Spivderman #20 | April 4-7, 2021 | Aria

Introduction

With one stab/jab/prick down and one to go when I get back home, Mrs. S blessed this solo trip for spring break (Where you at Earl?) with a short 8-day planning window. Mrs. S and I did spring break together in 2019 (Trip #18) and it was a great trip (including a one-credit RF at Cosmo). I returned for a first ever solo trip that June (Trip #19) and really enjoyed that experience so I am repeating it again for my 20th trip.

I will say that the quick planning did not bother me because I have a good routine down. I was able to find a solid flight on Delta and repurpose eCredits from cancelled trips in 2020. I had a variety of 3-night comp stays to choose from and claimed one. However, when I went to book my rental car I was flabbergasted by the prices. My usual Budget rental for a 3-4 day trip is $80 to $130. My quote for this trip was $375 and up with no fees or taxes included. I quickly discovered that was a widespread (panic) issue. The good news is I re-centered a little bit and decided to make this my first trip ever with no rental car. Not only that, but I decided I would make this an entire trip dedicated to first experiences (FEn from now on).

So...I expanded my room search a bit and found a solid MLife offer. I cancelled my previous room and booked the Aria (FE1) under one of their ‘welcome back’ programs [0+0+54 with 40FP & 50RC] which others on VMB have used. In addition to walking some, I plan to use ride-shares, TAXIs, and purchase a 3-day Deuce pass (FE2). I am looking forward to this part of being solo...being able to dip, bounce, hop, jet, or whatever word the yutes utter these days.

Next up is my Top-10 list of FEs...

 

FE is first experience? I assumed it was F*** Everyone (I am going to Vegas

Good Luck!

 

I believe the yutes "yeet" these days (I don't understand them either). Have a fun trip!

From reading other TR's, sounds like the Deuce can be pretty frustrating lately because of a lot of construction. Might want to prepare for that. Or drink more so you DGAF. (I was sad to see that because I also like getting the 3d bus pass instead of a rental car)

 

Thank you JZ. I will accept luck and lots of positive variance.

 

I have accepted transportation to be a bit of an adventure the entire time but I do plan to include the Deuce as an option (e.g. catching a ride up the strip to Wynncore). My current priority list to get from the airport to Aria is Lyft > UberBlack > Taxi. I do plan to report out current conditions as a PSA for VMB folks.

 

Have a great time. Love the idea of trying lots of new things.

 

Thank you @julia — thought it was appropriate during a pandemic year when so many things are simply out of my control. If I have fewer pre-set expectations maybe more of the expectations I don’t have will be exceeded...

 

To keep with tradition, I will also bet Wade does NOT get laid on this trip report!

 

Although a buddy of mine is at Aria, though with family and probably leaving first thing in AM. GO SPIVDERMAN!!!!!

 

Yes to FE! We are checking into Aria the day after you leave. I'm interested in seeing your experience there. I also am taking this opportunity to do a lot of things we have not previously done.

 

Good luck

 

I will 'lay' $200 on that bet!

Glad you answered my "Where you at Earl?" call-out. If you guys were going to be there, I would handle the whiskey again, and again, and...

Now that the pleasantries are over, how bad are my Dawgs gonna whip the little orange kitties in that barnburner opening game? We have GOT to make a friendly wager on that one...

 

Thank you AUFF! I have been inside Aria a bunch of times to eat and play poker and such, but when initial conditions sort of pointed to staying there being one of the best options, I decided to embrace some new opportunities I might not have otherwise.

 

Thanks, G!

 

Good luck, have a great time,

 

The last few days, I have been crafting this list of 10 things I have not done before in Vegas so we can all follow my progress and see how many I get to do. Before I completed the list, Delta decided I did not need to sit in the very back of the main cabin. They wanted @Spivderman to be in the very front of this beast of a plane so for the first time in 20 trips, I will be channeling my inner @Riders and sitting in a single-digit row. (Do they serve drinks in those seats? Asking for an ex-friend.) I wanted to note that first experience but I did not want it to take the place of something I had already identified. I also wanted to note the first experience of not getting a rental car but this is a list of 'do things', not a list of 'not do things'. You can see my solution is one that roulette players will enjoy.

Top-10 List of (Hopeful) First Experiences

0) Do not rent a car
00) Fly Delta First Class to Vegas
1) Stay at Aria
2) Ride the Deuce
3) Enjoy a Mr. Miyagi while playing VP at Cosmo
4) Grab a morning snack at Donut Bar
5) Eat at Bardot Brasserie [Brunch Rez. on 4/4]
6) Enjoy a beverage at SkyBar
7) Eat at Blue Ribbon [Dinner Rez. on 4/4]
8) Enjoy happy hour at Ferraro’s
9) Savor the Welcome Back Menu at Jean-Georges [Dinner Rez. on 4/6]
10) Receive my first ever handpay!

The over/under for this list has been all over the place this week but offshore books currently show 7.2 (since there are a few advantage plays from 1-10).

Next up are a few teaser (not that kind) pics...

 

Thank you, R42!

 

Best of luck, Vebslinger!! FYI this past week had lots of families on the strip-spring break(?) and expect more to come next week. I love your FE goals.

 

Thank you, HHAD! I do plan to spend a little time at Cromwell (adults only) and Wynn (gotta get that Sinatra Smash) so I will be able to compare where the littles ain't to where they might be. I will certainly report out about this.

 

For those interested in teaser pics of cigars: