Panama City Beach, sometimes labeled as the "spring break capital of the world," has managed to body slam the college party on the sand this season.

Crowds and business are both down sharply compared to this time last year, following new alcohol limits the Florida city enacted after bitter spring break troubles in 2015. The changes, including a more aggressive police presence, come as many metro Atlanta high school students and families prepare for their own spring vacation beach trips.

Other beach towns may pick up what PCB loses. Check out more on what the scene is like now and what sparked PCB's soul searching, in my latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.

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Delta CEO Ed Bastian (center) appears alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right), and Atlanta Regional Commission Executive Director and CEO Anna Roach at the ARC State of the Region event on Oct. 24, 2025 in Atlanta. (Courtesy of the Atlanta Regional Commission)

Credit: Atlanta Regional Commission

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Thousands of UGA students enjoy during the annual “Frat Beach” party for the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game on St. Simons Island, Friday, November 1, 2024. On the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game, St. Simons Island’s East Beach becomes “Frat Beach,” an open-air party teeming with thousands of highly inebriated college students. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC