Kentucky Derby Weekend Pre Trip Report 4/30 – 5/4

Kentucky Derby Weekend Pre Trip Report 4/30 – 5/4

Leaving for Vegas in just over 48 hours and I have completely shut down at work. I am going to accomplish next to nothing over the next 48 hours! I am 29 years old and will be going with my wife and a few of her friends. I get to Vegas 3-4 times/year, the wife 1-2 times/year and her friends about once every 4 years.

Leaving from Chicago Midway at 9:00 PM, arriving in Vegas 11:00 PM and my Southwest drink tickets arrived in the mail a few days ago so that is my first win! Also, I had a $500 Southwest Gift Card so the flight ended up costing us about $25 total. This is my first time leaving at night so should be a different feel when I arrive in Vegas. The wife and I decided to leave Friday night instead of early Saturday morning so we don’t have to get up early and be exhausted Saturday.

We booked Bally’s last month and all 4 nights are comped. I love the Bally’s/Paris area and that has officially become my Vegas home base.

However, I have a Grazie card, I check the promos daily, and today I was able to book 4 nights at the Venetian for free! I was so excited, as I stayed in the Bella suite last month for 2 nights and it was amazing, so to get it for 4 nights is awesome! I called Venetian after I booked it to let them know of my late arrival and they told me it was an internet error, ahhhhh! After 10 minutes of holding, and the girl talking with her manager, they honored my reservation – I had a confirmation number and everything. They were really nice about it and we were all pleasant to each other so I am glad everything worked out. The manager says, “This is Derby weekend and the promo was supposed to be off the internet as the rooms are $519/night!†So, this is my second win.

As far as food we will probably eat at a few Harrah’s properties since we have coupons and $354 in Rewards Credits to spend. In addition, we will go to Joe’s in the Forum shops as our “nice meal.†Joe’s has become a visit every trip. If you love steak or seafood you need to get to Joe’s. It is expensive, but worth every penny.

I typically play poker and craps, but since I am with the wife, more time will be spent playing slots on this trip. Saturday should be a great day in the book with the Derby, Playoff Basketball, Playoff Hockey, and Baseball!

We are seeing Phantom Saturday night so thank you to everyone on the boards for the great advice on seating! As far as other shows and/or attractions, that is the only planned event. My wife will make it to the Mirage gardens and MGM lions I am sure.

I will have a trip report to follow next week (or the week after) and I will report on the “Bums on the bridge†situation. That is really getting out of hand so hopefully I will have good news to report.

 

Dh and I visited LV during the first week in April. The bums on the bridge were only seen on the crossover between Bally's and Bill's Gambling Hall. One has a sign that said I need beer. Why lie? and the other was something about needing alcohol. They were the same two we saw all week long. There were $1 sellers on the same bridge. We only saw the p-slappers between Bill's Gambling Hall and Casino Royale on that side of the strip. That was the extent of the questionable elements.

We saw few folks on slot machines at any casino. She should have her pick of which machines to play. After a while, I got bored from the slots and learned how to play roulette with Dh.

Hope you have a great time. Wonderful when a plan comes together before you leave home : )

Madison : )