Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

luci

May

wdyw wrote: »

We transferred at JFK for Vegas in the summertime and we would not have made the connection if it was under 1 hour. Immigration hall was full when our plane disembarked and we must have been waiting 30-45 mins to get through. (For your arrival the hal may be empty...who knows!). At least once all the USA people had gone through they used all the stations to proces the non USA pax. You do still have to pick up your bags and drop them off again. It was then a decent old walk through security to the gate. Don't forget that if you buy liquids in Manchester and have them in your hand luggage they will be swiftly removed at JFK security! (unless small size ..clear plastic... etc etc)

So if I was you I'd be looking at changing the connection flight and allowing a decent time. If the connection is in the middle of the day I wouldn't worry too much as you are liable to get put on the next available flight, but if the connection was the last flight of the day to Vegas........

Nicola81 wrote: »

Hi All

My connection time in JFK is now under 1 hour, Virgin Holidays have said this should be fine because my luggage will be checked all the way through from Las Vegas to Man, has anyone experienced similar connections times in JFK?

Thanks

The OP is travelling from Vegas to MAN so no imigration on the way home.

TangoBunny

September

shrimper1 wrote: »

WE stayed at the Imperial Palace this year and was so suprised after the reports I had read. After some of the bigger, better, newer, dearer hotels it may not be as grand but we had no problems and the room was comfotable and clean. It may not have street cred but we would not hesitate to stay again. So central as well.

We also like the IP however after spending 2 weeks there last month I'm getting a bit fed up of it...I think it has gone downhill quite a bit from our last stay...I noticed rips in the carpet in the lift,broken fittings,an odd smell in the corridor to the pool,a general stale cigarette aroma in most corridors(like the air con isn't working) distinct lack of staff especially maid service and bar service is really slow compared to previous stays.....I get the feeling they don't have the staff or inclination to do better....

I would stay there again but probably only for a few days....for a few dollars more you can get Flamingo or Harrah's

wdyw

luci wrote: »

The OP is travelling from Vegas to MAN so no imigration on the way home.

quite right, missed that in the original. On the way back through JFK we would have missed a 1hr connection also but for a completely different reason. Coming back from Vegas JFK closed for a while due to thunderstorms in the area. When we came in to land the plane was rolling/yawing like crazy and the pilot aborted the landing within the perimeter fence (so less that 50ft off the ground).

Babies crying, people screaming ...it wasn't pleasant (neither was the "aroma")...we headed to the nearest bar immediately after landing! From what I recall it was about a 10 min walk from one stand to the other (but I can't reember if the bar visit took us off course)

am05

October , November

Hi Guys,

Off to Vegas for 2nd time in November (20th-27th). Last year we went early October and it was boiling! Just have no idea what sort of clothes to take with me this time? Anyone have any experience that time of year?

Thanks Am

ferf1223

April

am05 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Off to Vegas for 2nd time in November (20th-27th). Last year we went early October and it was boiling! Just have no idea what sort of clothes to take with me this time? Anyone have any experience that time of year?

Thanks Am

It can vary quite a lot, but when we have been in November it's been quite cool...not really pool weather (at least not for us), some pools will be closed for the season by then.

Daily average highs and lows here:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/daily/USNV0049?climoMonth=11

looks like daily average high of 16-18, low of 4-6...record highs in upper 20s, record lows below freezing...so quite a range.

am05

October , November

Hi Ferf,

Thanks for replying what sort of clothes would you recommend?

Am

phiz

October , November

Hi all
Just returned last night from our very first trip to Vegas (5 nights) & thought I would post a few things - sorry if I ramble on a bit!!

First of all in reply to am05 - weather was mixed - First day (Fri) it was cool enough to wear hoodies over tee-shirts & then it rained for about an hour in the morning. Sat was still cool - certainly not pool weather - Sun was slightly warmer - then Mon/Tues were gorgeous - even got a bit of colour!!

