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First trip report: 9/6-9/11 ballys/bellagio

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by koltunowicz, Sep 6, 2014.

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  1. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    Day 1:
    Flight was different this time around as we flew united. At the time I only had enough southwest miles for the return flight so I needed to book a departure flight. Southwest was high at the time so I booked a united flight out of flint that connect in Chicago first class. This would be first time in first class so figured what the hell.

    The flight from flint to Chicago was on the smallest plane I've ever flown on. It had 1 window seat aisle on the left and the right side had only 2 seats all the way back. The seats were actually comfy but as soon as the seat in front of me declined I was out of space. It was a very short flight to ensure though then onto first class in Chicago!

    This flight was obviously larger we were in the 2nd row, the seats were just as large as the big front seats on a spirit flight but these came with first class perks. The seats had tvs in them and had direc tv channels. All seats had them and the tv made an announcement that 5 new release movies were included so I'm assuming the whole flight got to take advantage of this. I watched blended the adam sandler/drew Barrymore movie, it helped pass the time.

    The flight had goose island 312 in cans so I had to get one of those even though it was breakfast time. When food was served I got a coffee. I was given scrambled eggs, potatoes, a small sausage patty, a cinnamon roll, a fruit bowl and a Greek yogurt cup that I didn't eat. It was actually pretty good and hit the spot. It was nice having the bathroom just for first class, so I would definite fly again if the price was right.

    I went through the new terminal 3 as southwest doesn't do this and it's pretty nice, animal statues, cool paintings even a full coach store.

    We went out to get on the rental car shuttle and I got in line for my Alamo rental car because for some reason this time it would t let me checkin online, I should have known something was wrong. When I handed my printout to the counter he told me it had been canceled! My heart sank, I had a premium car booked for 5 nights for 168.00 I knew If I had to book the day off I would be screwed. He gave me an 800 # to call and I dialed frantically. She told me on the line the reservation was cancelled a minute after it was booked. I remember booking and rebooking a lot as I always do but when I changed flights I must have done this a lot more and lost track of the correct reservation. I finally asked her to search my name and see if I had an alternate reservation booked, I did! Thank god!! I sneak back up to the counter as I stated that guy over here told me I could come back up and got away with not having to get back in line.

    Just when I think I'm out of the water he tells me I had this reserved for 4pm pickup (it wasn't quite 11 at this point) and said is be charged an additional day. Nothing I could do at this point, but then he looks at it again and says I would only be charged tax (7 or 8 bucks) so I must have had some weekly rate. I used the American casino guide contract I'd and coupon code so that must have saved me.

    We almost pick the chrysler 300 between than Taurus's and some Nissan something's. We load up in the 300 start it up and the wife thankfully talks me out of it as the Taurus's were limited's so they were fully loaded and the one we got in only had 2000 miles on it! So we quickly ditched the 300 and took off in the ford. I'm a little worried at this point as it has no plate and the registration tag in the windshield expired over 2 weeks ago, but it's vegas so we gamble!

    Way to early to check in we stop at the rio first as I've set aside $500 to play the $1 single full bay bonus poker machines they have. I am starting the trip with a little over 6500 tier credits and want to hit 2500 in a day for the 5000 bonus and nail diamond this trip. We stay for a bit over an hour I get maybe 325 points but managed to break even so we depart for so double doubles with shakes from in and out.

    We the. Park at ballys it's about 130 and decide we are gonna try to check in early, it's a gamble as it's Saturday so I only bring my backpack in just in case. Sure enough a room wasn't ready for us but Tina I think her name was very nice and pleasant older lady at checkin said she was upgrading my room (I booked a jubilee tower comped room but no view) told me to come back in an hour. Through some super times bay and regular triple play bonus poker I lose $200 in that hour. It did manage to nab 4 aces once (to bad I'm playing quarters now) so it could have been much worse! Oh the highlight was that I asked about ipa's and they offered me a lagunitas (draft) so I was happy to enjoy some good beer while losing at least! It's not bottled but it's not bud light either so I was very pleased and tipped accordingly.

