Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

luci

The Bellagio Fountains

duchy wrote: »

It's quite a small showroom so no horrible seats although personally I wouldn't
like the balcony. I'd aim for centralish and avoid the seats to the side through. I rather like the look of the golden circle booths-nice seating.
I do have a decent seat plan somewhere-let me know if you need it.

Yes a seat plan may help me decide.

We tend to go for the cheapest or next cheapest tickets when we go to shows. Will the centralish tickets be in this price bracket?

stoneman

The Bellagio Fountains

Stew68 wrote: »

The weekend I'm there is something called "March Madness" A lot of guys watching and betting on basketball, so the prices for rooms then are quite high. I've gone for a compromise and booked the Monte Carlo for the Friday and Saturday nights (I know, the building work around there, but its only for two nights)and managed to get the Celebrity Spa Suites at the MGM for $89.00 each for the next three, I think it's a pretty good price for that suite.

I'll keep an eye on the prices for the Augustus Tower though. Cool pictures though Sew.

Thanks again.

Stew

Stew that's a great price for the Celebrity suite, stayed in one myself. They are really roomy with a wet bar (sink in the living area:rolleyes: ).
The only problem I found was that AFAIK they are all down the ends of the hallway, which is an awful long way.
March madness does my head in! Never again will I go to Vegas when that's on. All those SoCal types just wind me up no end.
The other option would be book a classic room at Caesars and try for a $20 tip upgrade to Augustus. We have been there 3 times now and it worked every time, just the chance you take, but then again, we are gamblers.

stoneman

The Bellagio Fountains

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

what does everyone do to be able to a) afford to go and b) have enough time/holiday from work to go! LOL!

I am a self-employed stonemason, and Tracy runs an Ebay business that goes on auto pilot when we are away. luckily I make very good money and we have no children (well, I do from previous life, B25, G22). so we can get away whenever we want. I don't think I have ever paid more than £300 for a ticket unless it was with MAXjet:mad: . So we go 4-5 times a year. We have a small business that pays us in dollars and have a Bank of America account so the exchange rate doesn't effect us, and that money pays for us when we are there. We feel very lucky especially when I hear stories like tretts wife being made redundant

mookybargirl

The Bellagio Fountains

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

what does everyone do to be able to a) afford to go and b) have enough time/holiday from work to go! LOL!

Quite similar to others on the board. OH has flexi hours so can bank extra hours to get more time off. My holidays vary from 28-33 + bank holidays, so we're quite lucky. As for affording it, we both have decent jobs. OH got promoted last year which paid for the trip in Nov. We dont have kids, neither of us smoke, and I rarely drink. We don't like night clubs, and don't eat out often at home, so we save what we can for holidays. Although, now we have a wedding to pay for :eek:

Sew mentioned the Gun Store on Tropicana Ave. I noted in my trip report about this place. Don't go in busy times unless you want the full (expensive) package with AK-47 etc or they will turn you away. That annoyed me, so we won't go back there next time.

Froggitt

The Fremont street experience

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

what does everyone do to be able to a) afford to go and b) have enough time/holiday from work to go! LOL!

Last two trips paid for out of my Betfair account

Froggitt

The Fremont street experience

Dec 19.

Drove to the Park Inn at Heathrow early evening where we had a room and two weeks parking for £70. Unfortunately there was nowhere to park – everyone seemed to dump their cars anywhere.

The caf! there was a shambles – no one wanted to take our order and when it did arrive it was burnt. Then there was no one to complain to. Suffice to say refused to pay for dinner when we checked out.

Dec 20.

Had VS UC flights booked with ten years of Flying Club miles. Breezed thru security and straight to the Clubhouse where Mrs Frog had a 7am massage booked. Ordered the scrambled egg and smoked salmon on a toasted brioche, with freshly squeezed OJ. Woke the kids up to say Ruth Lorenzo was in the Clubhouse and on our flight – she was great.......really lovely girl......and spoke to the kids on the phone and we had a photo taken with her.

