn't stay at POR/POFQ where a limited number of them stay, but rather I stayed at GROUND ZERO - All Stars Sports.

It wasn't bad at all. They were well enough behaved I thought.

This year it's December 7th to 13th. And frankly, it's not worth changing your week over.. I might change my resort if I was at All Stars but not at POR/POFQ.. those resorts are spread out enough, I'd just request to be placed farther away from them at check-in.

And they were completely NOT an issue in the parks..

Knox

Well, we are booked for the 7th thru the 14th and I am hoping that they are well behaved. I remember reading some threads about problems with Pop Warner kids at an arcade, I hope that those were not POR or POFQ.

 

[DonnaBoo]

I'm also staying at POR for honeymoon during the Pop Warner's week. I am hoping it will be peaceful.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Well, we are booked for the 7th thru the 14th and I am hoping that they are well behaved. I remember reading some threads about problems with Pop Warner kids at an arcade, I hope that those were not POR or POFQ.

That was.. depending on what article you read... at All Star Sports or Music and everyone involved (and their ENTIRE TEAMS!) were ejected from the resort IMMEDIATELY. (at 1am even)

Knox

 

[Cindie-rella]

We were at POR this past Dec. for the Pop/Warner event. I went to the front desk to check on something the day before we were leaving & when I arrived I found droves of kids and their parents all over the place. It was total mayhem. I was behind a few of them at check-in that were being very rude to the CM. They were suppose to check-in outside at the huge white tents in the parking lot & they were suppose to have received letters telling them this but obviously never read them and tried taking it out on the CM's. When it was my turn in line I had to ask the CM what all the craziness was about and he told me over 2000 people were checking in to the resort that day!!! I was so glad I was leaving the next afternoon. He told me his parents were staying at Riverside and when he learned that the pop/warner thing was headed there he had his parents moved to another resort! I can sure understand why. I've stayed at POR twice now and it was so beautiful and peaceful except for our last 2 days this past Dec. Honestly, I would not recommend staying at PO during the Pop/Warner. It became very crowded, crazy, and the furthest thing from peaceful you could imagine!
CanadianGuy...I must tell you that I was at POR when they were just arriving and that resort wasn't spread out enough to accomodate all those families. It really was just too crazy for us. If I had to stay there with them all week it would have ruined my vacation. I would have definitely been moved!
DonnaBoo...I would pick another resort for that Honeymoon. AKL is beautiful. Very relaxing and won't cost you an arm and a leg. At least not compared to other deluxe resorts. Or if you really want to stay moderate try CBR. Our friends go there all the time and Love it! Seriously, do yourself a favor and find another resort! But by all means do try POR some other time. It is a great resort, one of our fav's...but just not during Pop/Warner.

NHBelle...They are ALL over the place. And the food court was NUTS! NUTS! NUTS!
Forget what was once known as a quiet pool. There will be no such thing. Why not try renting a studio at OKW or some other DVC resort. Depending on the age of your family members you may all fit comfortably at a studio. Or bring along an aero-bed and choose another resort. But by all means if crazy & crowded are an issue for you avoid PO resorts during Pop/Warner.
Good Luck everyone! Have a great trip. And if you don't take my advice...you can't say I didn't warn ya!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oy, my prayers are with you.

 

[NHBelle]

If I had to stay there with them all week it would have ruined my vacation.

Wow, that's what I am so afraid of. I just feel like I have no other choices. Obviously the Family Suites are out and that just leaves staying off property or a Deluxe. We just can't afford a Deluxe that time of year and I can't go to Disney and stay off property. It wouldn't feel right. I guess I'll have to take my chances with POR and deal with the Pop kids. I will refuse to let them spoil my good time. I always way over worry and once I get there I am just too happy to let anything get to me.

 

[Lilolvr]

Friends of mine went during POP Warner because their son played in the high school marching band at various venues throughout WDW that week. They stayed at All Stars. The mom said never again because of the trouble the older Pop Warner kids created. She said the older kids were around 13 but looked like young men. Some of them were big. They harassed the girls in the pool and some of the girls where touch inappropriately. Security got involved but the girls where afraid to go back to the pool area. As you know, three teams ended up getting kicked out for fighting and other issues at the resorts and parks. They are allowed back each year.

