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Live and Unexpectedly Solo at MGMs Grand and Park

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by diplomatic, Aug 1, 2021.

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  1. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    My Trip Report

    So here’s the thing: I’ve been planning this trip since before COVID. The friend I was initially planning to come with got in a motorcycle accident in May. He almost died. He didn’t, but he’s still in no shape to travel. The other friends who were then supposed to join me bailed last week because COVID is once again running rampant because lots of people refuse to get vaccinated, so this is now a solo trip. I wish I could see my friends after the year(s) we’ve all had, but solo is the way I prefer to do Vegas, anyway. Let’s do it.

    My last trip was in December 2018. You can read about it here: https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/ten-days-of-degeneracy-—-a-live-tr.156952/

    A list of things that have happened since then:
    • I moved to Europe.
    • My first child was born.
    • I got COVID and it was exceedingly unpleasant. (I survived).
    • My tour of duty ended and I moved back from Europe.
    • I read about a thousand different VMB trip reports, learning what works and what doesn’t, so I can provide a better product to you, dear reader.
    So here I am, at Tampa International Airport (of all places) getting ready to depart for the place I love best.

    97FDEB7D-17EA-4134-9A6E-647E690225D4.jpeg

    I make no promises. Except that I will hit lots of casinos, new and old, on- and off-strip, and there will be many pictures. And lots of craps and horse racing stuff. Probably some dumb bets on MLB and the Olympics. And buffets. And lots of drinks.

    Follow along. Tell me what you’d like to see/hear about. Criticize my VP strategy. I don’t care. I’m going to Las Vegas, Nevada.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 4, 2021
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  2. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

    Joined:
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    I scheduled an Uber last night to pick me up at my Father-in-Law’s house south of Tampa and, much to my surprise, a brand new Tesla rolled up, 5 minutes early. My first win of the trip! The kid driving had 5-stars, but he was listening to Michael Jackson and wasn’t wearing a mask. Fucking Florida, man. Get me out of this dumb state asafp. The little guy drove fast, though, and got me to the airport nice and early.

    Plenty of time for me to find my way to the Priority Pass Lounge…or so I thought. The geniuses that designed this airport didn’t make different terminals accessible to each other, so you can only use the lounge in Airside F if your flight is departing from Airside F. My flight, sadly, was Airside A.

    So I’ve got an hour to kill, loungeless, mixed among the (largely unmasked) Florida masses. No problem. I got a coffee and this absolute UNIT of a breakfast sammie, so I’m good. Next stop Houston (shudder) and then the land of milk and honey.

    4DAFE820-4EF7-4629-A690-0715AE916636.jpeg
     
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  3. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    Have a great time! De-stress. Enjoy being coddled. Let them coddle you. Take pics of your meals and let us know what you think of the places/food where you dine. Same with the drinks. Same with the casinos. That’s why we go.
     
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  4. VaDreamer

    VaDreamer High-Roller

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    Looking forward to following along. Have you made all of your dining reservations? I'm interested in whether the new mandate has made things less busy. it's great to have boots on the ground to provide real time info. Safe travels and hope you have a great trip.
     
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  5. Christina6001

    Christina6001 VIP Whale

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    I just got to Vegas and will be here until Wednesday or Thursday if you want to meetup for a drink or something. Sorry to hear your friend got into an accident and your other friends bailed, but solo trips are awesome:) Have fun and win big!
     
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  6. mark wagner

    mark wagner MIA

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    Have a great trip! As far the Uber drivers not wearing masks you can always report them to the company after your ride. Stay safe!
     
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  7. FormallyTD

    FormallyTD Big Time

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    If you could report back after you hit up Mink's in Henderson...the hookah/boob club, that would be great.

    I'm sure your father in-law already asked you to do that anyway.

    Enjoy...that is a long-ass drought being away from Clark County. I look forward to reading all about it.
     
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  8. Guy_

    Guy_ VIP Whale

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    following along
     
  9. Lady Fortuna

    Lady Fortuna Blessed with luck and ignorance...

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    Love that picture of Tampa Airport! Looking forward to your report! :beer:

    PS: I like pictures, descriptions and opinions. :thumbsup:
     
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  10. BoVegas

    BoVegas Low-Roller

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    Relax, Enjoy, Win.
     
  11. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    E9EFC43E-40D4-4D57-BC76-57304C62A56A.jpeg

    Yo Tampa, smell you later!

    Arrived uneventfully to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It’s packed but, surprisingly, mask compliance is pretty strong.

