Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

ferf1223

photome wrote: »

Just checked my rental period in May and Alamo Brits is a few pounds more than CH3000 and the rental doesnt include a tank of fuel (not that I can see anyway).

CH3000 also promise to be the lowest price so presumably they would beat the price you have paid Alamo Brits

I checked ours too as always interested in comparing...actually checked new bookings for both as we're picking up at TI and I can't see that as an option on AB...ours is £60 more on Alamo Brits (base package both - so includes additional drivers on AB, but we only have one driver) and if I add a tank of fuel and drivers to CH300 is still £30 cheaper.

Although bizarrely...on AB, a convertible is showing as the cheapest car for our dates...seems like a glitch to me!

It is worth comparing - I know several here always get the best deals on netflights but they are never cheapest when we check...I think they just dislike me.

nvh

ratkarth wrote: »

it can be hard to believe since so much violent crime has happened on Las Vegas Boulevard South since December

Las Vegas is far and away one of the safest US cities i've visited. I think you're looking into all of this with too much isolation.

In my mind, all of the incidents you mentioned could have happened anywhere, and a lot were 'personal' as opposed to random or for the purposes of theft.

The USA is one of many holiday places we go, and its one where I'll be the first to walk away from any conflict. Getting in an argument with 2 guys that look like thugs in a lift in Vegas, is asking for it just as much as if you did it in LA, San Francisco, Miami or New York. Just because you're in Vegas, doesn't mean you're invinsible.

Likewise, if there's a road-rage incident in this country, I can be pretty certain I won't get shot. My first advice to anyone driving in the US however is always to walk away from any conflict - even if you're in the right!!

nvh

traveller wrote: »

OK, I've just checked Usrentacar again.

We've used USRentacar when we went to Miami. I'd agree with the points ferf makes - I wish we'd stuck with CarHire3000 (but they mucked me about with the pricematch... in a similar way to how Stuey gets messed about with on his hotel pricematching).

Anyways, CH3000 have all the good things going for them as ferf mentions, but they also allow you to change your booking for free.

Double check on USrentacar by all means, but i'm pretty certain (unless you pay extra for their 'allow changes' cover), that if, for example, your flight gets in earlier, you'll have to pay to adjust your car pickup time for earlier.


.... having said all this, it may not matter as a few times we've picked a car up in the morning, when we've ordered it to be picked up in the afternoon (it just means they have wanted it returned in the morning!)

duchy

ratkarth wrote: »

it can be hard to believe since so much violent crime has happened on Las Vegas Boulevard South since December starting with a man shooting at police in the parking garage at Circus Circus.

A murder suicide happened a few days later in the lobby of the Excalibur and the day after Christmas, a woman was arrested for cutting another woman while working at the Bellagio.

February was just as violent with two men stabbing a guest at the hotel at Mandalay Bay and three teens shot as they came out of a parking garage elevator near Tropicana Avenue.

Have you looked at crime reports for UK cities over the same period ?

If you are really that freaked out though- surely you'd be better cancelling or changing you plans and going elsewhere -perhaps somewhere in Washington state which is more rural (you could keep your Vegas flights and buy a domestic flight onwards).

ferf1223

I think the recent on-strip, highly publicized violent crimes is somewhat surprising - since historically you really haven't heard of much of that and so in a short span of time it seems like a lot...I can understand how some may perceive that as a change...though I would venture a guess that overall Vegas area crime statistics are pretty static...and you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time pretty much anywhere.

It doesn't affect our outlook on our impending trip, but I know some people who would be concerned.

Now, cases out of the loft...to start considering what to pack! I find this time of year difficult as day/night temps will mean different attire whereas other times of the year it's not so much an issue...so I suppose layering is the key.

ferf1223

Wizbit82 wrote: »

Just reading some old posts on Eater LV - am MORTIFIED to find out the Cold Stone Creamery has been replaced by Yoghurtland inside Excalibur. I absolutely adore CSC so am now going to have to drive off strip to get it...grrrrr so annoying! Can someone who's visited recently confirm this has deffo happened please?