Couple of hours delay, but when you’re in the Clubhouse, it didn’t seem to matter.

Boarded the plane to SFO. UC suite is not designed for couples or families. We had the two centre seats, pointing at a 90 degree angle to each other, but the crew are now banned from taking away the divider. A family in the row behind us couldn’t see their young kids in the outside seats – I said to the mum “I don’t want to interfere but I’m not sure your little angel should be putting that plastic bag over her head”……..

Chocolate bread and butter pudding was to die for.

Watched the movie “21” as its about Vegas and I had read the book “Bringing Down the House” a few years ago…..saw a couple of trashy movies as well, and the time went quite quickly.

Arrived SFO, SuperShuttle not signposted at all. The bus checkin guy looked more like a tout for other Shuttles than the guy who checks you in for all shuttle buses. Went round airport three or four times looking for more passengers to pick up.

Checked in to Holiday Inn Fishermans Wharf. Was upgraded to the business floor. Had fifth or sixth meal of the day at the Boudin Bakery….just a snack this time.

Dec 21 – woke 3am.

Breakfast at 24 hour Dennys at the HI Express opposite. Picked up by tour bus, and taken to pier for Alcatraz boat. Wandered round the prison for a couple of hours with guided headphone tour – great place to see – showed the cell Clint Eastwood actually escaped from by digging round the metal grate with a spoon.

Afternoon had bus tour round San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge etc. The slope of those hills is virtually 45 degrees in places. It’s funny, the houses they call “Victorian” from pre-1906 fire all had a garage…….

Dec 22 – woke 1am.

Breakfast in hotel – made my own waffles using the waffle machine. Checked in online with US Airways (see later) for our flight to Vegas. Mrs Frog used her VIP slot to shop the Next sale online.

SuperShuttle picked us up on time, but spent an hour driving round the city picking up old ladies to take to the airport.

Arrived airport couple of hours before flight and asked for bag drop. “We don’t have one – please join that line to check in”…….maybe 100 yards long. No point at all using the online checkin. Eventually when 20 yards from the desk, they called people for Vegas flight to the front……so no point in queuing or getting there early either then. Shambles compared to the Virgin bag drop process, which never seems to have a queue these days.

Arrived McCarren hour or so late. Bus to rental cars. They stamped documents “California Plates Only” as we were dropping off car in LA. Declined an upgrade at the desk for $10 a day. Guy in the garage looked at our documents “No compacts available” he said. “Will this do?” Sebring Convertible – that’ll do nicely!!!

Checked into Venetian on the deal with $50 a day food credit. Was on 26th floor, overlooking Venezia and partial view of Mirage. Couldn’t fault the room at all – three tellys, electric curtains, comfy bed, spacious living area. Had dinner in Grand Lux – medium rare steak cooked to perfection.

Seems like pretty much everywhere in the casino level is free wi-fi at Venetian……worked in Grand Lux, Sportsbook, slots area……pleased I had my iPod Touch. Bed was turned down and little chocolates left on the pillow. Slippers and gowns provided.

Dec 23 – woke 4.30am.

Crossed over to FSM and queued for 90 mins at Tix4tonite for Phantom tickets. Looked around FSM for hour or two……free wi-fi outside Apple shop while Mrs Frog went to the Abercrombie next door. Mrs Frog bought a five day spa pass at Venetian for $150, and I went to TI for lunch in Canters deli and the 2pm poker tourney. Must say the waitresses were much younger and prettier at the Venetian. Came fourth on the bubble.

Phantom was excellent – I must have fallen asleep though as I’m not sure I could tell you what the story was about!!! Definitely heard the DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH song though.

Dec 24 – woke 4am.

