Laa vagas:)

[Babysaurs]

So now we have our flights to Vegas we need to decide what to do there
We have 12 nights there. 3 days we will be taken up by the monster jam would finals
We will have our 2 kids aged 4 and 7 with us. we want to go to the Grand Canyon for one night. We will hire a car for this any recommendations? Where do we hire a car from and where to stay in Grand Canyon? Have never driven in us before, dh and I have been to Vegas once before but not the kids.
Also what is this esta thing we need to do now? This was never around last time.
Any other good day trips from vagas?
Tia

 

[PrincessInOz]

So now we have our flights to Vegas we need to decide what to do there
We have 12 nights there. 3 days we will be taken up by the monster jam would finals
We will have our 2 kids aged 4 and 7 with us. we want to go to the Grand Canyon for one night. We will hire a car for this any recommendations?

That's a lot of nights! Have you worked out how many nights you will have available to travel (and not be in Vegas)?
Vegas to the Grand Canyon is about 5 hours. If you plan stops along the way, this travel time will be longer.

If you do decide to drive, you might want to take a look at Route 66 as a route between Vegas and GC.

I've stayed at Bright Angel Lodge and also at Yavapai at the Grand Canyon. If you plan to stay at the rim, I recommend you go online and book your accommodation early. The rim hotels and lodges book out fast.

Where do we hire a car from and where to stay in Grand Canyon? Have never driven in us before, dh and I have been to Vegas once before but not the kids.

If you know which rental agency you like, you can look them up and find out where they are located. The simplest option is to pick up the car at McCarran Airport.

Do you have an issue with having your kids stay in a casino hotel? There are a heap of casino's along the Strip that you can stay at. It just comes down to what your budget is. There used to be really great deals for mid-week stays. Not sure if that is true anymore.

If you're there for a Monster Jam, are there any recommended hotels that offer a discount for the event? Might be worth checking them out.

Also what is this esta thing we need to do now? This was never around last time.
Any other good day trips from vagas?
Tia

ESTA is the Electronic System for Travel Authority. The US have implemented a Visa Waiver program for a bunch of countries. However, visitors will need to complete the ESTA online (US$14 per person) for the authority to visit the US.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I agree with PIO that 12 nights in Vegas is quite a large amount of time, particularly with young kids.
Have you considered doing a road trip for about 5 nights which includes Grand Canyon? I've only done a one day flying tour to the Canyon before as I only had a day up my sleeve. However, I would love to have the time one day to jump in a car and take my time getting there.

 

[losfp]

12 nights IS a long time in Vegas. Having said that, we were there for 6 nights with a 4.5 year old and loved it. Plenty of things to see and do.

As Wanderlust mentioned, have you considered doing a longer road trip that includes the grand canyon? To be honest, if you drive 5 hours there, stay overnight and then drive 5 hours back, you won't have really seen it.

If I were doing it, I would do something like:

Day 1: Drive to Bryce Canyon (4 hours). Drive the scenic drive and then stay overnight
Day 2: Drive to Page (3 hours). Take a tour to Antelope Canyon. Stay overnight.
Day 3: Drive to Grand Canyon (3 hours). Stay overnight
Day 4: Touring the Grand Canyon. Stay overnight.
Day 5: Drive back to Las Vegas (5 hours)

We did something similar in 2012 - stayed 6 nights in Vegas, then 2 nights Zion Nat Pk, 1 night Bryce Canyon, 2 nights Page, 2 nights Grand Canyon and then proceeded to Monument Valley after that. IMO Bryce Canyon and Antelope Canyon (as well as Monument Valley) are all more spectacular than the Grand Canyon (which has sheer size as its only redeeming feature). Google images of Bryce Canyon and Antelope Canyon and consider it.

As for Vegas.... Here's what we did that kept us amused as a family for 6 nights:

- See a show or 2 or 3. We saw a touring production of Wicked, plus 2 Cirque du Soleil shows - Mystere (the original Las Vegas Cirque show. Very cool) and Love (the Beatles show. Simply amazing)
- Madame Tussauds @ The Venetian
- The shops @ The Venetian. This was our favourite. Stunning, and has a canal running inside it with gondola rides!
- Fountains @ The Bellagio, Pirate show @ TI, Volcano @ Mirage - most casinos have some sort of show or attraction that is free
- Aquarium @ Mandalay Bay
- Premium outlets

Good luck, and have fun

 

[Babysaurs]

How about this for itinerary

Thurs 19th march arrive Vegas around 5:30pm head to hotel (thinking hgvc at flamingo)
Fri 20th relaxing after 24hrs flying kids will need a rest maybe check out strip if up to it.
Sat 21 hire car and head to Bryce canyon stay overnight
Sun 22 head to page stay over night see antelope canyon and horse shoe
Monday 23 Grand Canyon stay over night
Tues 24 head back to Vegas after lunch ( think 1 night will be enough for kids and dh and I have been before)
Wed 25 relaxing and see strip
Thursday 26 monster jan
Friday 27 monster jam
Sat 28 monster jam
Sun 29 relaxing and strip
Monday 30 shopping (want to go to a Walmart and outlets)
Tuesday 31 flight leaves at 5:55pm what should we do if check out is 10am?
Is it going to be easy enough to do the driving trip? Is our aus license ok there?
Thankyou

