Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

ajmoney

August

Day 12

This was the first day that we didn't have any show decided for the evening which made it quite a chilled out day. We started off with brunch at the Bellagio which was worth the queue. It was lovely service and the only way we could probably have afforded to eat here.

The walked through the forum shops at Ceasars, through Mirage, used the shuttle to TI and then walked through there to the fashion show mall. We had decided through breakfast that we should go and see a Cirque production so went to see what deals the Tix4Tonight had up there. There are loads of flyers around for a ticket for $25 if you buy a top end one full price, to this is cheaper that the ticket booth. We decided on Zumanity so got the monorail down to NYNY to buy the tickets.

That eveining we thought we would try and eat at a different buffet and the only one we hadn't eaten at in the vicinity was Monte Carlo, what a mistake that was (also why we thought Flamingo wasn't too bad). The staff looked as though it was a chore to serve us and the food wasn't a patch on anywhere else apart from one section. They have a stir fry section, you put what you want in a bowl and watch as they cook it in front of you. That saved some of our faith in their food but they are definately on a par with the Stratosphere (in our opinion).

Zumanity was good, the auditorium was pretty empty so even though we were a few rows back we got to see everything. However, when we got the tickets she told us it didn't matter where you sat because the stage comes out into the centre. It does, but they still do the production to the front so we missed quite a lot of what was going on. However it was a good show, a little raunchy and well worth the money we paid.

ferf1223

October , November

ajmoney wrote: »

They have a stir fry section, you put what you want in a bowl and watch as they cook it in front of you.

Mongolian barbeque - it's my favorite aspect for those buffets that have it...but can't say the MC is known as a great buffet.

ferf1223

October , November

luci wrote: »

Thanks pebbles. I'm just a bit nervous about finding the right bus stops, that's why we usually take the Deuce.

Hi Luci - you may have already tried using Google Maps, but if not, they do have an option to search by public transport - and the bonus is that it shows you the route you will be taking from your starting point to your destination.

You can also zoom down and switch to satellite view to see aerial photos of the area the stops are so can pick out some landmarks to make you more comfortable you'll find the right stop.

You don't even need addresses - I put in Ellis Island Casino, Las Vegas and Premium Outlets, Las Vegas and 3 options came up...not sure how they compare to the directions Elaine gave you (hers may be better) but may help on feeling confident about where the stops are?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-google-dd&utm_medium=ha

Search by public transport.

duchy

August

I don't mind the Deuce either-it's great for people watching but often I'll walk as it's quicker. Friends were horrified I walked from the Riviera to the Flamingo but I enjoyed the walk (was winter wouldn't do it this time of year) and just mosied along taking my time.
I do see Ferf's point too though-I loathe wrong side of the road driving though so for me driving would be a bit stressful so it's all just personal choice and we all chill in different ways

gamboller

March

Has anyone stayed in THEHotel at Mandalay Bay? I am between staying there or in a Junior Suite at the Signature (I have stayed in a one bed here before for the Hatton fight against Mayweather Jnr) The price is quite similar with Signature maybe 80dollars more with the extra charge.

PS feel like a bit of a fool asking about the expedia.co.uk thing now. expedia.ie only did hotels the last time I checked about 3-4 months ago

skippa59

August

We are staying there in a V suite in September so if you are not going now I will report back. Alternatively try Tripadvisor for reviews of the hotel

ajmoney

August

ferf1223 wrote: »

Mongolian barbeque - it's my favorite aspect for those buffets that have it...but can't say the MC is known as a great buffet.

It explains the price anyway

ratkarth

ferf1223 wrote: »

In general I don't have any appointment I have to make - but I prefer not to waste time unecessarily. I am chilled out...as I am not waiting for/on a bus. I take buses at least 5 days a week when I'm not on holiday...I don't want to set foot on them when I am...we have a rental car, so we drive most places and get there far quicker than if we took a bus...if we don't want to drive we walk, take a taxi or the monorail. I appreciate that those who do not have a car may opt to take a bus and I get that, but I have no reason to, nor do I have any inclination to do so myself.

As for parking being a nightmare - valet is everyone's friend...and so far we've had no issue using any self-park garage in town.

one time on a buss in vegas i had some guy try and convince me to buy his entire stash of drugs off him as he had a phone call and the police were round his home waiting for him to get back, he was quite persistant and followed me off my stop so I had to jump off at the rivera and hide in the toilets from him for a little while
happy days....

but never had any other problems and met some really interesting people to chat too, including a guy who tried to set me up on a blind date with his daughter...
so take the buss, you get to see more of the city and am sure you will have an annecdote at the end...

ferf1223

October , November

ratkarth wrote: »

so take the buss, you get to see more of the city and am sure you will have an annecdote at the end...

I appreciate the input - but we do see quite a lot of the city in our wanderings by car - we venture quite a ways off the strip in various directions. I have little doubt that we're able to see and do more with a car than we would taking the bus. I have no doubt that I'd have an anectdote in the end after taking the bus but at this point I have no intention of trying it.

I can see if we were there for a long period of time like Elaine we wouldn't rent a car the full time and would then probably explore the bus option (though I still think we would never use the Deuce having seen too many heaving stops with full buses pulling away only picking up a handful of passengers leaving the rest to wait for the next one and then watching the bus move forward 10 feet and getting stopped in traffic)...but having 8 or 9 nights only, we much prefer the freedom a car offers us...having a car works best for us, but I can understand why it doesn't work for others for various reasons and I totally accept that. I can absolutely guarantee that I personally would not prefer taking the bus to driving (and in the case of the Deuce, walking) though....but that's just me.

duchy

August

That's my favourite thing about any form of public transportation -the conversations and the people watching you miss out on completely in a car (although some people might not see it as an advantage LOL)

Anyone got any bright ideas on cheap Universal prices-best so far seems to be $66 (with a 2nd day thrown in free that we probably won't use)