Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

pennylane99

The Bellagio Fountains

Dowsy wrote: »

Just another odd question i hope someone may know the answer to....... A friend of mine has asked me to get him a snow globe while i am out in Vegas. Has anyone come across any of these while out there and where have you seen them? I'd imagine any of the casino's might do them but any answers would be much appreciated.

They are prohibited by TSA in hand luggage, just make sure it goes into your checked bags

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

Dowsy wrote:

Just another odd question i hope someone may know the answer to....... A friend of mine has asked me to get him a snow globe while i am out in Vegas. Has anyone come across any of these while out there and where have you seen them? I'd imagine any of the casino's might do them but any answers would be much appreciated.

Stew's suggestion is good - I'm sure I've seen them at the ABC sho. and also Bonanza Gifts - The Worlds Largest Gift Shop...more Vegas stuff than you can even begin to imagine - at the corner of the Strip and Sahara.

Dowsy

The Bellagio Fountains

Thanks all for the replies about the snow globes, random request i know but thanks again:beer:

dan28

Luxor from $38.50/ night
promo name: Tax Refund Vacation
description: Double Rooms from $38.50/ night - Guest must be 18 or older to check-in
Valid: March 31, 2009 - January 5, 2010
Expires: April 16, 2009
http://www.vegas-hotels-online.com/2009/03/31/luxor-tax-refund-vacation/

funkyfin2000

The Bellagio Fountains

Thans Stew, see how we get on! Turning up via car at any tiume in the afternoon so see how we get on!

oh yeah and congrat to you both

winner3131

Well, we got back from our Vegas trip yesterday, and it was everything we could have wished for. Thanks for the various tips and suggestions.They came in handy.

We went for 6 nights, stopping at the Bellagio thanks to the amazing deals they've been doing lately. Managed to get an upgrade to a fountain view on the 25th floor. Strangely i think we'd have got the upgrade without tipping. I'd left $40 on the check in disc with our passports (figured $20 for 6 nights in the Bellagio might be pushing it), and after asking if any complimentary upgrades were available was offered a fountain view or a corner room. As the bigger corner room would have been overlooking the City Centre building works we went for the fountain view which was stunning! My tip still hadnt been taken and we'd been given our room cards. I should have just picked the money up but being an honest type left it pushed it across the desk and was told the check in girl thought that i'd left it there as i'd wanted change. Doh! Oh well, it was worth the tip.

Flight over, on Virgin, was fine. Nothing special but not as bad as some people will have you believe (maybe we got lucky). We did fly back Premium Economy thanks to their last sale deals and would recommend that option just to make the return leg manageable.

I could go through everything we saw and did but that could take up pages as there's so much to see and do. So here's some must do's and tips for anyone heading out for the first time:

Must sees/dos :
Bellagio fountains - who'd have thought watching fountains could be so amazing. Every half hour (or 15 minutes at night) you get a different song with different coreography. And the sound when the highest fountains go off (which just about reached level with our 25th floor window) is like thunder.

Meal at Ellis Island - Well worth the walk off the strip. Thanks to everyone who suggested it. Its cheap, good food and a pleasent athmosphere. And the portion sizes are huge!

Mirage Volcano - It was cancelled the night we went to see it initially due to the wind but it was worth the second trip. You'll believe its spewing lava rather than water

Secret Garden - Again at the Mirage is Siegfried and Roy's secret garden dolphin and big cat enclosure. Makes a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the strip.

The Cheesecake Factory - In the Caeser's Forum shops. Went for the Cookie Dough Chocolate cheesecake and was greeted with a slab of pure heaven. Its worth visiting just to look at the cheesecakes.

Freemont Street - Make sure you dont make our mistake and head up before the evening. There's not much to do before nightfall. However once its dark the street comes alive with entertainers, live music and the stunning big screen show over the street. At the moment these include a tribute to Queen and American Pie (the song).

Tom Jones - We didnt get to a performance show so went to see Mr Vegas himself at the MGM. Well worth the money at this fairly intimate venue. Tom was on fine form and even though neither of us would class ourselves as big fans we loved every minute!

Finally a few tips:
Make sure you pack good shoes. I know its been mentioned before but even being prepared we were amazed how much walking we did, and how much our feet hurt each night. The hotel that may only look a short walk away can turn out to be a real trek due to the size of the properties. We could see MGM from our hotel window and it only looked a stones throw away. On taking the walk to it we realised that due to the size of the hotels in between it was over a mile away!

Also, be on the guard against pushy salesmen. A lot of the people offering free or reduced show tickets are trying to sell you something else. We spent 10 minutes walking from Circus Circus to the Mirage while being hassled with someone trying to sell us timeshare. By the time we'd shaken him off we'd been offered $50 each on the slots, Half price show tickets (to one of the lesser shows) and 4 free buffet passes. In return we would be picked up from our hotel and driven off for a 2 hour sales presentation. No thanks!! I can imagine that we'd have only received our gifts on signing something, and the 2 hours would have turned into a full day.

Also there are a lot of people handing out magazines and flyers between Planet Hollywood and MGM. If you have kids, do take any, as they are flyers for escorts and !!!!!!. I know its not a family orientated town but i saw several kids being offered the flyers. Not on!!

All in all, its an amazing place. Hard work but worth the effort, and we're already trying to work out when we can go again :T

funkyfin2000

The Bellagio Fountains

Great report dude!!!!!! Well done and thanks

Guys I am travelling by BA to San Fran and have a 737 i think with personal entertainment systems in chairs...do you get given headphones? Do normal headphones fit the jack?

Rich

Steff

The Bellagio Fountains

Morning all,

I have received an exclusive offer from Wynn this morning (SO wish I could use it!!) to stay with them for $99 on selected dates.

I am able to invite friends with the offer of rooms from $119 with $50 dining credit with a complimentary upgrade to an Encore Resort Suite (based upon availability). For stays of 4 nights or more there is also an additional $25 slot credit I think it was.

Anyone interested then please PM me their name and email address and I will send you the invite.

Last year when I was desperate for offers from them I didnt get any - this year I have had a couple already!! Typical eh?!

Hope someone else can enjoy it!
HTH
Steff;)

nvh

The Bellagio Fountains

thanks for the offer Steff - what dates is it for? - is it a 2 night minimum stay?

winner3131

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

Great report dude!!!!!! Well done and thanks

Guys I am travelling by BA to San Fran and have a 737 i think with personal entertainment systems in chairs...do you get given headphones? Do normal headphones fit the jack?

Rich

On the Virgin flights you're given headphones (cheap ones mind) and they use standard jacks. I'm guessing most airlines would be the same.