Dancing at Harrah’s in Atlantic City

As many of you already know, I’m a Jersey Girl.  Because I am certainly my father’s daughter, I’ve been known to enjoy some time in Atlantic City, dubbed “America’s Playground” and “Monopoly City.”  So when our dance competitions or conventions are held there, I know the general lay of the land.  This is especially true when the event is held at Harrah’s, which is the casino I frequent the most (although hardly ever anymore, thanks to those pesky dance bills).  

We’ve been attending Starpower Nationals at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for several years.  Back in 2015, the resort opened its 100,000 square-foot Waterfront Conference Center, boasting two floors and space enough for about 60 smaller ballrooms (for larger events, they’re combined to make bigger spaces).  The center is adjacent to the resort hotel, which makes it a good fit for dance competitions and conventions.

But as is the case with all venues, there are pros and cons associated with attending a dance event here.  Below, I give my unbiased, unvarnished opinion of our experiences with both competitions and conventions; while Harrah’s has a special place in my heart (it was the last casino my father visited, and I sit at his favorite slot for a few minutes each time I go), there are areas that could be greatly improved.  

The Waterfront Conference Center

The glass doors to the conference center can be accessed from the resort, right near the Coastal Craft Kitchen and Bar restaurant.  The center has two floors; until this last weekend (the NUVO convention and competition), I had only been on the first floor.  Individual rooms are combined to form larger dressing rooms and stage areas, which is what you would typically expect.  Bathrooms are available on both ends of the center, and on both floors.  

Due to block scheduling, my girls had just three numbers to change from their solo costumes to their duo costumes.  We literally had to RUN from the stage to our dressing room and back to make it in time, which I was not a happy camper about (all three routines are very cardio-intensive, so dealing with the long distance frustrated me).  The restrooms were no closer, so changing in a stall was not an option.  My girls were winded by the time they took the stage for their duo.  While I can’t say for sure that it affected their performance, I knew their mental game was thrown off a bit.

If your event is on the second floor, you’ll need to walk the entire length of the convention center to access the elevators or escalator.  When I wasn’t in a rush, I didn’t mind this (and my FitBit was ALL about it).  But there were times that I just wanted to get to my destination without making such a hefty trek.

All in all, the center is generally clean and fairly new.  So far, the events we’ve attended have all been diligent in providing signs and labeling the rooms so you know where to go.  The layout is easy to navigate; just be prepared to hoof it from the self-park garage to the center.  Other parents tell me that they parked in the lot behind the center itself, but I can’t say for certain whether you’ll be able to get in (the doors to the outside are typically locked, and there is often a chain that stops cars from entering the parking lot).

The Rooms

Harrah’s recently renovated two of their oldest towers, which were in SERIOUS need of upgrading.  Formerly the Harbor and Marina Towers, they have been renamed the Coastal and Laguna Towers (respectively).  This past weekend (April 2021), we stayed in the Coastal Tower for the first time.  The room featured two queen beds, plenty of space, and was invitingly bright and clean.  I have to say, I was impressed.  The downside was that it was the furthest tower from the Waterfront Conference Center, so it was quite a walk to get to our destination.

If you’re looking for the closest tower to the center, book a room in the Waterfront.  It’s been some time since I had a room in this tower, but I learned that they have been renovated within the past year or so.  There was a separate “room” for the commode (ahem…), which is helpful when multiple people are sharing the joint.

The Bayview Tower is adjacent to the Waterfront Tower; they even share a bank of elevators for the lower floors of the Waterfront.  The Laguna Tower is between the Bayview and the Coastal.  We haven’t stayed there yet, but I’ve heard great things.

Before we arrived for our competition (Wednesday night to perform Thursday morning), I checked in virtually through the link sent to my email.  When we got there, we used the kiosks in the lobby to check in.  This was a huge timesaver, so we were able to get to our room in the Coastal Tower in very short order.  Be sure to check both sides of the rows of kiosks; several people stood around waiting on the more visible side for an available machine, but there were several kiosks on the other side that were not being used.  A few of them were out of service, unfortunately.  I found one that worked, and was able to print my keys directly from the machine. 

The downside of using the kiosks, though, was that I did not receive a paper jacket with additional information (like the QR code to order takeout from participating restaurants on the property).  You can find large standing signs sprinkled around that display that day’s restaurant info (which ones are open, and what hours).

We checked out and returned two days later for the convention classes.  Getting a room for Saturday night was a last-minute decision, and the agent at the registration desk was extremely helpful with making it happen for us.  She booked us in the Waterfront Tower, which I was happy about because of its proximity to the conference center.  

If you want housekeeping, you need to specifically request it. I used the Ivy text message service (take a look at the signs during near the check-in counter, and the info in your check-in email) to request it, but kept getting a message that said “our services are limited.” I requested that the dirty towels be picked up and new towels provided, but they only delivered the new. I was on hold with housekeeping for about 20 minutes before I actually spoke to someone. They told me to leave the dirty towels and trash in the hall to be picked up (ew).

As you can imagine, the rates for weekend nights (Friday and Saturday) can be pretty steep.  Check with your event to see if they’re offering a discount code before you book through Harrah’s.  If you’re a Caesar’s Total Rewards member, you might also be eligible for a discount (just have your card or number handy when you make the reservation).

