Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

gamboller

March

• December 11, 2009 Wyrick Gone, Theater Closed: Magician Steve Wyrick, who for almost three years has been struggling to make a success of his eponymous theater and raft of shows in the Miracle Mile, including his own Real Magic and the Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters and the Marvelettes has finally called it quits. Contact the point of sale for refunds.
source: LVA research team

ferf1223

October , November

gamboller wrote: »

wadia860 just wondering was the Virgin flight almost fully booked.

In our experience it's normally fully booked or very close to...once I had the only empty seat on the plane next to me (we were window and middle of a 3-seat row) and it was one of the best moments of my life when they closed the doors and I knew I could move over and we had 3 seats between us.

luci

September

I used my TR card in the bar top VP at O'Shea's a few years ago. I remember as I left my card in the machine and had to use the spare one they gave me.

gamboller

March

What do people think of a GC helicopter trip at 7am in February or would I be better heading later in the day. I was going to hold off until I went out there but found deal on viator for £160 pp for the Ranch "adventure" trip.

stoneman

September

ferf1223 wrote: »

In our experience it's normally fully booked or very close to...once I had the only empty seat on the plane next to me (we were window and middle of a 3-seat row) and it was one of the best moments of my life when they closed the doors and I knew I could move over and we had 3 seats between us.

I find it almost unbearable when I see an empty row of 4 middle seats and waiting for the door to close. My eyes are glued to the FA in charge of the door if I can see it. The moment she makes one move towards it I am up and running. If you are on a U.S. carrier everyone is at it, it's like musical chairs, unlike U.K. flights where you have to wait till the seat belt signs go out.:rotfl:

trets77

wadia860 wrote: »

Got back from Vegas Tuesday after 2 weeks there. Some positives there, and quite a few negatives since last time.

Negatives:

• I hated the centre strip, especially by City Centre. It is impossible to cross the road there and you have to go so far out of your way to get to the other side of the road. They desperately need a bridge by City Centre.
• The Deuce (301 !) would have been good if it wasn't for the length of time you spend on there (try over an hour and half from Mandalay Bay to the Strat...no exaggeration). It still saved my legs though so cannot complain too much. Again, most of the congestion (people & traffic) was centre strip. There'd be 50-odd people getting off the bus there, and 60-odd getting on!! Madness.
• I really wasn't impressed with the Virgin flight from Gatwick...I did expect slightly more from Virgin (although I have low expectations!!) Quite a rough old plane, really bad T.V's in the headrest and rude passengers (not Virgin's fault though). A bit different to last time when I went via Continental.

Positives:

• 99c Margaritas/$2 Corona/Bud/Coors etc from all Downtown casinos!
• Monte Carlo celebrity spa suite...wow!!! Loved it in there!
• The Todd Paul show at Hooters...very, very funny and only $7 or $8 entry with 1 free drink (be warned...additional drinks were $7!!! Coke etc were free refills though). Probably the best thing I did in Vegas. Go & see him.
• Went to a bar/restaurant called Chillis across the road from the Beltz. Some of the best food I''ve had in my life, the best Mexican I've ever had anyway! Really nice raspberry margaritas in there, try their jalapino quesadilla with extra jalapinos.... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm:T
• Cigars...if you like cigars, you are spoiled in Vegas. Try the shop in downtown Vegas/Freemont though. Get off the bus/Deuce/301 on Freemont St, cross the road to the Harley Davidson shop and there is a fantastic cigar shop just 3 doors away. Really really nice bloke in there. I walked away the first night after looking in the window and being intimidated by his big walk-in humidor (i thought his cigars would be out of my price range). I went back a few nights later and was glad i did. Very friendly fella and very friendly prices. They also make their own cigars on site (robustos..$6.99!!!). Try him, you won't regret it.
• The cinema in the Palms...excellent! They do nacho's in there and you help yourself to jalapinos!!!

