OT - Surprise Vegas Trip!!!!

[tmli]

Dh just surprised me with a Vegas trip for my birthday and our anniversary in August. He was actually hoping to keep the surprise, arranged the time off with my boss, booked everything all on his own. I found out something was up when my schedule changed at work and he told me early!!! Poor guy, I ruined it but I really do hate secrets and surprises!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions on some must sees/dos? Its a quick 3 night trip with only 2 full days there so we are hoping to see as much as possible. He has booked us into the MGM Grand. I wonder if their are boards similar to the dis for Vegas??

 

[safetymom]

That is wonderful!!! I hope you have a great time.

 

[Dian-er]

When are you going? I'll be there 8-21 thru 8-28. Staying at the Grand View.
Looking forward to it. I'll be my first real vacation since Bob passed away. Erin, my daughter, & her family will be meeting me out there.

 

[klam_chowder]

I'll continue to be really bizzy for another wk, but just popped on the boards to see what's up and saw your thread. I'll give it a lil bump and start you off...

See "O" - it's a Cirque de Soleil show at the Bellagio. I'd get tickets in advance. I'd see shows on both nites but "O" is a must see.

Bring walking shoes - you'll likely spend a lot checking out the other casinos even if you don't gamble as the theming in each big hotel is wonderful (Paris, Venetian, Wynn, NY NY), well apart from the drink hostesses get-ups

If you like thrill rides, do the rides at the top of the Stratosphere. One is like DCA's Maliboomer - shoots you straight up but it does it from the very top of the building! Another one is a rollercoaster with part of the track that extends off the top of "needle". I notice you're from ON...think of it as the track coming away from the top of the CN Tower. Both a hoot to do!!

In Aug...it will be hotter than AK at noon...be prepared!

Lots and lots of fine dining choices as every top name chef has a signature establishment, plus the ones in the big hotels. If vodka is your potent potable of choice, as is mine try a meal at Red Square

Sounds like it's your first trip If you say what your likes are (do you want to go clubbing, keep your visiting to the Strip, check out the area (Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc.) posters might be able to provide more focussed recs.

We Vegas. I'll check back when my in-laws leave and provide more suggestions if still needed.

cheers,


P.S.: Dian-er posted while I was composing...Dian-er I hope you have a wonderful vacation and time with your family

P.P.S: OP - how wonderful of your DH to plan this special trip for you - I'll have to plant him next to my DH sometime

 

[christygobar]

My DH and I went last year - it is where he proposed We stayed at the condos @ MGM Grand, and absolutely loved the hotel.

Use the monorail to its fullest extent - it was the best part of the weekend. We would go visit 3-4 hotels and their "must sees" and then eat or relax at our hotel. We saw most of the major hotels we needed to see, and went downtown one night.

Definitely see a "snooty french clown" show if you like the Cirque We saw Mystere and enjoyed it. We'd like to see O someday in the future. We stood in line to see a 1/2 price show (by the coke bottle) but decided there just wasn't anyone we HAD to see, and I wasn't feeling great. So take advantage of that too.

Mostly, we just walked up and down the strip and took in the crazy sights and sounds. If you've never been to Vegas, I'd say it takes the full 2 days to do just that Even if you're not a gambler, a few dollars goes a long day. My husband decided he wanted to play $1 at each hotel we stopped in - just at the penny slots. It took awhile

TripAdvisor has some boards - but I never actually looked at their Vegas boards.

 

[slapwhitey]

That is wonderful!!! I hope you have a great time.

Thanks Kathy....I'm sure we'll have a great time. Tracy likes the slots, I think I'll like the grandeur. First trip to Vegas for either or us. If we don't lose our shirts maybe we'll see you in October at WDW.

Chris

 

[slapwhitey]

When are you going? I'll be there 8-21 thru 8-28. Staying at the Grand View.
Looking forward to it. I'll be my first real vacation since Bob passed away. Erin, my daughter, & her family will be meeting me out there.

Hope you have a great time, you deserve it. We're there from the 7-10. Miss you by a couple weeks. Too bad, we could have said hello. We met you at the live recording at the Gaylord Palms if you recall. Enjoy it!!

 

[slapwhitey]

We are staying at MGM Grand.....the monorail was part of the reason I chose that hotel.

We are seeing KA (tickets were included in the package for any Cirque show or Lion King). I wanted to see "O" but it is not performing that week and we've already seen Lion King. We are also seeing Terry Fator (he won America's Got Talent one season....my wife was a fan).

As I stated earlier, my DW likes the slots. I can honestly take it or leave it. We're most likely going to check out the other hotels, casinos and shopping. I would love to go to Hoover Dam but time just will not permit.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Chris

 

[aGoofyMom]

Have an awesome time!!!! I haven't been yet, but my parents have been telling me I have to go and watch the Bellagio fountains, and the Treasure Island pirate show...my Dad loves to tell people where to stand so they get wet.

woot!

