kaytieeldr
DIS Legend
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On the other hand, Bally's used to BE the MGM 
Need help please with budget trip to Vegas
- Thread starter Tink3815
- Start date
We have a timeshare off strip in Vegas so we always rent a car. I would not do Vegas without a car. For cheap eats, the American Casino guides has buy 1, 1 free buffets but they are mostly off strip. Parking is free for all the casinos except down on Freemont street. We never use the valet, just the self park. We are not big gamblers but like the idea that there is always something going on. A free show not to miss is Big Elvis on the strip at Bills Gamblin Hall, used to be Barbary Coast.
Cherbear013
Bear
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Don't remember if I saw this, but the Deuce can bring you to a lot of hotels. It is a double decker bus that makes stops all along the Strip and makes stops Downtown all the way out to hte outlet mall where they have a Disney Warehouse!! I believe it was $7 for a 24 hour pass. Cheaper than a taxi and gets you further off the Strip.
Another fun thing to see that is free are the spray paint artists on the street. We saw one near the Imperial Palace as well as on Fremont Street. Amazing artwork using spray paint! We hung out there for an hour almost every night!
If you do choose to use taxis, especially to and from the airport make sure you research which is the faster way to get to your destination. The taxi drivers know how to take advantage of people and you can pay double what a normal ride should cost.
Another fun thing to see that is free are the spray paint artists on the street. We saw one near the Imperial Palace as well as on Fremont Street. Amazing artwork using spray paint! We hung out there for an hour almost every night!
If you do choose to use taxis, especially to and from the airport make sure you research which is the faster way to get to your destination. The taxi drivers know how to take advantage of people and you can pay double what a normal ride should cost.
We went to LV the week of Thanksgiving. It was the second trip for me and DH and the first for our DS (21). We had a great time!
We flew Southwest with no problems. We rented a car from Dollar. These are the 2 companies we mostly use. Renting a car is easy, follow the overhead signs in the LV airport to ride the shuttle to the car rental center. All the rental companies are located there. The whole process (riding the shuttle to the rental center, getting the car, returning the car, getting back to the airport) was a breeze.
Make a list of all the hotels you like. Find their website and sign up for the email specials. I did this and got a terrific deal for Mandalay Bay. The first trip we stayed at Planet Hollywood. It is a nice place too. Mandalay Bay is at south end of the Strip. I think it is south, anyway it's at the very end going toward the airport.
Valet parking is the way to park. Pull up, wait for your ticket, go have fun, come back, give the ticket to a valet, and be sure to tip the person who brings your car a couple of dollars. Two dollars is the usual amount to tip a valet according to the Unofficial Guide to Vegas. It's awesome!!
Driving is easy and the streets are not confusing. There is a Target and several Wal-Marts close by, a few miles from the strip.
We also visited Red Rock Canyon. We went to Hoover Dam our first trip. The Canyon has a one way drive that is beautiful.
Have fun!
Sadie
We flew Southwest with no problems. We rented a car from Dollar. These are the 2 companies we mostly use. Renting a car is easy, follow the overhead signs in the LV airport to ride the shuttle to the car rental center. All the rental companies are located there. The whole process (riding the shuttle to the rental center, getting the car, returning the car, getting back to the airport) was a breeze.
Make a list of all the hotels you like. Find their website and sign up for the email specials. I did this and got a terrific deal for Mandalay Bay. The first trip we stayed at Planet Hollywood. It is a nice place too. Mandalay Bay is at south end of the Strip. I think it is south, anyway it's at the very end going toward the airport.
Valet parking is the way to park. Pull up, wait for your ticket, go have fun, come back, give the ticket to a valet, and be sure to tip the person who brings your car a couple of dollars. Two dollars is the usual amount to tip a valet according to the Unofficial Guide to Vegas. It's awesome!!
Driving is easy and the streets are not confusing. There is a Target and several Wal-Marts close by, a few miles from the strip.
We also visited Red Rock Canyon. We went to Hoover Dam our first trip. The Canyon has a one way drive that is beautiful.
Have fun!
Sadie
We're not experts on Vegas, but I can throw a bit of information your way:
Hotels:
I've stayed at the Riviera years and years ago -- a dump at a moderate price. I cannot recommend it.
