1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

DV's Live Mini TR (11/6-11/9): Mrs. DV's Birthday Weekend

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by dutchvelvet, Nov 6, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4

    My Trip Report

    So, I'm sitting here trying to get all my work done before I leave for a long weekend, but all I really want to do is think about Vegas and start a trip report. My last trip was supposed to be a guys trip and ended up solo. I knew that at some point my wife would give me s*** about going without her--so I waited for my chance. Sure enough, in July she complained about not going with me in September. Seizing the opportunity, I asked if she wanted to go for her birthday in November; she agreed, and now here we are. My plan to score an extra vegas trip this year worked perfectly!

    [​IMG]

    She's more into shows and spas than gambling, so will be a little different than last trip.

    Here are my goals PPhold style:
    1. Want the DW to have the time of her life and feel completely pampered.
    2. Want to enjoy some sunny weather and hit the pool.
    3. Going hiking out in Red Rock
    4. I'm due for a winning trip. Gods of Variance be with me.
    5. I'll play a poker tournament or two. Placing in the money instead of just outside it would be a pleasant change.
    6. Hit up downtown at some point to use D comps.
    7. Spot at least one green wristband.

    Transport: Getting there, scored some cheap non-stop flights out of Appleton on Allegiant. $700 for the both of us. Never flown them before so we'll see if the savings is worth not flying southwest.

    Hotel: Booked at Mandalay Bay on a three night comp. We'll see if they can upgrade me (considering I'll be checking it Thursday at about 11 pm I have my doubts.

    Itinerary:
    Friday: Spa for DW, Free Afternoon for me. Charlie Palmer Steak, Blue Man Group, and Monte Carlo Pub at night.
    Saturday: Red Rock Hiking during the day. Raw Fish and Strippers at Night. (Sushi at Rice and Co. and Fantasy at Luxor).
    Sunday: Football and Fried Chicken until I gotta go home.

    Gambling: Not really a gambling trip. Bringing way less than I usually do ~$3000. Will play a little high stakes VP, some Blackjack, Craps, and Pai Gow.

    I'll try to update this thing live as I go with pictures. If anyone is in town and feels like meeting up, hit me up with a PM.
     
  2. Hobofrank

    Hobofrank Prime Minister of Idiocracy

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2014
    Messages:
    3,233
    Location:
    Porter Ranch,CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Sat. PH then the D?....I'll bring my wristband with so you can check that box already
    I'll send you a text when I've checked in
     
  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,301
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Look forward to reading! Good luck!!
     
  4. driver

    driver Tourist

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2012
    Messages:
    22
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Also from Wisc. Do you fly out of Green Bay?
     
  5. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    I normally fly out of Milwaukee. This time I'm trying Appleton (Outagamie Regional Airport) for the first time. I'll post how the airport is a little later tonight.
     
  6. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,134
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Have a great trip DV!
     
  7. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    So good news already. Grabbed the kiddos after work and drove them to grandma's. Got there and she has cooked up both a beef and a pork pot roast, carrots, potatoes, and rolls with fresh local honey. I told her it was good enough to post online so here it is.

    [​IMG]

    Was so good was almost late to the airport. Thanks Mom.

    So I arrive for my Allegiant flight. I have a checked bag for the first time in forever because of the fees for carry on. Get to the desk and it weighs 3 lbs too much. So have to open it up and take our her make up bag. Apparently that thing weighs 5.5 lbs, so they let the bag on, but I'm not going to be changing from my carry on ways anytime soon. This bag check nonsense sucks.

    The Appleton airport itself is very small and almost brand new.

    [​IMG]

    They have charging stations everywhere, the staff is friendly, and they are big into honor flights so there is this freedom wall thing.

    [​IMG]

    I'd definitely use the airport again. As I write this I'm taking my seat on the plane. The anticipation is high and I'm jacked to land and get rolling.
     
  8. Hobofrank

    Hobofrank Prime Minister of Idiocracy

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2014
    Messages:
    3,233
    Location:
    Porter Ranch,CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    you got pork And Beef roast?... I hate you my kids are eating Chili and Pasta as I type this
     
  9. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,301
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Looks like that airport blows Kansas City away...:evillaugh
     
  10. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    Finally landed...and instead of having fun, I'm watching a baggage carousel go round and round. This is torture.
     
  11. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,301
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    all nighter tonight? :evillaugh And your 500th post was about being tortured by that luggage carousel! :beer:
     
  12. driver

    driver Tourist

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2012
    Messages:
    22
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Thank you for answering about airport. We live half way between Milw. and G.B. Always fly Southwest out of Milw. Going Sat. after turkey day flight leaves at 6:eek:o a.m. It means getting up early but we get a full Saturday in Vegas. Thank you again.
     
  13. pphold

    pphold pp Park Place Degenerate

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2013
    Messages:
    2,928
    Location:
    Dallas Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    250
    Good Luck DV. I have a feeling you are going to have a huge chip porn.
     
  14. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    After an (seeming) eternity waiting at the carousel we were off to the car rental facility. The bus was slow, and the Thrifty line was long. I walked past it to the blue chip counter, but it was closed for the night. That meant I had to go to the main counter where it says cash/GPS to get my contact.

