1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

people who dress up on Fremont

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by patriciak, Aug 16, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. patriciak

    patriciak Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2013
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Queensland Australia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Hi, first off, we have never been to Las Vegas, we are in our 70,s and are from Australia and will be visiting Vegas in early 2014, so I hope some of the questions I may be asking on this forum are not really stupid.
    My question today, all the people in Fremont St who dress in costumes, are they asking for money? if I take a photo of them will they demand money?

    As I said we are elderly so plan a visit to Fremont Street quite early in the day, we thought about 3pm, wander round the Casino's and see the sights, then go for a nice meal and wait for the light show to start and probably leave at about 8pm to 8-30pm, does this sound like a good plan.

    We are staying at Jockey Club which I believe is squeezed in and slightly behind Cosmopolitan and Bellagio, we are staying here because a) we got the condo for a really good price and b) we wanted somewhere where we can relax in the evenings and at this place we have a lovely sitting room and kitchen, can we get a bus from Fremont St to Bellagio? (I had a look on Google earth and there is a bus stop right outside Bellagio)
     
  2. Someone

    Someone High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2012
    Messages:
    836
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    1
    yes if you take a photo with the costume people they will want you to pay them (two dollars maybe three hell a dollar don't give them much unless you feel like it and anything should shut them up)......if you are far away from them and snap a photo and they want you to pay them I would ignore them.....if you are right up close and they are posing for you I suppose I would pay them....but then I would probably never be taking any photo with any of them and when you see some of them you might not either haha

    as for the bus I believe you want the express not the regular bus

    http://www.transitunlimited.org/RTC_Transit_Strip_%26_Downtown_Express

    notice it picks up heading north from across the street at Paris and then drops off heading south at Bellagio so you will want to catch it in front of Paris to head downtown so you do not take the whole route south then back north

    this bus should have many fewer stops than the others

    if you change your thread title to include "Bus Question" then Dewey will probably see it and answer and he is a true bus expert for Vegas (they should hire the guy or pay him money) and he will tell you exactly where to go and how to do it for best results

    as for the rest of your plans you could even stay later than that 10-11pm and not really be in with the more libation filled folks if you wanted

    again Dewey is in his late 50s or early 60s I believe so he can probably help you with that as well because he is downtown quite often

    or just send him a private message even on the forum he is a very helpful and knowledgeable individual
     
  3. patriciak

    patriciak Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2013
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    Queensland Australia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Thanks for that info, it all makes for a fantastic holiday.
     
  4. asti

    asti Tourist

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    Messages:
    76
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I talk my mother to Vegas with me and she is in her 70's now too. If you are like her you will want regular "sitting stops" and that is at a premium actually on Freemont. There is a Starbucks outside the Golden Nugget that has outside seating- perfect for people watching.
    For food the Verandah Cafe inside the 4 Queens is good, and if you get their -"over 55's" players card there is a nice discount too:licklips:
     
  5. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2000
    Messages:
    5,543
    Location:
    Laconia, NH
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    23
    First of all, I'm not surprised that you have to travel half the earth to find an Elvis wig and costume as bad as these.....they couldn't possibly have any in Australia!

    You can catch the express bus at the Paris bus stop. It is called the SDX, (Strip & Downtown Express). They do not sell tickets on the bus, or even ask to see them. The driver is up front in a compartment by himself. There are security people that may check for tickets at the bus stop or may be on, or get on the bus and card everyone. You may buy a ticket at the bus stop from the ticket machine. Most take only exact change or credit card; some only credit cards. Tickets can also be purchased at the bus transfer stations and at some retail outlets like Albertsons Food Stores and some Walgreens.

    You may purchase a 2 hour pass for $6.00 each but if you are downtown for more than 2 hours it would necessitate another pass ($12 round trip per person). If you buy a 24 hour pass, the cost is $8.00 and can be used not just for the day but for a full 24 hours on any RTC bus as many times as you care to......so if you buy a 24 hour pass at 3:30, you can ride until the next day til 3:30. If you intend to use the bus more often you may want a 3 day pass for $20.00.

    Have a nice vacation and enjoy downtown!

    Jimbo338
     
  6. UTE

    UTE Plastics

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2011
    Messages:
    1,699
    Location:
    Salt Lake/Las Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    The costume characters on FSE can be intimidating. Just keep in mind they can't legally demand payment. Instead, they can only seek "donations." That's the law. So, don't feel bad if you only give them $2 if they demand $5. You are not required to give them anything. You set the amount (if any) - not them.

