Harrah's 6/25-6/28

Our trip begins very nicely. Arrived at airport 2 hours prior as suggested by the airlines and we take off on time at 710am. 45 minutes into the flight and the pilot announces we are returning back to the airport due to cabin pressure problems.
Another 6 or 7 hours and we are again on our way.
I am a nervous wreck, I don’t like to fly.
Arrived in Vegas over 8 hours later than anticipated and husband is not amused.
We had one carry-on apiece and quickly departed the Vegas airport in search of a shuttle. Asked the first shuttle driver we saw when he will be departing, told in 15 minutes, so we walked to the next shuttle. 5 minutes we’re told by that driver and we pay the $6.00 fee ($12.00 total) and leave immediately for Harrah’s (no wait). Only three others in shuttle and we are dropped off very quickly. So happy we didn’t buy shuttle tickets ahead of time.

DAY ONE
Arrive at Harrah’s.
Husband being in a not so happy mood, wasn’t paying attention to where he was checking in and entered the diamond room. I tried to correct him, “Hon, we’re in the wrong area†but the diamond rep must have read his face and indicated it was ok, and my husband began his tale of airport woes, his loss of the slot tournament he had signed up to play in and other items on the itinerary that were missed. Diamond rep indicated she would see what she could do to help elevate his mood and offered a view of the strip on the 29th floor in Carnaval Tower. We thanked her and left for the room. It was very clean and tasteful, with a coffee maker, in-room safe and a view of the Mirage. We were very satisfied, no complaints and the housekeeper kept everything up to snuff. Tipped her a modest $1.00 daily, a little more the final night to show appreciation.
Everyone at Harrah’s treated us with smiles and made us feel welcome and appreciated as a guest. Everyone I noticed was treated the same.
Went to Casino Royale to play some inexpensive $3.00 craps. No luck, but had fun. Bottles of Michelob’s (ok beer) and frozen margaritas (so-so) are only a dollar. Not too much time to play because we had committed to see Mystere the first night and had to pick up the tickets from the TI box office.
The show was ok, but we were so exhausted that we can not fairly judge it. It was definitely more of a circus act than a show. The theatre was very cold, I shivered through out the performance, wished I would have taken a sweater.
Gambled that night at Harrah’s and had a great deal of play for my money. I thought the slots were fun and not too tight. The comps built up quickly. Played some quarters and nickels.
Cocktail waitress very attentive, came around every 15 minutes or so.
No time to eat, but no big deal, didn’t come to Vegas with that purpose in mind so hit the McDonald’s about midnight (located right outside the door of Harrah’s) for a late night $1.00 double cheeseburger.
We had nothing else, other than a few cookies the entire day. Would have taken time to eat if we had arrived timely, but with only three nights there is not much time to waste.
In room by 1:00am to sleep, so tired.

DAY TWO
Up around 8:00am. Breakfast, ate at Harrah’s café inside the casino. Had a cheese omelette, hashbrowns and English muffin, husband ate 2 eggs, sausage, hash browns and English muffin, both had coffees, food was good, bill came to $29.++. Thought it a bit high, but had plenty of comps to cover it. Good service left a $5.00 tip.
Visited the Venetian to check out the architecture and beauty. No gambling here.
Walked in the 114 degree dry heat to the Wynn and my husband signed up for a player’s club card, gave his e-mail address and received a $10.00 credit. After earning 25 points he got to spin the wheel for a prize and won Spamalot tickets for the following evenings 8:00pm show. I was very happy! We enjoyed the Wynn so we continued to play there and earned over 150 points that entitled us to 2 free buffets. Cocktail waitress was very efficient and went out of her way to obtain the type of drink my husband requested.
We decided to save the buffet for the evening of the show and take the long walk to Ellis Island to have the $6.95 steak special everyone spoke so highly of (steak, potato, green bean, soup or salad and beer (very good) or root beer).It was very good and service was attentive. Had nothing else so bill was approximately $14.00, left $3.00 tip.
It was 5x’s point day, we played blackjack and slots and earned $5.00 in comps in just one short hour.
Departed on foot and checked out places here and there but no gambling, just looking.
We visit Bills (ok place), O’Sheas (very young crowd) and Bally’s, just to look around, no gambling. We than walked to Casino Royale (this is more of a middle aged crowd) for $3.00 craps and returned to Harrah’s to play some slots. Again very attentive cocktail servers and lots of play for the money, but no major wins. The very fun nickel slot machine I played ( 18 coins ) actually took me down to 1 coin/5 cents, hit the bonus and took me back up to over $120.00.