I've stayed at the Plaza -- I "won" this on Priceline for $35/night in a prime season. For the price, I was completely satisified. It harkens back to the hotels of my 1970s childhood, and it was worth the price. They sell margaritas and beer for only $2. The food is reasonably priced. It's directly across from the Freemont Experience, which we enjoyed very much; Freemont Street is much less expensive than the strip, and though it's less glitzy, it was fun. I felt completely safe in this hotel. Negatives: the pool is complete crap; they charge for parking, though you can get a refund by going to the casino pay-out cage -- but who wants to bother?
I've stayed at the Mirage, which is wonderful! But expensive. Great location. The room was fantastic (though I wouldn't pay for the volcano view again). The room was large and every detail was well-planned. I would love to stay there again. The pool was fantastic, but it was 117 degrees when we stayed there (July), and literally we couldn't find two pool chairs together. We had a special that allowed us to go into the Secret Garden for free (saw dolphins, tigers, and other cats); it was fun, but I wouldn't pay $10 each for it. The Mirage is also very expensive. A beer was $8 and a margarita was $15 -- this was July 2009. Food was similarly priced. When we go to Vegas again, I would check the Mirage prices first . . . but I wouldn't choose it if I couldn't get a good deal.
I've stayed at the Renaissance by Marriott, which is off the strip but located right on the monorail. Loved the room, hated the location. Small hotel, nice pool with wonderful lounge funiture (instead of just chairs). I "won" this for $50 on Priceline and even for that price, I was not satisfied. The location is just too remote. With four of us, we couldn't justify using the monorail when we had our own car sitting right there. They charged for parking when we arrived, and my understanding was that it would cost every time we took the car in/out of the garage . . . but when we came back, no one was there to collect. Very nice rooms -- had a business-feel to them -- but not my cup of tea. We actually stayed there only ONE night -- the last of our trip -- because I simply couldn't stomach the high price of the Mirage on a Saturday night (if memory serves, it was over $200).
Transportation:
I do not like driving in Vegas. The Deuce, the double-decker bus, is fun and cheap. I'd suggest that you choose a hotel in a good location and walk. If you plan to visit the canyons, etc., I'd either take a tour or rent a car for one day -- no use to pay for it all day, every day.
Food:
Food in Vegas is VERY expensive! At least, it's expensive compared to here at home. We bought some coupons from Restaurant.com, and that was worthwhile. Look into Hennesey Tavern (Freemont Street) for breakfast. Hash-a-go-go (was that really the name? I'm not sure) was good.
I also bought some coupons (very cheap) from ebay. Yes, I probably could've found them in Vegas, but I didn't want to count on it. I had some buy-one-get-one-free coupons for the food court at the Venetian -- I think I still paid about $15/2 people for Phillly steak sandwiches and fries.
Do you have any credit card rewards points coming to you? You might be able to get a free meal at Tony Roma's or Planet Hollywood. Oh, and Rainforest Cafe. We've been members forever, so we always get coupons. I often eat an appetizer as a meal at Rainforest.
We're not into the buffets, so no advice there.
We absolutely loved BLT Burger (inside the Mirage), though it wasn't cheap. If I were there again, I'd split a burger with DH -- they were huge. Try the Twinkie milkshake.
Shows:
We saw Ka! last summer and LOVED IT. My husband usually isn't a live-show kind of guy, but he raved and raved about it. My 12-year old daughter still mentions it at least once a week. I can imagine her someday working on the sets of such a show. I didn't expect it to be soooo all-encompassing. The theater was decorated to match the theme; people moved throughout the audience -- we loved every minute. It was expensive but absolutely a highlight of our trip. If we were there again, I'd love to see the Beatles LOVE show.
Hotels:
I've stayed at the Riviera years and years ago -- a dump at a moderate price. I cannot recommend it.
I've stayed at the Plaza -- I "won" this on Priceline for $35/night in a prime season. For the price, I was completely satisified. It harkens back to the hotels of my 1970s childhood, and it was worth the price. They sell margaritas and beer for only $2. The food is reasonably priced. It's directly across from the Freemont Experience, which we enjoyed very much; Freemont Street is much less expensive than the strip, and though it's less glitzy, it was fun. I felt completely safe in this hotel. Negatives: the pool is complete crap; they charge for parking, though you can get a refund by going to the casino pay-out cage -- but who wants to bother?
