Las Vegas Newbie - Update Post #18

[Kirby]

KKB - my husband has a cousin that lives in Henderson. They are retiring and getting ready to move to another state. We've been telling them for years that we would go visit them and thought we'd better get and do it before it was too late.

Thanks for the info!

DizFan101 - thanks for the tip!

 

[pooh6890]

As far as hotels go, you must see City Center (Cosmopolitan, Aria, Crystals shopping center). We went to Todd English's Pub and the food was terrific. The chandelier at the Cosmo was amazing! Also, the Wynn and the Encore are beautiful. The Venetian/Palazzo is beautiful too. I am pretty sure that you can get some really great rates in September at almost all of these hotels. Sign up on-line at each of the hotels and you will get e-mails with upcoming deals. Don't know your ages, but we saw Donny & Marie and the show was non-stop fun. It's very nostalgic and the banter between the two is hysterical. I just returned last Monday from Vegas and I am ready to go back! Have a lot of fun!

 

[Kirby]

As far as hotels go, you must see City Center (Cosmopolitan, Aria, Crystals shopping center). We went to Todd English's Pub and the food was terrific. The chandelier at the Cosmo was amazing! Also, the Wynn and the Encore are beautiful. The Venetian/Palazzo is beautiful too. I am pretty sure that you can get some really great rates in September at almost all of these hotels. Sign up on-line at each of the hotels and you will get e-mails with upcoming deals. Don't know your ages, but we saw Donny & Marie and the show was non-stop fun. It's very nostalgic and the banter between the two is hysterical. I just returned last Monday from Vegas and I am ready to go back! Have a lot of fun!

Thank you! I'll have to check some of these hotels out. I know that my husband is interested in seeing a show. Wonder if he would be willing to see Donny and Marie?

 

[Green-bay]

You got lots of great advice but this is another vote for the Steakhouse at Circus Circus - we go there everytime we are in Vegas and it is always great. It is amazing to us that such a good place is located inside Circus Circus, but it is definately worth it. We go to Vegas 2-3 times a year and always try different places to eat and we always agree that the Steakhouse is the best.
Definately go to the different casino to check out them out - Cosmopolitan is about the newest and well worth seeing. Lots of stuff to see just by walking around so go and just enjoy! Have fun.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Just posted on one of your other threads.

You got some really good advice. Sign up for the rewards cards and you'll get some really good deals on hotels. DW and I did this and we usually get some pretty good deals for Mirage. Which is pretty centrally located and one of the few hotels where we pay less $150/night on the weekends (Fri & Sat nights). If you're going during the week, you can get even better deals.

As far as boarding passes, I know at all MGM properties, they charge you a resort fee. This fee will usually cover the printing of your boarding passes. Just go to the concierge's desk and they will assist you with that.

 

[Kirby]

Thank you! I'll have to take a look at those rewards cards.

 

[VAN]

If you are a Disney fan going to vegas they have a mall where they have a store called Disney Warehouse . it sells park items for less (mind you they do sell more disneyland items then disney world because LV is closer to Disney Land). To get to the mall, you go down the strip(towards the vegas sign) keep going and the mall is on your left hand side. (Go past Fries).

I've been to this store 2-3 times and have never found anything worth purchasing. You might if you have small children; however, I was extremely disappointed in the store and selection of merchandise. It was almost (dare I say) junkie!!

Based on my personal experience, I would skip stopping at this store, unless you planned to visit the outlet mall that is behind it anyway. Don't make a special trip.

 

[Kirby]

Yeah, we're basically going to be there on the Strip for one day/two nights so I'm not sure how much time we'll have for shopping. Joe's cousin will be showing us around for two days/two nights when we first get there before we head to the Grand Canyon but I don't know what they have in mind to do yet.

 

[TinkBride]

Kris offers good advice. We got Players Cards at the Wynn, and quickly had enough points for two free buffet meals.

Woody

Sorry to hi-jack, but this caught my eye .....how does this work?

After so much play - you earn points?

