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First Trip getting closer!

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Dusky203, Mar 2, 2016.

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  1. Dusky203

    Dusky203 Tourist

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    First and foremost I would like to thank everyone for all of the help up to this point. Just to recap never been to Vegas and booked Bellagio for March 20th - 24th for our 20th Anniversary.
    Few last questions (I hope):
    Flight arrival is at 9 AM and I am pretty sure someone mentioned for a fee I can check in early?
    I am not one to ask for free stuff but should I mention that it is our first time and our anniversary during checking? We only booked the resort room so not sure if they would upgrade.
    I am pretty sure you all answered all my questions about first time black jack and table minimums. In an effort to see more of the strip can anyone recommend live BJ with a $5 min per hand?
    We also will have a rental car and from research the parking garage at the hotel is the best place to park vs valet?
    Not looking for inside secrets but are there specific slots to hit or avoid (Specifically at the Bellagio)? Most of our gambling with be from 5Am to noon Vegas time if that matters at all.
    Finally not sure were going to do a show or not but any cool comedy or magic shows that have early showings?

    Thanks again for everything and we CAN NOT wait to experience Vegas!
     
  2. betman4711

    betman4711 Low-Roller

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    March 20th is a Sunday. There will be a ton of check outs on Sunday, but 9 am is early (you won´t be at Bellagio before 10.30). Just ask about checking in and mention how excited your are about being in Vegas for the first time. Just be nice and see what happens.
    The parking garage at the Bellagio is good in terms of location, not to far away from everything. Personally I like valet more, drive up, get someone from the bell desk for your luggage and leave the car in front of the hotel is special in my opinion. Don´t forget to tip when you pick up the car! Sometimes it takes a few minutes until the car arrives, but hey - you are on vacation.

    As for slots: Just have fun and play the machines you think look fun. if you don´t like it: cash out and move on. After some time you will notice machines which are played more often then others - these might be the "good" ones!
     
  3. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    Your best bet for finding decent $5 blackjack would be at the Gold Coast and Orleans. They're both fairly close to Bellagio and have plenty of easy parking in addition to valet.

    Other than that, here are my usual two tidbits of advice for Vegas newbies: wear your most comfortable shoes and learn the games you might conceivably play BEFORE you get there! Have a terrific trip!
     
  4. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Most properties will let you check in early for a fee (usually in the range of $20). If they can't, they can hold onto your luggage and you can go out exploring for as long as you'd like, then check in later.

    Mentioning it's your anniversary sadly will probably not do much. That line is one of the most over-used ones in the hotel business, and you'll most likely be seen as someone who's just trying to get an upgrade for no reason. You may want to consider trying the $20 trick where you slip a $20 note to the check in agent asking if they have any upgrades available. If I were you, I'd do that while saying "it's our anniversary, so if you could see if there are any upgrades available...". That way the agent has an actual incentive to do something for you.

    As for $5 blackjack, it does exist on the strip, especially in the timeframe you mentioned (table limits tend to increase at around 4:00 pm). As a forewarning, you won't find an especially "good" game as far as the rules go. But if you're just looking to have fun, this won't really matter. Monte Carlo has a $5 game at the very back of the casino, I've seen $5 blackjack at Excalibur as well, I'm pretty sure you can get it in NYNY, and I'm 99% sure there's one in Linq. If you're planning to check out downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street), you can find $5 blackjack with your eyes closed. There's even a $3 table at the California.

    I hope that helps!
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  5. hotreds

    hotreds Illegitimi non carborundum!

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    Very excited for you! I hope you love Vegas as much as those here do! There are some people that actually hate it, but that's what makes the world go 'round! Hopefully you fall into the former category. Indeed, tell the check-in people that it is your first trip to Vegas and you are coming for your 20th anniversary. Most agents will be pretty generous. I also doubt that you will get a room quite that early. But, they will gladly hold your luggage for you and you can go exploring. Some even have those buzzers you are given at restaurants that advise you when your table is ready- only this will advise you that your room is ready. First thing to do is get a players card- and ideally go to a CET property( Caesar's is next door) and get a players card also. You WILL be overwhelmed your first trip. Hopefully you will like it and go a 2nd time, and things will be a little less mind numbing! HAVE FUN!!!!!
     
  6. Little Joe

    Little Joe Tourist

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    For a great afternoon Comedy/Magic Show check out Mac King at Harrahs.
     
  7. spdandpwr

    spdandpwr VIP Whale

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    For an afternoon show, Mac King was pretty good. I'd caveat that it does feel a little young / family oriented, though still as enjoyable.
     
  8. Dusky203

    Dusky203 Tourist

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    Thanks again everyone. I looked at Mac King and reviews were positive so we will add that to our options. Also just went online and signed up for Mlife. Lets just say the next few weeks my production at work will be greatly reduced thanks to finding this forum.....lol
     
  9. Bonnie60

    Bonnie60 Tourist

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    The 1st time we went to Vegas was n 1990 I hated it, then went back two yrs later and now can not get enough, we go 2 times a yr and would go more but work gets in th way. We love the Bellagio have stayed there many times and have checked in about 10:30 for no extra charge. Have never tried the 20.00 trick to many supervisor hanging around and I would hate to get someone in trouble. But that's at 10:30 in the morning, maybe they are not there all day long just when they are busy
     
  10. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    Happy Anniversary!!! Check the "Vegas Get Together" forum as there are a lot of people from this board heading out there that weekend.

