Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

ferf1223

April

stoneman wrote: »

We have been twice during MM and the pools are full of knobs, and the vibes around the casinos is just insane, not for us but hey, some may like it.

I think to some extent it depends on when during March Madness you're there...we panicked earlier this year when we realised we were going to be there toward the end, and someone on Open Vegas said that it's much, much worse the earlier rounds, as everyone and their brother still has their team in it and so loads more people will be in town...toward the end, less teams left = less crazy. We were there for the final four dates and it wasn't really that noticeable. I would definately not go during the earlier rounds.

ggfid

September

Hi i'm going to Vegas for four days in September but stopping in San Francisco, we want to do the 9hrs+ drive through Yosemite National Park or in Death Valley but cant seem to find anywhere reasonable to stay over night half way between the two, there are five of us going
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

luci

May

Anyone who is thinking of travelling to the Vegas in the next 2 years should apply for their ESTA before 8 September as that is when an application fee of $14 is being introduced.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/08062010_2.xml

The ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is the earlier.

ferf1223

April

Some Crown Currency special offers

Delivery on: 4th October 2010 - 1.6402
Delivery on: 14th October 2010 - 1.6520

To order, please call us free on 0800 612 7273. This offer is valid while stocks last.

And yes, I am still kicking myself for buying at 1.57, though we fly on the 14th, so the slightly higher rate wouldn't have worked for us.

Vikki_74

October , November

Today's (well yesterday's actually but it's still on!) Groupon deal might be of interest to some:

http://www.groupon.com/las-vegas

$99 for a One-Day “Las Vegas to Hollywood” Tour from Avatar Tours ($229 Value)

The Small Print
Expires in 1 year
Limit 1 per person, may buy multiple as gifts.
No cash value.
Not valid on Fridays.
Not valid with other offers.
See the rules that apply to all deals.

Highlights
•City-to-city transportation
•Sights include Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, Paramount Studio, and Santa Monica Beach

More details on the tour company here: http://www.avatartours.com/avatar-tours

The deal expires in 1 day, 22 hours and 48 minutes from...now!

ferf1223

April

Vikki_74 wrote: »

$99 for a One-Day “Las Vegas to Hollywood” Tour from Avatar Tours ($229 Value)

It wouldn't be our cup of tea - too long a day, too much rushing about - but if someone really wanted to see the sites included, didn't have a car and/or didn't want to drive, it certainly sounds like a decent deal if the full price is really what you might expect to pay - seems really expensive though.

I'm also not even remotely clear on the 3.5 hours driving time...that's a 4+ hour drive in a car without stopping I think (driving reasonably close to the speed limit) so I cannot understand how a bus could do it in 3.5. Someone looked into one of these tours before, not sure if it was the same one or not, but I think the same 'how can that be' about the drive time came up.

Tour Details

Pickup from your Hotel between 6:00-6:30 A.M.

3.5 hours driving time*

1 or 2 10-15 minute stops for restrooms, food, stretch

5 hour tour duration in Los Angeles*

includes 30 min to 1 hour stops at the following:

Hollywood walk of Fame including: Chinese Theater, Hollywood Sign, Kodak Theater
Sunset Strip for lunch
Rodeo Drive
Santa Monica Beach Including: Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Beach Boardwalk
Bottled Water is provided

Hotel Drop off between 8:30-9:30 P.M.*

*time frames can vary by factors such as traffic, additional tour options/sites, weather conditions, etc

karlos007

September

We are flying to Vegas for the first time in september and booked the best indirect flights we could find into chicago.
Never done this before so not sure of the procedure once we land in chicago (1 hr 45 mins before connecting). Do we have to collect luggage and go through immigration in this short space of time or am i worrying about nothing. Any help appreciated

ferf1223

April

karlos007 wrote: »

We are flying to Vegas for the first time in september and booked the best indirect flights we could find into chicago.
Never done this before so not sure of the procedure once we land in chicago (1 hr 45 mins before connecting). Do we have to collect luggage and go through immigration in this short space of time or am i worrying about nothing. Any help appreciated

Yes, you will have to go through immigration, collect your luggage, clear customs and take your luggage to the re-check area which is on the way to the exit. It's quite well organized and not quite as scary as it sounds.

Who are you flying with? It's possible your connecting flight will be in the same terminal which makes it a lot easier.

Brats64

August

ferf1223 wrote: »

Some Crown Currency special offers

Delivery on: 4th October 2010 - 1.6402
Delivery on: 14th October 2010 - 1.6520

To order, please call us free on 0800 612 7273. This offer is valid while stocks last.

And yes, I am still kicking myself for buying at 1.57, though we fly on the 14th, so the slightly higher rate wouldn't have worked for us.

I must be doing something wrong.....I have twice supplied my name and e-mail address to CC for cancelled contract rates,but have never received any e-mails from them....Am I doing something wrong ?
I also took $1.57 and it was delivered last week on the given date.

Vikki_74

October , November

ferf1223 wrote: »

It wouldn't be our cup of tea - too long a day, too much rushing about - but if someone really wanted to see the sites included, didn't have a car and/or didn't want to drive, it certainly sounds like a decent deal if the full price is really what you might expect to pay - seems really expensive though.

I'm also not even remotely clear on the 3.5 hours driving time...that's a 4+ hour drive in a car without stopping I think (driving reasonably close to the speed limit) so I cannot understand how a bus could do it in 3.5. Someone looked into one of these tours before, not sure if it was the same one or not, but I think the same 'how can that be' about the drive time came up.

Have to agree on that ferf - we're allowing something between 4 and 5 hours to drive ourselves LA to LV so I think they may be underestimating at 3.5. As you said, personally it's not a trip I'd do (especially at the full price, which is listed on the tour company's website, but who would pay that :eek: A day's car hire would surely be only a fraction of the price?!) but if someone really wanted to see Hollywood and those kinds of sights in LA without staying there it might be an ok way to do it. Kind of like a day trip to the Grand Canyon I guess, it's do-able if you're short of time and can't do an overnight but maybe not the nicest way to do the trip as it does sound like a really full day which could be quite rushed.