What week in December?

[Kara315]

Planning a trip in dec and trying to decide which week between the first 4th and the second week 11th.
I want to try and avoid the pop warner crowd but that isn't a huge deal.
Which week would be better if there is any difference?

Thanks

 

[100acreHiker]

I would go with the 11th if it's a concern for you. Things will start to get busy after the 17th. December is a great month to go. We go every year and haven't had issues with Pop Warner, but we also stay in deluxe resorts, so that tends limits interactions.

 

[Tonberry]

Pop Warner this year goes from Sat. Dec. 2nd through Sat. Dec. 9th.
I would choose the week of the 11th. There's still low crowds (relatively speaking) during the week. Both weeks will probably have the same crowd levels.
You can't lose with either week, but the 11th would be my pick if it were my choice.

 

[Kara315]

Thanks guys
Does Pop Warner only stay at the all stars?
We like to stay at Pop Century or Port Orleans FQ. It seems the only issues for most with them is at their resorts and not much at the parks.

 

[pollyanna30]

Was there from December 7th-12th last year and stayed at Pop Century. Never saw any evidence of Pop Warner the whole trip. We felt crowds were manageable and that it was a great time to be at WDW!

 

[Kara315]

Thanks

Does anyone know what resorts they are staying at this year?
Do they leave on Saturday or Sunday usually?

 

[Lothlórien]

I would select the 2nd week. It used to be the first week is lighter, but the 2nd week seems to have taken that spot now.

 

[MaC410]

The 2nd week has free dining being offered doesn't it? Not sure if that helps with your decision. I'm going during Pop Warner this year. I've always heard that you barely even noticed it unless you are staying in one of the value resorts they are staying in.

 

[Lothlórien]

Thanks

Does anyone know what resorts they are staying at this year?
Do they leave on Saturday or Sunday usually?

As their flights are pre-booked, they generally leave at the end of the event. Some may ask to go home earlier and switch flights, but it is not typical. Their contract includes park tickets, depending on which category they book.
They typically stay at All-Star, Caribbean Beach and Coronado.

You can see the details from 2016 here:
http://www.popwarner.com/Assets/01-assets/championships/16forms/PW_Manual.Championships+16.pdf

 

[Kara315]

As their flights are pre-booked, they generally leave at the end of the event. Some may ask to go home earlier and switch flights, but it is not typical. Their contract includes park tickets, depending on which category they book.
They typically stay at All-Star, Caribbean Beach and Coronado.

You can see the details from 2016 here:
http://www.popwarner.com/Assets/01-assets/championships/16forms/PW_Manual.Championships+16.pdf

Thank you. This helped a lot.

Thanks everyone.

 

[disney castle days]

Pop warner usually stays at the All Stars, Carribean, and Coronado. We went during Pop Warner week and barely noticed them (despite us being there for it). The kids are at competition most of the day.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

We go the second week in December, and it's fabulous.

I *have* been during Pop Warner, at All-Star Sports. The only thing I noticed was that some of the cheerleading teams were getting in an early morning practice on the football field, but it wasn't annoying in the slightest.

 

[DebbieB]

Pop warner usually stays at the All Stars, Carribean, and Coronado. We went during Pop Warner week and barely noticed them (despite us being there for it). The kids are at competition most of the day.

With CBR and CSR undergoing construction, I wonder what they will do this year. I checked the website, all rooms are sold out at both so they may have them blocked for them. POR had a royal room, POFQ had none, All Star Sports none. Slim pickings.

 

[crazedprincess]

We went the first week in Dec this past year and loved it. We didn't notice any Pop Warner crowds at all.

 

[cwt580]

feeling a lil better about going that week now... had heard bad stories but you all reassuring that its not bad helps a lot.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Over the years we have visited during both weeks. We were never bothered by the Pop Warner folks. But we weren't staying at one of their resorts. Before we became snowbirds we gravitated towards visiting during the second week but that was mostly to maximize the north to south, winter to Florida vacation effect.

Over the last few years we haven't felt much difference between the two weeks. You will notice an uptick in crowds at the end of the second week, a combination of normal weekend crowds and the start of the holiday rush.

 

[DekrRini]

I always go the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for 10-11 days and I've never noticed the Pop Warner crowd. I do stay deluxe so I'm sure that has some bearing on it. The crowds have never seemed unmanageable. I'm sure you'll enjoy whichever week you choose.