Latest news with #SpringBreakRealityCheck
Miami Herald
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach have two different messages for spring breakers
It's a tale of two cities — or really, two reality TV show-themed spring break marketing campaigns. After last year's viral 'break up' with spring break video, Miami Beach doubled down with another toungue-in-cheek PSA — a 90-second 'Spring Break Reality Check' spoof where actors depict a friend group of spring breakers that fall apart from the drama of strict rules, curfews and $100 parking fees. 'I'd come back to Miami Beach... just not for spring break,' an actor says. But a few miles north in Fort Lauderdale, there's love in the air. Kind of. 'Fort Lauderdale, you sound like so much fun,' says a woman in the City of Fort Lauderdale's 'Love Is Blind' dating show parody. 'Sun. Parties. The best spring break of my life. I know it's only been about 40 seconds, but I think I may be in love.' She's talking to an anthropomorphic orange surfboard with a tuft of blonde hair who speaks in Gen Alpha internet slang. 'Everybody loves me. Beaches. Nightlife. I got that rizz,' the Fort Lauderdale surfboard says. South Florida's two major spring break destinations are presenting markedly different messages to spring breakers this year. While Miami Beach is sticking to its big break up, Fort Lauderdale says spring breakers are welcome, so long as they act right. 'Come for the fun, but remember to play by the rules,' Fort Lauderdale Police Department Chief William Schultz says in the video. 'Love may be blind, but we'll be watching.' While the two social media campaigns are thematically similar, a Fort Lauderdale spokesperson said the city's video was not inspired by Miami Beach's. But a light-hearted TikTok video posted by the Broward's Sheriff's Office does reference the messy break up, while offering some safety tips. 'Miami broke up with you, but we're here. Don't make us regret it,' says a deputy in the video. Officials in Fort Lauderdale say it's not clear if spring breakers who would have gone to Miami Beach are heading to Fort Lauderdale instead. About 2,650,000 visitors are expected to come to Fort Lauderdale this March, according to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is about what the city received last year. 'Miami Beach still — I talked to my peers and cohorts down there — they still had a high spring break population. They're going to have it again this year,' Schultz said at a news conference last week. 'Whether we've received some individuals coming to Fort Lauderdale because of their campaign, I'm not quite sure.' But the dueling marketing campaigns do underscore the differences between both cities' reputations as a spring break destination. Fort Lauderdale is generally seen as a relatively relaxed spring break destination compared to South Beach. Miami Beach's decision to shut down spring break came after several incidents of stampedes, fights and deadly shootings made headlines in the past few years. In order to break up with spring break for good, Miami Beach implemented strict rules and limitations for revelers that rolled over into this year. The city will close some parking garages and surface lots, charge a $100 flat fee at other garages, double towing fees to $516 for non-residents and set up license plate readers and DUI checkpoints. By comparison, Fort Lauderdale's rules are not as harsh. Fort Lauderdale is implementing similar rules as last year, like a ban on coolers, tents, electric scooters, amplified music and alcohol on the beach, while offering spring breakers some transportation accommodations. The city encourages visitors to download the Ride Circuit App to request a Micro Mover to drive them to and from Las Olas and the beach for free. Parking on the barrier island is $4 an hour. 'This is a great time in which Fort Lauderdale shines,' Mayor Dean Trantalis said at the conference. 'Fort Lauderdale, of course, is known for its spring break season, but it also continues to represent itself as a safe and fun place for kids from all over to come and enjoy the break from studies and get away a little bit from their environment where maybe it's 20 degrees.' Fort Lauderdale's break up with spring break The competing spring break marketing campaigns also illustrate how the roles have reversed for South Florida's top two spring break destinations. In the '70s-'80s, Fort Lauderdale had the reputation as the rowdy spring break destination that Miami Beach is trying to shed. Fort Lauderdale's origins as a spring break destination date back to the 1960 movie 'Where the Boys Are,' in which Midwestern college girls head to Fort Lauderdale for spring break looking for romance. In the decades that followed, hordes of white college students flocked to The Strip, the stretch of A1A between Las Olas and Sunrise boulevards, and piled into motels. Chaos, bikini contests, public drunkenness, beach concerts, dance parties and street brawls ensued. Spring breakers trashed motel rooms so badly business owners didn't bother renovating. Newspapers reported on college students showing up to court hearings in their bathing suits and climbing street poles. City officials had enough. 