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Downtown weekend May 10-12

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by tvon, May 14, 2014.

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  1. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    Just got back from a 3 day trip to Vegas with a friend.. a guys trip. Stayed at the Golden Gate on a comp and spent most of my time downtown and made a trip to the Hard Rock Pool and took a day trip out to the desert. Here's a quick overview of the highlights of my stay.. Those who are interested in downtown and might be visiting soon will be most interested in this report.

    Getting there: Nothing out of the ordinary (flight from BOS->ORD->LAS) except for the fact of the gale force winds at LAS. VERY DICEY landing. Literally white knuckled to stay in my seat from the turbulence and we almost looked like we were going to land sideways at times. It was cold and windy that night too. Very odd for May in Vegas. Oh and i rented a car at Thrifty. They lost my Blue Chip reservation so I had to deal with an agent (exactly why I used Blue Chip in the first place)

    Hotel: Stayed on a 3 night comp from the Golden Gate. Been many times, but never stayed. At check in we were offered an upgrade to one of the new suites, but it was not a complimentary upgrade so we kept the standard room. He warned us that it does get noisy at night, but it was just a guys trip so I figured who cares.. we'll be out late anyway. Room was sort of updated with new furniture and some paint, but it was still pretty rickety. But it was clean and serviceable.. however...

    Noise: Wow were we wrong about this. We had room in the front, facing right out front to Fremont. Single pane, very OLD windows. Almost as noise cancelling as a screen window. To add to that, there is a new huge structure in front of the GG (for the longer Slotzilla platform) which also has a stage.
    There was three levels of "Loud" inside this room. When the stage outside has a band/performer, the volume in the room was about at full 'concert levels' (imagine going to rock club, standing front and center). When at "regular" levels, it was like having a huge party going on downstairs at your house. Loud and annoying but not as bad as the concert. And the 3rd, 'regular' noise level was like having the stereo on in the car in your driveway. Annoying but you could probably sleep through it.

    We figured, the noise is probably just at night and we'd be getting back to the room at 2/3am anyway. Right? What we didn't realize is that the "concert level" noise was from about 4pm - 2am. the "regular level" noise was about 2am-5am and the less of the three was from 9am - 2pm. Part of my Vegas routine is the afternoon nap, which DID NOT happen this trip. At all. Needless to say, i have a new found hatred for dance/pop music. Yes I could of complained and been moved, but by the time we really were so sleep deprived, it was the last day and we said fuck it and stayed out and didnt sleep. Lesson learned here.

    Fremont St thoughts:
    Fremont was pretty busy as always, and the new Slotzilla looks fun. The first night it was closed due to high winds but every other night had a long line. The 2nd and furthest platform in front of the Golden Gate/LVC is almost done. I dont like it though, it blocks the view from Main street (and from the Plaza). I wish they had made less of a footprint. I wonder if people dining at Oscars can see down Fremont anymore.

    Golden Gate - Busy as always, had my best luck here playing blackjack.
    Plaza -Deader than a doorknob. No matter how bumping Fremont st and its casinos were, Plaza was dead. It looks nicer than I ever saw it, smelled nice, newer machines, etc. But no one there. That Slotzilla platform might have something to do with it.

    LVC- How could this place get worse? The back is completely walled off, you can't cut through to the Cal anymore. A quarter of the casino floor is now a cheapo t-shirt store. It had people in it but it was WORN. The lights on the facade outside were half out. They've officially given up on this place.

    MSS/CAL - Good crowds, lots of Hawaiians as usual.

    The D - Haven't been since the full Fitzgerald's takeover. Place looks good, the gaming didnt look so good so i just walked around.

    Binions/4 queens/Fremont/El Cortez/GN - All busy, all about the same as a few years ago. Not many new changes that I noticed.

    Downtown Grand - Absolutely loved this place, really like what they did here. The staff were friendly, decent gaming and the waitresses almost nagged me for drinks. However it was empty. Even one of the dealers groaned when someone at my table asked her if this was just a soft opening. All the entrances are blacked out so you cant tell if anythings going on. While all Fremont casinos benefit from the open doors, this place is almost suffocating from the closed doors. I hope they can do something to lure people off Fremont. I wish I had checked out the pool during the day.

    Fremont East - Every time I go there are new things and it looks great. The Commonwealth bar was bumping, I really liked the inside of the Backstage Bar and Billiards for 80's night and places like the Griffin and Beauty Bar were fun as always.

    Food - Ate at the MSS buffet. They changed this a little, its no longer brunch on the weekends, just normal breakfast and lunch. Prices changed for lunch when we got there. Used a 2-for 1 coupon thanks to a helpful VM'er! Also ate at Du-Par's in the GG with a coupon. I really liked it, better than average diner food. Also at Comida, just off Fremont East, across from the El Cortez. Really great mexican food. Great atmosphere, awesome margaritas and the food was good!

    Gaming - Lots of BJ, mostly at the GG, but at El Co and DTgrand too. Lots of luck at the Monopoly Legends slot. My friend won $700 on that machine in the GN! I played a bunch of Video poker at the Boyd properties too. Also at the El Co; .25 chip roulette. That was fun for a few hours of messing around.

