Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Delaware Park...Not Disney World but Maybe Dolly World for Adults..

There's been too much discussion in my last few posts about the ailing economy, about legislation that is actually hurting casino jursidictions and just overall negative connotations. Kind of a far cry from the impetus and the title of this blog, Casino Resort Fun. Well I've taken my happy pills for the day and have decided to try and have some fun with these posts. Ok, well doing so I've come across a place that I really think is a neat littel gem. The title of this post is "Delaware Park..Not Disney World...Maybe Dolly World"...I thought it was clever line because it really does get to the heart of what Delware Park is. All in all it's a very cool piece of property that has some "neat" things, but it's not world class. First and foremost Delware Park can be found as the name for two properties in the United States. What's worse is actually the business name Delaware Park Casino is used by both places too. The official place I'm talking about is located in Wilimington Delaware off I-95. The other place that uses the same exact name is located in upstate New York and doesn't even have a casino? Yes confusing to me also.

Regardless, now to why Delaware Park Race Slots and Golf, is so cool. Well just look at that name. This place has a casino, horse track and Golf Course. Not to mention a full selection of food options. Again, I need to make it clear that it's not world class, but it's sure fun. Here's the skinny. In the casino there is a full three floors of various slot games. What's more is that Delware Park, because they could not get legalized table games are using what are called virtual dealer video poker and baakarat machines. That is, you sit at a station or table that is managed by a virtual dealer, or for the technically deficient, not a human. They look like real people...almost, but it's Delware Parks way of getting past not have legalized table gaming. Not to mention it cuts down on the dramatic costs of having to pay a dealers salary. We won't get into the bevvy of arguments that go against this type of machine, just know that they exist, they're pretty cool and I like them. Then we move to the restaurants. This too kind of is 'ok'. There are two upscale restaurants but they're not like five star restaurants. The food is good, the service is good, the decor is good. The value is where it matters and you 'll find it there. The two best options you'll find are the Del Cap room off of the casino complex and part of the horse track facility. The second is found in the club house of the Golf Course area called the Rail Restaurant. If I had to make my choice the Rail is a pretty good pick. Again, relative to what you're dealing with. That brings us to the Golf Course. Now, this is something to be discussed. I'm not much of a golfer, but I had an opportunity to play there once and have on occaision played at some other courses so I can tell a good course from a bad one. This is a good course. between the fairway and the greens I haven't seen the quality grass that this course has on any other course I've played. Soft and the fairways and greens play fast.

Why do I call it the Dolly Wood and not Disney World of Adult fun. Well it's simple. When I went to Delaware Park for the first time and noticed it had a casino, racetrack and golf course I thought about a bunch of friends that could very well be lost in a place like that for a few days. The thing is it doesn't have a few things that could really make it a Sodom and Gamorah. First it doesn't have a hotel. Second, the nightlife is really non-existent. It has a few shows here and there for entertainment, but I have to admit, I'd be thinking of an onsite gentleman's club. Last everything is just a little grade B. The casino is not lively, the clientele is kind of old, the restaurants are like upscale college restaurants, etc. etc.

All and all I'd give it a B+ and say you really should get out to the property to enjoy a day.

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