'In the '80s, we were overrun with kids,' said Ina Lee, the president of TravelHost Fort Lauderdale. She was part of a taskforce to solve the spring break problem. That was when Fort Lauderdale had its own break up with spring break. It launched an aggressive PR campaign warning college students that police would strictly enforce laws and make arrests. The new rules ruined the fun: no open alcohol containers (thanks to a 1985 law), no packing 10 people into motel rooms, no serving people under 21 years old, no more street parties. Word got out that Fort Lauderdale wasn't the free-for-all it once was, Lee said. The area fell into disrepair and it took decades to revitalize Fort Lauderdale Beach into what it is today, a yearround tourist destination with luxury hotels. Eventually, spring break evolved into 'the spring break season,' Lee said, which starts in March and lasts into the summer. So is Fort Lauderdale an indicator of Miami Beach's future? Lee isn't sure, especially since Fort Lauderdale's circumstances in the '80s were very different from Miami Beach's circumstances today. Regardless shedding a rowdy reputation takes a lot of time, effort and investment, she said. That's how Fort Lauderdale did it, and it appears to have worked. 'The destination speaks for itself,' Lee said. 'It's become a thriving, yearround destination. We have a lot to offer. Spring break is just part of that.'
USA Today
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Florida police issue 'spring break reality check': Visit but follow the rules
Florida police issue 'spring break reality check': Visit but follow the rules Show Caption Hide Caption Spring break crackdown in Miami Beach Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is cracking down on spring breakers in Miami Beach. Fox - 35 Orlando Miami Beach is continuing a cheeky plea to try to ward off spring breakers this year, as police departments around the state brace for the influx of visitors. Florida had more than 140 million visitors in the 2024 spring break season, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference Thursday. Miami joins Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando in the top five most popular domestic destinations for spring break travel according to AAA. But when the world was beginning to emerge from the pandemic in 2021, partiers flocked to Miami Beach and law enforcement was overwhelmed with more than 1,000 arrests. The following year, several people were injured in shootings. Last year, Miami Beach said they were "breaking up" with spring break. Even as places like Ft. Lauderdale lend a friendly welcome to spring breakers, many cities with spring break reputations are amping up police patrols, asking the state to help with enforcement and issuing stern warnings to those getting ready to visit. Miami Beach 'spring break reality check' touts fun-killing rules Like last year's "breaking up" with spring break viral campaign video, Miami Beach is warning travelers that their spring break party plans could be thwarted by tough restrictions. In a reality television-style scripted video, a group of friends cheer about heading to the area for spring break, but things take a turn for their vacation due to the strict rules in place. Rowdy Miami Beach spring breakers will get 'reality check' Miami Beach officials are ready to ramp up their annual spring break campaign, "Spring Break Reality Check," going creative with their message. "Once we got to Miami Beach, things went downhill fast," one woman says in the video, before police crash their beach party, force them to dump out alcohol and kill the speaker. The group argues over the curfew, pricey parking and beach regulations. "The show is fake," the video states. "But the very real." By mid-March of 2024, Miami Beach police were pleased with the progress they had made, a spokesperson told USA TODAY at the time. "2024 was the most successful and smoothest spring break we've had here in a long time," DeSantis said Thursday at the press conference in Miami Beach. The state listed 36 felony arrests and 51 misdemeanor arrests for spring break in 2024, with 16 felonies and 17 misdemeanors coming from Miami Beach. With spring break underway, we want tourists to enjoy their time in Florida while supporting our