All in all, still a very good trip for me (I got married as well!!...feel free to ask about how i did it if ye like). I certainly seemed to enjoy it away from the strip this time (Freemont St, Palms Hotel etc). I also found the casino staff friendlier away from the strip (and much cheaper tables..El Cortez, $1 roulette).

Don't let my gripes put you off, just be wary of them though!

:beer::beer::beer:

WOW got married . well i will ask you all about it ?

wadia860

October , November

gamboller wrote: »

wadia860 just wondering was the Virgin flight almost fully booked. Thanks for your positives and negatives. Always great to hear peoples opinions. May see Todd Paul as I'm across the rd in the Signature in early Feb

Yes the flight was nearly fully booked on the way out. My gf/wife's tv did not work properly neither did the t.v's behind us. The couple behind up complained and got moved to a pair of the few seats which were left. I left the 3 seats alone which were vacant behind me for about 10 minutes. Nobody moved into them so i did! I had 3 seats to myself for about 8.5 hours so i managed to lay down for most of the flight!
For the life of me, i can't remember the name me the plane.

On the flight back, the flight was definately emptier as Virgin were really pushing selling the pricier seats.

As for Todd Paul, i was slightly concerned that he would tell jokes that only American's would get. Saying that, I thought for only $7, it wouldn't matter. My thoughts were unfounded though, we both had tears of laughter! It's a very good way to spend an hour or so and only $7
He does do a bit of audience participation and takes the mick out of himself and the audience who have used coupons! I wanted to go and see him again!

There was a show somewhere (i will ask my wife where) which we never got round to seeing. That was comedy, magic and a buffet for $24 which we thought would have been good value as well.

carolann215

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Trip Report 4th - 9th December

Well the best thing was this trip was a competition win so it was all free! OH won it just after I'd booked to go with friends in September so I've been lucky enough to go twice in a couple of months.

Flew out with Virgin from Gatwick last friday and the plane wasn't full. No-one was in the seat next to us so it was nice to have the extra room.
Landed and got through security really quickly then we had a limo to take us to Planet Hollywood.
We were taken to the VIP check-in area (v nice!) and then up to the room. It was just a standard room but they have nice big bathrooms with a seperate shower.
Got changed then wandered down to Walgreens to get water , cigs etc.
First view of City Centre - in September it was still a building site and it did look a bit better but not much. Maybe it will be OK when the Aria opens next week but at the moment it all looks really out of place.
Spent most of the evening in the Paris. I've never spent much time in here on previous trips but this time I loved it. Really good atmosphere at the tables , dealers were lovely , great drinks service and the slots were paying out.
Went back to PH for a late meal at Planet Dailies and few more goes on the slots. These ones didn't pay out for the whole trip!
Saturday - Spent most of the day shopping. Walked through Caesers to go to the Foprum shops. Casino was busy even first thing in the morning and had a little go on the slots first. Bit of shopping their then down to the fashion show mall.
Went to Changs that night. Got there at 7 and it was over an hour to wait so we went over to the Paris for a bit more blackjack. Got back about 11ish and got a table straight away. The meal was good but I found the resturant very cold with the air conditioning , much colder than the rest of the hotel.
Sunday - More shopping - premium outlets this time. Got a taxi but it was a long trip as the marathon was on. Good to see all the runners including a lot dressed as Elvis. Registered with them before we left and got lots of extra discount vouchers which were better than the ones in the book you get from the information centre.
Got back to PH early afternoon so dumped the shopping and over to Caesers. Won $900 out of the Wheel of Fortune so we went to the Forum shops to blow some of it straight away!
Meal at Mon Ami Gabi that night. Got there just before 7 so had a table straight away. Fantastic meal then stayed in the Paris for the rest of the night.
Monday - It had been nice sunny weather up til now but monday was chillier and looked like rain. Wandered down to the NY NY / Luxor etc to have a look around and then back up to the Mirage / Venetian to look around up there. Started raining so got the Monorail back.
Ate in the Spice Market that night and again it was freezing in there. Back into the Paris for a last night of Blackjack. Got on a really good table that was great fun so it was a good last night.
Tuesday - Didn't get up that early and had booked a late checkout. Packed and then went back to the Paris for breakfast and a last go on the tables and slots. Got $17 credit from the Total Rewards points so stocked up on mags and sweets for the flight home.
Flight was delayed an hour but again it wasn't full. We had 2 seats at the back so didn't bother moving. A bit of a bumpy flight but I manged to sleep for a while.

