Spring Break 13 Turnout

[Mexico Joe]

Well, once again the hype doesnt match the outcome. I've seen the pictures from all over town and had some friends down and have seen their facebook posts and once again the hype didnt match the outcome. When I see pictures from the beach out in front of Las Palomas and there are hardly any people on the beach I just have to SMH. The bi-annual volleyball tourney has been drawing more people than Spring Break. It's a shame, I can't understand it. A far far far far far far far cry from what Spring Break used to be in the early to mid 2000's.

 

[sheep3mom]

Actually it is packed at the Sea! The pool is full from morning until night with kids having a great time. Have never been here before for Spring Break but I see lots of kids having lots of fun!!

 

[MIRAMAR]

All I know is I haven't seen so many cars/RVs coming down in Years! They're going somewhere...

 

[Mexico Joe]

All I know is I haven't seen so many cars/RVs coming down in Years! They're going somewhere...

I can assure you the target market for a college spring break isn't traveling in RV's.

 

[Mexico Joe]

Actually it is packed at the Sea! The pool is full from morning until night with kids having a great time. Have never been here before for Spring Break but I see lots of kids having lots of fun!!

I don't doubt that some of the resorts have college age people there but it's pry 10% of the HAY DAY when the street in the Mirador used to look like MARDI GRAS.

 

[brokenwave]

Came down today. Tons of cars and RV`s going north.
At 8pm at JJs there are 20 people. I realize its a Monday
but 10 years ago there would have been 60+ people in there. Sad because
since the bars on the Mirador have become not hip I would expect
Overflow there. Times have changed.

 

[mexicoruss]

I'm not sure what the direction of this thread is going but my 2 cents......when I was here in the past and the Mirador was PACKED! it was way before Sandy Beach was developed. I think that numbers can be high now, but there is such a huge capacity for the crowds to be absorbed into. There are tons of bars at the resorts that will have an impact on JJ's and everyone else at certain times.

When I came out of Mexico on Saturday there were more cars coming into Mexico than going tot he USA. Its an improvement. It may not be like you remember but it is better than we have seen in the last few years! I for one am glad to see the positive flow this year versus what I have see in the recent past. I have more to say but its bed time.

 

[Mexico Joe]

I'm not sure what the direction of this thread is going but my 2 cents......when I was here in the past and the Mirador was PACKED! it was way before Sandy Beach was developed. I think that numbers can be high now, but there is such a huge capacity for the crowds to be absorbed into. There are tons of bars at the resorts that will have an impact on JJ's and everyone else at certain times.

When I came out of Mexico on Saturday there were more cars coming into Mexico than going tot he USA. Its an improvement. It may not be like you remember but it is better than we have seen in the last few years! I for one am glad to see the positive flow this year versus what I have see in the recent past. I have more to say but its bed time.

Let's not get carried away and start using generalizations, please quantify TONS of bars. The swim up bar in the pool at Bella Sirena or Sonoran Sea doesn't qualify as a bar. In saying that, please name one resort bar. I'm not referencing pre resort years so I think your point is invalid. JJ's and the Reef were always the day time hang out spots. The Reef would always be packed and the beach to the immediate east was always full of trucks and suvs that would drive down onto the beach. Endless fun having of all sorts. JJ's would be packed, back patio full to the brim, once again a lot of fun was being had. The beaches in front of the resorts would be full, you could look to the east and see a sea of party goers, fun havers all the way to Penasco Del Sol and to the west, all the way to the reef. I saw pictures from Saturday during the day from the beach in front of Las Palomas and I was thoroughly disappointed. It looked less crowded than some regular weekends during the rest of the year. The same could be said for the grounds and pool areas, hardly that many people for it to be Spring Break. You used to be able to tell if it was a good weekend by just looking down the beach and when I saw these pictures of the beaches, it was clear that Spring Break for all essential purposes was a bust once again. I'm not saying that the numbers aren't up from last year or that people weren't going down this week. I'm sure there was a line at the border going South, I'm sure there were Rv's and cars but it's just crazy to think of how desolate it is compared to the good ol days. Obviously it's going to take time to rebound from all of the bullsh!t but I thought maybe this was the year after an increase of visitors. I know a number of people my age that have returned to Rocky Point in the last year after believing the hype and staying away, which to me indicated that this Spring Break might have had the potential for a decent turnout. Obviously any visitors are good visitors but I had hoped for more. I still don't understand the lack of direct advertising in target markets. Word of mouth isn't advertising. Russ obviously has started to make headway with direct advertising in the RV market but why is there a lack of advertisement in Phoenix and Tucson for other demographics? I credit a large part of the small headway that is being made to Facebook. I think social networking and people's pictures can go a long way. Word of mouth is one thing but when you see someone's trip through pictures it really puts an image to the safety and fun of Rocky Point and that's why I believe people are starting to go back. Once again, I'm not hating, just stating. I started this thread not to be negative but to create conversation, so let's talk, everyone's opinion and or editorial is welcomed.


