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Extra Cautious at Aria & Cosmo - 9/9 to 9/14

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by HHFan, Sep 8, 2020.

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  1. HHFan

    HHFan VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    I didn’t think this trip was going to happen, but not only is it happening but I’ve actually extended it compared to the original booking.

    My wife and I had a trip booked for April, but knew it was a goner by the end of February. We then looked at the calendar when they announced the reopening date and thought maybe after the 4th, only to see the reopening footage and immediately throw that idea out.

    COVID has settled down in our area, I haven’t had any cases at work for 2 months (Somehow 3 of the 15 people left working in the buildings from the original staff of 800 managed to get it, so not great), and NV seems to be taking it seriously enough to at least give me a little peace of mind. My hardworking wife’s desire to just go anywhere and $1K in Identity credit expiring at year end gave us the final push to go for it in what I’m assuming will be the only window left in 2020 for us to travel. It’s not the ideal situation by any stretch, but we didn’t want to go somewhere new and miss out on the full experience so we ended up booking Vegas.

    I was originally booked Thurs-Mon at Cosmo only to find that my SWA flight was sold out when I went back to add my wife as a companion a few weeks ago. We ended up booking the Wednesday as a backup and was able to book the Thursday flight a week later. I kept both until we finally made the decision to go with the longer trip today. Staying at Aria with a myVEGAS comp since we don’t have any plans for the first evening and have to both be up early the following morning to get on conference calls. It’ll just be a spot to sleep and do some work before the trip begins in earnest at Cosmo.

    We are planning on taking things very cautiously. We’ve got our stash of N95s to be worn at all times while indoors, booked a rental car to ensure we can get away from crowds if we (really just me) get too anxious, plan on doing most of our gambling in the mornings, and currently only have plans for first weekday lunch seatings at Estiatorio Milos and Momofuku in the hopes of reducing risk. We haven’t had a mask off around others indoors since March, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to relax and enjoy as a result which is a bummer because we usually plan everything around dining. Our last trip for my birthday in November ended with my at the UMC ER with possible seizures, so even without the COVID threat I assume I’d be a bit skittish being back in Vegas.

    Rooms
    1 night in Resort Deluxe King MyVEGAS comp at Aria
    4 comp nights in Fountainview Studio (1 Gold and 3 offer) at Cosmo

    Gambling
    $5k bankroll - 90% slots and 10% VP
    We’ve taken a pounding on every trip at Cosmo (20-25% loss so not generating a ton of coin in before calling it around 3-4K down) and really hoping our luck will change on this one.

    Food
    District Donuts - Most mornings
    Eggslut - Whichever morning line looks reasonable
    Lardo - Not sure if I’ll go back to a favorite or try something new
    Momofuku - Much of the menu changed so excited for something different
    Milos - Probably ordering the exact same items I do every time
    Secret Pizza - Missed it last trip for the first time in 10 visits
    Room Service - Never ordered room service before as we love dining at the bar so much. If there was ever a time to try it, this seems like the trip
    China Poblano - Takeout, but don’t know for sure if they actually doing the full menu or specific items
    Poolside - Was planning a daybed/cabana for Thursday until the air quality issues came up, now thinking maybe Sunday
    Mystery Takeout or Dining Room - Depending on the lunch experiences we may roll the dice with a first dinner seating or see if any of the Cosmo spots are doing unadvertised takeout. I’ve watched plenty of people get stuff to go from the bar at the restaurants during normal times, but don’t know how that’s going now.

    Activities
    Rail Explorers tentatively planned for Saturday night
    Piff the Magic Dragon zoom show Sunday night - maybe
    Pool day - weather/air quality dependent
    Red Rock or Valley of Fire - same as above, more likely to happen if I decide the crowds are too much and need to be outside
    We’re pretty big show goers, so without those or our restaurant hopping bar dinners we’ve got a decent amount of time to fill

    Now that this novel is complete I’ll be moving forward with much shorter, pic heavy updates.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
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  2. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Have a wonderful trip. I sure miss Cosmo :(
     
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  3. Scotch12rox

    Scotch12rox Low-Roller

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    You're a better man than me if you have 4 "come" nights in Vegas.
     
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  4. Jkluvvegas

    Jkluvvegas Low-Roller

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    Have a great time send the good gambling juju down souths trip. I will be at MB this weekend!
     
  5. marcianofan

    marcianofan High-Roller

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    Going to follow along, I’m 10 days out from staying at Aria for the first time so any and all pictures will be appreciated! Anyway good luck and have fun...
     
  6. rooster42000

    rooster42000 Goat of all Goats , My Hero

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    Good Luck
     
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  7. nancyf

    nancyf VIP Whale

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    have fun!
     
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  8. rm22

    rm22 Gym Junkie

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    Have a safe trip. Sounds like you guys are taking extra precautions and should be ok. I'm deciding that i will wait until next year as much as i do want to go.
     
  9. buckeyetodd

    buckeyetodd High-Roller

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    If you want to do tables with your early morning gambling, stay away from any Mlife property. Two weeks ago we did a morning run to the south end going from NYNY to Excalibur to Luxor and finally to Mandalay Bay. None of them had more than a couple tables open. We couldn’t find a seat available. We went from planning on spending the day with them to not spending a dime.