DAY THREE
Up early and off to downtown. First visit, the El Cortez, its ok, but probably wouldn’t bother with a return trip. I played abit on slots, seemed tight and the tables were just ok. Next we visit all the casinos under the canopy, but didn’t really gamble too much. We also visited the California and the Main Street Station. We both enjoyed the gambling at Main Street Station where there was some play for the money, although again, no wins, just a lot of play, so we had fun. Boredom set in so we returned to the strip. We head off for the Wynn buffet and arrived about 400pm to beat the anticipated crowds I heard so much about. Seated immediately. The buffet was excellent and interesting. I had clam chowder with a fresh baked biscuit/roll. A thin slice of prime rib, alfredo noodles made to order, some octopus salad and squid salad. I also tried the asparagus and the fresh green beans with some fresh baked parmesan bread with parsley. That was just a small sampling, there was so much offered. My husband had the prime rib, lamb chops, huge crab legs, octopus salad and green beans. I hate to admit the deserts we tried. Carrot cake to die for. Made to order strawberry, blueberry whipped cream crepes, my husband’s fav. I loved it all.
We than left for Harrah’s to relax prior to the show.
Walked everywhere other than downtown and the slots o fun area, where we paid $5.00 for a 24 hour bus pass. It was 114 degrees, but our bodies had no troubles adjusting. We did not feel the discomfort others had issues with. We loved the heat although it gave me a great thirst.. We walked from Harrah’s to MGM and back, from Harrah’s to the Wynn and back, visiting every casino in between, with no troubles.
We arrived back at the Wynn, picked up the show tickets, hour prior and went to play the slots. I have to say, those cocktail waitress’s are so attentive at the Wynn. After a very very short time of play, she was there asking for my order. I told her a diet coke; I was so dehydrated I was in need of something to drink. She immediately handed me a bottle of water and told me to drink this while she gets the order. We always tipped $1.00/$2.00 per drink regardless of the type or the casino. We drank beer, soda, water and alcohol. No getting drunk, just an enjoyable drink or two.
We entered the Spamalot theatre and were surprised to see a snack bar, just like you’d see in a movie theatre. Unfortunately, the drinks available to everyone for $14.00 came in a common plastic cup and the $15.00 drinks came in a souvenir plastic grail cup, but are only available to VIP’s. I want a souvenir grail cup, but I am no VIP. I do not bother to go to the snack bar. It was the cup I would want, not the drink. A souvenir to remember the night.
We were given seventh row, side aisle seats. Yeah! My husband was prepared for a so-so show because as he told me, he is NOT a Monte Python fan. Well, you don’t have to be a Monte Python fan to enjoy Spamalot and he LOVED it just as much as I.
For those who don’t know, Spamalot stars John O Hurley who played Elaine’s boss on Seinfeld. He and the entire cast are so funny and talented.
After the show, we stay and gamble awhile. I look around a bit and notice many very well dressed middle aged men and women were in the casino that evening.
Hmmm, I’m wearing my nice Chico’s and still feel a bit out of place.
We take a walk back to the $3.00 craps tables at Casino Royale. No wins.
Visit Flamingo to view the gardens and the live Flamingo’s. No gambling here.
Off to Margaretville for a Who’s to Blame margarita (good) in a plastic cup and walk to the bus while drinking it. Get off at the slots of fun where it is too crowed at the low limit tables. Tons of people and one of them were in a very sour mood. Not a good vibe so we left. Checked out Circus Circus, that was ok, and than crossed the street to the Riviera, which we did not enjoy. I had asked a slot attendant where the nickel machines were and he pointed to nickel heaven and laughed as though I should have known that. Well, their nickel heaven is only penny slots which we do not enjoy, so we left. Yuk! Seems like every where we go, there are penny slots and if we hit $40.00 we can consider ourselves lucky. Hate those penny slots, but than again I also don’t enjoy those beloved Goldfish, Yuk! I had the bonus over and over and over at Harrah’s, still didn’t enjoy those goldfish. Speaking of Harrah’s, hit the fun nickel machine again, this time playing 27 credits for $350.00. Played a bit more, lost some of my winnings.
Off to bed, it’s about 300am.