It was a great trip and we're already thinking about going again but realistically it will probably be 2011 now (unless we can win another one!)
It changes every time I go but I still think Caesers is my favourite hotel.

Triker

October , November

wadia860 wrote: »

Got back from Vegas Tuesday after 2 weeks there. Some positives there, and quite a few negatives since last time.

Negatives:

• I hated the centre strip, especially by City Centre. It is impossible to cross the road there and you have to go so far out of your way to get to the other side of the road. They desperately need a bridge by City Centre.
• The Deuce (301 !) would have been good if it wasn't for the length of time you spend on there (try over an hour and half from Mandalay Bay to the Strat...no exaggeration). It still saved my legs though so cannot complain too much. Again, most of the congestion (people & traffic) was centre strip. There'd be 50-odd people getting off the bus there, and 60-odd getting on!! Madness.
• I really wasn't impressed with the Virgin flight from Gatwick...I did expect slightly more from Virgin (although I have low expectations!!) Quite a rough old plane, really bad T.V's in the headrest and rude passengers (not Virgin's fault though). A bit different to last time when I went via Continental.

Positives:

• 99c Margaritas/$2 Corona/Bud/Coors etc from all Downtown casinos!
• Monte Carlo celebrity spa suite...wow!!! Loved it in there!
• The Todd Paul show at Hooters...very, very funny and only $7 or $8 entry with 1 free drink (be warned...additional drinks were $7!!! Coke etc were free refills though). Probably the best thing I did in Vegas. Go & see him.
• Went to a bar/restaurant called Chillis across the road from the Beltz. Some of the best food I''ve had in my life, the best Mexican I've ever had anyway! Really nice raspberry margaritas in there, try their jalapino quesadilla with extra jalapinos.... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm:T
• Cigars...if you like cigars, you are spoiled in Vegas. Try the shop in downtown Vegas/Freemont though. Get off the bus/Deuce/301 on Freemont St, cross the road to the Harley Davidson shop and there is a fantastic cigar shop just 3 doors away. Really really nice bloke in there. I walked away the first night after looking in the window and being intimidated by his big walk-in humidor (i thought his cigars would be out of my price range). I went back a few nights later and was glad i did. Very friendly fella and very friendly prices. They also make their own cigars on site (robustos..$6.99!!!). Try him, you won't regret it.
• The cinema in the Palms...excellent! They do nacho's in there and you help yourself to jalapinos!!!

All in all, still a very good trip for me (I got married as well!!...feel free to ask about how i did it if ye like). I certainly seemed to enjoy it away from the strip this time (Freemont St, Palms Hotel etc). I also found the casino staff friendlier away from the strip (and much cheaper tables..El Cortez, $1 roulette).

Don't let my gripes put you off, just be wary of them though!

I love, love, love Chili's too, so ask me why I never made it there this time, I dunno, fantastic food.:T

ferf1223

October , November

stoneman wrote: »

I find it almost unbearable when I see an empty row of 4 middle seats and waiting for the door to close. My eyes are glued to the FA in charge of the door if I can see it. The moment she makes one move towards it I am up and running. If you are on a U.S. carrier everyone is at it, it's like musical chairs, unlike U.K. flights where you have to wait till the seat belt signs go out.:rotfl:

I hope we're never on the same flight or chances are we'll crash into each other on thew way there. Yes, I know that feeling very well...:) It's interesting to hear that the Virgin flights are not very full these days...very interesting. We booked AA for our Easter trip already but still.