50th Birthday trip 7/14 - 7/16

Just got back from my trip with the family to celebrate my 50th.

The good: The biggest pleasure was going with the kids (who are both young adults). They've heard a lot about it and seen it in movies so now they got to see some of it. The flights in were good. Due to using frequent flier miles we had to split up. My wife and daughter were USAir, my son and I JetBlue. We were right on time, the USAir flight about an hour late. We were traveling from Rochester via Charlotte and NY JFK respectively. We stayed at the Mirage which is always nice with a killer pool. Saw the comedy show at the Riviera and the Mystere show at TI, sat in 202 DD both were excellent. Saw most of the hotels and many of the free attractions. We did go downtown one night for the laser light show after Mystere.

The Bad: Where do I begin?

The Mirage. Although I love the Mirage recent renovations seems to have made it lost it's identity. The tropical theme remains up front, but the Caribbean theme is gone in favor of mostly Asian or Oriental acoutraments. Then in the back is the Revolution bar which is a 60's neon decorated bar. The three competing themes just don't blend well in my opinion, but the cleanliness, service and location are great.

The Kids. My apologies to all that think the only way they can see Vegas is to bring their pre-teens. But to be perfectly frank, if I want to hear kids in strollers screaming while I try to eat lunch I'll go to Disney World on vacation. I was amazed at the number of people that feel it's never too early to expose your kids to smoking, drinking, gambling, late hours, and streets filled with pictures of hookers. I personally don't like having to compete with strollers at midnight trying to watch the Bellagio fountain or the volcano. Someone brought a toddler to the Mystere show and sat right behind us talking almost incessantly.

Girls 2 You: They've become much bolder since last time trying to hand out cards for the escort services. We were there as a family of 4 and they would try to hand one to each one of us. A couple times I got pretty mouthy with them when they wouldn't back off.

The bus: Cheaper than a cab but be prepared for an hour ride to downtown, a long line then another hour ride back to the strip.

The ugly:

The gambling. I'm not a big gambler. I do mostly 25¢ or $1.00 VP and $5 or $10 BJ. I generally play a little everywhere and by the end of the trip either win a few hundred or lose a few hundred but I always get plenty of playtime. This time all I heard was the sucking sound of my money leaving my wallet. I would throw in a $20 and pfff, gone in minutes. In 3 days I think I grabbed 2 four of a kinds, other than that I never won a BJ hand and just watched my money disappear. That makes for less than a fun time.

JetBlue: Cancelled my return flight Thursday afternoon due to rainstorms in NY. We ended up on the redeye that evening. One long afternoon with no money and no hotel room. Got home on time the next morning but man was I tired at work.

 

Interesting report. Sounds like you at least had a great time with your family. I'm going in Aug with my wife and we're staying at TI, and seeing Mystere. It will be only my second trip, and first in 15 years (stayed at TI also), so I'm anixous to see all the changes. What did your kids think of LV?

 

We did have a great time and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it. They are young adults; 18 and 20. None of the Casinos gave them any trouble about hanging out if we stopped to do some playing. They both loved the pool but what's not to love? Mystere was a very good show. There are several threads with where the good seats are. We were in 202 row DD and had an unobstructed view of the stage. I think the second tier seating is better because a lot happens up in the air.

Even though we really don't go to gamble it's funny how winning or losing can impact a stay. I have no problem with losing it's when you get tarred and feathered that makes it not fun. I wasn't gambling I was donating.

 

Sounds like a pretty good time. Too bad about the loses.

I celebrated my 50th birthday at the Mirage too...just last year.

 

yay for those of us who celebrate our 50th's in Vegas

Glad u had a nice time wth the family even tho the forceful go2girls folk
I'm with you about toddlers and younger being along the strip late at night just not the place for kids that young.......

nice TR

 

I agree. You never expect to leave Vegas a winner everytime; but, you do expect to get some decent play.

I've never understood taking children to Vegas and then keeping them out to the wee hours in the mourning and just subjecting them to all things that you wouldn't want them to see or hear at home.

 

Congrats on making it to 50 in the best place on earth. Enjoyed the read and thanks for posting!

 

Happy 50th. Thanks for posting your TR. The porn slappers are a drag.

I once read a report here about one of our fellow T2Vers taking the card from a slapper, sign it and then return it to the guy - as if he were a celebrity giving an autograph. I thought that was hilarious.

Any one remember who did that?

later, GVJ

 

Weird. The porn slappers must step up their attack in the summer. In January we were wondering how they handle families...several times they skipped ppl with children in their group.

 

Damn that is funny. I wish I had thought of that.

They didn't skip us. Maybe we looked like pervs or something.

 

need help with room choice at orleans

sailor, i see you stay at orleans alot so what would be a good choice of rooms. I I have never stay there before but i am getting 2 nights comp so i think i am going to try them out. I app your help, thanks garyz100

 

Happy 50th. Sorry your BD trip was not a winner. Thanks for posting.