I've stayed at the Mirage, which is wonderful! But expensive. Great location. The room was fantastic (though I wouldn't pay for the volcano view again). The room was large and every detail was well-planned. I would love to stay there again. The pool was fantastic, but it was 117 degrees when we stayed there (July), and literally we couldn't find two pool chairs together. We had a special that allowed us to go into the Secret Garden for free (saw dolphins, tigers, and other cats); it was fun, but I wouldn't pay $10 each for it. The Mirage is also very expensive. A beer was $8 and a margarita was $15 -- this was July 2009. Food was similarly priced. When we go to Vegas again, I would check the Mirage prices first . . . but I wouldn't choose it if I couldn't get a good deal.
I've stayed at the Renaissance by Marriott, which is off the strip but located right on the monorail. Loved the room, hated the location. Small hotel, nice pool with wonderful lounge funiture (instead of just chairs). I "won" this for $50 on Priceline and even for that price, I was not satisfied. The location is just too remote. With four of us, we couldn't justify using the monorail when we had our own car sitting right there. They charged for parking when we arrived, and my understanding was that it would cost every time we took the car in/out of the garage . . . but when we came back, no one was there to collect. Very nice rooms -- had a business-feel to them -- but not my cup of tea. We actually stayed there only ONE night -- the last of our trip -- because I simply couldn't stomach the high price of the Mirage on a Saturday night (if memory serves, it was over $200).
Transportation:
I do not like driving in Vegas. The Deuce, the double-decker bus, is fun and cheap. I'd suggest that you choose a hotel in a good location and walk. If you plan to visit the canyons, etc., I'd either take a tour or rent a car for one day -- no use to pay for it all day, every day.
Food:
Food in Vegas is VERY expensive! At least, it's expensive compared to here at home. We bought some coupons from Restaurant.com, and that was worthwhile. Look into Hennesey Tavern (Freemont Street) for breakfast. Hash-a-go-go (was that really the name? I'm not sure) was good.
I also bought some coupons (very cheap) from ebay. Yes, I probably could've found them in Vegas, but I didn't want to count on it. I had some buy-one-get-one-free coupons for the food court at the Venetian -- I think I still paid about $15/2 people for Phillly steak sandwiches and fries.
Do you have any credit card rewards points coming to you? You might be able to get a free meal at Tony Roma's or Planet Hollywood. Oh, and Rainforest Cafe. We've been members forever, so we always get coupons. I often eat an appetizer as a meal at Rainforest.
We're not into the buffets, so no advice there.
We absolutely loved BLT Burger (inside the Mirage), though it wasn't cheap. If I were there again, I'd split a burger with DH -- they were huge. Try the Twinkie milkshake.
Shows:
We saw Ka! last summer and LOVED IT. My husband usually isn't a live-show kind of guy, but he raved and raved about it. My 12-year old daughter still mentions it at least once a week. I can imagine her someday working on the sets of such a show. I didn't expect it to be soooo all-encompassing. The theater was decorated to match the theme; people moved throughout the audience -- we loved every minute. It was expensive but absolutely a highlight of our trip. If we were there again, I'd love to see the Beatles LOVE show.
kittycatalina65
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2007
- Messages
- 146
The MGM is a HUGE hotel, so be prepared for some walking!
It's not fancy, but we like the Imperial Palace. It's clean, and you can't beat the location. If you play blackjack they have celebrity impersonators dealing at some tables, we had Stevie Wonder
The car show is pretty nice too, and you can't beat the price (free with coupons). We not sure if the "theme" is 1980's or if it's just been that long since they redecorated
Years ago if you signed up for a Harrah's slot card and showed it to the membership desk at the Rio you'd get a free buffet. The Rio buffet used to be good, but I've heard it's gone downhill.
Planet Hollywood is also a great location and was a good value when I went. The rooms with the giant tubs were especially nice. If you like sushi, there is a decent sushi buffet (stay with me here), called Todai tucked into one corner of the Passage shops at PH. This is an Asian based chain, and is not your typical buffet, it's all very fresh and unique.
You can arrange for a rental car for just the day you go exploring. There is a rental agency at the Fitzgerald downtown. We rode the Deuce with no problems. Get a seat on the upper decker!
