Has Anyone Traded for Atlantic City, NJ?

[1SickPupe]

We are considering trading our points for a weeks stay in Atlantic City, NJ. My wife is origionally from northern NJ, and would like to visit the boardwalk there.
I would appreciate a little input on what to expect if we decide to spend our vacation there. We would like to go in June 2005.
If you have been there, could you please share some of your experiences with me. Besides gambling, and swimming is there anything else to do?

 

[Pa@okw95]

You can rent bikes and ride down the boardwalk. There are some small amusement rides, lots of shops, and plenty of restaurants. The one problem with AC is you can not really leave the boardwalk area, security would be a problem if you do. I haven't been down there since CT got their own casinos. There are shows you can see in the casinos of course. Gambling is the number one thing to do there. If you are not a gambler then I would not recommend the place.

 

[Dean]

I've heard mixed reviews about the Marriott there. It is about 10 miles out of town from what I've been told. You could go over to TUG (timeshare users group) and look for more information.

 

[StormalongKay]

I think the Marriott Dean is referring to is called Seaview and it was formerly a private club. My husband stays there regularly for business and we went last summer and it was very nice. Lots to do (golf, tennis) and the dining was good.

As to AC, its a mixed bag. Don't expect the AC boardwalk to be anything like Disney's. About 20 miles south of AC is Ocean City, NJ which has a much cleaner, far more interesting boardwalk- good shops, food & rides- but it is seasonal so a summer or Sep trip would be best.

But getting back to AC, the casinos are fun if you don't mind dropping a little money and the shows there are usually top-notch. Food buffets are plentiful and cheap. Kind of like Vegas on a smaller scale.

Have a good trip if you go!

 

[puffkin]

I would think a few days at AC would be all you need unless you are really into gambling and have a lot to spend. The beach isn't very nice and the boardwalk is pretty tacky. Also, one or two streets back from the boardwalk, the safety drops significantly. AC is not a very safe place to be at night. Plus, AC is much more spread out than some people think. There are long stretches of boardwalk where there are no casinos or shops and it is pretty dangerous. There are other, nicer boardwalk areas, such as Ocean City New Jersey. I would save the points and just visit AC for a long weekend.

 

[sueg]

Sorry to be a spoil sport, but DH & I hate AC. We have to go there for one weekend per year because our office convention is held there. The dining is so-so & I completely agree with the safety concerns. The convention cautions us about straying away from the immediate boardwalk area.
I do agree that DVC flexibility allows each DVCer to use points in a way that suits their family's needs. Many people disagreed with our decision to use some of our points when we stayed at Grand Californian in DL. But I can't imagine any place in AC being worthy of DVC pts.

 

[sgtpet]

AC is a terrible city. I cannot think of a worse place to spend DVC points.

 

[PamOKW]

It's a mixed bag. Take a look at the Marriott resort on their website. It's a lovely resort especially if you enjoy golf. You are just a quick drive away from the casinos (especially the ones on the Bay -- Harrah's, Trump Castle and the new Borgata). I agree that AC remains very iffy. Staying in one of the casino hotels can be great. There's gambling, very often there is an interesting show, they have nice pools etc. The beach in AC is unusual in that's it very large and was once the main draw to AC -- now it's barely used. The boardwalk is also a little on the tacky side and I'd use caution strolling at night.

If you are looking to have an old-time beach and boardwalk vacation -- I agree with Ocean City as the recommendation. This town is very family oriented and even remains "dry" in that no liquor is sold. You can drive up to AC very easily and visit the boardwalk and casinos. I don't know as much about it but Brigantine is also right near AC and I believe has timeshares as well.

June will be prime season for AC. Weekends tend to be hard to get and very expensive.

 

[Deep-Thots]

Originally posted by sueg
But I can't imagine any place in AC being worthy of DVC pts.

Then you haven't been to the Borgata!

Awesome resort/spa, considered by many to be the only "Vegas-like" hotel in AC. Due to its newness, "cushiness", and ability to cater to such a wide demographic, the Borgata has taken away a significant chunk of revenue from the other casinos.

