Need Vegas help

[grinningghost]

One word - Mirage.

 

[LuvTigger]

While I don't think you necessarily need a car, esp. if you are going to spend most of your time on the Strip, I think it does come in very handy, and it will give you the flexibility to explore places on your own. Parking is free and pretty readily available just about everywhere.

Traffic on the Strip can be a bear though, as you've already heard. I think the key is to try to avoid driving during peak hours, like Friday and Saturday nights. Also, study maps ahead of time. There are some back roads you can take that will allow you to avoid driving on the Strip, depending on which hotel you decide on (i.e. the parking lot can be accessed from a side road, even if the hotel is on the Strip).

I've heard great things about O and Danny Gans for shows, and I've seen Mamma Mia, which I thought was terrific! I saw Mystere a long time ago, and that was really good too. The Venetian is starting to have preview shows of Phantom of the Opera next week too.

If you want to do something really different, you could stay at one of the hotels on Lake Las Vegas. There's the Monte Lago, Ritz Carlton, and Hyatt. Some of the local celebrities like Celine Dion live out there. It's maybe 45 minutes away from the Strip, so much more secluded, but they still have some pretty impressive casinos, and it's a beautiful area. It's not in the middle of all the action like the Strip is though, so it depends what you're looking for.

 

[becker1123]

I'd have to recommend Bellagio too, although Mandalay Bay has a beautiful pool and really nice grounds. Paris and Ceasar's Palace are right in the middle of everything, and the Venetian and Wynn are also fabulous. In my opinion, you can't go too wrong in Vegas.

The Cirque shows are great. Zumanity is supposed to be a little more, sexy than the others. DH is dying to see it. We love Mystere and heard O is unbelievable. They are all a bit odd, but fantastic. We went for New Year's Eve this year and heard lots of people on our shuttle talking about shows they loved including Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow. I wouldn't have thought to go to those, but many people said they were both great. There are also lots of great revue type shows with showgirls at place like the Flamingo and Ballys. Vintage Vegas!

Have fun and win big!

 

[CJRN]

Saw Mystere back in December-AWESOME show!

Heading back to Vegas in July. Also will be going to Grand Canyon, and a few other off strip places, so we'll have a car, plus we're staying in a timeshare exchange (2BR/2B).

Can't wait, have fun on your trip!

 

[DaisyD]

Thanks for the advice everyone! You all are a wealth of info! I talked it over with DH and it looks like it will be the Bellagio. After taking into consideration what we want to see there we have decided against getting a car. If I had my way we'd never leave the casino. If DH had his way we'd never leave our room! So we have to compromise and sightsee something! We decided to just take the tour bus to the Grand Canyon one day. Maybe another tour another day. I am looking into the shows there. Honestly while I love the Cirque shows I am kind of looking for the true Vegas show with the girls in those beautiful costumes. I don't mind if they are topless. While it does nothing for me, I am sure DH would be thrilled! LOL! I kind of think it would be more to the orginal type of show that Vegas had. I also think we might leave the travel bookings up to an agent. I am going down to talk to one tomorrow. I have no time to plan too much. I have two Disney trips I'm planning for! Thanks again!

 

[LoraJ]

Thanks for the advice everyone! You all are a wealth of info! I talked it over with DH and it looks like it will be the Bellagio. After taking into consideration what we want to see there we have decided against getting a car. If I had my way we'd never leave the casino. If DH had his way we'd never leave our room! So we have to compromise and sightsee something! We decided to just take the tour bus to the Grand Canyon one day. Maybe another tour another day. I am looking into the shows there. Honestly while I love the Cirque shows I am kind of looking for the true Vegas show with the girls in those beautiful costumes. I don't mind if they are topless. While it does nothing for me, I am sure DH would be thrilled! LOL! I kind of think it would be more to the orginal type of show that Vegas had. I also think we might leave the travel bookings up to an agent. I am going down to talk to one tomorrow. I have no time to plan too much. I have two Disney trips I'm planning for! Thanks again!

Last year I considered taking the bus tour to the Grand Canyon. But then I figured I would go stir crazy on the bus all of that time. I ended up doing one of the tours by plane. It was 8 hours total. We flew over the Hoover Dam and then landed by the Grand Canyon South Rim. We had a lunch buffet and then took a bus over to the canyon and went to 3 or 4 for spots to take lots of pictures. It was a lot of fun. If you're not afraid of small planes, I would do this over the bus. There are several companies who do this. Just be sure the plane has air conditioning and is not climate controlled:
This is who I used.
http://www.scenic.com/saws1gc_deluxe.htm

 

[DaisyD]

Thanka Lora but I hate big planes, small planes, any kind of planes! LOL! I avoid them if I can. I have to take Xanax for our Disney airplane trips. We will have to stick to buses! Sounds like a blast though!

