Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2021

kroberts

Trip Report...

2 adults, 2 children

I will keep the 1st half short as we started in LA. 

Days 1-3 

Flew Heathrow-LAX with Virgin. Plane was delayed 1.5hrs but we were notified beforehand of a 1hr delay. We still arrived at Heathrow at our planned time though which I'm glad about as the security check queues were terrible!
Flight was good though and we made the time up.  Luggage made it too

Arrived at LAX and collected hire car from Alamo. Drove straight to Disneyland, checked in to Howard Johnson. Room was good, spacious and included Fridge, Microwave & Coffee Machine. Went to Target for food & water. 
Day 2 was spent in Disneyland, we got on everything we wanted. Took lunch with us. Watched the evening Electrical parade and the Fantasmic show.
Day 3 was spent in California Adventure, again did everything we wanted. Bought lunch in the park. Watched World of Colour show.

Days 4-6 

Drove to Big Bear Lake. A nice route through the Mountains which took around 2 hours.  
Big Bear was lovely and we could have stayed longer. Beautiful Views, peaceful and full of nature.  We stayed in a House booked through Destination Big Bear rentals.
We shopped in the Village, hiked one side of the lake along one of the set routes. It was warm but not unbearable but a bit sticky inside in the evenings. We saw Bald Eagles, lots of Lizards & Squirrels, Humming Birds but thankfully no wild Bears. We visited the Zoo though where they did have some bears. We also went on the Mineshaft Coaster which you control the speed yourself. A really nice few days but ideally could have stayed a week. 

Days 7-14

Drove to Las Vegas!! Stopping off at Baker for Alien Jerky and the 7 Magic Mountains, it took around 3.5 hours.
Checked into Vdara, they didn't have the room we requested and it wouldn't be available for a couple of days so we took the room they had available in exchange for no resort fees and $100 f&b credit. They then gave us the room we booked but on a higher floor a couple of days later.  

As it was late afternoon we took a walk over to Miracle Mile for shopping and had Panda Express. Usually have to have this once while in Vegas. Walked back through Bellagio & the conservatory. 

Second day, we went straight to the pool for a couple of hours before it got too hot and then went over to The Mirage for the Dolphin Habitat & Garden which we booked through myVegas. Did some more walking about before heading to Dinner at Hells Kitchen. I didn't know what to expect as read a mixture of reviews but we all really enjoyed the meal. 

Third day, we went to Mandalay bay for the Shark Reef, also bought though myVegas, the children both enjoyed it and then we drove to Premium Outlets North. Spent lots but I didn't feel as if there was as much worth getting as previous years. 

Fourth day, we had booked Springs Preserve which the children loved. It was hot outside though so couldn't spend too long out there. Inside though they had different rescue missions for them to try, there were games and some petroglyphs to have a go at. From there we went to Area 15 and Omega Mart which was fun, worth going to see. Then we had an evening tour booked at Neon Museum, we've done this before but without the children so wanted to show them too. 

Fifth day, I booked the Barbie experience in Crystals through Groupon, mainly for my daughter but it was good to go and see. After that we went to Fashion Show Mall for shopping and the new Hello Kitty Cafe. Macy's had some great Ralph Lauren bargains in their sale.We went to Beer Park for dinner but we were a bit disappointed in it and not as good as we remembered from our last trip.

Sixth day was more for my son as we went to Hollywood Cars Museum, quite a few movie cars in there. We printed off an offer on their website beforehand for $5 off each ticket. We then went on to Town Square, spent lots on Old Navy and let the children run around the splash pad for a bit. In the evening we ate at Slice of Vegas , good food and service. 

Seventh day, back at the pool in the morning. Also went to Golden Knight Training arena so my husband could look in the shop as the T-Mobile one wasn't very good. When we finished there we drove to Silverton to see the Mermaids. I managed to turn $20 into $250 on the Planet Moolah machine. Once we finished here we headed back to the strip and went to Monster Mini Golf at Ballys & Madame Tussauds. Turned another $20 into $250 at Treasure Island before having dinner at Gilley's where the food was nice but service could have been better. Walked back past The Mirage so we could watch the Volcano for the last time.

