going vegas - advice please

burbs_2

Hi

we are going to the us in a couple of months and will be stopping in vegas for 3 days as it has to be done for the experience really. I have made a bet with a brother in law that i will ride all 4 of the thrill rides at the top of the Strotosphere Tower and i was wondering if anybody has done them or knows someone who has?

im just really intrigued to find out what i am letting myself in for. I have seen the videos of the rides and i know for a fact that i wont want to ride them when it comes to it but anyone who has done and can tell me what to expect first hand would be brilliant

Sheel

Having seen the rides at close quarters , I wimped out of going on them

http://tinypic.com/53a9eq

http://tinypic.com/53aa02

http://tinypic.com/53abrs

http://tinypic.com/53ac10

http://tinypic.com/53acdu

All I can say is that most of the people on the overhanging ride thingy looked scared sh1tless :eek:

nelly_2

The roller coaster is a bit pants, only does 30 mph, but location gives it a bit of an edge.

The space shot is your average version of these which can be pretty hairy on the ground never mind 1000 foot up.

Xscream ( the slide) is about build up a lot have said its not as bad as it looks, front right hand seat is the best apparently.

Insanity looks the best, high winds closed it down the other day with 2 girls were left hanging around over the side for an hour. I think they have adjusted it now so they bring the arm back in straight away.

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/2005-117-562784.htm

My advice get a few free beers down yer neck, get a four ride pass ticket, do em all. Never leave a place wishing you had done something but didnt.

Baz-Bee

Went to Vegas in december last year. Can confirm the the Coaster is pants. You can get details here of the rides and prices:

http://www.stratospherehotel.com/las_vegas_stratosphere_ride.html

When we went you had to buy your tickets at the bottom of the tower in order to ride the lift to the top to get the rides. You can buy one ticket or a ticket that includes all the rides. The newer rides (i.e Insanity and X-Scream)
are more expensive. However, if you buy a ticket for the coaster, which is the cheapest, at the bottom you can then buy tickets at the cheapest price for all rides at the top.

However, if you want to do all 4 rides and want to go on only one ride more than once, you will be better off getting the All Day Unlimited Package.

burbs_2

thanks for that, also does anyone know what we have to do while we are there. it is a flying visit to vegas but we have never been there before so any advice in advance would be great. we have the books etc and have a rough idea of what to do but there is no subsitute for people who have been. myself and my patner are both 23, my daughter is 4 and my brother in law is 15 so it would need to be somethings suitable for all.

we have done the other places we are going to so that is ok and planned already.

thanks in advance

MDUK

so what is the one thing people would reccomend you do in Las Vegas (excluding getting married and gambling)

Sheel

MDUK wrote:

so what is the one thing people would reccomend you do in Las Vegas (excluding getting married and gambling)

IMO you can't go Vegas without a visit to the Grand Canyon. That was the main reason we went to Vegas in the first place and there is a good reason why it came number one on BBC's '100 50 places to see before you die' programme as it is awesome. If you go , book a helicopter trip , as for one thing you land in the canyon and you get a better view , but also you may well be sick on the plane. Half of the passengers were on the plane we went on , including me

In Vegas itself , for me it's shopping then eating :rolleyes: and of course seeing all the amazing sights on the strip

nelly_2

You like rides so there are a few more,

Manhattan express
http://www.rcdb.com/ig139.htm
is a roller coaster around the Hotel New York New York. Its good but rough and $12 a go, but what the hell your on holiday.

Then there is the Adventuredome
http://www.adventuredome.com/index2.php
a good half day to be had.

And lastly Speed the ride
http://www.rcdb.com/ig593.htm
is a double launched coaster and the best there.

And yes, I am a complete coaster geek but beats collecting stamps

coolio_2

we went for 10 days last yr and am going for 2 weeks this year. Make sure you do a helicopter ride at night along the strip, its only about £30 each incl pick up from hotel

MDUK

Brilliant, great responses, i am going to the Canyon, am in the process of booking a helicopter, Papillon was reccomended. not sure if i can afford 2 helicopter trips so might do a stretched limo in Vegas and frankly rollercoasts scare the hell out of me so i think it will be eating and shopping.

cheers

margaret_3

MDUK wrote:

Brilliant, great responses, i am going to the Canyon, am in the process of booking a helicopter, Papillon was reccomended. not sure if i can afford 2 helicopter trips so might do a stretched limo in Vegas and frankly rollercoasts scare the hell out of me so i think it will be eating and shopping.

cheers

If you have access to usenet, you should go to the newsgroup alt.vacation.las-vegas
You will find locals and visitors alike on there and they are pleased to answer all questions.
I go to Las Vegas twice a year and I still read that newsgroup. It's super.
I hope this helps.
Margaret
Margaret