10 Nights of Magic in The Orlando Trifecta-TR - COMPLETE!! 12/10 About This Page:

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by chezp

Sounds like you had a good time, even you weren't as lucky as Tara.

Unfortunately no! I don't know how she does it and what luck she has been gifted with!

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara

Now I really can't wait to hear about where you ate!! Was it the Chart House?!

It's not the Chart House, but I did dine there a few years ago. It's not located in one of the casino resorts.

[SuperDave]

As I mentioned in this TR the other night, there will be a slight detour of the TR with the inclusion of my trip to Atlantic City for three nights a few days ago. It will probably be three updates. I won’t get through the first day with my first update as providing background and planning for this TR. We’ll see how it goes. Then, it will be back to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon on day one in WDW.

Atlantic City: May 15-18 2018

There wasn’t a huge amount of planning for this trip, but I decided to it with a birthday stay for myself! I did this last year as well the very same week. I have a player’s card through the Tropicana Resort and Casino and I’m constantly getting various offers for this resort. I booked a three night stay over the phone (in late March), but tried to it online, but there was a problem with my card as I had two card numbers as one card I got as a transfer from another casino. The agent I spoke to on the phone, said I would need to get this fixed, when I arrived at the Trop Advantage Center and have the two cards combined. There will be a benefit to having the two cards for a while as you’ll find out later!

The agent booked me a room for three nights. Two nights were free plus taxes and fees. The third night was 15% off with a free upgrade to the Havana Tower on Thursday, May 17th (My birthday!). I also upgraded the other two nights to the Havana Tower as well as the rooms are a bit nicer than the other towers and the rooms have been remodeled recently. I think it was about an extra $20-$25 more per night. It’s certainly worth it and the views are nice from the room as well. For anyone here who has been to this resort, the Havana Tower resides in The Quarter section of the Tropicana, which is the shopping and dining area. It’s quite nice and themed as you’ll see further along. The total cost for my stay came to about $190 for three nights. So, not a bad deal! Not Disney prices for sure!

Over the next few weeks and days prior to this I made a brief packing list and checked into other things I’d like to do besides gambling while I was there. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Atlantic City during the week. Most of the big shows at the resorts are on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s not Las Vegas. I always take walks on the boardwalk when the weather is nice and always enjoyable. The Tropicana has an IMAX theater, but there wasn’t anything of interest showing, while I’d be there. The resort rates are much higher on the weekends and there are never free nights available, so not something I was considering.

The other important thing to look at are the many dining choices available in my hotel and other casinos along the boardwalk and farther up in the marina district. There are also many good choices in Atlantic City as well. So, after checking out those in my hotel and elsewhere, I also looked up ratings on Open Table and Trip Advisor. I wanted to try a few places for dinner I had yet to dine at from my previous trips. Once, I decided on these I booked them online through Open Table. One of them I’d change about a week prior from Tara’s recommendation of Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata, which she and her hubby Muffin enjoyed on previous occasions. I think they have been there more than once, but not sure?

Originally, I had booked Cuba Libre in The Quarter section of the Tropicana but decided to give this one a try. I dined at Cuba Libre last year and enjoyed it a lot. Amazing theming and cuisine and very reasonably priced. No more changes as everything was now set.

Over the next several days I packed up for my trip with most of it the day before and quite easy as I’d only be away for three nights. I also bought some travel sizes at CVS and gassed up my car and took care of a few other things. These included notifying my bank and credit card companies online about my travel plans.

One other thing is a few weeks prior to this I received an EZPass from New Jersey via snail mail to make the tolls easier to manage. No sense having to bring coins and get out dollar bills at the toll booth, when you can just go on through and are charged later. Why, I didn’t do this before I can’t explain!

