Need a weekend idea...

[daisy2jae]

To make a long story short....My husband graduates from college in December 2009 after 9 1/2 years. He's worked very hard to finish. In the past 9 1/2 years he's worked fulltime and a part-time job while going to school. Plus he battled cancer (leukemia) through the entire time. He is amazing and of course says he doesn't want anything in December when he graduates. I want to do something special...over the top as a surprise. However this past year money has been tight. I have apx $1200 to work with. I want to go away for a quick 3 day weekend. I was thinking Vegas but have never been there. I'm the disney nut in the family and not him. I don't want to take him to Disney since it would be more for myself. We live in the middle of the US so we will have to fly. I have 50,000 miles through Delta and can try to get free airline tickets. (But I'd have to get them ASAP to get them using my miles.) The trip doesn't have to be in December but I want to put the "gift" in the card. He loves sports (Yankees, Spurs, and the Dolphins) Any thoughts or any help if I want to go to Vegas? Hotel - where to stay, Shows - what to see?

 

[Handbag Lady]

Now is a good time to go to Las Vegas. December is the BEST time to go! Just make sure you are avoiding weekends with major Vegas events like a car race or a big fight and you'll do fine.

I would suggest signing up for each of the Vegas Hotel's email alerts. They will send you special room rates. I'd try for the better ones, too, since your husband worked so hard.

Congrats to him!

Here are my favorites:

Mirage
Treaure Island (get a view room)
Bellagio
Flamingo (an older hotel but they are across from Bellagio and have some GREAT rates sometimes and some fairly large rooms.)
Mandalay Bay (on the far end of the strip, but the hotel is pretty).
Venetian (all rooms ar suites, even when you get a discounted rate)

I would avoid:

Circus Circus (ceilings are too low and the casino smells like bad smoke)
Imperial Palace (Okay, I like this hotel because of location but it isn't the place for a nice weekend. Rooms are cheap for a reason.)
MGM (yes they have a great location and nice rooms, but it is SO freakin' huge, it will take you 10 minutes to walk to your room from the strip.)

I used to go to Las Vegas once a month. I haven't been in a year (we've been saving up for a Hawaii trip) but I'm happy to help if I can.

I would suggest trying for any of the Cirque shows. I loved Mystere and you can sometimes find discount tickets, but it isn't the newest show in town.

 

[Handbag Lady]

To make a long story short....My husband graduates from college in December 2009 after 9 1/2 years. He's worked very hard to finish. In the past 9 1/2 years he's worked fulltime and a part-time job while going to school. Plus he battled cancer (leukemia) through the entire time. He is amazing and of course says he doesn't want anything in December when he graduates. I want to do something special...over the top as a surprise. However this past year money has been tight. I have apx $1200 to work with. I want to go away for a quick 3 day weekend. I was thinking Vegas but have never been there. I'm the disney nut in the family and not him. I don't want to take him to Disney since it would be more for myself. We live in the middle of the US so we will have to fly. I have 50,000 miles through Delta and can try to get free airline tickets. (But I'd have to get them ASAP to get them using my miles.) The trip doesn't have to be in December but I want to put the "gift" in the card. He loves sports (Yankees, Spurs, and the Dolphins) Any thoughts or any help if I want to go to Vegas? Hotel - where to stay, Shows - what to see?

And if he likes sports, make sure you go to Caesar's Palace sports book. I LOVE watching games there and the waitresses are fabulous. I'd also stay there if you can, too.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

If he loves the Spurs then how about San Antonio? They have a home game the 11th I think in your time frame. You could also do the riverwalk, alamo etc. Not as glitzy as vegas though.

 

[daisy2jae]

Now is a good time to go to Las Vegas. December is the BEST time to go! Just make sure you are avoiding weekends with major Vegas events like a car race or a big fight and you'll do fine.

I would suggest signing up for each of the Vegas Hotel's email alerts. They will send you special room rates. I'd try for the better ones, too, since your husband worked so hard.

Congrats to him!

Here are my favorites:

Mirage
Treaure Island (get a view room)
Bellagio
Flamingo (an older hotel but they are across from Bellagio and have some GREAT rates sometimes and some fairly large rooms.)
Mandalay Bay (on the far end of the strip, but the hotel is pretty).
Venetian (all rooms ar suites, even when you get a discounted rate)

I would avoid:

Circus Circus (ceilings are too low and the casino smells like bad smoke)
Imperial Palace (Okay, I like this hotel because of location but it isn't the place for a nice weekend. Rooms are cheap for a reason.)
MGM (yes they have a great location and nice rooms, but it is SO freakin' huge, it will take you 10 minutes to walk to your room from the strip.)