    We usually arrive early and do attempt to check in early.
    Depending on how crowded it is, they may allow you to check in early BUT it may be in a low floor with limited or no view and may even be in a lesser room.
    Depending on how eager we are to get started we tend to take what ever they have available.


    Why not mention "This is our first Vegas trip and 20th anniversary." or even ask. I have tried this a few different times in different formats, but have yet to get anything free, but still worth a try.

    You will have to most definitely leave Belliagio and head across the street to Bally's or Paris.

    Try any and all which catch your eye. Its your first trip, have fun.

    Thats a great time to gamble. Lots of available machines.

    I wish.
    There are some but very few. Check Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mall directory.
    Being from the east coast, we tend to stay on east coast time which means the majority of shows are too late.
     
  11. TheMadCows

    TheMadCows Tourist

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    Have a great time!!
     
  12. Dusky203

    Dusky203 Tourist

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    Thanks everyone! This week cant go buy fast enough. I think we are going to get a hotel by the airport Sat night since we depart so early. Plus we can hit Hard Rock that happens to be close to the airport. Might as well get our gambling on before we even get to Vegas!
     
  13. hotreds

    hotreds Illegitimi non carborundum!

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    I am inclined to get a hotel near the airport as well if I have an early flight! Happy Landings!
     
  14. Dusky203

    Dusky203 Tourist

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    Which hotels are Mlife? Should I stick to only those for possible rewards?
     
  15. alugjk

    alugjk Tourist

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    Mlife includes all the hotels owned by the MGM Group - so MGM Grand, Bellagio, Aria, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, NYNY, Luxor, Excalibur, and Circus Circus. Basically half the strip.

    You can get rewards from most of the other hotels if you sign up for their card and gamble enough. I would recommend the CET (Caesars Group), which includes many of the other strip hotels, and also Cosmo Identity and the Wynn red card.

    The cards tend to be better for slot players rather than table game players.

    -George
     
  16. hotreds

    hotreds Illegitimi non carborundum!

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    Circus Circus is MLIfe? I thought they were indie!?
     
  17. alugjk

    alugjk Tourist

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    I have never been there but I was assuming that based on the fact that it is one of the hotels you can build in the MyVegas game.
    -George
     
  18. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Sunday's especially are harder to get into early, but check-in anyway - ask about early check in availability if your room isnt available; otherwise, give them your cellphone # (repeat back to them for accuracy) and they will call you when room is ready. Be sure to walk thru Bellagio's beautifully decorated Atrium - if hungry, their 24 cafe is right at the end of the atrium on the right - decent food, often a line.

    At Mlife properties, if you plan to play in hopes of getting future room offers from the property you are staying at, it is best to concentrate your play at that property. Otherwise, hop around and always use your card. If you and spouse link your accounts, another way to build up playing stats on Slots or VP only, get extra cards on each account, pick one account to primarily play on and you can rack up better looking play for future comp purposes. Also, BEFORE you check out of your hotel, go to the players club and ask a host if your play earned any type of comp credit - even if answer is no - it never hurts to ask.

    At CET properties, I understand from posts here that you can play at multiple properties and still get offers based on total play, but I can't say firsthand.

    Be sure during your trip to walk next door to the Cosmopolitan - beautiful stunning chandeliers - ride the escalators up to third level to get a really nice overall view and very nice casino - great restaurants and staff.

    It's always a good idea to sign up at the players club for each family of casinos you play at.
    Mlife players card good for play at: Bellagio, Aria, Monte Carlo, Mirage, MGM, NYNY, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay
    CET good for play at: Caesar's, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, Harrah's, Linq, Bally's, Cromwell, maybe more.
    Cosmopolitan (Identity) is a standalone.
    Venetian/Palazzo is a standalone.
    Wynn/Encore is a standalone.

    Re slots at Bellagio - I've had very little luck on pennies, but decent luck on dollar and five dollar slots, even dollar VP some luck.
    Go with what looks like fun or where others are playing, sometimes an indicator of winning slots - but you never know for sure.

    Hope your first trip is everything you hope for and more - have fun and no sleeping allowed!
     
  19. Dusky203

    Dusky203 Tourist

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    I think once we arrive we will check out the hotel, gamble a little bit then maybe take a walk or a ride to check out our surrondings.....Come Monday morning though it will be game on in the Casino. Looking forward to dropping some money in some of the nearby casinos as well. And on a final note thank god we own our business cause otherwise we both would have been fired for lack of production...
     
  20. Dusky203

    Dusky203 Tourist

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    I am bringing 3K to play with over the coarse of three full gambling days is that enough to get any sort of comps? Damn today and tomorrow cant get over with fast enough!!!
     
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