Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

trets77

:beer::beer::beer::beer: Thanks for the trip reports Daveygee and duchy :beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

luci

September

davidmcg2u wrote: »

Got my $ delivered this morning (from Crown) which is perfect for us as we are both working Monday.

We're in section 121. We normally do standing but Liz always struggles to get a good view so decided to get seats this time. Also means we don't have to turn up 60-90mins before the show just to get a good pitch.

Glad the currency turned up early. I'll certainly ask for a Monday delivery if I order again. Did you get a good rate?

I'm just little so standing would be no good to me either and I wouldn't queue for ages before the gig either as my attention span just about lasts the duration of the concert/show.

davidmcg2u

September

I got $1.6275 to £ which when I ordered was about 4-5c more than anything else available.

I see the rate is creeping up again on Crown ($1.6599-$1.699) which is good for anyone travelling between now and turn of the year.

Halloween Town & Phoenix may be the support bands for next week - I know nothing about either of them at all.

luci

September

The currency rate is just another Vegas gamble. I gambled on the rate rising by the time we went and then it dropped so I'm glad to see it climbing again.

I'm not really interested in seeing the support act, but hubby might feel differently.

Do you think it would be OK to turn about about 9pm?

duchy

August

Hmmm so much for a SHORT trip report

The Orleans is doing the eat all day (3 visits) for $21. We used this on the Sunday as it was great value as they don't do the cheap $7 breakfast on Sundays but call it brunch. They have a new chef in charge of the buffet and although the buffet has always been good-it's now IMO better although I do miss the potato pancakes and blinzis they used to have at breakfast.

As I had the teenogre along we did more non adult activities than usual-we visted CircusCircus for their Adventuredrome thing-Boy was it noisy was DS loved it and I left him there whilst I visited the casino which was nicer than I expected and the drinks were strong.
We also headed up to the Sahara for the first time -I'd always been put off because it was to the North but it's a surprisingly nice hotel and the monorail would make it a very good cheap option (I've seen a $20 room deal recently) better IMO than the nearby Strat. The rollercoaster I'm informed is "the best in Vegas". I liked their pool area better than the Flamingo which was lovely but horribly busy and a bit too loud for my tastes. I can do loud but prefer my music a little less techno when relaxing by the pool

After the Orleans we moved to the Flamingo -deluxe rooms were going for $40 but we splashed out and paid $70 for a no view Go room. I left DS sleeping at the Orleans (I had extended checkout to 1pm at no charge) and hopped on the free shuttle to Bills to try for early check-in. Our room wasn't ready but I was given a room number and the paperwork. Harrahs have a new policy if you are on a prepaid rate that they no longer take a deposit off your card (previously was $200 a night) or a cash deposit. They had taken 3 weeks to return my deposit back in April so I was pleased with this although I ended up leaving a deposit in the end as i wanted internet in the room-the cash balance was returned at checkout.
I went and played in the casino for an hour or so and then returned-room was still not ready but the agent I saw gave me some good tips about how to handle things if it wasn't ready later.
I hopped back on the shuttle -dragged DS out of bed and grabbed a cab back to the Flamingo-room was still not ready so I explained time was getting on and we had tickets for one of their shows that night and I really wanted to get settled. I followed the advice given and asked about upgrading. The agent told me we had already been upgraded to a Go room with a view but she had an executive Go room with view for an extra $20 I ummed and ahed-mentioned it was a special trip (all my Vegas trips are special ) and she grabbed a passing manager who waived the extra charge and off we trundled to the top but one floor with an amazing view of the fountains
We dumped the bags and went off to eat at the buffet. The Flamingo buffet is nothing amazing foodwise although the dessets are good but it was adequate and we were happy with our window view of the gardens, the flamingos and some of the biggest Koi carp I've ever seen.
I had tickets to see Donny and Marie that night.... again. I had seen the show with friends on the Saturday night from further back which had been a fun show. Although kids under 5 aren't allowed there were two Saturday night right behind me....I guess if it's your grandpa's show you get to break the rules. Also in the house that night was the utterly amazing Kat Dyson probably the best female guitarist around. This night I had VIP tickets right by the stage -the show was even more high energy than usual with lots of audience interaction. I had an empty seat next to me and nearly had a heart attack at one point when mid number Donny jumped off the stage and sat next to me saying he needed a breather The meet and greet was fun even if Marie scolded me for missing out on Liza in LA. I've met them both several times before but it's always fun watching people meet them for the first time -despite a very high energy show they are always very friendly and gracious.
The last day in Vegas....Leaving DS asleep (again) I strolled down to the IP and checked in-again no deposit to be paid -amazingly as the rate was only $15. We had a deluxe room-it's a bit of a trek through the casino to the guest room lifts-the room was a bit tired but perfectly adequate and a bargain for the location. Obviously it was a comedown after the fab Flamingo room the night before. We weren't planning to sleep there though but had booked it as a base for the day as our flight wasn't leaving until 11pm. It's an easy walk even with bags from the Flamingo to the IP so we walked.
We have a tradition of going to the movies in Vegas-not your common or garden movies but the very nice IMAX cinema at the Palms. The shuttle from Bills took us to the Gold Coast and we crossed the road to the Palms directly opposite. We saw the Harry Potter movie in IMAX and 3D which was fab. I really like the Palms casino too.

