[Merged] Vegas Deals

[kydee6039]

What convention?? I'm going from Feb 23 - 26 - is this the date when this is happening??

[smithfan]

Theres ALWAYS conventions in vegas. Its just the big ones you have to watch out for because it makes the room rates go up up up

http://www.lvcva.com/meetings/conven...derByDate=true

The "big one" during those dates is for the
ASSOCIATED SURPLUS DEALERS/ASSOCIATED MERCHANDISE DEALERS (ASD/AMD).

From the 25th to the 1st. So rooms for the weekend of the 23rd will likely be high and stay there. Hey, on the bright side at least its not nascar weekend.

[adwoodw]

We just got back on Sat Dec 2.


Some observations and comments:

There is a Walgreens and CVS pharmacy on the Strip. Buy your snacks/water/supplies here instead of at the hotels.

The Venetian and Bellagio will check your car when you enter their parking garage. Just be prepared to open your trunk. Some car's power trunks will not open while in drive so put it in park and it should open up.

NFR (National Finals Rodeo) was in town when I was there (Nov 28-Dec 2). It seems as though I was the only one without a cowboy hat.

If you need to do some laundry, do it at one of the rental apartments along Harmon Ave. Because of our extended vacation (2 extra days waiting in Bellingam, Wa), we need some clean clothes. We did our laundry at the Harbour Island Apartments (370 E Harmon ave) that is located on the north side of Harmon between Koval and Paradise. Make sure you have laundry detergent and correct change: $1.25 wash, $0.75 dry. 4 use liquid Tide is $1.99 at CVS. Apparently, this is not a very safe place but we didn't see any criminal elements here. There is also another laundry at the corner of Harmon and Paradise just south of the Hard Rock. You can also head to the RV park at Circus Circus.

They serve hot chocolate as a drink in the Flamingo's casino. The guy sitting next to me at the poker table ordered one and everyone was wondering what it was. Players with red chips ($5) at a 2-4 poker game (white chip = $1) most likely have lost at the higher denomination tables and seem to call more hands at 2-4 even with junk hands.

Bellagio's drinks are quite good and not watered down. If you need bottled water, don't order it from the bar, it's $5 here and is a small bottle. Just put that $5 into a slot machine and wait for the cocktail waitress. Grab the drink from her, tip and move on.

Free Wifi areas: Fashion Show Mall Apple Store (they also let you use their computers to get online), LV Hilton (Fortuna), Mccaran Airport, Venetian lobby and food fair area.

Construction of the new City Center project is well underway and you can see the support columns for the new structures already. Most of the constuction seems to be north of the Monte Carlo and it was going well past 8pm. Noise levels didn't seem to be that bad. From the opposite side of the street at Harmon and LV Blvd, you could hear some drilling and truck engines, but it wasn't too loud. I guess if the noise is constant, then it may be a problem though. To see what it looks like when completed, head on over to the Bellagio and there is a spinning model of it located just to the left of the conservatory.

The Rio has a buffet coupon that gives you $5 off their Carnival World Buffet. Look for it in the free magazines they have all over town. $18.99 per person with coupon. They had a soup section there where you could get won ton soup, pho, hot and sour soup, egg drop soup, etc. They also had a section where you can pick out the ingredients/sauce you want and they will grill it up for you. As usual, the old folks were having a hard time paying with the bank machine like pay stations. If you have coupon, you just line up at the regular cashier. For selection, this buffet is excellent.

The Aladdin buffet was probably the best bang for the buck: $25 per person My wife likes to eat pineapple and they were the only ones that had it when compared to the Rio, Bellagio, and Mirage. I also like their selection of middle eastern food. Excellent selection of food as well.

The Mirage buffet has congee at dinner time. I have never seen it before at a buffet. The crab legs were cold but they had warm clarified butter that you could dip it in. The deserts selection is very poor, but I did like their macaroons though. The potstickers were also quite good. $20 per person for dinner on Friday.

Bellagio's buffet disappointed me this time. Perhaps it was because I wasn't very hungry when we went. About $30 per person but I didn't pay for this one.

We wanted to see KA at the MGM but the times posted in some of the magazines are incorrect. There is no 10:30pm show now as it has been moved to 9:30pm. We got to the box office to find out that the show had already started and that there are misprints in the magazine ads. I think they are changing the carpet at MGM. Large areas of the casino are draped in black and they have workers and wires everywhere.