Some of the amenities at Borgata include the equivalent of the Westin Heavenly bed, marble bathrooms with showers large enough for two, high-speed internet access in every room, awesome restaurants (including the Old Homestead Steak House, the Italian restaurant Specchio, and a great Asian-fusion place, among others), a first-class spa and health club, great entertainment (comics from Bill Cosby to Bill Maher to Margaret Cho to Wanda Sykes to Harvey Korman and Tim Conway... er, obviously I like comedy), and smoke-free areas in the casino (including the poker room as well as a slots area).

But I agree with other folks: if you don't like gambling, the AC shouldn't be more than a weekend trip for you.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[KNWVIKING]

If you are staying at the Seaview Marriot, then be sure and visit Smithville. It's a quaint walking village of botique (sp) shops and restaurants.

AC itself, other then the casinos, is nothing special. There are several GREAT restaurants - I highly recommend the Brighton Steak House in the Sands. The casinos in AC are nothing like the ones you find in Vegas. The Borgatta is the closest Vegas type.

Take Ocean Drive all the way south into Cape May. There are a whole string of great seaside towns to visit, but remember to buy your beach tags. The beaches in AC and the Wildwoods are the only free ones left.

AC has a semi pro baseball team - The Surf - that play at The Sandcastle. It is great baseball in a great fan friendly stadium.

Several casinos have set up seasonal "beach bars" on the section of beach in front of their hotels.

Knowing what I know about the area, AC would not be my vacation destination, but rather the South Jersey shore. A day or two in the casinos & AC boardwalk is more then enough. As others have said, Ocean City is very family friendly, but understand that "dry" doesn't just mean no hard liquor but also beer.Wildwood has the best boardwalk for rides and atmosphere.

 

[NewJerseyDVCMembers]

We work in the Casinos of Atlantic City and live about 30 minutes outside of the City. Safety is a concern anywhere these days and A.C. is no different than any other Urban enviorment. There is plenty to do in the region, aside from the Casinos. We have some of the best beaches in the Northeast in South Jersey. And there is so much else to see. If you are set on coming this way the Marriott Seaview is impecable, and is worth the time. But we must agree that using your points may not be the best use of them! This post would be eternally long if I tried to give you everything there is to do. But do remember, this is a gambling town, and everything is based on that. If you have specific questions we can try to answer them.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by sgtpet
AC is a terrible city. I cannot think of a worse place to spend DVC points.

A day trip, yes, but not for a week.

 

[JMWSR518]

Take the advise of the majority, AC is a great place to see a show or a favorite comedian, but other than that not alot to do especially for a week. I absolutely would not spend more DVC points on AC. We live in Smithville, NJ and live 10 minutes from the Seaview Marriot. The Seaview Marriot is a very nice country club and the new timeshares they have built are very nice. If you decide to come to NJ I would stay near Cape May or the Ocean City area.


JMW

 

[DRUMZ2B]

I live in Ocean City, NJ and work in Atlantic City, NJ. How can I put this sensitively? DON'T DO IT!!!
(Unless you like to gamble, literally and figuratively).
If you are travelling with children, there is nothing much there for them to do.
The area still has a long way to go to becoming even a fraction of what it used to be.
I recommend if you are travelling to this area, visit Ocean City, NJ (a dry town) or go further south to Wildwood, NJ (NOT a dry town) from Memorial to Labor Day. These areas are more family oriented (especially Ocean City) and alot less dangerous at night. Even though the beach has been enlarged this year and beach bars have been added in front of a few of the casinos, Disney's version of the Boardwalk, albeit smaller, is still a better version than Atlantic City's real thing.
I'm sorry to sound so pessimistic, but one of the main reasons I bought into DVC is to get away from places like Atlantic City.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

WOW I agree I would not use my points for AC but you guys are BRUTAL lol....As far as things to do it isn't a kid friendly town. The boardwalk in Wildwood is really cool and if you travel further south to Cape May you will see very nice victorian homes. BUT the thrill gets old quick. Wildwood is like one big carnival. Nothing like the quality of Disney world not even close by a fraction. It seems to be better geared towards weekend visitors rather than a whole vacation. Plus teenagers would probably find it a better place than small children will.

