Spring break at Pop or Allstars - lots of large school groups/kids?

[Selket]

Are there usually lots of large groups of kids on school trips or other group trips at the value resorts over spring break? Such things people discuss as cheerleading groups, pop warner, etc.

I would like to avoid these groups as much as possible.

 

[spiceycat]

Pop doesn't do blocking for groups. they do for family groups but others no.

this has both good and bad - good because you won't be bother by alot of groups that do everything together. bad because these are groups and tend to stay together and you can avoid them.

 

[allaboard]

Last year we went to ASM Family Suites and while we liked the suites, we did share the resort with what looked like dance teams because we were there at the end of the dance competitions. We only overlapped 1 1/2 days, so it wasn't bad. If I were that same age, it would have been more fun!!!

 

[Selket]

Well I'm booked at Pop so I guess I'm safe!

I've been at CSR with dance groups in July (seemed to be all girls) and they were extremely well behaved and supervised. I have kids too, but some of the stories here over the years have made me generally not want to stay in the value resorts.

 

[spiceycat]

if you accept Pop for what it is - a nice resort at a great price. and don't expect the extra for a moderate or deluxe resort - you will be fine.

really love Pop. It can be a fun place!

 

[HopperFan]

Pop doesn't do blocking for groups. they do for family groups but others no.

this has both good and bad - good because you won't be bother by alot of groups that do everything together. bad because these are groups and tend to stay together and you can avoid them.

This is what our group has always been told when trying to book there. We have never managed to get in but have been offered all moderates. But I am now seeing some groups are offering it as a hotel choice, such as "Twirlmania (February 15-18, 2008) " cheer group. Wonder if things are changing as they rehab the Allstars.

 

[spiceycat]

This is what our group has always been told when trying to book there. We have never managed to get in but have been offered all moderates. But I am now seeing some groups are offering it as a hotel choice, such as "Twirlmania (February 15-18, 2008) " cheer group. Wonder if things are changing as they rehab the Allstars.

might be a change in management. I know the manager says as long as he was there. well they could have transferrred to him to another resort. (hope not)

also really surprised that the groups themselves have not demanded this - it is across the street from WWoS. the kids could and have walked to it. (this is not a safe thing to do - but hey teens)

maybe now WDW will provide transportation and you won't have to watch in this area for the kids walking to WWoS. that would be much safer (my opinion)

that is a big surprise - because Pop stays sold out without the groups. Might be a printing error. Have you tried for this resort as part of that group?

 

[HopperFan]

might be a change in management. I know the manager says as long as he was there. well they could have transferrred to him to another resort. (hope not)

also really surprised that the groups themselves have not demanded this - it is across the street from WWoS. the kids could and have walked to it. (this is not a safe thing to do - but hey teens)

maybe now WDW will provide transportation and you won't have to watch in this area for the kids walking to WWoS. that would be much safer (my opinion)

that is a big surprise - because Pop stays sold out without the groups. Might be a printing error. Have you tried for this resort as part of that group?

I love POP and quite happy from my personal trips to not have to deal with groups. But I am also part of a Track Team group who travels there each year. They are always offered Sports, and CBR. One year we were able to be bumped into CSR and last year they added POR to the offer. But we really wanted POP for: (1) Location to WWOS (2) Price (3) running path along the lake. Our kids must practice each day, and at Allstars the option is the road which is not safe. Right now the event is not registering yet, and we can't get hotel until we register. We are going to try again for POP.

No I am not a part of a cheer group. I have stayed at Disney with cheers and not wanting to repeat that experience.....I went on to their big website that lists lots of events, pulled up each individual event and their travel offers looking to see this winters events.

Twirlmania paperwork offers this "All participants booking their rooms at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort or Disney’s Pop Century Resort through this special number will receive: " and it goes on about how there will be special transporation between the two resorts and all the places they need to be.

As I said, sad for me personally, but may be a plus for our running team. Believe me we have pushed hard when trying to reserve, but the department that handles Sporting Events resorts is very un-Disney like in their customer service. Every year we have problems. We are considering trying to book via an outside source.

PS Thought it was interesting that they have to pay $112 at ASMU but $124 at POP.

