travelagent73

Flew in from Michigan.

Stayed in Key West, Fl Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat for Fantasy Fest.

Wednesday through Friday was terrific. Lots of people having a great time with their cameras, drinks and body paintings.

Saturday, the parade day, was a disaster. That's the day the twenty-somethings come in with their $1000 taste on a $50 budget. Spending only on drinks and none on food or lodging (grubbie looking). Getting all drunked-up and being down right belligerent towards the other party goers (the wife got her beads ripped off her neck). After the parade, the wife pretty much summed up the atmosphere walking down Duval Street, "First time all week I didn't feel safe walking."

Summary:
With the twenty-somethings making there presence felt, the price of everything is going up. Dropped thirty dollars having two Strawberry Daq's and split a shrimp cocktail (including tip). Hotel rooms are becoming a luxury. In 2004, Comfort Inn ran $235 a night. The same room in 2006 cost $350 a night. It was nothing to spend eighty dollars on dinner for two at the local back street Itallian restraunt. For the four nights, room / food / drinks / tips, probably spent two grand.

Conclusion:
Until the younger generation decides to return to New Orleans, prices here will stay high and security on parade night will be questionable.

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Diana

How sad this report made me.

We've loved Key West since the first time we went in 1991, and it's really a pity when this type of thing happens in a place you have enjoyed so much over the years.

I so hope this is not going to happen in Key West every year during FF. It's such a fun, good-natured and naughty little bit of fun.

Oddly enough, we had a similar experience with bands of rude, drunk and thoughtless American 20-somethings in St John in the USVI's a couple of years ago.

Hopefully, KW city council and police will plan for this next year and have the same kind of "no tolerance" policies they had in NOLA for Mardi Gras.

LarryBee

Unfortunately, like many events that involve a party/drinking, FF has become a victim of it's own popularity. And those people will never "decide to go back to New Orleans", because they never went there in the first place..why do you think they all showed up on Saturday? They are driving down from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale to get in on the partying. Only way to make it stop is rather draconian enforcement, which of course will make it swing back to the other end of the spectrum and make it less fun for even the "respectable" folks.
That element is in Key West in force during FF, New Year's Eve, spring break, and even to a certain extent on the three big summer holidays (4th of July, Memorial day, Labor Day) and Lobster mini season. As a matter of fact I had a Monroe County deputy Sheriff tell me that Memorial Day was the worst. If you don't want to be exposed to the twenty something drunks, vacationers should avoid those times.

seafox

I too was in Key West for Fantasy Fest this year and find this post to be narrow minded at best. I'm in my mid-40's and I was pleased with the diversity in ages and people that were in KW. And, trust me there were plenty of very drunk, bare breasted 40 to 50 something women in town..... It's a major party that was enjoyed by all...... what did you expect.... a country club style masked ball?

Diana

seafox, no need for the rudeness.
The OP called it as he saw it, and is entitled to his opinion.

GoTravel

My parents spent the week in Key West for Fantasy Fest (they live part time in Cudjoe Key) and had a blast.

I think Fantasy Fest is what you make of it and it is debauchery at best.