Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

Wizbit82

We're having a weekend off-strip staying at the M resort so plan to do that then along with Green Valley Ranch and a BBQ restaurant thats not long opened in Henderson (will do Primm and Hoover Dam whilst down that end too).

Thanks as always to you guys, this will be our fourth trip in 3 years (inc getting married in 2011 in LV) and I definitely couldn't have done it all as well as we have done without your regular tips and suggestions. Roll on July!!!

traveller

Ificansocanyou wrote: »

Any thoughts on which car (for 2 weeks)...intermediate, standard or full size SUV (£352 / £412 / £546)? They all look pretty spacious, just wondering if anyone knows the type of models/spec on each (other than what the sites say), eg engine size, mpg, leather seats.

To some extent, as we're travelling quite a bit with some legs around 7-8 hours we want the car to be part of the holiday, not just a means of A to B. We're travelling to and from Vegas, 5 stops, c1500 miles route + local trips.

Hi, I drove a chevrolet traverse last year in Orlando. I had booked an intermediate sub, but i think this may have been an upgrade. I'm not what you would call i driver-i had not driven previously, anywhere in almost 15 years,lol.

However, it was a really smooth car and a lovely drive in my limited experience of cars. I was going to drive it to miami, but the hurricanes put me off,lol. If you want a real monster, the chevrolet Suburban is huge!

traveller

ferf1223 wrote: »

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.

Hi Ferf,

I'll be in vegas for 2 weeks in August with my children. All healthy eaters and we will be eating at buffets. As I don't drink or gamble, would it still be possible for me to get a value out of these voucher books. I'm just not sure if they are only worth it if you just want meals and day trips. Thanks.

photome

Ificansocanyou wrote: »

Any thoughts on which car (for 2 weeks)...intermediate, standard or full size SUV (£352 / £412 / £546)? They all look pretty spacious, just wondering if anyone knows the type of models/spec on each (other than what the sites say), eg engine size, mpg, leather seats.

To some extent, as we're travelling quite a bit with some legs around 7-8 hours we want the car to be part of the holiday, not just a means of A to B. We're travelling to and from Vegas, 5 stops, c1500 miles route + local trips.

there is no way of knowing which model and then which spec model you will get.

I usually book a full size car and have had dodg chargers (mostly) but dollar have started to get rid of them last year.

Even asking the relevent hirer will not give you any more detail.

i have only had leather seats once in a chrysler 300 but I think that is a premium car.

The standard SUV do not usually have much luggage space (that may not be a problem) and often dont have a luggage cover so cases left in car can be seen.

The Traverse as mentioned above is in the 7 seat catergory and is huge, prob about the same space inside as a suburban.

If I wanted the car to be part of the holiday as you do I wouldnt go smaller than a full size car or a fullsize SUV.

The full size car will prob do around 25 to gallon and the SUV a bit less they will both have around a 3 litre engine in.

Most cars a fairly basic models though

traveller

photome wrote: »

there is no way of knowing which model and then which spec model you will get.

I usually book a full size car and have had dodg chargers (mostly) but dollar have started to get rid of them last year.

Even asking the relevent hirer will not give you any more detail.

i have only had leather seats once in a chrysler 300 but I think that is a premium car.

The standard SUV do not usually have much luggage space (that may not be a problem) and often dont have a luggage cover so cases left in car can be seen.

The Traverse as mentioned above is in the 7 seat catergory and is huge, prob about the same space inside as a suburban.

If I wanted the car to be part of the holiday as you do I wouldnt go smaller than a full size car or a fullsize SUV.

The full size car will prob do around 25 to gallon and the SUV a bit less they will both have around a 3 litre engine in.

Most cars a fairly basic models though

Lol-I thought the car was a bit big at the time. I was that nervous, I just assumed American cars are big ,lol. Had they said at the desk, you've been upgraded to a 7 seater, i'd have run a mile :eek:

secretmachines

ferf1223 wrote: »

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.

you have to pay before you get in... there's like a toll booth 100 yards up the turning off the main road, you then drive on a little bit further before you get to the car park / visitor centre / start of the loop:

google street view

ferf1223

traveller wrote: »

Hi Ferf,

I'll be in vegas for 2 weeks in August with my children. All healthy eaters and we will be eating at buffets. As I don't drink or gamble, would it still be possible for me to get a value out of these voucher books. I'm just not sure if they are only worth it if you just want meals and day trips. Thanks.

we normally only use the buffet vouchers and a couple of $10 free slot play vouchers and save more than the $37 we spend for the membership - though we usually do go 2x a year so have two trips to get value from them.

have a look at the vouchers and see what you think - for some it's worth it for other it's not, really down to how many you are likely to use and having a car and planning on going out and about increases the chances of getting your money's worth.

Some of the vouchers may be available elsewhere as well - many of the shows vouchers are either available elsewhere or similar discounts can be had...but if you are planning on visiting a number of buffets then you may be able to clear the cost of membership easily.

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/whyjoin-mrbdetails.cfm

luci

There are some good entertainment offers on Travelzoo at the moment.

http://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/las-vegas/

Legends $30.50, Peep Show $35, Terry Fator $36 and Jersey Boys $76.

Donny and Marie are $69.50 instead of $120. I called the box office instead of going through Ticketmaster and saved $8.50 per ticket. The total was actually $20 less than it should have been, but I'm not complaining and we have even better seats than previously and they were great.

For those that think it is a show just for the girlies, it's not. Marie more than holds her own and it certainly isn't one sided. Hubby wasn't that keen the first time we went, but he loved it and it was him that spotted this deal and suggested it.

photome

Ificansocanyou wrote: »

Thanks.

We were considering going for the standard SUV as it's only £60 more than the intermediate. If I knew the intermediate had a 3 litre-ish engine (I suspect not), that would kinda decide it as it's £134 less than the full size. As I don't think it does we're kinda torn between intermediate and full size, plus thinking there's the chance of an upgrade.

I have rented about a dozen times in Vegas and LA, I ask most times if there is any chance of a comp upgrade (with a $20 bill in my hand) and have been told no everytime, almost always rented with Dollar

Ultimately it is your decision.

if a 2 door is cheaper than a 4 door I would book the 2 door as they dont have 2 door cars so you would get a 4 door anyway

photome

traveller wrote: »

Hi Ferf,

I'll be in vegas for 2 weeks in August with my children. All healthy eaters and we will be eating at buffets. As I don't drink or gamble, would it still be possible for me to get a value out of these voucher books. I'm just not sure if they are only worth it if you just want meals and day trips. Thanks.

We eat almost exclusively buffets although that trend is changing now we have stopped taking our son and we get lots of value from the bogof buffet coupons, but only because we have a car and will travel just to use the coupons