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Cosmo Terrace and scared of heights

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bri_castle

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Nov 10, 2016
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Trips to Las Vegas
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Hoping for some insight from everyone here.

I've been to Vegas a few times since 2004 and stayed at MGM, the Sahara, Bill's Gambling Hall, and the Trump. My husband and I recently booked a trip for early January 2017 and sprung for a room at the Cosmopolitan as it's our 5 year wedding anniversary. We don't have comps, we are low rollers who primarily bet on races in the sports books so Cosmo feels lavish to us.

We booked a plain old 'City Room', which doesn't have the balconies everyone raves about. We know there is a chance we'll be offered a paid upgrade (our trip is January 12-16), and we are considering the $20 trick for a view or upgrade, or might pay for it anyways.

My question is: has anyone who is scared of heights stayed in a balcony suite at the Cosmo, and if so, what were your thoughts? I'm terrified of heights beyond belief and am questioning if getting an upgrade will be worth it. Do the balconies feel safe?

I don't want to pay for an upgrade if the balconies feel scary to other people who are scared of heights too.
 
I hate heights, but I'm perfectly fine as long as I don't look up or down. Everyone is different, but a Cosmo terrace view is one of the reasons I enjoy staying there. There is a barrier to keep people from being right on the edge of the balcony, so you would have to lean onto that to want to look down.
 
bri_castle said:
Hoping for some insight from everyone here.

I've been to Vegas a few times since 2004 and stayed at MGM, the Sahara, Bill's Gambling Hall, and the Trump. My husband and I recently booked a trip for early January 2017 and sprung for a room at the Cosmopolitan as it's our 5 year wedding anniversary. We don't have comps, we are low rollers who primarily bet on races in the sports books so Cosmo feels lavish to us.

We booked a plain old 'City Room', which doesn't have the balconies everyone raves about. We know there is a chance we'll be offered a paid upgrade (our trip is January 12-16), and we are considering the $20 trick for a view or upgrade, or might pay for it anyways.

My question is: has anyone who is scared of heights stayed in a balcony suite at the Cosmo, and if so, what were your thoughts? I'm terrified of heights beyond belief and am questioning if getting an upgrade will be worth it. Do the balconies feel safe?

I don't want to pay for an upgrade if the balconies feel scary to other people who are scared of heights too.
Click to expand...

As mentioned before there is a barrier (about 3 ft) between you and the railing so you don't even really notice.
 
For reference, I am not good with heights of any kind, no High Roller for me, hate gondolas and ski lifts, didn't like having to go to the top of Stratosphere TWICE! ;) I have difficulty with escalators. The ones at Crystals give me the vertigo spins every time.

I have not stayed there, but I have been on the terrace several times on different floors. When I first go out, I get that woozy feeling for a moment, but as long as I stay close to the window, it goes away quickly. Once I'm acclimated, I'm good out there. It's better when I'm sitting. There is a pretty significant barrier, and once I take a moment and get my bearings, I love it out there. It's one of my favorite places to hang out in Vegas with a cocktail and some good friends. I actually prefer a higher floor so you can see more of The Strip.

Another thing to think about is the weather in January. It can be quite cold and there's no hiding from the wind up there as it's pretty exposed.
 
Hello @bri_castle
I'm one of those people who is afraid of high places and looking straight down terrifies me to the degree that I can't go near the edge of railings or balconies or cliffs to look down without getting panicked and shaky. I have found as long as I stand back far away from edges, like close to a building wall or a safe distance back from overlooks or cliffs, I can participate in many activities that my family enjoys. I was able to even climb a ladder up the sheer walls of the Anazazi cliff dwellings because I never looked downward; going back down was scary but I just kept my eyes pointed straight ahead or upwards and used my sense of touch to guide me back down (I was determined to not not ruin our kids family vacation). It was a real 'cliffhanger' experience I do not plan to repeat, lol.

This year for the first time we stayed at the Cosmo in a terrace fountain view room on a high floor knowing I might never make it onto the terrace; but after evaluating it from the door threshold, I tentatively stepped onto the terrace while holding onto the sliding door, I found the barrier of the double railing spacing and the way it is angled outward at the top would make it extremely difficult to fall over - in fact, it would take a lot of effort to climb onto if one was so inclined. We will be staying there again in a few days and I love sitting on our terrace and taking in the unbelievable panoramic views and watching the dancing fountains at an angle - I just never, ever look straight down and keep a comfortable distance from the actual railing.

