Las Vegas ?

[scanmom]

We are going to stay in Las vegas 1 nite on our way down to DLR. I would love to read up on it....is there a website/discussion board like this one for Vegas? p.s.----I love the dancing banana!!!!

 

[PattiPB]

If you have specific questions, I'd be happy to help. There are several Las Vegans on the boards who I'm sure will answer questions for you.

In the meantime, I have seen this question on the Community Board. Try a search over there and you might find some forums listed.

 

[lulubelle]

Are you sure you love the dancing banana? I can't tell for sure....JK

Vegas is a very fun time, one day is not enough!

 

[LucyKate]

I reckon one day in Vegas is about right - but it's a big day.

We spent 3 nights there at the end of our trip - we had a day at the Grand Canyon and a day walking "the strip" - it was great fun, but I wouldn't have wanted to spend too much more time there.

There's heaps of free things for families to see - lions in the MGM, tigers in Mirage, the fountains in front of Bellaggio ever half hours, volcano erupting in front of Mirage and every 15 minutes from 8 PM. Just seeing the sites and the lights is great fun, and the kids love eating at buffets (we ate at Bellaggio and it was woinderful). You can also pay to take a gondola ride INSIDE the Venetian, go up the Eiffel tower, see aquariums, Egyptian tombs, ride roller coasters etc. www.cheapovegas.com has reasonable reviews of hotels, casinos, buffets, pools, free sights etc - though just bear in mind it is not aimed at families.

We stayed in Luxor, which was ok, but something a bit more central might ease the walking.

It was a fun, interesting day, and not at all scary - the only thing parents might be concerned about were the hordes of people along the strip handing out cards advertising certain ladies and their "charms". But the people doing this didn't bother us as a family only dad when he walked by himself!

 

[msteddom]

travel2vegas.com has a pretty good message board. I have found some useful tips over there.


Melissa

 

[MouseLover]

Also, try vegasgangonline.com

 

[scanmom]

we just want to walk the strip, and see a few of the famous sites!!! I knew that someone on these boards would help!!! You guys are super!

 

[LucyKate]

Happy to oblige! That's all we did - spent a day walkking the strip. Beware though, it is a VERY long street and will take you much, much longer than you expect.

We started at Luxor and only got as far as the Venetian (we didn't even make Circus, Circus).

So, a couple of tips - there's nothingto see in Excalibur (but the outside looks cool).
- Excalibur, Mandalay Bay and Luxor are connected via a monorail.
- Luxor again is one that is better from outside than in, though the Tutankhamen tomb exhibit is good (but it will cost you)
- Lions in MGM are good and free (you can pay $25 to have a pic with a cub)
- Fountains in front of Bellaggio are brilliant and free
- Tigers in Mirage are good, but the other exhibits in there are pricey.
- Bazaar in Aladdin is interesting
- Paris is only good from the outside, don't bother going in.
- Venetian is briliant inside, but a gondola ride will cost a lot - just watch, it's free.
- Volcano outside Mirage goes off at 8PM then every 15 minutes, so time your trip so you end outside Mirage at 8, then catch a cab back to your hotel.
- Break up the long day with a long stop at a buffet for lunch (we loved Bellaggio)

 

[jlmarr]

I'll toss in my 25¢

- New York New York has great theming inside and out - definitely worth a look. Great roller coaster too, but I read it's up to $12 a ride now. Yikes! http://www.nynyhotelcasino.com/pages/hotel.asp
- There is now a monorail that runs from the back side of MGM all the way to Sahara. It runs $3 for one trip, $10 for a day pass. I wouldn't call it scenic since it runs on the backside of the hotels, but it can save you a lot of walking. http://www.lvmonorail.com
- The Rio buffet is very large and very popular but is off the strip. You can catch a free shuttle from the back side of Harrah's, which is on the strip near Caesar's and Mirage. http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/dining/dining_detail_04.html
- Always split Ace's and 8's.

 

[almostGoofy]

So, a couple of tips - there's nothingto see in Excalibur (but the outside looks cool).
- Paris is only good from the outside, don't bother going in.
-

If you have kids, Excalibur has a midway with carnival games and a simulator ride. The second floor has a stage with short acts that last about 15 minutes. There are long gaps between acts though.

Paris has a great buffet and bakery. Nice atmosphere around the buffet and shops too. Like a neighborhood in Paris.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

we just want to walk the strip, and see a few of the famous sites!!! I knew that someone on these boards would help!!! You guys are super!