The Food

Quite honestly, this is the area Harrah’s needs to work on the most when preparing to host dance competitions and conventions.  While I expected some roadblocks to finding food (with actual food in it) for my girls with COVID protocols in place, the organizers really should up their game and consider the needs of families when they’re in the planning stages.

During pre-COVID events, the powers that be had the foresight to place some grab-and-go stations in the conference center itself.  Turkey club sandwiches, chicken Caesar salads, and chicken finger platters with French fries were typical lunch fare for these little pop-ups.  Breakfast offerings included cereal, bagels, and premade egg sandwiches (along with coffee, thank the Maker).  Unfortunately, these stations are not always up and running. They were open on the first two days of our latest nationals (2023), but closed for the remainder of the week.

The nearest restaurant to the Waterfront Conference Center is Coastal Craft Kitchen and Bar.  Soups, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast items are on the menu; with some modifications, you can probably find something to satisfy even your pickiest little eaters.  If you’re looking to dine in, the hours are very limited (they do offer room delivery at times).  The line for dine-in can grow quite long during peak times; I’ve waited over an hour on more than one occasion.

For lunches and dinners, a sit-down option for families is the A. C. Burger Company (located past the Coastal Tower).  Try the milkshakes if you do go; they’re absolutely delicious.  My girls LOVED the pulled pork sandwich; the aroma itself was mouthwatering. Again, the wait can be ridiculous, so takeout might be the better option (or try to score a reservation if you can).  

There are two counter service restaurants sandwiched (ha!) together, fairly near the conference center.  One is Pin Up Pizza, and the other is the brand-new Chicken Guy by Guy Fieri.  My girls loved the macaroni and cheese (with chicken) bowl, but they couldn’t finish it (even with both of them chowing down).  Pin Up Pizza has some Italian food, but Jocelyn likes the white pizza and mozzarella sticks.  My major complaint about these two places?  The EXTREMELY limited hours!  I was looking to grab an early lunch at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, and they weren’t even open yet.  And it was frustrating that Chicken Guy was closed Monday and Tuesday, and Pin Up Pizza was closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Right across the way is the brand new Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. In addition to cheeseburgers, French fries, onion rings, and to-die-for milkshakes, they offer a breakfast menu from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This counter service restaurant took the place of the old Waterfront Buffet, so there was plenty of real estate to work with. They’ve set up a ton of tables and chairs, so we always found somewhere to sit and crash for awhile.

The 24-hour coffee, sandwich, pastry, and goody shop, Tazza, was my go-to place this past weekend.  Not only did they have coffee (YES), but they had hot breakfast sandwiches, muffins, danishes, premade salads, and a variety of lunch sandwiches.  The biggest draw here, however, seems to be the homemade gelato!  My girls never leave Harrah’s without having at least one serving of it.  

Additionally, there is a Starbucks (with limited hours, an eternally long line, and issues with short-staffing), La Strada (an Italian restaurant, formerly Martorano’s), Gordon Ramsey’s Steakhouse (I don’t need to explain that one, do I?), and McCormick and Schmidt (a more upscale seafood restaurant).

Each restaurant had its pros and cons; check ahead to see which ones are currently offering takeout. For more information on these restaurants, click here.

All the hotel rooms should come equipped with a refrigerator, so feel free to bring some additional food to supplement your meals.  You’ll definitely want to pack your own water bottles and drinks when possible; you’ll be shelling out some serious dough if you buy these items on the premises.

The Amenities

In the past, we did try the family pool and the experience was downright disappointing.  The water was filthy, and my girls got out within three minutes (true story).  In the fun center, about a third of the arcade games and other machines were out of service.  My hope is that, going forward, the property will invest some resources into those areas to provide more diversions for families.

The Fitness Center is located just outside the Waterfront Conference Center.  A spa opened a few years ago, so take some time to pamper yourself if your schedule allows.  

Before You Go

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Do yourself a favor and plan your meals ahead of time so you can make whatever reservations you can manage to score.  This will also help you to decide what food and drinks to bring along with you, and be sure to bring an ample bag to put it all in). During meal breaks, our kids ate their food in the ballroom during the convention; be sure to pack or grab napkins, plastic utensils, and plates, and include a plastic bag so they can gather their trash.

Also, bring fully charged external batteries for your devices; for whatever reason, my cell phone battery drained faster than my bank account (perhaps because the service was so spotty).  Ordinarily, I would just chalk it up to my phone’s age, but I heard the same remark from countless people.

If you’re camping out in the hallway while your dancer is in a convention class, bring a blanket to claim your territory.  A cushion wouldn’t hurt either (your rump will thank you).  

Do Your Homework

Just like anything else, you should do your homework before you travel anywhere with kids.  Reach out to dance families from other studios (Facebook groups are great for this) to get your questions answered and for honest feedback about any unfamiliar venue, including Harrah’s.

Work hard, have fun! – Danielle

In August of 2020, we competed at Starpower’s Battle Under the Big Top event, held under a large tent in Harrah’s parking lot! Read all about it in The Greatest Show.

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