local businesses. Last year's successful spring break season showed that we can maintain peace and order when working together with local officials and law enforcement. — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 7, 2025 Still, DeSantis said state law enforcement is standing by with more than 100 state troopers, drones and K9 units to help local agencies around the state. "We can't have things just descend into madness and mayhem and chaos," DeSantis said at the press conference. "I think we're gonna have another successful season in 2025." Fort Lauderdale keeps welcoming 'everyone under the sun' While Miami Beach tries to ward off visitors, Fort Lauderdale is eager to welcome tourists again in 2025, Mayor Dean Trantalis told USA TODAY in an interview Wednesday. "We have a different vibe here in Fort Lauderdale versus Miami Beach," Trantalis said. "I think the mood is edgier in Miami Beach and honestly, I think the beach is sort of an afterthought when it comes to the reason for that destination. Most people are drawn to the party scenes." But the relationship wasn't always harmonious between spring breakers and Fort Lauderdale. Trantalis previously said in the 1970s and 1980s, spring breakers came in hundreds of thousands, overwhelming the city. It led to the same kinds of pushback that Miami Beach is issuing, until crowds came under control. Some initiatives to keep spring break safe are still in place from Feb. 23 until April 12, like additional police presence and prohibitions on coolers, alcohol and amplified music on the beach. "Everyone under the sun is welcome," Trantalist said. "We appreciate everyone ... regardless of their background, their faith, their race, who they love, Ft. Lauderdale is a place for everyone." Police across Florida issue spring break warnings: 'We're a real fun beach, but we don't have a real fun jail' DeSantis said spring break party reputations have moved around the state, and therefore various cities have had crackdowns at one time or another. In fact, several places have issued stern warnings to partiers and restrictions this year. "We're a real fun beach, but we don't have a real fun jail," said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford at a February press conference along with Panama City Beach Police Department, as reported by the Panama City News Herald, part of the USA TODAY Network. The two agencies, located in Florida's panhandle, said they are coordinating together and with the state ahead of the crowds to try to stop drugs and violence from coming to the area. The PCBPD chief mentioned spring breaks of the past that would no longer be tolerated. Further down the Gulf coast in the Tampa Bay area, the Clearwater Police Department is implementing its usual extra police patrols on the beach, spokesperson Rob Shaw said in an email. Officials also want visitors to swim near a lifeguard, avoid leaving items unattended and be prepared for lots of traffic. 2025 Spring Break Warning Don't say we didn't warn you. Posted by Mike Chitwood on Monday, February 24, 2025 In Volusia County, where Daytona Beach has long had a reputation for being a spring break party destination, Sheriff Mike Chitwood issued a stern warning. "Let the word go forth: If you act a fool, we have a place for you," he said in a Facebook video. "If you don't respect our community, you're gonna get disrespected by law enforcement." Contributing: Dylan Gentile, C. A. Bridges Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at kcrowley@ and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- USA Today
From cheap flights to top destinations, you can still score a deal for spring break
From cheap flights to top destinations, you can still score a deal for spring break Show Caption Hide Caption Rowdy Miami Beach spring breakers will get 'reality check' Miami Beach officials are ready to ramp up their annual spring break campaign, "Spring Break Reality Check," going creative with their message. Travelers are increasingly seeking out new international and solo trips for spring break 2025. While prices are up about 4% overall, average domestic airfare remains under $300. The most expensive time to travel is between Passover and Easter, while late April and early May offer cheaper options. Popular destinations include Mexico, the Caribbean, and surprisingly, Japan, where airfare is down 13%. Groundhog Day may have signaled a longer winter, but spring break is just around the corner to offer travelers an escape to warmer weather. This year, travelers are seeking out a fresh take on spring break. They're checking out new international destinations and breaking away from the usual group or family trips, with a surge of 90% in solo travel searches and a 30% increase in