If you decide on a terrace, I'd suggest a fountain view, at the very least you will be able to enjoy the Bellagio fountains and other views from the doorway threshold. Open the sliding doors and acclimate yourself to the view from there. Then you can decide if you want to step out or not. The terrace is deep enough to step out onto without feeling like you will fall over the rails, you can sit on a comfortable chair right next to the wall of the room and away from the railing. You may need to drag a blanket out there if you sit out at night - ask Housekeeping to bring an extra one after you check in.

Believe me, I relate to your fear, so just take baby steps and only do what feels comfortable to your level of tolerance - don't ruin your Vegas vacation over it. Best of luck and hope you have a wonderful stay at Cosmo celebrating your five year anniversary regardless of which type room you go with! Welcome to Vegas Message Board!
 
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as I have gotten older I cant take heights well at all. I used to be almost fearless. if had the balcony view, I would probably just enjoy it from the window, that is close enough for me I suppose. I want so bad to do the ziplines downtown but noooo. sometimes even escalators can make my knees turn to jello. I just hate it.
 
I have tried a number of things to conquer a fear of heights including taking flying lessons and becoming a licensed airplane pilot! This involved a number of "stall" exercises where you slow the plane down until it starts falling like a brick. So I conquered my fear of heights as far as airplanes are concerned and even learned to like stalls. I was still frightened of the terrace at Cosmo. But as the stay continued I became less afraid and was able to go out on the terrace. Just face your fears.
 
Sonya said:
... I have difficulty with escalators. The ones at Crystals give me the vertigo spins every time....
Click to expand...

A tip about escalators. Try hard to NOT look down at the steps. You may need to get your feet situated when you get on, but then look out and not down. Those lines can really mess you up. And, if you every have to walk them when they are turned off, it is much worse. Do NOT look at the steps when doing this. Many folks will get very disoriented if they look at those lines.
 
Wow, thanks for all the great advice everyone! This is truly the friendliest message board ever!

I'm so glad to hear the barrier increases the feeling of safety - I was wondering about that. And great advice to stick close to the door or put a chair by the door to start. I think we'll definitely try for the upgrade to a balcony room.

Big, big thanks to all you height-nervous people for weighing in!!
 
I think most people have a fear of heights (myself included), with that being said in order to go over the balcony at the cosmo you would absolutely have to be trying to go over the balcony. They did a great job with the guard rails making it where you can lean up on them, feel like you are leaning over the balcony, and yet still be 2 or 3 feet away from the edge of the balcony.
 
Once you get out there in sit in the chairs, it may also help. Those chairs are somewhat lower to the ground - er floor - and could make you feel more secure. Pic here
 
And I thought I was the only one with an Escalator thang...At my height of panic attacks I'd fret all morning before heading to the mall..I'm much better now. Ya got the bridge thing too. It's not that you are scared of falling over, it's just when I panic I'm scared I'll freeze at the wheel and not be able to turn the steering wheel and, just drive over...Or, on a balcony on a cruise ship..it's just because I CAN decide to climb over...Back to the Cosmo balcony. Definitely get one with the fountain view. Outstanding. And I do have to sit ON THE FLOOR of the balcony with my back to the sliders until I acclimatize. I have ventured to the blue seat. Baby steps. And I have gotten comfortable enough to stand and watch the partiers at Dayclub in another suite. Good luck on your trip!
 
another vote here for it.. i am also very afraid of heights but LOVED the terrace! I even ended up dragging the couch out there to sleep. They have a cool "double railing" setup so even if your leaning over the edge you are still pretty safe.
 
i cant remember if i brought binoculars or they had some in the room but i remember it being cool to people watch from up there during the day
 
I'm going to chime in, with my severe fear of heights. We go to Vegas often, and I can't get real close to a window of pretty much any room. Friends of ours get huge upgraded rooms with balconies at Cosmo, and I've been in to 'visit' a couple of times. I could not go out onto the balcony, and in fact had serious troubles watching anyone walk up to the railing on the balcony - while I was inside the suite. So totally your call, I know I'm a severe case. But strangely enough, I have zero problems flying, and have been on the High Roller probably 5 times with very mild 'discomfort'. Being on the bar pod helps. lol. But no chance I'm going on a balcony more than a couple floors up...
 
I thought that some posters in this thread might enjoy this video :thumbsup:

 
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