first trip to Vegas any budget ideas

[jpeppers]

Since you say you drink, go across the street to the Casino Royale for the $1 Michelobs and $1 Margaritas. It is unlimited and you can check out the other casinos while heading back for your cheap drinks. This is my favorite place and no gambling required. Also spend the extra couple of $$$ for the monorail......it is a great way to get from one end of the strip to the other........last time I was there it was $9 for 24 hrs.

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

We were thrilled to find that Planet Hollywood now has an Earl of Sandwich.

I would also second the get a car at the airport and the suggestion to go out to Red Rock Canyon. Even if you don't want to hike, you can drive the 13 mile loop and stop at various places to take pics.

 

[MyMuse]

Love (a mix of Cirque du Soliel with Beatles music) is buy one, get one at $25 right now. Cirque discounts are rare and not often at the 1/2 price booths.

Thanks for the info!

Is this on a website somewhere? Or just the ticket booth in Vegas? I'm seeing a show on a Saturday night, does the promo apply to weekend nights?

 

[natcat117]

We were thrilled to find that Planet Hollywood now has an Earl of Sandwich.

We stayed at the Signature at MGM but walked just to eat there!

Titanic the Artifact Exhibition is a must see!! We easily spent 2 - 3 hours looking at everything. The Bodies exhibit is right next to it. Tix4Tonight at the Coca Cola bottle has good discounts. Also the monorail has a three day pass for $28. It's great and saves a lot of walking. Some buffet deals, like the Excalibur one a pp mentioned, can actually be cheaper than eating at food courts. A small sub combo at Quiznos at the Luxor was more than $10!

 

[andrews_dad]

Thanks for the info!

Is this on a website somewhere? Or just the ticket booth in Vegas? I'm seeing a show on a Saturday night, does the promo apply to weekend nights?

Cirque du Soleil has a special offer on all of their current Las Vegas shows (yes, even "O").

If you purchase a regularly priced ticket, you can purchase another ticket for only $25.

The offer is good for Mystere (at TI), O (at Bellagio), Zumanity (at New York New York), KA (at MGM Grand), Love (at the Mirage), and Believe (at Luxor).

The special offer is good for performances through Oct. 31 and must be purchased together.

To purchase, go to http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas/en/promotions/index.asp?id=-1 or text SUMMER to 25025.

(We believe that marks the first special offer via texting that we've posted.)

 

[andrews_dad]

They also have military discounts for Cirque in Las Vegas, 25%-50% off depending on the show. Check the Cirque site http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas/en/promotions/index.asp?id=-1

 

[peyjax]

Great tips. I am leaving in a few weeks with my little ones to visit my folks. They live there but never venture out to the strip. A few questions.

Is the monorail a cool thing for a little one who loves the one at disney? How much for a transfer?

When driving can you just park anywhere or are there parking fees?

We are planning on doing the free stuff but would like to eat out when on the strip. Are there any really good places for little ones that they might like. I was thinking Excalibur?? It has been years since I was there but thought that and MGM was cute. Any ideas?

Also is the Cirque show worth it? How about a 5 year old? I was pondering it since they have the add on for $25.

 

[andrews_dad]

Great tips. I am leaving in a few weeks with my little ones to visit my folks. They live there but never venture out to the strip. A few questions.

Is the monorail a cool thing for a little one who loves the one at disney? How much for a transfer?

When driving can you just park anywhere or are there parking fees?

We are planning on doing the free stuff but would like to eat out when on the strip. Are there any really good places for little ones that they might like. I was thinking Excalibur?? It has been years since I was there but thought that and MGM was cute. Any ideas?

Also is the Cirque show worth it? How about a 5 year old? I was pondering it since they have the add on for $25.

OK .. let's go over this list.

Monorail ... ugh skip it. Stations to load are at the back of the casinos, a long walk. It is expensive. It is behind the casinos, with limited strip views. Only worth it (IMO) if you are staying at on end of strip and want to jet up and down strip a ton.... say staying at the convention center and need to get to MGM often. Not a "fun" thing for a 5 year old.

Rainforest Cafe at MGM is fun for kids. Excalibur has games in basement area for kids. GameWorks beneath the giant coke bottle is fun. ESPN zone at NYNY Hotel is fun.

Cirque has 50% off for kids right now on that link I posted. So, you may be able to do 1 adul full price, next adult at $25, the kid at 50% off. Overall, though, I really don't think Cirque would appeal to a 5 year old. O is the best on the Strip... Bellagio (IMO). Ka is quite good. Zumanity is for ADULTS only, but is good if you are open-minded. Mystere is rather blase, IMO. La Reve at Wynn is as good as all of them (not technically a Cirque show but very much same from same producer).

Carrot Top is often 1/2 price and VERY funny, but NOT for kids. Many sex-props... not the same sort of Carrot Top you see on Leno. Blue Man is often at 1/2 price, good for all ages.

 

[serene56]

I agree that the monorail is very expensive--not like a disney one at all.

Parking-- you can park in each casino lot-- we used valet which is free a lot of times---but you should tip.
Street parking--no. you cant hail a cab on the street either- you gotta go to a casino and go to their cab caller. (i dont know what they are called)

Circus Circus has an indoor amusement park too. The Freemont Experience for the kids could be good-- its different shows overhead every 30 minutes - check out youtube to see some of it.

