I know their intentions are good, but... About This Page:

[Chrissi]

I have to laugh! Ever since our friends and family found out we're going down to Wildwood next month, everyone has advice. Forgetting for a moment that I used to go there every summer with my dad and his ex-wife and I know where we plan to stay already, I do have the internet at my fingertips and I'm not a complete dee-dee-dee.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about where we should stay or thinks their hotel is cheaper/nicer/closer. I have to laugh about the ones who claim to be close to the boardwalk. The hotel we're staying at is literally a block from the boardwalk. You can see the sand.

A friend just recommended a hotel to us that has its own minigolf course next to its pool. She told me it's a stone's throw from the boardwalk. I'm wondering how good her arm is. Her hotel is 24 blocks away from ours and 12 blocks from the end of the boardwalk and 3 blocks inland. Umm...define 'close to the boardwalk'. If you mean it's in the same state, you'd be right.

DH's aunt even recommended a hotel in Seaside Heights. We're going to Wildwood. Why would we stay in Seaside Heights? Her answer? "Well, that way you could stay in nice, clean, family-oriented Seaside Heights and visit Wildwood during the day to avoid the gangs at night." I just have no response to that. It's not like they're right next door. And what gangs?! The Irish college students who work in the waterparks are now roaming the streets, looking for trouble?

Do you ever get travel advice with good intentions that you know you just can't take? How do you go about disabusing them of the notion? Or do you just not bother?

I'm afraid they'll give this advice to someone else who doesn't know any better, so I try to find a nice way to say 'learn how to read a map'.

[jagafen]

I just got that from my in-laws....when informing them that we would be taking a nice long vacation to Disney, with breaks and relaxation, with no intention of theme park hopping all over Orlando.......when they heard we were probably be down there for 10 days, responded..."oh, you'll be able to do Sea World and Universal, and go see grandmom (in Ft. Lauderdale) while you're there too!"

BTW...they do have a summer trailer in Cape May Courthouse. From what I understand, that's only a stones throw from Wildwood!! (where we always beach too!) If you're hard up for a place to stay, I can offer you an uncomfortable hide-a-bed covered with a TIN roof!!!

[Teresa]

I have no advice, having never been to Wildwood. I bet you're happy for that!!

Yep, we've had people when we say,"We're going to WDW again" start advising us as to where to stay/go/play. I always have to ask "Have you been often?" Usually they have only been once or twice - I do that in a year!!

[Luv4My4]

We used to get that too. We have vacationed in Wildwood almost every summer since I was born except for five years when we went to the Poconos instead (ages 9-14) and we bought our trailer in Cape May Court House specifically because it is so close to Wildwood/North Wildwood. I love when people who have never been or been a few times try to tell me where to go or what to do. I know the Wildwoods like the back of my hand and could probably be on the Wildwood Welcome Committee !! As far as gangs that's hysterical. There was a time when Wildwood was getting a little scary but that time is loooong gone. I will tell you that you should probably do the boardwalk early while you are there because you will more than likely run into quite a few Senior Week revelers the week you are going. I think it is public school Senior Week that week. You might have some in your hotel too so that's something to think about or maybe call your hotel and ask about although most hotels no longer rent to Senior Week kids. No matter what you will have fun, Wildwood is a great time!!

[Chrissi]

We specifically avoided the week that some hotels blocked off for senior week. It seems some hotels only book students for senior week to avoid other customers complaining about the noise from the teenagers. We figured it's a pretty safe week considering it's when the National Marbles Tournament is held there. (Kids ages 8 - 14 compete against other regional champs for the title.) I've been to Wildwood in the 80's and 90's with my dad and his much younger, hot ex-wife. Even at 13, I looked old enough to get away with going clubbing with them. The boardwalk after 10 pm is nothing compared to the dives I've been in in Wildwood.

