Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2012

Winter_Jasmine

BUFFETS

Stormbreaker - don't panic! Our trip next year will be the first of our three that we've done any proper planning for but our previous trips were still absolutely ace Are you taking a laptop/tablet etc with you? I think all hotels have wifi so you can keep reading while you're there.

With regard to the free drinks, I found this site really useful for explaining the etiquette http://cocktaildoll.com/

Hope you have a brilliant time - look forward to reading your trip report when you get back

ferf1223

VALUE FOR MONEY

I personally wouldn't plan a trip driving to the GC in December due to risk of snow.

Hovis91

SHOPPING

RRRRodgA wrote: »

Hey Guys and Gals!!

So a wee update, I've just booked up tonight for 2013...5th time in 6 years!!! :rotfl:

Dates: 6th June to 20th June

Flying via BA going via the Gatwick route, so leaving Glasgow, down to Gatwick and straight to Vegas arriving at around 3pm Vegas time, much better than the later arrival in all honesty.

Flights after cashback were about £790 which wasn't too bad as I much prefer the direct flight over/back and the later departure on the return.

Hotel wise we'll be staying in two hotels this year all down to the way they wanted to play off the comps. It turned out I had better deals then my Brother in terms of the prices so the more expensive stay is booked on mines and the less expensive for him is booked for the first week.

1st Week 5 Comps, $232 at The Flamingo *Brothers TR*
2nd Week 5 Comps, $296 at Planet Hollywood *My TR* (Couldn't book both on mines and when over 7 days was selected the price went waaaaaay up)

Between the 3 of us it works out around £8 a night each, really can't complain with that for a 2 week stay

Plus the hotel is paid upon arrival so hopefully the exchange rate gets better by the time we get out there.

Nearly 7 months until I go

We have just done the Gatwick/LV trip.Try to seat near to the front of the plane as possible as this flight arrives in LV approx the same time as the Virgin flight,the queue at customs was horrendous!It took us nearly 1 hour15mins and we made a quick exit off the plane!!

vegasvisitor

VALUE FOR MONEY

luci wrote: »

The Travelzoo deal doesn't include tax or gratuity. I've been charged £24.50 on my credit card for two so still think it's a good deal with drinks included. Will have to try and linger a bit and have 2 glasses of wine rather than my usual one.

Even without the drinks it's $10pp less than the normal price.


However when we did the LV Hilton with drinks included, I just had half a glass of wine as I preferred the soft drinks.

Did they add tax to the order then, so it was more than $39.99? I didn't realise they were adding tax. Gratuity standard at a buffet, but I believe you have to watch this with some deals as they still expect x amount of gratuity based on the full price etc.

We used to go to the Hilton buffet years ago when there was an ACG coupon for a 2/1, but they stopped doing it. Used to be $15 each for dinner, so we'd get a great deal on the 2/1 considering it included wine and beer. Would manage 2 wines at that buffet. The key is to linger over your food a bit and enjoy a couple of glasses of wine. I was never a great fan of the food at the Hilton, used to like their baked potatoes, and maybe get something from their pasta station, but it's a fairly small buffet. Of course for the price with the 2/1 it was a fantastic deal. And we did meet Louis Theroux in the casino after the buffet once

Froggitt

maggiesoop wrote: »

We would like to do something a bit different on Christmas Day. Would you recommend taking the helicopter trip over the GCanyon (there are a couple of operators working - but probably most expensive day in the year?) or drive out and see it from the car? Or are there any "special" things that happen in Vegas on Christmas Day?
Thanks.

Last time we had booked for the GC on Xmas day, but because of strong wind, they cancelled it to Boxing Day.

Price was the same as the other days. We did Scenic Airlines to the GC NP, had a bus tour around the park, stops for photos/lunch/drinks etc, a naff cinema show, and then flew back.

It was the coldest day of my life there - there was so much snow that I doubt a car would have made it to and from.

Nothing particularly special happens in Vegas on Xmas day from what I could see.

stormbreaker

saffstar wrote: »

Stormbreaker - don't panic!

How can you tell:D Thank you!

Its all been very rushed! A complete change in circumstances and we are in the middle of getting a lot of work in the house done. The house has had workmen in since mid October, the joiner only left at 6 tonight so OH and DS are trying to sort out the house whilst I do last minute packing! Into the bargain OH has lost loads of weight so we had just bought him a winter wardrobe and have now struggled for summer clothes! Can't wait til the bags are checked in and I can relax!

Winter_Jasmine

BUFFETS

Sounds like you need a break!! Have fun :beer:

luci

lesley74 wrote: »

Did they add tax to the order then, so it was more than $39.99? I didn't realise they were adding tax. Gratuity standard at a buffet, but I believe you have to watch this with some deals as they still expect x amount of gratuity based on the full price etc.

I was just charged $39. The T&C's state

Tax, if applicable, and gratuity are not included.

I expect they will charge the tax when we hand over the voucher, but then again they may not. It's only about $3 so not going to break the bank.

luci

stormbreaker wrote: »

we had just bought him a winter wardrobe and have now struggled for summer clothes!

Don't pack too many summer clothes as it won't be that warm in Vegas at this time of year and you might have to buy even more clothes once you are there. Here is the 7 days forecast

http://www.8newsnow.com/weather

wondercollie

SHOPPING

I've been to Vegas this time of year and enjoyed the weather. Cools down once dark falls but I was fine with a cardi over a dress. During the days shorts were fine. But it's all relative to where you are coming from. It's -3C here today and people are out in shorts because it's sunny.