Swinger party unnerves soccer parents at Orlando hotel

Sun-sentinel.com ^ | January 3, 2006 | Terry O. Roen

[EX52D]

Fortunately they were in California, I think they faired pretty well. If I remember correctly, they came home to a very nasty refrigerator with the loss of power. Minimal structural damage.

[BadAndy]

"...a hotel that was hosting a New Year's Eve party for more than 200 self-described swingers, who had reserved a downstairs ballroom.."

It makes perfect sense that you would find swingers in a "ballroom".

[usflagwaver]

Several years ago, I worked for a hotel in Long Beach which hosted the Gay & Lesbian's Ball. Several hundred people in drag came because they had some sort of contest to pick the King & Queen. At the same time, the sales department booked several kids from a little league tournament. And to top it all off, some parent booked a "party room" for his 18 year old's birthday party.

I was working at the front desk. We had nothing but complaints. The parents were furious, the drunk 18 year olds were harrassing the gays & lesbians. And the gays & lesbians were complaining about the 18 year olds. It was total chaos. We called the cops to diffuse the situation. We also gave the sales department an earful. Of course, the ball was held there again the next year, but at least there were no kids this time.

[day10]

Same with my folks - minimal damage, thank goodness. There are still areas recovering, though.

Charlie was scary. I talked to my folks the night before Charlie hit - it wasn't supposed to hit Punta Gorda. My dad said, "We are going to go stay in Ft. Pierce for a few days." I woke up the next morning and Charlie had taken the right turn and came straight down Charlotte Harbor. I am happy they left when they did.

[EX52D]

That's good to hear.

[BreitbartSentMe]

Even Disney tells guests when they book during Gay Days.

Is this true, I thought that was the main complaint, that Disney didn't tell people, and they wouldn't refund their $$

[steve-b]

Several years ago, I worked for a hotel in Long Beach which hosted the Gay & Lesbian's Ball. Several hundred people in drag came because they had some sort of contest to pick the King & Queen. At the same time, the sales department booked several kids from a little league tournament. And to top it all off, some parent booked a "party room" for his 18 year old's birthday party.

Sounds like you could get a pretty good sitcom episode out of this scenario.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Who wants to see haggard old fat women?"

Haggard old fat men?

[add925]

Soccer parents I once knew would have viewed this as an extra perk.

[TC Rider]

Walker's mother, Julie Downs, a 43-year-old registered nurse, said her children asked why they were restricted to their rooms and couldn't party on New Year's Eve.

I've been on the other side of this. The ex and I used to go to NYC once a year for a show, shopping, etc.

Nearly every year there would be some group of kids, either soccer, cheerleading or some family reunion. Every time the kids would be racing up and down the halls until the very small hours of the morning. Taking up tables in the bars and lounges, etc.

The parents would invariably treat the hotel as their private theme park and turn their kids loose.

No surprise with the laid back attitude of hotel management. They have probably seen enough 'gay days' from Disney to know the 'swingers' were pretty tame by comparison.

[gondramB]

"The ACLU would screem about "freedom of speech.""

Non-sexual nudity may have some protections but it sounds like these people flaunting nudity in a sexual fashion in front of kids - hopefully we can all agree that's a no-no.

[festus]

Shoulda called the cops. I'm sure that nudity in front of children is covered under some statute somewhere.

[KevinDavis]

My resonse would be: Thank you god!!

[martin_fierro]

[JennysCool]

Sounds like you could get a pretty good sitcom episode out of this scenario.

The ULTIMATE Fawlty Towers episode!

[perfect stranger]

**The ULTIMATE Fawlty Towers episode!

That was also my first thought, although I have yet to see a full episode.

[JennysCool]

Definitely one of the greatest sitcoms ever.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Fawlty BUMP!

[perfect stranger]

Anything with John Cleese is definitely worth seeing at least once.