Out for a few days

[Dan Murphy]

Just getting ready (packing a little) and heading up Milwaukee way later this afternoon for a night flight out of there to Las Vegas. Certainly not my cup of tea, really can't stand the place (if I have been there recently to see the buildings, and I was, 18 months ago). However, good friends of ours daughter is getting married, and all the family are Vegas junkies. So, in keeping the glitz alive, she is getting married at the Bellagio on Saturday. With the 'pressure' to attend, we are. If it was up to me, I would have sent them a nice card and gift. But, such is it not, LOL. All four of us are off to Vegas.
We are staying at the Orleans, in late tonight, home Sunday. Between the smoke, hookers, pimps, strip joint and escort service flyers stuck in your face every 10 feet while in the public walkways and the clanging din of the casinos, I will be well ready to check out and come home to a couple Cubs' playoff wins.

Take care. If you send any pm's or emails, other than for this afternoon, I'll answer on Sunday or Monday. Enjoy the weekend, Go Cubs!!!!


Dan

 

[sharbear]

I know how you feel. I really have no desire to go anywhere where it is smokey. Vegas is not my idea of a great time but I know lots of people love it. Maybe you can sit around the pool and think that you are FLA.

Take care and I'll be rooting for your Cubbies!

 

[Mishetta]

Hope you'll have a nice time anyway. The Bellagio is a very nice hotel & seems so far removed from the garbage out on the strip! Enjoy as much as you can & forget the rest. I miss going to Vegas. (We went almost monthly when we lived in Los Angeles.) Then again, that was before kids!

Have fun!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am with you on this Dan....it makes me think of Sodom and Gommorah... yikes.. I hope I spelled that right... and it is how I felt when I went to Key West.. the night life was something else.

It will be nice. you will be with your family and it is a wedding... try to put those blinders on that filter out the nasty stuff..

 

[Cthia]

Have a nice trip Dan.

I have never been to Las Vegas and after that description I am not sure I would like to visit a place like that.

 

[always quiet]

Have a great time, despite all your surroundings!! I hate loud places, despise smoke and not even get me started on the way some people act in places like that!! Focus your attention on your beautiful family. You'll be home before you know it!!!

We'll hold the fort down for ya' (hopefully!! )

 

[WDWHound]

Mandy and I have gone to Vegas a few times. There is a way to enjoy it without getting caught up in the seedy side of the town. We tend to view it as a large amusment park and ignore all the gambling and such for the most part.

The Adventure dome at Circus Circus is a fun little, fully inclosed amusement park that can fill an afternoon or evening. Star Trek the Experience at the Hilton is an almost Disney calibur attraction, even if you aren't a Star Trek fan. The Spring mountains are right near by and provide and beautiful, peaceful escape from all the glitter. And, of course, the is Mystere and O, 2 of Cirque Du Soliels best shows.

Hope you have a good trip, Dan.

 

[CamColt]

Hope you can have a good time Dan, although it doesnt sound too promising. Maybe the wedding will be fun.
Like Cthia, Ive never been and always thought I would like to try it. Not so sure after that description, LOL!

 

[nativetxn]

Try to have some fun, Dan. Safe trip.

 

[Lars624]

Have a safe trip Dan!

 

[MickeysMommy]

Have a safe trip, Dan!

 

[Poohbear123]

Hmmm......too bad they couldn't get married at WDW! You would have NO problem going there!

 

[Trib]

So much to see outside of Casinos



Ron Lee's World of Clowns
Anyone crazy for clowns will love this place, which produces clown figurines and other fanciful creations. Kids can watch as artists mold and paint figures. 330 Carousel Pkwy., Henderson; (800) 829-3928; (702) 434-1700;
www.ronlee.com

