Vegas Trip Information for anyone looking to go this year.

[Marky147]

What's the dates, Woodsey. I'll have a hunt if you want mate. I know you're pretty hot on travel, but might spot a needle.

I'd go Luxor if you can get anything close to the same price. Get a room in the tower, and they've all just been refurbed.

Not nailed on yet, but will be early October probably. I won’t be able to book anything for a few months so don’t bother just now, I’ll come back and ask when I’m ready to book. After looking again as suggested already if I can avoid a weekend and arrive on a Sunday and book direct (20% off) it looks like I can get Excalibur for a little over a hundred a night so that’s alright actually. It’s San Fran and San Diego that are looking expensive......

I'm on VMB, so speak to a lot of Americans, and the RFs in some cities are into 3 figures, and monkey a night for some not even 5 star hotels 

If you got the mrs and nipper in tow, somewhere like Vdara is ace if you can get a deal. You've got the mini kitchen part of the room etc.

Holiday USA always good for a trip as well, find a lot of stuff cheap there.

Cheers mate, honestly don’t care about the room that much as long as it’s clean and in an area with easy access to everything and safe. Vegas especially its all about giving my other half a flavour of the place and Grand Canyon etc as well as entertaining the little one. Think I won’t have a lot of time for gambling/poker which will be a first! 

Haha, that's why I suggested Vdara. It's smoke free and no casino. Cafe/Starbucks downstairs, and easy to get to Bellagio/Aria if you want a casino.

Lemongrass, which is my favourite Asian casino restaurant in Vegas next door at Aria, too.

[tonytats]

Thinking about going for a few days later in the year on the back of a Cali road trip. What’s up with prices on the strip now they seem to have gone insane? I’ve probably not been for 4 or 5 years but I’m pretty sure I always got something for not more than $100 a night, doesn’t seem to be much for $150 plus the stupid resort fees by the looks of it, is that the norm now? Even places in San Francisco are selling crappy rooms for $200+  

Depends where you want to stay Woodsey? There should be plenty of rooms $100 or under unless your looking at the top end hotels or just a weekend stay.

Usually stay at the flamingo or that one next door, what’s it’s name now the D or something? Anyway this time I’ll have the sprog in tow so was looking at the excalibur. Any other thoughts for kid friendly hotels? Circus Circus is too far from everything so not staying there.

It’s a bit of a shocker everywhere for hotel prices in California as well, hardly anything you’d want to stay at for less than $200 a night

Try south point ?
There’s normally some kind of horse show ,majorettes , Mac tools conference
Bowling alley
Cinema - multiscreen
Great pool area
Food n drink is much cheaper than on the strip
12-14 different eating places on site ,all v good
Use Uber if you want to go to the strip

[Marky147]

The amount he's going to save staying there for a few days, he'll spend on Ubers to and from the strip

[Rotty]

Thinking about going for a few days later in the year on the back of a Cali road trip. What’s up with prices on the strip now they seem to have gone insane? I’ve probably not been for 4 or 5 years but I’m pretty sure I always got something for not more than $100 a night, doesn’t seem to be much for $150 plus the stupid resort fees by the looks of it, is that the norm now? Even places in San Francisco are selling crappy rooms for $200+  

Depends where you want to stay Woodsey? There should be plenty of rooms $100 or under unless your looking at the top end hotels or just a weekend stay.

Usually stay at the flamingo or that one next door, what’s it’s name now the D or something? Anyway this time I’ll have the sprog in tow so was looking at the excalibur. Any other thoughts for kid friendly hotels? Circus Circus is too far from everything so not staying there.

It’s a bit of a shocker everywhere for hotel prices in California as well, hardly anything you’d want to stay at for less than $200 a night

Try south point ?
There’s normally some kind of horse show ,majorettes , Mac tools conference
Bowling alley
Cinema - multiscreen
Great pool area
Food n drink is much cheaper than on the strip
12-14 different eating places on site ,all v good
Use Uber if you want to go to the strip

Michaels is pretty pricey but quite an experience

[4KSuited]

The amount he's going to save staying there for a few days, he'll spend on Ubers to and from the strip

It's really that much for an Uber from/to South Point. Never underestimate the extra cost of staying on the Strip.
To be honest, I'd seriously consider staying at The Nugget, Downtown with a Mrs & kid in tow. There's lots of stuff to do in & around Freemont Street.

