Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

muzzer_mc

August

I flew in June 2007 to vegas with Mytravel as well. Though it was from Glasgow and it was delayed coming from Manchester due to a problem with the Aircraft.

On the way back they told us at check in that it would land at Glasgow first. However when we were on board the Captain said that he was told to land at Manchester first. The Config for the planes back then was 3 4 3. Very cramp in the 3 seats at the side. It was myself and my friend at the side with a very nice lady who cursed MT the whole way home (so did we).

We were on the tarmac at Manchester for almost 3 hours, They had to open one of the toilets on the plane for us to use. Though there was arond 80 people on a A330 flying back to Glasgow. Felt sorry for the new air Stewards. They said they were just "looking after" us until we landed then they were being bused to London that night for a flight the next day.

wdyw

muzzer_mc wrote: »

The Config for the planes back then was 3 4 3. Very cramp in the 3 seats at the side. It was myself and my friend at the side with a very nice lady who cursed MT the whole way home (so did we).

http://dk.airshoppen.com/

You'll get the latest A330 seat plans for the various versions TC uses there.

neilbond007

johnpaul74 wrote: »

Not long until we go now! Flying on Saturday morning.

We will be booking shows and the Grand Canyon tour when we are there as I think that would be a better bet.

Got the money - we used Crown so thank you forum :T

One last thing, are there any special must do's and must nots? We have an intinery which accounts for most of the larger hotels, a couple of shows and the GC.

Here's a list of attractions at each hotel (small and large)
http://www.travel2vegas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15903

Steff

June

muzzer_mc wrote: »

I flew in June 2007 to vegas with Mytravel as well. Though it was from Glasgow and it was delayed coming from Manchester due to a problem with the Aircraft.

On the way back they told us at check in that it would land at Glasgow first. However when we were on board the Captain said that he was told to land at Manchester first. The Config for the planes back then was 3 4 3. Very cramp in the 3 seats at the side. It was myself and my friend at the side with a very nice lady who cursed MT the whole way home (so did we).

We were on the tarmac at Manchester for almost 3 hours, They had to open one of the toilets on the plane for us to use. Though there was arond 80 people on a A330 flying back to Glasgow. Felt sorry for the new air Stewards. They said they were just "looking after" us until we landed then they were being bused to London that night for a flight the next day.

...I think we may have been on the same flight you know! We were stuck on the tarmac in Manchester on the outward journey for about 1.5 hours and on the flight home at check in we were told that the plane would stop at Glasgow first, but during the flight the captain made an announcement and it went to Manchester first instead. We were happy but the other passengers were not!

The config then was 3 4 3 - I was in the 4 and it was awful there too! This is why I am asking anyone who has flown on the NEW THOMAS COOK planes their experience!
Thanks for your advice.
Steff;)

Steff

June

wdyw wrote: »

It makes no sense to stop at Manchester first on the way back - you might want to double check that (if it stopped there first in 2007 there might have been a reason you were not aware of - rather than it being normal).

Seats in cattle class are fine, great pitch nowadays and on most of their A330's they are all mostly 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 plans. (There's a Danish website that shows you the exact layouts)

I didn't think all June flights stopped at Glasgow ..no chance at all of altering dates by 3/4 days?

Thank wdyw, I will check that - it seems that the flight I was on in 2007 may have changed mid-flight!

So - you think the planes are fine then? I will have a look at the website you kindly posted a few posts down about layout tommorrow.

Unfortunately, I cant change my dates at all. The flight out on the sunday after (I think it is) dont stop in Glasgow mid flight and the journey time is 2 hours faster - I would definately book those if I could, but my dates are set!
I am still uhmming and ahhing about this - you seem to be the only person to say that the new TC planes are decent - unless, of course, the people flying were in premium (which isnt an option for us due to price).

Thanks for input.
Steff;)

trets77

pjcox2005 wrote: »

Hi, I was hoping to get some advice on my first trip to Vegas (in fact first trip to the States!!).

We are going next May (so fair amount of time still to go) and have booked elements of the trip (flights, hotels in Death Valley, Yosemite and the Canyon loop which have limited supply).

I'm now looking at hotels for the 3 nights in Vegas (we'll have already done one night before our road trip at New York, New York). My questions are:

- currently looking at either MGM Grand or Caesars Palace - anybody have any views as to which one people prefer to stay at/comes with the highest recommendation. Or any other suggestions?

- when would you suggest booking. I assume given the size of Vegas they won't run out of rooms, but would you book now or do rooms tend to go down in price closer to the time.

- a few people have mentioned deals for hotels. What's the best way of being informed about these (apart from checking here which I will be doing). Sign up to hotel websites, facebook...?

- do deals tend to still be available even if we are staying Friday to Monday?

I think that's all for now. If anyone can offer advice that will be really appreciated. Thanks!!

please check the advice in post 1 for advice about where to source hotel deals .

Caesars palace forum tower is simply divine , but we got lucky getting a upgrade to it using the $20 trick from a classic room booking . Classic rooms get pretty luke warm reviews from people .

ferf1223

October , November

trets77 wrote: »

Caesars palace forum tower is simply divine , but we got lucky getting a upgrade to it using the $20 trick from a classic room booking . Classic rooms get pretty luke warm reviews from people .

I'm sure someone on Open Vegas said that the bellboys refer to the classic rooms as being in the 'Motel 6 tower'...if that's any indication.

pennylane99

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Cirque club has a presale code booking for Viva Elvis at Aria Resort.
Preview shows starting 18th December

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/viva-elvis/show.aspx

ferf1223

October , November

johnpaul74 wrote: »

One last thing, are there any special must do's and must nots? We have an intinery which accounts for most of the larger hotels, a couple of shows and the GC.

There are loads and everyone will have different favorites.

Go see the Bellagio fountains early in your trip and maybe plan to stay for 2 or 3 shows. Chances are decent that you'll want to return so going for the first time on your last night might not make sense. Some of the songs are much better than others - there are a few that we'll skip if we hear them start, but others we'll stop dead to watch.

One thing we like that gets overlooked quite a lot is the gardens at the back of Flamingo. It's a nice little oasis and amazing it's right there on the strip.

Consider checking out a sports book during an American football game - it can be a bit of an experience.

And I'm not an Elvis fan, but I can really appreciate how good Big Elvis is at Bill's...and his show is free.

And don't expect to stick too close to your itinerary - things rarely go to plan in Vegas - no sense in always feeling 'behind'.

davidmcg2u

September

Hi Steff,

We did this flight in April 08 & March 09.

We had reservations about using TC as some of the legroom on the European flights is a disgrace but we were promised at the time of booking that the planes were new & the leg room would be fine for long haul.

Now I can't remember exactly what the legroom was but 34inches rings a bell in ecconomy. The seat config was either 2-4-2 or 2-3-2 but sure it was 2-4-2. We had 2 both times which was great - 1st time in ecconomy & 2nd time in premium. The premium seats were the same except a little wider.

Would we use TC again long haul - yes as long as the price wasn't silly.

On our Sept 09 trip we had US Airways & I must admit the service is 100% better than UK airlines but I didn't find the legroom or IFE any better than TC ecconomy - but this was Glasgow - Philly - Vegas so other airports may get more up to date planes.

When paid £720 for us both in April 08 - last minute booking & £1060 (Premium) in March 09 - booked well in advance.

I hope this helps - best thing to do is go into TC & get their Vegas brochure as it will have all flight details in there - I had an old 1 until recently but I have since given it away.