I feel like I've missed loads off but we also did a lot of walking around the strip most days. It was so good to get away again though after 2 years of cancellations. We didn't do everything we wanted to in Vegas but felt like we fitted a lot in. Temps were hot but to be expected in July. 

The flight back was an evening flight, no delays and all nice & easy. Luggage made it back with us too. 

nvh

Sounds great kroberts- thanks

Big Bear sounds good. Will make a mental note of that for another time!

Anything else you can say about Omega Mart and Hells Kitchen. We have both planned for this trip (booked Hell’s Kitchen ages ago as we couldn’t get in in April, and this time round we could only get a 9:45 seating!)

nvh

nvh said:

Traveler13 said:

Hi everyone, back again had to make a new account as the other one just stopped working for some reason. I have a holiday to Vegas next month and cannot wait  Staying at the Signature as usual with one night at the Bellagio courtesy of Myvegas. I am trying to redeem myvegas tickets to watch Americas got Talent on our trip through the MGM website and it will not accept my card. Has anyone else had this issue? I've never ever had this issue before.

Yeah, me 👋🏼 

Funnily enough, I called MBNA about it today. They put me thru to fraud team to make sure my card wasn’t blocked. It wasn’t. 

They said the issue is that MGM Resorts website is not passing the 3 digit number from the back of the card thru to them for processing (despite the fact you type it in on the website 🤔) and new UK banking legislation (brought in in the past few months) won’t let MBNA process internet orders without the number. 

She said there’s quite a few non-UK websites that people are having difficulties with for the same reason. 

I’m going to try MGM over the phone tomorrow instead. Will let you know how I get on 👍🏻

No joy over the phone either. Still declined. They have held our show tickets till we get to town tho so we can pay / pick them up then

kroberts

nvh said:

Sounds great kroberts- thanks

Big Bear sounds good. Will make a mental note of that for another time!

Anything else you can say about Omega Mart and Hells Kitchen. We have both planned for this trip (booked Hell’s Kitchen ages ago as we couldn’t get in in April, and this time round we could only get a 9:45 seating!)

Hells Kitchen we booked as far in advance as we could. We turned up a little early but got seated quickly. We thought the food was good, I'm not sure how often they change the menu but I had Jidori chicken, so much flavour to it. My husband had the Beef Wellington, Son had Filet Mignon and my daughter is 6 & doesn't eat much so she had a side of Mac & Cheese with prosciutto. We had a side of Asparagus to share too. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The service was really good and happily changed a couple of dishes not to include dairy. My family would recommend the Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert while I had Coconut 3 ways. It came to around $270 including drinks, we didn't bother with starters though. 

Omega Mart we planned to go but we didn't prebook. When we got there, there was a queue for tickets and found it quicker to purchase online using the phone for the next time slot. We then just showed the tickets on the phone. 
I'd say once you've gone through a secret passage way then explore all that area so you don't miss anything. All secret passages from the shop lead to the same sort of area. When we went the slides were closed for refurbishment and didn't say when they'd be up & running. You can buy a card at the start that gives you more of a story & things to do on your way round, we didn't do that part but it says it makes your journey around longer as you look for clues. There are points at which you can scan it. I think it was about $6. 
You can buy some things off the shelves but not everything. 

nvh

Great. Thank you 👍🏻🙂

bobbyhibs

hi
Its about that time where i start looking  (again and again it seems) for  getting sorted  for vegas and looking for help/advice!
Im pretty  determined to  go next year  around middle/late may for around 7-10 nights, though im open to maybe  april also.... as long as  i can use the pools and the temp is  above 25C!  and  this time prob solo (as many may know i normally go with my brother but  i always wait on him to make a decsion.have the money and im tired of waiting !)
I am however keen to be a bit  un money saving and plan to go business class!
i am based in edinburgh and  have looked at a few options, including  edi-lhr-las and the same  in return or option 2, starting  in dublin... , option 1 here is a flight the night before. hotle there for 1 night..then dublin;lhr..las and  las,lhr and back to dublin  and dublin to edin...any advice here?

