As Cheap As Possible - VEGAS!!!

[SharpMomOfTwo]

For my 30th B-day, I want to go to Vegas - I'll be turning 30 next August. I want to stay somewhere on the strip, somewhere nice, but not to crazy expencive. Any thoughts?


PS - We will have to fly from NJ as well - know of any cheap airlines??

 

[LaughingGravy]

If you're not planning to go off property for anything specific and plan on just doing Disney stuff, it really makes the most sense to do one of their Magic Your Way vacations on site, especially if you plan on flying into the area and doing a rental car.
There's time dealing with the rental car on both ends, and that can easily add unexpected time.

There's the rental car fee, gas, and taxes.

There's the extra parking fee per day if you're staying off site. Ouch.

There's the extra traffic per day of getting on and off site.

Depending on when you're going, you might be able to take advantage of Free Dining (usually starts last 1/2 of August), to make it even less expensive.
On-site guests also have the extra hours benefits.

Dollar wise, you may end up being just a few (and I do mean a few) dollars cheaper by doing it off-site. To me, I'd rather pay the extra few and have everything taken care of and enjoy the time more.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

If you're not planning to go off property for anything specific and plan on just doing Disney stuff, it really makes the most sense to do one of their Magic Your Way vacations on site, especially if you plan on flying into the area and doing a rental car.
There's time dealing with the rental car on both ends, and that can easily add unexpected time.

There's the rental car fee, gas, and taxes.

There's the extra parking fee per day if you're staying off site. Ouch.

There's the extra traffic per day of getting on and off site.

Depending on when you're going, you might be able to take advantage of Free Dining (usually starts last 1/2 of August), to make it even less expensive.

SORRY!!! I changed it to VEGAS now because DH and I were talking about it, and thought that would be a better place for us to go. I've never been, and since we are already going to Disney this Dec / Jan it would probably be a waiste. Thanks anyway!!!

 

[LaughingGravy]

Vegas is cool.
Actually, it's hot and in a desert, but hey.

Vegas. Buy the cheap seats and see The Beatles "Love" Cirque Du Soleil show at the Mirage.
Really. Buy 'em online in advance.

I've been to Vegas a few times, and it's worth the trip just to see this show and fly back, it's that good.

We know someone who saw it twice, both in expensive lower area seating and cheap nose bleeds, and the cheap nose bleed show was far superior.

 

[jboysen]

if you don't mind older decor, but clean, and a great pool, Tropicana is on the strip. Usually you can get cheap rooms, especially in August. Sign up for their emails. They have good rewards for gambling. My husband and I got to see 2 shows, recieved 2 t-shirts and a few other things, and we only gambled about $300 total. It is across from the MGM Grand and kiddy corner fron NYNY.

 

[malibuconlee]

I always tell people to go to the hotel websites and sign up for their email offers for discounted hotel rooms. But as for Vegas everyone has a different idea of what is a good price is for a hotel. Are you thinking mid-strip, or South end? I'm guessing you are asking for cheap so Wynn, Bellagio are out.

I've stayed at Excalibur, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Treasure Island, and MGM Grand. Going back to MGM next month with the girls.

Any specific questions let me know and I'll try to answer them.

 

[lynn71092]

Subscibe to the Radio Shopping show out of Las Vegas. They sell hotel, restaurant and show certificates for Las Vegas. My son went to Vegas a few years ago and I was able to get him some great deals. One show they got so cheap that they gave the guy at the show an extra $10.00 and they got one of the front tables! You just have to call when they're on the air and they can mail the certificates to you. They also have 2 here in Illinois which is how I fouind out about them. Here's the website for the Vegas one.

http://www.kshp.com/

 

[Stitch And Friends]

Go to travelzoo's website and sign up for their weekly top 20 email. You often have to act quickly because the deals are limited and sell out fast, but I've seen Vegas hotels on there with significant discounts, including comps/show discounts lately. Vegas is not doing well in the current economy so they are doing everything they can to get people there.

 

[bennyrn12]

The flamingo is by far the best deal on the strip. I am going in January and am paying
45/night for a standard room. It is in the center of the strip and is a great hotel! I've stayed there 2 times in the past year and dont have a single complaint. As for airlines southwest and air tran are the cheapest. Im flying out from Rochester, ny the end of January and it is going to be 114 each way (which is unbelievably cheap!). Once you are out there there is plenty to do cheap/free! To get the most out of Vegas you have to plan like disney, lots of research and start it early! Good luck!