Don't forget to check out the light show downtown, and people watch! Drinks are much cheaper too, if you're not gambling. The Golden Nugget is nice and has an awesome pool if you want to stay downtown.
It's not fancy, but we like the Imperial Palace. It's clean, and you can't beat the location. If you play blackjack they have celebrity impersonators dealing at some tables, we had Stevie Wonder
The car show is pretty nice too, and you can't beat the price (free with coupons). We not sure if the "theme" is 1980's or if it's just been that long since they redecorated Years ago if you signed up for a Harrah's slot card and showed it to the membership desk at the Rio you'd get a free buffet. The Rio buffet used to be good, but I've heard it's gone downhill.
Planet Hollywood is also a great location and was a good value when I went. The rooms with the giant tubs were especially nice. If you like sushi, there is a decent sushi buffet (stay with me here), called Todai tucked into one corner of the Passage shops at PH. This is an Asian based chain, and is not your typical buffet, it's all very fresh and unique.
You can arrange for a rental car for just the day you go exploring. There is a rental agency at the Fitzgerald downtown. We rode the Deuce with no problems. Get a seat on the upper decker!
Don't forget to check out the light show downtown, and people watch! Drinks are much cheaper too, if you're not gambling. The Golden Nugget is nice and has an awesome pool if you want to stay downtown.
mommaU4
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2005
- Messages
- 44,339
I only skimmed the previous suggestions so I apologize if this info is a repeat, but my favorite good cheap place to eat is Earl of Sandwich in Planet Hollywood.
Also to save money I highly recomment checking out the Vegas radio shopping show. They have many deals on food and shows. We recently bought tickets to Barry Manilow's last show at the Hilton, normally selling for $100-$120 each, for $69 for the pair. Definitely a great deal.
Here is their link: http://www.kshp.com/ Click on shoppers guide, then under category click on hotels and casinos for shows.
Thanks for all the great info. We are thinking of visiting the Grand Canyon as we are so close. Has anyone been to the "Skywalk at the Grand Canyon northern rim. The Southern rim is too long of a drive.It seems the northern rim does not open until mid way but the Skywalk is in that area and it is open. Any input on driving from Vegas to the northen rim would be appreciated. We are not planning on any hilking, just would like to see it.
kaytieeldr
DIS Legend
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If nobody's directed you to the "Disneyland" section of the DIS, one of the subforums there is "California and the West". I bet if anyone's been to that area (or, really, any part of the Grand Canyon), the information would be there.
littlele
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2006
- Messages
- 463
"We went to Vegas for the first time in August. We are not gamblers either and, actually, I found I was VERY bothered by all the smoke in the casinos (I guess I'm just not ever around cigarette smoke anymore), so we would walk through as fast as we could. Vegas is definitely not just for gamblers!"
Does anybody know of any hotels that may not be filled with smoke? Would love to take the DD there to visit some hotels, do some shows, etc. but she can absolutely not tolerate smoke. No problem here in Oregon (you can't smoke anywhere!) but I have a feeling it will be a big problem there.
Thanks for any and all advice!
Does anybody know of any hotels that may not be filled with smoke? Would love to take the DD there to visit some hotels, do some shows, etc. but she can absolutely not tolerate smoke. No problem here in Oregon (you can't smoke anywhere!) but I have a feeling it will be a big problem there.
Thanks for any and all advice!
What are your dates in March?
Check Smarter Vegas hotel codes. Last several trips I've found the cheapest rates there. Even better than Fat Wallet.
I do suggest a car. Last Spring Break I caught a $10 a day through Alamo (weekend rates) Think I saw that on Travel Zoo. I usually rent through Dollar just using their Vegas specials and usually pay less than $15 a day for a full size. Even if the car sits in the parking garage some days it is nice to have for trips downtown, outlet malls or my personal fav In & Out Burger. For what you'd pay for taxi fare to and from the airport and a charter to the dam you can get the car for a week.
Have fun planning that is the best part to me. Sad I know but something about shaving a $1 a day off my car rental rate gets me giddy!!!!
Check Smarter Vegas hotel codes. Last several trips I've found the cheapest rates there. Even better than Fat Wallet.