 

[WaltD4Me]

What a good DH! You'll love Vegas. There is just so much to see!!! I remember my first trip, I didn't know where to look first. I was in total awe. Do you gamble at all? I really like the Mirage. It's so pretty inside, my favorite place to play slots and blackjack. Also there is a California Pizza Kitchen right inside the casino. Check out the mall at Caesar's Palace...pricey, but SO fun to look in there. Check and see if The Rio still does the Show in the Sky, it's like Mardi Gras but the floats are above your head. Very cool. Plus there is a very nice wine tasting place at the Rio, can't think of the name of it. But believe me, there is SO much, you won't have any problem finding things to do. Have a fabulous time!

 

[DLBDS]

Have fun guys!

(Ahem, Chris.... A word of warning.... Don't let her out of your sight! Hmmm. Do they have Bingo in Vegas?)

 

[dmwang9]

Dh just surprised me with a Vegas trip for my birthday and our anniversary in August. He was actually hoping to keep the surprise, arranged the time off with my boss, booked everything all on his own. I found out something was up when my schedule changed at work and he told me early!!! Poor guy, I ruined it but I really do hate secrets and surprises!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions on some must sees/dos? Its a quick 3 night trip with only 2 full days there so we are hoping to see as much as possible. He has booked us into the MGM Grand. I wonder if their are boards similar to the dis for Vegas??

Hey, I'll be there 8/3 - 8/8!

If you haven't seen the stage version of the Lion King yet, it's getting rave reviews at Mandalay Bay. The key here is that the show is pretty much identical to the Broadway show. It runs for almost 2.5 hours, which is unheard of in Las Vegas. Shows normally run for 60 - 90 minutes, so that the people can get back to gambling!

Since you're going to be in LV for only a few days, the single best piece of advice I can give you is to not worry about doing or seeing everything. There's so much "stuff" to do that if you try to do it all, you'll wind up exhausted. (Just like WDW!)

There is an UG for Las Vegas, and if you like the UG for WGW, you might want to give it a try.

Have fun!

 

[WSUser]

There's always the possibility for a quick trip to Earl of Sandwich for a taste of Disney while in LV! (3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South)


While the city itself isn't my cup of tea, it is great for people watching, and some of the ornate hotels will remind you of a place that pays attention to detail in creating fake reality...that part is always fun.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

I wonder if their are boards similar to the dis for Vegas??

I've wondered the same thing!! Also wondered since John and Kevin have done Vegas trips a few times before if they might be willing to do a Vegas primer for newbies - not necessarily part of the Disney podcast but a separate download since there are so many people interested in Vegas and Disney but we don't know who to turn to that we trust. I bought guidebooks but there's nothing like hearing from your friends

 

[tmli]

OMG, so many wonderful tips!!!! As Chris said I am the gambler--love the slots!!!

I have written down some of the suggestions so I don't forget. I can't believe how much there is to see and do there. Chris has never seen a Cirque show and I have only been once so we are doing KA (O was dark the week we are there). I want to ride a gondolla in the Venettian, see the fountains at the Bellagio.....Chris wants to ride the coaster at New York, New York. The rides at Stratosphere, sound incredible, I didn't even know they were there!!!

Dara, that is too funny.....there is Bingo!!!! Its off the strip though so we probably won't make it this trip.

I LOVE, Earl of Sandwich, thanks for that tip!!

I have also read some guide books and done online research but its so hard to get reliable info....I think the dis has spolied us!!

Great tip about not trying to do it all, I tell people all the time going to Disney that same thing. I forgot to take my own advice when it comes to Vegas!! I have seen the Lion King on stage twice so we won't take time to do that this trip.

I do have the best DH I have always wanted to go to Vegas, and he's so sweet to do all the planning for me!!!

Loving the ideas--keep em coming!!!

 

[skunkvette]

Congrats Chris and Tracey!!

Cathy and I were in Vegas for our third trip this past Christmas.

Some things we enjoyed -

We stayed in the Grand a few years ago - nice place but it is HUGE, it can be a trek to get to your room. Ask when you check in where you room is located relative to the main lobby and elevators.

If you can, hit the casinos early in the morning (7 to 10AM), the pace is slower with less crowds. You can sit and try a table game without feeling intmidated as you learn to play, most of the dealers are very friendly and will explain the rules of the game. The slots seem to be "looser" than in Atlantic City.

The Beatles LOVE Cirque show, unbelievable - especially if you enjoy the music of the Beatles. We also saw the Rita Rudner show last trip but have seen other great shows during past trips. Lots af entertainment to see.

Check the web (search for Las Vegas show), there are sites that have calenders and pricing, we bought all our show tickets before we left and used the e-ticket options to pick them up at the will call window.

We would walk up one side of strip one day and down the other side the next day to stop and see the shops and casinos. There are TONS of shops.

"Strip Steak" restaurant in Mandalay Bay, the second best meal we had in Vegas. The first best was at Mix at the top of The Hotel - nine courses with wine flights, one of the finest meals ever with a spectacular view of the strip.

Emeril's Fish House in the Grand is also very good.

You guys will have a great time!!!

Frank

 

[MinnieDiva]

DH and I are going to Vegas for the 1st time next month, too. DON'T FORGET that there is an H2O Plus store in Fashion Show mall!! That's the product that I know the Grand Floridian has and that is on the cruise ships!!!