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Kids in Vegas??? > Say hello come January 2013

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by servocam, Aug 11, 2012.

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  1. servocam

    servocam Tourist

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    Ok, need a little feedback here. My daughters do competitive gymnastics and our gym selected Lady Luck Invitational in January 2013 (we were pushing for the Presidential Classic at Disney World instead). So while we are excited, we are also not too sure. Have been to Vegas 3x, but never with kids.

    We don't plan on staying at the host hotel, South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa; ~6 or 7 miles South of MGM/NY-NY. Not sure where to stay yet, but more importantly, not sure what all activities there are to do with the kids for a few days. Thinking about bringing MIL & FIL (wife's 'rents) with. I have 5 kids. In January, oldest will be ~13 1/2 and the youngest will be 9 months. Didn't really want to have to get a rental car (mini van), but if we want to take them to the Hoover Dam, then maybe we will have to.

    I can't ever recall seeing a stroller roll down the strip. I only recall seeing kids at one show (Magic) but not at the Circ shows or BMG. Anyone else bring their kidlets and what do you do during the day/night w/ them? Suggestions? (say F it and go to WDW instead)

    Thanks
     
  2. shokhead

    shokhead No big spender unless eating drinking having fun!

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    Most likly in Jan you won't want to or be able to spend time outside.
    For the 9 month old it won't matter much where you stay and really not much for a 13 year old to do on their own. Circus Circus keeps them busy for a few hours then your stuck and same with Excalibur, really the only 2 left with any kind of kid theme and really only works for a few hours. The dam is cool if the weather is ok.
     
  3. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    I'm curious why you don't want to stay at South Point? It seems many people who travel with kids like South Point because of the family-friendly activities.

    As far as strollers on the Strip - yes, one does see them. Sometimes one sees oblivious parents pushing an exhausted child up the Strip well past midnight, amongst the stumbling drunk partiers. :rolleyes2:

    There are ways to have an age-appropriate family vacation in Las Vegas, but it requires parental care and planning. Recently there have been trip reports posted which described how some have accomplished this. Suggest you search the trip reports on this forum.
     
  4. servocam

    servocam Tourist

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    January Temps (Average)
    State...Hi.....Lo
    MN.....24.....7
    NV.....58.....34

    We will be the only ones wearing shorts! :)
     
  5. servocam

    servocam Tourist

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    Avoid the mayhem of all the other kids :)
    - still an option.

    I had to think a bit about this and I do recall seeing them during the day. I recall one late at night and my wife and I were wondering what kind of parents they were. Now that may be me???

    I'll look through the trip reports. I did some searches already but results for "Kids" "Gymnastics" and "Family" didn't produce good results. The "Parental care and planning" is the part we are starting now. I know they would enjoy a lot of the stuff like the fountains, volcano, cesars shops shows even we could get away with watching the Sirens. There are always plenty of exhibits as well.

    Thanks for info so far.
     
  6. travelfiend

    travelfiend High-Roller

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  7. TuneinTokyo

    TuneinTokyo High-Roller

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    Lied Children's Discovery Museum

    and the Natural History Museum is across the street. NHM has a Dinosaur exhibit and a room full of stuffed animals that are native to the area.

    I think it's either Orleans are Gold Coast that have a a baby sitting service called Kid Quest. (bring socks proof of shots ).

    Kiss Mini-Golf. a miniature gold course based on the rock band KISS.

    There are places that have movies and bowling and an arcade in the same place. (southpoint, Sams Town)

    Silverton has a big aquarium and a huge Bass Pro Shops.
     
  8. shokhead

    shokhead No big spender unless eating drinking having fun!

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    Some can spin it anyway and I have kids and as a kid went many, many times but it just isn't a place for kids/children. It's an adult playground that if you look hard enough and can as someone said tag team and all that then yes I guess you can make it work imo of course.
     
  9. dbueler

    dbueler High-Roller

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    Check out my "vegas vacation with the family" TR on this board. We always stay at the Orleans, but Southpoint would be similar. Orleans has a shuttle every 15 min or so to the strip, which is awesome.

    Lots of fun to be had for the youngsters, check out my TR for lots of details.
    diane
     
  10. servocam

    servocam Tourist

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    Thanks for now. I'll read those two reports. My biggest challenge is deciding if I want to go (do I really want to bring my kids to LV?).
     
  11. shokhead

    shokhead No big spender unless eating drinking having fun!

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    LV is made for Adults doing adult stuff imo. Like going to Disneyland and wanting to drink, get a little wild and just have adult fun. I guess you could fit that into Disneyland.
     
