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Brief Observations from recent trip

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by dedhd, Sep 12, 2020.

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  1. dedhd

    dedhd Low-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    NYNY for seven nights- Labor day weekend crowded, but slim crowds afterwards.
    Fountain room My Vegas reward (reward was not asked for) $100 minimum spend but view unparalleled, food an drinks were good as well. reservations were required but no problems. Room keys were checked for being active before entry to any m life pools, no longer just flash a key. Really miss not having Park MGM not open, long walk to Bellagio, without the tram.
    Tram also not running from Excal to Mandalay Bay. Not all venues open some only open on weekends some not at all. Had to get a Covid test to get back into Mass. did so at Phamatech on Eastern, super easy, appointments taken, took less than 10 minutes and results emailed within a day ( thankfully negative).
    MGM casinos now asking for donations of the change amounts to tickets, four charities all tied to MGM.
    Car rentals still not 24 hour prices seem to be way up.
    Black bear diner good alternative to overpriced strip food, not a long way from the strip, good portions and prices.
    NYNY machines seemed extra tight, maybe just me but couldn't hit anything,
     
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  2. gadgets19

    gadgets19 VIP Whale

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    If @ NYNY would appreciate expanded comments.
     
  3. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Never tried Black Bear Diner but I had read good reviews of it on the board and I was thinking about dining there at one of their locations during a stop on my drive to the Grand Canyon.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2020
  4. cozyhome

    cozyhome Newbie

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    Is Phamatech walk up or drive up? Also headed back to Mass next week, staying downtown with no car. How far in advance did you need to make your appointment? Thank you.
     
  5. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    Black bear diner....:feedme:....think large portions of fresh (mostly) ingredients made on site. A mini hash house but not so much waste from portions.
     
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  6. dedhd

    dedhd Low-Roller

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    Phamatech was appointment scheduled online before I left MA, about a week before leaving. They take appointments and the cost was less than doing it in Ma when coming home. It is on Eastern Ave not too far from downtown, drive up for me, but I believe you could do a walk up as well. They are appointment only I was told, which is why there were no crowds when I was there ( I was the only one) Went on Wed morning and had results in my email on Thursday around 3PM
     
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  7. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    A significant improvement over HHAGG!
     
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  8. Carol1113

    Carol1113 VIP Whale

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    Another observation from our trip 3 weeks ago:
    Both the Mirage and Harrahs have put in non-smoking sections
     
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  9. Champster1

    Champster1 VIP Whale

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    Got 2 nights at Mirage. Glad to hear that!
     
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  10. FABismonte

    FABismonte Tell my wife I am "about even."

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    I like the chicken fried steak and eggs at Black Bear Diners. In my part of California, they serve outside in tables set in parking lots.
     
  11. JulianC

    JulianC Amateur

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    Great information about testing before returning home to MA. Just yesterday, I got to go outside for the first time in two weeks after getting home from Vegas.
     
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  12. mbely1000

    mbely1000 Low-Roller

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    I have been twice since Covid began and besides missing the shows, I don't feel like my trip was any less fun than pre-Covid trips. As always, IMHO, the most important aspects of a Vegas trip is your travel companions and whether or not you are winner at the end of the trip gambling-wise.
     
  13. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Aria and Bellagio do as well, there are many portions of the casino that have large signs up saying "no smoking" (along with "no eating", which I don't fully get). I also saw a big blowup between a guy and security at Aria yesterday, when he was told that he couldn't smoke in a dining area; security is taking it seriously.
     
  14. nin7474

    nin7474 Low-Roller

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    Thanks for the info.
    MASS resident here too. Going in NOV.
    What’s this “take the Covid” test to get into MA.
    I thought you can just quarantine for 2 weeks if not from a “safe” state according to Baker?
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2020
  15. rdwoodpecker

    rdwoodpecker High-Roller

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    I really think that with the shutdown over this Covid that casino’s have lowered the payout percent. They have to file with the local gaming commission but I think about all have. I have not been to Vegas during this but the casinos in Council Bluffs and Sioux City seem impossible to win much of anything.
     
  16. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    I've actually had good luck at the local Ameristar lately, not counting last Saturday, that is.
     
  17. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    You can get out of the quarantine requirement if you can show a negative test result that was taken within 72 hours before your arrival back in MA, or anytime after your arrival back in MA.

    You better bone up on the requirements, test or no test, there's an online form you have to fill out before you return.

    https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-travel-form
     
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  18. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    I can't speak to tribal casinos, but I can categorically assure you this is not true for general retail casinos in Vegas and other major markets.
     
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  19. nin7474

    nin7474 Low-Roller

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    Thank you so much.
    I'll fill out the Online Form.
    What's stupid about that is it only applies if you fly i guess. I have friends who drove back to MA from States not on the "Lower Risk List" and didn't fill out the form.
    I highly doubt they'll "drop in' and check. And i'll just get daily texts for 14 days?! Lame
    So basically a Honor System.:rolleyes2:
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2020
  20. rdwoodpecker

    rdwoodpecker High-Roller

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    Oh, lucky you! Ha, glad for you. Going to be down next watching our grandsons while their mom and pop enjoy Cancun for 5 days. Planning on some golf and probably daily stops at the casino.
     
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