[Juperjiper]

The amount he's going to save staying there for a few days, he'll spend on Ubers to and from the strip

It's really that much for an Uber from/to South Point. Never underestimate the extra cost of staying on the Strip.
To be honest, I'd seriously consider staying at The Nugget, Downtown with a Mrs & kid in tow. There's lots of stuff to do in & around Freemont Street.

We had an evening down in Fremont and I didn’t think it was the best scene for kids, bit seedy, full of idiots

[Marky147]

The amount he's going to save staying there for a few days, he'll spend on Ubers to and from the strip

It's really that much for an Uber from/to South Point. Never underestimate the extra cost of staying on the Strip.
To be honest, I'd seriously consider staying at The Nugget, Downtown with a Mrs & kid in tow. There's lots of stuff to do in & around Freemont Street.

It's not, but if you're going to be going to/from the strip several times, it all adds up. I think you're overestimating the savings of south point against mid range strip resorts

I wouldn't consider staying downtown with young kids either. Lots of stuff to do for adults, but much more to do with a partner and young child on the strip.

[Woodsey]

Definitely going to stay on the strip, the chances are I’ll only take them the once so want to be in the middle of everything. It will be Excalibur unless some stupid prices show up when I come to booking it.

[Doobs]

What's the dates, Woodsey. I'll have a hunt if you want mate. I know you're pretty hot on travel, but might spot a needle.

I'd go Luxor if you can get anything close to the same price. Get a room in the tower, and they've all just been refurbed.

Not nailed on yet, but will be early October probably. I won’t be able to book anything for a few months so don’t bother just now, I’ll come back and ask when I’m ready to book. After looking again as suggested already if I can avoid a weekend and arrive on a Sunday and book direct (20% off) it looks like I can get Excalibur for a little over a hundred a night so that’s alright actually. It’s San Fran and San Diego that are looking expensive......

How old is your kid when you go?   We took my eldest when she was about 3 (probably just under as I am pretty sure the Wynn buffet was free for her, and that is for under ).  I get sent offers for the Wynn quite a bit, and it is usually $129 mid week (think it is $10 extra for friends), and you usally get a free buffet or two.  The resort fee is $39 I think.

My daughter loved it.  Circus Circus was a good trip out, as it has a fair few rides for small kids to do.  Her favourite thing was likely to be the Wynn buffet, as she just loved choosing pancakes, pizza, ice cream etc for breakfast.  She spent a lot of time in the pool which is beautiful, and american adults seem pretty friendly to small kids.  She also spent a lot of time just running round/exploring .  There is a lot to see for a young girl (butterfly carpets, pretty flowers, big open spaces) in the Wynn.  There is a mall next door, which was ok, but not that great for kids stuff (there was an m and m superstore somewhere, which was a bigger hit).  She loved the helicopter ride to the grand canyon, but that is pretty pricey for 3 of you.  I think she did a lot of free shows (fountains, pirates and  volcano) and think she liked them all once they got going.  

The one thing we did that I remember disliking was the penn and teller wildlfe dolphin thing.  If your thing is big cats getting pestered by trainers in small cages and a few dolphins in a grim pool then you may enjoy it more.  I think my daughter didn't hate it, but she loves Woburn.  

I have never stayed at the Excalibur and it may be better for kids.  I think the Vdara is often value, and I have stayed there, but not sure it is that great for kids, but guess you get a hotel pool and a buffet next door at the Aria.

edit.  Circus Circus ride restrictions are here https://www.circuscircus.com/rides-attractions-1.  Don't waste a trip if your kid isn't tall enough, as there is little other reason to go there.

[Woodsey]

What's the dates, Woodsey. I'll have a hunt if you want mate. I know you're pretty hot on travel, but might spot a needle.

I'd go Luxor if you can get anything close to the same price. Get a room in the tower, and they've all just been refurbed.

Not nailed on yet, but will be early October probably. I won’t be able to book anything for a few months so don’t bother just now, I’ll come back and ask when I’m ready to book. After looking again as suggested already if I can avoid a weekend and arrive on a Sunday and book direct (20% off) it looks like I can get Excalibur for a little over a hundred a night so that’s alright actually. It’s San Fran and San Diego that are looking expensive......

