GREGRIO, Sept. 7-11

Well...I'm strugglin' to come up with (for lack of a better term) some LOVE BOAT stories...
you know, something...EX-CI-TING AND NEEEEW, but everythings comin' back...SOS. Maybe
I should go to Katmandu next trip...check out some of those Buddhist video poker machines...
I always have a great time, don't get me wrong...just seemed like the crowds and excitement
were a bit lower, employees at the RIO were bored (it was sooo slow), slots were tight BUT I
did have a little luck...$750 hit on WOF and a few VP quads including a kicker AAAA.

Maybe it was just because theres only 3 months left in the year (aprox. 101 shopping days til Christmas)
and I've already made 4 trips this year with one more to go and I'm running out of Shows to see...
This was a 'favorite-repeat' Show trip. MAMMA MIA, CHER, PHANTOM. Talk about EX-CI-TING AND NEW...
I even started off my first night in town with a traditional Las Vegas Show favorite at the Orleans...thats
right, ALICE COOPER kicked the trip off the only way ALICE can! A PEACHY DANDY Show to say the least, lol...had fun though.

The RIO is still alive and well for the most part...The ramifications of Harrah's covert re model, no building permit or safety code inspection blunder is still alive and well too. Many rooms are still closed. Construction workers are in some of the hallways and bangin' and clangin' can be heard all over in Ipanima Tower. Several floors (I was on 14) still have 'sitting' personal on fire watch in the hallways
because the Fire Alarm systems are still out of service.
Due to the construction, in room phone service is at a minimum too. Front Desk, Room Service, House Keeping, and Messages have been deactivated. You need to dial the Operator for help. RIO staff... in all departments were thin. Management has been encouraging employees to take an extra day off a week or end their shifts a couple hours early and go home...

I still got one of my favorite rooms though with that KILLER POOL/STRIP VIEW! Not even Harrah's can screw that up...AND, thanks to the location of my room, I could only see a sliver of 'Donny's' face thats
plastered (along with his sister) all over the front of the Flamingo. I read Donny and Marie have pre-sold
more tickets than any other Vegas Show in a long, long time. (guess it's because Vegas is so close to
Utah and all their friends are comin' huh, lol)
All kidding aside, they do have their fans and it looks like their Show will do well at the Flamingo.
I just wish those perfect, white teeth smiles didn't follow you all over Stip!

I apologize if this TR is starting to sound all doom and gloom...it really was a FUN trip!
On a happier note......I FLOODED MY BATHROOM!
My outside shower curtain had been replaced, but they forgot to add the inside liner. I didn't notice
of course, and when I stepped out of the tub/shower...water was everywhere including the changing
area outside the bathroom. It took all the towels in the bathroom to mop it up.
My towels were replaced of course, but the liner I kept requesting never showed up...all week long.

Weather was great! Temps in the mid 90s, no wind to speak of, and only had one quick rain storm blew
through with some minor flooding on the East side of town.

With the economy these days, everyone is looking for a 'deal' and Harrah's is no different. They're getting the RIO Convention Center Parking area repaved and the client is paying for it...(sort of)
C.A.T....the BIG equipment company has a convention coming up and they're going to demonstrate
how all their diggers, trucks, backhoes, dirt movers, rollers and asphalt paving machines work by tearing
up the parking area and repaving it again.
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm...the aroma of hot asphalt on a hot day...gonna smell so nice around the Sapphire Pool for a while!

Speaking of the Sapphire Pool...it's still hogging space that should be available to all the guests at RIO.
As the other 3 pools share all the guests and kids...Sapphire enjoys it's privacy and admission charge
with a hand full of guys looking for an eye full (for the most part...) and only a few 'natural' guests enjoying the pool. The same 4 Sapphire babes that were there a month ago still lounged around on
air mattresses or on their special, round, white pool beds. I don't have one problem with European sun bathing but the atmosphere seems different at RIO. I've heard a couple stories from my employee friends
on how the area can get a little...'too blue'. One afternoon, there was a group of 3 guys who had rented
a cabana and brought their own 'pool babes'. Their idea of topless pool entertainment was right out of
the Sapphire Club itself. Cocktail servers came over several times to tone 'em down.
Next season, I hope the RIO's largest, nicest, waterfall pool goes back to ALL the guests as it should be.
Sapphire has it's club...let 'em stay there.

I'm pleased to report the vacant coffee station in Masquerade Village once occupied by COFFEE BEAN
now has a new tenant...JAVA COAST. They offer a full service of coffee and pastry and you won't find
that 'burnt coffee bean' stuff Starbucks offers...prices are a bit cheaper too.
Show your Total Reward card...they 'swipe' it, and you earn points for your purchase!

I did a couple mini member meets with folks from www.everythinglv.com/forums and www.travel2vegas.com/forums
Always FUN to hook up with 'usernames' you've talked to and move to the next level with real faces
and new friends!

