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Can Thecarve Handle NYE on The Strip?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by thecarve, Nov 4, 2015.

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  1. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    A quick glance at the title under my VMB handle will tell you I'm not the biggest fan of large crowds. But my kid sister - and favorite Vegas partner in crime - has been dying to see Bruno Mars. So when I told her I had a NYE Cosmo offer to see him, my fate was sealed. So, I'm hoping some of our NYE pros might be able to help me out with some of my questions. And any and all other tips would be appreciated as well.

    Please answer whatever you can/want:

    If I'm looking at a two night stay, which two nights would to you advise? Dec 30-Jan 1 or Dec 31-Jan 2?

    What time would you advise me to arrive if I arrive on the 31st? When should I leave if I leave on the 1st?

    Will I be able to gamble on the 31st? Or will all good machines and BJ tables $100 and below be completely packed?

    I'm hoping Cosmo will let me give my Mars tix to my sister and BIL while I (double book) Aria and go to their NYE party. Anyone been to one of these? Any fun or should I just stay out in the casino and take in "the show"?

    I assume I should be making dinner plans for the 31st now? Or am I already too late?

    What else do I need to know?

    Many thanks! :nworthy:
     
  2. meliphilus

    meliphilus Low-Roller

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    I would arrive 30th and leave the 1st. The excitement starts building on Dec.30th. If you want to arrive Dec. 31st arrive before 3pm and make sure the resort accepts check-ins on the 31st. The many people leave on the 1st but this year the 1st is a Friday so there may still be a good vibe. Timing of your departure on the 1st depends on where you are going and whether flying or driving. You certainly want time to recover from the previous night.
    I’m a Caesars BJ player. After 1am on the 1st table limits come down and seats become available.

    This is based on my experience in Vegas the last 7 NYE.

    Regarding dinner: My preference is to call room service mid-afternoon and schedule a good relaxed meal to be delivered to the room at 6pm.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2015
  3. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Good info. Thanks. :thumbsup:
    I'll be flying. I'm trying to avoid as many hassles as possible getting to/from the airport/hotel. I figure that arriving on the 31st and leaving on the 1st will be the two worst days for traveling to LAS, but I'll have to do one of those days. Just trying to find out which would be the "least bad".
     
  4. Dean Martin

    Dean Martin VIP Whale

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    Well damn.....we're just going to miss each other by a few days again! We actually thought about being there for NYE too, to see Maroon 5 at MGM but the airfare on SW was ridiculous.:rolleyes2:

    I'd think leaving on the1st or 2nd would be a breeze. That's a Friday and Saturday and I'd think most people coming in for NY would stay thru Sunday. Which begs the question....why aren't you coming the 31st and staying for 3 nights? That's a long flight for only 2 nights:poke:
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
  5. meliphilus

    meliphilus Low-Roller

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    There are so many factors that can make or break a travel day it's like trying to pick which horse will finish last.
     
  6. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Arriving on the 31st can be a problem.
    Cabs shut down early because you cannot get around town.
    Strip starts closing late afternoon.
     
  7. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Good info. Looks like the flight I'm considering arrives about 1-1:30 pm. Think that'll be early enough to be able to get to the hotel? Hopefully, I can swing a comp limo so I won't have to worry about cabs.
     
  8. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Should be ok.
    I have been there for NYE about 10 times.
    My recollection is many cab drivers try to take off on 12/31 due to the problems with traffic,the strip ,and craziness.
    Before 3 is probably ok.
     
  9. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    A few reasons. I just returned from Vegas and have a tentative trip planned for March... and I'm unemployed. :evillaugh. More days = more $! Also, I really don't want to battle the crowds at all. But my sister has always wanted to see Bruno Mars out there but missed him when he had his mini-residency. So, I'm taking one for the team.

    Thanks for all the info, Nittany.
     
  10. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Have fun.
    I'll be at Aria maybe we can catch up for a cocktail.
     
  11. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Sounds good. I might end up at Aria as well. (Don't really want to have to sleep 3 to a room!) I'll let you know if/when I get this trip booked.
     
  12. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Thecarve, in answer to your question about whether you can handle LV on NYE, of course you can!!!

    Arrival around 1/1:30 shouldn't be a problem but would definitely book the limo for less stress. I like Vegas on New Year's Day as well. Check with Cosmo as they may have a special brunch for players and it's nice to be able to enjoy a nice meal at the hotel where you are staying. If you or your sister likes concerts, note that there are also some big ones on January 1 as well. Last year I saw Justin Timberlake at the MGM on January 1st, for the end of his world tour and this January 1 I'll be seeing Michael Buble, also at MGM.