Star Trek: The Experience
Trekkies converge on this $70-million attraction that is part museum, part movie, and part ride. You enter through a futuristic version of a casino to begin the wait in line. (Be aware that the wait can stretch two hours or more during peak times.) During your wait, you are entertained by televisions running clips from the famous show and by assorted memorabilia. As you approach the ride, costumed characters advise that you've crossed over into the 24th century. You then begin an out-of-this-world "experience" that combines live theater, a motion-simulation ride, and dazzling special effects. One of the coolest parts is getting "beamed" aboard the Starship Enterprise. You also get involved in a wild, and sometimes nausea-inducing, chase through space, but you can skip this part of the ride by simply walking through the spaceship doors instead of taking a seat. Note: Given the vivid presentation and some of the characters portrayed by the live actors (including evil Klingons), the ride is not suitable for preschoolers and may bore those who never "got" the appeal of Captain Kirk and his crew. It's best left to kids over age 7 and their Spock-loving parents. Located inside the Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas; (702) 732-5111;
www.startrekexp.com

Stratosphere Tower
The best overview of town can be had from this vantage point, some 1,150 feet above the Strip. And if the view isn't thrilling enough, there are several roller coasters at the top that will probably frighten all but the most fearless coaster connoisseurs. Don't bother taking preschoolers or kids who are afraid of heights--they'll probably be too scared to look anyway. There's a small charge. Rides cost extra and there are combination tickets offered. 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas; (702) 380-7777; www.stratospheretower.com

M&M World
Kids who love the chocolate candy will probably want to see this museum/huge advertisement. A seven-minute film tells the tale of how Red the M&M found his M. Riveting stuff for 4- and 5-year-olds. In the Showcase Mall, 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas; (800) 651-2437; (702) 736-7611; www.m-ms.com

Fountains of Bellagio
One of the best shows in Vegas is this $35-million water spectacle that plays--or should we say sprays?--in front of the opulent Bellagio resort. The musical accompaniment runs the gamut--from Sinatra to Pavarotti--but the spraying jets of water, all backlit by bright white lights, are guaranteed to enchant folks of all ages. Shows are every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., more frequently after 8 p.m. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas; (888) 744-7687.

Red Rock Canyon
Worlds away from the glare and blare of Vegas, but only 20 minutes by car, lies this almost-200,000-acre preserved desert vista of statuesque red-rock formations. Stop at the visitors' center, where kids can sign up to be Junior Rangers (to earn their badge and certificate, they have to complete a booklet answering questions on local wildlife). The park maintains 24 miles of trails, but the best one for kids is the 0.7-mile Children's Discovery Trail, located seven miles past the visitors' center at the turnoff for Willow Springs/Lost Creek. The trail starts in a low-lying valley and climbs up to a stand of trees with benches by a small creek. It's very easy to get lost here, so be sure everyone stays on the trail--and bring plenty of water. Located 15 miles west of Las Vegas via Charleston Blvd. on State Rd. 159; (702) 363-1921; www.redrockcanyon.org

 

[llebrekniT]

I will try to get by without your help the next few days. I'm a little nervous though. Still can't get that darn picture smaller. Maybe when you get back I'll let you just go on and do it for me. I'm a failure

Never been to Vegas, my hubby really wants to go, but I don't! Too addicted to WDW. Maybe I should add this to my list of gripes on the husband bashing thread! It's not really a gripe, but it's just so much fun to fuss about those men! I noticed an intruder in my thread a minute ago, a Yankee's fan at that, I better go and check it out!

Have a great trip, if you can!

 

[aunt lissa]

Have a safe and fun trip!!

 

[CRB#33]

Well Dan, try and enjoy the wedding and a make it a romantic getaway with some room service and such!

Have a safe trip

 

[Ally2002]

DH just shakes his head "no" whenever anyone tries to hand him something-- plus since the two of us have only gone together-- I guess the prostitutes leave us alone. I've never even seen someone there who I thought was one.

Now, the smoking does bother me, but that is about it.

It's so different than our usual vacations that we tend to like it. We catch a show or two (we've seen Blue Man Group. both Cirque's, etc.) and admire the themed buildings, etc. Going to Hoover Dam is also a lot of fun.

 

[helenabear]

I hope you managed to have some fun, Dan

 

[Patabel]

Hey, Dan, I agree with you completely. But have a safe trip and enjoy the wedding.

You might want to try a slot machine or two....with beginner's luck you might just win enough to pay for a couple of trips to see the Mouse!

 

[Minniespal]

Dan ~

Hope you have a wonderful time. I am so jealous of you. I would love to visit Las Vegas, not for the gambling but for the atmosphere. Hope you are going to post a mini trip report on the Bellagio, another favourite.