 

[helenk]

I know that there are more of the POP crowds staying at the Allstar Resorts, but, I stayed at the Allstar Music this past December. I arrived 2 days prior to their departure date. Now, I did not see any of the fighting etc, but I will say that my experience was that their group did have a large impact on the crowds in the foodcourt, one morning I just walked out and got on the bus to the MK and just got something at the Bakery there because the foodcourt was a mob scene. One day a large group of them were going to the AK, which was my park of choice that day as well, and the line for the AK was unbelieveable. I will give the resort kudos though because just after a few minutes they had another bus or 2 coming to take just the group to the park.
At night both the main pool and the piano pool were pretty crowded.
A few years ago my mother and I stayed at the POFQ and we ran into one of the football teams there, and while they were well behaved they have an impact on the food court and the pool area. They can also have an impact on your travel on the buses.

 

[disnut8]

I can tell you this much. If you are concerned about how "wild" Pop Warner kids are going to be, then they will be "wild" in your mind the minute you see one of them. We are very quick to form first opinions and even opinions when we haven't even experienced something. But if we give something a chance, we improve our experiences very much.

From my experience dealing with "wild" teenagers, they are far away from home and those rules. Sure, there are chaparones but the behaviour guidelines are not the same as what Mom and Dad instill at home. I think everyone, young or old, takes advantage of a little freedom from their daily grind. If your boss is on vacation, do you really work the same as when you do when he/she is there? Or do you slack off just a bit?

All I'm saying is give those kids a chance. If they are bothering you, tell them. It's simple. Don't yell, don't roll your eyes, just speak to them as human beings. And don't ignore their behavour. We say these kids will never be good adults. But how the heck are they supposed to know they are doing something wrong if someone doesn't tell them?

 

[Minniemouse07]

We checked into POR on Saturday, 12/1 (and were on the DME bus w/ a ton of cheerleaders that were dropped off at the check in tent) and checked out on Sunday, 12/9.

At check in we were the ONLY people in line! The CMs were lovely and I was able to walk over the concierge and get a printout of all our ADRs as well (again, no line).

We stayed in building 18 in Alligator Bayou (which I had requested).

We definitely knew that the cheerleaders were at POR. They often walked around in matching outfits, many times in uniform on their way to/from competitions. The food court was busy but not impossible. We were able to get our food quickly (maybe waited behind 1 or 2 people at most, if that) and always found a seat quickly. The buses were only crowded when we closed down a park (a couple of late EMHs and MVMCP) but we waited no more than 15-20min in total to get on a bus on those nights and we always got a seat.

I didn't see ANY impact while we were IN any of the parks and most importantly I didn't hear ANY cheering the entire week...not even once!

The pools weren't even crowded.

We found that the Pop Warner families were just that... families that were on vacation and there to watch their daughters compete in the competition. I spoke to several parents on the buses....they were all extremely proud of their dds and were thrilled that they had "made it" to the competition at WDW. It was a REALLY big deal for them. All the girls we encountered were well behaved and really excited to be at WDW.

I need to add that we are a family of four, (me, dh, dd-6.5yo and ds-2yo). We didn't hear a peep all week from anyone while in our room. We all slept great and had an amazing vacation.

As a family, we all really loved POR and we wouldn't hesitate to stay there again...even during Pop Warner!

 

[agentpleakley]

OP: we are going Dec 7 through Dec 14 -- and staying at POFQ. We are taking the risk -- if it is bad, we will try to move once there -- there are many theads on this subject with many varying opinions. While I could change to another moderate -- this was not my plan of staying at every resort. And, I don't want to fill pushed paying for a deluxe because of Pop Warner. I'll just take my chances - if the Pop kids are outrageous and ruin my family's experience -- I will definitely let disney now and then try to move to another resort.

Good luck in your decision

 

[NHBelle]

If you are concerned about how "wild" Pop Warner kids are going to be, then they will be "wild" in your mind the minute you see one of them.

I do agree with that, so I am not going to do that. I am too excited about this trip. It's my dream trip and nothing will spoil it. I actually think it will be fine. We usually go in August and it's crazy then, so we can handle it. At worst, if we hate it, we'll change resorts. I just like to be prepared that's all. No surprises (at least not this kind).

 

[GeorgiaH]

NHBelle,

We will be staying at POR the same time you will be there, Dec 7-13.
I have read so many conflicting posts on PW. Some say they would not go during this time. Others say they had no disruptions at all. I too am concerned but will not change my plans. We have been to Disney many different times of the year and there seems to always be some event going on. Keep and open mind and go and enjoy yourselves its your vacation. That's what we are going to do!!

Georgia

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I'm staying POFQ and I am going with an open mind. We were there 2 years ago, but we stayed at WL and we rarely ever saw them at the parks. So, I am going with the idea that after last year, they will be on their best behavior so that there are no incidents like last year.

I can't wait to be there again!!!