 

[Fall1]

I'm not sure if you are a member of Costco, but DH and I booked our trip through them when we went 2 years ago. The trip included air fare and was the cheapest of all the other options we looked at.

We stayed at the MGM Grande and really liked it.

 

[Chicago526]

For my money, you can't beat the Paris. It's location is prime, and it's rates are reasonable given the ammenties. If you can stay Sun-Thu you usually get the best rates (that goes for any hotel, not just Paris). And, the Paris has the BEST breakfast buffett. Not cheap, but the food is AMAZING.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Vegas is our adult Disney world! We go to Vegas several times a year even though we live in Ohio. Flying airtran or southwest is usually our best bet.

We regularly stay at the top hotels... Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian, etc. And never do I pay more than $99 a night! There are plenty of deals to be had in Vegas! And August is a great time to go for deals. It's about 110 degrees there then and many people stay away because of the heat.

About 3-4 months before start surfing all the hotel sites for great deals. Booking directly with the hotel gets you much better deals than with a package, etc. Also while looking at each hotel site make sure to check out their show specials. You can regularly get 40% off the Cirque show LOVE or Mystere. Both fantastic shows!!

We're going again in a few weeks. We got New York New York for $29 a night and Mirage for $60 a night. I can't wait!

 

[Pakey]

Go to the hotel websites and sign up for their promotions. I just got one for Mandalay bay for $49/night. Although Mandalay Bay is not one of my fave spots (I've stayed at almost every hotel on the strip), you cannot beat $49/night for a room there. I stayed last week in a luxury (upgraded) suite at the Venetian for $139/night; 12 months ago I thought getting that same level of room for $300 was a great deal.

 

[southernbelle5672]

I saw the New York, New York hotel was running a special for only around $56/night. Don't know if it's still going on but the New York New York is a very fancy hotel on the strip.

 

[RyJMom]

Cheap Vegas trips are my passion. For best hotel rates check Smarter Vegas hotel codes or Fat Wallet codes (trip Vegas Section) You find codes that you plug into each hotel's website. These are usually better codes than they Email out. Don't book anything that can't be canceled without penalty and check back often. I'm not sure if Allegiant flies out of your area but I caught a $29 ea way special with them in June. It was great -even with all the taxes and fees it was $212 for 2 of us to fly to Vegas. We always rent a car. We usually use Dollar - the last several trip I've not even had a code just a special rate that pops up on the Dollar website. In June we paid $11.90 a day for a full size car. Good luck planning - I think I enjoy getting the good deals even more than I enjoy the trip!!!

 

[Kae]

Sign up at the resorts websites. You will get emails for some great deals. Check out Cheapovegas.com. We have never rented a car. Just like WDW location is key we love the Flamingo. Stay away from Imperial Palace it is not real nice. Sign up on Travelocity for Fare alerts

Kae

 

[Ohiodislover]

Flamingo is a great deal
Also next door is Imperial Palace. I've stayed there, but only Dec-Feb when too chilly to swim. The pool is just a pool. But nice clean rooms for really cheap prices.

 

[golfgal]

I know you said you wanted to be on the strip but consider going off the strip. We stayed at the Orleans when we were in Vegas. Rooms can be had for about $35/night and they are nice rooms. They had a very nice pool area and a free shuttle to the strip. We had an incredible view of the strip from our hotel room too so that was a bonus. Just a thought.

 

[capitolhill]

Yeah, I am trying to plan a trip to Vegas for New Years and I've started doing research on costs so I know how expensive that can get! Try to book at off-peak times if you can to get better hotel rates. The Cheesecake factory is also doing a promotion on their Facebook page where the winner gets a free trip to vegas for nine people -- all you have to do is become a fan of their Facebook page (http://facebook.com/thecheesecakefactory).

 

[jlima]

Stay Sunday - Thursday for the best rates; and stay off the strip for even cheaper rates.

Get a package from the hotel you stay at that includes coupons, and use the coupons.

Buy same-day show tickets from the discount places. But it there's a popular show you know you want to see, by all means buy the tickets as soon as possible.

Eat from the fixed-price menus at fine dining restaurants.

Check out Costco, Expedia, etc. for package prices but price out the inclusions to make sure you're not paying too much markup.

Sign up on hotel websites, as others have suggested. If you sign up on an MGM MIRAGE property, you can check a box to get offers from all of their properties. And look at websites for deals and specials. I was doing a project at work today & saw that the spa at MGM Grand has summer specials, including a $95 50 min massage that's normally $130.

Have fun planning your trip!