New Year in Vegas

[Tink1987]

Hi all,

We are spending NYE in Vegas next year, so 2013 going into 2014. It's a special trip as it will be my boyfriends 30th birthday trip.

Looking for some ideas on how to spend NYE? Thought people may have their plans firmed up now for this NYE so thought they night like to share?

We are not sure on whether to try and see a show and have a nice dinner somewhere or just take in the atemsphore on the strip?

Thanks all

 

[everylastbreath]

Hi! I have to start with the fact that I have never been to Vegas for New Years, been there many many times other than New Years- This is what I've heard- It's a mob scene, they close the strip for traffic and there is wall to wall people- I have heard it you are not staying in a specific hotel, you are probably not getting in, so I think your idea of a "nice dinner & taking in the atmosphere" might not be realistic- You will most likely be trapped in your hotel, so make sure you have a reservation somewhere, because I can't imagine it being easy to just walk in somewhere and eat.

Me personally, I would do room service and look out the window! Hahaha- way too crowded for me!

 

[skierrob]

I've done the Vegas thing a few times for NYE. Here are a few notes / ideas:

1. Hotel prices start out astronomically high. I mean VERY high.... with three or four night minimums. Then, as NYE draws closer, the prices begin to drop.

2. I've had luck using Hotwire and Priceline on NYE. Once three days before NYE (got a non-strip hotel for $60 a night) and once in September, suprisingly, when I saw that Hotwire was offering a 4* hotel "east of strip" for $55 for new year's eve night. So I bid on it and "won" the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

3. Whatever your plans are, get where you want to be before 5 pm. After that, they begin to close down the strip and traffic becomes a nightmare. So, if you want to be center strip, get to center strip by 5, etc. Likewise, do NOT plan on being able to move your vehicle until the next morning. I've walked back to the Hard Rock Casino at 2 am because you literally couldn't drive two blocks in traffic in an hour. Keep your car in a casino parking garage and walk wherever you are going.

4. Go have dinner and see a show (and yes, there are discounts even on New Year's Eve for many shows on travelzoo and broadwaybox -- especially the 7 pm performances!). Don't worry about rushing onto the strip to "claim a spot" for the fireworks. The street itself on the strip (Las Vegas Blvd.) isn't open to pedestrians until around 10 pm (the sidewalk is open, of course, but around 10 pm they open the street to anyone wanting to walk up and down it since there is no traffic). It is busy on the strip but is NOT crazy -- at 11 pm I've walked from MGM Grand all the way to the Bellagio at a fast pace. Yes, there are lots of people but it isn't wall to wall.

5. Make sure to see the midnight fireworks on the strip. I've had great viewing by Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Caesars and also by the Stratosphere.

6. There are many many options for doing NYE parties in Vegas. These include concerts by many well known performers, special performances of shows that last past Midnight, pool parties, etc. Generally, I avoid these because they are very expensive and I'd rather have fun with one million of my closest friends on the strip itself.

7. Do not expect it to be like New York Times Square if you've ever been there. In New York, you get herded into a "cattle pen" with hundreds of other people and once there you can't get out without losing your spot. In Las Vegas, the strip is just open and you can walk wherever you want.

8. Food prices can be astronomical and reservations hard to come by. Because of this, I tend to eat at a buffet or at Earl of Sandwich or at the Grand Lux Cafe or something similar.

9. Unless you look like a homeless bum, you can get into any of the casinos at any time of the day / night (although you won't be able to park in their parking garage after around 5 pm). Just look nice. The ONLY casino that I've seen with security guards out front was the Bellagio and they just let everyone walk in except for the totally drunk. They want you to spend money.

Hope you have fun!!!!! Just be flexible, have a hotel close enough to the strip that you can walk to it from wherever you are at when midnight hits, and enjoy!!!

Robert

 

[Tink1987]

Hi! I have to start with the fact that I have never been to Vegas for New Years, been there many many times other than New Years- This is what I've heard- It's a mob scene, they close the strip for traffic and there is wall to wall people- I have heard it you are not staying in a specific hotel, you are probably not getting in, so I think your idea of a "nice dinner & taking in the atmosphere" might not be realistic- You will most likely be trapped in your hotel, so make sure you have a reservation somewhere, because I can't imagine it being easy to just walk in somewhere and eat.

