The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

pebblesmax

November/December

Bonnie Springs was a huge disappointment to us. It was $20 to get in and there was allegedly a restaurant credit that could be used inside. Well I'm not a picky person, but there is no way I would have eaten there. The whole place seemed run down and dirty. The petting zoo was really smelly and we were there in November. I dread to think what it would be like in warmer weather.

Spring Mountain Ranch, on the other hand, was a beautiful place. They had guided tours around the property at set times during the day, or you could just see the Ranch house and some of the grounds on your own.

Valley of Fire is one of our favourites. The rock formations are magnificent, and if you get the chance to be there for sunrise or sunset, you won't regret it.

Hoover Dam is pretty good too. Very interesting tour. We spent a bit of time on the shores of Lake Mead. I believe there are Jet Ski rentals and Lake cruises, but we haven't done them.

We also quite like Laughlin, but wouldn't spend a lot of time there. The shopping are is OK, but Primm has a much bigger Outlet Mall with good bargains if you like to shop.

pebblesmax

November/December

A quick heads up for anyone with a Total Rewards card.

Log into your account to see if you have any free nights. We have 14 free nights at the Imperial Palace between us in May, and Tony has never even used his card in a slot machine. He just uses it if we have a discount voucher for the buffet at a Harrah's property.

They must be a bit desperate if they are giving us free rooms.

sew109

November/December

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

Thanks Sew109, whilst in Laughlin we actually want to spend a few days with nothing to do but shop, sit in the sun and let the children unwind, but if you think it will be too much we can reduce it as nothing is booked yet. I just wanted a few days R&R before heading home. As for Yosemite I'm going to book one night but we are leaving 2/3 nights free so we can stay longer if we want. Do you think 4 nights in Vegas is too much? We are going to go to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, drive out to the Valley of Fire State Park and the Bonnie Springs Ranch. Can you think of anything of else we might enjoy?

Thanks

Ah if it is just to relax then maybe three nights its exceptional value but the hotels are not a patch on Vegas and dont have the same facilities how old are the Children. 4nights in Vegas for me is the minimum there is enough to keep you and the kids busy for a week, Shark reef at Mandalay, Stratosphere, hirng a boat at Lake mead and if you stay at either MGM or Mandalay bay the pools are awesome. See a show we saw 3 and Steve Wyrick Real Magic was a family show and awseome tickets were $33 from the half price booth I dont know how much the childrens tickets were. If you want to PM me the dates you will be in Vegas I may have some offers or coupons that may help you save a few quid on hotels or activities.

We had three nights at Yosemite in the Summer and teh Winter, in the winter it was way too long but in the Summer about right you need a full day to see Yosemite Valley and Glacier point and another at least a good hal day to see the big trees, I think the other really cool thing is the Sonera pass.

Its just that before we have had too many 1 nights stops and this has made the holidaty really hard and you miss out on so much and I really dont want you to do this you are better cutting down on the milage and stops and you actually see more.

Emmajane1987

I'm planning my first trip to Las Vegas in April. We are planning to leave on Wednesday 8th April returning on the Monday 13th April landing at a London Airport on Tuesday 14th. Could anyone please recommend a good airline to go with. From reading all your posts and their are a lot of them nobody recommends virgin. I like the idea of going with them as they are the only direct airline that goes their and the flight is only 10 hours and the others are more like 14 hours +? I need to book my flights in the next couple of days and i'm really confuesed on what to do. Would love to hear your opinons on what airlines you have used.

aspinallkate

Emmajane1987 wrote: »

I'm planning my first trip to Las Vegas in April. We are planning to leave on Wednesday 8th April returning on the Monday 13th April landing at a London Airport on Tuesday 14th. Could anyone please recommend a good airline to go with. From reading all your posts and their are a lot of them nobody recommends virgin. I like the idea of going with them as they are the only direct airline that goes their and the flight is only 10 hours and the others are more like 14 hours +? I need to book my flights in the next couple of days and i'm really confuesed on what to do. Would love to hear your opinons on what airlines you have used.