 

[kaysmommie]

Does anyone know of any groups going during spring break? I'm booked at ASMu now from March 14 -18th. Thanks

 

[HopperFan]

Does anyone know of any groups going during spring break? I'm booked at ASMu now from March 14 -18th. Thanks

Our Track Meet is March 15th. We will arrive on the 13th and leave on the 16th. This is high school and college teams.

We are trying for POP, but if not our next choice is Music because the main pool at Sports will be closed. We will avoid Movies since it is so popular with young families.

PS Our kids go with coaches (high school teachers) so the behavior level is much better than if they go with parents as there are severe penalties to pay via the school administration. Also our coaches have left home talented kids because they don't behave...only 55 out of 100+ get invited so we usually have a good group there.

 

[kaysmommie]

Our Track Meet is March 15th. We will arrive on the 13th and leave on the 16th. This is high school and college teams.

We are trying for POP, but if not our next choice is Music because the main pool at Sports will be closed. We will avoid Movies since it is so popular with young families.

PS Our kids go with coaches (high school teachers) so the behavior level is much better than if they go with parents as there are severe penalties to pay via the school administration. Also our coaches have left home talented kids because they don't behave...only 55 out of 100+ get invited so we usually have a good group there.

So I should not be worried about noise? DS and I are light sleepers. Will They let you book Pop?

 

[HopperFan]

So I should not be worried about noise? DS and I are light sleepers. Will They let you book Pop?

Not to be worried about our kids. They arrive Thurs pm, dinner and to their rooms by 10 pm. Lights out by 11 pm. Friday, early run then off to parks, or bus to Universal and a handful will hang and swim. Fri PM rooms and lights out by 10 pm. Track Meet all day Saturday and back around dinner. Some will stay there and some to DTD for dinner. They may swim later on Saturday pm, but am sure they must be in rooms by 11 or so. Leave early Sunday. Good coaches will have tight reins if they want them to perform well at the meet, BUT I can't speak for other groups.

At checkin I would ask that I not be placed in the midst of a school group. This is what happened to me with cheers.......and they were outside cheering until 2 in the morning. UGH !

We can't book room until we are registered for event, and it's not open. This is one reason we are looking to book via another route so we can go ahead and get our rooms.......and hopefully at POP.

 

[C.Ann]

I love POP and quite happy from my personal trips to not have to deal with groups. But I am also part of a Track Team group who travels there each year.

(3) running path along the lake. Our kids must practice each day, and at Allstars the option is the road which is not safe. Right now the event is not registering yet, and we can't get hotel until we register. We are going to try again for POP..

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How many kids - and what time of day - would they be using the walkway along the lake for running?

I'm sure that you are aware that many people use that pathway for a nice liesurely stroll (or ride - if using a scooter) - and the CM's at check-in are informing guests that the entire path along the lake (as well as the "bridge to nowhere") is now considered a designated smoking area - whether there are ash trays available or not - right?

Might be something to consider in terms of convenience for your runners..

 

[HopperFan]

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How many kids - and what time of day - would they be using the walkway along the lake for running?

I'm sure that you are aware that many people use that pathway for a nice liesurely stroll (or ride - if using a scooter) - and the CM's at check-in are informing guests that the entire path along the lake (as well as the "bridge to nowhere") is now considered a designated smoking area - whether there are ash trays available or not - right?

Might be something to consider in terms of convenience for your runners..

Only about 20 of the kids who are distance runners and need to get a few miles in. They will probably run @ 7 am and be done by 7:30. I've stayed there several times, always with a lake view room and honestly I am surprised how little the walkway gets used. Dodging a few smokers is still safer than dodging the buses on the road by Allstars. But, at this rate who knows where we end up. I think knowing that Music and Sports have been rehabbed (and with nicer beds) may make staying there alittle more acceptable to the group if it ends that way.

 

[C.Ann]

Only about 20 of the kids who are distance runners and need to get a few miles in. They will probably run @ 7 am and be done by 7:30. I've stayed there several times, always with a lake view room and honestly I am surprised how little the walkway gets used. Dodging a few smokers is still safer than dodging the buses on the road by Allstars. But, at this rate who knows where we end up. I think knowing that Music and Sports have been rehabbed (and with nicer beds) may make staying there alittle more acceptable to the group if it ends that way.

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Hope you get the hotel you want - whichever one that might be..

