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Jimbo and Frugal Fun #3

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Jimbo338, Mar 22, 2004.

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  1. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2000
    Messages:
    5,543
    Location:
    Laconia, NH
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    23

    My Trip Report

    Well parts 1 and 2 were done in word and cut and pasted. #3 I thought I would crank out and so I didn't bother. About half way thru the plumber arrived and I clicked meaning to minimize but deleted by mistake! Don't you just hate when you do that? I should have known better.

    So here goes again. I awoke early and took my walk to the Ho for my coffee and donuts ( Sorry, Dr. Atkins, this is LV!!). So peaceful in the morning but the crowd is starting to arrive for the Nascar races. I returned to my room to watch the morning news and plan my day. The other hotel that I wanted to check out is Terrible's. I had friends who attend my show stay there last year and liked it a lot and also spoke well of the food. I had a POV coupon to get a t-shirt and fun book when presented with their club card. I laready had a couple of fun books from billhere. I took a bus down the strip to flimango and crossed the street to the bus stop across from Barbary Coast. The 202 runs every 20 minutes and I got off just before the casino. I walked around a bit. It is nice but I liked Orleans and GC better. I found the promotions booth and tried to give the guy my POV coupon and get a card for my t-shirt. He wouldn't take it. He said to fill out an application to get my card and I get a t-shirt and fun book; then I can come back with my POV COUPON and get another t-shirt and funbook. Ok! That works for me. There was a flyer with the stuff with even more coupons in it. I gave my friends the fun book and a couple of other 2 for 1 meal coupons cause I knew they liked it there. I will try to return with my son try their buffet. I caught the bus back to the strip and transferred and went down town for the afternoon.

    For lunch I went to my favorite, Bay city Diner in the Golden Gate. My favorite 24/7 special the 16oz. Porterhouse steak dinner went from 8.99 to 11.99. They have a smaller cut prime rib special too: 8oz. for 5.95. It was a good meal. I walked around and checked out the Fitz where I guess we will be staying in april (subject to change of course). I had never been to the Femont so I went to see that but I stayed clear of the California where at the time over 100 guests had come down with Norwalk Flu.

    I had a ACG coupon for a fun book at the Plaza with 2 for one meals at their restaurant, discounts at the shops etc. so I found the promotion cage and presented the coupon and filled out the info for a slot card. He handed me my fun book and perforated in it was an expiration date 2 weeks later. Of course I wouldn't need these the rest of the week when I was going to be atending my trade show and would be expired when I return with Matt so I looked around for someone who looked like they were staying at the hotel. I gave the book to some lady and she was happy to receive it. I never made my annual trip to El Cortez, and I didn't go the the MSS men's room to look at the Berlin Wall. there never seems to be enough time.

    I returned to pre-register for my trade show and pick up my nametag and program. I relaxed that evening watching some TV after the slots were naughty to me.

    Some other points of interest: I showed my friends where Ellis Island was. They both ordered the 4.95 steak dinner and were very surprised....and pleased. There was about a 45 minute wait so we sat at the casino bar where I used my 4 free drink coupon. I had it torn out of the ACG and there was no problem. I saved my 2 for 1 entree for my son and I. We had a nice meal and good service. They liked the restaurant a lot.

    I had a 2 for 1 or 50% off coupon for the Palms. I traveled down. I wasn't too crazy about the casino but can't quite put my finger on it. I didn't care much for the buffet. I made at least two attempts to see Big Elvis but neither worked out time wise. I did catch a bit of the Sunspots at the Plaza. It is far better to get off at the Excaliber bus stop and take the monorail to MB than walking to MB from the bus stop.

