Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

Jodi

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

HI there,

We will be in Vegas for 7 nights, and want to do this trip in one day and we wont be driving.

We'd like to do the tour of Hoover Dam and we are still unsure of doing either the South Rim or just the West Rim, loved to do both but dont think that's possible. We'd like to stop at the GC. We've been saving for some time now for the trip as a whole so we'd like to go on the best value but a good tour too.

Hope this helps?? x

ferf1223

April

thinking about it - I'm not sure if the bus tours now stop at Hoover Dam to do the tour now that the bypass is open? They may just drive over the bypass rather than going to the visitor centre, really not sure.

I don't think the plane tours make a stop at Hoover Dam.

So the Hoover Dam tour may have to be separate, maybe?

If price isn't an option, I would personally go for the flight rather than the bus, just as it will be faster so either more time at the GC, or less time away from Vegas - depending on how the tour is structured.

I have only been to the south rim, but have minimal interest in the west rim personally. The Skywalk reviews are mostly awful, the road leading to the Skywalk is terrible (unless it's been paved recently) and you cannot take cameras on the Skywalk itself. Admittedly the west rim is not all Skywalk, so it's not like the Skywalk is all you are going for...but I would go to the south rim if it were me.

I think Froggitt did a tour with Scenic that he recommended - sure he can give more info from a first-hander.

ratkarth

if going to do it and only there for 7 days I would definately etiher do it flying or not do it at all,
its a full hard day of travelling otherwise and you will be to tired to do anything that evening and probably be tired the next day a little too! which if your only there for 7 is quite a significant part of your holiday

trets77

try a helicopter trip that flies over the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon ( probably do a pass over the strip as well )

e.g

http://www.heliusa.com/tour.g02.html

this will take up half a day , and thats flying out of McCarren .

Froggitt

ferf1223 wrote: »

If price isn't an option, I would personally go for the flight rather than the bus, just as it will be faster so either more time at the GC, or less time away from Vegas - depending on how the tour is structured.

I have only been to the south rim, but have minimal interest in the west rim personally. The Skywalk reviews are mostly awful, the road leading to the Skywalk is terrible (unless it's been paved recently) and you cannot take cameras on the Skywalk itself. Admittedly the west rim is not all Skywalk, so it's not like the Skywalk is all you are going for...but I would go to the south rim if it were me.

I think Froggitt did a tour with Scenic that he recommended - sure he can give more info from a first-hander.

Did someone call? :j

Here's the details. We went Boxing Day as were originally booked for Xmas day, but it was too windy so they cancelled. For 2 of us it was $434 - I think we found some vouchers online.

It was with Scenic Airlines, although I think they are part of Papillon. Pick up at hotel, coach to Boulder City for the flight.

Was about a 14 seater, and we had the two at the back. Was sort of OK even though we dont really like flying.....could see the ground thru the cracks between the door and the planes body :eek:

Was about 30 degrees below freezing there, and you couldnt stay out for more than 20 mins or so. Stopped at a hotel/bar along the way, and about 3 different vantage points in the park.

Most surreal sight was seeing a coach load of Buddhist monks, all dressed in brown sacky stuff and sandals and no hair, having a snowball fight!!!

The IMAX was a bit meh.....I think I fell asleep in it.

Light buffet meal was a sarnie and an apple, but with Vegas meals still inside you, you only need a snack.

There was no fuel surcharge.

Canyon Connoisseur!
We know that there is so much to see from so high up. We also know how to show it to you. Aboard one of our luxury airplanes, you will take off for the scenic grandeur of the Grand Canyon, taking in celebrated views of Lake Mead, Boulder City, and the Hoover Dam along the way. Leave from Las Vegas and then visit Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Once in the Canyon you will see the Colorado River snake its way through the length of the Canyon, continuing to carve out its history.
After landing, hop aboard a motorcoach ready to take you on a tour of this impressive National Park. Enjoy two impressive viewpoints allowing you to take in the sights of the Canyon with great photo opportunities. Your tour includes a light buffet meal and tickets to the IMAX Grand Canyon for a historical film about the canyon. At the end of your tour you will return by airplane to the Las Vegas area. Available Upgrades:

Tour Duration ~8 hours (Hotel to Hotel)
Pickup Location Las Vegas, NV
Full Retail Price $299.00 per Adult.
Look below fo! r online discounted prices!
Fuel Surcharge Please note that a temporary fuel surcharge may apply and is NOT INCLUDED in any listed prices.

Misc. Info
At what hotel shall we pick you up: Venetian

Billing Details:
Payment Type: CREDITCARD
Card Amount: $434.00
Card Type : Mastercard

Froggitt

Photos - one of Hoover Dam from the plane, one just arrived at the GC, and one from one of the viewpoints at the GC in the snow.

Froggitt

ferf1223 wrote: »

thinking about it - I'm not sure if the bus tours now stop at Hoover Dam to do the tour now that the bypass is open? They may just drive over the bypass rather than going to the visitor centre, really not sure.

And you can see the half built bypass in my first photo!!!

Froggitt

http://www.scenic.com/scenic/show_package.aspx?package_id=267&lang=en-US

Looks like the same trip but is only $200 or so!!!

Froggitt

As an added value at sign up, you will receive a 10% off coupon code for any future online tour booking. http://www.papillon.com/

lynni_2

Has anyone been able to get any good flight deals from Scotland for next year?