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For the past month or so, the talk around my house has been about planning a family trip to Disney World for next Spring. The planning stages of any trip are always fun for me - deciding where to stay, what attractions are "must see", what restaurants to visit, what shows to see. I'm the planner; I do all the research; I make all the reservations. My family always says "Just tell us what time you want us to show up, Mom." It also took my mind off of our upcoming trip to AC July 3^rd - 5^th. The planning for that was already done and the anticipation was getting to me. After all, it had been 3 months since I'd been there, 5 months for the rest of my travel buddies. It did occur to me, though, how similar Disney World and Atlantic City are - I know, sounds strange, but true. So that's the theme of this trip report.

First stop to check in at Ballys for two nights. Requested and received the newly renovated Garden Tower. Applause to Ballys VIP check in personnel who are always very nice and accommodating. They must have taken the "Disney let's be nice to the customers" management training course. Here's a link to my personal review

http://www.atlanticcityone.yuku.com/topic/4578

Daughter arrived right behind us (just for a day trip), gambled a bit and then off to the new Qua Spa at Caesars which she really liked. I'm sure she'll be returning.

Ballys gambling areas are reminiscent of Magic Kingdom. Coyote Kate's and Wild Wild West are obviously Frontierland due to their decor. Claridge is Adventureland cause it's always a real adventure for me to find out whether the Cleopatra machines I play up there will be generous or stingy. This trip, they were a mix of both. Ballys proper I will refer to as Tomorrowland cause it's always crowded and the clientele seems to be a little more rowdy than the secluded areas. And the new Rapid Roulette was a definite crowd pleaser with very energetic and funny dealers getting the crowd all worked up. The Gold Room is definitely Fantasyland because hitting a jackpot in there can make all your dreams come true. Of course, losing sessions in there could turn that area into being known as Bankruptland which is how my first night went.

Hubby decided to take a quick jaunt to The Walk for sneakers right after we checked in and enjoy the beautiful weather. Ran into two different people he knew from the neighborhood who were also down for a few days - It's a small world after all. The rest of us went right for the action - slots.

There had been some changes in the Gold Room since my last visit. First of all, it is now called Diamond Pointe. They have replaced the carpet. They removed the little coffee lounge and put in some more machines in the back. The décor has been updated. And they have replaced all the slot stools with big cushion leather like chairs - kinda look like Capt. Kirk's command chair on the Enterprise bridge. Half of them had the slot button controls in the armrest. I kid you not. You could sit back in the seat, put your feet up on the ledge, and push the spin buttons right from the armrest. Comfy doesn't even begin to describe it. At night they also came around with food for the players. Saw sliders, pigs in a blanket and cookies. Had an espresso, coffee, cappuccino machine set up in there. My host said they are going to be trying a lot of new things in there to try and invite more players into the High Limit area. It was really nice. But, with all the renovations and changes, they forgot to do one thing - turn up the "win notch" on the machines. That would really get the customers in there, don't you think. No winnings for me; in fact, money disappearing very quickly. Time to get out of Bankruptland.

Early afternoon in AC, just like clockwork, is when bro hits the boardwalk and brings back hot soft pretzels for all of us. Yummy - just as good as those Mickey ice cream bars that I crave every afternoon when in Disney World.

A short rest-up break in the room after pretzel time found me watching the local Ballys channel for any update info I might need - as if I didn't already know all I needed to know about Ballys and AC. I could probably host that show. It's just a routine thing to do for me, just like watching the Disney info channel when in Florida.

My local bro and sis in law joined us in AC mid afternoon and we all went to the new 6ix Bistro (formerly Animations) for an early dinner. Wanted to go to The Reserve (formerly Prime Place) for a nice steak dinner, but that's closed Thursday nights. Here's a link to my personal review.

http://www.atlanticcityone.yuku.com/topic/4577

Played out on the main floor with everybody for awhile, visited the Diamond Lounge evening for coffee and dessert and then we watched the fireworks display going off at the Borgata and Harrahs (or what little we could see of it). I heard it was very nice, even though no Disney Spectro Magic in the Sky.

The evening is where AC and Disney World differ for me. When in Florida, I am so pooped out from walking all day, I'm usually in bed by 10 pm. However, AC has the opposite effect. I get recharged by 10 pm and usually play til around 2 - 3 a.m. This night was no exception. Played lower denomination machines cause my buddies in Diamond Pointe had been so unforgiving that morning.