Vegas is cold. Very cold. I saw people walking around in parkas and fur coats. At night, it was well below freezing with the added wind chill. The warmest day was no more than 7 or 8 degrees. There are, however, some folks still dressed in shorts and a t-shirt.

Vegas is decorated in it's xmas colours now. All the hotels have an xmas theme. The Bellagio's conservatory display was not finished while we were there and was still being set up. Everything is super sized though but very festive.

We had to cancel our original vacations package with Allegiant Air (Nov 26-30) and they gave us a refund. The conditions out of Bellingham airport were not favorable and we had our flight cancelled twice (Sunday and Monday). Apparently, they resumed flights on Wed night but I wasn't going to wait around to find out. As soon as I got my refund letter, I rebooked our flight on US Airways and headed south.

There was no way we were going home since the roads leading up to Vancouver on the I-5 were too dangerous to drive on. I was hearing from alot of people at our hotel in Bellingham that there was a car in a ditch about every 150 feet. Just brutal. Traffic the night before in the greater Seattle area was also a mess. At 5am the next morning, people were still trying to get home from the Seahawks/Packers game. Some people ran out of gas and abandoned their cars on the freeway and alot of cars were turned so that they were just blocking the lanes. I was talking to some guy who said it took him 12 hours to get from Seattle to Bellingham!! Normally, this is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive.

Basically, we had to stay 2 extra nights in Bellingham at the Hampton Inn, rebook our entire vacation (hotel, car, air, etc) take the Airporter shuttle bus to Seatac (Seattle) on Tuesday and extend our vacation to Sat Dec 2.

If anyone from the Greater Vancouver Area is considering booking their Vegas trip with Allegiant Air, take notice. Bellingham airport does not have the proper equipment to maintain their runways in the event of a large snowstorm and your flight will most likely be cancelled. Passengers on other carriers that flew out of Seatac as well were lucky enough to have their respective airlines bus them to Seattle for their flights out.

[smithfan]

Ive always found it funny how people think Vegas is warm during the winter just because its in the desert.
Im going with my mommy (LOL) next week and she wanted to know if she could wear shorts. LOL. As soon as the sun goes down it gets cold in a hurry.

My fav. buffet is still the Rio but to each his\her own.
The coupon can be used at the "ATM" like registers as well. Theres a code at the bottom of it that you use when you pay.

[Pavel]

Great review adwood.

Speaking of magazines and the coupons in them...I never had much luck there. Even on the strip, we havent been approached very often with anyone with the Monorail magazine...just the usual Mexicans and the escorts or 1900 #s. The only time we got some magazines was in our hotel but they didnt really have any coupons that we could use and I didnt see any Rio Buffet coupons.

[smithfan]

The mag they leave in the hotels rooms, cant remember what its called "whats on" maybe? It has the Rio coupon (thats where Ive gotten mine on most trips). Also the little pocket books they have in the cabs that are free often have it too. You used to be able to get it off the net but then Harrahs took the joint over and the coupon can no longer be found on the Rio page.

[adwoodw]

Great review adwood.

Speaking of magazines and the coupons in them...I never had much luck there. Even on the strip, we havent been approached very often with anyone with the Monorail magazine...just the usual Mexicans and the escorts or 1900 #s. The only time we got some magazines was in our hotel but they didnt really have any coupons that we could use and I didnt see any Rio Buffet coupons.

Check out the other free books that are available as well. I found the Rio $5 off coupon in the pocket version LVM magazine (Las Vegas Magazine). Near the back there is a 'marketplace' section and there are various coupons listed. I picked this up at one of the time share or info booths. I'm not sure which one, but I believe it was either at Caesars (Forum Shops) or the Aladdin (near the parking garage entrance from the mall).

We stayed at the Flamingo this time and they also had the LVM magazine in our room and there was a $5 off the Rio there as well. There is a booth near the shoe shine and elevator banks across from the check in desk that also had the pocket version of LVM.

In the regular sized LVM, copupons are spread out amongst the ads. The IP's auto collection free admission was also in there.

