June 2015: A Trip In Review

Hello everyone! Here is my latest trip review.


FLIGHTS
Outbound: A19 boarding position at A19 gate – what a coinky-dink! The crew was hilarious! Every 45 minutes or so, one of the crew members made announcements like, “if anyone is missing frozen bacon, one was some found in the forward lavatory, see us to retrieve”, or “there was a package of goat cheese in the rear lavatory, please ring your button to claim it, and finally “Ummmm, would someone please stop leaving your food items in the lavatory”! They were really a fun bunch. Landed safe, all I ask.

Return: A22 boarding position at B14 gate. I got first class this flight. Yeah, you know “SW first class” - first or second row and middle seat NOT occupied. I got the window and my aisle mate and I high-fived! Many times on flights you hear the announcement, “full flight-full flight”. That is not always the truth, especially on a flight at 5:40a on a Friday going in the opposite direction. This particular crew not so friendly, but again we landed safe. All I ask.

HOTELS
Mandalay Bay: First night was a King Deluxe through MV. Next four nights was a Bay Suite on my dime – only difference between the room types is more square footage. I appreciated the roominess of the Bay Suite and that it was located first off the elevator. Love that. Also glad to move from the first room because my neighbors were ridiculously amorous. She certainly sounded like bought entertainment because her performance was over the top. I mean, honestly.

Silverton: Last night in a regular 2-queen room as King was not available. Just renting this room for 15 hours so didn’t matter. HOWEVER – the big box tv reception was snowy. I would adjust it and it would clear, but if I walked past it again, the snowy effect came back. I found myself tiptoeing past the tv so the reception would remain clear. I was laughing at myself thinking how ridiculous this was. Wifi was existent and at a normal speed. Bed was comfy.

CAR RENTAL
Dollar, of course. I was guided to the row of midsize choices. I picked a Silver 2014 Hyundai Elantra, partly because I have the same one at home but black and 2013 and a higher model. But I am familiar with this vehicle which made it an easy choice. Off the plane at 8:46a, turned right onto LVB at 9:23a. I know, I made it a point to look at the clock. LOL!

GAMING
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader: Interesting game, interactive and you have to use your brain. A non-English speaking woman sat next to me at PH and she had no clue what she was doing, so through hand signs and smiles I showed her she just hit the bonus round. Don’t you know when all said and done, her bonus ended up at $192. I pointed to the amount and she screamed and hugged me. She knew enough to hit that cash out button and walk away. LOLOL! It was nice to sit with her.

Ripleys Believe It Or Not: Ummm, boring.

Flintstones: I tried and tried. The fun factor of this new game fell short with me. I played every day at various properties and didn’t hit the bowling bonus until the last day and it felt “blah”.

Madmen: If for nothing else, I like that smooth jazz music to this game. I didn’t hit a bonus, so I would play again to try.
Gremlins: Love this game in Gremlin mode! Those little monsters are hilarious! And I love a machine that has random things happening on the screen. The electric jolt that increases the times pay or the Gremlins that swing through the screen to drop wilds or the female Gremlin that throws down wild kisses. Love it! The only place I saw this game was at the Orleans. MaBay didn’t even have it. As a matter of fact, MaBay needs to step up their game with new rollouts of slot machines.

Jetsons: I tried again this trip to like this machine. But again, BO-RING.

Diamond Galaxy: Great game, I like how the reels don’t fall normally, but kind of gather like a solar galaxy. Interesting and hit a few bonuses.

Bejeweled: The 3D on this machine is super! And as a Match 3-gamer, I loved the concept. I was playing this all over, but hit a nice amount while playing at MResort.

Pegasus: Not a popular name, but the bonuses are easy to get on this one.

White Orchid: Hit a nice bonus on this sleeper machine.

Loved all my old favorites: Moneystorm, Survivor, Cat’s Meow, Shake Yo Booty, etc.

** I hope by November the Big Bang Theory machines will have rolled out. I have never waited so anxiously for a machine like BBT. My only hope is it is full of fun music, graphics and bonuses.**

FOOD
Rollin Smoke: drove over around lunchtime on Monday and the place was closed. No smoke from the building top, no cars in the lot, nothing. I left disappointed I didn’t get a chance to taste the que. Oh well, next time.

Bayside Buffet (Mandalay Bay): Meh. There are very few things I can find on this buffet (lunch) that I like. Or maybe I’m just not a huge buffet lover. Glad this was free through MV.

Raffles (Mandalay Bay): Had a great steak and egg breakfast with thick toast and tasty coffee. It was certainly a step up from the buffet.