Up the next day to find hubby decided to let loose of his inner child and rent a bike to do the "Tour de Boardwalk" thing. No thank you. He really enjoyed it and peddled his way all the way to Margate and back. Sis and I had a delicious room service breakfast while chatting. The only thing missing - Mickey waffles. But I survived. Nephew arrived for the day and went for a massage. Hubby went out for his second day of alone beach time which he really enjoyed - except for the cold temperature of the ocean. Bro and sis went over to Borgata mid-afternoon to trade up to Black Label for the first time and they were excited. I was supposed to join them to meet Edb and Fran, but never made it. Sorry guys. Now Borgata early morning is more like Epcot to me. More modern décor, a discovery all its own of different type machines than I'm used to at Ballys. I was sorry I didn't make it this trip, but plan on going next time.

Another taste of those hot soft pretzels (plus some fudge, of course) Friday afternoon and then off to the main floor for some play on the $1 Ballys Wild Party machines. Sat next to a very nice older couple who kept me company for quite a while on them. We were all doing well for a while.

Opted for early dinner Friday at Ballys Diamond Lounge with Bruce, Jill and their son, Lonnie. Spent about an hour and a half chatting. It was great to see them again. After which hubby walked down to the Hilton to play and try and catch some of the free Beach Boys concert. Him and a million of his closest friends were there. It was mobbed. Got to hear some of the music, but could barely see the stage. Did see that John Stamos was playing with the Beach Boys. Didn't stay too long. Meanwhile, back at Ballys Fantasyland and I started in on my own version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride through several machines. No handpays, but getting small profits from most machines I tried. Then I settled in for an hour in one of those Star Trek chairs in front of a Monte Carlo slot and my one and only good slot run took off. My head was spinning like I just got off the Mad Tea Party ride. I kept getting the bonus round often, 100 Pay feature, and lotsa mixed sevens. At the end of this adventure I had made up all my losses (quite a feat) and a small profit.

Took a break with bro at the Lobby Bar and then settled in for a long night of up and down, roller coaster ride, hardcore slot play. I jumped all over. I even approached a $25 machine - now that's what I call a Tower of Terror ride! But I chickened out and quickly left that area. Gave back what profits I got earlier plus a few hundred, but I had dug myself out of that scary hole from the first night, racked up a lot of tier credits, and I was satisfied.

Fourth of July was mobbed in AC most of the day and into the night - the boardwalk, the casinos, the restaurants - reminding me of Disney World during Easter week, but without bumping into Mickey or Pluto at every corner. Although I will admit that AC has its own cast of "Goofy" characters sometimes and they always seem to sit next to me at some point. And they are not the type I want to get my picture taken with or get an autograph from, trust me.

Saturday morning and time to pack up and check out with a quick last run to Harrahs for their breakfast buffet (excellent) and a little play time. Retrieved my cashback from the April trip (just before expiring), my bonus dollars and headed off to the Diamond Cove - or what I will affectionately refer to as "Space Mountain" - terrifying as I enter it, panic attacks as I survey the machines, conjuring up some not so pleasant memories of my past rides and that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. But I was determined not to let this slot session in AC be a loser, and it wasn't. It was a roller coaster ride, but a fairly tame one - must have gotten on the kiddie coaster by mistake. After 45 minutes, I walked out of Diamond Cove with the same money I walked in with. Then I played for another hour on a nickel Double Dollars which gave me about a $100 profit in the end. I had finally beaten the machines at Harrahs Marina, earned my wings, and Tinkerbell would have been proud.

Then we piled in the car with hoagies from Sack of Subs in Harrahs Food Court to take home (hubby liked his; I thought mine was just ok). They were expensive -- $23 for 3 hoagies - thank goodness for comps. I always liked the Formica bakery rolls White House used, but mine seemed really hard and the meat was not sliced as thin as I usually like it. Not bad, just not as good as I was hoping for.

It was a slightly losing trip (overturning that early bad losing). It was an immensely fun trip. And, thanks to comps, did not cost anywhere near an average trip to Disney World.

By noon on Saturday, all of us became the tired "Sad Sack" family as our mini- vacation was ending. You know the families you see when you first land in Orlando's airport and get off your plane all energized and excited to start your vacation in Disney World. Then you spot the earlier rotation of vacation goers sitting at the gate leaving Florida to return home - they all have Disney tee shirts on, mouse ears on their heads, Disney shopping bags galore as carry on luggage, they're half asleep and they're Grumpy. And you know that will be you in about a week, but for now you're just happy. Well, as we headed to the AC expressway thru that first toll booth, I glanced over to the opposite lanes of traffic to see all the cars just entering our AC playground to start their trip. Yep, they were all smiling as they entered their Magic Kingdom. May all their dreams come true.