Lost car in Venetian carpark. Found car an hour or so later……thankfully it had a beeper. VIP queue at Tix4 for us today!!! Bought for David Copperfield at MGM. Looked around Encore (just opened) and Wynn - $10 to go into the Ferrari shop!!! Walked back to lunch at Table 10 in the Palazzo Shoppes…..awful snotty waiter looking down at us like plebs. Food was nice though – Mrs F had a huuuuuge carrot cake for pudding. Went on the gondola ride in Venetian – bet you didn’t know the gondolas are electric and the poles are just for steering!!! Geezer sang the Cornetto song.

Poker again 2pm at TI – crashed and burned on the final table allin vs QQ. Mrs F in the Canyon Ranch Spa at Venetian again…..really big, really empty, really nice so I’m told. Copperfield was good – no idea how he did some of the illusions and I wasn’t that far from the action. I’m sure he must get bored though with the same routine three times a day. Saw the MGM lions, who looked rather bored – hoped they would maul the trainer to liven it up a bit. Decided not to drive down the strip again – instead depending on which side of the strip we wanted, used Koval or Industrial/Sinatra which run parallel on either side – no traffic at any time. Don’t try Audrie – she doesn’t go all the way!!! Message that our Xmas Day Canyon trip was cancelled due to poor weather. Dinner again in Grand Lux.

Dec 25 – woke 5am.

VIP line again but at the Coke bottle this time – looked for Brits to give spare Copperfield ticket stub to. Booked expensive seats for KA at MGM. Went round NYNY while we were South Strip (the whole streets of New York thing is done very well) and went back for lunch at Grand Lux. Been checking the room bill, and they’re giving us more than the $50 a day – seems closer to $70 as we only got a small charge when we had two meals in a day there, and nothing for a decent evening meal or lunch in a $$$ restaurant. Poker again 2pm – lost allin to…….a royal flush…..first time I’ve seen one in real play…..cant complain I spose.

KA was superb – even better than LOVE last time. The bit with the arrows and the platform going up vertical was fantastic.

Dec 26 – woke 7.30am – woohoo.

As going to Canyon all day, had decent breakfast in Bouchon, which is on the 10th floor at Palazzo. Steak and Eggs for breakfast…..certainly sir!!! That should keep me going. Really friendly, nice waitress got a huge tip, as still trying to find out what the $50 limit was set to by upping the spend every day!!!

Couldn’t find the bus tour pickup point in Venetian. Eventually bumped into bus driver. Took us to Boulder City for Scenic Airlines fly there/bus tour/fly back. 16 seater plane. No fuel surcharge to pay. Scared the poo out of me. At back of plane by a door that you could see the sky where the seal would usually be!!! Flew over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Great views over the canyon. Wasn’t prepared for it to be so cold when we got there – minus 17 degrees. Sandwich box waiting on the bus. Most of the flight was Japanese and there was a Japanese tour guide on the bus – I guess Scenic market to that sector specifically. Drove to “the edge” – 1,200 feet to the first bounce if you go over. Coach party of Buddhist monks there playing snowballs, dressed in brown cape and sandals – wasn’t really expecting to see that!!! Also went to a lodge for hot chocolate, then to the IMAX for a boring film about the history of GC that I fell asleep in. Flew back in the dark, which I suppose was OK in that I couldn’t panic about flying too low over the mountains.

Dec 27 – woke 4.30am.

Drove to Primm – about 30 minutes – to Fashion Outlet Mall. Picked up Juicy Couture blingy leather pink bag for tadpole 2. Poker at TI – made final table. All-in A lost to K which got paired up on the flop. Went to Grand Lux for dinner – had their fish and chips, and took away a dozen freshly baked cookies – give them 30 minutes notice if you want the cookies. Went to Abercrombie in the FSM and bought up the shop for the tadpoles in their 40% off winter sale.

Dec 28 – checked out of Venetian – fantastic hotel – would stay there again.

Went to Outlet Mall towards the north end of the strip, picked up a few Hilfiger shirts for me, bags for missus, and fitness clothing for her. Picked up the discount booklet for even further discounts.