CHOLLA BAY 4 LIFE arty: :mexico:

 

[Hooch]

You have seen nothing, should have been around back in the early 90s for spring break holy **** that was where it was at. Back when you could drive your trophy truck all the way down the beach to playa, strippers, the sand drags, the huge fights at the Reef every night. That was mexico. Now its just a bunch of Jersey shore looking faggots on the roof of Sharkbites.

 

[Southbeacher]

1. Sprng break just started
2. Agree with MexRuss that they are being absorbed into lots more space and venues than used to be available. Heard first hand that some condos were brimming last weekend in the Sandy Beach area.
3. Nothing bounces back immediately. The media hype instilled fear that runs deep. Some would-be visitors are still jittery. But with a healthy return of visitors, word will travel fast.

 

[Terry C]

A lot of people are still feeling the recession. Do I want to go to Rocky Point or pay my bills? The cost of a 5 day trip is a lot of money these days. Prices on everything are up. What does gas cost you on a round trip to Rocky Point? Have your wages kept up will increases on everything? College peeps and adult peeps are putting off trips. I would think that there would be A 20 % plus increase in people here if they could afford it.

 

[mexicoruss]

Mexicojoe, I agree with some of your post don't get me wrong. For the sake of argument let's change the word I used regarding the resorts from "bars" to "diversion". I conduct tours with resort owners who say that when the get here they sometimes never leave the compound, why should they they say - everything they want to do is there. So I still feel that the resorts offer a "safe haven" for some of those that are starting to make their way back after years of not visiting. It will come back I am sure. It took time for the Mirador to "dry up" it will take time for it to come back, but come back it will. I am still bullish on this place.

 

[Stuart]

A lot of truth to what Terry says above. Ain't cheap these days, even splitting costs with a group. I miss the days of being able to run down on a Friday with a couple hundred bucks in my pocket and having money left when I got home late Sunday night. But, that's everywhere, not just Rocky Point. Also a function of age and interest -- thinking of the $500 I spent for gas for the boat last weekend. Just the boat. Not the truck (diesel), launching, food, ice, shrimp, room, etc., etc. I can only imagine what it costs to fill one of those beautiful RVs I see rolling up and down the road to Penasco!

Yes, I miss the old days and the big crazy Spring Break crowds on the Mirador. It was fun and we always shared lots of laughs at some of the things we'd see. Sheer entertainment value was priceless! Like Russ, though, I see it evolving and am thinking positively about the future. Will we ever see those old "glory days" of Spring Break again? Probably not as we knew it, but I honestly believe it will draw crowds again, just in different places and different ways than the all night massive rolling Mirador drunk-fest parties we once knew.

For whatever it's worth. uff:

 

[brokenwave]

Been here for most of the Spring Breaks since 85, way wilder back then. Unfortunately our kids want nicer places to hang out compared to our generation, (yes we spoiled them) They don't want to stay in a RV. Many of my kids friends have been down here and loved it but now go to California, Lake Havasu or Cancun if they can afford it. My teenage girls have been coming since they were born and loved it but now I now have to make them go, but only if there is an Internet connection for them to use. How times have changed!
I hope that RP does well this month (and the rest of the years to come), but have to agree with Joe,
it does seem pretty dead here from what I have seen last night and today in town.