Me personally, I would do room service and look out the window! Hahaha- way too crowded for me!

Thank you

 

[Tink1987]

I've done the Vegas thing a few times for NYE. Here are a few notes / ideas:

1. Hotel prices start out astronomically high. I mean VERY high.... with three or four night minimums. Then, as NYE draws closer, the prices begin to drop.

2. I've had luck using Hotwire and Priceline on NYE. Once three days before NYE (got a non-strip hotel for $60 a night) and once in September, suprisingly, when I saw that Hotwire was offering a 4* hotel "east of strip" for $55 for new year's eve night. So I bid on it and "won" the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

3. Whatever your plans are, get where you want to be before 5 pm. After that, they begin to close down the strip and traffic becomes a nightmare. So, if you want to be center strip, get to center strip by 5, etc. Likewise, do NOT plan on being able to move your vehicle until the next morning. I've walked back to the Hard Rock Casino at 2 am because you literally couldn't drive two blocks in traffic in an hour. Keep your car in a casino parking garage and walk wherever you are going.

4. Go have dinner and see a show (and yes, there are discounts even on New Year's Eve for many shows on travelzoo and broadwaybox -- especially the 7 pm performances!). Don't worry about rushing onto the strip to "claim a spot" for the fireworks. The street itself on the strip (Las Vegas Blvd.) isn't open to pedestrians until around 10 pm (the sidewalk is open, of course, but around 10 pm they open the street to anyone wanting to walk up and down it since there is no traffic). It is busy on the strip but is NOT crazy -- at 11 pm I've walked from MGM Grand all the way to the Bellagio at a fast pace. Yes, there are lots of people but it isn't wall to wall.

5. Make sure to see the midnight fireworks on the strip. I've had great viewing by Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Caesars and also by the Stratosphere.

6. There are many many options for doing NYE parties in Vegas. These include concerts by many well known performers, special performances of shows that last past Midnight, pool parties, etc. Generally, I avoid these because they are very expensive and I'd rather have fun with one million of my closest friends on the strip itself.

7. Do not expect it to be like New York Times Square if you've ever been there. In New York, you get herded into a "cattle pen" with hundreds of other people and once there you can't get out without losing your spot. In Las Vegas, the strip is just open and you can walk wherever you want.

8. Food prices can be astronomical and reservations hard to come by. Because of this, I tend to eat at a buffet or at Earl of Sandwich or at the Grand Lux Cafe or something similar.

9. Unless you look like a homeless bum, you can get into any of the casinos at any time of the day / night (although you won't be able to park in their parking garage after around 5 pm). Just look nice. The ONLY casino that I've seen with security guards out front was the Bellagio and they just let everyone walk in except for the totally drunk. They want you to spend money.

Hope you have fun!!!!! Just be flexible, have a hotel close enough to the strip that you can walk to it from wherever you are at when midnight hits, and enjoy!!!

Robert

Wow, thanks so much for that, that's really helpful. We already have our hotel booked, we are staying at Ceasers Palace.

Again, thanks for all your help, much appreciated.

 

[skierrob]

Hrmmm.... just thinking about it -- if you want to make a comparison, I'd ask if you would feel comfortable being at Disneyland on New Year's Eve in terms of crowds. If you feel comfortable wading your way down Main Street on that day, you'll be more than fine in Las Vegas on NYE.

If, however, that is NOT your idea of a good time and you'd only go to Disneyland on a Tuesday in the off season, you probably don't want to be in Vegas on NYE.

 

[Tink1987]

Hrmmm.... just thinking about it -- if you want to make a comparison, I'd ask if you would feel comfortable being at Disneyland on New Year's Eve in terms of crowds. If you feel comfortable wading your way down Main Street on that day, you'll be more than fine in Las Vegas on NYE.

If, however, that is NOT your idea of a good time and you'd only go to Disneyland on a Tuesday in the off season, you probably don't want to be in Vegas on NYE.

I've been in MK on NYE and that was CRAZY busy so do ya think I will be OK in Vegas??

 

[skierrob]

Definitely much less busy than the mk on New Year's Eve . You'll be fine have fun and enjoy!!!!!