The 'M Lifestyle' (MGM Mirage) magazine had mostly advertisements in it and no coupons that I saw.

[jb831]

Thanks for the info. Do you have any other advice for us? I really don't see us going off the Strip, at least this trip. IN terms of gambling - all I really do is slots, Hubby might like to do a bit of black jack, we are definately not "HIGH ROLLERS" at all. Won't be spending thousands on gambling ( HOPEFULLY - LOL!!!). Have looked at all the recommended websites - like www.cheapovegas.com the best,

Just wondering if you recommend buying any coupon books or anything (like ACG), and if you have any favourite, not so expensive shows ( of any kind or content), or attraction that you would recommend? I saw that Bally's has a " PRICE IS RIGHT" show, anyone know if it is worth it? I think they are charging $40 a person, can you get discount tickets, or is it a bit of a rip off. Would like all opinions of any of the above mentioned things.

Thanks Again!

Congrats on the good deal you were able to find! Seems like you'll be arriving in Sin City, while I'm leaving (I'll be there December 10-15...lol).

If you're going to attend a few shows / attractions, I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing some coupons from http://www.VegasResource.com. I found the ACG (2006 edition) to be a great value as well, paying for itself multiple times over.

The "Price is Right" show @ Bally's has not received great reviews - many do not feel it is worth the money. But you can register to be able to purchase tickets to many other shows, at BIG DISCOUNTS here: https://www.goldstarevents.com/join?p=F313384RP

http://www.lvtalk.com is also a great resource for Vegas information / deals.

[smithfan]

Congrats on the good deal you were able to find! Seems like you'll be arriving in Sin City, while I'm leaving (I'll be there December 10-15...lol).

If you're going to attend a few shows / attractions, I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing some coupons from http://www.VegasResource.com. I found the ACG (2006 edition) to be a great value as well, paying for itself multiple times over.

The "Price is Right" show @ Bally's has not received great reviews - many do not feel it is worth the money. But you can register to be able to purchase tickets to many other shows, at BIG DISCOUNTS here: https://www.goldstarevents.com/join?p=F313384RP

http://www.lvtalk.com is also a great resource for Vegas information / deals.

If your looking for cheap show tickets the 1/2 price ticket places on the strip is an option too. Of course you cant get tickets to all the shows but most the time you can find something you want to see on the cheap.

[adwoodw]

If your looking for cheap show tickets the 1/2 price ticket places on the strip is an option too. Of course you cant get tickets to all the shows but most the time you can find something you want to see on the cheap.

Some of the discounted tickets that I saw at the half price ticket booth at Fashion Show Mall:

Howie Mandell
Scintas
George Wallace
La Reve
Mystere
Fasionistas
Bite
Carrot Top
Barbra and Frank: the show that never was
Star Trek Experience all day pass
V: the ultimate variety show
Amazing Jonathan
Mama Mia
Titanic Exhibit
All the shows at the Riviera
Folies Bergere
Phantom of the Opera
La Femme
The Second City
Vinne Favorito
Louie Anderson
and more of the 'b list' and obscure shows.


Some shows like La Reve and Phantom are not fully 50 percent off but are discounted. Show selections were almost identical at the Coke bottle outlet but I remember Howie Mandel being about $5 more there at a discounted price of $38.50.

No, O, Celine Dion, Ka, Love, David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Barry Manilow, Danny Gans, Blue Man Group.

Tickts4tonight and Tickets2nite (coke bottle) is now open at 11am and they post shows at 10:30am.

[smithfan]

adwoodw, I know you Didnt see KA but did you watch any shows while in vegas? Im not much of a show person but im thinking I might go watch one this time. 6th time going to vegas Im thinking im about due.

[adwoodw]

adwoodw, I know you Didnt see KA but did you watch any shows while in vegas? Im not much of a show person but im thinking I might go watch one this time. 6th time going to vegas Im thinking im about due.

