Del Lago Casino (and soon to be resort)

Finger Lakes area NY
February 3, 2017

On our return ride from Buffalo NY down route I-90 we decided to make a few stops along the way! First stop....Finger Lakes Racino and next stop....the New (just opened on the 1st) Del Lago!

There's not much to say about the Finger Lakes racino except that the last time I had been here it was only a race track. (about 14 yrs ago). I recall we actually had a pretty good time. It was family day, may have been a Memorial Day special event. The kids, Mark and I had enjoyed the summer sun, balloons and clowns and had fun obtaining jockey signatures.
Today's visit was much to cold for horses and there was no summer sun shining. There was tons of bells and buzzards ringing at the gaming room. I actually was impressed. I was awarded $15- free play just for getting a players card and they had some of my OLD favorite games! Mark found one he said he loved from way back when and I played one of my old time favorites "Party Pooper". (Okay so that might not be the actual name) but I soon hit on the bonus...It was PARTY time!! To bad I hit the POOPER on my second choosing and only won 40 cents. Oh well. The place was clean, and I liked the layout. No winners....but we had a good time.

Up next was the Del Lago Casino.
This place has been in the making for over a year now. Good old NY state finally gave in and allowed Casino's to be built off Nation property. I am told there are a few more scattered about the state, but this one is the areas most talked about primarily due to the potential of rival from The Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Being that we were right here driving by, we had to stop!

Now I am not an expert in casino's. I have been to several ( perhaps to many), but  I would consider myself a player of casino games but I am not a casino "player" (denial is the first hint of an addiction.). I do however know what I like. Del Lago has what EVERYONE will like!!!!

 Yes Turning Stone has been very very good to me! BUT this place may have its competition.   

 First off.....The most impressive thing I noticed was the STAFF!!!! Incredibly friendly!!! We had people actually walk us to areas we were looking for. "Yes, the buffet is this way...." Okay WOW!!! Everyone said hello and smiled. Gracious!!!! Everyone who we had an interaction with was friendly and offered just a little more.

 Second....THIS is a BIG one!!!! THE GAMES HIT!!!!!! Our first machine hit on a bonus within two spins. Now there was not any big payoffs, mostly penny's...but even if it is just penny's,  loud exciting noises, flashes of lights, bells ringing  and a chance to interact with your machine just somehow feels like a BIG win! Almost all the machines were ones I haven't played before, and most had some sort of added bonus feature. Extra spins...and rewards.
I'm a big fan of keeping my money. (Who isn't?) and I will play all day if you let me keep my money and the game keeps my attention. I am even more likely to dump in another bill just to keep that memento going. (The line that separates me from gamblers anonymous and addict free>)

 What I mean by this is....I have a plan on just how much I will play with. I will play more even if I am not really winning but if I just keep the money I started with.In other words... If I go to a machine and drop $20- and after a few spins I'm busted....then I am pretty much done! It will take a hand off from hubby of another $20 before I am reaching into my own purse. However...if I go to a machine and play for 30 minutes on that same $20-, win a little/loose a little. Then when I do bust, I am more often then not pulling out another $20-.
I guess I look at it like I got my money's worth in possible wins and more forgiving if I loose $40 over a 45 minute period of time then $20 in a 5 minute period of time. At any rate!!! These games gave me my 45 minutes....and I still walked away $2.46  ahead! Hubby...is a little more aggressive, He plays, adds, plays adds. He walked away over $400 ahead!
We were both winners at Del Lago that day!!!

 

 Third...the little extras...1.The decor is adorable!!!! Hello Mackenzie Childs!!! These lamps were in the ladies room and if you want to take home your own set you can at the Mackenzie Childs store located right in the casino. 2. Endless fountain drinks and coffee. No longer do you have to wait for a hostess to come to you to bring you a flat ice melted drink.
3. Outdoor heated smoking areas!!! Nice right? 4. well lighted. 5. Smells nice. 6. Several places to sit and relax 7. Eateries 8. The buffet deserts were AMAZING!!! 9. Must be over 21....10. the resort and spa is coming soon. 11. Big TS card holders have the opportunity to earn matching levels. (this could mean big payoffs in rewards for hubby.) 12. Located close to the Outlet mall and TONS of WINERIES!!! (Yes this could be heaven.)

 

Overall the place was pretty awesome! Only a few bummers....

The gaming floor had some space issues. I found it hard to get around chairs that stuck out to far from machine area and large open areas that appeared to be walk ways were really cut off due to table games.
Cash out machines that do not dispense change. I want every nickle dime and penny. I don't want to walk away with another voucher.
The buffet was a big disappointment. Tables seemed to be stacked on top of one another and the layout  lacked flow. Additionally there were some odd choices on the buffet line including an entire section of cheese. (Hun?) the buffet space is much to small to waste an entire area to cheese. Sorry cheese lovers but if you want finger foods go to a place where people are not affectionately referred to as Buffet Busters!!! The food on the buffet was also disappointing. There were no labels on what was what. Most hot foods were cold I came across several empty containers and plates. And it really didn't taste that good. The deserts however and the service was INCREDIBLE. Had I known I would have made it a all Desert dinner!!!

Sooooo with all that being said!! I can't wait to come back out this way. TTFN!