When is Pop Warner week?

[Keith]

Does anyone know for sure which week Pop Warner will be there? Last I heard it was Dec. 4-10th? Have they decided for sure?

 

[HayGan]

Those dates are correct. Here is the December 2005 calendar from their website

http://www.popwarner.com/articles/December05.asp

 

[Ergens2]

Dec 4-10. We were there this past Dec and will NEVER do that again! Where are these kids parents!!! They were maniacs!

 

[Goofy41]

Unfortunately, the kids that are down their foe this huge week are watched by the organization they represent. I know not many of their parents go, becuase of the cost. The child is paid for by their organization. I have heard some horror storeis, but being part of Pop Warner for the last 22 years, I have yet to go donw there for the expierence. I will be making my 1st trip this year with the league our organization is affiliated with and I am looking forward to it. Hope to see you all there.

 

[The4OfUs]

In my daughter's Pop Warner squad, a parent is REQUIRED to go. One per girl. No exceptions...

And they DON'T pay for it...they pay for part of the girl's fee, if the fundraising is enough, but parents pay for the remainder and for their own trip down. And many make it a family affair around us, and bring brothers/sisters/family to watch the competition, as well.

 

[tigerlilly]

We are thinking about going this December at the same time as the Pop Warner event. It is my understanding that the event will be the largest it has ever been this year. I have read all the different threads on the event and all the opinion's. I know last year they stayed at the POP, All Stars and some at POR. Does anyone know what Hotels they will frequent this year? I really think we might like staying at the Riverside side of POR so I was curious.
For those of you who are involved with Pop Warner what events do you go to while there? Are there compititions during the daytime hours? Pre scheduled events for the kids at the parks or certain days where you tour together? I know there is an MGM night on the Friday night of the Pop Warner week.
I would think if we go knowing there will be a large group there in WDW that it will not be a problem. There are large groups and tours, events always going on in WDW now so if you are prepared then you shouldn't have any problems..right

 

[dpic]

I was concerned about this a few months ago since we'll be there the first week of Dec, and I looked in this. The vast majority of post say the only "problem" were when staying at the same resorts (value) as the Pop Warner groups. With a group of kids this size there'll be more noise, more horseplay, etc. The kids aren't evil, they're just kids and there's lots of them.

Next, most posters said the Pop Warner groups in the parks were barely noticeable and generally well behaved. Were there rude kids--sure. When we go to Disney do we run into rude adults? Unfortunately, yes. So, rude behavior is an accepted risk when we go to WDW. If it happens, I do the best to not let it bother me.

I think most will agree that seeing kids have fun at WDW is part of the enjoyment. However, no one wants to be in the middle of 1,000 kids having fun. So, if you avoid the resorts where the Pop Warner groups are staying you should be fine.

 

[Skyhawk32803]

We are thinking about going this December at the same time as the Pop Warner event. It is my understanding that the event will be the largest it has ever been this year. I have read all the different threads on the event and all the opinion's. I know last year they stayed at the POP, All Stars and some at POR. Does anyone know what Hotels they will frequent this year? I really think we might like staying at the Riverside side of POR so I was curious.
For those of you who are involved with Pop Warner what events do you go to while there? Are there compititions during the daytime hours? Pre scheduled events for the kids at the parks or certain days where you tour together? I know there is an MGM night on the Friday night of the Pop Warner week.
I would think if we go knowing there will be a large group there in WDW that it will not be a problem. There are large groups and tours, events always going on in WDW now so if you are prepared then you shouldn't have any problems..right

Even thought thats were they should be staying, a lot of the other resorts get the overflow. At CBR in Jan the entire Aruba and most of Jamica section was filled with Pop Warner

 

[Keith]

Even thought thats were they should be staying, a lot of the other resorts get the overflow. At CBR in Jan the entire Aruba and most of Jamica section was filled with Pop Warner

So if you stay at a deluxe resort you're pretty much guaranteed to avoid the Pop Warner resort-related problems?

 

[The4OfUs]

We almost went last year, and in preparation were given the options and information - we were told we could only stay at the choice the group made - and it would be either the All Stars, or Port Orleans (those were the two options, and our whole group would have to pick one or the other, All Stars being more affordable than PO). I had even asked, being a DVC member, about staying at a DVC resort, but the coaches of course (makes sense) want all the girls together. Just some 'inside information' on that part of it - I don't know about the rest as our group made it to 4th place, and only 1st and 2nd went to Disney. We're hoping for this year tho!