We (me, hubby, sister & her OH) flew down from Manchester on BA & connected at Heathrow - 16.20 (BA again) Heathrow flight was delayed about 1 hour. Plane was a 777 & we had upgraded to World Traveller Plus (prezzy off sis for mine & hubby's birthdays) Needless to say very comfortable flight - meal choice was chicken tikka or beef casserole than sandwich later on of chicken salad & egg mayo (I think!) Landed around 8.30pm and what a sight!! Wasn't prepared for the runway to be so close to the hotels!!!! We taxi-ed alongside them! No probs at all clearing immigration/customs & in a taxi within 20 mins of landing. We stayed at New York-New York & taxi fare was $12 plus tip. Again wasn't prepared for walking into Hotel - OMG - we stood open mouthed & laughed out loud at the sight that greeted us! Although had read the posts on here about walking through a Casino to get to check in desk, hadn't imagined anything like this!! Check in clerk not particularly friendly & told us we had smoking rooms despite having booked non-smoking & e-mailing hotel to confirm. My sister said she suffers from asthma (she doesn't!) and couldn't possibly accept a smoking room & lo and behold 2 non-smoking rooms appeared!! Park Avenue rooms on the 14th floor - perfectly clean & comfortable - couldn't hear the Roller coaster that others had mentioned. Quick freshen up & out to explore. Went over the walkway & into MGM & had a nosy round then a little walk to a few shops. (Found the ABC store & yes the 1 litre of water is still 99c) Back to NY NY & into the Sports Bar for something to eat. We had a party combo between us for $39 & there was loads left over - real value for money. Into bed for about midnight (had hit the wall by then.) Woke up 2am 3.30am 4.30am etc (you get the idea!) Eventually went out @ 7am over to MGM for breakfast buffet. It was delish & well worth the money ($16.99 each plus tax.) Waddled out & into the M&M store - yes Ferf - I too was enticed by the personalised M&M's - much to hubby's disgust $19.99 plus tax x 2!! But worth every cent to see the kids faces last night when we gave them (kids are 17 & 15!!!!) Then into coca cola shop to buy more must-have souvenirs! Carried on along the strip with visiting all the places I had heard of but never thought I would get to visit. Found that we didn't need lunch after breakfast buffet. Visited Miracle Mile shops and got enticed into Sin City brewing company - expensive - if they ask you what size don't ask for medium else you get conned into a souvenir plastic glass @ $14 each!! We only found that out when presented with the check! Good tee shirt company opposite though (Crazy T-shirt Co.) which sells shirts dyed with beer/dollars. Wandered over to the Aria to collect tickets for Viva Elvis (which we had pre-ordered before we went - paid $65 each - thanks for the tip on here.)Walked through a new shopping complex called Crystals which was very impressive & expensive) Loved the Aria - really nice. Then back to the hotel to freshen up. Early meal at Hard Rock - typical HR fayre but very nice - $15.99 for fajitas/burgers etc. Viva Elvis was FANTASTIC - we loved it. Out in time to catch volcano at the Mirage & then into Bill's for those 99c frozen margaritas - mmmmmm. Saturday up early again & this time up to the Bellagio for the breakfast buffet offered an all you can drink champagne supplement for $5 - well it would have been rude to refuse!!!!!! Buffet surpassed the MGM's (from what I can remember!!) & we staggered out almost an hour & a half later!!! Then onto Caesers and all its attractions, Mirage & then TI where we visited Kahunaville for more frozen margaritas. Onto fashion show mall where I got the requested Vans for the daughter then over to the Venetian. Had evening meal at the Outback Steakhouse where we had an excellent view of the volcano at the Mirage (again.) Wandered back down the strip & caught the fountains at Bellagio then home to bed.