 

[Brisbanemum]

We stayed at Circus Circus while we were in Vegas 3 years ago as they have an indoor theme park which the boys loved! At the time, the kids were 5 and 8 and we had a fantastic time. For things to do, we went to the Tournament of Kings dinner show which was heaps of fun. http://www.excalibur.com/entertainment/tournament_of_kings.aspx

And the kids loved the Cirque Du Soliel Show 'Immortal - Michael Jackson'. I don't think that one is there anymore, but maybe a Cirque show is another option?

We were there over Christmas and hired a car from the hotel lobby and drove to the Grand Canyon. We stayed in Williams, Arizona Railway hotel with a package with the Polar Express Train. As you won't be there till mark, perhaps you could look into seeing the Grand Canyon via rail? Here's the link
http://www.thetrain.com/offers-packages/

 

[Brisbanemum]

Monday 30 shopping (want to go to a Walmart and outlets)

Is it going to be easy enough to do the driving trip? Is our aus license ok there?
Thankyou

The Las Vegas Premium Outlets are amazing for shopping!

As for the driving, all you will need is your Aus License The hardest part of driving will be when you first have to drive out of Vegas, but after that, you should adjust really easily as you will be driving mainly on the highway.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Are your kids good car travellers? You'll be driving close on 900 miles in the 4 days. If they are, then it's a great looking itinerary. Just be aware that Bryce is at over 8000 feet above sea level. The weather is still pretty inconsistent in March and you might have snow; or it might be fine.

The light beams start heading into Antelope Canyon mid-March. If you are planning on seeing Antelope Canyon, you might want to time a tour with when the light beams are there. It is really lovely to see and photograph. If that's what you want to do, make sure you check out the appropriate tours.









The tour companies do block off the passage for the photo tours to take their pictures when the light beams are at their peak.






We drove through Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado last year just with the Aussie DL. We had no issues.

 

[aussie shaz]

I think one night at the Grand Canyon is enough. We had 2 nights and didnt need it. My 8 year old quotes Grand Canyon as the most boring place of our trip! It's great to see, but that's about it.
As for Las Vegas, I'd stay away from Circus Circus. That area is pretty creepy. Down the other end (Mirage, New York New York etc) or central would be better.
You will have no problem driving with an Aus drivers licence in the US.

 

[Babysaurs]

Are your kids good car travellers? You'll be driving close on 900 miles in the 4 days. If they are, then it's a great looking itinerary. Just be aware that Bryce is at over 8000 feet above sea level. The weather is still pretty inconsistent in March and you might have snow; or it might be fine.

The light beams start heading into Antelope Canyon mid-March. If you are planning on seeing Antelope Canyon, you might want to time a tour with when the light beams are there. It is really lovely to see and photograph. If that's what you want to do, make sure you check out the appropriate tours.

http://s816.photobucket.com/user/Pr.../04 Antelope Canyon/0920RoadTrip1572.jpg.html

The tour companies do block off the passage for the photo tours to take their pictures when the light beams are at their peak.

http://s816.photobucket.com/user/Pr.../04 Antelope Canyon/0920RoadTrip1576.jpg.html

We drove through Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado last year just with the Aussie DL. We had no issues.

Kids are great car travellers so I'm not worried about that, more so the long plane rides lol
To be honest we would like it to snow just a little ds would love to see snow
When dh and I went to the Grand Canyon in 2010 it was mid march and it snowed then, was my first time seeing snow
Any recommendations on places to stay in Bryce Canyon area and page? Hoping to get into el tovar at gc tried to ring today but was 45mins too late lol.

 

[PrincessInOz]

For GC, go online to Xanterra and see what is available for your dates. Xanterra have the rights to most (if not all) the National Parks in the US.

Mostly, people stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge when in Bryce. If they can't get in there, the other place might be Ruby's Inn. Ruby's Inn is outside the NP.

I stayed at a B&B in Page. It was the Rose Walk Inn. The hosts were great. I know AussieWendy is heading to Page whilst she is away. I'm not sure where she is staying.

 

[Montanabel]

So now we have our flights to Vegas we need to decide what to do there
We have 12 nights there. 3 days we will be taken up by the monster jam would finals
We will have our 2 kids aged 4 and 7 with us. we want to go to the Grand Canyon for one night. We will hire a car for this any recommendations? Where do we hire a car from and where to stay in Grand Canyon? Have never driven in us before, dh and I have been to Vegas once before but not the kids.
Also what is this esta thing we need to do now? This was never around last time.
Any other good day trips from vagas?
Tia

Wow 12 nights! We just got back on Saturday from the USA which included 5 nights in Las Vegas - our kids are 10 and 6 years old.