 

[Kirby]

Sorry to hi-jack, but this caught my eye .....how does this work?

After so much play - you earn points?

Not only am I a Las Vegas newbie, I'm a gambling newbie. I'd like to know more also. My 23 year old son told me that you sign up for a card at the desk (what desk?) and walk around until you find something you want to do. I guess you don't put actual money in the machines anymore. Oh darn! I need a step by step instruction book to play the slots.

 

[skiingfast]

Not only am I a Las Vegas newbie, I'm a gambling newbie. I'd like to know more also. My 23 year old son told me that you sign up for a card at the desk (what desk?) and walk around until you find something you want to do. I guess you don't put actual money in the machines anymore. Oh darn! I need a step by step instruction book to play the slots.

You can sign up over the internet before you leave if you still have time, or at the hotel.

Sign up with MGM and Harrahs since they both own a bunch of casinos in vegas, so that would be two players cards covering about 12 places. Also any other "independents you might play at.

You put your card in the slot machines, it will tally points on how much you play. At tables you give your card to a nearby manager and tell them when you exchange money for chips to play to credit your card.

Keep in mind that the free $30 dinner usually comes after you have lost $60 gambling. It's one thing if you play to get comps, another if you play to play and the comps are an actual bonus. What's better is joining these clubs will get you special rates on future visits and coupons.

 

[Kirby]

You can sign up over the internet before you leave if you still have time, or at the hotel.

Sign up with MGM and Harrahs since they both own a bunch of casinos in vegas, so that would be two players cards covering about 12 places. Also any other "independents you might play at.

You put your card in the slot machines, it will tally points on how much you play. At tables you give your card to a nearby manager and tell them when you exchange money for chips to play to credit your card.

Keep in mind that the free $30 dinner usually comes after you have lost $60 gambling. It's one thing if you play to get comps, another if you play to play and the comps are an actual bonus. What's better is joining these clubs will get you special rates on future visits and coupons.

If I sign up online do they mail the card to me? I'm not really after freebies or anything. At this point, we're not thinking of returning to Vegas. Of course, Joe might become enamoured with Vegas like I am with WDW and we'll return. Then I'll have to do some wheeling and dealing, one trip to Vegas, one trip to WDW.

 

[woody73]

. . . I'm not really after freebies or anything. At this point, we're not thinking of returning to Vegas. Of course, Joe might become enamoured with Vegas like I am with WDW and we'll return.

If you think you might return, sigh up for the room rate promotions, if nothing else.

Woody

 

[Kirby]

If you think you might return, sigh up for the room rate promotions, if nothing else.

Woody

I signed up for e-mails and have already received one. You never know......

 

[VAN]

Get the American Casino Guide and sign up for the Player's Club on-site. The ACG will have lots of coupons to get "free play" when you sign up for the Player's Clubs.

They will give you instructions on how to use the "free money" ... most likely you need to put at least a $1 in the machine, etc. Usually you can use your free play on BJ, Video Poker (VP) or slot machines.

Yes, all machines take money. You put your bills in them.

Now they don't pay out money - they pay out by way of a "tote" which is a piece of paper that you take to the coin/money machines (or cashier) to get your money. Or you can put your "tote" into another machine and continue to play.

If you have a big win; however, someone will come to you and have you fill out income tax papers before paying you.

 

[KKB]

yes, some give junky freebies, but many give freeplay when you join! (YES FREE GAMBLING--that you don't have to put your own $ in for!!)
Here is a link to tell you who offers what:
http://www.advantageplayer.com/lasvegas/

 

[Kirby]

Thank you both! I've never gambled and thinking of going into a casino and not knowing what I'm doing makes me ill at ease. But I can't go to Vegas and not gamble just a little. That's like going to WDW and not seeing the Mouse to me.

 

[woody73]

I've never gambled and thinking of going into a casino and not knowing what I'm doing makes me ill at ease. But I can't go to Vegas and not gamble just a little.

The American Casino Guide, mentioned above, does a very good job of explaining each game's rules, odds and strategies.

Woody