Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

ferf1223

April

watpoae wrote: »

A few of those tours mentioned getting pictures by the route 66 sign, but I can't see that on any maps / directions I find?

We looked into that when we were planning our trip as my FIL was a big fan of the idea of Route 66.

Between Seligman and Kingman. If you do a google maps search for Seligman, AZ, you will see it's directly off of I-40...you'll see a stretch of Route 66 which winds its way between Seligman and Kingman. There are the classic Route 66 signs (like the proper state route signs, not a specific tourist sign) all along the stretch of road. It's a very easy drive between the two points (not a lot to see though).

I do agree with pebbles that it's a long day to drive there and back and it's not the most exciting drive - a long stretch of it is really, really boring. Though for me if it was a coach tour vs driving myself in one day I would go for the latter...just really depends how much driving you're OK to do in one day.

The only other thing about driving yourself if we planned to do that our first several trips - it took until our 11th or 12th trip to actually do it.

If you do go, stop in Seligman at the Snow Cap Drive-In even just to have a quick drink and look around.

ferf1223

April

Zazie wrote: »

We've never seen a Cirque show and there seems to be quite a difference in ticket prices (eg vegas.com has 'O' at $183.50 whereas Mystere is only half that). Is there really that much difference or should we just go for one of the cheaper ones? (I don;t think I could bring myself to pay over £100 for a show lasting a couple of hours!)

There really is a big difference between shows like O, Love & Ka and Mystere. The former 3 are on a much grander scale. Mystere is more entry level Cirque. It's still impressive and if you've never seen Cirque before you won't have anything to compare it to. But if you've seen O or Love or Ka you will see where the extra money goes. Whether you will think it is worth more money or not is a completely relative thing. We think it is - Mystere is a good show, but pales in comparison to the spectacle of some of the others (and some people hate, hate, hate the clown in Mystere).

Also - do not buy tickets at vegas.com! They are usually really overpriced.

There are various resources for discounts many listed on page 1...one is:

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

If your dates aren't covered by the offers currently out there then check back - they regularly update the promotions.

I haven't seen Matsuri but you can get 1/2 price tickets here (possibly other places)

http://www.goldstar.com/events/las-vegas-nv/matsuri-2.html

photome

sarahlasvegas wrote: »

From numerous searches it would appear you're right. There's only about £60 in it between Ph and Flamingo, stuggling to decide between the 2. In honesty, I know ill barely be in the room, so think flamingo will be best, the pool looks awesome!

General consensus is you wont get upgraded for $20. I asked 2 years ago for a comp upgrade and was offered a GO room with a view for an extra $25 a night which I accepted as it was way better than paying the going rate. Having said that for 14 nights it may be different.

I personally wouldnt stay in the same hotel for 14 nights, I would prob do 3 hotels in that time.

Just realised you want to go with Virgin and clubcard so more than 1 hotel may not be an option. Do you have enough vouchers to pay for all the Hol, if not it may be worth comparing prices of flights and then hotels seperately.

photome

watpoae wrote: »

In fact, I might consider driving actually because most trips are saying you send 3-4 hours at the canyon and I think this is a bit excessive.

Is it a pretty basic drive to the south rim then?

If I did it, I'd probably just get a few pics by hoover dam and lake mead, bite to eat somewhere en route, 2 hours or so at the south rim, bite to eat on the way home and back to the hotel.

Google maps says it'd take roughly 5 hours non-stop, is this about right or could you do it quicker than that?

A few of those tours mentioned getting pictures by the route 66 sign, but I can't see that on any maps / directions I find?

Agree with others dont do it there and back in a day. Stay over in Tusayan (altho a night in Aug is over $100, so prob similar in july) and get up for sunrise over the Canyon. IMO 2 hours is not enough it is Awesome. Also IMO a tour of the DAM is worth it.

watpoae

ferf1223 wrote: »

We looked into that when we were planning our trip as my FIL was a big fan of the idea of Route 66.

Between Seligman and Kingman. If you do a google maps search for Seligman, AZ, you will see it's directly off of I-40...you'll see a stretch of Route 66 which winds its way between Seligman and Kingman. There are the classic Route 66 signs (like the proper state route signs, not a specific tourist sign) all along the stretch of road. It's a very easy drive between the two points (not a lot to see though).

I do agree with pebbles that it's a long day to drive there and back and it's not the most exciting drive - a long stretch of it is really, really boring. Though for me if it was a coach tour vs driving myself in one day I would go for the latter...just really depends how much driving you're OK to do in one day.

The only other thing about driving yourself if we planned to do that our first several trips - it took until our 11th or 12th trip to actually do it.

If you do go, stop in Seligman at the Snow Cap Drive-In even just to have a quick drink and look around.

Thanks. We're gunna have to do it there and back in a day, I'm not missing the vegas nightlife for it.. as spectacular as the canyon is!! haha

So is seligman actually on the route then or do we have to veer off a bit?

Cheers all

Zazie

April

Froggitt wrote: »

Whats Matsuri?

.

Japanese show - see post 1384

Zazie

April

ferf1223 wrote: »

Also - do not buy tickets at vegas.com! They are usually really overpriced.

There are various resources for discounts many listed on page 1...one is:

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

If your dates aren't covered by the offers currently out there then check back - they regularly update the promotions.

I haven't seen Matsuri but you can get 1/2 price tickets here (possibly other places)

http://www.goldstar.com/events/las-vegas-nv/matsuri-2.html

Thanks. I plan to shop around before booking tickets, and maybe even wait until we are there (though don't fancy spending too much of my holiday queueing for tickets). Ka seems to be a bit cheaper than Love and O so might go for that. Seem to remember reading earlier to go for tickets near the back - is that right???

Anyone seen Santana? Saw them in the Royal Albert Hall in London 30 years ago and they were great but maybe a bit long in the tooth now???

emmajt81

photome wrote: »

Agree with others dont do it there and back in a day. Stay over in Tusayan (altho a night in Aug is over $100, so prob similar in july) and get up for sunrise over the Canyon. IMO 2 hours is not enough it is Awesome. Also IMO a tour of the DAM is worth it.

Have to say I went to Vegas in Sept last year and did the Canyon in a day and I found 2 hours was plenty enough time (for me anyways). You also stop off at Hoover Dam which was fantastic and our driver stopped at Lake Mead on the way back - an added bonus. The Canyon is amazing - a must see.

Cand

September

Zazie wrote: »

Thanks. I plan to shop around before booking tickets, and maybe even wait until we are there (though don't fancy spending too much of my holiday queueing for tickets). Ka seems to be a bit cheaper than Love and O so might go for that. Seem to remember reading earlier to go for tickets near the back - is that right???

Anyone seen Santana? Saw them in the Royal Albert Hall in London 30 years ago and they were great but maybe a bit long in the tooth now???

We were on the very back row for KA and they were super seats anywhere around there would be fine just dont go near the front cos I think you would miss too much. Sat at the back you also get to see more of the theater which is really good as its built to fit the show!

Zazie

April

Cand wrote: »

We were on the very back row for KA and they were super seats anywhere around there would be fine just dont go near the front cos I think you would miss too much. Sat at the back you also get to see more of the theater which is really good as its built to fit the show!

Good to know - thanks. Did you buy in advance or buy them in LV?