    The main thing to know is the strip starts to close down around 6 or so and then they put up the gates. After around 9 I would plan to stay put at the Cosmo as it gets too crowded walking around the strip. You will likely have a wrist band that identifies you as a Cosmo VIP guest. Make sure you wear that so if you go outside to the street to watch the fireworks you can re-enter the hotel. Not sure about Cosmo but I know at Caesars last year you had to show a wrist band or a high end players card to be able to get back into the hotel right away. You should be able to watch the fireworks from the pool area though. I saw Stevie Wonder at Cosmo NYE a few years ago. He played WELL past midnight. I went out to the pool area to watch the fireworks and then just walked back into the concert area to get another 90 minutes of Stevie!

    With January 1st being the first day of the new year I like to treat myself to a nice meal (brunch) before or after a spa treatment. Something that your sister may want to consider if she's into spas. If she goes on the early side it may not be that crowded as lots of revelers are sleeping it off until late morning/early afternoon on New Years Day.

    Enjoy! I'm envious that you'll see Bruno as the tickets are sold out. I think I will see Celine for the 5th time on NYE. :)
     
  13. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Thanks for the info, Flowers! Despite the fact that I'm not too fond of crowds, I'm actually getting a bit excited. Should be "an experience", if nothing else. Now, if only Delta or American would start to cooperate...damn, fares are salty!
     
  14. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    I think you'll have a great time. You just have to go with the flow a bit on NYE but it's kind of cool to be around a zillion people and see some doing shows, some rushing out to catch the fireworks (I remember doing this one year when it snowed an inch in Vegas!) and then walking back in as soon as it's over, and some gamblers who could care less about the fireworks and who just keep plowing away at the tables or machines like any other night. LOL. I have to confess one NYE I did just that but I heard the fireworks and the yelling from outside coming inside. LOL. But, everyone is wishing everyone else a happy New Year and, call my corny, it's kind of nice in Vegas cause you are saying it to fellow folks (and hearing it from them) who love the city like you do (or otherwise you wouldn't be there on NYE! LOL). It's sin city, city of lost wages, etc. etc. but I still always feel that sense of "renewal" on New Years Day, even in Vegas, and there's a communal aspect to the city on New Years Day that makes it sink in a bit more that the new year has indeed begun.

    It's not relevant for Cosmo because of how the gambling year there works but I'll be staying at Flamingo from the 29th until the 3rd. Given that the CET new "gambling year" starts January 1st, I'll probably play somewhat lightly at CET on the 29th-31st and mix it up with some MGM properties or Wynncore but I'll play more heavily at CET from the 1st until I leave on the 3rd (I'm getting a red eye back to NY on Saturday night/Sunday am). With the CET year resetting on January 1st and my having been Seven Stars for months now through March 2017 I'd rather focus my CET play from January 1st on, qualifying me for Seven Stars through March 2018. Though I'll be earning backend comps throughout my stay it seems like a bit of "wasted" play to be earning tier credits on 12/30, 12/31, etc.

    Also meant to add, there's nothing like getting a jackpot right after the new year (so reflected in the following year's tax return) verses getting it with hours to go before the current year ends (so dealing with it at tax time within the following few months).
     
  15. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

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    I'm of no help here - never done a NYE in LV but have always wanted to experience this. I'm sure it's an experience you will never forget. Even with 3 billion people milling about the strip (suddenly the walking dead come to mind). Have a great time and I remain envious......
     
  16. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Regarding the hotels being closed to non-guests...how does that work? Will they actually try to get non-guests (who are already in the hotel prior to them closing it) to leave? (I know that sounds ridiculous but, hey, I don't know a thing about Vegas on NYE.) Or will they just not allow you to enter after a certain time without a room key/wristband/whatever?

    I'm probably going to book a room for my sis and BIL at Aria or MC - a second Cosmo room is pretty damn salty. And I don't want there to be any issue with us being able to hang out in the same casino. Do they just need to be at Cosmo by a certain time or am I going to have to spend the $30-40/night to add a third person to the room?

    Thanks!
     
  17. meliphilus

    meliphilus Low-Roller

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    My experience is from Caesars Palace. Between about 10pm or 11pm and 1am you may need to show a room key or show ticket or wrist band to enter. People inside prior to that have nothing to worry about.
     
  18. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    Yeah, if the head count rises to the max capacity, staff positioned at the entries will required room I.D. to enter.

    I mingle around on The Strip until it gets too packed to get drinks in a reasonable amount of time. Then, I retire to the balcony and watch the rest of the craziness from up above. Doing The Strip on NYE is something everyone should do at least once - like marriage.

    Bill
     
  19. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Most of the hotels limit access to those with room keys only after about 9pm.
    They also limit entryways in so you have to pass security.
    I think one room key for a group of several people should be good.
    Just be aware that it is very easy to get separated from your friends on the strip.It is shoulder to shoulder and people are moving in different directions.
    I remember taking almost an hour to get all our friends back in the hotel in front of Paris.........and we never left the front of the hotel!
     
  20. meliphilus

    meliphilus Low-Roller

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    Nittany1's comments about being separated from your group reminded me that 5 years ago my group was separated and text messages seemed to have a 15 minute delay.
     
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