    Bill
     
  7. ernestoc33

    ernestoc33 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2012
    Messages:
    470
    Location:
    Southern California
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    It isn't a legal requirement to pay them, but that's how they earn a living so its expected that you at least give them a buck or two. You can take the SDX from in front of Binions to Belagio. Its $8 for a 24hr pass and it runs every 14 minutes.
     
  8. brandi.boots

    brandi.boots Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2010
    Messages:
    155
    Location:
    Central Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    11
    If I take a pic with one of them...its a buck or two...at most. I know they are "working" but I just wont pay more than that....heck, I get offers to snap a pic and I do it for free when the mood strikes!
     
  9. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2012
    Messages:
    2,604
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    13
    Just remember these guys are just panhandlers with a shtick. I consider them one rung up from the guy at the street corner who attempts (despite my protests) to wash my window with his dirty bucket of water while I'm waiting at the light.
     
  10. mild67

    mild67 Tourist

    Joined:
    May 19, 2013
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    australia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    1
    Any free pics?
     
  11. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,817
    Location:
    San Diego
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    You should give them $1 if you want to take their picture even though they dont advertise it.

    Fremont street is fun and they have live bands and the light show at night. you might even want to stay a bit later then 830 to take it in.

    It is pretty raucous but thats what makes it fun. You will see lots of seniors there too so dont think you will be out of place at all.
     
  12. thenuke1

    thenuke1 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2010
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    the more and more i go downtown i see that more and more people are taking advantage of panhandling ....

    people show up with a card board sign with it saying "need weed money" and its not just 1 theres a handfull of people that have that same sign and about 10 others with similar....

    pathetic
     
  13. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2012
    Messages:
    1,805
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    This. Don't give them anything, don't solicit them for a photo op either. It only encourages the wrong kind of degeneracy to flock towards downtown. Not the "haha, I'm drunk on vacation and gambling too much" kind of degeneracy that we love but rather the "Need to score just a few more bucks from all these easy tourist marks so I can get my next hit of heroin" kind.
     
  14. xmarksx

    xmarksx VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2010
    Messages:
    1,315
    Location:
    Bloomington, Illinois
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    38
    I am in the camp that believes if you provide the panhandlers with no money they will dissipate greatly. As for the ridiculous costumed goofs, I imagine they would classify themselves as street artists - right. However... as soon as I try to categorize them as panhandlers I recall the spot-on Pee Wee Herman impersonator with bike, it was funny. I also remember the one who was an Alan (Zach Galifianakis) from the Hangover double. I do usually glance twice at faux showgirls.
     
  15. warpdrvr

    warpdrvr Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2012
    Messages:
    237
    Location:
    Corona, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    I have to agree with this. We were sitting inside one of the casinos, I can't remember which one, and "Elvis" walked by us. I said "Hey King, how ya doin?" He stopped, came back and made small talk with my wife and I for about 5 minutes or so. He then offered to let us take his pic with him for free. Well we went outside and I got a shot of him and my wife, and of him and me. I gave him $5 because he is trying to entertain for a couple bucks instead of just begging for money like so many others in that town (and many, many more across the country). We were in town for a short vacation and were having fun, so what's $5 to me? One more hand of cheap BJ or 4 hands of VP...didn't make a dent in our time one way or another.

    The way I look at it, it was $5 worth of entertainment, whether getting a pic or gambling it away...but YMMV of course!:peace:
     
  16. thenuke1

    thenuke1 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2010
    Messages:
    964
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    i triple glance at that one BBW with the huge boobs and tassels

    come on we all know who im talking about lol
     
  17. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    May 6, 2008
    Messages:
    1,257
    Location:
    canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    some of them are actually pretty good.
    I remember a guy who dressed like austin powers and he was a spitting image.

    haven`t seen him for last couple of trips not sure if he is still around.
     
  18. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,817
    Location:
    San Diego
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12

    I gave her a buck to get my picture taken with her and didnt even have a camera!!
     
  19. liteman

    liteman Old Timer

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2009
    Messages:
    175
    Location:
    Michigan
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    22
    It's all part of my downtown experience. Whether they are panhandlers, costumes, musicians, hookers, or religious people, they can be ignored or engaged as you see fit. If they are aggressive, they should be dealt with by Metro. I can't imagine downtown being as much fun without them.
     
  20. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    May 6, 2008
    Messages:
    1,257
    Location:
    canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    it all adds color and gives the place personality.

    can be a bit sketcky at times but have never felt threatened and returning this weekend!:beer:
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.