I was down to the lake every morning by 7 a.m. (but down those few steps in one of the "curved areas" on either side of the beginning of the bridge) to sit and soak up the sun while writing in my journal.. Little did I know I was also being eaten alive by those darn little "no-see-ums".. 28 bites in all and man oh man did they ITCH - not to mention swelling like crazy.. Finally reached the point where I had to wear pants and long sleeves down there - no matter how hot it was - to avoid getting new bites and to cover the ugliness of the bites themselves..

It's a great little "get away" area and your runners wouldn't bother me in the least..

 

[kaysmommie]

Not to be worried about our kids. They arrive Thurs pm, dinner and to their rooms by 10 pm. Lights out by 11 pm. Friday, early run then off to parks, or bus to Universal and a handful will hang and swim. Fri PM rooms and lights out by 10 pm. Track Meet all day Saturday and back around dinner. Some will stay there and some to DTD for dinner. They may swim later on Saturday pm, but am sure they must be in rooms by 11 or so. Leave early Sunday. Good coaches will have tight reins if they want them to perform well at the meet, BUT I can't speak for other groups.

At checkin I would ask that I not be placed in the midst of a school group. This is what happened to me with cheers.......and they were outside cheering until 2 in the morning. UGH !

We can't book room until we are registered for event, and it's not open. This is one reason we are looking to book via another route so we can go ahead and get our rooms.......and hopefully at POP.

Sounds fine but I'm going to ask to not be placed between any kid groups. Also I'm a bit worried that ASMu pool will be packed since ASsports pool is closed. I didn't realize that, thanks for telling me. Now I might have to go and change back to Pop . The CM are going to hate me for switching again.

 

[HopperFan]

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Hope you get the hotel you want - whichever one that might be..

I was down to the lake every morning by 7 a.m. (but down those few steps in one of the "curved areas" on either side of the beginning of the bridge) to sit and soak up the sun while writing in my journal.. Little did I know I was also being eaten alive by those darn little "no-see-ums".. 28 bites in all and man oh man did they ITCH - not to mention swelling like crazy.. Finally reached the point where I had to wear pants and long sleeves down there - no matter how hot it was - to avoid getting new bites and to cover the ugliness of the bites themselves..

It's a great little "get away" area and your runners wouldn't bother me in the least..

NO SEE UMS - could they possibly have any purpose other than to aggravate

The kids are pretty quiet when they run, hard to talk & run well, and hopefully they bother no one.

I think I know your spot - is it in the picture here, just beyond this spot but before the bridge ? I just love all that bridge area. I fear if the other side ever opens, this nice quiet place will be alittle bit more busy.

 

[C.Ann]

I think I know your spot - is it in the picture here, just beyond this spot but before the bridge ? I just love all that bridge area. I fear if the other side ever opens, this nice quiet place will be alittle bit more busy.

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Actually it's that same spot - but on the left side before the bridge.. I'm left handed, so whenever I go anywhere I always go to the left first - without even thinking about it.. LOL

 

[spiceycat]

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Little did I know I was also being eaten alive by those darn little "no-see-ums".. 28 bites in all and man oh man did they ITCH - not to mention swelling like crazy.. Finally reached the point where I had to wear pants and long sleeves down there - no matter how hot it was - to avoid getting new bites and to cover the ugliness of the bites themselves..

now I have had problems with those pests at VB but never WDW. If they have moved in - definitely take the bug spray.

it takes something with deet to have any effect on these things.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

This is what our group has always been told when trying to book there. We have never managed to get in but have been offered all moderates. But I am now seeing some groups are offering it as a hotel choice, such as "Twirlmania (February 15-18, 2008) " cheer group. Wonder if things are changing as they rehab the Allstars.

FYI - Twirlmania is the Baton Twirling event, along with dance line, Pom pon, flag corps, etc. No cheerleading per se.....so it will be a different type of competition that will be practicing in different areas. When my DD participated in one of the first Twirlmania's it was held at Universal Studios. In the past when DD went to State & National competitions they found a gym or a far away part of a parking lot to practice in so you won't have to worry about them being in your way around the grounds themselves. Also, since this competition is open for the very young through college you'll have a wide spread age group at the hotels. If you want to see their schedule and all the hotels they've been offered you can check out their website www.twirlmania.com.