What to do????

[Jen0504]

I am taking my teenage sons to WDW at the beginning of December. Ok, I know I am way over thinking this whole thing, but now I am stressed. I have booked our trip for Dec 6-12. Well, I found out that this is Pop Warner week, and have heard and read all sorts of horror stories. It is not too late to change our dates, so would I be better off going the week before which is the week right after Thanksgiving? According to Touring Plans the crowd level is a little higher the week after Thanksgiving than it is during Pop Warner week. HELP!!!

 

[Robo]

I am taking my teenage sons to WDW at the beginning of December. Ok, I know I am way over thinking this whole thing, but now I am stressed. I have booked our trip for Dec 6-12. Well, I found out that this is Pop Warner week, and have heard and read all sorts of horror stories. It is not too late to change our dates, so would I be better off going the week before which is the week right after Thanksgiving? According to Touring Plans the crowd level is a little higher the week after Thanksgiving than it is during Pop Warner week. HELP!!!

to posting on the DISboards, Jen!

Having visited during Pop Warner week, I can say that you might be aware of the kids,
you might be deluged with their incessant cheering... but you may not
ever encounter them.

Depends on where you stay, if you ride the buses at certain times, and what times and which days you visit the various parks.

 

[MHSweb79]

Specifically, some people find them a nuisance because they will practice cheers (at full volume!) at 6a.m. right outside other people's doors/ windows. Your teenage sons, on the other hand, might not find it so bad to watch teenage girls jumping around...

The groups pretty much stick to the value resorts, so if you're staying mod, deluxe or off-site, you probably won't have much to do with them. They have competition during the day so usually they won't affect your park experience, unless you happen to run into a large group of them in their off-time.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I stayed at Allstar Sports during Pop Warner week last year, and it really didn't bother me. And that's the resort they stay at, too. I saw them in the food court, but most of them were pretty well-behaved. I rarely noticed them in the parks. (I did, however, notice the huge Brazilian tour groups.)

Don't worry about it, and don't go the week before because that's usually parade taping time.

 

[Robo]

don't go the week before because that's usually parade taping time.

That's only at MK, and only for two mornings, Friday and Saturday.

 

[BabyPiglet]

That's only at MK, and only for two mornings, Friday and Saturday.

Yes, I know. But we found that as soon as parade taping started, all the other parks became mobbed too. It wasn't just the mornings either, btw. At least last year. As long as it was daylight, they were still taping the people singing or whatever. We left one afternoon and they were still taping some woman sing Silent Night and main street was packed because of it.

The crowds did get better at night though.

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

Oh the Brazilian tours!!!! Does everyone in Brazil send their teenagers to disney? There are time that the mobs of yellowshirted teens following the flag waving leader just get to be too much. Especially when the yellow shirts encounter the lime green shirts and the cheering and chanting starts up. It is kind of funny watching a whole train of yellow shirts chanting on BTMR!

 

[bwolfe]

We were there during this week years ago and it was not a problem at all. Enjoy your trip and the great weather!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Welcome Jen!

Not to worry, we visited during Pop Warner week last year and my family didn't even notice. They were not at our resort though, so I'm guessing if they are at your resort you will notice.

We stayed at Pop Century they were at the All Stars and POR.

Pop Warner was no biggie, the weather was great and the crowds were low. We had a wonderful time.

 

[kissthemouse]

Pop Warner was no biggie, the weather was great and the crowds were low. We had a wonderful time.

I was going to say the same thing. We were there last year and crowd levels were wonderful and only once in our week long trip did i even SEE any of the kids, and it was only as we were walking out of the park.

This year we're going the week AFTER Pop Warner, and I'm actually a little disappointed we won't be there during their week (I'm a believer that PW actually has a positive impact on crowd levels since they take up rooms that other park goers would use and they can't go to the parks most of the week.)

 

[Jen0504]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll go ahead and keep our trip dates. ) Ohhh, here's another question....I know that Pop Warner has a party at DHS one night. Anyone know what night of the week they do this? Thanks again!

