The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

ferf1223

March

MOLLYBRUSH wrote: »

Great. Thanks for the tips. I will have a look at Amazon for Vegas and also for the rest of the trip. I quite like a bit of a flutter but understand that it won't be possible but was hoping there were lots of things for the kids to see and do that made a trip worthwhile. We are big Ocean's 11 fans so we are hoping to stay at the Bellagio.

There are some hotels that have on-site childcare you could use if you were comfortable doing so.

Some info here:

http://www.vegas.com/resorts/childcare.html

Most are Kid's Quest which has locations in several states.

http://www.kidsquest.com/

Obviously whether this is an option for you is something each parent would decide and since I don't have kids, I cannot speak from personal experience.

As others have said there are loads of options for kids in Vegas...so long as the parents know what the limitations will be and are happy with them, I'm sure it can be a really fun holiday...and since you've already started looking into it I'm sure you'll have a great time. Where there end up being issues is when the parents don't really look into it until after they've booked and then are gobsmacked at how many restrictions there are. You can't take a kid into a bar or a pub full stop as far as I know. Many shows have minimum ages even if with a parent, etc. You can't leave your kids at the pool unsupervised, etc. No strollers allowed at Wynn. Things that you can do in a lot of European destinations you can't do in Vegas (or most US destinations).

And one of the saddest things in the world are the kids sat near the casino entrance, right off the casino floor, while Mom and Dad play the slots nearest to that door...they always look so pitiful. Almost as sad as the 2 year olds in the strollers being pushed down the strip at 3 am with their parents drinking yard-long margaritas hanging from a strap over their shoulder.

You do not sound like one of those parents (nor does anyone else in this thread or the 2007 thread)...but it's really those sights that make people feel like Vegas is not for kids...for people like you there's plenty for you and your kids to enjoy together.

wdyw

MOLLYBRUSH wrote: »

Thank you. What a mine of information you are. Would never have even thought anywhere would be RV friendly. Think the Bellagio has to be done even if they are positively hostile as we cannot visit Vegas and not stay there for one night at least. I will investigate the RV park and see if that will fit in with our plans. So exciting. Just got confirmation from school it is ok to take them out, so I can book flights now!!:T

May I ask why you are so so determined to stay at least one night at the Bellagio?

MOLLYBRUSH

It just made an impression on us with the fountains and the lovely music on Ocean's 11 and we have always said that if we go to Vegas we would have to stay there. Do you think it is really not a good idea? It's been a bit of a dream for us.

trets77

April

MOLLYBRUSH wrote: »

It just made an impression on us with the fountains and the lovely music on Ocean's 11 and we have always said that if we go to Vegas we would have to stay there. Do you think it is really not a good idea? It's been a bit of a dream for us.

well if nothing else you will get to see the Fountains , inside there is really only the Conservatory that would appeal .The buffet is packed full of the kind of food kids turn their noses up at , and you will need a second Mortagage to go shopping there.
don't get your hopes up too high about the place , it's lavish ,elegant and plush for sure , but it is also packed with slot machines just like all the others .

link for Circus Circus RV park

http://www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_hotel/rv_park.aspx

wdyw

MOLLYBRUSH wrote: »

It just made an impression on us with the fountains and the lovely music on Ocean's 11 and we have always said that if we go to Vegas we would have to stay there. Do you think it is really not a good idea? It's been a bit of a dream for us.

If it's been a dream for you then forget about everything else and make sure to book at least one night there!! (making sure to book a room with a fountain view of course)

middy60

well took all your advice and booked to fly direct on the 17th feb with bmi flights cost £911 for two not bad to say we pais £1200 in november with mytrave but that was in premium economy just economy this time but can be that bad and got a room in mgm grand for $800 inc taxes not bad that either,anyway anyone think well be able to get a cheap upgrade to premium at the airport(manchester)

photome

MOLLYBRUSH wrote: »

It just made an impression on us with the fountains and the lovely music on Ocean's 11 and we have always said that if we go to Vegas we would have to stay there. Do you think it is really not a good idea? It's been a bit of a dream for us.