I broke my new EZPass in a few days prior to my trip on Friday, May 11th, by driving down to the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ for a concert. It’s for an up and coming new band who are becoming quite popular that I enjoy a lot. They are Greta Van Fleet from Michigan. Young guys between 19-22 years old. Three are brothers and two are twins. It was a very good show and they play very well live by changing things up a bit with a lot of improvisation. They have had some very positive press write ups and have been compared to Led Zeppelin with their retro blues rock based sound and style but are still unique and write their own material. They even got invited by Elton John to play at his Oscar Party in February and he even joined them on a few songs. They were quite overwhelmed by this honor. They are very good musicians. They will release their first full length album later this year as they only have an EP to their name (and this EP combined with a few more songs to almost equal an album released late last year). The sellout crowd of 2,500 was very into them. It was a very energetic performance.

The EZPass is so much more convenient and in many toll booths you can drive at highway speed as the lanes for EZPass in some locations have these big overhangs to the left in which your pass is scanned. I’ll never go back! Too bad the traffic was so horrendous on a Friday. It took me 3.5 hours to get there and should have taken about two hours. Glad I left plenty early.

Now on to the Atlantic City adventure!

Monday, May 15th
This wasn’t an early start like one of my Florida trips and I was up around 7:30 am. I got ready for my trip and made sure I had everything I needed. I also checked to make sure all was done in my condo before I left with thermostat settings, lights and other things. I also made certain my phone was fully charged. I put some things in the front seat of my car that I would need for the drive as well as put my bag in the trunk.

The weather forecast isn’t promising as it’s supposed to be a very warm day in the upper 80’s here in Connecticut with the possibility of some extremely severe thunderstorms later. Down in Atlantic City, they are expecting temps a bit cooler in the low 80’s with some severe storms as well but not as severe as Connecticut. Rain is also in the forecast for the length of my stay in Atlantic City, which isn’t promising, but I will make the best of it. I hope I can at least spend a bit of time on the boardwalk.

The plan is to leave between 9:30 am-10 am, so I can avoid the rush hour traffic on the few miles on I-95 I will be travelling on. Once you get to I-287 to the Garden State Parkway to Atlantic City, it’s generally good.

I was ready around 9:40 am or so. I set up Google Maps on my phone for the drive. I like this app. I know how to get there, but I’m using it today more for traffic notifications and whether they’ll lead me to take an alternate route.

I departed my condo complex at 9:50 am and was on my way. The traffic was a bit heavy on I-95 when I entered for a few miles but was fine after this. I got on I-287 and traffic was very smooth, even on the new Tappan Zee Bridge. Only one part of it is open with four lanes and once completed there will be eight lanes in each direction. This should alleviate the traffic problems of the old bridge. About 15 minutes after crossing the bridge I entered the Garden State Parkway. Traffic was smooth so far. Even more so with the EZPass. I decided to stop at the first rest stop on the GSP as my morning coffee was taking its’ toll.

After a short break, I was back on the GSP and the drive for the next several miles was quite good. About 30 minutes later there was a traffic slowdown for about twenty minutes. I got the warning on the Google Maps app that one lane was closed for construction. I think this was around the Newark area. Once, this cleared up, it was smooth driving all the way to Atlantic City.

At around 12:30 pm or a bit before, I stopped for lunch at the Atlantic rest area on the Garden State Parkway. This is around exit 100 in the Asbury Park region. I’m about two thirds of the way to Atlantic City now! Nothing fancy for lunch and just a coke, fries and Whopper with cheese at Burger King.



After a stop at the restrooms and a refill of my water bottle, I continued to Atlantic City. It is always a welcoming sight when you approach the inlet near Atlantic City and the skyline of the casino resorts come into view. Before, getting off the GSP and to Atlantic City, I made one last rest stop just prior to exit 40. The airport is quite close to here and you can see the jets come up over the tree line on the parkway from the right side!

I drove the last couple of miles on the GSP and took exit 38 for the Atlantic City Expressway. It’s probably about a 7-8 mile drive on the expressway. It’s also a toll road, but only 75cents. I think there are five previous tolls I went through on the GSP. Most of them being $1.50 and one of them 75 cents. Once, I exited the expressway, it was only a couple more miles to the Tropicana. A few traffic lights a left turn on Atlantic Avenue and another right a half mile down on Brighton and I arrived at the Tropicana.