 

[Robo]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll go ahead and keep our trip dates. ) Ohhh, here's another question....I know that Pop Warner has a party at DHS one night. Anyone know what night of the week they do this? Thanks again!

I think it's too early to tell.
Wait until Dec. hours are posted (in about a month from now.)

Figure a Wed. or Thu. night.

DHS will likely close early by an hour or two on that night.

 

[momtobrynncess]

Don't worry about it, and don't go the week before because that's usually parade taping time.

Wait! When do they tape the parade???

 

[nothnbutherainsir]

Wait! When do they tape the parade???

December 5th

 

[Racknack]

Well, now, then, there ... hummmm.

Pop Warner week is the week I'll be there for my annual holiday solo visit to the world, and this will be the first time I've hit the same week as the youngsters. It will be interesting to me to see what, if any, difference they make. I will be staying at the French Quarter, and I do like my sleep each night.

Rickrack

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Well, now, then, there ... hummmm.

Pop Warner week is the week I'll be there for my annual holiday solo visit to the world, and this will be the first time I've hit the same week as the youngsters. It will be interesting to me to see what, if any, difference they make. I will be staying at the French Quarter, and I do like my sleep each night.

Rickrack

I believe the moderate for overflow is CBR this year, so snore away.

 

[BradyBz12]

We've been there during PW week the past 3 weeks in a row. We stay at FW so I can't speak to the resorts, but the first 2 years we weren't even aware anything "special" was going on (we've joined the DIS since!)

We've run into the occasional big group of kids or a cheer-off while waiting for a parade, but overall have never noticed a huge spike in crowd levels or encountered an inordinate amount of obnoxious behavior - certainly no more than on any other given day by any member of the general public.

The first 2-3 weeks of December is still our favorite time to go. It gets a bit more crowded each year, but I'd still consider it low-moderate, and aside from TSM, DH & I never wait more than 20 minutes for anything.

Of course with all the promos this year..... your mileage may vary.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

One year, I cannot remember which All Stars it was, but they were in the food court first thing in the morning with their leaders & mom's doing their hair at the tables. They had lined up the square tables in a row, sat them down & the adults were doing the kids hair in the food court where others were eating. They were brushing & using hair spray as if they had the entire place to themselves. I went to a CM and complained since the smell of the hair spray was getting to me as I ate my breakfast. The CM went over to them & asked them to stop. As soon as the CM was out of site, they went right back to it. That showed me what kind of group this was. Now I know not all of them are like this, but this was one rude group. They not only didn't respect others, they didn't listen to the CM and did it in front of their children. These adults were suppose to be role models. I was livid to say the least. That was one of my worst stays. They cheered all night to get themselves ready...again, no respect for others.
I have been on many AAU Baseball trips and know how kids tend to act, but to have the adults acting that way was uncalled for. Again, that isn't all of them, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth for Pop Warner..

I have also encountered the older (18-20?) cheerleaders on the bus at night, bumping and grinding (male and female) doing their cheers.. and not cheering moves either.. on the bus returning from the MK.... not a nice site when you have children. My kids were a little older at the time and realized what they were doing. They even commented on how discusting they looked...again, leaving a sour taste for Pop Warner.. not sure if these were the ones who were chaperons or who taught the girls their cheers.. but they were definatly cheerleaders.... the bus was nearly full of them

 

[Jen0504]

Well, hopefully since we're staying at Pop Century we won't run into any of these problems. I feel like I over-think this whole thing, but it's stories like these that make me nervous because who knows when we will get back to WDW. I (like everyone else) want to make sure we have the best time possible.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

Well, hopefully since we're staying at Pop Century we won't run into any of these problems. I feel like I over-think this whole thing, but it's stories like these that make me nervous because who knows when we will get back to WDW. I (like everyone else) want to make sure we have the best time possible.

We'll be staying at the POP the same time as you so I have been following the pop warner threads for several months and from everything I have heard I don't think we have a thing to worry about.