We watched Mac King at Harrahs on Friday Dec 1 and used an ACG coupon for a 'free' show for the price of 2 drinks. It worked out to around $18 or so for the both of us. My wife had a red non alcoholic slurpee like drink and I had a pina colada. It is probably the best afternoon show there is and it's dirt cheap!! At our performance, there was this really pissed off couple that complained that they got crappy seats and that they couldn't see. They complained to the maitre'd that brought them to their seats but he wouldn't move them. I think he was trying to extract a tip from the unhappy couple for better seats but they would not greese his palms. Nobody was tipping. After a few minutes, the unhappy couple moved themselves to an elevated booth behind us and it caused a major commotion. Another higher up maitre'd came over and it was almost a shouting match but in the end, the complaining couple got to sit in the booth. It was funny listening to the maitre'd's saying that the booths were for 'vip's only' but you could clearly see that they were for people that paid full price on the ticket. Ironically, they moved back to their original seats after about 3 minutes of sitting in the booth!! We sat in chairs that were about 20 feet and to the right of the stage.

We were going to watch Howie Mandel at MGM, but since my wife is pregnant, we chose to see the Mirage buffet instead!! It was around 7:00pm and she had to eat or else. It's funny that the name of the buffet is called 'Cravings'.

When I'm at home in Vancouver, I'm not really a show/comedy club person myself except for the big shows like Phantom, Les Mis, etc but for some reason, I like to see shows in Vegas....even the cheezy ones.

[smithfan]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh yes the other thing I love about Vegas. Everyone thinks they should get everything for free (complaining couple) and of course anyone who does anything for you wants a tip. I always tip the folks bringing me the "free" drinks but I think that Vegas is a little tip crazy.

I think I might see some of the more cheesy shows this trip. The shows I like to think of as the "working mans shows". Im thinking maybe Bite at the strat because of the music and the fact that I like boobies (might have to rethink this one as my mom has decided to join me this trip ha ha). Was thinking maybe carrot top too if I can get the tickets half price. Also maybe the impersonator shows at the IP and the Strat. Not sure if I really want to spend the big bucks on Ka or the othe circ shows just yet.

[Pavel]

Magazine in the cabs...now that makes sense but we never seen any, mind you, we didnt take cabs very often, if anything to and from the airport.

We will definitely check out the Riu Buffet....I can remember one night the line up was so freaken huge there, it was seafood night and it seemed like it was so cheap cuz of all the people, but I think it was around $30+

I always wanted to go see La Femme, but my wife wouldnt go. The girls look they have a nice arse, at least in the pics and on the promo playing on the tv in the hotel room.

[sng622]

Hi Everyone!

I was contemplating starting my own thread, but it seems there are too many Vegas related posts already, so this is my effort to try to condense...

So me and one of my girlfriends are planning on going to Vegas from the 14th-20th of December.

FYI to all people looking into going to Vegas, Luxor is having a great promo. Buy 2 nights, get the 3rd night free. We are arriving on a Thursday, therefore we are getting the Saturday (most expensive day of the week) free!

I have never been to Vegas before, don't know too much about it, hoping I could get some feedback from you RFD folk on some of the activities we are hoping to do?
So, some of the activities that we were hoping to do while there are there:

1. Gun shooting. I heard that theres a place off the strip where you can pay and learn to shoot guns off at a shooting range. Anyone been there before?

2. Flying. Theres a place that is like a chamber apparently where I think they blow giant fans and you get lifted off the ground as if you were flying

3. Shopping! Whats best to shop at? The outlet malls off of the strip, or the desert passage, or Ceasers? or any other suggestions?
I know that Thanksgiving weekend was the best in terms of sales for the US, but is this time right before xmas a good sale time as well??

4. Clubbing! We are both girls in our early twenties, whats a good club to go to? How much do drinks usually cost? Best atmosphere?

5. Grand Canyon. Anyone take a tour out to the Canyon from the strip? How much does it cost? is it worth it? We are not renting a car while there so driving is out of the question for us...

6. The rollercoaster rides on top of the Stratosphere... fun? worth it? anyone done it?

7. Any reviews or tips for staying at the Luxor?

8. We would like to catch a show as well, but I think tips for shows have been covered in the other posts.. but any further info would be appreciated!

9. Overall, ANY thing else that y'all think is worthwhile in Vegas! We have 6 days to burn and really looking forward to it!

P.S. Ive noticed now that people are saying that it's cold in Vegas... I am sorry to say that I am one of those crazy people that thought it would be spring like weather there. Am I wrong? Do I need to pack winter clothing for both the day and night time?

Thanks for the help guys!!!