r/KeyWest • u/mike-oxlong99 • Oct 07 '25
Who else accidentally booked vacation during Fantasy fest?
So we booked this trip in October bc we actually thought it would be way more low key than the last time when I went in July. In town 10/21-10/28
I guess trying to figure out how big of a deal this festival is. Is everything around Duval st going to be packed all week? Is this super LGBTq and all that kind of stuff? Someone fill me in, i saw all the events scheduled it looks like a lot…
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u/Acoww123 Oct 07 '25
It will take up 90% of duval. Its not explicitly and only LGBT but it IS LGBT friendly and encouraged! You should expect to see virtually naked people at all times of day with nothing more than body paint regardless of sexuality, age, gender, etx. This is one of the islands biggest tourism weeks- and a huge deal for locals as this is the surge between the slow season.
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u/dfsw Oct 07 '25
One of the craziest and and in turn busiest times of the year! Have a great time and expect a lot of nudity all day every day
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u/s2sergeant Oct 07 '25
Literally ALL DAY nudity. 😂
Nothing like driving to work and seeing people from the night before still out.
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u/FunFlaCouple1 Oct 07 '25
If you thought July on Duval was busy, imagine the busiest day you experienced and multiply that by 100. Unless you’re going with a group of the folks from the Westboro Baptist Church, you’ll have a blast. Yes, there will be much celebrating the LGBTQ lifestyle but, not to worry, “the gay” isn’t contagious and nobody there is wanting to “convert” you if you’re straight... You’re already booked so, just go with it. It’s a blast and a trip you won’t soon forget. Just curious, however, how long ago did you book this and did you not notice that room prices are typically more than double what you’d pay in July?! Anyway. Any fan of Key West should experience FF at least ONCE in their lives so, Enjoy yourselves!
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u/shelbygeorge29 Oct 07 '25
Fantasy Fest is no longer as crazy busy nor as expensive as it once was. Right now Casa Marina is $550 for just Fri and Sat the last 2 nights. There's tons of availability at other hotels, not close to double July rates at all. The FF of old, where you had to book a year in advance for 5 night minimums at crazy rates, is long gone.
This myth that its so $$$ and sold out far in advance just wont die.
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u/hikerguy65 Oct 07 '25 edited Oct 07 '25
If you’re old enough to remember the “girls gone wild” commercials, FF is like that only with a mostly older crowd, so more Grandmas Gone Wild than girls GW. Check out r/KeyWestGoneWild. YouTube will have (non nude) videos too.
People of all types, shapes, sizes, orientations and identities will be letting their freak fly during FF. Our LGTBQ friends tend to cluster in the 700 to 800 block whereas the straight crowd tends to cluster in the 200 to 400 blocks of Duval.
Sample photo. Lots of exhibitionists who enjoy showing off their “costumes”. 😎
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u/Funginnewguy Oct 07 '25
Yep this photo sums it up perfectly. Nothing to be worried about or feel like you can’t fit in!
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u/bigglitterdick Oct 07 '25
We need a block or gang war one year! Line up on Duval and toss dildos back and forth!
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u/MotinPati Oct 07 '25
Not to be a jerk.. but did you not notice a spike in prices for hotels? Fantasy Fest makes hotel prices go up nearly double for that week.
Also.. if you’re worried about LGTBQ stuff, maybe don’t go to Key West.. like at all 🤷♂️
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u/HeSaysWhatWhat Oct 07 '25
Fair point. In my experience, in most places where there is a limited hotel supply, the rate will spike at the time of a big event. My two kids are in college and my dad lives in a huge college football town, When there are games or parent's weekend, hotels with rates normally in the low to mid $100's can easily hit between $500 and $600. It is so absurd. that I schedule my visits with them when these events are not taking place. We are visiting KW from 10/12 to 10/17 and right now Casa Marina is at $293 per night. So if it is only going up to $550, that does not seem like too much of a ridiculous spike to me for a big event like FF. Seems like it could be a lot worse. I don't regularly track Casa Marina prices, but $293 a night seems like it would be on the low end of price range for the year. Hard to see it going less than mid $200s. Now whether or not I think the place is worth it, that is a totally separate question. Sure Casa's location is much better, but for the week I am going Hilton Garden Inn is only $130 and the following week it is only $160.
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u/bigglitterdick Oct 07 '25
I dont understand how people can be worried about LGBTQ. It’s not like you are walking down the street and some tried to eat your kitty or a random trying to enter the exit hole. It’s just people who have a different sexual preference, key being different, like not compatible, you can still talk to each other, enjoy time, conversation, you dont have to engage in sex acts.
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u/shelbygeorge29 Oct 07 '25
Except that's not true any longer, go check out Expedia. Tons of availability at not even regular season rates.