    We go back to the checkin counter and she said she's gonna give us a different room yet again this one with a nicer view(is she looking for a tip? (If I'm doing the $20 trick this trip I'm saving it for bellagio not ballys). Well anyway we get 1 floor below the top all the way to the end of the hall with a view of Paris pool and tower and a 1/3 view of the fountains not to bad. She warned us though it's Saturday night and we are between 2 clubs. Our rooms do not have double pane glass and we probably won't sleep tonight! Hell, I love her honesty! She even gave us ear plugs, our plan was to take a nap as soon as we check in anyway as getting up at 3am east coast time is starting to wear on us, curious to see how bad it will get.

    As I lay down for a quick nap, the first fountain show since we check in goes off and I can here the music from the fountain show plain as day, as cool as that is it's probably a precursor for what's to come tonight, we shall see!
     
  2. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410045910.728002.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410045938.828356.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410045960.572511.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410045992.167314.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410046005.560031.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410046015.795009.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410046038.215819.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410046055.188984.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410046067.486643.jpg
    Here's some pics to go with day 1
     
  3. NY lady- MidWest Cowboy

    NY lady- MidWest Cowboy Low-Roller

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    Staying at Ballys the end of October so I will be following your trip report. Wishing you a Royal on your trip:eek:
     
  4. kodidog

    kodidog Low-Roller

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    Yep...will be at Bally's in 3 weeks.....looking forward to more photos and lots of details! Good luck with the Club Noise tonight!
     
  5. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Curious..on those $ 8/5 BP at Rio..were they $10 per TC or $25 per TC?
    If they're still going at the $10 rate, it's a good deal!
     
  6. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    Yup $10 per tier credit so it's the best for vegas, they have a bank of 4 machines in the center of poker plaza.
     
  7. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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  8. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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  9. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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  10. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    Ballys/bellagio conclusion to day 3 ( a visit to sls)

    So taking some advice on my first trip report I copied over my multiple posts into this original to keep all my days in 1 thread, hope it worked right!

    As we were in hotel room after coming up from the pool I was almost out for a nap when the phone in my pocket starts vibrating like crazy! It wasn't an incoming call but a flash flood warning, had no idea my phone would notify me of that, not sure if it was from a weather app or just something built in but if caused me to flip on the weather channel and realize how bad it could get today with the rain.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410275060.406629.jpg

    We went downstairs, gambled more at ballys, had some pizza by the slice in the Paris (not bad, but still craving pizza rock from last trip). I went up to counter as I have been forgetting to swipe my card each day for the monopoly promotion they are running. She rambled off a bunch of monopoly properties and that was it. I think I'd be more into this promotion if they gave you little pieces like mc Donald's to stick on a board. I guess they can give you a board and I could circle them when they read them to me but not quite the same.

    Talk the wife into venturing out in the monorail as it was after 6:30. D the flash flood warning was over but still crappy out. We each had a free round trip my vegas reward and we are staying in a property with the monorail so why not. We get on board and start taking in the rainy sights from above. I always remember hearing how bad imperial palace would flood, and was curious as to what would happen with Linq bring built in that area. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410275406.566273.jpg

    Arrived at the sls stopping point from the monorail and first impression is a pleasant smell when you enter. Not quite as good as the M Resort smell but still not over powering or unpleasant at all. We make it in walk past the checkin which was weird with no signs stating that's what it was but I guess it's obvious enough. Then when you make it out to the casino the first sight is code the players club so perfect location there, we each sign up for a card.

    I have to say I kinda love it here. We are early 30s not club goers, but the video poker offerings were right up my alley. A quick vpfree2 search and found a bank of full pay bonus poker triple play quarter machines that I played at. When we signed up you put your card in any machine and hit the touch screen to spin a wheel. We each won 6.00 bucks, it's something I guess. We also were told if you by 500 points you get 2 free buffets. After I was half way in and getting late I was wishing I would have gotten 2 cards for myself to both play on but many 4 of a kinds were keeping me going. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410275766.242342.jpg . . ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410275790.294160.jpg .