FOURTH AND FINAL DAY
Up around 800am. We discover we have to walk back to Ellis Island because we have a $25.00 ticket to redeem. We played $10.00 of it, and would have played more, but the waitress never came around and I was dying of thirst due to all that walking in the heat.
Well, we have $5.00 in available comps so we asked the players club for a Metro Pizza credit and exchanged it for 2 bottles of cold water ($1.00 each) and a huge slice of DELICIOUS mushroom topped pizza ($2.95)! Oh, so good. Someday I will be back for that pizza!
Walked to Paris , just to have a look around, it was very nice. No gambling.
Walked to MGM. We found a slot machine called the LIONS SHARE. It is a dollar progressive that MGM has been trying to rid itself of, but unable to do so, due to the gambling control’s requirement of paying the progressive prior to eliminating the machine (that’s what I’ve been told). There had been a few more, but all have been eliminated, all but this single one which is waiting for someone to win.
To locate it, enter the main front doors of the MGM and walk way way down the aisle past the craps tables. It is there. It is located in the first row of machines on the end. You must play 3 coins ($3.00) per play to win the 2 million.
I put in fifty dollars and got nothing, no hits so decided to quit. No more gambling.
Walked back to Harrah’s and went to Toby Keith’s gift shop, purchased a very cool t-shirt using our comps. Yes!
Walked over to Caesar’s and the Forum Shops, very nice. We did not gamble but we walked around the casino. I thought the large bar with the video poker right in the middle of the casino was a good location.
They also had a grouping of blackjack tables at the entry and all the dealers were Pussycat Dolls. Young attractive girls in skimpy two piece green sequined outfits.
I would like to stay at this hotel some day. It is very nice looking, I think more so than the Wynn or Venetian. I’d love to shop in the forum while my husband is busy elsewhere.
Soon have to leave so we head for the Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville, we want to purchase a beach towel, but they have run out of the “fun†ones. Grrrr.
We have some more comps to use so we decided to have something to eat while there. Ordered a raspberry rita (very good at $7.95 or was it $8.95) and a volcano of nachos. OMG! HUGE and DELICIOUS at $10.95, could easily feed four people, I swear!!! Chili, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream guacamole, chips. We will definitely order those again.

It’s time to go home. Still have just about half of our gambling money in our pockets.
Went to the parking structure in Harrah’s and there sat an airport shuttle. So glad we didn’t purchase ahead of time. (I had heard horror stories of people who waited and called, waited and called, waited waited and panicked) We asked how much? He answered $6.50 each, paid up front. So off we head to the airport, 3 hours early as was suggested by the airline. We depart 1 hour late.
Husband is not amused.

 

Other than those flight issues it sounds like a FABULOUS trip!!!!!!!!!!

 

Nice TR. Is there a light board on the MGM slot machine showing the 2mm? That's an insane jackpot for one machine!

 

Seems you had a good trip. If you don't remember the airlines antics. Thanks for posting.

later, GVJ

 

Story goes it was part of a group of older progressives. MGM wanted to eliminate them from the inventory, but according to Nevada's Gaming Board, no progressive machine may be eliminated unless the progressive has paid out. MGM rid themselves of all the Lion Share, but this one single machine that must stay put until the progessive hits. I was told it was at 2 million, but don't recall seeing the numbers.

 

It sounds like you had a pretty good time; and, I agree with you about the people/staff. We found everyone where we stayed to be extra nice. It's funny what a bad economy will do to customer service.

 

We got burned both times that we took the shuttles buses from the airport to Harrah's. The last time it was a one hour trip because everyone went to a different casino and we were the last stop. We now take a cab. The last time the cab fare was around $15 without a tip. I don't need all the BS with the shuttles and they still expect a tip. I will gladly pay the extra that the cab costs.

 

Great TR report. Aside from the aircraft problem sounds like you had a great time.

 

Great trip report. Thanks! I'm staying one night at MGM on Sunday and I might drop $30 into the Lion's Share. I've been hearing a lot about it on the Five Hundy By Midnight podcast and elsewhere.

It's also good to read that the walk from Wynn to Ellis Island isn't too bad. I was looking on Google Earth and was wondering if the friend I'm going with would last. I don't mind at all, and love walking.

 

I have to admit that was my previous experience when I pre-paid. Hated the shuttle and long dragged out ride to the hotel.
One of the things I learned from reading comments on this board was never pre-buy shuttle tickets. Worked out well for us...at least this time.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

If you do the walk to Ellis Island remember to use your comps before you leave town. The Metro Pizza inside the casino is delicious and they have cold bottled water you can take with you on the long walk back.
It was a trek, but I need the workout and it doesn't seem much like exercise when you have fun on the mind.

 

Can't hang around the message board any longer, this just makes me yearn to return.
I just wanted to thank everyone that posted comments, they were so helpful in making my trip abit more enjoyable. I hope I've done my part for this board.
I'll be back in about 9 months, see ya then

 

Nice TR.

 

Great report. One day someone is going to post "I won the Lion's Share!". I hope it's me!