Hi there : I have lived in Las Vegas for the last 12 years now and I work at the Luxor. If you have any questions let me know.

Will you be driving or renting a car?

Don't miss the Bellagio fountain show and Conservatory.
Sigfreid and Roys secret garden is nice.
If you only have a day I'd do the West Side of the strip.
Starting at Manday Bay ,Luxor ,Excalibur, NYNY, Then take the monorail from the Monte Carlo to The Bellagio, Ceasars, Mirage and TI.
If you still have any energy go to the top of the Straosphere.

 

[eeyore25]

Also try www.lasvegas.com

Don't know if you are a member of AAA, but if so you can get the tour book from them that will give you more information on Las Vegas. The book comes with Southern California as well as Las Vegas. My husband and I go to Las Vegas every year on our way to DL, except last year, went to WDW, so if you have any questions, I would be happy to help. I know that I won't be as much help as the people that are from LV but I may be able to help a little.

Have fun

j

 

[dgowan]

For Vegas info you can also try www.vegaswatch.com and www.travel2vegas.com. Enjoy your trip.

 

[rsjj]

m&ms world was nice. our boys enjoyed it. and at the end, you get to pick/buy m&ms in all sorts of colors imaginable!

 

[chrisnjilly]

Just like to add that we thought the trip up to the top of the Eiffel Tower at The Paris Hotel was worth doing. It is not as high as the Stratosphere, but is more central on the Strip and the views are great, right across the street from the Bellagio fountains. There is a charge for this, but we got discount coupons as we were staying at the Flamingo, part of the same group. We can recommend The Flamingo too.

 

[scanmom]

Are the roomas at the Flamingo smallish or largish? And where is it located, on the strip or downtown area? We would want to stay on the strip, cenrally on it if possible. But we don't want to break the bank!!! I cannot find a decent map of Vegas showing the locations of the different hotels/casinos. Does anyone have one?

 

[QueenTriton]

Here's a good map: http://www.vegas.com/map.html
This is a good general website.
The Flamingo is (or at least used to be) a Hilton property. It is centrally located and we found it to be a great place to stay.

 

[hydster]

Here is a website that we frequent quite often.....http://www.lasvegastalk.com/ *but I do have to warn you SOME people on this website are really anti-kids in Vegas so take their advice for what it is and move on!!!! There are some really helpful people and if you have questions you can ask me...we go there at least 3-4 times a year!

Heidi

 

[chrisnjilly]

The Flamingo is right across the strip from Caesar’s Palace which is about as central as you can get! The rooms are….. well……. Mediumish. They are very well built (ex-Hilton) and we found them to be very quiet for a hotel of this size. Last time we were there we asked nicely at check in and got a high up room with ceiling to floor windows looking out across the strip to Caesar’s with the mountains behind. We could even see the fountain show looking to the far left from our room. The pool area is fantastic, and being one of the oldest hotel sites on the strip the grounds are very well established with lush vegetation.

Just a final note on kids. Our DSs were 9 and 12 when we were there 2 years ago. We felt completely comfortably with them the whole time we were there. We all had a great time and they are looking forward to their return to Vegas just about as much as the DL part of our next trip.

Be aware that there are a lot of “touts” handing out cards for adult activities along the strip. They never troubled us as we were with the boys but this and some general adult nature of the environment might fire off some “awkward” questions from younger children Apart from that we found the place to be extremely entertaining and much less “seedy” than we had feared.

We are sure you will have a great time

 

[sgtdisney]

Be aware that there are a lot of “touts” handing out cards for adult activities along the strip. They never troubled us as we were with the boys but this and some general adult nature of the environment might fire off some “awkward” questions from younger children

Ah, yes, the infamous Porn-slappers, named such because they slap those advertisements against their hands to catch your attention. I have found that the best thing you can do in this regard is just ignore them. I don't make eye contact with them and just keep walking and they usually catch the drift. It is a little weird that they hand out advertisements with topless pictures in them to the general public, but hey, I guess they have to make a living.

The Monte Carlo is another nice hotel on the strip, fairly centrally located and connected to the Bellagio via a monorail. The rooms have been nice, and usually they have some specials. I like the set up there, especially if you have a car because you park pretty close to the lobby with direct access to the guest room elevators. Most of the resorts in Vegas make you walk all the way through the vast casino to get from your car, or the street, to your room. Their pool deck may not be as lush as some, but it was pretty nice. It has a wave pool, a lazy river and of course a large main pool with lots of palms and things. Good luck and enjoy.