phiz

October , November

Sunday - my birthday!! Up early to be picked up by limo from hotel @ 6.30am by Serenity Helicopters for Canyon trip. We had booked this on Friday morning at the first shop on the strip after turning right out of the MGM (Grandview Marketing??) $350 each inc taxes & worth every cent. Great driver gave us a commentary all the way to Boulder City airstrip (45 mins drive) & took our orders for breakfast. Safety briefing, weigh in & onto the helicopter. Our pilot was called Jennifer & was very informative. Flew over Hoover Dam & Lake Mead then on to the Canyon. To borrow an American word 'Awesome' - it was fantastic. We landed on the floor of the Canyon & had breakfast for about half an hour then back on board. On our way back we passed a herd of Elk & flew down low for piccy's - this was apparently quite a rare sight. Whole trip lasted about 2 and a half hours then limo back to the hotel. Went over to explore Excalibur then Luxor then Mandalay Bay & it's Shark Reef (this was OK but nothing special - thought The Secret Garden at the Mirage was brilliant though & added bonus was that Siegfried was there, walking round having his piccy taken with people!) Had our lunch at Raffles at Mandalay Bay & again a lovely meal - dont know how much as was a birthday treat. Back to MGM in the afternoon to see the lion habitat then took the monorail along to the Sahara - simply because we wanted a sit down for a while!! Thought Sahara looked a bit run-down & along with Circus Circus & Strat was quite a way out. Back to hotel for freshen up then off to Mirage for Beatles 'Love'. Had a drink in the revolution bar & had to take out a mortgage to pay!! Poor Hubby near fainted & we only had 2 beers & 2 sparkly waters ($28) but the show was great!!! (We preferred Elvis though) Back to MGM to Wolfgang Puck for evening meal & just happened to mention it was my birthday! Waitress brought out a beautifully presented portion of cheesecake with a sparkler on top & 'Happy Birthday' piped in chocolate on the plate - lovely.
Monday & walked down to Paris, Ballys etc & ended up in the Wynne. Had cocktails to die for in the 'Parasol Up' bar overlooking wall of water (think it was called the Lake of Dreams.) Also managed to call in at the Rainforest Cafe @ MGM for a cocktail on the way back!! That night went up to Freemont Street & had lots of 'free' drinks whilst sitting at the slot machines. Thought the canopy etc was amazing but didnt really feel comfortable outside of the street - drunks/beggars etc. Got taxi back to strip! Had meal at BLT Burger in the Mirage - didn't really rate this place.
Tuesday - last day & breakfast at Spice Market Buffet. Very acceptable & lots of choice but not a patch on MGM or Bellagio! Last wander on the strip then back to NY NY to gamble away some dollars!!! Came out evens but as had only used $20 on a slot machine was too risky anyway.
Flight back to Heathrow due 20.40 & was delayed - took off about 21.55 - flight fine - meal was orange chicken with rice or mushroom pasta. Late getting into Heathrow so missed our 15.30 connection to Manchester! No problem though as they got us on the 17.35 - which was then 20 mins late!!
All in all a very enjoyable break and an unbelievfable experience for 4 vegas virgins! We will deffo go back but maybe take a direct flight from Manchester next time and possibly go when it's a bit warmer. Sister wants to stay at the Wynne or Bellagio next time but at the end of the day as long as it is clean and comfortable - its only somewhere to sleep. We spent very little time in the rooms & it was not warm enough for the pool.
Thanks again for all the tips I picked up on here - sorry if I have rambled........

ferf1223

April

am05 wrote: »

Hi Ferf,

Thanks for replying what sort of clothes would you recommend?

Am

I would personally be packing stuff I could layer...so something lighter for the daytime and options to add/change for the evening when it gets colder...but I don't dress up for the evenings, some people would have a completely different evening wardrobe. So really depends on how much temps affect you and what sort of stuff you're planning on bringing.

ferf1223

April

phiz wrote: »

then off to Mirage for Beatles 'Love'. Had a drink in the revolution bar & had to take out a mortgage to pay!! Poor Hubby near fainted & we only had 2 beers & 2 sparkly waters ($28) but the show was great!!! (We preferred Elvis though)

Really enjoyed your trip report - thank you so much for posting! It's funny because we saw Viva Elvis this trip and I thought it was good, not great...hubby thought it was 'meh' (his words)...and we both agreed that because Love (which we both adored and have seen twice) is in-the-round, and Elvis is not, there's no way Elvis could ever stand a chance of competing...so thank you for proving our little theory wrong and reminding me that it really is a totally subjective thing.