    Strip Club - Made a big plan for going to Olympic Garden on the Sunday night. Tried calling for the free limo and admission, which came fast. We figured a 10pm arrival was late enough for lots of action, but beating the crowds a bit. We tipped the driver $25 and figured we'd get free admission. While we technically did, we were forced to pay $25 each to "pre buy" our first two drinks. We used those to buy the most expensive drinks we could use (up to $12 each). 2ndly, place was DEAD. No girls on stage, 2-3 girls sitting around talking to one guy. Music was quiet (quieter than our hotel! hah!) We sat at the bar for an hour and a few girls trickled in but they seemed to disappear. We finally left without seeing any thing / girls whatsoever. Huge bust, never going to OG again.

    Desert Trip - Drove to Jean, saw the Dry Lake bed, stopped into the Gold Strike (Its actually not bad in there! - kinda reminds me of the MSS, but not as nice). Went to the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, NV.. that was really cool, old biker bar in the middle of no where. Continued on through Sandy Valley all the way behind Mt. Potosi to Red Rock Canyon.

    Pool - On Monday we went to the Hard Rock pool. It was free, even for non hotel guests (yes i asked, to all you haters out there). However due to other events going on at the hotel, only the small pool in the back was open (i can't remember the pool's name). Still, nice to get to a pool and relax. Found some chairs and ordered some drinks. Unfortunately, I ordered two bloody marys and when they brought them out, they cost $30 each!!! YIKES. The good news is that they were huge (about two pint glasses worth in each) and were made with top shelf vodka. But still..
     
  2. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    I always hate landing and taking off from LAS because of the turbulence.
     
  3. jimboguy

    jimboguy MIA

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    Thank you for a great, detailed report about downtown! I am a downtown frequent visitor, going again over Memorial Day weekend.

    You mentioned a long line for the zipline, where does the line queue up? Does the line cause additional pedestrian traffic congestion near one of the platforms?

    Sorry to hear you had a bad time at OG. I've only been there twice, but got bottle service and a booth both times. Plenty of girls there both times we went, but didn't arrive until about midnight. You may consider giving Cheetah's a try next time, as they have remodeled now.

    Sorry to hear you had to pay $30 for a bloody mary, no matter how big it was!

    Again, great report, thanks for sharing. :beer:
     
  4. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    The line queues up around Neonopolis, at the starting point for the zip line. Right now the zip line only goes half way down fremont, the full length one should open soon. Theres an office to buy the tickets near by (just like the temp zip line that was up) and theres stairs to the top (and an elevator, but not sure if that was for staff/handicap only). The line is on the side, along fremont.. imagine if there was still a sidewalk (pre-canopy days).

    Maybe we went to OG too early? Maybe. Next time i'll be going somewhere new. Cheetahs might be the spot!

    lastly, i've never had turbulence landing at McCarron.. That was definitely scary!
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2014
  5. fossefritz

    fossefritz Low-Roller

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    Tvon

    Glad ya had some fun and glad ya got to use the coupon

    Fossefritz


    Oh on side note slotzilla didn't bother me the ist Fridays fremont street is havin now was crazy though. Have to get wristbands just to walk back in main areas
     
  6. Cheap G

    Cheap G Tourist

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    Great to hear that MSS buffet no longer does brunch on the weekends, what will save me a few bucks for breakfast. Thanks for the report.
     
  7. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Does that mean no more champagne on the weekends at MSS? I know it is sparkling wine, but it made for good mimosas.:beer:
     
  8. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    They did have the complimentary "champagne" still. However after I paid, i overheard a hostess say to someone, the price would be going up in a few minutes (around 11am on Sunday).
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    One more question...When they did the weekend buffet, they used the entire serving area, adding more items etc. Weekdays, they only use from the omelet area going around to the fruits and salads. Nobody carving.

    What was your experience for breakfast, more like a weekday? No carved beef, turkey, Asian dishes etc.
     
  10. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    they seemed to use the entire area for the buffet. The omlette station stayed open but as i was seated, they removed all the breakfast items. There didnt seem to be a carving area, not that i could see.
     
  11. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    Well ... I just talked to the Player's Club at Main Street Station, and was told that there has NOT been any changes to the Sat.-Sun. Breakfast Champagne Brunch buffet. It is still the same as it was when we were there last year.
     
  12. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    I have an email into the food/beverage manager to get an answer. I sent it on Friday, so probably no answer until Monday.
     
  13. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    Its definitely confusing, I know. Maybe because it was mothers day? I've been hitting the weekend brunch/buffet for years and this is the first time it was different.
     
  14. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    UPDATE on MSS brunch

    Got a reply back. No changes to the weekend brunch.
     
  15. D in the D

    D in the D Oldest ride, Longest Line

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    I always hate the takes offs from LAS. The landings i can handle. :haha:
     
  16. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    Thanks, Joe ... That confirms what I was also told by the player's club.
     
  17. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    Odd, maybe it was a mother's day thing then.
     
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