    The line at the desk was horrendous. There had to be 100+ people waiting and a total of three people working. The person at the cash/GPS computer was working with two ladies trying to rent a car with cash for the entire 25 minutes I was there. The other people were slow as molasses in winter. I think a total of 8 people were helped in 25 minutes. anyway they had to call blue chip members first, so I ended up jumping most of the line. I could feel the dirty looks from all those people who were waiting for hours burning into my back as I got my car. So lessons learned: (1) the rental car area gets real slow when you arrive late and (2) do NOT under any circumstances rent from thrifty without signing up for blue chip. Good news is I got a free upgrade to a brand new white mustang.

    So i drove the pony out to Mandalay Bay. It is after 11 at this point. We go the invited guests check in. Tell the guy it is her birthday and tip a 20. He sets us up with a Strip View and late check out. So we go up to our room, start walking down the hallway, and realize something is amiss. There are wet paint signs, room numbers are off, and the carpets and trim is clearly being worked on. Turns out our room, like the Easter Bunny and winning roulette bets, does not exist.

    So we roll our gigantic suitcase back down to the elevator and to the lobby. Honestly the situation more amused me than made me mad. Anyway, the front desk agent and I learned that they have just started remodeling MB's rooms. Anyway they put me up on 32d floor of Delano and gave me 50 bucks credit so I think that is fair. So lesson learned here: Mandalay Bay is remodeling.

    [​IMG]

    Delano is looking nice at least. They have these mannequin things in the lobby.

    [​IMG]

    And ironic quotes as well. I think they have changed the pillows too.

    After all that I figured it was time for a big hit. Unfortunately didn't hit anything at $5 VP and Pai Gow was basically two hours to lose 50 bucks.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2014
  15. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    Day 1 update:

    Woke up to a beautiful view of the mountains.

    [​IMG]

    Usually have a Strip View but I'm digging the change. The DW decided on Delano bath house for her spa day. She set up a bath, facial, and mani/pedi.

    For breakfast we hit up Della's kitchen. I haven't heard much here about it. The design of the restaurant was pretty cool, kind of a modern country motif.

    [​IMG]

    The food was pricey for breakfast, even by Vegas standards. But my croque Madame was off the hook good.

    [​IMG]

    I'll probably repeat Della's, but I think it makes sense to order something unique, otherwise you're just paying too much for eggs.

    After breakfast, DW went to the spa, and I found the poker room.

    [​IMG]

    10 am tournament had about 20 players, very soft actually. Played well but didn't have the luck on the cards. Went out on a coin flip a few minutes after first break.

    Played video poker right after the tourney. Had a CW take an order and never come back. Waited over 45 minutes. First time that has happened to me at Mandalay.

    So I went to play blackjack. Found a 2 deck table at 25 minimum. Bought in for 800 and spread 50-100. Dealer was fun, but the cards had it in for me. Bout a half hour later I had about 500 left. Doubled a 100 bet and got 20. Dealer was showing a 4, and ended up with a 6 card 21 using 3 aces. I should have quit after that garbage but of course I didn't. 20 minutes later...felted.
    It was clearly not my day gambling, so I grabbed the mustang and went up and down the strip.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The last picture is the progress at Resorts World. The driving therapy made me feel better about losing at the casino. I also stopped by the pharmacy for Pedialyte and a toothbrush.

    After the drive I met up with the DW. She loved Delano spa. Said the staff was great and will repeat. We got dressed and sat down at Charlie Palmer for dinner before going up to Monte Carlo for blue man.
     
  16. Huff

    Huff Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2007
    Messages:
    14
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Great start for her bday weekend!
     
  17. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    Yeah, I was hoping for a prize or something. Well the experience reminded me why I always do carry on.
    Yeah it was epic too. Let me know when you land, we're planning on going out to red rock today.
     
  18. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    I hope you're right. Day 1 was a bust but anything can happen today!
    No problem, I definitely consider Appleton an option, particularly if you don't mind Allegiant and their nickel and diming
     
  19. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,123
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    Night 2:

    Charlie Palmer was great as always. Had a spinach cranberry/bleu cheese salad, rare flat iron steak, mustard greens, baby potatoes, and a dark chocolate smores dessert.

    [​IMG]

    All with bottomless wine pairing for 48 bucks. For the DW'S birthday they brought out an extra cappuccino creme brulee with a candle and lemon biscotti. Tasted like coffee marshmallows over a campfire.

    After dinner we headed over to Monte Carlo for Blue Man group. Our seats through Mandalay casino were perfect, front and center 5 rows back.

    [​IMG]

    These things were flying around before the show. detached eyeball fish blimps...I'm sure they will haunt my nightmares. The show itself was a lot of fun. Good audience interaction, and they do a lot of cool stage tricks. Somebody's TR asked Beavis for TR for your bunghole...well I found it.

    [​IMG]

    The dance party playing with their giant balls while they were shooting teepee and streamers everywhere was particularly fun. We totally trashed Monte Carlos theater. Afterwards we headed to the pub for dueling pianos on a myvegas comp.

    [​IMG]

    This is a picture of that awkward moment when a clearly professional lead singer gets up for karaoke and nails a journey song about 10 times better than the paid entertainment. The pianos were not bad though, and the beer selection was great. Ended up getting a La Trappe Tripel, Unibroue Fin du Monde, and a glass of Walker Blue scotch....all for free for Facebook slots. Not a bad deal.

    After that I staggered back to Mandalay (walking through every casino of course ) and hit the rack. Got up, cardio, and now time for Red Rock
     
  20. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,301
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Good stuff so far! And La Fin du Monde... that actually may have been the first 9% beer I ever had. Memories...lol
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.