    I tried to buy tickets for Mama Mia online but they only sell 60 days in advance, so I figured that I'g get them in person. Right after lunch on the day I arrived I took the bus down to MB and found the box office. They stated that they were only up to april 24, and come back next week. I figured by thursday they would be up to the 29th or 30th and if I had time I'd go down. I had dinner downtown and then took the bus to MB and asked for tickets for 4-28. They went into the computer and they could only sell to 4-27. I told them that I had been there on saturday and they were up to the 24th and was told to return and that I had just spent 2 hours on the bus ( the race fans were arriving in droves and they suspended the 302 express buses). They made a couple of phone calls to try to get into the next day's sales but could not. They told me to call the next day and that they'd waive the $3.50 per ticket phone fee. I called on friday to see if they were selling for 4-28 and they were so Iwent down again. I was hoping for seats in front. I had read in billhere.com that the two front rows were reserved for high rollers and that he buys the nest best 8 seats in the house but I felt that the first day of sales would leave me some good choices. So I asked where I could sit. She turned the seating chart around facing me and said, "Anywhere you want." I had my pick of any seats! I wanted orchestra and she suggested 2 at stage center. I asked if it might not be better to be back 3 or 4 rows for better views and she said no. I asked for aisle seats out of force of habit ( I then thought, what difference would it make if there is no one in front of you....plenty of room to stretch. I was happy now with my Mamma Mia and Scintas tickets. I plan to bring Matt to see Rick Thomas, Viva Las Vegas, Mac King, and maybe Ron Lucas and Legends or AM Super Stars. Then there will be the usual TI show, volcano, Bellagio fountains, Caesars statues,, FSE light show, and for sure the Berlin wall, and maybe even Big Elvis. I think he would enjoy Mascarade in the Sky too at the Rio.

    My trade show was excellent. It was interesting and good to see old friends that I have met over the years. 2 for 1 coupons for the Hilton buffet were handy since we were at the convention center. I attended many interesting seminars. An order placed at the show for stuff that I need earned me a discount and free freight......which I figured had to pay half my plane fare. Last year I missed the Awards Breakfast which I enjoy because of an early flight but this year my SW nonstop flight left at 3:05 which gave me not only time to spend the morning with friends at the breakfast but to walk the exhibits one last time with plenty of time left to check out by noon and grab lunch before heading back to the airport. I called ALC the night before for a 12:15 pickup. They were half an hour late for the first time in 4 years, but considering the crowds in town for the races and traffic it wasn't bad. We went directly to the airport without any more stops and I arrived with plenty of time to spare. I went in and the lines were pretty short at SW so I was at the counter in 5 minutes or less. I got a B boarding pass. I thought that perhaps I should have gone to an internet cafe and printed out my pass. Food for thought for my next trip, I thought. The SW rep told me to carry the bag to the screening area near the door. She stated that I could walk directly to the SW gates or walk thru the buildings. I walked outside and it was clearly posted "Southwest Gates 1-27" with arrows directing you around the buildings. I walked into the building and there was a person at a conference table. I gavae her my boarding pass and driver's license and she directed me around the corner where there were two security stations and I was the only passenger. I was thru in a minute and at my gate. I guarded my B spot religiously. It was crowded but the plane was not full and there was no trouble getting an aisle seat. The plane was new, smelled like a new car; it was clean, all leather, comfy and had those funky wings that curl up. the flight home was bumpy but not bad. We arrived about 15 minutes early.

    Learning my lesson, I stopped in Walgren's and bought a roast beef sandwich for the return flight. after a couple of hours in the air when they pass out those snackpacks that sandwich sure looked good. I started to savor it's goodness when the old woman at the window whipped out her grinder from Subway. Damn! Sure smelled good but I survived.

    I gave my 30 day pass to the nice lady at the desk at the motel. I got my money's worth out of it for sure. I may only buy the day passes when I go with my son since I will only be there for 4 days. The POV and ACG coupons were accepted happily and were a great savings. I got to see and go to a lot of places due to a flexible plan for getting things done. Notes taken from the board and other trip reports were helpful. I am not planning our time in april, then it will be for next year. After all still haven't seen Big Elvis or peed at the berlin wall! I have taken my daughter (my oldest) and my youngest son (the baby). April will be my middle child. I can hardly wait. Those of you with kids know how you love them all but some are more fun to be with....Matthew is my fun kid. I'm even thinking of how much fun it would be to see his face if we walked out of the plane to the baggage carosel and he spotted a limo driver with a sign reading "Matt Williams". Food for thought!

    Jimbo
     
  2. GNH2000

    GNH2000 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2002
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Manchester,NH
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Nice report Jimbo! [​IMG]

    And you get to do it again soon-that's great! [​IMG]
     
  3. doctor_al

    doctor_al VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Great report Jimbo, lots of good info in it, esp. on the bus lines. [​IMG]
     
  4. KathyinNY

    KathyinNY Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2002
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Upstate New York
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Oh you must do that for you son! Sounds like you had a great trip.
     
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