How old is your kid when you go?   We took my eldest when she was about 3 (probably just under as I am pretty sure the Wynn buffet was free for her, and that is for under ).  I get sent offers for the Wynn quite a bit, and it is usually $129 mid week (think it is $10 extra for friends), and you usally get a free buffet or two.  The resort fee is $39 I think.

My daughter loved it.  Circus Circus was a good trip out, as it has a fair few rides for small kids to do.  Her favourite thing was likely to be the Wynn buffet, as she just loved choosing pancakes, pizza, ice cream etc for breakfast.  She spent a lot of time in the pool which is beautiful, and american adults seem pretty friendly to small kids.  She also spent a lot of time just running round/exploring .  There is a lot to see for a young girl (butterfly carpets, pretty flowers, big open spaces) in the Wynn.  There is a mall next door, which was ok, but not that great for kids stuff (there was an m and m superstore somewhere, which was a bigger hit).  She loved the helicopter ride to the grand canyon, but that is pretty pricey for 3 of you.  I think she did a lot of free shows (fountains, pirates and  volcano) and think she liked them all once they got going.  

The one thing we did that I remember disliking was the penn and teller wildlfe dolphin thing.  If your thing is big cats getting pestered by trainers in small cages and a few dolphins in a grim pool then you may enjoy it more.  I think my daughter didn't hate it, but she loves Woburn.  

I have never stayed at the Excalibur and it may be better for kids.  I think the Vdara is often value, and I have stayed there, but not sure it is that great for kids, but guess you get a hotel pool and a buffet next door at the Aria.

She’ll be about 3, will be doing a few of the things you mentioned. Luckily as with many of us here I’ve been to Vegas loads over the years so know the place well and how to keep people with different interests entertained for a few days. Last time I went was with a group of 6 or 7 non gambling friends, they loved it because I knew exactly where to take them to have a good time. Was mostly just having a whine up about prices since I last went   And sadly no comps waiting for me when I go back each trip nowadays as I don’t go as often as I used to  

[tikay]

"...The one thing we did that I remember disliking was the penn and teller wildlfe dolphin thing..."

Hi David.

Don't ever recall Penn & Teller being involved with dolphins, certainly in recent years where they have had a permanent residency at The Rio.

Think dolphins in Vegas were traditionally always at Mirage? (Or maybe Treasure Island perhaps). Steve Wynn used to own it back in the day when Siegfried & Roy were there, but that would be way before your daughters were born.

[Juperjiper]

Siegfried and Roy
Penn and teller

Easy mistake to make 😁

[Doobs]

"...The one thing we did that I remember disliking was the penn and teller wildlfe dolphin thing..."

Hi David.

Don't ever recall Penn & Teller being involved with dolphins, certainly in recent years where they have had a permanent residency at The Rio.

Think dolphins in Vegas were traditionally always at Mirage? (Or maybe Treasure Island perhaps). Steve Wynn used to own it back in the day when Siegfried & Roy were there, but that would be way before your daughters were born.

Meh, it was Siegfried and Roy then.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g45963-d145280-Reviews-Siegfried_Roy_s_Secret_Garden_and_Dolphin_Habitat-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

Pretty shocked it is rated so highly; I thought it must have been closed down after reading your post.   

[vegaslover]

Definitely going to stay on the strip, the chances are I’ll only take them the once so want to be in the middle of everything. It will be Excalibur unless some stupid prices show up when I come to booking it.

I've stayed at Excalibur with my little-un, it's absolutely fine. Throw the checki--in person a $20/$50 and ask for one of the higher floors and the tower that is same side as pools, otherwise you have to walk through casino to get to pool if in the other tower.
The fair/games downstairs is a lifesaver when keeping the little un occupied.

Town square is not too far away and has a little outdoor play park which is ideal for the younger kids

[redsimon]

Anyone had delay in getting ESTA? Applied 25th January , money taken to pay ($14) and email to say pending on same date. Heard nothing and when i go to site to review application say "not found" ? Still a few months to my flight but rather get this sort of stuff sorted asap

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta is site i used