    Played up to the 500 point mark (on these machines $5 coin I makes 1 point) and cashed out down only 44 bucks, and wife was actually up almost $200! We find a sign for buffet and see that we go up stairs. Once up stairs the walls are covered with very cool photos ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410275932.851611.jpg . A lot of Rolling Stones, beatles, and other celebs all from the same photographer. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410275997.948111.jpg . Thought this one was cool, here's another ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276036.642098.jpg . Ad of course a couple of frank: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276065.117240.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276072.606357.jpg

    Walking past the pictures you walk down a long hallway that makes you feel like your not going the correct way. Decorated in striped wallpaper and multiple clocks and was neat looking: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276145.812420.jpg

    Finally arrived to buffet, it must close at 9:00, we arrived at 8:30 and it was pretty empty maybe 10 dining guests total. Told her I earned the 2 freebies, she swiped my card and printed a receipt for us. Wow this would have been $76.00 for both of us! We are seated and decide not to wait for drinks we are hungry and start filling our plates. It's neat how all the food stations are in these heated bowls, everything looked fresh and delicious. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276329.483870.jpg . First complaint was we waited another 10 minutes of eating food before the manager walked by and asked how we were doing. Ok but we could really use some drinks! She apologized and in short order drinks arrived and a nice bread bowl ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276420.416687.jpg . Nothing like those popovers from sterling brunch though!

    Food was very good, favorites were the swordfish, this pasta: ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276467.738907.jpg and had a slice of rib eye from carving station. Wife liked the sushi, crab legs were not very flavorful, good tasting flat bread with sausage and ordered coffee after our meal ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276550.818858.jpg dessert was nothing great had some chocolate mouse I a cone but I was full enough so we called it good.

    Back down stairs I wanted to find the close to 100% games I read about on vpfree2 after 10 minutes of hunting I found them (3 hipsters enjoying a coversation. It gambling in 3 of the 4 seats. They left once I sat down and started playing. I started with pick em poker, same pay schedule as the fremont so gave it a whirl. Noticed right away I wasn't earning shit for points compared to bonus poker so they've adjusted it on these machines. 4 of them, you can play 5c10c25c single line and 5 games that pay over 99.94%! I made 10 bucks on pickem I think and was getting bored so changed it up to not so ugly deuces but this schedule was actually 99.95 I think due to change in the straight flush/5 of a kind area. Vpfree2 sYs $15/ 1 point on these but I think it's more like 20. Anyways within short order I but this ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410276906.621464.jpg . A very nice surprise! I play a bit more than go back to find the wife on the triple plays.

    Watching her say she wished she hadn't sat back down she lost 200 more bucks she strikes with 4 aces so she's back in the game so I sit down.

    I hit a couple more nice ones ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410277031.439440.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410277040.924002.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410277051.998359.jpg we decide to cash out and I've made back all my losses on the day here! Have to go out front to take a pick of the back side of the weird statue ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410277101.540622.jpg . The. Back to the monorail. It's about 11:30 at this point and they make a page they are closing early tonight at midnight. Thank god we left when we did, would have been nice to here that announcement on the way to sls, but at least we made it in time.

    Wish I could say we went to bed winners after that. It I was insistent on losing another $100 on single line quarter bonus poker. The wife hit a dealt straight flush on triple at which was pretty sweet. We finally called it a night after sampling the rest of the beer options. More to come tomorrow, we checkin to bellagio for the first time!
     
