Questions.....

[BitsnBearsMom]

Flights are finally booked so now the other planning details begin!!

We will be flying to Vegas from LA in March (after a week at DL) from a Tuesday evening to our Friday 10pm flight....so 3 nights, 3.5 days. Plan is to drive away from Vegas to some other sights one of the days then spend the other days checking out the hotels along the strip, shopping and hopefully in the pool.

Party consists of dh, myself, almost 18yo ds, 12yo ds, gramma and gramps. Gramma is the only gambler and the reason we are doing Vegas. The boys have already been warned that they may see some strange and inappropriate things.... not the ideal place to take them but they are along for the ride so we want to make the best of it!!

Where would you suggest our group stay? Will the pools still be open in March? What would the average temperature be for March? We are coming from Ontario Canada so anything above the negative temps we'll be coming from is hot for us What shows would you recommend?

Hadn't really planned out what to spend on lodging as our week at DL isn't costing us as we are using our DVC points! I think anything $200/night or less would be preferred!!

 

[usnuzuloose]

I have a time share, and we stay at the desert rose, which is across the street from MGM. Its right behind the tropicana. It has a pool. It also has continential breakfast. It has one and two bedrooms with a kitchen that is fully furnished. It has barbque grills as well.

You can check it out online. Me and my husband stay there every year in june.

 

[ncc1701]

We went 2 times in March.One time sitting by the pool was not an option (too cool most days). However the 2nd trip had several pool days.If you stay at one of the big Strip hotels the main pool should be open.
Sign up to get emails from the main Strip hotels.They are always sending notices of deals
Staying mid week you should get a good deal (unless of course you run into the NCAA basketball tourment when rates will start shooting up on Weds/Thurs)
As for where to stay , stay on the Strip(Mandalay Bay up to Wynn)
I wouldn't go north of the Wynn
Caesars, MGM, Mandalay Bay, Caesars, Belliagoe & Monte Carlo all seem to have great pool areas from what I've read & saw walking thru.
We stayed at the Mirage which had a great pool area & NYNY which did not.

 

[ncc1701]

I saw that you are renting a car.If you stay on strip you don't need a car for the whole time unless you plan on eating off-Strip. You should be able to rent for a day from your hotel for your trip to see the sights(or price out bus tours). The airport is at the end of the Strip and is a short cab ride away.

 

[VAN]

We generally go to Vegas at least 1x per year. Also, my sis used to live there so we have gone when the kids were little many times.

In the past, most pools did not open until April 1st regardless of how warm it "might" get. If a pool is important to you, I would definitely speak directly with the hotel to ensure they will have their's open.

A couple of suggestions for day trips "away" from Vegas are:

Hoover Dam ... this is a MUST if you've never seen it. Suggest you go as early as possible in the day to avoid having to stand in line. I've heard it gets quite crowded as the day goes on.

Red Rock Canyon ... this is a state park just "outside" of Vegas. Very easy to get too, inexpensive, etc. If the grandparents aren't physically fit, they may want to stay back and/or plan to wait at the trailhead while you and the kids go for a hike. It will be cooler in March, but you are in the desert so I would suggest you bring water with you.

The dinner show at Excalibur is fun for the whole family + it includes (of course) dinner!

You can research more info on the above if you are interested.

As for the hotel ... do you want to be on the strip where you can walk (and walk and walk) and not have to get the car out at night? We tend to stay on the strip and then park the car when it gets dark. If one of us gets tired, we just head back in the general area of the hotel and then the tired one (usually me) goes back to the room by herself while the other has several casinos within walking distance to enjoy. We like to stay near the Tropicana intersection of the strip ... so in one of the MGM/Mirage properties. We like MGM Grand as well as the Monte Carlo. Both have food courts and are easy to get in and out of with your car. I'd love to stay at Bellagio, but it is pricey ... so we just visit (frequently).

Another thought is to stay at a casino that has some family entertainment. Southpoint is south (duh) on the strip and has a bowling alley and movie theatre. We spend a lot of time there as the staff is very friendly, they have a good variety of restaurants, easy parking (both surface and garage), etc.

The Orleans also has a movie theatre and is closer to the strip (just to the west on Tropicana) ... it is an older property, however, has a free shuttle to the strip (at Bill's Gambling Hall).

So, lots of things to consider.

I'd suggest you read the book the Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas.

We are headed back in five weeks ... we'll be there during the National Finals Rodeo. We are not necessarily rodeo fans, but LOVE the people who are in town that week. Everyone is very friendly and the casinos get all "duded up" for the rodeo fans.

Anyway, have a good time!

 

[Thumper_Man]

I saw that you are renting a car.If you stay on strip you don't need a car for the whole time unless you plan on eating off-Strip. You should be able to rent for a day from your hotel for your trip to see the sights(or price out bus tours). The airport is at the end of the Strip and is a short cab ride away.

I kinda agree and disagree with this one. DW and I go at least once a year. It all depends on where you stay on the strip, and how much of the strip you want to see. Even though the hotels seem close to each other, they are not as close as you think. If you're staying at Bellagio for instance and want to go to MGM; the MGM looks like it's a little ways down the street, but will take you a good 20 -30 minutes to get there walking. So if you plan to visit the immediate hotels and casinos around the area, leaving the car parked is fine. If you feel like traveling down the strip, then a car ride would be better. Especially since you will have kids. Cabs can get costly after a while if you use them frequently. Other than this, VAN gave some good advice.

 

[Jordanblackpool]

We went in March this year, we found that in the days you could sit by the pool....somedays were a little chilly, but we came back with a decent tan. It did go freeeezing at night though, we were going out in jackets and hats!