Checked into Caesars - $20 fell on deaf ears. Crappy Classic Room in the Roman Tower – avoid. Bit like a Holiday Inn room – shabby and dated. Didn’t even tip the melted ice water away during the room clean. Went to Casino – Nadine from Girls Aloud was there. Didn’t realise !!!!!cat Dolls and Pole Dancing were part of Ancient Roman culture. Saw the Xmas songs Bellagio fountains, and did Miracle Mile shops……ate snack there. Didn’t realise the theatre there has a different act on every 90 minutes so they have five different shows an evening.

Dec 29

Breakfast in Augustus Caf!. Drove to Luxor for a look around, and took tram to Mandalay Bay via Excalibur. MB looked very nice. Luxor was too dark, and Excalibur too crowded.

Mrs F went shopping in the Forum shops, and I played in the fantastic Caesars WSOP Poker Room……don’t ask. Drove up to Downtown for the evening – light and music show was great. Had $9.99 Prime Rib at 4 Queens – you can save a couple of bucks by signing up for their Players Club. Got stuck on strip driving back – should have taken Industrial or Koval.

Dec 30

Checked out of Caesars – couldn’t be bothered telling them their room sucked as they didn’t ask. If I were them, I wouldn’t trash their brand with those rooms – close them or refurb them, or franchise them out to a Holiday Inn.

Headed for LA on the I15, expecting a service station somewhere for a coffee and a bagel. Nothing. Anywhere. Except desert. And driftwood. Passed the famous triple letter score town Zzyzx. Eventually stopped in Barstow for a burger and a Starbucks drive-thru. Saw what seemed like the longest train in the world. Filled up as didn’t fancy being out of petrol in the middle of nowhere…..still can’t get used to paying before filling up…..what if you cant fit it in? What if you just want it filled up to the top? Followed Google Directions to the letter – no problem at all. Thirty miles or so of traffic going nowhere fast on the opposite carriageway going out of LA. Took about five hours including lunch – no traffic, no problem.

Queue at Virgin checkin non-existent – as we got there early the previous flight hadn’t left yet, but they would only change us for money. Decent flight at the back of the plane, somewhat spoiled by an inconsiderate in front pushing their seat all the way back.

Overall – had great time – eight days in Vegas and we still didn’t see everything – did virtually nothing off-strip, but that’s for next time!!!

duchy

luci wrote: »

Yes a seat plan may help me decide.

We tend to go for the cheapest or next cheapest tickets when we go to shows. Will the centralish tickets be in this price bracket?

http://www.sendspace.com/file/pq07k6
2nd cheapest are fine as you should be able to see from the plan.
If you book on the Flamingo website you don't get seat numbers-if you call you can pick them so worth a call currently booking til 30/6. Show is dark Sundays & Mondays.

tully187villa

Sorry what does is dark mean seen it on a few occassions?

duchy wrote: »

Show is dark Sundays & Mondays.

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

Froggitt wrote: »

Passed the famous triple letter score town Zzyzx. Eventually stopped in Barstow for a burger and a Starbucks drive-thru. Saw what seemed like the longest train in the world. Filled up as didn’t fancy being out of petrol in the middle of nowhere…..still can’t get used to paying before filling up…..what if you cant fit it in? What if you just want it filled up to the top?

Thanks very much for the report - I really enjoyed reading it! As for Zzyzx - we stopped once to get a postcard because we were so amused by the name. As for the paying first - it annoys me to no end but I understand why they do it...I think what annoys me more is that you can pay with a CC at the pump but only if you have a US zip code to enter (security, I understand, but it still annoys me that I have a CC, but cannot use it). Worse with a rental you need to return full as hello, I have no idea how much I need. If you pay for more than you need they will give you the difference back...which means going back into the counter but at least it's an option...Not sure what they do if you pay with a CC as I normally just pay cash so it's easy if they owe me anything.

weiser

it just means there is no performance on those days