 

[salmoneous]

Let me second the suggestion for www.cheapovegas.com as a good starting point for reading up on the resorts.

Let me throw out my favorite "money is no object" hotel - The Four Seasons. It's on top of Mandalay Bay, so you get the tranquility and personaly service of a Four Seasons resort, while literally being inside all the fun and excitement of Mandalay.

Personally, I rent a car almost every trip. Cars are cheap in Vegas; having one opens up access to all sorts of places off-the-strip (perhaps not necessary on a first trip), and getting around town is actually pretty easy *once you realize that driving on the strip itself is "heck" and should be avoided at all costs*.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I am looking into the shows there. Honestly while I love the Cirque shows I am kind of looking for the true Vegas show with the girls in those beautiful costumes. I don't mind if they are topless. While it does nothing for me, I am sure DH would be thrilled! LOL! I kind of think it would be more to the orginal type of show that Vegas had.

Try Jubilee at Bally's. It's the classic "showgirls" type show (and I think it's the longest running show in Vegas too). I haven't seen it personally, but I think it's exactly what you're looking for.

 

[DaisyD]

I checked out the cheapovegas link. What a riot! I love how honest he seems to be! I just applied to the players club at the Bellagio to maybe get a deal. I am thinking that the planner in me wants to do it all myself! I love to plan trips! I did check rackrates and for a tower room spa room which are better then the deluxe it would only be $816 for 4 nights. Very good price considering how much I spend at the Poly! I have now upped my trip to 4 nights instead of 3. Too many casinos to visit in too short a time!

 

[flynnibus]

topless reveues are back in.. there should be numerous ones running on the strip again. I haven't been to any of them but the sites should list them out for you.

There are also the more erotic dance shows.. or the traditional 'showgirl' shows

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would choose Bellagio or Venetian. Skip the rental car you don't need it.
Don't miss the show O, it is so good!!!!

 

[DaisyD]

Try Jubilee at Bally's. It's the classic "showgirls" type show (and I think it's the longest running show in Vegas too). I haven't seen it personally, but I think it's exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks! I'll check it out!

 

[antmaril]

DaisyD:

$816 for four nights in the Spa Tower at Bellagio is a very good rate - book it!!!

If the rates come down, you can call and make the change.

You will really like the location of Bellagio. You are very centrally located. I was also going to recommend Jubilee - it is a Vegas classic.

If you've never seen a Cirque show, you should try to fit one in as well. I have seen Mystere (my favorite), "O" and Ka. You can't make a mistake. I am going to Vegas in September and yesterday we bought tickets to see Love - the newest Cirque show with a Beatles theme at the Mirage. I am looking forward to it and I'll report when we return. My friends and I are staying in the Bellagio Suite (1,000 square feet - can you image?) I think it will be big fun!

Enjoy. If I were you, I would plan the trip myself. It's half the fun.

 

[cuterlt]

I know I've seen a deal lately for $149 a night at Bellagio (mostly weekdays). I think it's for folks who sign up on their website, which you've done. I'll see if I can't find a link to it and PM you with it.
I don't think a car is necessary....the monorail is nice, but it's on the other side of the strip.
No more monorail from Monte Carlo to Bellagio and back, unfortunately.
You will have a blast and be very overwhelmed by all you see.
We love the Paris buffet.
Have fun planning!

 

[Minnie_Moo]

We decided to just take the tour bus to the Grand Canyon one day. Maybe another tour another day.

If you are spending big $$ for a nice hotel, you might want to reonsider the Grand Canyon tour and do that some other time. My DH and I did the bus tour during our 25th anniversary trip to LV and it made for a VERY long day (we stayed at the Stratosphere during part of our trip and were the first picked up and last dropped off).

Even though I really enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon, I felt way too rushed. I almost wish we had just spent an extra day at Mandalay Bay relaxing at the pool because the long bus ride made DH so grumpy.

In retrospect, a side trip to Hoover Dam might have worked out better.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have stayed in Suites at Bellagio and Venetian and regular rooms at Venetian. I would never stay in a standard room at Bellagio. They are just too small and well Meh if you ask me. IF rooms are at all important to you go with Wynn. I am most Happy at wynn over all. The pool is just as nice as Bellagio, the lake of dreams is very nice, SW steakhouse and Bartolotta are very good. The place just blows away Venetian and Bellagio IMHO.

I am leaving for vegas as soon as my husband gets off work right now. Hurry up baby. I am ready.