Brothers Do Vegas over the years

First I will explain why I am writing this post. I have been a lurker since 2012 (brothers do Vegas 1st trip year). We have started planning our trip this year and set the date, and well I am getty, so figured I would share our story and some pics of previous trips.
First I will tell you about us and our gambling habits and explain why low rollers such as us love Vegas. I am the younger brother by 4 years. I am a father of 5 boys and am a teacher/coach so my bank roll is low anyway. He has a wife and no kids and works as an IT analyst so he makes decent money (not great but a good bit more than me). Regardless both of us are penny pinchers and find it hard to gamble away our money, but we find a way. We love Vegas for the obvious reasons, shows, food, drink, atmosphere and it is an opportunity for us respectable adults to act a fool (and we do).
Our first trip 2012:
I had been to Vegas one time with my faher in law (Dud). He had been twice with his wife and fell in love. He comes up with the idea for us to go together. Being a teacher I said hey spring break would be a good time and he agreed. We had all kinds of fun went saw the Grand Canyon, Red Rock. We saw The Amazing Johnathan, Penn and Teller and Jabbawockeez, (my brother is a huge fan) and Carrot Top (gave us a shot). We love the free shows and the fountains and the Parade in the sky (which unfortunately is gone). There was a puking episode in McDonald’s on strip as well. We stay cheap and love center strip so we stayed at the hotel formerly known as Imperial Palace.
Second trip 2013 (officially named Brothers Do Vegas):
We learned that we did not like spring time, it rained and was chilly, no pools. We like it hot and hanging pool side so this year we went over Memorial Day weekend (I took some unpaid leave because my school was but holes about make up snow days). This time we stayed on strip no visits to scenery outside of strip. We stayed at Flamingo (again cheap). We saw Jabbawockeez, Chris Angel and Absinthe again great shows.
Third trip 2014:
We had some drama this year, as I moved away, so we were not living close to each other (moved 4 hours away). We agreed we would continue our annual trip to Vegas even if we are far away so planning starts. This trip we learn new games (we only played black jack and slots) we learned craps and roulette. We see Michael Jackson One (amazing), Carrot Top and Jabbawockeez. We sealed our fate at the end of the trip when we made the pact that no matter what we will do this yearly. We decided since that our shows were on the south end of the strip that is where we would stay at the Luxor. It was a nice place and we enjoyed it, but man we missed center strip fun.
Trip 2015 (no Trip):
We start planning for the 2015 trip nothing certain just early discussion in fall as usual. Then right as we are about to get serious my brother has a serious family issue. This causes great stress, anxiety and so much more. Needless to say the trip does not happen. Our fears are rearing their ugly heads eventually things would come up. Our Vegas future is not looking good at this point.
Trip 2016 (rough road ahead):
Well here we are for this years trip. Again we had some mentions in fall, nothing firm set just the idea that we HAVE to get this thing rolling again. Well this winter I get horrible news and it seems that our trip again might be in Jeopardy. Then when things seemed at the lowest my wife comes and says go to Vegas, you deserve it, you need it, have fun. Well I did not need to be told twice so here we are officially planning our 4th Brothers Do Vegas trip. June 7th is the date and we are now working on the hotel (back to center strip at Flamingo or Linq).
Needless to say I am excited. I will post pics or our trips as well with stories. It can be like a seriously delayed trip report. Oh yeah he Linq bring back the dealtainers, WE LOVE THEM.

 

How about some cool coke from around the world (most were so Nasty we could not even drink)

 

Nothing in the world like a trip to LV....hope it all works out & you both have a great time!!

 

Thanks for sharing your past adventures. Have fun planning your 2016 trip!

 

Good luck on the trip this year. I hate to tell you but the dealertainers at the Linq are gone.

Mark

 

Our last trip as we were leaving they told us that was it for them. We filled out complaint cards but obviously CET does not care about low rollers such as us. We have gotten a little addicted to craps anyway and will probably take lessons again this trip at Flamingo like we did last time. I will post some more pics as well from our first trip.

 

Check out the sign made me chuckle



Gangster... hahahaha


Do not fight with cactus

Shots with Carrot Top

Bad Boys Bad Boys



These bartenders were awesome. Got us severely drunk causing us to throw up in McDonalds on the strip.




Me and the ladies of the TI pirate show

I am fair here is me with the guys.... Sad to see that show go.

 

If you guys have a CET card look on the computer to see what free rooms you can get. I will be in vegas 5/31-6/7 comped in Harrahs renovated carnival south tower. They look really nice.

 

Hope you and your brother have a great time. Vegas is a great place to hang out with your brother. I've been meeting my bro in Vegas for the Super Bowl the last 4 years. We have a great time away from the family and making great memories. Life's too short not to enjoy with family. I get to see him once or twice a year.

 

enjoyed the report! hope your trip works out this year! we are planning a June trip too!

 

Here some pics of our 2013 Journey in which we stayed at Flamingo. Again we are not big gamblers so we will generally don't have pics of that (other than big slots)






Me trying to blend in with the Flaming Surroundings





This cook at the Buffet photo bombed me it was awesome



We always play the big slot at least 1 pull

TwinPeaks Cheese Sticks are on point



The first thing we always do when we arrive is visit In and Out... Animal style everything people

 

Here our some Pics of 2014

This time since we were doing so much on the Luxor end of the strip we stayed there. We liked it but need that center strip atmosphere.


Again our first meal in Vegas... Animal Style baby







Holy Cow Bobby's Place was good. We will do again huge onion rings



The Linq wheel had only been running like 2 weeks when we got there.

Double Barrel App Tower it was good....

 

This time in 3 weeks my brother and I will be in Vegas. We will be staying at the Flamingo. Our flight leaves early Tuesday (6/7) at 5:15 am and we are scheduled to arrive in Vegas around 9:30 am. We leave Saturday night, should be a blast. I am pumped. My last day of school is Monday June 6... Lets Go!!!!!

 

Do yourselves a favor and take the Monorail down to the SLS. Walk a couple blocks North to the Stratosphere and go to the Level 107 SkyLounge.

Do it between 4-7 PM or 10:30 PM - 1:30 AM. Those are Happy Hour times. I guess it's better to go at night with the lights and the glitz, but you guys won't be disappointed.

Have fun.

 

Glad to hear the trip is on! Looks like you guys have an amazing time.

 

You'll thank me later...

The dealertainers were hired at Ellis Island Casino. If you guys have never been....GO!!!
It is a short walk from Flamingo. It is directly behind Bally's one block off the strip. Steak dinner for under $10. $5 tables, $2.25 craft beers that are comped while you play. Just go.

Hope you have a phenomenal trip. We would all love to hear about it.

 

We will have to check it out then. Our favorites were Bett Midler, Blues Brother, Prince, Huey Lewis, and Shania Twain

 

Love reading about your past trips. And those pictures make me miss Vegas SO much. I'm ALWAYS ready to go back. You all have fun!