I'll admit to being surprised at being warned away from the boardwalk late at night. Wildwood is a party town. It's one of the reasons we like it. Otherwise, we'd be staying in the Crest. We're night owls. It's nice to have something to do after 10 pm with a 4 year old who's wide awake. No clubbing for us this time around.

[Luv4My4]

I totally agree with you!! I love Wildwood because it's a party town too!! I love to go to Cape May to walk around and shop but Wildwood is my favorite shore town by far. I only mentioned not going to the Boardwalk late at night because if there is a Senior Week that week it can get REALLY crowded late at night and there might be some things going on you might rather DJ not see although it might make for some great DJ stories when you get back!! My kids are night owls too so it is nothing for us to still be up at the boardwalk at Midnight getting ice cream after the Friday night fireworks!! We have season passes for the boardwalk this year so I see alot of late nights for us there this summer!! I hope you have a GREAT time and I will try to make the Doo Wop Diner meet if I am down there!! I am really hoping to meet to famous (infamous?) DJ in person, I'm sure my girls would get a kick out of him and I think Molly and DJ are about the same age. Have fun!

[Chrissi]

Excellent! We would love to meet you and your girls. I don't know how busy you guys are during the day mid-week when you're down at the Cape, but we'd love to have you join us at the beach or what-have-you if you've a yen for some beach time. The hotel is pretty lax about visitors using the pool, too, if you'd rather. (I am not a swim-in-the-ocean type. I like the sand, but the water - not so much. ) Let me know when you find out whether you'll be down there in time. We'll work out some time to get together if you can't make it to the diner for the meet.

[Happymommy]

gangs....in Wildwood????

I think you're gonna have a blast!!! I've only been there a few times in the past 10 years (a couple of Irish Weekends with Luv4my4 Stacey!! A few bachelorette parties, and my own bachelorette party). But the few times I have gone, we've always had the best time (we used to go there for a week every summer when I was a kid-- until I was 10, and then my dad wanted to start going to Delaware beaches because we could drive onto the beach and fish). I was so sad-- all my friends were in Wildwood. Have fun on your trip!!!!

[Disney_Scarlett]

That is annoying, and it's difficult to find a tactful way of saying, "I know, doofus." I just usually nod and smile until I have a chance to say, "Oh, I think I know exactly what you're talking about...you know, we've stayed at Bookalookaville for the last eight summers."

It usually only happens to me with WDW ("Did you go to Disney World? And Epcot?" ). Our other most-frequent vacay spots are yearly trips to the Outer Banks and half a dozen trips a year to Myrtle or Holden Beach. No one really tries to give advice on those...not sure why, come to think of it. Maybe because going to Myrtle/OBX is a right of passage for living 'round here, so folks just assume you know about it?

Have fun on your trip

[Cam22]

I've had a few try to give me advice about WDW, but they soon realize that I probably know more than they do. I really do try to be polite, but I'm not very good at feigning ignorance when they ask if I know about this or that.

[katspjs]

I think your aunt and my mother read the same newspapers!

Sounds like you're going to have a great time!

[Stitch]

I don't know, those Marble playing hoodlums can get out of hand!!

[krisk11]

Have fun in Wildwood. DD & I were just there for the day on Mothers Day and had a blast. We didn't see any gangs though.

[Chrissi]

Originally Posted by Disney_Scarlett

Our other most-frequent vacay spots are yearly trips to the Outer Banks and half a dozen trips a year to Myrtle or Holden Beach. No one really tries to give advice on those...not sure why, come to think of it. Maybe because going to Myrtle/OBX is a right of passage for living 'round here, so folks just assume you know about it?

You know the song Allentown by Billy Joel? He mentions weekends at the Jersey Shore. My DH works in Allentown. WE (okay, and our parents) are the people Billy Joel was talking about. You don't live here without spending at least a few weekends in your lifetime down the shore. (Actually, he wrote the song about Bethlehem, but nothing rhymed with that mouthful and Allentown is the next town over. ) I think it's because everyone has been there that they think they know it better than everyone else even after just one visit because shore towns are so small.