When I arrived at my resort it was about 2:15 and not too bad. I was looking for the Havana Tower valet parking. I saw it as I drove past it! At least I’ll know for next time! It would be too much of a nuisance to turn around. It would have been less walking through the hotel using this valet. I pulled up to the regular valet and I was given a claim check. I told the attendant that I’d take care of my bag.

I got all my belongings from my car and left the key for him. I entered the main check in area and bypassed it and walked to The Quarter section where the Havana Tower is. At the end this area is the restaurants area. I took the escalator upstairs to the Havana Tower’s own check in area. This is quite convenient and far less crowded than the main check in.

There were a few people ahead of me in line, but I only waited a few minutes. Everything went well and I was given two room keys. I also had to give them my Trop Advantage card to verify the promo rate. The elevators were close by and took one up to the 65th floor (not exactly and about 25 floors up. Floors continue from each tower.) I have room #6534. I was all the way down the hallway on the right and a bit of a walk.

I entered the room and it was quite nice. I stayed in this tower last year and the rooms in this tower have been remodeled since then. I got out my bag and took out things I would need for the rest of the day as well as putting aside others for tomorrow. There are some nice views from my room. You’ll get the actual room tour later as I didn’t take photos of this until the next night.


Atlantic City’s famous Convention Hall, where the annual Miss America Pageant in September is held


The Borgata and Harrah’s casino resorts in the Marina district

I thought I could do this in two updates but that won’t be happening! I will resume on Day 1 in the next update! I’m hoping for three updates, but we’ll see. The first two are completed.



NEXT: Day 1 in Atlantic City- (Continued)

[chezp]

Nice views from our room, but my goodness, the pollution is one of the shots is pretty scary!

[Tara O'Hara]

I cannot believe that you didn't already have an EZ pass!! You are gonna love that thing!! You made great time getting to the Trop, Dave!!

[patclairesmom]

You were smart getting the EZ pass. I've heard that the toll baskets seldom work and many people end up getting a fine. You drove past me on the parkway, as we're exit 114 I never go to Atlantic City, but my father probably goes once a week

[purplegal]

Nice smooth drive, its easier not having to mess with tolls. I like the view from your room.

[Colexis Mom]

Great start to your AC trip! We stayed in the Havana Tower last July for a family reunion. The rooms were very nice and convenient to all the shoppes and restaurants!

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by chezp

Nice views from our room, but my goodness, the pollution is one of the shots is pretty scary!

Love the views. Not sure if that is pollution as it may be the thunderstorm clouds beginning to roll in.

Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara

I cannot believe that you didn't already have an EZ pass!! You are gonna love that thing!! You made great time getting to the Trop, Dave!!

I think I waited long enough on the pass but glad I have it now. Traffic was good from CT and got there in good time.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by purplegal

Nice smooth drive, its easier not having to mess with tolls. I like the view from your room.

Most definitely! I love the views and part of the reason I upgraded the room.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great start to your AC trip! We stayed in the Havana Tower last July for a family reunion. The rooms were very nice and convenient to all the shoppes and restaurants!

I love the room and it's in a great location just off The Quarter. Only bad thing is that it's a longer walk to the casino but an enjoyable walk going past the shops and restaurants with the nice theming.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by patclairesmom

You were smart getting the EZ pass. I've heard that the toll baskets seldom work and many people end up getting a fine. You drove past me on the parkway, as we're exit 114 I never go to Atlantic City, but my father probably goes once a week

Love the EZ Pass so far and so convenient! Funny with your dad and hope he is quite lucky there! I know exactly where your exit is. It's either the one for the PNC Bank (Garden State) Arts Center or just off by an exit or two. This is about the halfway point for me to A.C. from CT.

