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May 12-16... Let’s Have Some Vegas Fun!!

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by ronc, Apr 29, 2018.

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  1. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    It’s almost time! Our last trip to Las Vegas was in July; we are ready to head out again. The last trip was a George Strait weekend…this time we’re seeing three shows and eating at higher-end places, which we did not do on that trip.

    Our trip starts with an early morning flight on May 12th—we leave at around 8:00 a.m. and should be in Vegas right around 9 a.m. The Southwest prices were pretty low when we bought the paid ticket; mine is on the companion pass. EB purchased, which has become our standard for Las Vegas and the majority of other flights.

    We’ll be staying at the Aria Sky Suites, barring the possible horror of being bumped for some High Roller at the last minute. This is a paid trip; the room was at a good price when I booked it. Factoring in the $100 a day we would have spent for my wife to have a lounger at the Sky Pool (worth it for her; the service there was amazing last July), the price was too good to pass up. Call it a “self-comp” if you will.

    Plans so far…

    Saturday, May 12th—

    Dinner at Sinatra
    John Fogerty @ Wynn-Encore Theater

    Sunday, May 13th—

    Cher @ Park Theater at Monte Carlo

    Monday, May 14th—

    Dinner at Hell’s Kitchen

    Tuesday, May 15th—

    Dinner at Searsucker
    Elton John @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

    I am not a huge myVegas player, but I did have enough credits to pick up some little things:

    $25 Freeplay @ Aria
    Draft beer @ Five50
    Bloody Mary Breakfast @ Aria Café

    I will check to see if my wife has enough credits to get anything…I have not looked at her account in a while.

    We’ll end up Downtown at some point and I am pretty sure there will be a trip to Casino Royale. We have not purchased ACG books, but I may take a look at them this week to see how many things we can use in a quick trip downtown.
     
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  2. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    It is Wednesday and I can hardly wait for this trip to begin.

    Just went through a big health scare with my dad; it was touch and go for a while and he is not out of the woods yet. It has the trip in a bit of jeopardy, but it looks like we will be blasting off from Hobby on Saturday morning as planned.

    We have added a Mother's Day Brunch at Herringbone to the event list. I also bought ACGs this week. We are making two trips this year (since we added the Manilow weekend in late September), so I think I can get my money's worth out of them.

    I have been reading every trip report out there...can you tell I am getting excited? If you are doing a trip report now, I may not comment much...but I am following alonf!!

    Big expense this week (but planned, thankfully) was a new AC system. Ours was 22 years old...I guess it was time!
     
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  3. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    So...every time that a trip is about to start, the amount of time I spend here increases exponentially. I have read every new post in every trip report this past couple of weeks. I check back every time I get on the computer outside of working hours.

    Now I am sitting here waiting for 7:55 CDT. Really? Yes. I want to know what boarding position our Early Bird check-in gets us tomorrow morning. I have gone to booking EB on all trips since the flights are always packed and it at least takes care of check-in for me when every minute counts in the boarding position game. Checking two people in within the same minute has resulted in 15 position or more gaps at times. I am sure I would be okay without it, but my choice is to use it. We have a companion pass but little chance of ever being A-List.

    I also added a bottle of champagne for the trip from the airport to Aria. I called the concierge and they set it up for us. We always enjoy the cheap bottle Presidential provides, so i decided to get a little better bottle for this airport trip.

    Takeoff is in 24 hours and 37 minutes....
     
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  4. Bonzai

    Bonzai Low-Roller

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    I love the anticipation of a Vegas trip! Have a great time and good luck! Look forward to reading about your adventures!
     
  5. bshowell

    bshowell VIP Whale

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    Following. I, too, love the build up.
     
  6. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    Okay...we got A21/A22

    I have TSA Pre and my wife got it also...

    Next on the list...bank time! Need to get that bankroll ready to travel!
     
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  7. Suekel

    Suekel VIP Whale

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    Those final hours before a trip are always so exciting! I'll be following along, getting ready for our trip in 3 weeks. You have some great meals and shows planned, hope you'll try to share lots of pictures. Safe travels!!!
     
  8. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Have a wonderful trip; looking forward to your updates.
     
  9. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    I gotta figure out the picture thing...I will try to share some this time. I'm behind on knowing how to do that part of it...
     
  10. Char in Seattle

    Char in Seattle Tourist

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    I see you have some nice shows lined up and some nice meals. I also will be at the Elton concert that night. I'm also pretty excited and checking this site everyday.

    Have fun !!!
     
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  11. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    Bankroll 5-11-2018.JPG First part of bankroll...
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2018
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  12. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    Bankroll is ready to roll.

    Suitcases mostly packed except for a few things in the dryer.

    It's T-8 hours until our driver arrives.

    So my friend travels all the time. He gave us the name of a driver he uses and I decided to get use him for this trip. A little more expensive, but we don't have to park or do the pick-up dance when we get back. Anyway, my friend called him about a trip he needs a driver for this week. The guy tells him he is not available. He finds out it is me using the service and we give each other some ribbing... Anyway, my friend is going to wait at IAH while the driver brings us home from HOU and then heads back to pick him up. I'd say that we would go pick him up and all head home with some beers on the way, but the car isn't big enough for all my wife has packed...

    The board was down for a while...drove me crazy. I needed a fix and there wasn't one available...
     
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  13. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    We've arrived and our Aria Sky Suite was ready...

    Flight was good except for me wetting my pants. Ok...not that way (why do your minds go there son fast???).... We had drinks on the plane. My pants got mine. It was a bit uncomfortable flying with Jack and Coke in my britches. I took time at the airport to change...

    Great driver (Anton). Very nice, waited for me to change. Champagne ready to go and consumed before we got to the room.

    Bellhop (John) was very nice.

    Check-in was painless.

    This joint is really nice. Nice view from the room.
     
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  14. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    We got A41-42 24 hours in advance. A friend I used to go with would rent a car and every time they asked him if he wanted insurance or roadside assistance or whatever, he would say no, I came here to gamble and I’m on the clock. Thank you though. He was out there for sure. But he can putt like a retired craftsman; putters around all 18.
    I adopted that attitude for the low roller, we load up on swa website and wait for the second hand to hit 12. And 24 hours to go “wow”. Let’s toast! Haha
     
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  15. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Go get 'em Ron!!
     
  16. Audible Nectar

    Audible Nectar High-Roller

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    Glad to hear your suite was ready, especially given you were checking in on a Saturday. I took particular interest in your trip as the "Bumped From Suite" thread has me interested re: my Oct/Nov trip.

    Enjoy!
     
  17. Scott Blair

    Scott Blair VIP Whale

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    Following along. With 11+ days remaining till my Vegas trip I can appreciate the excitement. The 24th can't get here soon enough.
     
    Spring Handpays?
  18. Texas Steph

    Texas Steph A Work in Progress...

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    I will beat you there by 2 days! [emoji16]
    Sorry, not sorry!!

    Glad you made it in, @ronc, and got the bad luck (alcohol soaked pants) out of the way... best of luck!
     
  19. Dr Nostron

    Dr Nostron VIP Whale

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    Love your plans - looks like a lot of fun - let us knows how Fogerty is
     
  20. Niteshade

    Niteshade VIP Whale

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    Go Get'em - Have fun!!
     
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