 

[rbramblett]

A great website to check out is http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com.

At each casino sign up for a free player's club card. Some will give you a "fun book" that have all kinds of discounts. Some will also give you free play.

Have a great time!

Absolutely do this. My hubby and I get all kinds of freebies, from free drinks, to free slot play. I also "won" a Tropicana Jacket this way and now we get offers to come back to the hotels for CHEAP cause we signed up. Also surf the net before you go. I found 2 for 1 ticket to Madam Tousads (sp) cool and worthwhile for 1/2 price.

 

[rbramblett]

Great tips. I am leaving in a few weeks with my little ones to visit my folks. They live there but never venture out to the strip. A few questions.

Is the monorail a cool thing for a little one who loves the one at disney? How much for a transfer?

When driving can you just park anywhere or are there parking fees?

We are planning on doing the free stuff but would like to eat out when on the strip. Are there any really good places for little ones that they might like. I was thinking Excalibur?? It has been years since I was there but thought that and MGM was cute. Any ideas?

Also is the Cirque show worth it? How about a 5 year old? I was pondering it since they have the add on for $25.

I think the monorail might be a disappointment, all the little one is gonna get to see is the back of the hotels which are pretty ugly in the daytime.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

To the PP that posted about a Cirque show for kids... Mystere always has alot of kids in the theater and they always really enjoy it. I think out of all the Cirque shows it's the most kid oriented. My nephew loved it and he won't even sit through a movie!

 

[andrews_dad]

To the PP that posted about a Cirque show for kids... Mystere always has alot of kids in the theater and they always really enjoy it. I think out of all the Cirque shows it's the most kid oriented. My nephew loved it and he won't even sit through a movie!

I think WAY too many parents and kids expect a circus .... lion tamers, elephants doing tricks, 40 clowns jumping out of a small car.... You are not getting that. Make sure the kids know that before going in.

 

[Whitty]

thanks for the tips so far.

Yes we do drink and we also have no problem walking. I'm used to walking 10+ miles a day at WDW so walking will not be a problem for us.

There are a few clubs that I know he wants to check out while we are there, one of them I'm not so sure about ( I think its green door or something like that ) I'm not sure about that , I told him I'd think about it.

You may want to look into The Green Door before you go in case you don't know what it is..................it's a VERY risque' club......more so than a strip club......just warning you in case that's not what you're looking for

Also, check out the website www.kshp.com It's a local website/radio show that offers greatly reduced show tickets, food, attractions at about half off the regular price!! You would have to call on the radio show to order tickets and then pick then up from the radio station when you get there....they'd be able to explain it all to you It's a great way to go see some good stuff

Have fun!!! There's a lot to do and see!!!

 

[twoeeyy]

thanks for the tips so far.

Yes we do drink and we also have no problem walking. I'm used to walking 10+ miles a day at WDW so walking will not be a problem for us.

There are a few clubs that I know he wants to check out while we are there, one of them I'm not so sure about ( I think its green door or something like that ) I'm not sure about that , I told him I'd think about it.

You may want to look into The Green Door before you go in case you don't know what it is..................it's a VERY risque' club......more so than a strip club......just warning you in case that's not what you're looking for

Also, check out the website www.kshp.com It's a local website/radio show that offers greatly reduced show tickets, food, attractions at about half off the regular price!! You would have to call on the radio show to order tickets and then pick then up from the radio station when you get there....they'd be able to explain it all to you It's a great way to go see some good stuff

Have fun!!! There's a lot to do and see!!!

I'm well aware of what it is , but thanks for the warning.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

Enjoy laying out in the pool with a yummy driink. I so loved the days at the pool.

 

[ZiPaD3doDAH]

I've been there twice.

I would say NOT to rent a car because you can walk everywhere! I walked all the way from Mandlay Bay to the Mirage (next to Treasure Island) and along the way we stopped by various hotels to check them out so it didn't seem that long and was actually fun.

I love going to Vegas, so many things to do!

 

[MyMuse]

I only went for 2 nights, so I didn't get the whole feel of a vacation vacation.

Stayed at Gold Coast, very nice, small, not noisy and welcome from the craziness of the Strip and the megahotels. The shuttle was convenient, timely and no problem (it does end at midnight).

We did indeed buy LOVE tickets at a discount from the link posted before, buy 1, get 2nd for $25. The seats were decent and had a lovely time. Our first night was at The Palms and yep, right across the street for fraction of the price.

We walked everywhere and the monorail is completely not worth it. One has to walk forever to get to it and when you do, you don't know where you are going! No signs, nothing and you have to pay for it.

We took taxi back and forth from the aiport; first one probably ripped off off big time by going through the tunnel and all the way around, however, it was near to noon. Going back, it was half the price and half the time to get there. So, I guess it balances out.

We visited The Palms, Bellagio, Caesar's, Palazzo, Mirage, Venetian and was able to see the Bellagio waters, Secret Garden, Bellagio gardens/art exhibit and have some ice cream at Serendipity! Yum!

All in all, a lovely stay!