    I see that the Terminal C Priority Pass lounge is right next to my gate, and I have just enough time to swill down some free dranks! But alas, it doesn’t open till 11am. What the fuck, Houston?!

    Priority Pass is doing me dirty, but it’s all good because I’ll be wheels down in Clark County in a few, short hours.

    See you there, friends.
     
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  12. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    nah. I cancelled all the reservations that I had made for me and my buddies, but now I’m solo I’m hoping I can slide in at the bar most nights. I’m also counting on lots of cancellations/no shows thanks to the new normal. Foolish optimism? Stay tuned to find out!!
     
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  13. Glenn357M

    Glenn357M High-Roller

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    Are you friends vaccinated?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 4, 2021
  14. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    At almost every moment in Las Vegas I think to myself, “What would Mr. TD do in this situation?” Unfortunately, I am too old/married/regularly drug tested to follow that instinct in almost every instance.

    I’ll make you a proposition, however. In your honor, I will visit the ROUND TABLE BUFFET at the dirty dungeon during this trip. The over/under for how many plates I can eat before puking, shitting my pants, or dying is 5.5. Take a side, coward. If you win, drinks are on me at a time to be determined in the future.
     
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  15. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    Yes, but they have some extenuating circumstances, like young kids with health issues. I fully support and respect their decisions. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so you gotta do what works for you.
     
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  16. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    62D6C0B1-359E-4BA6-93EC-0B07B3EAED93.jpeg

    I forget, was this named for Herbert or J. Edgar?

    2369222C-D786-4D34-B978-11995FCE7695.jpeg

    Folks, have you ever seen a more beautiful sight in your lives?

    Get me off this goddamned plane! I’ve got to bet the afternoon baseball games!
     
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  17. Colesc15

    Colesc15 VIP Whale

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    Loving this so far!
     
  18. FormallyTD

    FormallyTD Big Time

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    RTB.jpg
    Not to mention, everyone has fun at the RT Buffet. They let 7 year old kids drink there.
    RTB-2.jpg
    Can't wait for the pics of all of the delicious dishes, Dip.
     
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  19. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    831AEFAF-4FED-4634-9DB0-CB6175A4A221.jpeg

    I deserve an award for being the first person to ever include the above photo in a TR.

    My phone told me that Lyft was experiencing a shortage of drivers at the moment and estimated at least 18 minutes for a car. Eff that. I was in a cab in less than a minute. The driver talked my ear off, but got me to the MGM Grand in no time at all. $19 flat rate.

    I walked into the big green building only to be greeted by the below scene. Absolute pandemonium at check-in. After a little looking around, I realized that the majority of the bedlam was people checking their bags at concierge, but check-in was still a disaster.

    5256FC3C-A77C-4719-96DA-11C0A35E87A8.jpeg F2EFDE8A-F6EB-4C04-BAE4-BEE2538B3CC4.jpeg 7E60E8B5-0D7A-4EF4-A3A1-D5D2136EE4BA.jpeg

    I’m not dealing with that right now. So I took my two carry-ons and my sorry ass through the casino and over to the Sportsbook. $150 in bets plus a $5 tip got me four (4) drink tickets. I’m gonna cash one in, wet my whistle, then brave that check-in line.

    D09B072F-D912-41EC-A1FF-8D26A4D434D3.jpeg

    For those following along at home, I have the Giants over the Astros, under 8.5 in the Rays/Ref Sox, and over 155.5 in the USA women’s basketball game tonight. Fade accordingly!
     
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  20. diplomatic

    diplomatic Always seeking drink tickets

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    It’s important to set a tone for your trip with the choice of first beverage, so I went with the best: Miller Lite and a shot of we’ll vodka.
    5CD50BED-799A-4291-94B3-9C8BFBED136D.jpeg

    Things at check-in had not improved substantially, but my MLife MasterCard gets me access to the StayWell check-in lounge. Not particularly fancy, but a short line and free water. Plus it smells good in there.

    E32DFF73-5C95-4336-A959-70FCBBE7F5B6.jpeg

    I booked tonight’s room at the Lion’s Den with my fancy pants Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, so the night comes with $100 food and bev credit, free breakfast tomorrow, plus early check-in and late checkout. There’s not a better deal in Vegas.

    Room is nice and big, clean, a/c working well. No complaints. Even has a purty view.

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    I’ve never stayed at the MGM Grand before, but always liked it as a visitor. It’s mobbed, but I’m still liking it. Also, I suppose a lot of this traffic will filter out tonight.

    47CD453C-1098-43C0-90E0-24183635F037.jpeg
     

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