    Hope you have a great time

    Todd
     
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  10. HHFan

    HHFan VIP Whale

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    Haha, fixed now.

    We usually play LIR, which doesn’t seem like much fun without the conversation and camaraderie. Every trip I want to play craps, but this doesn’t seem like the time to get that a whirl either.
     
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  11. ReTriggerMe

    ReTriggerMe Stand Up to Jewish Hate!

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    LOL ROFL
     
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  12. ReTriggerMe

    ReTriggerMe Stand Up to Jewish Hate!

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    I was at Cosmo 3 weeks ago.

    I almost never felt any exposure risk. Once, a rowdy group piled into my elevator, one guy speaking loudly with his group, mask undone, hanging from one ear. I considered saying something.... chose to turn my head to the wall and hold my breath until my floor.

    Cosmo does seem to be taking fewer precautions compared to neighboring Aria and Bellagio. But, to repeat, it didn't feel unsafe and Id estimate quasi-mask compliance over 90% (that includes dopes who cover their mouth but not nose, or fools who poke breathing holes in their mask.)

    Best comment - three weeks later, no fever, no cough, and, unfortunately for my diet...retained full sense of taste.

    I'm going back soon. And, just me, not trying to influence others... I'm taking a little comfort in recent CDC info that surface transmission has proven to be relatively low risk...... I am not worried about slot buttons, elevator buttons, my hotel room surfaces, etc.
     
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  13. NCAAHoops

    NCAAHoops VIP Whale

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    Wishing you a good trip. Looking forward to following along.
     
  14. HHFan

    HHFan VIP Whale

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    I certainly feel better about it now that they’re at least attempting to get things tightened up, but I’ve been spoiled by Disney here at home and think about how much more enjoyable my time in Vegas would be if they had taken the more controlled, capacity drastically limited/full price approach they have.

    Ultimately it may be a very low chance of a bad outcome with the precautions we’re taking, but I’m getting ready to drop $5K on the very low chance of a good outcome playing slot machines. There’s a cognitive dissonance required to push the virus concern out because chances are low, while also holding out for a hand pay on a negative expectation game. You know what I mean? o_O

    Just a few more hours at the office before the flight. I’m banking on the TSA pre lanes being open because we’re going to be cutting it pretty close. Slept like garbage last night between the trip anticipation and nerves, so I’ll already be a bit run down when I get there. Never good to start a trip with a sleep/energy deficient since it’s not likely I’m going to make it up once the sights/sounds get me wired.
     
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  15. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Five nights at two top rate properties with some great restaurant outings planned. Damn, I'm jealous!!! Have a great trip!!! :beer: :beer: :beer:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
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  16. HHFan

    HHFan VIP Whale

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    Never seen the airport this empty, but the flight looks like it’ll be fairly full. Or everyone being so spread out is just playing tricks on me.

    DC88A21F-456A-461D-AF4C-2773E49B5EF8.jpeg
     
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  17. HHFan

    HHFan VIP Whale

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    Trip might be over before it even starts. Ground stop at the airport for weather, been on the plane for 2+ hours with no end in sight. They’ve already pulled everyone with a connection off.
     
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  18. Mr.TDub

    Mr.TDub Low-Roller

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    I hope you all make it! Safe travels!
     
  19. crm1310

    crm1310 Low-Roller

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    Hope you get airborne soon! Good luck
     
  20. HHFan

    HHFan VIP Whale

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    Finally made it after 3 hours on the tarmac waiting to push back. I would not recommend spending 8 hours in your seat. Really great test for my ability to stay in the kn95 for a long time.

    Report from the flight, mask compliance was less than stellar and short of periodic announcements reminding folks, the flight attendants didn’t do much about it. The group of guys immediately in front of us probably wore them 10% of the flight, and of course one of them was wearing a Cosmo hat so I look forward to seeing him skirt the rules all weekend, haha.

    They packed the rental car shuttle full, didn’t notice any crazy lines at any of the counters but I always go straight to vehicle with Alamo.

    Quick stop at In n Out on the way to check in since we hadn’t eaten all day.
    A939B5E2-414E-4F76-9993-059DD931E9EE.jpeg

    Aria is definitely quiet, but hardly empty. Most of the tables in the main pit were full and there were a decent number of folks playing slots in that area. Once you got to the outer parts of the floor it was empty. Also, the walk from self park to the lobby is quite a haul. We’ve taken the easy access at Cosmo for granted.
    7A54871B-53EB-434D-BAF7-2073459F4996.jpeg

    Room is big and modern. Love that the tablet allows for takeout ordering from their outlets here. I would definitely take advantage of that if we were spending more time here. Got our little amenity kit, but no seal on the door so that was missed or someone else popped in after housekeeping.
    2DB76AFD-F479-4ADB-8366-8F6C6E5C75F4.jpeg C5032144-A300-4968-8C1F-66D3FE860396.jpeg C115D732-D633-473A-8D65-18E5C826AF85.jpeg 44D5502D-C8B5-4FAC-91E8-37923BDEA812.jpeg CE02BD61-13A6-41BE-B702-70D8F3BA01BB.jpeg 5761AEFF-C395-4935-B266-A398FA065A11.jpeg
     
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