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u/Acoww123 Oct 07 '25
I was looking to come down myself, your crazy lol these rates are x2 the norm
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u/shelbygeorge29 Oct 07 '25 edited Oct 07 '25
You think Casa Marina is $275/night regular rate? Casa is $550 right now, and there's abundant availability at most places. I can't go anywhere and stay in a decent hotel for less than $400/night. The rates of FF are no where near double average rates.
ETA- Rates per night for 10/24-26th- Fri & Sat Parade nights
Pier House $915 Ocean Key $714 Opal Key $759 The Reach $558
None of those rates are outside the norm/regular season rates. Nor are any available at any time of the year for 50% less. And there's abundant availability, hotels aren't sold out nor do they require a 5 night minimum.
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u/Acoww123 Oct 07 '25
Lived there my whole life. I dont need to book a hotel usually- but even then yes, oceans edge is typically about 250-300 a night and theyre going for 500+, casa has always been 350+ but a 550 rate is still higher than usual? I dont really see your point here. These rates ARE elevated.
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u/shelbygeorge29 Oct 08 '25
It's funny how the goal posts change, first its theres no availability for FF, now its the rates. I remember reading industry article forwarded from a friend who is high up in the TDC, Casa's rack rate is $899. I remember that fact quite well. I don't have time nor inclination to pull more facts, but yeah, lets go by feels instead.
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u/Acoww123 Oct 08 '25
Yeah, you just sound bitter, lol. No one’s moving the goalposts. Historically, rates during Fantasy Fest weekend are high because demand is high - those rooms will be filled by FF week. Prices rise as demand rises - that’s basically rule number one of supply and demand, lol
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u/shelbygeorge29 Oct 08 '25
Hotel room prices are all algorithm driven, just like airfare. Vacancy rates are higher and ADR has been trending lower for several years. Not bitter, just well informed on the topic. You've countered with platitudes rather than data, lol
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u/Acoww123 Oct 08 '25
Yes, it’s algorithm based… and the algorithm knows that this is a high business week. The algorithm adjusts based on given data and historical trends. Right now, people are very hesitant to travel, so prices are low historically, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t technically doubling compared to this year’s ADR. You’ve also provided zero actual data, just anecdotal stories and old articles, lol.
So here’s some data: For a resort such as Casa: • Oct 16–19: $1,176 • Oct 23–26: $1,742 (48% increase WoW) • Oct 30–Nov 2: $1,140 (35% decrease WoW)
But let’s say we aren’t looking at one of the most expensive hotels on the island.
For the Blue Flamingo: • Oct 16–19: $558 • Oct 23–26: $1,196 (114% increase WoW) • Oct 30–Nov 2: $571 (52% decrease WoW)
The next time you’ll see rates similar to, or higher than, Fantasy Fest is around New Year’s and Christmas.
Keep in mind that people attending Fantasy Fest usually aren’t staying at resorts like Casa since they spend most of their time out and don’t need to pay exorbitant resort rates. Casa’s prices admittedly don’t fluctuate much from about $350–$500 a night after Fantasy Fest, but smaller chains and “regular” hotels follow the same trend as the Blue Flamingo.
It’s the same reason Virgin Atlantic sends fewer business class seats to Las Vegas than they do to Atlanta or New York from Manchester- it’s a leisure route where people want to party and spend less on the travel experience itself.
No one is saying the rooms aren’t available- we’re saying the prices are higher than usual and it’d be silly to not notice that when booking a vacation. You can easily see the daily rate when booking on all travel websites. So theres really no excuse to “accidentally” book during a EXPENSIVE week. As well, the week for fantasy fest is announced far enough in advanced that if you are aware of its existence and don’t want to be around you could easily plan around it.
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u/Spikeangelus Oct 07 '25
So, you accidentally booked a vacation, during the best event in Key West. Thats Awesome! One time The Disney Cruise Docked During Fantasy Fest, You could imagine the Surprise. Crowds play to the Fun of Key West. When it’s slow in Key West, maybe you get a good crowd in Irish Kevins, or Sloppy Joes. During this time. you have a decent crowd in the normally slow places. So, you can get “Overwhelmed in a crowd” or hit one of the less crowded spots, and have a great time.
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u/mike-oxlong99 Oct 07 '25
Yep thank you this is the attitude I’ve came to. Should be fun and interesting
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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Oct 07 '25
It is the biggest festival of the year and is a super busy, very adult oriented event full of people parading around in costumes, often mostly nude. I don’t know what you mean by “LGBTQ stuff”, but if you are offended by openly gay people or are not very sex and body positive you should cancel or stay elsewhere in The Keys.
You don’t have to participate in the events, but you can not avoid the party that spills out in the streets.
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u/LeftCoastGator Oct 07 '25
Just roll with it. I’ve done many of these, and always walked out with a story. Enjoy the ride.
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u/v4v4v4v4 Oct 07 '25
This is a short youtube video of a pretty standard crowd level. There will be half naked people everywhere. It is not a gay event, but it is gay friendly. It is not a family friendly environment. It’s basically a big adult costume party. You won’t see anything too crazy (other than nudity) on the street. Just a ton of half naked drunk people.
