Disney World vs. Las Vegas

[EJKorvette]

I hope I am posting this thread in the right place.

I have just come back from an unexpected trip up to the World (see my trip report) and was thinking about how I have only usually gone to one of two places on vacation - the World and Las Vegas. (A weekend hop over to Atlantis last year doesn't count!)

I was wondering if there were any other Disnophiles that also spend lots of vacation or recreation time in Las Vegas, and to discuss why both places appeal to us.

At first glance both places seem very different. In fact, one of my sister-in-laws whose red blood cells are probably little Mickeys, hated her trip to Vegas and will never go there again.

But we know better, don't we.

Anyone? And which Las Vegas podcasts do you listen to?

Evan aka EJKorvette, who wants to know if there are others out there who share his interests

 

[Michelle67]

Well...Vegas is kinda Disneyland for adults, isn't it?

We don't spend lots of time there, because we can't afford lots of vacations at all. But we've gone a few times. I enjoy gambling but I'm a pretty cheap gambler. The possibility of winning big is fun, though. Nothing I count on, and I assume I'll lose more than I win, but the possibility is still fun. I like the wild architecture and theming, too. Similar to Disneyland in that way (I've never been to WDW, can't compare to that at all). An almost overwhelming immersion experience is something they seem to have in common to me as well.

I've never listened to a podcast in my life...not even sure I really understand what it is or how ya do it. I'm old and moldy that way. Only thing I've ever listened to on the computer, besides a voice chat, is a website my husband found that plays old time radio broadcasts.

 

[Tricia1972]

I can't wait to go back to Vegas and Disney. More Vegas right now, but it's been three years and I haven't had a 'dry' spell this long since 1995 - 2000.

Disney appeals to me for obvious reasons - it has a magical feel and I have three kids - 6, 3 and 7 months.


Vegas - I LOVE the food there. The buffets at Paris and Bellagio are cheaper than a Dinner at Chef Mickey's and the food blows Disney out of the water.

I love the fact that I can mostly wake up and wander in Vegas. I don't need to map out my plans months in advance.

I love window shopping at the high end stores.

Gambling isn't a bad thing for me, we set a daily budget of about $50 - $75 and have fun.

I LOVE the Fountains of Bellagio - you just don't have that in Disney.

I enjoy the wide variety of entertainment at different price points. Disney's price point is generally very high. Vegas I can find things to do for cheap or $$$$$$. (O was fantastic!!)

Freemont Street Experience - Nothing like that in Disney either, and I enjoy the open air carnival feel I get going there in the evenings with the bands, street artists, and of course the light show itself.

 

[Danauk]

On my 5 visits to America every trip has involved either Disney (World or Land) and Las Vegas, sometimes both!! We enjoy visiting both places equally.

 

[Barb D]

I have to say I have ZERO interest in Vegas. I don't gamble, and I can't stand cigarette smoke. My brother lives near Atlantic City, and we'll go there to go to a show or the beach, and even just walking through the casinos to get to where we want to go really bothers me (with the smoke).

I'm stickin' with Disney.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just to address the smoke issue - when you go to places like Golden Nugget, Binions, basically Old Vegas, you'll be faced with more smoke.

Bigger casinos like Bellagio, MGM, Paris, etc (basically the strip) do not have issues with smoke like local casinos or the smaller downtown casinos.

Smoke is a huge issue for me, and if it was super smokey I'd have an issue in the casinos as well.

Not trying to talk anyone into Vegas - enough people go there, but just to correct a common misconception.

 

[suzimar57]

we got to vegas every year (for DH...) - love the buffets at paris, bellagio and mirage - we stay at paris, and request a view of the bellagio fountains - so beautiful! - DH brings small daily gambling amount (around $75) and that's it, when it's gone, it's gone - me, don't gamble, but like to browse all the high-end stores

 

[Planogirl]

I've been wanting to see Vegas for a while but I keep wondering if there's enough to do there if you don't enjoy gambling. DH does like to gamble a little but I just play slots briefly and I'm bored. Could Vegas be fun for a non-gambler?

Oops, just saw the prior post. So eating and shopping is good.

 

[just4today]

I've been wanting to see Vegas for a while but I keep wondering if there's enough to do there if you don't enjoy gambling. DH does like to gamble a little but I just play slots briefly and I'm bored. Could Vegas be fun for a non-gambler?

Oops, just saw the prior post. So eating and shopping is good.

Yes, there is plenty to do without gambling. In 3 trips to Vegas, I have spent less than $150 on gambling.

 

[Andrea]

omg i love both places are my favorite. I spend most of my time on this message board and one just like this for Las Vegas. We have no kids either, so we have a blast at both.

We dont smoke, we dont gamble and we barely drink. I just love love love the shows and shopping and people. When we do go to vegas we might gamble maybe 50.00 for the week.

Even doing all the free stuff vegas has to offer is a blast!!!!!

 

[Pakey]

Another fan of both. I'm going to Las Vegas in 5 days for my 5th trip this year (business and personal).

I think both Disney and Las Vegas offer the feeling of being somewhere unreal. I do not gamble but I love going to Las Vegas for the amazing amazing food and entertainment and all of the shopping that is located within walking distance of where I'm staying.

I've stayed at almost every hotel on the strip and I try one new restaurant each time too. I'll be eating Thanksgiving dinner at Red Square at the Mandalay with my best friend while my husband is at home having dinner with his parents.

 

[GeorgeG]

I've never been to either Disneyland or Vegas. I don't see Disneyland as someplace I'd go, especially now that WDW is only an hour away. I'm sure it's nice, but I'm afraid it would be a disappointment after years of WDW. Vegas has absolutely no appeal to us. We're not gamblers. Of the two options, I suppose we'd choose Disneyland over Vegas since it's at least in our area of interest. But, as I said, with WDW, Sea World, and lots of other nice places at our fingertips, it just doesn't make sense to travel across the country for our entertainment.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I have to say I have ZERO interest in Vegas. I don't gamble, and I can't stand cigarette smoke.

I'm stickin' with Disney.

Same here. We went to Vegas a couple of years ago, and while I'm glad I saw it, I have no desire to go back. Not that it was awful...we had some fun, but there are just plenty other places where I'd rather spend my time and money. Not a gambler, don't like the smoke, nor getting bombarded by timeshare people. We did have fun and enjoyed the Grand Canyon, Hoover Damn, the train ride to GC, and other things tho. I also hated the smoking in Virginia; lovely state, awful cigarette smoke. Bleh.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The highlight for a Vegas trip for me is the drive to the airport to go home. I do go there periodically, January will be next time, for a business seminar. I do not gamble, hate smoke, and do not enjoy walking amidst all the sidewalk porn slappers. Even though virtually all places, other than the casinos, are now non-smoking, you still have to walk through those casinos to get anywhere. I have enjoyed the grandeur and spectacle of the place, the buildings, etc, a few trips to Hoover Dam, and always a Cirque show. It is a place I definitely could do without.

 

[minnie56]

Just back from Vegas but given that I 'do' WDW 2x a year at least and LV every 3-4 yrs..I guess I am not hooked on Vegas! Cool place, lots to see and do but after a few days, man one has to get out of there!!!!!!!!!!!