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MGM TR July 9-13

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by vwhiten, Jul 21, 2017.

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  1. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    Don't know what we were thinking going to Vegas in July. -- Texas wasn't hot enough? We had a 7 pm flight out of San Antonio - my husband and I. My son and his fiance took a 9 pm flight out. Both Southwest non-stop. We usually fly out of Austin. It is about 20 miles farther than San Antonio - but it is a nicer Airport. This time San Antonio was cheaper and better times for non-stop flights. Both my husband and I grew up in San Antonio -- the airport there has been under constant construction. Had I known what we were facing just walking from the parking garage to the tunnel - I would have paid extra to fly Austin or at the very least parked at one of the off Airport lots and shuttled in. It is usually pretty easy to park in SA and just walk across a bridge to the terminal -- not this time. It was about 95 degrees and the walking bridge was closed. You had to divert around to a sort of "tunnel" it had to be well over 1/8 mile long if not closer to 1/4 mile. Would not have been a big issue if it wasn't around a multi level cement parking garage with no air. They did have strategically placed igloo type cooler with a sign that said free water - courtesy of SA International Airport. Needless to say when we got in we were exhausted from dragging our bags around - we took the wrong turn to start because there were no signs telling us where to go in the part we parked. So we already detoured more than we needed to.

    We left early because we had to drop of the weenies at the local pet jail/resort and we left plenty of time. I didn't realize we had TSA check in - so no pat downs or body cavity checks this time. We grabbed some food at a sports Bar and a couple of drinks.

    I was disappointed with Southwest flight out to Vegas. I did the Early boarding and they had us line up and then wait a good 15 minutes - with what seemed like no activity going on. Then we boarded and got row 6 - it was a full flight. I of course got stuck in the middle. I was praying for a woman to sit next to me -- It seems like every flight I am the filling in the Man spread sandwich. My husband has to fan his thighs out like a woman at her gynecologist and usually a man sits next to me and also engages in the man spread. I did confront my husband b1/2efore the flight and his response was "it hurts and boys if I close my legs" -- Thankfully a nice lady sat next to me. The flight sucked. It wasn't really that bumpy, but the captain kept turning on the sign and interrupting drink service. Our flight attendant had the first 7 rows. She brought drinks out one at a time after she passed out snacks - and she just lollygagged the entire time. Had we not already charged our drinks I would have just refused the drinks. She got to our row and as soon as she passed them out the pilot announced our descent into Las Vegas -- WTF?? It is over a 2 1/2 hour flight. She tells us to drink quickly. I had a margarita - in a can. Husband ordered 2 Wild Turkeys and coke - she ran out of Wild Turkey - she apologized and said that every one wanted Wild Turkey up front. He settled for JD and coke. But we both had to down our drinks quickly. The husband was pissed but that passed quickly when he realized he had a buzz. I have been on bumpier flights that still allowed drink service. I must have been interrupted at least 3 times - It didn't help when she wasn't using a tray but bringing one drink out at a time. - I know real world problems.

    MGM had sent me a mobile check in link for both rooms we were using. It was easy and we didn't have to go through a line. There was a woman at the mobile check in computers and she made it a breeze -- there was no one using that line. We had a stay well room, on my offer of 2 nights free and a FB of $50 -- woohoo - High Roller alert. My husband had an offer for $39 a night for a Grand King - which we upgraded to a Spa Tower Suite for the kids. The Spa tower is right off the casino floor by the lobby and it is only about 4 floors. The kids were on the 2nd floor, but they loved the room. Huge whirlpool tub. We had a couple of hours before they joined us so we at at Tap sports bar. - Way too expensive for just burgers and fries. Burger was good but not $75 worth for 2 burger/fries and ice tea for 2 people. I did a little gambling that night - no big wins and I didn't put my mlife card in.

    We did take Uber from the Airport with no problems. Turned in early because we were going to have breakfast at the buffet using 2 for 1 myvegas for all 4 of us. The line was too long and my DIL to be and I were going to PH to the DryBar for a hair blow out and appointment was at 11 AM. We got 2 for 1 monorail tickets. It is a no brainer for us when we stay at MGM. The main tower elevators are a very short walk to the monorail. We have stayed at MGM so much now that all you need to know to navigate is really the lobby, Whiskey Down, & the Lobby Bar.- I was disappointed with the loss of slot machines and a lot of our favorites are now gone. They have a lot of empty space and it seems they are trying to hide it by spreading things out more. I didn't take many photos but I will post the ones I have and my son takes marvelous photos so I will post more of his.

