TR-8/21-25-Questions and Comments

This was our first trip to Vegas. I had always wanted to go, but the other half said there was nothing there for us, so when my nephew announced he would be getting married there I immediately booked non-refundable tickets.

-Is the airport shuttle always time consuming? I stood in line for 45 minutes behind a bunch of seniors that had pre-paid vouchers. The ticket agents searched 15 pages of names then had to explain, repeatedly, to each one which shuttle to take. After I bought a ticket, waited for the next bus, then waited for the bus to fill I think we spent a good hour and a half waiting. Next time we’ll cab it and I won’t even care if he takes the tunnel.

-We stayed at Barbary Coast and liked the “smallness”. The rest of my family stayed at Bally’s and liked the variety of restaurants and amenities. My sister looked at our room and said, “Live and learn.” I looked at hers and said, “To each his own.”

-Big Elvis was on vacation. I’m not one to criticize entertainers, especially free, but the substitute sucked rocks. My ears were bleeding.

-We saw Mama Mia and really enjoyed it. The music is fun and the talent was excellent. I think the acoustics in the theater weren’t great, but it could have been deaf from Barbary Coast. Someone near us remarked that it was as good as he had seen on Broadway.

-The wedding was at the Paris and the reception at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Very Cool. View, Food and Service.

-On the other end of the spectrum, I took the family to Ellis Island. Our group didn’t want to wait to be seated in the diner, but did eat at the barbeque area. Great food and cheep beer, and excellent service from Noel. Everyone thought it was a dive, but were very comfortable and really happy that we went.

-Traveling with youngsters is a drag. The family wanted to go to Fremont Street, so the ten of us ride the deuce for about and hour. Walk the few blocks, see one canopy show, then the families are ready to leave. What? No gambling, eating, drinking? No, they have teenagers and have to go back. Another hour and a half ride back on the bus.

-Safety. My tiny sister from a small town said she felt perfectly safe walking anywhere, anytime on the strip. Even the teenagers were walking alone, but I’m not their father. The first night we were walking somewhere around IP at 2am probably and saw a woman with two small children and a, I’d guess, fourteen year old girl. I couldn’t believe the crap she was getting from drunk guys. “Nice a**, I’d like to taste that”, licking motions with their tongues inches from her face. Yuck!

-Attractions. The free attractions are overrated, but free. Paid for: NYNY rollercoaster-it felt like a near death experience, very fast; Eiffel Tower-probably better at night; Secret Garden- boring unless you like to watch cats sleep.

-Is there a handy list of lounge acts? I stumbled across one at Bally’s that I wasn’t expecting and wished I could have stayed for. Others at Bellagio’s, but didn’t feel dressed appropriately. They probably don’t call them lounge acts at the Bellagio.

-Next time, we won’t go in the hottest month. We’ll spend more time outside of the city (vof, rr, h dam) during the day and see more shows at night.

Oh, and the spouse that didn’t think there was anything in Las Vegas for us, leaves Monday for Reno with her family.

TR-8/21-25-Questions and Comments

Great TR. I personally have never travelled to Vegas in a group but I can see where that might not work. There is so much to do and not everyone is thinking the same thing. It%26#39;s funny how when you go to Vegas for the first time you have this notion on what you think Vegas is, but when you get there you realize how awesome everything is and it%26#39;s not the same sin city you see on TV. Granted it has it%26#39;s sinful side but for the most part it is fun for everyone.

TR-8/21-25-Questions and Comments

I loved your TR. We were there at the same time, might have passed you at BC. I like your comment ';to each his own!'; That the beauty of Vegas...something for everyone!

(I also admire the fact that you got your reoprt posted so quickly, I%26#39;m still working on mine. Hopefully later today it%26#39;ll be done.)

I agree with you about traveling with groups, we%26#39;ve done it both ways and it%26#39;s so much more fun when you don%26#39;t have to answer to the majority, and get to do what you want, when you want to =-)

WIboy, thanks for taking the time to write up a TR. Sorry you didn%26#39;t have such a great time in Vegas. I remember our first trip was filled with ';what do you want to do now?'; questions. We didn%26#39;t know our way around, had no idea about the best, most fun, cheapest, coolest....you get my drift.....things to do and places to go. It didn%26#39;t spoil us on the idea of going back however. We have been 15+ times now (actually probably more like 20+ but I can%26#39;t keep track anymore) in 9 years and find new things every time we go. All but one of our trips was just hubby and myself. We took my sister and brother-in-law on their first trip. While I don%26#39;t regret going with them, I probably wouldn%26#39;t do it again. The fewer people you have to herd around, the better. For the first time, I am going solo in 3 weeks and I can%26#39;t wait. I won%26#39;t have to ask anyone, ';what do you want to do now?'; Do plan another trip and spend some time here getting ideas from others on things to do and places to go. One thing I have learned for sure when in Vegas is if you value your time there do NOT under any circumstances take the buses or shuttles. It is really cheap to rent a car there and you can come and go on your own schedule. Thanks again for taking the time.

to: 3katmama

NO, Don%26#39;t get the wrong impression. I had a great time. I%26#39;m a small time architect and my main interest was the design and detailing of the resorts and I was ';WOWed';. I notice silly things. At the dolphin pool they commented on the clarity of the water and I started to think about the high mineral content of the city water in combination with the high evaporation rate and the inability to add chemicals to the water I started to wonder about how they filter the water. Next thing I saw was their filtration plant. Cool.

I like to look for detail. I think it was the forum shops that must have had a leak in the ceiling and the beautifully painted ceiling was patched and primed with white paint and a roller. Or the carved ';stone'; sculpture with a household outlet sticking out. Or the ';marble'; columns with runs in the paint. There%26#39;s something for everyone in Las Vegas.

But overall I was amazed and kept thinking How do they do that?, How much did that cost? How many designers does it take? Extraordinary detailing, scaling and accuracy. I loved it.

I%26#39;m just saying that I%26#39;ve seen what I wanted to on a good part of the strip and regret that 1) it was too hot to do off strip activities and 2) I didn%26#39;t have enough time and 3) that I had someone breathing down my neck complaining about how much money I was waisting on slot machines (not that much really).

Well good, I%26#39;m glad you had a good time afterall. As an architect I can only imagine the ';wow'; factor you must have felt. On the History Channel, I believe, is a show called Mega Structures. They did one recently on how they built the Venetian. I bet that would really interest you. Are you planning your next trip yet? Those of us that are Vegas junkies have to start planning our next trip as soon as we get back. Ha!

Glad you had fun in Vegas. I, too, was one of those people who thought there was nothing for me in Vegas (but there was a ';somebody';). I have been back about 60 times. The animals at the Secret Garden are really smart. During the summer heat they find a cool space and just fall asleep! They are more active in the winter. They used to have a behind-the-scenes tour at the SG. They explained the how the filtration system worked and showed you how they prepare the food for the animals,etc. They also have a ';fish hospital'; for those fish in the lobby that need medical attention. There is also a small ';hospital pool'; for the dolphins.