Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

duchy

August

I find the Orleans is especially bad for it -and the Flamingo hardly at all (We moved between those two hotels at Easter so it was especially noticeable)
The best casino for no "hits" is the Palms for me though but never stayed there so only talking about the casino floor there.

adrienne1945

October , November

blueybug wrote: »

Looking for cheap tickets in January, cheapest so far is $125 each :eek:

BLUEYBUG
Love special offer tickets $90 January 2010 Special Offer Code HOLIDAY
https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/group_corp_start.htmI?l=EN&team=mirage&owner=5161646&group=59&err=&event=&customerID= Hope this helps
This link below is to cds promotions where I've recently got tickets in December to Ka for $60 each. Its well worth having a look as there are loads of offers. Its also worth joining cds club for extra special deals. I've also booked tickets for Viva Elvis on Xmas day thru their club preview deals. The Viva Elvis tickets aren't on general release until December 14. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas/en/promotions/index.asp

pennylane99

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

adrienne1945 wrote: »

BLUEYBUG
Love special offer tickets $90 January 2010 Special Offer Code HOLIDAY
https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/group_corp_start.htmI?l=EN&team=mirage&owner=5161646&group=59&err=&event=&customerID= Hope this helps

be careful with that, it asks you to log in with the email address the offer code was sent to

ferf1223

October , November

adrienne1945 wrote: »

BLUEYBUG
Love special offer tickets $90 January 2010 Special Offer Code HOLIDAY
https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/group_corp_start.htmI?l=EN&team=mirage&owner=5161646&group=59&err=&event=&customerID= Hope this helps

Code is also available here without having to log in with email it was sent to.

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas/en/promotions/index.asp

sorry, it does ask for the email address or offer code - but the code is on Cirque's website available to the public so would assume it's fine.

adrienne1945

October , November

The only code which is not for public use is the one needed for the preview tickets to Viva Elvis which is why I didn't post that code on here and specifically stated the necessity of joining CDS club. I am always careful when posting codes as I have been caught out a couple of times by using person specific codes which have been posted on shopping forums as general codes. Littlewoods group coming immediately mind. Some peoplle have had to pay back quite a few pounds!!

indiegirl_2

September

ferf1223 wrote: »

...what he found helps is rather than to tentatively approach something metal, whack your hand on it quite quickly and suddenly...seems to help somehow, maybe because you get it over quickly?

I ended up doing that towards the end of the week; I'd use my knee to touch the slots as I sat down, and was pressing the lift buttons through my sleeves (even with my elbows!). As it was my first time in Vegas I thought I'd just picked crap shoes to take with me (and they'd all got conductive soles!) but reading this it's reassuring to know that the shocks and the static hair wasn't just me (I took my own shampoo but still ended up with Einstein hair).

Also... I am tracking the flights for my return in September.. is it just me or are flight prices not really moving at the moment? Is January likely to see them come down a bit? (~£425 at the moment for indirect flights)

evergreen

Do you just put those sim cards from ebay in your UK phone?

pebblesmax

October , November

Yes, but it must be at least a tri band phone for it to work.

sho_me_da_money

ferf1223 wrote: »

Not to start a tipping debate, but I wouldn't say tipping 10% is tipping 'like a local'. Remember that waiters and waitresses make less than minimum wage - that's why service is so good in the US - the better the service, the better their tips.

good to know they have a special on LVA again. they used to have a $10 deal from October and you got that year's coupon book - it was a great deal, but they stopped it a few years ago (presumably because people like us who went in November just waited until the sale to join).

Lets even say they are making less than minimum wage, 10% is still more than enough. One waiter in a restaurant (Dennys for e,g,) has about 6 people he can cater to in an hour in Vegas - EASILY.

Each bill comes to approx - $20-35.

A 10% tip (of total bill) on all customers would mean he is clearing approx. $12- 18 per hour PLUS a wage. In reality, he will be receving more than 10% because not everyone is stingy (or what I like to call as Smart as me). So you can safely say the guy is making about $20+ an hour on tips alone.

Take that over the 8 hour shift and add his wage you know what you got? A Dennys waiter than is making more money than me!

Sorry but I pay for food in the UK and i dont tip in every single place. If the service is exceptional, I will tip.

Ever wondered why locals work to a 10% max? They know they score. We as British tourists come over, receive what we think is a GREAT service and tip silly amounts. The fact is, US people are alot nicer and politer than Brits and I appreciate that by offering the same attitude back and a 10% tip - more than enough.

Bottom line - I am a customer, who has paid VEGAS rates for food and am expected to tip silly amounts to a guy/gal who bought me out my food, smiled and provided me with APPROPRIATE customer service. Sure, im willing to pay more, if they gave me free sides, drinks, discounted bills and/or rolled out a red carpet for me but we all know that aint gonna happen.

I think people should start tipping me for all the IT work I do for FREE for people on MSE!!!

sho_me_da_money

By the way we checked out of the MGM Grand today and into the TI for 4 nights.

Although the room is smaller, and the view isnt as spectacular, I think the TI is a way better room. At the TI, you pay the resort fee of $22 per day and for that you get 24-Hour Internet acces ($15 per day in MGM), Free Access to the Gym ($15 per day per person in MGM), Local and Toll free phone calls ($1 per call in MGM), Admission to Nightclub for free ($$ at MGM), Free Airline boarding passes printed at Guest Services (probably a fee at MGM), Free Daily Newspaper (again a fee at MGM), Copy/Fax 10 Page MAX (again a fee at MGM) and a VIP viewing of Sirens of TI Show.

In addition to that the room at the TI has an IPOD Docking station (MGM doesnt), Mirror in the main room (MGM had mirrors in bathroom only), LCD Plasma Screen TV (MGM has a big !!! CRT), Dressing table (other half was made up and this wasnt available in MGM) and Better Drawers.

So if I had to choose between the MGM or TI - I'd choose TI any day.

We are stopping here for 4 nights and are then making a final stop at the MGM Signature for the last 2 nights. Kinda gutted because id prefer to stay at the TI till the end now.