Honestly, would you stay at the S/D *knowing* there was a convention?

[zagafi]

It looks like there will be an FBLA conference (high school kids) at the S/D during our stay. I'm honestly rethinking our plans now, so I'd like some feedback. What would you do?

 

[twocat]

Well, I might get flamed for this but here goes. If they are indeed staying at your hotel (don't HS kids usually stay at one of the Values?) I would consider changing. This is based on other threads saying that when there are large teen groups staying at the Values, things get very noisy and very crowded. They're teenagers so it's to be expected!
I have no idea what the FBLA is so I have no idea of the size of the group.
How did you find out that this group is staying at the S/D?

 

[yecats]

Sorry to say but I think I would switch hotels. I have had one Dec. with the Pop Warner tweens and that was more than enough. Its not bad when parents/chaperones keep them in small groups of 4 to 5 kids but when the parents/chaperones don't bother to go with them to the pool or bother to correct or even watch them, then almost anything goes (cutting in line at rides) and there are always groups like this around at some point. I go on vacation for relaxation, not to be housed in a hotel with hundreds of teenagers.

 

[Jockaroo]

FBLA=Future Business Leaders of America. This may be their national convention. I attended one when I was in High School (in Houston). The kids that attend the national conference have won state level awards or were selected as state representatives. They have worked hard to get here. My year ('85) the kids were all very well chaperoned and very well behaved. Our hotel didn't get wild until the college delegates came in the last couple of nights we were there. Of course things can change over 20 years.

I would not hesitate to stay with this group, but I'd find it fun since I was a state winner and president of my HS's club.

As far as being at the Swan during a conference, I've done that too. I attended a conference and the conference area is on the main lobby floor and separate from the normal traffic for the hotel. You may have business people in the lobby and lounge areas enjoying their cocktails in the evenings, restaurants at lunch may be more crowded, and the pools may be closed for private parties. Honestly, the folks seem to keep pretty much to themselves.

The Dolphin tends to host fewer conferences and I've heard that it is very family friendly. Conventioners may spill over into the ballrooms of the Dolphin for meals and afterhour entertainment. Hope this helps.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Yes! Unless it is cheerleaders LOL! From the name of this convention, it seems this will have kids who are there for a really good reason and thus have a better chance of being better behaved.

The Swan/Dolphin are big enough and since those kids will be either at meetings or in the parks, I doubt them affecting you that much.

People make out any hotel that has "convention" attached to it as always being loud/ crowded, etc... and the Dolphin was never that when we were there during a convention.

 

[GEM]

Knowing there was a convention, sure. Knowing there was a convention of high school kids, no way.

 

[Lewisc]

S/D has conventions most of the time. I'd think those HS would be well behaved. I'd try to find out how many rooms they have blocked.

A concern would be if S/D was going to close the Grotto pool for the convention. That's usually done for cocktail parties but it's a possibility.

 

[madge]

sure. I'd book the trip....I don't think I have ever stayed at the S/D when there WASN'T a convention. some are rowdier than others....I suspect the FBLA kids might be better behaved than some of the adults I've seen over the years, LOL!

 

[zagafi]

Thanks to all of you for the feedback. One of my biggest concerns *is* about the pool closing. The pool is a pretty important part of our vacation, so I would mind if it were closed. I'm also a teeny bit concerned about the pool being overrun with teenagers. I'm a former HS teacher (now a tech coordinator), so I know teenagers verrry well. LOL! I'm not assuming they'll behave poorly, but they *are* kids--kids who will likely outnumber their chaperones. That being said, it's absolutely true they could be far better behaved than some adults I've seen.


It's not necessarily a deal killer for me, but it's something I have to take into consideration.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I too would think twice and call the hotel directly. We have stayed at the swan with adult conventioneers and I had nightmares of overcrowded pools and busses. I only saw a few guys come out just to look at the pool during their lunch break I guess. No other problems. Now I will speak of teens and I am not prejudice as I have 3 of my own right now. I agree with the other posters, find out how many rooms they have and ask if the pool is reserved at any time. Can they give you the daily schedule of conference events etc. I dont know how much is private/public knowledge etc. Last year we went on vacaton to texas and it was a huge teen conference on something. We were in two hotels and couldnt get away from them. The worst part was NEVER being able to get on the elevator. The noise I can deal with, but that was annoying. Imagine a long day in the parks etc. Plan well and good luck.

 

[dznyntnh]

There was a convention going on during my Dolphin stay in May and the only time I even noticed was early afternoon if I was trying to catch a bus, it would get a little crowded (they had a few hours 'off' every afternoon). But as far as crowds or being bothered by lots of people it was never an issue.

Now, if you told me there was going to be a convention of High School kids (or even college kids) then I would definitely rethink my plans. I arrange my vacations for the times of the year when most schools are in session, so to go and be in the middle of lots of them would not make for a fun vacation.

 

[princess pooh]

There has always been a convention going on at the swan and dolphin whenever I stay there. The only time it bothered me was during a Namenda convention - many of the Namenda people were so snotty and obnoxious! Other than that I haven't really noticed the conventions.

I'd be concerned about a high school convention as well but those future business leaders don't sound like a rowdy bunch.