The Buffet (Aria): Again, not impressed with this buffet (breakfast). This was also free through MV.

Taco y Taco: I went to the East Trop location. I loved-loved-loved the Al Pastor and Carne Asada tacos. So much so I wanted to go back for dinner. This place is a good replacement for El Gordo. Authentically delicious.

Mizuya (Mandalay Bay): I consistently have a great meal at this sushi bar. This time I got the dinner special which included miso soup, a green salad with sesame-ginger dressing, 2 sushi rolls and 8 sashimi pieces. So fresh and so good!

Burger Bar (Mandalay Bay): I grabbed to go. I created my burger: beef, grilled onions and blue cheese with skinny fries. I love a good hearty burger and I enjoyed this one – even with carryout. I can imagine eating it tableside just off the griddle. Next time I will eat in.

Noodle Shop (Mandalay Bay): I had an early dinner here – spring rolls (tasted like Trader Joe’s frozen) and Mongolian Beef (I think it was beef). The place was empty and the food wasn’t that great. The service felt overcompensating to the point I felt like Jerry Seinfeld and the server was Babu Bhatt in the Café episode. I overtipped and left.

Black Bear Diner: Always a satisfying breakfast spot. I had Eggs and Portuguese Linguica Sausage. And a short stack of those sweet cream pancakes – pillows of deliciousness! Service was great as usual.

SHOW
Showstoppers – what can you expect from Steve Wynn? Pure class and top notch entertainment! This show was phenomenal. From start to finish, the singing, dancing, live orchestra, costuming and scene sets rivals any show on the strip. I was third row, center, aisle seat. So close you had to duck the singer’s spit. I also saw a wig malfunction on one of the dancers. BUT, a wonderful production!

MISC
Discovered Frank Sinatra Drive and used it often. I mean, I knew FSD was there, but never used that side of the strip. So great for dipping in and out of west side strip properties.

My first room at MB was overlooking the pool complex. I didn’t realize there were so many pools and pool areas. No wonder people love it, there’s got to be something for everyone’s pool/beach taste.

When the bellman moved me from one MB room to the other, he took me through the “guts” of the building. It was very interesting to see the back of the house traffic that goes on in the freight areas. He also mentioned the room remodels will begin that week.

I renewed my slot club membership at Treasure Island. On this board, I started a thread about you don’t hear much about Treasure Island anymore. Well, I see why. Gone are the glory days of this property. I think I know my first reason for not liking a property – low ceilings. I used to LOVE this place back when the skull and crossbones were looming over the strip. Now, it just felt sad.

I would put Aria as my #2 Mlife property to stay. I gamed there a bit and hoping I get an offer. Where I used to dislike (or was offended by) the cluster City Center was when it first opened, I can look pass that now. The casino floor is roomy and the drink service was frequent too. If I had a desire to be closer to the thick of the strip, I would stay here.

I took a ride out to MResort. I remember how I liked the serene-ness of this property. It’s just a haul to get to.

I came up 14K short of Gold for Mlife. At least I stay Pearl through 2016. Like most here have said, there isn’t much difference between Pearl and Gold. I do get decent rates and offers with my Pearl tier.

I didn’t get to any of the other eateries I wanted, the weather was just too hot. I hope to tackle more of the places on my food list on my next trip.

UPCOMING TRAVEL
Next Trip: October 2015 on a 7-day RCCL to Southern Caribbean ports
Next Vegas trip: November 2015 at Mandalay Bay
Next-Next Vegas Trip: February 2016 at Mandalay Bay

Thanks for reading!

 

Nice report! And yes, so important to know the roads behind casinos. It amazes me how open they usually are!

And i have rarely read anything good about the Jetsons, always seems to eat VMBers money, including my own. I'll be looking forward to BBT as well!

 

I am awaiting BBT too; hoping it is in the Casinos for my September trip. I had a lot of fun on Flinstones, mostly because the Yabba Dabba Doo kept hitting. That Wilma was keeping a clean house. I hear so many good things about Black Bear Diner; hope to get there one day.

 

VegasGroove,

Nice TR... Where is the Black bear Diner?? Think I'd like to try those pancakes!!

Thanks

 

MNJ,

There are two BBDs in the Valley, but I dine at 6180 West Tropicana location. It's a smidge west of Jones Boulevard.

You gotta get those pancakes, they are delish!

 

Thanks!! Gotta wait til end of Oct, but its on our "to-do" list for this trip!!!! My hubby is huge breakfast whore, so Im sure it wont take much convincing!!!

 

I liked your report - mentioning your experiences on certain slots is a nice twist. Thanks for the review on Showstoppers - also sounds like fun!!!