After the movie we headed back to the IP and grabbed a cab to the airport and checked in. Silly check in chap didn't check our bags through to London though. He did however find us two exit row seats together for NYC to LON. I was upgraded to first -DS was happy with his emergency row seat in economy. An uneventful overnight flight to JFK we both dozed a bit. At JFK I retrieved the bags and then went straight back to check in and checked them in for London and we headed for the Airtrain.
We decided to use the LIR rather than the subway -for both better views and a faster trip into Manhattan although it costs a few dollars more.

We arrived at Penn Station and found a nice deli and ate a huge breakfast. We didn't really feel the need to do any of the really touristy things and had planned to eat and wander but when we got to Times Square (Stopping at the tourism office to send a free message on their internet) we decided to do the Duck tour ! It was a beautiful sunny and warm day and the Duck tour was fab and I'd throughly recommend it. By the time the tour was over we were ready to head back to the airport (after a hot dog from a stall-it's the law you have to eat at least one) as we knew our flight was overbooked. I was called to the desk and upgraded to business but although he was on the waiting list DS stayed in economy. I did go back to offer to trade seats halfway but he was sound asleep so I let sleeping teenogres lie and went back to snuggle down in the comfy bed seat. We landed on time despite leaving late and caught the handy bus from T4 to Feltham and onwards to London and home. I like this connection as there's no stairs to battle
So not such a short trippie but hopefully there's a few tips that others may find useful. I've tried to cover the bits that I don't see mentioned in other reports.

davidmcg2u

September

luci wrote: »

The currency rate is just another Vegas gamble. I gambled on the rate rising by the time we went and then it dropped so I'm glad to see it climbing again.

I'm not really interested in seeing the support act, but hubby might feel differently.

Do you think it would be OK to turn about about 9pm?

I wouldn't bother checking the supports either - just listened to 1 of them not really my cup of tea - if they turn out to be great then I'll see them in a few years :rotfl:

9pm is the norm for main acts here & from what I can tell over there too. I think 8.30 just in case & if it's later then you van pop out for another drink before the show.

I've to pick up my tickets on the day - supposedly 1 hour before the show but I'll be hittng the MB box office on the Thursday or Friday to see if I can get them beforehand.

luci

September

Might split the difference and go for 8.45 although hubby will want to be there ages before.

I was hoping to pick up my tickets at the MGM check in at the airport when we land, but I've since read that you can only pick up MB tickets at MB. No problem as we're staying at the Four Seasons that night so should be down there early afternoon.

We've never had a problem picking up tickets days before a show.

ferf1223

October , November

davidmcg2u wrote: »

I've to pick up my tickets on the day - supposedly 1 hour before the show but I'll be hittng the MB box office on the Thursday or Friday to see if I can get them beforehand.

1 hour before is the latest you can pick them up from the box office - you shouldn't have any problem picking them up in the days leading up to the show.

ferf1223

October , November

Thanks for the TR duchy! I really loved reading it and sounds like you guys had a great time. I'm sure the various upgrades helped make it that little bit nicer too.

And DaveyGee - really enjoying reading yours and look forward to the next part.

We went ahead and exchanged the rest of our cash on Wednesday and got $1.63 which we were pleased with (had budgeted at $1.60) and of course now the same place is selling at $1.65, but still.

We received our 24/7 and Vegas Values coupon books today so always fun to have a flick through them even if we rarely use many of the coupons And in the case of the VV book many expire at the end of September. My husband thinks it's hilarious the postage was over $5 to send us free coupon books.

And the cases have just come out of the loft - I expect to be mostly packed later this afternoon even with nearly 2 weeks to go until our departure.

ferf1223

October , November

SCOTT007118 wrote: »

We are looking at going from the the 21st -28th december. I've tried several flight websites and there all coming back at about a minimum of 550 each.

I'm confused - what airlines book that far in advance where you could get a quote (you said before you were looking at next year so you're looking at December 2010 I think)? Personally I would wait until early next year to actually look to even think about booking anything. That's probably the cheapest time of year for Vegas hotels too