im in two minds to wait til the black friday thing in november to see if there any deals there..can anyone advice here?
thank you  for looking and i d value any   pointers and what not..i just wanna travel to vegas  again...i have missed it

thanks  again
bobby

stoneman

bobbyhibs said:

hi
Its about that time where i start looking  (again and again it seems) for  getting sorted  for vegas and looking for help/advice!
Im pretty  determined to  go next year  around middle/late may for around 7-10 nights, though im open to maybe  april also.... as long as  i can use the pools and the temp is  above 25C!  and  this time prob solo (as many may know i normally go with my brother but  i always wait on him to make a decsion.have the money and im tired of waiting !)
I am however keen to be a bit  un money saving and plan to go business class!
i am based in edinburgh and  have looked at a few options, including  edi-lhr-las and the same  in return or option 2, starting  in dublin... , option 1 here is a flight the night before. hotle there for 1 night..then dublin;lhr..las and  las,lhr and back to dublin  and dublin to edin...any advice here?

im in two minds to wait til the black friday thing in november to see if there any deals there..can anyone advice here?
thank you  for looking and i d value any   pointers and what not..i just wanna travel to vegas  again...i have missed it

thanks  again
bobby

bobbyhibs said:

hi
Its about that time where i start looking  (again and again it seems) for  getting sorted  for vegas and looking for help/advice!
Im pretty  determined to  go next year  around middle/late may for around 7-10 nights, though im open to maybe  april also.... as long as  i can use the pools and the temp is  above 25C!  and  this time prob solo (as many may know i normally go with my brother but  i always wait on him to make a decsion.have the money and im tired of waiting !)
I am however keen to be a bit  un money saving and plan to go business class!
i am based in edinburgh and  have looked at a few options, including  edi-lhr-las and the same  in return or option 2, starting  in dublin... , option 1 here is a flight the night before. hotle there for 1 night..then dublin;lhr..las and  las,lhr and back to dublin  and dublin to edin...any advice here?

im in two minds to wait til the black friday thing in november to see if there any deals there..can anyone advice here?
thank you  for looking and i d value any   pointers and what not..i just wanna travel to vegas  again...i have missed it

thanks  again
bobby

We always fly from DUB and we're based in Nottingham. Ryainair to DUB,  AA business class to either PHL or preferably ORD (the latter because you spend longer in the nice lie flat bed and not so long in the First seat) then First to LAS.  
Fly up the night before and stay in one of the airport hotels at DUB (they all have free shuttle)and get the morning flight usually about 9:30am.
We're doing just that in little over a weeks time

pebblesmax

We are doing the same in October. First time for us, but we are expecting it to be better, if only for the fact we clear US customs in Dublin, so it’s a clear run from there. 

Traveler13

Is anyone else flying out on Sunday  I'm really excited but apprehensive regarding LHR T5. Our flight is the 16:40 with BA. Hopefully it's better than the last time we went with them where we had no entertainment for the whole flight! Loading up kindles and ipads just in case  

Traveler13

nvh said:

nvh said:

Traveler13 said:

Hi everyone, back again had to make a new account as the other one just stopped working for some reason. I have a holiday to Vegas next month and cannot wait  Staying at the Signature as usual with one night at the Bellagio courtesy of Myvegas. I am trying to redeem myvegas tickets to watch Americas got Talent on our trip through the MGM website and it will not accept my card. Has anyone else had this issue? I've never ever had this issue before.

Yeah, me 👋🏼 

Funnily enough, I called MBNA about it today. They put me thru to fraud team to make sure my card wasn’t blocked. It wasn’t. 

They said the issue is that MGM Resorts website is not passing the 3 digit number from the back of the card thru to them for processing (despite the fact you type it in on the website 🤔) and new UK banking legislation (brought in in the past few months) won’t let MBNA process internet orders without the number. 

She said there’s quite a few non-UK websites that people are having difficulties with for the same reason. 

I’m going to try MGM over the phone tomorrow instead. Will let you know how I get on 👍🏻

No joy over the phone either. Still declined. They have held our show tickets till we get to town tho so we can pay / pick them up then

I used my sons BA Amex in the end and it worked perfectly.