I think it depends where you fly from. We went from manchester with bmi and are going back in feb, flying from gatwick with virgin.
Im sure the more experienced people will be along with some advice.

does anyone have any coupons for feb?

thanks

Stew68

Emmajane,

Welcome to the forum. A lot of people have said bad things about Virgin mostly bexause they use the oldest planes on this route.

However I flew out to Vegas with Virgin in May and had no problem, don't forget you can check in the night before with Virgin at Gatwick. I wouldn't hesitate using them again mainly because of the direct flight, i'd rather spend more time in Vegas than waiting around in airports.

Stew

Emmajane1987

Thats exactly what i was thinking i would prefer to spend more time las vegas. Also this would be the longest flight i have ever done. The most time i have spent on a plane is 8 hours and i don't fly well. I'm only 5ft 2 so leg room is not important and when i did the 8 hour flight i was on an xl plane so i'm sure it couldn't be as bad as that. I would be very disappointed though if the entertainement system didn't work as 10+ is a long time on a plane and even though i do sleep a lot my friend doesnt' and would be very angry by the time we get their. Also another question we are going to stay in the Mirage. (think thats how you spell it) I have been quoted $518 for 5 nights over Easter Holidays. Is this a good deal?

nvh

May

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

Then 3 nights in LA @ Hilton Universal....

All our hotels are really really well researched and provide free wifi for my netbook

we did 4 nights there in June was perfect location (for us) -- however didn't notice any free wifi... is this a new thing?

oh yeah, and tripadvisor warns you of the lifts if i remember rightly... they are so right! we thought it was an exageration but we did wait 10minutes once and decided just to walk down in the end (23rd floor!! ARGH!) unless you are in the 'executive area' or whatever they call it (floors 20 -> 24??), then try to get a low floor unless you're really desperate for a view (and even then there's not much to view just 'city' ) - having said all that, if you are in the executive area, it's worth it just to fill your boots in the 'lounge' area (breakfast, hot and cold snacks, free drinks etc etc)

ferf1223

March

Emmajane1987 wrote: »

Thats exactly what i was thinking i would prefer to spend more time las vegas. Also this would be the longest flight i have ever done. The most time i have spent on a plane is 8 hours and i don't fly well. I'm only 5ft 2 so leg room is not important and when i did the 8 hour flight i was on an xl plane so i'm sure it couldn't be as bad as that. I would be very disappointed though if the entertainement system didn't work as 10+ is a long time on a plane and even though i do sleep a lot my friend doesnt' and would be very angry by the time we get their.

We prefer the direct flights over indirect...at 5ft2 you won't have the legroom issues some of us run into so that will be good...the planes are old and worn and not as comfortable as some, but we like to get there as quick as we can. Yes, the in-flight entertainment can be an issue...it's happened to us on more than one occasion, but it's happened to us on other airlines as well - not just Virgin...IFE is never a guaranteed thing - there are technical issues that can hit any flight. Anymore we have our own entertainment supply anyway...not just because of potential IFE issues, but because in a lot of cases not a lot of what's offered appeals to us...it would be better than nothing, sure...but lately I rarely turn it on except for the flight map.

As for the hotel, it doesn't sound like a bad price but probably too early for the best deals for April yet - is it refundable (i.e. is it booking direct with the hotel with the option to cancel? If so, you could book it and keep an eye out for a better deal in the next several weeks.

Emmajane1987

I have just been flicking through the sites again and my flight with Virgin is £493 from London Gatwick do you think i should book now or do you think this price will come down its on the Aprils 8th to 13th. The hotel prices i have found are £319 Treasure Island, Mirage £449. They are non refundable i think they are on cityandshow.com. Do think that i would get better deals nearer the time? I'm so confuesed with booking holidays and i don't no if i want to take the chance on waiting. The Virgin flight was cheaper a few days ago so i'm thinking they are going up.