  11. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378313.683924.jpg some progress on the grand bazaar shops ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378353.450974.jpg

    Some container park pics ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378392.203617.jpg smaller than I thought it would be but a pretty cool space ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378423.358697.jpg . Here's a couple more ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378453.620161.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378460.918187.jpg

    Not sure if my luck stemmed from the gold mlife card or the hyatt platinum (both achieved from getting hyatt credit card) but when I checked in for my 2 free hyatt nights at bellagio I was upgraded to a suite. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378535.313407.jpg . No fountain view ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378557.683779.jpg but a helluva lotta space! ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378584.440633.jpg 14th floor ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378600.948079.jpg . A little outdated compared to the standard room pics I seen but I'm not complaining ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378646.626044.jpg big ass bathroom! ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378662.355862.jpg steam shower ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378686.110226.jpg guest bathroom ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378710.725750.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410378724.725444.jpg

    Lots of losses today but ate at pizza rock always good, finished buffet this morning at bellagio
     
  12. hillwood24

    hillwood24 High-Roller

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    Sweet room!
     
  13. NY lady- MidWest Cowboy

    NY lady- MidWest Cowboy Low-Roller

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    Thanks for all the great pictures! I was curious about the construction-wondering if the shops will be finished by the end of October.
     
  14. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    Great posts and pics along with them! When you come back next time, try Pin-Up Pizza next to Pink's Hot Dogs at Planet Hollywood. Now that you have a Diamond card, you can bypass the line and go straight up to the counter. There can be a slow line late at night. I like this place much better than "Secret" Pizza at Cosmopolitan.
     
  15. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    Final day........

    Hit the pool at bellagio, very nice, plenty of open chairs, comfy ones too. Pool was low key mixed age crowd, miss the deep end at ballys but this did the job. Ordered a couple frozen drinks at the bar and they were very unsure f how to charge using express comps but they finally figured it out.

    Back in enjoyed another steam shower (love that thing!) and decided to head out to Mandalay Bay. We took the tram to monte, stopped at the Hershey store and the stupidiodic or whatever the hell it's called, some amusing stuff inside. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410469889.917442.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410469918.825989.jpg

    Played some jacks or better outside of the house of blues and received what I came for ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410469951.919853.jpg delicious!

    Played a bit and started to get hungry we still had the 2 free buffets from aria to use so started to head back ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410470005.107532.jpg

    Buffet was good as usual probably 4th time we've ate here never paid for it but still never disappoints.

    Finished and I found my favorite bonus poker deluxe super times pay machine at aria so I settled in. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410470145.111159.jpg was treading for a while on the 100.00 I put in was down to 36 bucks and was down probably 900 bucks for the trip, then something I've never had on the last day happened.... ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410470241.617954.jpg another royal: yeeeeeeeah!

    I couldn't ask for a better trip royal on the first and last night, upgraded room at bellagio and I made diamond for the first time. Even better I pulled up my win loss app for the year and I'm 27 bucks ahead for the year! It's going to be very hard not to try and sneak a final trip in this year but vacation time is scarce we will wait and see! ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410470374.178818.jpg goodbye bellagio
     
  16. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    Great photos and report. How did you manage to get the pictures to be normal(?) size rather than the giant blow-ups? I noted on each it stated uploaded via tapatalk and it was a much easier read than sifting through the poster size photos I am currently stuck with when practicing.....is it a setting or application? thanks again for the great report.
     
  17. koltunowicz

    koltunowicz Tourist

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    I was using my iphone and the tapatalk app for the whole thing. This was my first experience, I didnt resize or change anything. I was able to type and select pictures from the camera roll on my phone and it popped them all in there.
     
  18. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Good report! Nice way to finish!
     
  19. vegasnut

    vegasnut VIP Whale

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    Great trip report
    I will be staying in bally's for almost four weeks from sept 21.......will be adjusting i think....have a normal room in jubilee tower.. Hope its anygood
    Is the pool also ok at bally's?
     
  20. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Great report and photos! Awesome to end the trip with a Royal. You deserve another trip this year for going out on a high note. Very nice upgrade at Bellagio.
     
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