We didn't visit the Grand Canyon but spent time in Las Vegas itself. We did the hop on and hop off bus tour, the reality TV shows tour (seeing the place were 'Counting Cars' is filmed was cool), Comedy Pet Theatre, Premium outlet shopping ('Ross Dress for Less' was also good) and M&M World. The Pinball Hall of Fame was also a hit with the kids.

There was also lots of free things to see at the hotels plus the hotel pool was also popular with the kids (it also allowed my hubby to go off and shoot machine guns and visit the mob museum). Maybe have a look at the shows and tours in Las Vegas itself, you might find something there that everyone will enjoy.

 

[Babysaurs]

Booked a room for us at the elsa tovar for monday march 23rd first hotel booking done!

 

[BrizMarc]

wow 12 nights in Vegas, Theres gonna be alot of time to kill. You havnet considered spending some time in LA first to to break up the trip? I dont want to be a downer on your trip but vegas its self doesnt have a whole lot to do. The area can been seen in a couple of days easy.

 

[lffam]

Booked a room for us at the elsa tovar for monday march 23rd first hotel booking done!

Glad to hear its coming together for you! great job

 

[marvel]

Please don't stay in circus circus, many many other options with quality rooms and good prices in Vegas. You really do not need to stay in that part of the strip also, too far from everything. Heard many a sad story of Aussies being put their by travel agents over the years. Although at the other end of the the strip, MGM has large rooms, great pool area. Or even the Venetian or Palazzo if budget allows, are both all suite hotels.

 

[Babysaurs]

wow 12 nights in Vegas, Theres gonna be alot of time to kill. You havnet considered spending some time in LA first to to break up the trip? I dont want to be a downer on your trip but vegas its self doesnt have a whole lot to do. The area can been seen in a couple of days easy.

Dh and I have been to Vegas before so we are taking 3 nights to do a road trip Grand Canyon, page and Bryce Canyon. Also 3 full days will be taken up by monster jam. We aren't worried about needing to "kill time" and with kids aged 4 and 7 we will need down time.
We couldn't have time in la as we didn't pay for flights flight centre did

Aren't planning on staying in circus circus at all. At the moment thinking first 2 nights before we head on our road trip in Excalibur (dh and I stayed there last visit to Vegas) and then after the road trip the last 7 nights in a 1 bedroom at the Hilton place behind the flamingo

 

[crazy Cat Lady]

Aren't planning on staying in circus circus at all. At the moment thinking first 2 nights before we head on our road trip in Excalibur (dh and I stayed there last visit to Vegas) and then after the road trip the last 7 nights in a 1 bedroom at the Hilton place behind the flamingo

I would have recommended Excalibur, but I see you are way ahead of me!

The Deuce bus seems an effective way to get around Vegas if you want to go from one end of the strip to the other. The Monorail is great, but depends where you need to go as it really only runs from the MGM behind all the casinos on that side of the strip to the Convention Centre.

Michael Jackson One @ Mandalay Bay is a fantastic show. I'd recommend sitting from the middle back to fully appreciate all of the effects. We sat towards the front and felt that we missed a bit of what was happening behind us.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

We just stayed in Comfort Suites in Page. Clean, adequate, typical of the chain, did have a nice looking indoor pool (didn't try it out). Very close to MacDonalds and Walmart on the outskirts of town (not a lot to Page so anywhere is 5 mins from everywhere else). Cost us around $100 for the night including breakfast, I think booked through hotels.com. (I did a lot of bookings with Orbitz as well). They did charge us though we had prepaid - discovered a day or two after we had checked out but one phone call and they refunded it promptly. Not commenting on Vegas as we are in the camp who hate it! but I appreciate others think very differently. Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks were the highlights of our recent trip closely followed by the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour in Page-we learnt that you can get the beams of light effect all year round but for us in November only for a brief couple of times a day (and we missed it - I didn't think it was possible at all) but we didn't feel it was essential to our experience of the canyon - it was amazing anyway.

 

[Babysaurs]

So we fly out in 58 days and plans coming along nicely although have changed a bit
We have decided we will hire car straight from airport when we get there around 6pm then drive to the Luxor where we will stay for one night (free through myvegas love that game).
So our itinerary looks like this
Thurs 19/3 fly into Vegas hire car stay Luxor
Fri 20/3 drive to Zion national park stay night at cable mountain lodge
Sat 21/3 Bryce Canyon stay night best western
Sun 22/3 page stay best western view hotel
Monday 23/3 Grand Canyon stay 1 night el tovar
Tues 24/3 drive back to Vegas stay next 7 nights at the platinum hotel
Wed 25/3 resting and shopping
Thurs 26/3 monster jam world finals
Fri 27/3 monster jam
Sat 28/3 monster jam
Sun 29/3 visit strip
Mon 30/3 not sure maybe shipping, strip or day tour to Death Valley
Tues 31/3 fly out around 5pm so will have morning to pack etc.
Then we have 3 nights in Fiji on the way home
Arrive back in aus Sunday 5/4 Easter! Thinking of staying at the first landing resort in Fiji not booked yet.
All other hotels are booked, hire car is organised although need to change it slightly to add 1 extra night in now.