Of course if the fountains are the important thing then you could stay in the Planet Hollywood, or Paris on the opposite side and then get a fountain view room.

Mardrew

I wonder if I can ask your expert advice.

I have been following the tread for a few months now and have made lots of useful notes. We were originally planning on going to LV in October with a group of friends but that plan has changed and DH & myself are now thinking of going around the Easter period if we haven't left it too late. (I am tied to school holidays and so break up on Thur 20 Mar and return to work on Mon 6 Apr.) The prices for the BMI direct flights from Manchester (understandably) seem really high for this period and so we have been looking at indirect flights.

What's the 'ideal' layover time i.e. allowing sufficient time to catch the connecting flight without feeling stressed but not feel as if you are sat around for ages?

Tonight I have found a Delta flight (through Airline Network - thanks Trets for mentioning that) for a price of £344.30. There is a change in Atlanta with a layover of 3h 20mins on the way out and a change in NY on the way back with a layover time of 1h 50 mins. Does this seem reasonable?

Many thanks

Mardrew

PS Sorry to ask a really dumb question - but what would happen if there were any flight delays and you couldn't catch the connecting flight? Also, is your luggage automatically transferred to your next flight? (We've only ever done one long journey and that was 20 years ago!)

photome

Mardrew wrote: »

I wonder if I can ask your expert advice.

I have been following the tread for a few months now and have made lots of useful notes. We were originally planning on going to LV in October with a group of friends but that plan has changed and DH & myself are now thinking of going around the Easter period if we haven't left it too late. (I am tied to school holidays and so break up on Thur 20 Mar and return to work on Mon 6 Apr.) The prices for the BMI direct flights from Manchester (understandably) seem really high for this period and so we have been looking at indirect flights.



What's the 'ideal' layover time i.e. allowing sufficient time to catch the connecting flight without feeling stressed but not feel as if you are sat around for ages?

Tonight I have found a Delta flight (through Airline Network - thanks Trets for mentioning that) for a price of £344.30. There is a change in Atlanta with a layover of 3h 20mins on the way out and a change in NY on the way back with a layover time of 1h 50 mins. Does this seem reasonable?

Many thanks

Mardrew

PS Sorry to ask a really dumb question - but what would happen if there were any flight delays and you couldn't catch the connecting flight? Also, is your luggage automatically transferred to your next flight? (We've only ever done one long journey and that was 20 years ago!)

I am going on the 20th march but direct with Virgin (booked in April last year). I have flown indirect with Delta via Atlanta with a 4 hour layover and I wouldnt do it again, but that is only my opinion, we ended up getting to Vegas around midnight and very very tired. I would want to leave about 2 hours between flights to feel comfortable with the change overs.

I am not sure what happens if you miss your connection my guess would be that they get you on the next available flight, If I remember correctly we had to get our bags and clear customs in Atlanta as the first point of entry in to the USA but i cant be sure. There are others on here who have done it recently my experiance was 10 years ago

Perhaps i shouldnt have started this post as it is not that helpful really

atro1

May

Done the same as Photome. but with very different results.
We had a three hour layover in Atlanta, could have had an hour but decided to go for the longer break just as well, we ended up having just over 40 minutes to get our flight from Atlanta. And it was quite a walk. We found immagration and customs much much easier than LV and Orlando.
For those that had accepted the earlier flight Delta just put them on the next available flight! How long that took I do not know!
We had to collect luggage and go through immigration and customs then give the luggage back in again. It all went very smoothly even having time for a coffee and a smoke [then]. Atlanta is one of Delta's main hubs and it is very busy but quite an easy airport none the less.
Coming back we had just over an hour, no immigration or customs but there were no problems and all went smoothly, gave our luggage in and did not see it again until we arrived at Gatwick. I was very impressed with Delta.
We do not mind having the break in the flight having done it with Delta Northwest and AA. Never had a real problem --except once you change from TransAtlantic to Local flights you have to pay for your drinks!!!!!