    Another little snafu from SW was after everyone boarded and sat down they were playing musical chairs trying to sit a mother and daughter together. I guess they were way down on the C list. They had to have more than just two people move. -- it was ridiculous. Also there was a pilot flying that got to board early -- then they had him move out of the seat so a woman flying standby could have his seat. We saw him go into the cockpit and that is where he was sitting - up with the pilot and co-pilot. All this moving people and seats made our flight take of late.





    Day 2 - next -- oh did I mention it was freaking hot??
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
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  2. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Day 2 no buffet at ate Johnny Rockets and had their version of Egg McMuffin -- don't do it. I miss Mickey D's. We then hopped the monorail to Ballys and walked to Paris then out the door over to PH. The main goal was to limit outside heat. I was very pleased with the Dry Bar - I had purchased two groupons for $35 a piece - main price is $50 -- just be aware the $50 cost is just for a simple blow out. If you order from the menu it costs more. I still had to pay $46 extra for both of us and then gave a $10 tip each so it cost $ 68 a piece all said and done - which I guess by Vegas prices it was still a good deal. -- After we all at at Blondies in PH for lunch -- it was good - much cheaper than TAP and better. Then we went to see Tenors of Rock at Harrah's. It was great. I highly recommend them if you like classic Rock. I booked through one of the vegas discount sites that takes you to ticket masters. Cost $55 each and we sat in a 4 person round both. Almost in the middle and very comfortable. No table drink service but they do have a walk up bar. After wards we ate a Yard Hose. I had $120 worth of gift cards I bought when they had a promotion for buy $100 and get $20 gift card free. The kids walked the strip after and husband and I went back to MGM and played a little - husband crashed earlier than I did. The drink service at MGM sucked.

    We had some free play to redeem but line was too long at mlife desk so I redeemed mine the next day. We both had $75 a piece in myvegas freeplay. We both used offers on room and had no problems redeeming our freeplay - even though the terms listed on the reward says it cannot be redeemed with any other mlife offer.
     
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  3. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Getting Shame on you look before we leave
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    The view of the the roof at valet drop off from the kids room.


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    The kids getting a photo wit Tenors of Rock.
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    Some play from Monday at MGM-

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    This one was at MGM - stacked Cats - I think.

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    Last edited: Jul 22, 2017
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  4. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Right now I'm watching HGTV Flip or Flop Vegas - some nice shots of the strip.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  5. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    will post more later. Included a trip to Silverton - loved the little time I spent there. Tons of VP machines there and the JB VP were all 8/5 as opposed to MGM were all 7/5 that I saw. I liked the look and feel of the casino - pretty much smoke free - where as MGM was crowded and smoky. -- And I can tolerate smoke - but it did get to me.

    One funny/weird thing happened to me. Apparently I am a magnet for nut cases. I'm sitting at the slots at MGM in the afternoon one day. Minding my own business. I enjoy my leave me the f**ck alone time - I didn't have a lot of it this trip. I'm not being political just saying what happened. Some guy in a bright yellow tshirt that said Union and gave like a 5 digit number -- Marches through the Casino fist pumping in the air and shouting Donald Trump - just repeated it again and again -- I am on vacation and I don't watch the news and I don't want to hear any current events etc. I want an adult beverage and to sit at a machine. The guy is heading for the tables and I think to myself - Oh he is going down. A few minutes later I can hear the shouting circling back. I have my back to him and hear him get closer. As big as MGM is who does he march over to??? Me of course, shit... He stops a few feet in front of me turns around and looks at me. He has a McDonald's bag in his hand. He asks me if I want his Happy Meal. I can smell fresh french fries in the bag. -- I politely say no thank you. He asks me again and assures me that he has not touched it. -- He didn't look homeless but he also looked like soap and water are not a priority. I again said no. He shrugged his shoulders and then walked off -- again still shouting the President's name. Several minutes later a security guard starts walking through like he is looking for someone. I tell him he just came through and offered me his happy meal -- I also tell the guard I think he is a few fries short of a full happy meal. The guard says - yeah we get all types here in Vegas - and he said they are looking for him. My thought was with all the cameras etc that can detect chip stealers, and other cheaters - how can they lose a full grown man in a bright yellow t-shirt - marching through the casino yelling???

