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El Cortez and Plaza trip . . . .

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by DonD, Aug 8, 2005.

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  1. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report





    Tuesday:

    We left for our drive of 250 miles to the El Cortez around 6pm and the light show from the lightning in the desert was fantastic. After many years of driving across the desert, this was the best light show we have ever seen.



    When we walked into the El Cortez, the smell of smoke was pretty strong as in the past. We requested a room in the nicer tower and he gave us room #1503 and I must say that it was very, very nice. We had stayed at the EC a month or two ago and the room we had then was not very good. They are doing a great job fixing up the rooms.



    Played 21, $3 min with no double after a split ($10 min to be rated), craps was $3 min with 10X odds. Hit DDVP with four aces and kicker for $500 and ended the night up about $200.





    Wednesday:

    Got up and drove to see Wynn. The wife and a friend of ours from Vegas went to the buffet and said it was fantastic. As for me, I played VP for about an hour and ended up winning $60. Their VP payouts looked pretty good to me. Someone told me that they change the payout schedule after they have been open for a few months of opening a new casino. Anyway, the casino looked very nice just as almost all new ones do.



    Back to the EC and saw Jackie Gaughn play poker until early evening. Went to Careful Kitty’s for lunch and had the Prime Rib which I found to be too salty but got about half of it down and the price was right.



    Played all the games and hit another 4 aces with kicker for another $500 but ended the day just up a little. Craps at the EC is great.





    Thursday:

    Went to the Coffee Shop and had pork chops and eggs before leaving for the Plaza. The breakfast was very good.

    Checked in at the Plaza around noon and they had a huge Hold Em tournament going on with TV cameras everywhere. Some of the big names were playing and I think that it was the finals for the Ultimate Challenge.

    Played various games all day and ended the day minus $100.





    Friday:

    We took a ride over to the Bass Pro Shop at the Silverton. All I can say is that the place is fantastic. It is huge and two stories high. The salt water aquarium between the store and the casino is beautiful. They have another aquarium behind the bar that is full of Jellyfish which I thought was great. The cocktail waitresses are WOW at that bar also.

    Back to the Plaza and played the horses. Tim the bartender came in early to play them with me and was having such a good time that he didn’t work. He took an early out and we both lost but had a grand time. BTW, Tim said that there have been over thirty-five people from the T2V board that have visited him and says that we are all a bunch of very nice people.

    Talked to Nords who was still working at the Plaza and he said that he would be working at the EC on Tuesday. Monday was his last day at the Plaza.

    Ended the day down about $300.

     
  2. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    Part 2

    Saturday:

    Wife won the free daily slot tournament that they have at the Plaza and got $250 which she split with me.

    Wife and a friend went to the Great Moments Restaurant and said that the food, quality and service were great.



    Jimbuck and his wife showed up at the Keno Bar and we had a few drinks and talked for a couple of very enjoyable hours. I am sure we will meet again for MM3.



    Sunday:

    Today was the day that we were going to leave, but we didn’t. Went to the Celebrity Buffet at the Plaza and it was outstanding. The entertainment was very good and two of the three comedians were very funny. You now need to have reservations or you will not get in.

    Played various games all day and went to the Great Moments for supper. The dinner salad was the best that I have ever had and the twice baked potato was great but my Prime Rib was not as good as I was expecting. Maybe I was expecting too much.

    Lost another $300 today, yuck.



    Monday:

    We left this morning and the drive home was uneventful. This was a fun trip and really enjoyed meeting Jimbuck and his wife.





    Added notes:

    Barrick may be back because of licensing problems.

    The former coffee shop will be open within a month and you will place your order when you go in and before you sit down and they will bring your meal to you. They will have 8 entrees per meal.

     
  3. scubapro5

    scubapro5 Low-Roller

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    Hi Don sounds like you had a fun trip with a couple of decent wins to keep the cash flow going.

    Did you watch the underwater show they have in the aquarium at the Silverton?. We watched it a few months ago and it was very entertaining.

    Thanks for the report!!
     
  4. doctor_al

    doctor_al VIP Whale

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    That's very cool. Took me a long time wandering around to find that particular bar at the Plaza, and when I did, he wasn't on yet. Next time. Also, playing poker with Jackie is definitely on my to-do list.

    Nice concise TR, Don.
     
  5. RossW

    RossW North of the 49th

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    Don

    Thanks for the write up. Sounds like you had a relaxing time away. It looks as though things are coming together at the El Cortez with the room renovations, etc. Was the room you had there similar to the photos they have on the El's website?

    I hope your back is feeling better, any problems while you were away? From reading this and your past TR's, you have meet a lot of fellow T2Ver's . Always nice to put a face to a name.

    Thanks for sharing.

    RW
     
  6. Mike_in_KC

    Mike_in_KC Tourist

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    I'll have to check out the Bass Pro in october when we go. Growing up in Kansas City, I watched the one in Springfield, MO go from a small store on the corner, to buying up much of the block it's located on, and expanding onto every inch of it.
     
  7. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    No, I didn't see the show in the aquarium. The cocktail girls kept getting in the way!







    Back is doing great Ross, the operation was a success. The rooms looked even better in person. If you have been to EC before, you will not believe it.
     
  8. Jer

    Jer “The Walrus has spoken”

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    Too bad he left... Calvin Mack isn't very impressive...

    He already emailed me saying I could have a few free nights at the ElCo... AAWWWWW YEAHHHHHH!!!!!

    Are there suites there? MM3 party at the "EL CORTEZ BABY!!!"
     
  9. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    Yes Jer, they have suites.
     
  10. IllMarty

    IllMarty Orangutan

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    Don,
    Glad you and Jenn had a nice trip. Will have to try the Elco casino next time out. Also glad your back is feeling better. Take care.
    Marty
     
  11. Thekiller

    Thekiller Tourist

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    Great report as usual Don.

    That's funny about Tim blowing off work to hang with you for the day. I've only met him once but I can see him doing that.

    Sounds like you've got a nice lady, letting you go to Vegas early and splitting her $250 with you. You better behave and be nice to her.;)
     
  12. Jimbucc

    Jimbucc VIP Whale

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    First chance to write since I got back. Thanks for showing us around the place and your suite. Thanks for introducing us to Tim. Hope your luck didn't go south after that nice split and double down.

    Tell Jennifer we said Hello. :beer:
     
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