I used to go to Las Vegas once a month. I haven't been in a year (we've been saving up for a Hawaii trip) but I'm happy to help if I can.

I would suggest trying for any of the Cirque shows. I loved Mystere and you can sometimes find discount tickets, but it isn't the newest show in town.

My husband loves Cirque shows. We don't know much about them but he talks about the show that is in water or above...a guy he works with went to it. However his guy friends are not the type you'd call up and ask questions to...he works in a factory until he is done with school.
We are not big gamblers and don't smoke. We like the idea of going to vegas but again disney I know lots!!! vegas - nothing...

 

[daisy2jae]

If he loves the Spurs then how about San Antonio? They have a home game the 11th I think in your time frame. You could also do the riverwalk, alamo etc. Not as glitzy as vegas though.

I thought about the spurs...we've seen them play in Minneapolis but not the same if he saw them play at home.

 

[disneyvacalover]

When my husband turned 40 I got him 2 tickets to a Yankees game and 2 plane tickets . We live close enough that its only a 1 hour light so he flew out first thing in the am and flew home last flight at night. He took out teenage son with him which was what I had in mind when I bought the tickets. They had a great day and now a great memory. He loved the gift. It ended up costing about $500.00.

 

[mickeyboat]

IIRC there is a big rodeo in Las Vegas sometime in early December which may affect availability.

I have stayed in the Monte Carlo and the Flamingo, and I liked them both. I have seen Ka and it was amazing.

Have a great time.

Denae

 

[sharonW]

How about NYC?? There is so much to do in the Big Apple!
Sightseeing, ice skating in rockfeller center, oustanding
broadway shows and then the romantic horse and buggy
rides in central park. If you go in dec, you will also get
to experience the city dressed in its finest for the holidays!
Good luck!! Try travelzoo for discounted prices for
hotels.

 

[kaytieeldr]

When I was looking at prices for my now-rescheduled December trip, I found they were REALLY low around the 13th or 15th (whichever is Sunday) for most of that week. I could have stayed at the Rio - about a quarter mile from the Strip - for less than $50 a night.

I'm going in October instead, and staying at the Orleans. It's nice and works for me, but as a first-time visitor everyone is right - you are going to want to stay right on the Strip. But I got a really good price by first looking at various sites - Expedia, i4vegas, vegas.com... - and then calling the Orleans directly for a price match. Five nights with tax is costing me about $190 total, including tax, and it's only that high because I'm arriving on a Saturday. Weekends are always more expensive.


Also, the DIS has its own Las Vegas subforum here http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=175

 

[shelemm]

There is nothing more special and wonderful to a sports fan than going to a home game (or playoff game!) of one's favorite team, especially if going there is a rare treat! Since you are not into gambling, go for the Spurs idea. It is a memory that he will treasure forever. Plus San Antonio is supposed to be a great place to visit.... I imagine the Dolphins are another possibility.

 

[dbelmo]

My husband in also a huge a Yankee fan, so for his birthday (January) a few years ago. I booked flights to Tampa for the end of February - begining of March to see Yankee Spring Training.

between the flights--- a decent hotel --- rental car --- food (bar tab too) and tickets to two games (one at the Yankee complex and one for another team) I spent under $900--- total... that even included tshirts and other gifts.

He had so much fun!!!

You can book everything and do the the leg work now, then in his card give him the gift then have something to look forward to.

HTH

dbelmo

 

[daisy2jae]

I'm believe things happen for a reason...but don't always like what happens. My husband's job went back to 32 hours per week not 40 due to the slow economy. Last time this happened he was off Jan - May on 32's this year. I'm hoping it's not going to last that long again but with the lose of income my trip plans have come to a stop. My back up plan is to have a surprise open house after the graduation. I'm going to invite friends, family, coworkers, teachers, etc... I hope this will be just as exciting. I'm going to make a photo book that shows our wonderful last 11 years together. I know it won't be a BIG thing but I'm sure the thought is going to be just as special.

 

[daisy2jae]

PS - THANKS for all the ideas. If we ever get a chance to do something special soon I'll keep all the ideas in the back of my mind.

 

[blogposter12]

If you ever visit southern california, go to Santa Barbara. it's cheap and nice.

 

[daisy2jae]

If you ever visit southern california, go to Santa Barbara. it's cheap and nice.

thanks for the idea we have family in san diego. so who knows what is going to happen in the future.