    Oh well - that was my weird Vegas experience of the trip.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2017
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  6. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Couple of my son's video -- first day, airport uber and video of the Spa suite in the spa tower at MGM- Son is a clown - sorry.




     
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  7. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Great start, @vwhiten !
    Nice to see you were able to get yourself somewhere to stay warm! :poke: :D

    LOL on your man spread commentary.
    I only man spread to heal after body cavity checks! :eek:

    I'm looking forward to your observations/experiences at Silverton.
    Thank you! :cool:

    RICHARD
     
  8. carolineno

    carolineno VIP Whale

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    Glad to hear that Tenors of Rock is a good show. Thinking of winding down my trip with that one. Looking forward to the Silverton reporting.
     
    Ladies getaway, somewhere on the strip with a pool :)
  9. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    You don't dick with man spread.
     
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  10. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    I watched some videos on youtube -- it doesn't do them justice. They sound so much better in person. The front rows are chair seating and cost more. But they do interact with the audience on those front rows more. But the middle booth seats were great. There were rows in front of us at table seating -- hardly anyone was sitting there. There were only two songs that I felt they should not have tried and that was Aeorsmith Dream On and Led Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven - those 2 didn't work. But they nailed Queen, Bon Jovi and ACDC. When they first started off they had Vegas girls dancing with them. Now they have a big screen in back. I think having girls dancing amongst the band would distract from their performance.
     
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  11. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Tuesday I used my Nathan's 2 for 1 from ACG and got their version of the Egg McMuffin -- much better than Johnny Rockets. Plus Johnny Rockets had tater tots for their breakfast potato. Nathan's had nice crispy coarsely chopped potatoes. Better than MickeyD's pressed form hash browns dripping grease -- but sometimes you just need that extra grease. We told the kids they were on their own for the day - no real plans.

    First off we went to SLS - my husband had got this notice for a free night, enter into their slot tournament - on Tuesdays, and a generous free slot play of $10. We took the monorail over. I wish there was a way to get notifications of when the next monorail is coming so you can limit the time you have to spend on the deck sauna waiting for them. Maybe they should make an app for that -- I would pay for that one. We get to SLS - get our new cards because they changed their club. The slot tournament isn't truly a slot tournament. You activate it when you put your card in you play if on the same machine you are on. You have to go back at 8:30 that night to se e if you made it into the top tier for your free gift. I also had the offer we both played I came out with 80,000 points and husband had like 10,000. The husband lost about $40 total and I came out about $60 ahead -- the casino was dead. I played some VP and probably came out $20 in the hole. I found a three reel slot machine and won $100 - can't remember which one it was. I went back to VP and couldn't win much.

    My husband wanted to see the Mermaid Bar at Silverton so we wanted to Uber over there. I brought up the app and I couldn't figure out where to wait at SLS. I asked a slot attendant and she said it would be one of two places. I started up the app and it showed my location as Resorts World Dr. We were out front at the Taxi Stand and I asked the Bell Guy if this would also be considered Resorts World Dr. and we were looking for where Uber picks up. I guess he doesn't like Uber - he was extremely rude and dismissive - said he never heard of Resorts World Dr. - that we were on Las Vegas Blvd and didn't know where the Uber pick up was. -- At that moment we decided we were done with SLS - forever -- we took the Monorail back to MGM and summoned Uber from there and took it to Silverton. The cost was just under $10 for Uber. We tipped him $5 - my husband bonded with him. He was from Texas but originally from Tel Aviv - my husband is fascinated with the history of biblical Israel.

    Our first stop was the Mermaid Bar -- very nice - it wasn't crowded. Drinks were 1/2 price there at the bar - they also had VP at the Bar but I didn't check those out. We watched divers cleaning the tank and swimming/playing with the fish. They have a row of chairs in a Horseshoe shape around the aquarium. You can also head straight into Bass Pro without suffering any heat wave outside.

    The casino was very nice. I don't know the size but it seemed to be equal in size to strip casinos. I have never seen so many VP machines- they had them in long rows. I wish I would have taken some pics. The casino was nice and airy and not smoky. This was during the day so I am not sure if it changes at night. We ate lunch in the buffet. Not the Wicked Spoon but it was solid and cheap. $8.99 a piece. Had we started out gambling I would have had enough points quickly for a free buffet. Only needed 100 points and I got there quick. At 500 points I got We only stayed about 2 hours. My husband was feeling queezy. I played VP put $100 in played down to $50 or so and then went to one slot machine and won $120 then bounced around while my husband sipped on Wild Turkey watching the fish. I earned 840 points which equates to $1680 coin in. I earned $10 free slot play and used that. When I left I was up about $30. I would love to stay there -- I am growing tired of the strip. There slot rewards club seems very generous. Next time I hope we can spend more time there - maybe even a night or two. I didn't take many photos but I will post the ones I did.

