1st Trip with Family (Teenagers)

First of all let me say, this is one of the best forums for LV. Being said that I do need some feedback so I can make some reservations and be done with it.

History and Facts:
It's been a while since I have been to VIVA..LV. 15 years to be precise. Lot's of changes I assume. I want it to be a WOW...vacation for my kids and wife. We are planning 21st thru 28th Dec, 2014
We are driving from SanFrancisco, and have 10 days of vacation time. Not in a hurry to do things in Vegas and around.

1) Do not like to gamble much (except love craps).. So will try to stay away from casinos as I have will have two teenagers in tow.
2) The kids would love to eat out all the time. Want to add some real nice places to eat. I will budget some extra for this.
3) Love to stay on the strip (Central if possible)
4) Watch few shows (Magic show, Cirque and BlueMan) atleast.

Question:
1) Do I book multiple hotels on the strip or stick to one as I have a car with me and would hate to keep getting it out, as I read some of the self parking lots at the hotels are pretty far.
2) Two rooms or one (do not want to pay resort fees on two rooms). (Wife wants two, kids want one as they want to spend on food and shows).

Interested in these properties: Paris, PHo, Aria, Vdara. or should I try something on the south (MC, MB, NYNY). I am okay with spending around $100 (w/resort fee) on one or two rooms during the week days and around $200 for the weekend. I am very interested to try the $20 sandwich trick, as I am assuming the hotels will not be as packed.

Please give me some feedback as I am very confused.

Thanks...

 

Hi vistawiz! You may want to stay somewhere that has some things for teenagers to do....game rooms....etc. The hotels you mentioned could run more than $100 weekdays / $200 weekends when the resort fees are factored in unless you are a high enough cardholder with those properties. That being said....there is a game room downstairs in Bally's (connected to Paris) and lots to do in the Miracle Mile shops (connected to PH). Bally's will have cheaper room rates that either of those hotels and they have very nice new Jubilee rooms.

If you stay at a CET place (Paris / Ballys or PH)....you will be a coupon book at check-in that should have some discounts or BOGO tickets for 2nd tier shows that could be fun. Also check out the Tix4Tonite booths for discounted tickets ....big savings there. Google "free las vegas coupons" ....can get good ones for snacks....Nathans / Hagan Daaz....etc. There are also free coupons for the car collection at the Ling....nice way to oogle great vintage & collector cars & waste away a couple of hours.

Good luck!!

 

Vdara 2 bd penthouse or Hospitality are both excellent, if you'd rather not spend that much on rooms get 2 Vdara suites, because they have an additional half bath, no casino and center strip location

 

Thanks for the information. I will check into the Jubilee rooms. I also read on other forums that they have updated rooms. I just thought that Bally's would not have the WOW factor.

Now today the better half threw a curve ball and she is all for two rooms, so I guess there goes the budget already. Let me check on those properties and I will get back.

 

I was thinking Vdara for the WOW factor as the suites would really make the kids and wife happy. I read in these forums that they don't have hotel parking as I am driving my own car. Second I don't have any points or credits as I mentioned I am not into gambling much.

 

they have free Valet

plus a Bosch Washer/ Dryer is included

 

Since you have a car, I would suggest looking at the Rio. It has larger rooms and the cost is very reasonable. There is a shuttle to the strip for walking tours and easy parking for those out of the way destinations. Check out these web sites: http://www.lasvegas-entertainment-guide.com/las-vegas-for-kids.html , http://www.lasvegaskids.net/ . The last is not up to date in its specifics, but is of general use. Las Vegas is very different from your last visit...enjoy your Christmas.

 

Within your budget, you are unlikely to get the WOW factor, or Vdara 2BR suites.
Ballys Jubilee rooms are pretty nicely done & very large.
We took our teens (11-13-16) to Mystere, Terry Fator, Mac King & Nathan Burton. They wanted to see LOVE too, but time got in the way.

 

yeah I missed his price point at first, even a Vdara suite goes for $98/nt to $187 Each room on the weekend

2bdr penthouse is $332/nt to $540.... and this is with the 30-40% Milfe Gold tier discount BEFORE resort fees

 

How old are the kids? How about a trip that starts with 2 or 3 nights downtown at Main Street Station? The rooms are clean/comfortable/cheap.

 

Thanks for all the info on shows and room replies. I will see what I can come up with and update. The kids are 15 and 17.
We will do DeathValley one day, GC one day and Redrock one day. All the evenings will be for Vegas sight seeing (downtown included).

 

Stayed at vdara last year. They have parking. Nice place. I have the same situation this year as you. Looking for two rooms also taking kids. Vdara is good but after the resort fee times 2. Not so good deal anymore. We're looking at elara with aaa discount. Great rates. And no resort fees. Also for price but kinda older is the polo towers. Two bedroom suites

 

Unless you want alone time to get busy with the wife, save the money and stay at the nicest place possible. You won't be in the room much, and one room at a nice place is far better than two rooms at an average place. My suggestion would be Aria or Planet Hollywood. Great places to walk to and let them loose.

Don't do the Rio of off strip. Don't.

Don't overestimate how much time you'll want to spend downtown.

Kids will prob hate all cirque shows except maybe Love. Strongly consider Carrot Top. They'll laugh. If you want to push the envelope take them to Vinnie Favrito (if you're the cool dad . Don't take them to Terry Fator.

Consider some buffets. Kids usually love them. Unlimited everything, especially deserts.

Place a cheap long shot sports parlay bet for them. Let them pick the teams. You'll either show them the evils of gambling or pay for part of the trip.

The valley of fire, just outside of vegas, is beautiful.

The best time in Vegas for teens is the summer w the pools. Oh well.

I've gone as a teen and now almost have one.

 

I know it is South Strip, but maybe look into NYNY or MC. They are not upper tier rooms, but comfy. Look into Smartervegas.com for deals. Nice part with their location is In-n-Out burger is on the other side of the 15. Easy access to the 15 to get around, MC has the tram to Aria, Bellagio (check out the conservatory and hotel lobby).

 

I just saw this post. I would consider rebooking in the spring at Mandalay Bay or MGM in the Spring. Kids LOVE pools and the weather in the spring is hard to beat in Vegas.

 

Also, only see one Cirque show. IMHO, if you've seen one . . . . .

I would recommend Ka' or Zarkana.

See the Blue Man Group. Tickets are pricey, but even the "cheap seats" aren't that bad. if you wait until the last minute, there are often deals to be had.

 

My teenagers loved our two bedroom suite at the Mirage. It was out of your price range (slightly) for midweek rooms, but a very good value for the money in terms of wow factor. One kid very willingly slept on the couch. The Cirque website has $60 tickets for Love, here is the link:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/offers/las-vegas/default.aspx

 

Took 3 teenagers this summer...had a blast. They enjoyed buffets, LOVE, wax museum, downtown container park, hoover dam, High Roller and just walking the strip and the malls. Have fun.

 

EDIT: Just saw they're 15/17...stay on the strip!
Let them walk it all they want...there's plenty of sightseeing to do, they won't get bored. (Obviously they can't "linger" in the casinos, but they can walk around and do other stuff)