Ever get your picture taken at the... (1959) WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS sign?
Ever almost get killed trying to dodge the cars as you run across the road?
Well, Vegas is going to make it easier and a lot safer. They're putting in 12 parking slots, 2 handicapped,
and an area for buses to make it easier/safer to GET YO PIC with the sign and should be ready to
go by November.

Each day was casual and pleasant. Played when I wanted, I'm ahead on my tier points to retain Platinum
level for next year. I don't eat big in Vegas, so nothing to report on restaurants etc. and my evening
Shows were all great!

Time to go home and I caught my cab at RIO. Nice enough, young, English speaking driver...
I gave him my destination and requested he take I-15 to Tropicana, then out to McCarran.
We pulled onto Flamingo, but he wasn't in the proper lane to get on the freeway???
I asked ?WHERE?... he planned to get on I-15...
"OH!"...you want to go the freeway?
"YES!, I JUST TOLD YOU THAT" lol.

He stopped in the middle of the road...horns honking, breaks squeeling, and stopping traffic (LOL!) and
merged into the I-15 entrance. WHAT A TURKEY!
If he had his way, he'd have taken me up and over the Flamingo ramp, across the Strip (once we got throung that LONG RED LIGHT to Koval, then crawl through the traffic and every red light to Tropicana
and then out to the air port.
I casually sat there...talking about all the tips we on the message boards give to newbies about cab drivers, the infamous 'TUNNEL' etc. and how everyone carries (or should) the TAXI CAB AUTHORITY
phone number...668.4000 to report bad apples. He didn't say much the rest of the ride and I payed
him the normal fare and tip.

GOOD TRIP! Crowds were low, all types of games were easily available, Show and cab lines were
short, employee staff at all properties...overly friendly. Member meets were especially FUN!
I took a 3k bankroll and brought home 2600 for the (14th-19th) December trip kitty.
I also brought back a good head cold...'comped' I'm sure from either the casinos or SOUTHWEST, lol.
I'll have some thoughts in Entertainment on MAMMA MIA, CHER, WES WINTERS and PHANTOM soon...

SPECIAL THANKS TO 'GNH200' (Gary) and Llyn for the great breakfast at RIO's Carnival World Buffet!
Great to see you guys again...it made my morning! THANK YOU.

 

Nice trip report Greg. Nice hits on WOF and video poker!

Can a brother get some details on the Alice Cooper show? I saw him many moons ago when I was a senior in college. Blew my mind......how's his show holding up now?

 

Thanks for the TR Greg. Sounds like another fun trip to our favourite city

 

Sounds like another fun trip with great company!
Thanks for posting !!!

 

Nice TR. Looking forward to reading the show reviews as always. I'm sad to see Mamma Mia closing. It is one of my favorites. I've heard of changing cast members and curious to see how many.

I also noticed the smaller crowds around my last two trips. It still didn't help much with the availability of the Wizard of Oz slot machines though....lol

 

Greg-

Thanks for getting together for breakfast, and sorry to make you pay for Linda's!

We had a great time and it was great seeing you again.

(Linda's mom and aunt think that you should become a Vegas tourguide- they said you were so sweet to take the time to explain everything!)

Mamma Mia for us was the 3rd time- Section BB, Row B, Seats 9-12 (2nd row back from the pit)-- best seats in the house!

Congrats on the gambling wins - hope your next trip is prosperous.

Thanks again- talk to you soon.

Gary and Linda in NH

 

great trip report

Thanks for the update on the 'Welcome to Vegas" sign parking good to know and a great idea.


So sorry you had to see so much of Donny and Marie-------
It might just be the brothers and their families coming to see the show...

I think I would rather see a Partridge Family reunion...

 

A "little" luck? I'd be grinning like an idiot if I cashed out $750!
I'm heading to Vegas in 2 weeks and have checked on the Donny/Marie show. Many sold out! I was surprised at the price of their tickets (>$200).
I want to see Cher though for sure.

Thanks for the report.

 

THANKS for the replies...be great to see all of you guys next time!
'sanonofresufer'...ALICE still puts on a good Show. It was my 1st time, I've
always wanted to catch his Show. Now at 60, he's still got it. I was hoping
for the Guillotine scene, but they hung him instead, lol. It was a 'greatest hits'
Show, so all the songs were there. His band was nothing special...They were
good, but just made up of 'studio cats' with all the 'moves' and 'looks' it takes
to pull of a rock 'n roll cliches band. The Show was in the Orleans showroom, so
it was a very small venue...made it all the better! Lots of theatrics and blood...
His wife and both daughters are in the Show as dancers and...VICTIMS!
After they hung him, he came back out in his white tux...they kicked into
'Schools Out' and released HUGE balloons all over the showroom. As the crowd
kicked 'em back up, close to the stage...ALICE would 'stab' them with his sword...
They were full of 'confetti' and rained all over the audience...GOOD SHOW!
'texas aggie girl 93'...The STAR of MAMMA MIA is 'Donna' (the mother) played by
Carol Linnea Johnson. She's GREAT and has been with the Show forever! Her two
girlfriends...'Rosie'/Robin Baxter and 'Tanya'/Vicki Van Tassel are regulars too.
THEY ARE A GREAT TEAM!...JUST WONDERFUL.
'Sophie' the daughter and 'Sky' her boyfriend are the ones that change from time
to time. They were new to me this Show and not as good as others I've seen, but
MAMMA MIA is ALWAYS a great time! I hope they hold it over! (it could happen)
'GNH2000' ALWAYS A PLEASURE GARY...ALWAYS A PLEASURE!
'judy'...the 2000 advance tickets Donny and Marie have sold have GOT! to be all relatives!
'Souette', GET YOUR 'CHER' TICS NOW!