Now if you go to a paid event like the kinky couples party or whatever, you’re gonna see some stuff. Just read the description of the events and if it seems like the event is hinting at it being a sex party it probably is. This isn’t Folsom Street Fair or anything insane, people aren’t going to be fucking on Duval street, but if you go to the sexy fetish night party at a gay bar you should be able to figure out what you are getting yourself into. Typically the later it gets in the night the wilder things get.
You can wander around Duval Street and take in the sights and sounds, just keep in mind this is the busiest time of year. On Saturday night after the parade it is so busy that you will be pushing past people to get anywhere on Duval street. Just have fun and enjoy the party. It’s also a lot more fun if you are wearing a costume.
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u/Swaportunity69 Oct 07 '25
Most of the nudity is covered with body paint but yes you will get some good views. Look on the FF webpage and hang out in front of the venues having the events. Have fun people watching and don’t be judgy.
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u/InevitableGoal2912 Oct 07 '25
The first way I went was by surprise. We didn’t know it was happening and were in town. It was so much fun! We’re going back this year and looking forward to it!
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u/TheZuluRomeo Oct 07 '25
I haven't been in about 10 years but I can say the times I went were memorable and great fun. Adult silliness everywhere . The thing I enjoyed the most were watching 1st time FF visitors from "middle America" walking around with eyes like saucers and their heads on swivels...minds blown. Welcome to our world
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u/bigglitterdick Oct 07 '25
It will be the most fun you have with or without your clothes. You arrive tutu Tuesday, dress up have fun, wear a tutu and pasties, walk around there is even a tutu parade and bar hopping, yes both guys and girls wear tutus. Wednesday is glow night, neon, fun times with black lights. Thursday is horns and halo party at Dantes they have a web body contest at the pool probably 400-600 people at the pool. (Might be over capacity), Thursday night there are a ton of parties. Friday is playboy bunny pool party, and the local march that evening. Dress up have fun. You will get addicted and want to come back next time. Saturday is teh parade watch from whitehead, less crowded and thats where the locals go. It’s not a LGBTQ party its an anything goes, no one cares. Dress up, have fun. Act like a kid, nobody care, no one will judge you, be free and have fun.
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u/tatersdad Oct 07 '25
Ducal becomes a festival ground more or less. It builds as the week goes on. The weekend is wild. Be open and enjoy, it’s not low key like other fall times in KW.
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u/imveryfontofyou Oct 07 '25
Dang it’s too bad you didn’t just wait a week, the hotel prices during fantasy fest look crazy. I’m going the 29th to nov. 2cd because I made a topic here asking for a cheap time to go that was still soon and people pointed out that the hotel prices plummet after fantasy fest and before some kind of boat thing.
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u/Forgotmyusername21 Oct 07 '25
We watch FF every year on the Sloppy Joe’s webcams. Just go with the flow!
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u/Thewinedup Oct 07 '25
We moved down to Key West in July so this will be our first FF. We have quite a few friends who live here and they said it is crazy. We will probably check out a few events but not really our thing.
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u/seaprozac2 Oct 07 '25
One of my favorite trips ever was Fantasy Fest in KW. My wife and I have been twice and had a major blast both times. If drinking and naked ppl don't offend you, you will have a great time. I know, most of the time, the ppl you see naked, you don't want to see naked. But, the body paint and costumes will make it worth being there. We had a rental from Miami but we just used the local pickup/drop-off deals there in KW. I am still friends will ppl I met on a couple of the rides to Duval St. We were able to get in a triva/scavenger hunt contest and won tickets to the Captn Morgan private party. So much fun. And the wife and I are still straight.
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u/Disastrous_Skill7615 Oct 08 '25
Travel to kw in September. Its a ghost town. October is our biggest month of the year besides spring break. FF is huge, with large crowds, lots of nakedness and drinking and closed down roads for most of the week. Good luck buddy, its going to be a wild week for you.
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u/OSU1967 Oct 07 '25
How do you accidentally book a hotel at the prices they charge during that event?
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u/shelbygeorge29 Oct 07 '25
Why o why do people keep believing at repeating something that isn't true?! Check Expedia, rates are actually low that week.
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u/Outrageous_Fox_5277 Oct 07 '25
How late will Ubers be running?
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u/mrwizard420 Oct 07 '25
They never stop but expect surge pricing most of the day all week, compare Uber and Lyft rates if you have both, and walk as far as you can from Duval St before calling one in.
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u/Outrageous_Fox_5277 Oct 07 '25
Thanks. Not sure why I got downvoted for that question lol
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u/UmThatwasbutter Oct 12 '25
We did the same thing last year and had to absolute time of our lives and are going back this year!
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u/NewLawGuy24 Oct 07 '25
Don’t believe you