I do suggest a car. Last Spring Break I caught a $10 a day through Alamo (weekend rates) Think I saw that on Travel Zoo. I usually rent through Dollar just using their Vegas specials and usually pay less than $15 a day for a full size. Even if the car sits in the parking garage some days it is nice to have for trips downtown, outlet malls or my personal fav In & Out Burger. For what you'd pay for taxi fare to and from the airport and a charter to the dam you can get the car for a week.
Have fun planning that is the best part to me. Sad I know but something about shaving a $1 a day off my car rental rate gets me giddy!!!!
I only visited MGM, I stayed at the Luxor, but it was very nice. You do not need a car, you can walk or take the bus, which was cheap and easy to use. If you take a car, you will be in a ton of traffic and have to pay to park everywhere. As for visiting the Hoover Dam, you could either find a tourist company or just rent a car for a day. As for the show, as you walk up the stip there are places where you can buy shows for up to half off, we ended up seeing Carrot Top and he was very funny. We also went to see the Secret Gardens at the Mirage, it was kind of expensive but we spent a long time watching tiger cub. Another cool thing we say was the Atomic Testing museum, very interesting.
Just a note, the best buffet in Vegas, hands down, is at the Bellagio, go right before Dinner, like 3:50, you get all the dinner choices at the lunch price.
Just a note, the best buffet in Vegas, hands down, is at the Bellagio, go right before Dinner, like 3:50, you get all the dinner choices at the lunch price.
kaytieeldr
DIS Legend
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- Jun 11, 2005
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elcodfish said:
It's possible that a few of the downtown hotel/casinos charge for parking, but I have to agree with LeslieG - I've never gone anywhere that self-parking wasn't free. Even valet parking is free; it's just customary to tip the valet when your car is returned to you.LeslieG said:
elgerber
DIS Legend
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- Feb 17, 2000
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- 24,687
Agreed. I just got home a few hours ago and it's free to park and valet everywhere. And except for Saturday night, traffic was not that bad, and we found it very easy to drive. We did not use our car for the strip at night, but we did during the day, and also to drive to Hoover Dam and Mount Charleston.
Lots of talk of parking...I can't imagine driving on a first trip to LV. If you want to go off strip (and off downtown) to explore around there it is fine. But for a first trip - there is plenty to see and do on the strip that I don't think you'll find yourself using a car much. The taxis are quick and cheap and the bus is great and everyone knows you do a lot of walking in LV! If I were OP I would just rent a car for the Grand Canyon day....And use the expertise of those who know their way around already while in LV.
kaytieeldr
DIS Legend
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Now, I thought much of the day was, if not horrible, at least annoying - and I spent eight years commuting in and out of Bostonelgerber said:
Based on personal experience, the best time to drive on the Strip is 9 AM on a Sunday. I made it from Main Street Station (downtown) to the MGM in, I think, twelve minutes.Very true. I'd forgotten my first couple/few trips: first, Riviera using a shuttle to and from the airport, and the city buses; second, Sunrise Casino (now Arizona Charlie's Boulder) with a group of online friends, some of whom had cars, picked up by the organizer, driven around by others, returned to airport via bus; third, Flamingo, shuttle to hotel, buses and trolly to get around, cab back to airport.brymolmom said:
That third trip was in 2001; subsequent trips, I've always rented a car - in part because I usually stay off the Strip, and because I have family out there now and the buses just don't go where I need
elgerber
DIS Legend
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Now, I thought much of the day was, if not horrible, at least annoying - and I spent eight years commuting in and out of Boston
I had heard how awful it was too, and we didn't drive it much, but when we did it wasn't all that bad. Our car rental was so cheap, that it was just nice to drive up to the valet at the hotel and then have the car if we wanted it to go elsewhere, and we did drive off the strip also. But I agree that if you are only on the strip you wouldn't need one.
I will say though, the area was very very easy to navigate. The airport is close and all directions to and from there are very well marked!
cheshirecatsbaby
fallen down the rabbithole
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I've lived in Vegas for over 10 years now, but know very little about the tourist things, this thread was helpful to me LOL!!!
MaumeeMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
- Messages
- 746
Lucky you! There are all kids of deals for locals. Have you checked out http://www.mgmmirage.com/locals/ - lots of discounts.
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