Originally Posted By RCG09 I just had the good fortune of finding out we are attending WDW during Pop Warner week!! Now I have done a little research, and found that most of the kids stay at the values, with some at the moderates. We are staying at Saratoga Springs and it doesn't sound like it would be affected. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced Pop Warner week, and if you could share your stories or nightmares?! Thanks!
Originally Posted By RCG09 I just had the good fortune of finding out we are attending WDW during Pop Warner week!! Now I have done a little research, and found that most of the kids stay at the values, with some at the moderates. We are staying at Saratoga Springs and it doesn't sound like it would be affected. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced Pop Warner week, and if you could share your stories or nightmares?! Thanks!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've never been that week, but most stories I've read lean more towards nightmares than precious moments. Lots of kids accompanied by undervigilant chaperones. Hopefully things will work out better for you! I don't know how it's organized, but if they go to a certain park on a certain day (like the Gay Days crew), it might be helpful to find their schedule and avoid those parks on those days. From what I've heard though, I suspect that each team plans its own schedule, so it's just luck of the draw on which park will be the busiest which day.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 I still don't know why it's called "Pop Warner". Is it to do with "pop" music? Was there an old man named "Pop Warner"? What is his connection if so? Sorry but the name sounds dumb to me.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Bob, I am not sure why it is called that, but it is a national teens football and cheer leading competition. We have been there twice when this is on - 2000 and 2007. We had very different experiences. In 2000 it was not too bad ,but we used WDW as our base and when it was very busy during pop warner, we simply scheduled our trips to universal, IOA, sea world and Kennedy space centre those days and it was fine. In 2007, we never left WDW, and pop warner was one of the many things that trip that made it the most disappointing vacation we ever had. We stayed at AKL, and shared a bus with pop century resort which was jammed. Then the MK and DHS were unpleasant due to the crowds, and the behaviour of not just the kids but parents too. One night we dined at wilderness lodge and then had to travel via downtown Disney to get to our hotel, the bus was full of chanting teens. And there were kids in wheelchairs, being pushed by their parents saying "aren't these great? We can save Brittany's legs for competition" Between the pop warner crowds, difficulty changing reservations when we had family illness, poor bus experience, poor cleanliness and maintenance, and then the usual horrid Florida weather, I came back wishing we hadn't wasted our time and money. If there is any way to avoid pop warner, I recommend it. That said, the deluxes, as well as epcot and DAK were not bad at all. The MK, which I consider the weakest compared to Disneyland, DLP and TDL anyway ,was horrid. Also add in they tend to tape the Christmas parade that week too. And DHs, the more educational attractions were fine, but the area around TOT and rnrc were a zoo.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I have been to WDW a couple of times during Pop Warner week. The usual parks are jammed, especially MK and DHS. EPCOT will be fine. I enjoyed the extras, the MK was having a few outdoor shows in Tomorrowland ( the only time I have ever seen the outdoor theater over by CoP used ). I didn't notice any unusual large crowds. WDW is always slammed year round now. In terms of hotels, because of this competition it will be difficult to get a room in select Value and Moderate resorts. Another reason why I always stay in DTD.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I always wondered what POP WARNER meant and only knew it was to be avoided. I guess POP was a football coach or something in the Sports World. They do have organized sporting events at DL also.. I think you will be able to have fun but it will affect the crowds and level of enthusiasm and tolerance will be a learning experience for future challenges in life.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub What are the dates for POP Warner week? sometimes I find myself having an improved attitude because I keep thinking it would have been fun to do this during my high school years and have those fun memories. And I prefer to see this organized behavior of group sports over other options available to our youth today. Remember ESPN is only going to continue to grow in popularity worldwide.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Was there an old man named "Pop Warner"?<< I believe this is the reason behind the name. Many years ago, an old guy (football coach? former player?) started a kid's league. Similar to Little League baseball, it's grown to a national scale, and some of the teams go to WDW to play each other. It sounds like a great idea in theory, but I can see how it might become a headache for 'regular' guests.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 A little background on Pop Warner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Scobey_Warner" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...y_Warner</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Please do not get me wrong, I think it is wonderful for the kids and their families, it is not something I want to be at. Ironically our last trip to California also corresponded with them being in dca. It was a zoo, but did not feel as bad as the MK.
Originally Posted By judros We have been there during that week, we were at the PORS and the parents were somewhat worse then the kids. They where sitting outside the room smoking and drinking till 1 or 2 in the morning the 2 nights that we caught. There is not much space between rooms there, so them talking and the smoke smell was not pretty. What week is it? We are headed down there in Dec., just wondering.
Originally Posted By RCG09 Thanks everyone for you comments! We will try to avoid them at all costs! For those of you wondering what week they will be there, I believe its the 3rd-10th. Our trip is from the 4th to the 11th...so it sounds like we might have 1 day without them!
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6ydffjq" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/6ydffjq</a>
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Could you provide the lik that telss the secret to dealing with PWWeek? I was surprised to find the groups at Universal/Harry Potter during my visit upon leaving WDW. Wish they would move more in mass actually with specific daily plans announced so the rest of us could figure out the crowd patterns! Unfortunately it does not work that way.
