The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

tingtong

nvh wrote: »

nice one, thanks again... out of interest, have you ever stayed here (bit more expensive admittedly but we've always been pleased with Xanterra stuff):
http://www.brycecanyonlodge.com
if not, have you by any chance seen it and if so, is it in a good location?

We stayed here last year. Great location (only place inside the park I think) but the log cabins are very, very basic. However, this was after staying 5 nights at the Four Seasons in Vegas so it was probably just a bit of a shock. Like I say, the location can't be beaten and you can walk about to rim of Bryce Canyon in about 100 metres or so.

Also, out of the two, I think you will probably prefer Bryce to Zion.

Rockhopper

nvh wrote: »

Just wondering, has anyone done Bryce Canyon / Zion Canyon? which is better? any recommendations or tips?

we're thinking of doing two nights @ Zion (staying in a Xanterra Cabin), but driving over for a day @ Bryce

We went to the GC, Bryce Canyon and Zion by rental car from Las Vegas in March this year. Some of the paths to the lookouts in Bryce Canyon were still covered in snow and ice and very slippery. I liked Bryce but I absolutely adored Zion. We weren't sure whether it would be worth going to Zion as we saw some pictures before hand, which didn't look that special. However, in real life Zion looks spectacular. I wish we had had more time to explore more of the walks from the different lookout points. I would definitely go back.

When we went to the GC, we were told that we would be among the last few who could still use the shuttle bus along Hermit Road and visit the lookout points. Since then, the Hermit Road has been closed for major repaving work and as far as I know it won't reopen before November. So if you are planning a trip to the GC, you might want to check out the park's official website for updates first: http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

lasvegaschris

2. I would like to see a magic/illusion show whilst in Vegas and was wondering whether anyone can recommend a good one? I have heard that Lance Burton's show is good but am open to other ideas? I am in vegas for 10 nights so am very flexible on which day I could go - does his show turn up at the half price ticket booth?

As a pro magician and vegas addict I can assure you Lance Burton puts on a class show. I have seen it three times, my gf got my front row tickets for my bday last year.

I also saw David Copperfield and he is just as spectacular. Those are the two main illusion shows on the strip and are well worth seeing.

Penn and Teller are at the rio and I've heard they do a great show, it is a different style to Lance Burton and David Copperfield as it is a comedy magic. Mac King does an afternoon show at Harrahs and also is more comedy than magic. For the MSE, Mac King tickets can be obtained for free....check Tret's post on Page 1.

Dirk Arthur at the tropicana is a good enough in its own right, but Lance Burton and David Copperfield are in a different league.

Criss Angel performs Close up magic on the streets in his TV specials (card tricks, coin tricks, etc) and his new show at the Luxor will be unlike anything you have seen him do before. Its also in conjunction with cirque du solei and they have a good reputation of producing great shows!

photome

nvh wrote: »

nice one, thanks again... out of interest, have you ever stayed here (bit more expensive admittedly but we've always been pleased with Xanterra stuff):
http://www.brycecanyonlodge.com
if not, have you by any chance seen it and if so, is it in a good location?

and did you have to book the horsey / pony things in advance?

our original plan was...
leave Vegas friday morning, travel up to Valley Of Fire for most of the day, move onto Zion for the overnighter, then go and visit Bryce the next day (sat'dee) and come back for an overnight @ Zion, do Zion on Sunday and then head back to Vegas...

we may however choose to do Valley of Fire, then do Friday / Satdee nights @ Bryce and call in Zion on the way back on Sunday

Its a loooong drive to Bryce, we stayed a few miles from park entrance (in the valley) at steppingstone motel in Tropic, very homely and very cheap, they only have 3 rooms and owner lives on site.

We had planned on doing Zion on the way back but decided there wasnt time because of the drive time...about 7-8 hours if I remember right. Visited in march, loads of snow still, 3 ft deep in plces but all roads clear. The sky at night is breathtaking. My dad was with us and he preffered Bryce to the GC, I was the other way round and put Bryce behind GC and Yosemite.

duchy

We did a hop over to LA -looked at hiring a car but in the end it worked out cheaper to fly and pick up a car when we arrived (Flew into Long Beach which is tiny but fine-was just as well as we underestimated the rush hour and if it had been a trek to the gate te airport we'd have missed the flight back)

winner3131

In the final stages before booking flights for March and i've become Mr cautious. Maybe too much info can be a bad thing as i'm now trying for the perfect flights.

Anyway, i'm looking at flying United from London Heathrow to Vegas via San Fran on the way out and either San Fran, Chicago or Washington on return. Would 2hrs 30 mins transfer time be enough at these airports? Having read reports for San Fran it seems fine but i'm a little worried over various horror stories i've heard about the other two. I've crossed LAX off my list of transfer options as it sounds like hell on earth.

PAUL7331

Guys, how do I get q jumps and free/reduced tickets to Vegas nighclubs? From Ebay or somewhere else??

ferf1223

March

PAUL7331 wrote: »

Guys, how do I get q jumps and free/reduced tickets to Vegas nighclubs? From Ebay or somewhere else??

nelster recently posted this which may help you:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=13841997&postcount=4318

I don't think that the bulk of us are big on the club scene so may not be able to help too much but I'm sure those who can will do so.

As I said earlier the only thing I know about is:

http://www.riovegasnights.com/vip.cfm

Though I have never tried using it personally.

duchy

winner3131 wrote: »

In the final stages before booking flights for March and i've become Mr cautious. Maybe too much info can be a bad thing as i'm now trying for the perfect flights.

Anyway, i'm looking at flying United from London Heathrow to Vegas via San Fran on the way out and either San Fran, Chicago or Washington on return. Would 2hrs 30 mins transfer time be enough at these airports? Having read reports for San Fran it seems fine but i'm a little worried over various horror stories i've heard about the other two. I've crossed LAX off my list of transfer options as it sounds like hell on earth.

Should be fine-I'd do it.
If you ARE delayed they'll just put you on the next flight anyway-personally I like Chicago (althugh I fly AA not UA) and use it at least 2 or 3 times a year and have never had issues (ooops that's tempting fate !!). I also like the way it breaks up the flying and usually escape out through security for some fresh air before the next flight.

My_Fathers_Daughter

winner3131 wrote: »

In the final stages before booking flights for March and i've become Mr cautious. Maybe too much info can be a bad thing as i'm now trying for the perfect flights.

Anyway, i'm looking at flying United from London Heathrow to Vegas via San Fran on the way out and either San Fran, Chicago or Washington on return. Would 2hrs 30 mins transfer time be enough at these airports? Having read reports for San Fran it seems fine but i'm a little worried over various horror stories i've heard about the other two. I've crossed LAX off my list of transfer options as it sounds like hell on earth.

I wouldn't fly to San Fran to double back on myself unless it was for a stopover. You are basically going an hour (or more) further than you need to.
Chicago is probably the best bet...geographically speaking (correct me if I am wrong guys). It would have to be significantly cheaper to tempt me...

Having said that SF is a nice airport to connect in, easy to navigate and quite a bit to see and do.