  12. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    9 people total? If event is at SP how do you all plan on getting back and forth without a rental car? 3 trips and never seen a stroller on the strip? There are many strollers on the strip. SP is one of the top places people with kids stay, they have an arcade, movie theater and bowling alley...not to mention good size standard rooms with NO resort fee. After 3 trips you know the kid places are Circus Circus, Excalibur, or off strip. I see a big rental van in your future OR WDW.
     
  13. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I flew out of Minneapolis for the Super Bowl last feb, it was -20, landed in Vegas got in the rental car and thermometer on dash said 75. 95 degree swing in three hours.
     
  14. paramont

    paramont Tourist

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    We haven't tried Vegas with young children, but took one vacation
    with teenagers and young adults. These are the things they enjoyed:


    Mirage: Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

    Venetian: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas - wax museum where you can
    get up close and pose with Johnny Depp, Leonardo DeCaprio etc
    There are even costumes you can wear to pose with the "stars" - my son in law
    donned a wedding dress (along with his army boots) and "married"
    George Clooney...

    Shopping at Fashion Show Mall or outlet centers.

    Mandalay Bay - Shark Reef

    Excalibur - Tournament of Kings (like Medieval Times)

    MGM Grand - Rainforest Cafe

    New York New York - Coaster (although probaby a bit too wild under 11 years old - and some of the kids may not reach height requirement)

    Harrahs - Mac King comedy magician

    Free stuff to do:

    Flamingos behind the Flamingo

    M&M store and Coca Cola museum (free to look, anyway)

    Tigers at Mirage

    Lions at MGM Grand

    Things I would NOT recommend for kids-

    Fremont Street Experience (too many drunks downtown)

    Conservatory at Bellagio - kids were bored, more a grown-up thing)

    Stratosphere or Paris Eiffel Tower - kids not impressed by view, bored quickly
     
  15. cloudi63

    cloudi63 MIA

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    We took our teens this summer, nearing 16 and 17, also weather is much different in January, with this said my nieces have had dance competitions in las Vegas at the Cashman Center during the same temps as when you will be there, we all stayed at the MGM they have the star lane shops and studio walk, also the roller coaster at NYNY ( manhattan ) was running back then if it's too windy than no way! Circus Circus is cool for that age, my nieces along with hundreds and hundreds of kids ages 8 to about 14, we're in Vegas, they have an arcade top floor of NYNY, the shark reef at Mandalay Bay, etc. anyway good luck.
     
  16. lisaloveslv

    lisaloveslv Low-Roller

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    South Point (and LV in general) won't be too full of kids in January, except for the first week, most will be back in school. I have three boys (16, 11 and 11) and South Point is one of their favorite places to stay. If you make it a family vacation vs. adult vacation, you can do Vegas with kids.
     
  17. servocam

    servocam Tourist

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    It is the host hotel for the gymnastics meet, so it will be full of kids! I think we are going to book 2 rooms @ Southpoint for now as we kick around our agenda over the next few months. I think we have made the decision of going. The rates for SP are very good vs. the other hotels (will be watching the emails for the last minute deals).

    I took a look at the convention list; looks like LV will have 60k of hunters/sportsmans. That may get some of the others to go.
     
  18. paramont

    paramont Tourist

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    Oops - just found out that Lions have been removed from MGM due to renovations. Apparently, they won't be returning.
     
  19. staceyw0630

    staceyw0630 Newbie

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    kids in vegas

    I know how you feel. We did both meets last year the lady luck and the presidential cup.. Honestly Lady luck is a waste of time... there is stuff for kids to do but everywhere you turn there is something bad going on... the meet was pretty lame too... We opted out of it this year.. I would highly recomend doing the presidential cup. It is a way better meet. It is fair and they are kid friendly and not bad price since they give you a discount on everything by far a great expierence! If you do have to go to lady luck we stayed at the luxor my daughter loved the bodies exhibit and the titanic. It is a decent hotel and the excalibur is right next door they have kid stuff there just not as great of rooms. Good luck to you guys and I hope it works out great for ya!!
     
  20. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I went for the Super Bowl last year. Plane left MPLS and it was -20. Landed 3 hours later in Vegas and it was 75. 95 degree swing in 3 hours. First thing I did was checked into hotel, put shorts and Birkenstocks on and went out on my way around town. I am still unsure why I live in Minnesota, I absolutely hate it here. Winters suck, and late summer and all fall my allergies kill me.
     
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