pet-friendly accommodations from last year, according to Airbnb's 2025 Spring Trends. At the same time, costs are higher than last year. Travelers can expect to pay about a 4% increase in price compared to last year, Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, told USA TODAY. "I know the 4% increase sounds intimidating ... but it's very much in line historically with where we were before the pandemic," Berg said. On the plus side, round-trip domestic airfare is under $300 on average, and there are still some great deals out there for those who haven't finalized their plans. "The biggest thing with spring break is really flexibility, and follow the deal not the destination," Berg added. "That's where you're going to get the most bang for your buck." Here's everything travelers need to know about spring break travel 2025. The best and worst times to travel for spring break 2025 "If you can do one thing, do not travel between Passover and Easter weekend," said Berg. "This is a big vacation week for schools in the U.S." With travel demand peaking from April 13 to 20, airfare prices are surging by 33% compared to the first to weekends of March, according to Hopper's 2025 Spring Break Travel Outlook. Other peak travel dates include the last two weekends of March and Mother's Day weekend on May 9-11, according to Expedia's Spring Travel Outlook. For the most part, late March through Early April will be the most expensive due to the high demand, Melanie Fish, vice president of global public relations for Expedia Brands, told USA TODAY in an email. To avoid crowds and high prices, consider traveling in the last week of April or the first week of May. Domestic flights during this period can save you up to $55, while international flights in the last week of April are typically $155 cheaper. ◾ Spring break travel hack: If your only option is to travel during that high-demand holiday week, try to finesse a little bit of flexibility, like departing on a Tuesday and returning on a Wednesday, to avoid those hefty weekend prices. "You could save upwards of $175 just by shifting your dates to be weekday departures," Berg said. Is it too late to book my spring break trip? It depends on where you're going. If you're planning to travel internationally, you should book ASAP, as prices are only expected to rise. If you can afford some flexibility in your travel dates, there are still cheap flights to the perennial spring break destinations like Florida and the Caribbean in April, although you should book within the next two weeks. Airfare is around $275 to Orlando and $431 to Cancun, according to Hopper. Take a quick scan on Hopper or Expedia's Flight Deals feature to browse a few warm-weather destinations with low airfare. ◾ Spring break travel hack: If you're looking for a weekend getaway, depart early on Saturday morning and return on Tuesday to save up to 25% on airfare. Top spring break destinations While destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean – Cancun, San Juan, Punta Cana and Montego Bay – are popular as usual, some emerging destinations are also popping up this spring, especially where the U.S. dollar is strong. Rio de Janeiro, Curacao, Tokyo, Osaka and Istanbul are some of the fastest-growing destinations, according to Expedia. Speaking of Japan – whose cherry blossoms draw in thousands of visitors during spring – travelers can save up 13% on airfare this year compared to last, Berg said. "It has to be the first time ever a long-haul flight away from the U.S. has shown up as a destination for spring break," she added. "For a lot of Gen Z and millennials, Tokyo has just captured their imaginations." ◾ Spring break travel hack: Wave season is also still going on – typically until the end of March – so travelers can save money on cruise packages with some of the major cruise lines, including discounts, onboard credits or free upgrades. Here are some affordable flights for spring break 2025, according to Hopper:
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miami Beach gives spring break troublemakers a 'reality check' with viral TV-themed video