    It is an older crowd. As I looked around my husband and I seemed to be in the younger group. No loud drunks. Just older shuffling pleasantly inebriated senior citizens. Just like I want my next husband, old and slow - but extremely rich.
     
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  12. VegasGroove

    VegasGroove VIP Whale

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    vwhiten, I am enjoying your report!

    I am a huge fan of the Silverton. The casino floor seems never crowded, the atmosphere is easy and the lighting is nice and low. I like the fact it is considered for an older crowd. Of all my visits to Silverton, I stayed there once and I liked the room and would stay again in a heartbeat. I hope you try a stay there once. Now that The Berkeley (the new tower) is up and running, I wouldn't mind staying there as well.
     
  13. SandsFan

    SandsFan VIP Whale

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    Why didn't you just take the parking shuttle? They run often, stop at two places on the ground level and there is no need to make the long walk. Certainly not in the summer.
     
    The 3 P Trip (Paris and Palms)
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  14. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    I don't fly out of SA often and have never seen a parking shuttle-so good to know. Austin Bergstrom has a great parking shuttle system. And their parking is $7 a day and San Antonio is $11 a day.
     
  15. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Pics from Silverton:

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    My 4 OAK with pay table at Silverton.


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  16. SandsFan

    SandsFan VIP Whale

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    Austin is about 45 minutes further for us so we always fly out of SAT. Maybe I'll try Austin sometime if better price
     
    The 3 P Trip (Paris and Palms)
  17. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    We ended Tuesday night with seeing Ka - free myvegas 9:30 pm. Was the 3rd time - I think it is enough now. My husband fell asleep. We ate dinner before the show Original Chicken Tenders to go - ate in the room. Absolutely love them and with ACG coupon 2 for 1 makes a cheap dinner. We got a late night snack after the show. Bonnano"s - pizza -- my advice don't do it. Pizza sits up front cold and they reheat in the oven.

    Wednesday we met the kids for breakfast at Hexx - it was wonderful. I got Egg's Benedict one scalloped potatoes. I didn't think scalloped potatoes would work for breakfast but they were great. I got a Bellini and DIL to be got bottomless mimosa for $23 and she got her money's worth. Our waiter was wonderful - I only got the one time Bellini but he asked me if I wanted the mimosa and he must have filled me up 3 times for free. We split off and headed up to the Wynnn by Uber - no big wins. Then went back to MGM and my husband got his myvegas free play and I spent majority of time on VP - I pretty much stuck to .25 JOB. I tried Ultimate X, Dreamcard, etc, I also tried the RF rules of parlay - every time I got ahead and increased to .50 or $1 I started to tank.

    I had a couple of close calls to a royal. one was straight flush starting at 9, and the other was Ultimate X - only 5 cents but it was a 12 multiplier - would have been a nice little win if I had been dealt the royal - bastard machine.

    Will post the pics from my phone.
     
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  18. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Cheap lunch at Tacos n Rita's.

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  19. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Some more pics I swiped off my son's Facebook. We had dinner at the Sugar Factory at Fashion show Mall. I much prefer Hexx.

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    Kids went to Secret Pizza and lived it.

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    The bathroom in Spa tower suite.


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  20. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    Our next trip probably won't be until April and most likely we will try Tahoe. I have really wanted to get away from hustle and bustle and wanting some tranquility and mountains. I was really disappointed with MGM getting rid of many of their machines and spreading out to look like they still had a lot. I really liked Let's make a Deal, Ferris Bueller's Day off, Flinstones, Alice in Wonderland - my husband liked that one, the old Goldfish -- I only gambled at MGM, Wynn, SLS, and Silverton. On our last night we went to Venetian I wanted to find a Hazel M chocolate shop - don't know if they had one - I settled for Godiva - bought a gift for friends watering my garden - then I found a Hazel M shop at the airport and bought more chocolate -- Interesting fact Chocolate is not taxable. I will have to try Jinju chocolates that Dai Lun always gets.
     
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