 

[Ergens2]

In my daughter's Pop Warner squad, a parent is REQUIRED to go. One per girl. No exceptions...

I have to say that the cheerleaders from Pop Warner are a lot better than the other cheering comp. that I have been to. I myself was a cheerleader and understand the excitement that comes with a competition. My prob was with the adolecent boys! They were awful! Cutting in line, making a mess at the restaraunts, and the vulgar language! My parents would have shot me let alone my coach! You are there to represent an organization! I think they (some players and coaches) loose site of that!

 

[kikipug]

However, no one wants to be in the middle of 1,000 kids having fun. So, if you avoid the resorts where the Pop Warner groups are staying you should be fine.

If someone doesn't want to be in the middle of 1,000 kids having fun, maybe WDW isn't for them...

 

[Skyhawk32803]

So if you stay at a deluxe resort you're pretty much guaranteed to avoid the Pop Warner resort-related problems?

Yea, according to my understanding they dont goto deluxe resorts at all.

 

[jecarter]

OMG, thank you all so much for the info. I have been researching my Disney vaca for over two months and this is the first I have heard of this. I have ressies for 12/3-12/6 at ASMovies and 6-9th at AKL. I am sure the AKL would be fine but I am not going to take the chance with the ASM. Thinking of rescheduling my trip to either end of Nov or later in Dec. Where can we find out if any other large groups/events will be happening?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[kupperman]

We went this past December 5-12 and Pop Warner was there and I must say, it was not that bad. I only noticed their presence at the food court and we stayed at ASMO. I had prepared myself for the worst and I was pleasently surprised. Also crowds were very low for the week we were there, the parks were practically empty.

 

[MinnieM21]

So if you stay at a deluxe resort you're pretty much guaranteed to avoid the Pop Warner resort-related problems?

Yes. I stayed at the Grand Floridian and they were not there. I didn't even notice them in the parks. There's nothing to worry about.

 

[kikipug]

Thinking of rescheduling my trip to either end of Nov or later in Dec. Where can we find out if any other large groups/events will be happening?

Thanks a bunch!

Orlando is the convention capital of the world, as it is a great place for people to combine business trips with family vacations... there are ALWAYS large groups/events going on... check out the Orange County Convention Center website... they've usually got the biggest events... over 156,000 ADDITIONAL people were in town a few weeks ago for the National Homebuilders Show... record days for the parks, with crowds that FAR outweigh well-deserving football players and cheerleaders just enjoying their accomplishments.

 

[cobbler]

I was concerned about this a few months ago since we'll be there the first week of Dec, and I looked in this. The vast majority of post say the only "problem" were when staying at the same resorts (value) as the Pop Warner groups. With a group of kids this size there'll be more noise, more horseplay

This is accurate from my expirence. We were right in the thick of it at ASSports last year and we only saw them at the food court and at the pool. Makes it darn near impossible to go swimming if you want and the food court is very noisy and very busy. But that is expected with a large group.

We didn't see them at all in the parks and we were lucky enough to be put away from them at the resort and its a good thing or I may have blown a gasket. What I did see was lack of parental/chaperone supervision and honestly if you give teens an inch they will take a mile, we all did it. I was more irritated with the parents/chaperones who were more concerned with "getting their drink on" then paying attention to the kids and correcting inappropriate behavior.


It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be but if I was nearer to them in the resort my opinion may have been altered.

 

[tigerlilly]

Well with all I have read I am thinking it might actually be a good time to go in terms of crowded parks.

All this information is really interesting and will help all of us make the right decision for ourselves.

 

[dpic]

If someone doesn't want to be in the middle of 1,000 kids having fun, maybe WDW isn't for them...

Obviously, you ignored the entire context of my post to imply that I'm against kids having fun. So, here it the section you took my quote from.

I think most will agree that seeing kids have fun at WDW is part of the enjoyment. However, no one wants to be in the middle of 1,000 kids having fun. So, if you avoid the resorts where the Pop Warner groups are staying you should be fine.

Any other thoughts?