So my husband went looking for more info (he is also most distressed at this news especially as he just received his free birthday creation voucher for that location !) and I think found the same info you found BUT he's just told me with much excitement as he knows this will mean a lot to me...in bold.

Stripping the food court of any of Excalibur's mock-medieval trappings and leaving a nondescript design theme reminiscent of a regional airport, the visual focal point of the upgrade is Big Chill, serving beer and cocktails. Food court perennials, Pick Up Stix, Popeyes, Cinnabon, Hot Dog On A Stick and Tropical Smoothie Cafe fill out 12,000-square-foot project. When added to the existing fast-food area, the resort has created 25,000 square feet of quickie options on the second floor.
Future shuffles to the original food court include a Schlotzsky's replacing the Quizno's and Yogurtland taking the place of Coldstone Creamery. Pizza Hut, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Popcornopolis, McDonald's and Krispy Kreme live to serve another day. This smaller upgrade is scheduled to be finished in time for New Year's Day.

I looove Popeye's spicy chicken and red beans and rice and haven't had it in years - I know there are locations in Vegas, we drove by one once with pebbles in the car and I was sqwaking with glee and shouting at my hubby to make note of where we were so we could find it again - but it's never been convenient...Cinnabon, I know there are other locations but can never have too many Cinnabons in your life and Schlotzky's is my favorite deli chain (as rarely as I eat at deli chains, but the Texas Schlotzsky is awesome).

so while I am still mourning the passing of the Excalibur CSC, I feel that they have made some effort to soften the blow, at least for me. And OK, hubby just said 'isn't Hot Dog on a Stick a corn dog?' which is one of my favorite things I rarely get to have and yes, yes...it is...we almost never eat at food courts for proper meals...but I am excited by the prospects for on-the-go snacks when we're in the area now.

Wizbit82

Thanks Ferf...if only this had softened the blow for me I'm not a savoury lover particularly (hubby holds that responsibility) but I LOVE ice cream!!!! Ahh well, we've added CSC to our itinerary so I'm sure to get one or two over the fortnight.

On another note, hubby is keen to go 'local' and visit some off Strip casino's (mainly for the cheap food, steaks, buffets etc.). Seems to be some cracking deals on....any recommendations? We have a car so distance is no issue :beer:

photome

Wizbit82 wrote: »

Thanks Ferf...if only this had softened the blow for me I'm not a savoury lover particularly (hubby holds that responsibility) but I LOVE ice cream!!!! Ahh well, we've added CSC to our itinerary so I'm sure to get one or two over the fortnight.

On another note, hubby is keen to go 'local' and visit some off Strip casino's (mainly for the cheap food, steaks, buffets etc.). Seems to be some cracking deals on....any recommendations? We have a car so distance is no issue :beer:

Not sure it softens the blow for me either, I am with you, ice cream over savoury any day although I do love cinnabons:D

Off strip casinos we like for buffets are Green valley ranch, Red Rock, M resort, Silverton just to name a few.

Silverton is great for the aquarium and Bass pro shop as well

South Point has Steak and Shake if you want a burger and a shake.

Sunset has great value breakfast buffet, I think its $4.99 if you are a club member (join when you get there if you arent)

ferf1223

Pretty much second all of photome's suggestions and recommend the LVA MRB if you haven't already considered it/joined as many (all but M Resort I think) have 2-for-1 vouchers...we find the Station buffets to be very good - last trip tried Santa Fe Station for the first time and enjoyed it.

Sunset Station is also right by a big WalMart, a Best Buy, Galleria Mall and In-and-Out burger...we always plan a trip out that way.

We thought M Resort was one of the best lunch buffets we have had in Vegas, though the queues were considerable.

And Orleans, though it's only barely off strip.

ferf1223

does anyone remember - at Red Rock Canyon - if you have to pay before you get to the visitor's centre, or you pay there or after if you want to drive the loop...there's a geocache not far from the visitor's centre I might try to find but we don't necessarily want to drive the loop again and I can't remember at what point you are committed.