 

Thanks Greg. Yeah, I definitely agree that 'Donna' is awesome. IMO she puts on a much better performance than Meryl Streep did in the movie. I've also noticed that 'Sophie' changes quite a bit. I don't remember who played her first, but she was my favorite. Fingers are crossed that it is held over, I'd love to see it again.

 

Thanks for the trip synopsis, Greg!

You are a wonderful fount of information!

Now I was a little concerned about the chance of getting an unrenovated room when I last 'posted' here. Now I see that even if I get my requested Ipanema Tower room, I may get: no fire alarm, no easy button phone service, short-staffed service, noisy corridors, the smell of hot asphalt while I sunbathe (ummm, not at the Sapphire pool tho'), and a 'Java Coast' when I was expecting a 'Coffee Bean' (and was not even aware that the space had been vacant!).

Hmmmmm, since I am a bit of a worrywart, I might well find myself a little unsettled as I anticpate my upcoming trip. ;-)

Ahhhh, what the heck.......I am STILL going make my first visit as a guest there next weekend...LOL!

They say that it is better to deal with the devil you know than the one you don't, so being armed with the details of your observations is my preferred status, rather than getting to the RIO and being surprised by the various things you mentioned. Uh huh!

Sort of anxious for this trip; Packed and sitting next to my suitcase by the door until I leave late Friday night!

 

Donny & Marie in December?

"The 2000 advance tickets Donny and Marie have sold have GOT! to be all relatives!"

So Gregrio will you see them during your December trip?

 

Rio

Greg,

Like you I've been a fan of the Rio for years. Lately though the love of the Rio has been dying out. I guess last trip when the minimums were $15 and $25 on the craps tables, shitty BJ rules and some of the worse video poker have finally turned me off on the Rio. I understand that the M Resort is opening soon and is owned by the family that ran the Rio before Harrah's bought them out. It's kind of far from the action but maybe they will do it right. In the meantime though I'm looking for a new home in Vegas.

 

Greg - thanks for another entertaining report.

later, GVJ

 

Ya know 'Boxcars1212'...I feel that way from time to time.
The SLOT action works for me and keeps my tier level where
I like and I agree their VP SUCKS!...I do most of my video poker
play at Gold Coast or PALMS. It's the pool view Ipanima rooms I
still like...and not being on the Strip that keeps the RIO my
home base. I know all the staff and that makes it more fun for me
as I'm hangin' around there.
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY M Resort. If Tony's kid runs half as good a
property his dad did, it should be great. Cost me an arm and a leg
in cab fare though, LOL...I'd have to start renting a car. If the RIO
was gone tomorrow, I'd move next door to Gold Coast.

 

As usual your report is chock full of information. We've never stayed at the Rio but have played there from time to time and have enjoyed ourselves. It sounds as though the Rio may be fading fast so I'm not sure if we'll ever stay there.

 

All these little things I mentioned didn't effect my 'good time' at the RIO.
Soon the construction will be done and everything will be back to it's
normal/wonderful self...I don't think twice about it.

 

Thanks Greg! That review brought back so many memories. Sorry you missed the guillotine scene. That was freaken awesome when he came back from side stage after getting his head cut off. I would LOVE to see him in a small venue like you did.

Your review made me want to go see him again. I love his show. He's a great illusionist.....well, at least he has great people that make him seem like a great illusionist. After seeing him live in concert in the 80's, and thinking HTF does he do that....it makes everything the new kids do (Chris Angel, et al..) pale in comparison since their technology is so much better these days.

Damn.....You made me all hyped up to go see Alice again!

 

Well, check his website...he's doing small venues this time.
NEXT YEAR he's putting together a huge stage spectical for
his ALONG CAME A SPIDER tour...might wanna see that one too!

 

I'm wondering if it's worth it to work to get to Platinum? I'm about 1000 away, with 3 opportunities to add to it, so very doable. (I live near Tahoe).

At Gold I'm getting comp offers through the week, discounted weekends, some show tickets, some cash back. Will I notice quite a bit more at the Platinum level? Most of my offers are for Tahoe right now.