[patclairesmom]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Love the EZ Pass so far and so convenient! Funny with your dad and hope he is quite lucky there! I know exactly where your exit is. It's either the one for the PNC Bank (Garden State) Arts Center or just off by an exit or two. This is about the halfway point for me to A.C. from CT.

So my Dad goes down, sits at a blackjack table and leaves when he wins $100. His betting has calmed down in recent years now that he’s in his 90’s. He also enjoys taking a walk on the boardwalk.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by patclairesmom

So my Dad goes down, sits at a blackjack table and leaves when he wins $100. His betting has calmed down in recent years now that he’s in his 90’s. He also enjoys taking a walk on the boardwalk.

I enjoy walks on the boardwalk as well. Not always easy to win the $100 as more often than not you're on the minus side!

[SuperDave]

Day 1 in Atlantic City- (Continued)


Tuesday, May 15th (Part II)



I took the elevator downstairs and walked through The Quarter to the casino floor. Before going to the Trop Advantage center, I used my card to print out a voucher in one of the card member kiosks for today’s promotion. It’s for two bottles of wine, which can be picked up at the Rewards Center.

Next, I went to the Trop Advantage center and had my card situation fixed. It took a couple of minutes but they did it. They transferred the info from the two cards onto a new card. I went to one of the kiosks and set up my email and other info for my new card. I also printed out another voucher for two more bottles of wine for the new card. I went to the Rewards Center downstairs off the main check in area to exchange my vouchers for the wine. I was wondering whether they’d give me four bottles with two vouchers under the same name but they did! All, was good and you need to know how to play the system and use it to your advantage!

After this and before doing some gambling I returned to my room to drop off my four bottles of wine, which were in boxes with partitions and have cardboard straps to carry around. I went back downstairs and decided to take a walk out on the boardwalk. It’s easy to get there with access from the north side of the casino floor and down the escalator to outside. It was a bit cooler out than when I arrived and clouds were starting to roll in, but still quite nice out even though a little windy. It would change drastically in a few hours.






The view looking up north towards the other casinos like Bally’s. The Tropicana is the downtown area of the boardwalk




Outside of the Tropicana

After about fifteen minutes out here, I went back into the Tropicana and try my luck out on the casino floor. I generally only play the slots and stay away from the other games available. Although, every so often I will play roulette or blackjack.

I played for an hour or so and it was mostly up and down with the slots and I was down a little but not too much. I usually bet the minimum as I’m here for three days and I want the money to last and avoid hitting the ATM for as long as humanly possible.




A bonus round on a Willy Wonka slot. Won a bit, but put it back

After an hour or so here, I went to the 10 North lounge which was close by. I got a glass of wine, which was comped as I’d be playing the poker machines at the bar. With these you don’t lose or win much for the most part. Just something to occupy the time while you’re having a drink. It’s also a very relaxed setting and much quieter than within the casino.

I was playing deuces wild on a poker slot and betting the minimum of 25 cents for a while. I decided to increase it to 50 cents and then to a dollar per bet and after about ten minutes four deuces came up and I won $200! A nice start to my trip! Glad I increased my bets! This never lasts and it’s also not easy to stop at this point as my trip is just beginning! I bet a little more on this slot and put some of it back but not too much. I went back on the floor and spent some time with the other slots. It was quite up and down again and lost just a little. It was 6:30 pm and I went back to my room to get ready for dinner as I had an ADR in the hotel at 7:30 pm.

I got ready for dinner and then noticed how dark it was becoming outside as some thunderstorm clouds were appearing in the distance. I had received a weather warnings on my phone regarding storms back in Connecticut. They had some extremely severe thunderstorms earlier and possible tornadoes about an hour north of where I live. We don’t get tornadoes often and I’ve never seen one but I have seen a funnel cloud that didn’t reach the ground a few years ago. The next day I’d learn that Connecticut had four confirmed tornadoes. They were on the lower end of the tornado scale but they did quite a bit of damage.