I would think if you wanted to come north stay in NYC and venture out to Coney Island. While safety is a big concern there as well, the nostalgia makes it worth a day trip or two.

But as far as Atlantic City do what the others say take a weekend and pay cash. At least you will get an idea of the place.

You say your wife is from northern Jersey. She must have been to ac before not much has changed as far as the boardwalk goes. More resorts but nothing to write home about IMO.

 

[MinnieGi]

I agree with the majority here - Do NOT do AC for a week. I can hardly stand it for a day, not my style. Although some of the casinos and hotels are fun to look through or to stay for a night or two, I could not imagine staying longer than that. AC feels very unsafe a block away from the main casinos.

I also agree a week in Ocean City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Wildwood or Cape May would be much nicer. You could always stay in one of these other beach communities and drive up to AC to check it out for the day. We had a wonderful time in Avalon in June this summer. Very nice town with cute shops, lots of restaurant choices, nice beaches, and good recreation spots throughout town.

 

[DizneeCM]

I agree that AC is not a place you would want to visit for more than a day or two. If you would like a beach town with a fairly large boardwalk, then you might like Ocean City. It is fairly crowded though. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, then you might like Avalon. Cape May has beautiful victorian homes and lots of neat shops.

I wouldn't use your points for AC.

 

[walt4evr]

IF, the exchange is through the Marriott Seaview property in Somers Point, NJ; you will not be staying in AC, but actually in a very, very nice resort, in a very, very nice town outside of Atlantic City with a wonderful location to many shore destinations.
I agree, staying actually in AC is not where I would want to spend a weeks vacation, but the Marriott's Seaview Resort in Somers Point is a totally different story. First of all Somers Point is a very nice, small town community--nothing like AC. It is about 15 minutes away from casinos and great shows & entertainment in AC; not even 10 mins from Ocean City's beaches & boardwalk--very family oriented; 45 mins from Wildwood--if you want even bigger than OC; 60 mins from Cape May--which is one of the most charming eastern seaside towns you will ever find; minutes away from numerous boating, fishing and water activites.
I disagree with the others on this one. IF the resort is Marriott's Seaview Resort in Somers Point, NJ; and you want a vacation to the NJ shore; and you want to do a DVC exchange--I think you will be very happy with the Seaview. I must add, you MUST have a car though. There will be driving required to reach all destinations, but all are very close by and very easy to get to via the Garden State Parkway or AC Expressway. The Marriott Seaview Resort has easy access to both of these major roads.

 

[Bethshaya]

I would trade for Wildwood NJ, not Atlantic City. Its dirty,..not filthy better describes it, loaded with homeless people and drug addicts...not the best vacation spot. You would have to stay inside the casinos to avoid seeing all the poverty or being a victim of crime outside on the boardwalk.

Try the Jersey Shore, its much better than AC

 

[stc1223]

Hi, I'm from Howell, Monmouth County and the only thing that would get me to Atlantic City is a trip to the airport for a flight to Orlando.

The only way to describe Atlantic City IMHO is "DEPRESSING".

Tell your wife she's better off with the memories and then go see the Mouse.

xoxoxo Susan

11/74 - Fort Wilderness Campground
4/77 - Contemporary Tower
12/87 - Contemporary Garden Wing
12/89 - Grand Floridian
12/94 - Beach Club Resort
4-5/2000 - Old Key West & Boardwalk Studio
11/2000 - Boardwalk Inn
8/2001 - Boardwalk - 2 Bedroom
6/2002 - Boardwalk - 2 Bedroom
12/2003-1/2004 - Boardwalk - Studio
7/2004 - Boardwalk - 2 Bedroom