Once an enclave for spring breakers searching for warmer weather, the city of Miami Beach is making a concerted effort to curb raucous partying by launching a "Spring Break Reality Check" campaign. The reality TV-themed PSA video shows just how unwelcome college students are to the Florida destination. "Consider this your reality check. Spring Break and Miami Beach don't mix," the city of Miami Beach wrote on X. Here's How Miami Beach Successfully Broke Up With Spring Break The video begins with a group of college-aged people driving to Miami Beach on what one young woman says will be "the best spring break ever." About 15 seconds into the promo, another says, "Once we got to Miami Beach, things went downhill fast." Read On The Fox News App The video launches into a compilation of strict police oversight, DUI sobriety checkpoints and pricey parking fees. "Apparently, the only thing that wasn't contraband was the grapes and the cheese," one young woman laments. Police In Fort Lauderdale Report Surge Of Spring Breakers Amid Miami Beach Crackdown At night, the crew is met with a strict curfew, leading to several arguments and tension, with one member of the group saying: "I'm so sick of crying!" "The real villain here is all these rules," said another. The concluding message of the video? The show is fake, but the rules apply. The video is the latest campaign effort by Miami Beach officials to discourage rowdy revelers from descending on the miles of pristine beaches and renowned nightlife. "This year it's a reality check, it's showing what is going to happen if you come here, and you don't play by our rules," Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said. Last year's campaign resulted in Miami Beach seeing limited crowd sizes and less violence. Police Chief Wayne Jones said that arrests citywide went down 8% by March 17, 2024, compared to March 2023. Miami Beach Spring Break Restrictions Proved To Be 'Huge Success' For Residents And Businesses Police enforcement is hoping to see the same, if not better, effect with the "Reality Check" parody released this year. While the city saw last year's campaign as a success, some businesses said the measures went too far. M2, a nightclub in Miami Beach, reported half a million dollars in revenue loss during this period, according to WSVN. The "Reality Check" ad points viewers to a website that lists the many prohibitions to prevent even the most insistent partyers from enjoying themselves during the busy weekends of March 13-16 and March 20-23: no novelty vehicle rentals, raised towing fees, sobriety checkpoints and the closure of all parking lots in South Beach, a section of Miami Beach that typically heaves with article source: Miami Beach gives spring break troublemakers a 'reality check' with viral TV-themed video
Fox News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Miami Beach gives spring break troublemakers a 'reality check' with viral TV-themed video
Once an enclave for spring breakers searching for warmer weather, the city of Miami Beach is making a concerted effort to curb raucous partying by launching a "Spring Break Reality Check" campaign. The reality TV-themed PSA video shows just how unwelcome college students are to the Florida destination. "Consider this your reality check. Spring Break and Miami Beach don't mix," the city of Miami Beach wrote on X. The video begins with a group of college-aged people driving to Miami Beach on what one young woman says will be "the best spring break ever." About 15 seconds into the promo, another says, "Once we got to Miami Beach, things went downhill fast." The video launches into a compilation of strict police oversight, DUI sobriety checkpoints and pricey parking fees. "Apparently, the only thing that wasn't contraband was the grapes and the cheese," one young woman laments. At night, the crew is met with a strict curfew, leading to several arguments and tension, with one member of the group saying: "I'm so sick of crying!" "The real villain here is all these rules," said another. The concluding message of the video? The show is fake, but the rules apply. The video is the latest campaign effort by Miami Beach officials to discourage rowdy revelers from descending on the miles of pristine beaches and renowned nightlife. "This year it's a reality check, it's showing what is going to happen if you come here, and you don't play by our rules," Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said. Last year's campaign resulted in Miami Beach seeing limited crowd sizes and less violence. Police Chief Wayne Jones said that arrests citywide went down 8% by March 17, 2024, compared to March 2023. Police enforcement is hoping to see the same, if not better, effect with the "Reality Check" parody released this year. While the city saw last year's campaign as a success, some businesses said the measures went too far. M2, a nightclub in Miami Beach, reported half a million dollars in revenue loss during this period, according to WSVN. The "Reality Check" ad points viewers to a website that lists the many prohibitions to prevent even the most insistent partyers from enjoying themselves during the busy weekends of March 13-16 and March 20-23: no novelty vehicle rentals, raised towing fees, sobriety checkpoints and the closure of all parking lots in South Beach, a section of Miami Beach that typically heaves with tourists.