Updated at 2PM.

20 RV's on Sandy Beach
Cholla Mall had 15-20 cars there at 12-1PM, spoke with 2 shop owners I have dealt with for many years,
they said busier now but not more than a good weekend. There were a couple of 10+ groups wandering around.
Tienda in town said better but nothing special.
La Choya market said busier, but much less than expected.
Walmart parking lot 1/3 full, Santa Fe market as busy as it was 4 weeks ago, not crazy busy.
JJ's said Fri-Sun good crowds during the day, slower at night. When I stopped there were 50+in there.
House next to me has 15 kids under 25 and said it is ok busy, Baja Cantina is good, The Wreaked was fun,
Changos was slow, Mannys looked closed and Pink Caddy they didn't bother to stop.
Wonder how the fish market bars and restaurants are doing?

 

[Mexico Joe]

Mexicojoe, I agree with some of your post don't get me wrong. For the sake of argument let's change the word I used regarding the resorts from "bars" to "diversion". I conduct tours with resort owners who say that when the get here they sometimes never leave the compound, why should they they say - everything they want to do is there. So I still feel that the resorts offer a "safe haven" for some of those that are starting to make their way back after years of not visiting. It will come back I am sure. It took time for the Mirador to "dry up" it will take time for it to come back, but come back it will. I am still bullish on this place.

Yea, you're creating a diversion by not answering the question. Yea maybe the introverts never leave the "compound" but I know my generation and when you go somewhere for Spring Break you're looking to socialize and have a good time at night, not stay in your room and watch tv/ play charades. The only place that I saw had a decent crowd was Baja. I'm not buying the argument that there are more venues now so that's why it doesnt seem as crowded. There used to be more venues on one street than there are now in the whole town. Once again, word of mouth was mentioned as the main advertising approach to getting people to come back. Yea, word of mouth will work if you're willing to wait 8 years for business to return. I know things will return eventually, just had higher expectations this year and was disappointed to see those expectations not come to fruition.

 

[Mexico Joe]

You have seen nothing, should have been around back in the early 90s for spring break holy **** that was where it was at. Back when you could drive your trophy truck all the way down the beach to playa, strippers, the sand drags, the huge fights at the Reef every night. That was mexico. Now its just a bunch of Jersey shore looking faggots on the roof of Sharkbites.

My first Spring Break was in 98, so I have a reasonable idea of what it used to be like. I had been every year after that up until 2006. HOOCH, you have a trophy truck? Maybe we can rekindle our relationship and you can take me for a ride sometime?????

CHOLLA BAY 4 LIFE

 

[mondone]

A lot of people are still feeling the recession. Do I want to go to Rocky Point or pay my bills? The cost of a 5 day trip is a lot of money these days. Prices on everything are up. What does gas cost you on a round trip to Rocky Point? Have your wages kept up will increases on everything? College peeps and adult peeps are putting off trips. I would think that there would be A 20 % plus increase in people here if they could afford it.

Could very well be true. I've been here at my house on the west end of Encanto beach since Sat. AM and even here it's empty for spring break week. Granted, we usually don't draw a lot of the college crowd out here, but did get some in the past. And I sure expected more of my neighbors to be here and even they failed to come down and stayed home.

 

[playaperro]

Spring Break don't start till tomorrow when the Tucson crowd gets here! Phoenix Breakers more of Las Vegas, Lake Havasu creatures.....

 

[mis2810]

There's also a lot of really good air/hotel packages to Cancun, Cabo, etc. right now that the kids take advantage. Some come out even cheaper than a condo share and driving down to PP for a week.

 

[jerry]

Villa del Palmar Cancun but i do not see the cheap faires that used to go out of phoenix Hey we are eating our seed corn here in the states in every possible way.Letting the little S*heads fly to Cancun is just another example Maybe a x games type adventure sports event would be a good tie in to get the crowds up and get the right type of future vacation home owners down here to see the play...sportsmen and women 7 dollar drinks?????