At about 7:15 pm I headed down for my dinner reservation. The eatery is just off the main casino floor. It’s at Olon by Jose Garces, who is one of the Iron Chefs on the Food Channel. This will be my first of two eateries I will experience that are owned by Iron Chefs. The restaurant is focused on tapas and a lot of Spanish and South American cuisine. I am hoping I will enjoy my experience here.



I checked in and I was seated at my table, next to the window which I requested since there was one open. The restaurant was probably only about half full at best but it would get a bit busier later filling up somewhat but not completely. It is a Tuesday, so expected.


View from my table with the cold front coming in, which looks quite ominous. The rain would be quite heavy in a few minutes and some lightning but nearly as bad as in Connecticut.

My server came to my table and she went over the menu with me. I ordered a glass of white wine and can’t remember which one. It may have been from France. She returned with my wine and some bread and I made my selections.

In just a few minutes after enjoying the bread and wine for a bit, my first course arrived.


Peruvian Ceviche. Corvina (white fish), sweet potato, roccoto aioli (Peruvian peppers. It wasn’t spicy), red onion, lime juice and mild spices

This was quite enjoyable and it packed a lot of flavor. Especially, the lime juice and roccoto aioli which is a creamy sauce. The small bowl to the left contains popcorn, nuts and plantain chips to mix in the ceviche. I only mixed in the plantain chips.

After finishing this and my plate was cleared, I spent my time watching the rain come down in buckets outside. The sun had probably just set, but it looked like midnight outside as it was so dark. My next course arrived in a few minutes.


Ora King Salmon from the Pacific with a Chimichurri Sauce.

This was also good but not as good as the ceviche. The salmon was cooked perfectly well and pink in color but the sauce could have been more flavorful. I also ordered a side of yucca fries which were very good. They were accompanied by another roccoto aioli. But this one was thicker in texture and a different flavor to that in the ceviche. The fries are below.



I decided to pass on dessert as I was quite full. The fries certainly fill you up! Instead, I did get an espresso. After enjoying this I settled my bill and got some photos inside Olon.









I returned to my room for a while and relaxed, before heading back down to the casino and hopefully having some luck tonight. I just watched TV as well as the storminess high up from my room. It was not clear out and I couldn’t see the Borgata with all the cloud cover.

At about 10:30 pm I went back downstairs to the casino for a few hours. When you are playing in the casino you get the comp drinks when the hosts come around. I just leave them a $1 tip, which is standard. Just standard drinks and not top shelf, but you can get premium drinks at comp with an above basic card. I’m on the second level of four and could probably get a bit better, but not that important to me as it won’t be much of an increase on my level. I need to be the next level up to make it worth it.








Just sights along the casino’s main area

I went to one of the slots that I enjoyed here on previous trips and hope it would bring me luck. With some bonus payoffs and just playing I was a bit below even when I got here but winning overall from earlier this afternoon. Below is the slot I was at.






Good bonuses at times with the Sky Wheel. But you never know when it will come up.





Well, I played here for a while and some winnings and then not so. I got one of the Sky Wheel bonuses and hit rather well. The Sky Wheel stopped on Major and I hit for $200! Very cool and not bad with the minimum bet of 50 cents! It would have been so much more with the maximum bet, but I can’t complain as I want the money to last. So, a great day so far in the casino but I can’t expect this to last over the next couple of days!

I stayed here rather late until about 2 am and as usual I won a bit and lost some, but more on the loss side after so much great luck earlier. Even though it was after 2 am, the casino was still quite busy as not surprising! I wasn’t too tired as I was ordering coffee from the hosts on occasion. I went to other slots and I didn’t have much luck. After some time, I called it a night and returned to my room.

Overall, my best first and overall day at the casino with two big wins! I can’t expect this for the rest of my trip and I just need to enjoy my time here and is why I come down at least once per year! So far, I haven’t had the immaculate luck that Tara has but hopefully one day! I just want to know how she does it and what her overall plan is and how this happens to her so often! I can’t fathom it!



NEXT: Days 2-3 in Atlantic City with Amazing Meals!

[chezp]

What a fun time you're having at Atlantic City!