 

[Tink1987]

Definitely much less busy than the mk on New Year's Eve . You'll be fine have fun and enjoy!!!!!

Thank you

 

[dlrmw]

My husband and I spent a couple of NYEs in Vegas. My husband won alot of money on a business trip....of course he lost ALOT of money as well so we got fully comped for 3-4 days each NYEs with a VIP party early in the evening. The party was timed on east coast time somewhat enough time to head out to the strip to be there at midnight. The strip is closed to close and it is literally wall to wall people....everyone having a great time. A few of the hotels have fireworks going off at midnight and the atmosphere is just incredible!! It did take us over an hour just walking back into the hotel after midnight but it was still great fun.

 

[Tink1987]

My husband and I spent a couple of NYEs in Vegas. My husband won alot of money on a business trip....of course he lost ALOT of money as well so we got fully comped for 3-4 days each NYEs with a VIP party early in the evening. The party was timed on east coast time somewhat enough time to head out to the strip to be there at midnight. The strip is closed to close and it is literally wall to wall people....everyone having a great time. A few of the hotels have fireworks going off at midnight and the atmosphere is just incredible!! It did take us over an hour just walking back into the hotel after midnight but it was still great fun.

Thank you, as you say I am sure we will have fun and there will be a great atmosphere, whatever we decide to do!

 

[halfmonkey]

I've been to the city of "Lost Wages" on New Years Eve once and it was fun. A couple of things to note as others may have already pointed out.

1. Book your hotels rooms early as they will sell out and many places will have minimum nights stay requirements. If you're going for 2013/2014, booking now would be too early but you'll want to start looking Oct/Nov of next year.

2. Many hotels will have packages. Some will be room packages and some will be club packages.

3. Having a nice dinner or viewing a show on New Years Eve is possible but I probably wouldn't do that. I'd save the dinner and show for the night before NYE. You'll want to nap in the afternoon so you'll have plenty of energy for the parties.

4. It'll be cold. Not as cold as New York but still cold. Some years, it has gotten down to the 30's so be prepared.

 

[Tink1987]

I've been to the city of "Lost Wages" on New Years Eve once and it was fun. A couple of things to note as others may have already pointed out.

1. Book your hotels rooms early as they will sell out and many places will have minimum nights stay requirements. If you're going for 2013/2014, booking now would be too early but you'll want to start looking Oct/Nov of next year.

2. Many hotels will have packages. Some will be room packages and some will be club packages.

3. Having a nice dinner or viewing a show on New Years Eve is possible but I probably wouldn't do that. I'd save the dinner and show for the night before NYE. You'll want to nap in the afternoon so you'll have plenty of energy for the parties.

4. It'll be cold. Not as cold as New York but still cold. Some years, it has gotten down to the 30's so be prepared.

Thanks very much for the tips, we are from the UK so will definitely be prepared for the cold - we don't get summers here anymore

Thanks again

 

[bluedevilinaz]

I've seen a 7pm show, grabbed dinner and made it outside to the strip at 11:30pm and still been able to get up to the barriers on the strip. Granted, this was 2 years ago right after the economy tanked so that may have had a lot to do with the lack of crowds. I'll be getting a hotel on the strip and spending NYE on the strip this year so we'll see what happens and I'll report back with crowd levels and such.

 

[Tink1987]

I've seen a 7pm show, grabbed dinner and made it outside to the strip at 11:30pm and still been able to get up to the barriers on the strip. Granted, this was 2 years ago right after the economy tanked so that may have had a lot to do with the lack of crowds. I'll be getting a hotel on the strip and spending NYE on the strip this year so we'll see what happens and I'll report back with crowd levels and such.

So sorry for the late response - I have just seen this!

Really hope you had a great NY's in Vegas

 

[bluedevilinaz]

So sorry for the late response - I have just seen this!

Really hope you had a great NY's in Vegas

No worries! I wound up spending it with some friends. We didn't go to the strip though. We watched the fireworks from the end of a street in Henderson overlooking the strip. It was pretty nice to not be surrounded by 300,000 people. haha. It was a neat vantage point to be able to see the fireworks from though that's for sure. Hope everyone had a blast!