Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2015

ferf1223

pebblesmax wrote: »

I agree with you 100% on this. Zarkana was a big letdown. I went with a friend because Tony wasn't interested, and that friend fell asleep half way through.

I felt awful as we went via MyVegas and hubby spent something like 230k of his coins on the tickets solely because I wanted to see it. He spent the show slowly turning his head to look at me and roll his eyes and I spent the show saying 'I am so sorry, so SO sorry!' By the end we were just giggling between us at how much we were disliking it (to us - maybe to some who haven't seen the other shows where most of the acts had been seen before it would have been better). We rate it immediately above Danny Gans (another one that was my fault, may he rest in peace). The drinks were also crap.

pebblesmax

Another vote for Love here. Tony doesn't like the Beatles and he enjoyed the show too.

Seldom_Seen_Kid

Only seen Believe, Zumanity, Ka and Love.

Love was by far the best, and I too am not a Beatles fan.

Booked to see Zakana on Tuesday (myvegas).

Gilly_flower

BlueCow, another vote for "Love" here - we had booked Zarkana tickets (through MyVegas) but after reading the reviews cancelled and swapped them for Love.
We loved it and I think the redemption rate (40K/ticket) is one of the best bargains if you are a relatively light user of MyVegas.

We went at Easter and drove LV to LA as we were flying out from there - it takes WAY longer than you think and the traffic in LA is just as bad as everyone says it is.

If you had a couple of days you could go via Death Valley, or cut through the Mojave & hit Route 66, stay a night in LA and do a tour; but if you are doing a day trip your entire time will be spent blatting along the interstate or stationary in an LA jam.

Zion or Bryce would make a much better (though still long) day.

kroberts

BlueCow1975 wrote: »

We are also thinking about going on a day tour to LA to do the touristy stuff like rodeo drive, walk of fame, hollywood sign etc. Has anyone done this? Any advice? I know its a crazy long day with a long drive each way (4 plus hours?) but we are a bit nutty & would like to do it as LA was going to be our original destination (until we sucumbed to the pull of vegas!). We have both been fortunate enough to visit the grand canyon previously so don't feel the need to go this trip.

We went to LA on a previous trip to Vegas. We had a hire car so left early one morning and drove, getting there about 10am I think. We walked down Hollywood Blvd walk of fame, Hollywood Sign, did some shopping etc. we then drove around Rodeo Drive and Beverley Hills. Rather than drive back we found a hotel near to The Grove and stayed the night. That evening we shopped in The Grove and had dinner in the food market as its all open late. Next day we drove to Santa Monica and looked around before driving back to Vegas.
Im not sure I would want to do it all in one day but is possible if you just wanted to do Hollywood. 👍

dseventy

Quick tip re car hire if it helps.

Looking at booking car in Vegas, been looking at on-line brokers etc.

By far and away the best price is with virgin car hire.

Got a Toyota Sienna off there for nearly 3 weeks, £987 (via virgin for alamo).

Going direct to alamo was over £2500.

HTH

D70

sew109

BlueCow1975 wrote: »

We are also thinking about going on a day tour to LA to do the touristy stuff like rodeo drive, walk of fame, hollywood sign etc. Has anyone done this? Any advice? I know its a crazy long day with a long drive each way (4 plus hours?) but we are a bit nutty & would like to do it as LA was going to be our original destination (until we sucumbed to the pull of vegas!). We have both been fortunate enough to visit the grand canyon previously so don't feel the need to go this trip.

Hi,

Its a trek but it is doeable in a day just make sure it is a Tuesday or Wednesday the traffic is much lighter, its OK going out very early on a monday and agina going out on a Thursday or Friday but coming back on a Thursday or Friday at least 6 hours because of the traffic. I still think 4 hours is not quite right I think the quickest trip I had was about 5 hours with a stop of about 30 minutes and then the traffic into LA can add another hour to where you want to go.

As another kind soul has suggested I would strongly reccomend that you stay overnight even if you check out at say 6am and head back to Vegas then. By doing this you get far more out of your day and the drive back when you are tired is dark and there are many accidents.

Have a great trip.

Oh and not sure if it was you or someone else but LOVE does not get my vote, if you have never seen a Cirque show before I strongly suggest Mystere it has everything that a Cirque show should without being tied to anything else. I loved Zumanity but half of that was watching offended Americans leaving

ferf1223

dseventy wrote: »

Quick tip re car hire if it helps.

Looking at booking car in Vegas, been looking at on-line brokers etc.

By far and away the best price is with virgin car hire.

Got a Toyota Sienna off there for nearly 3 weeks, £987 (via virgin for alamo).

Going direct to alamo was over £2500.

HTH

D70

Did you try those mentioned on the first page?

I just checked Virgin for a US rental I made yesterday (not Vegas) and Virgin is over £100 more than what I paid via rentalcars.com - though that was for a different type of vehicle and much shorter period than yours. Netflights is also cheaper than Virgin for my rental.

I think it's worth checking around - loads of people have good luck with netflights but they have never been cheaper for my selections...so it really does vary, it may well be that Virgin is the best deal for your circumstances.

sew109

Dangermouse99 wrote: »

I'm flying out on the 27th, so excited. Couple of questions for the Vegas lovers on here please...

1. Would I get a better exchange rate in Vegas for changing my £ in $?

2. I'm staying at the Stratosphere which isn't the best but I'm considering booking Mandalay Bay for the last day we are there for the pool and bit of luxury

Is anybody aware of any coupons to use to bring down the cost of a night there and could I possibly check out a night early of the Strat and maybe get a refund on the day's resort fees?

I've paid already and booked the holiday through Expedia, flight+hotel deal for 2 people. Just need to pay resort fees when we get there.

Thanks!

My experience of changing money in Vegas is a big no no when we were getting $1.40 (ish) at home the casinos were offerng $1.26. I always used to take cash with me to Vegas you have a safe in the room but now I use one of those pre paid $ "credt" cards not fees for taking money out of bank (note not casino) ATM and the rates are better than most highstreet rates. There is an article on them in the main MSE site.

You will get the refund on the resort fee if you had booked direct you would have got your room fee back as well

The best I can see for Mandalay Bay is free $75 dining voucher
http://www.mandalaybay.com/accommodations/promotions/?&kbid=542076

I would think twice about Mandalay Bay sure its nice but it is expensive and it is a long way up the Strip if you want to laze roun the pool it is of course one of the best in Vegas but if on your last night you want to fit as much in as you can then its not the right hotel. For similar money I would choose Mirage (though you may feel you have had enough time that end of the Strip) or for less Money choose MGM you may even get a Spa Suite for the same money, both have great pools and better locations.

Hope this helps

ferf1223

wow...hi sew! long time, no see!