long overdue trip report May16-22

Thoughts from our recent trip to Vegas:

Thanks to this board, we were better prepared to see, eat and gamble than we have ever been. My sincere appreciation goes to all of you!!
I love E-check-in!!

If you are going downtown from the airport–take the shuttle. We were routed to a shuttle that was going only downtown, and reached our destination as fast as we would have if we had taken a cab!!

Fitzgerald’s is a great low-end place to stay. We were given a corner room–bigger than the corridor rooms. Very clean. With wrap around windows facing the strip (of course it was mostly behind the bank building) We were on floor 25. The desk clerk apologized that he didn’t have one available on a higher floor, I think the view would have been better up higher. But what do you want–the room ended up being completely comped for the whole week. My only complaint is that the air conditioners are still too loud!.

I miss Mr Lucky! But I’m glad the Blarney Stone is still in place on the 2nd floor. Can never quite get up the courage to KISS it (have you seen some of the characters wandering around downtown?!) But rubbing it chastely has almost the same psychological edge.

I’m a little worried about the stability of the 2nd floor at the Fitz–it shudders when anyone walks by.

Had a coupon for 2-4-1 Dirk Arthur at the Plaza–not great, but not bad. Steak and lobster at the Plaza–good steak, 2 bites of fishy lobster–and the waiter must have been chastised that night, because he apologized about having to give us french fries when we hadn’t even asked! Funky band in the lounge–It was so campy that I had to reassure myself that they were actually TRYING to be funny!

Free Mac King show–entirely under-rated–sooo funny! While we were waiting in line (and waiting and waiting) a group of people got in line complaining loudly about not being told where the line was, so they were now way at the end yadayada. Anyway, once we were seated–guess who they seated at our table–yep–yadayada. Story of my life. Luckily, my husband is Mr.Niceguy, and defused the situation and we had a nice time. I’m glad the show is moving upstairs-I think this show will get more and more popular.

Has anyone noticed a funny smell in Vegas? We smelled it while waiting for the shuttle at Harrah’s, and alos crossing the street near MGM and again downtown. Could it be that Vegas’s septic system needs an overhaul?

Fremont Street is totally awesome!! Every year, the street gets more funky and cool.
The canopy was almost completely working, although we were told that the new effects wouldn’t be running til June 14. Wish I could have seen it. But the whole atmosphere is so charming. Rock bands on one corner, Jazz Sax on another, oldies to sing along with...all competing for attention–very cool!

Walgreens saved my bankroll–just steps from the hotel. Water, pop, munchies, even souvenirs (cheap) !

Also ABC store–excellent buys on candy souvenirs

Dr Al–thanks for the tip about the Golden Gate–I love this place! The diner is cozy, has good old fashioned service and great food (everyone has GOT to try the beef stew) And I even won $300 on a nickle Family Feud Slot. Very funny story–it took 4 people (change attendant, slot host and 2 security guards) to pay me. No you didn’t read it wrong–it was only $300. Anyway it was fun to be the center of so much attention!

Main Street Station–such a beautiful place. We had to go several places to find a brochure so we could find all the antiques, but it was worth it. MSS has a really good buffet, and a lovely setting.

Two stories about people down on their luck:
1) Across the street from MSS, there was a poor man lying face down on the street. People just walked around him. I couldn’t even interest a security guard to go investigate. When we left MSS, he was gone. I hope he is alright.

2)Hubby won $1600 on a keno machine at the Fitz. A man had been hanging around the keno lounge just drinking and smoking–I never saw him place a bet. Hubby told me that he had asked him for some money shortly before I got there and before he won his jackpot. When hubby was paid, I was worried that the man would follow us, so I loudly announced that we would be going down to the hotel desk to put the money in the safe there. We didn’t, but we weren’t followed either. I thought we should have reported him, but we both felt sorry that we suspected him–he was probably just down and out.

Took a cab to MB. Walked the 17 miles to the shark encounter. Great display–Very well done, especially the sunken ship display. I had a couple of laughs about human nature. First, there was a guard stationed by the Pirana pool. I jokingly asked if she was there to keep people from puting their hands in the pool, and she said YES. Are there really people who would do that? Second, At the petting pond we were told repeatedly to put the guide wand on a table before bending over the water. So what did everyone do? You guessed it–dropped the wand in the water DUH

Took the tram from MB to Excaliber–just us, 3000 of our closest friends, and a man who hadn’t taken a shower since the ice age. Even the Excaliber smelled good after that ride. Then we walked across the strip to MGM (what did we ever do before the walkways)

Dinner at Rainforest–the best thing about it was the bird demonstration outside. There was a parrot that reminded me of my grandson–when he wasn’t getting enough attention, he let out a screech that could be heard....well, I’m sure you heard it wherever you were on May 19th!

Howie Mandel—what can I say? I laughed so hard I thought I would be sick. My sides are still hurting. We were seated with a middle aged ‘couple’(?) That really needed to stay in their hotel room. Found out that HE is from Baltimore and SHE is from Ft Lauderdale Hmmmmm

The next night we took a cab to Bellagio. We were taken to a side entrance that was close to the theatre. Word of advice–do not go to that door after the show–it is blocked off to traffic. We thought we would walk down to the bottom of the drive, to see if we could catch a cab there–nooooo- we ended up walking all the way around to the front (at least 10 miles!) And were almost at the end of the cab line. So much for shortcuts!


O was even better than I remembered it. We sat in the front row of the 2nd section–excellent seats! I think we enjoyed it even more, because last time we sat way up high and saw the underwater frogmen. I couldn’t believe how many people were in line waiting for standby tickets–I bet there were 200 people. Many of them even got in.

We got to see them planting the Conservatory with red white and blue flowers for the new summer exhibit. Very interesting. They were using a huge lifter to get the decorations up high in the dome. Sorry we missed the finished product, but fun to see the transformation!

Muffalletta sandwich at Magnolia’s is awesome!

The Fremont casino is dead, and I was disappointed in the breakfast buffet. We did get it comped, and it’s nice to be able to use the VIP line, but the food was cold, and we didn’t see our server after the initial coffee was served. The best thing about the restaurant is the omelet guy.


Hit $550 our last day 250 on 2 different quarter slots–that’s the best time to hit–when you have
no time to lose it!

Cocktail service story: I ordered a white russian, and complimented the server on her hair. I tipped $1. A little later, I ordered another, and engaged her in conversation for a few minutes. I tipped $1 again. I don’t know if it was because I was pleasant to her, or if $1 tip was that appreciated, but a little later, she brought me another drink without my asking, then later she brought me a drink “just to tryâ€â€“Kahlua and Butterscoth–sinfully good. Then a little later she brought me a bottled water. Again without my asking. Moral of the story–BE NICE!

We were going to get a cab to the airport, but the bellman told us they had a company that would send a Lincoln Towncar for a flat fee around the same price as a cab. We said ok, and told him the time. When we were ready to go, there was no car. We waited about 10 minutes, and the bellman came over to us and said he just found out that the driver was sick. We said that’s ok we’d take a cab. He said no–he would get the hotel limo and take us in that–free, because he felt responsible, See why I like the Fitz?

We had a great time, didn’t come home with more than we went with, but didn’t come back broke either. We can’t wait til our next trip! Sorry this report is so long–I thought by using this format it would be shorter–oh well,, I hope you enjoyed it anyway!

 

Glad you enjoyed your trip to the Gate. I'm pretty sure DavidB had the stew when we were there, and it looked pretty good.

I've got a funny mental image from your down and out story #2, as you loudly announce "HERE WE GO, STRAIGHT TO THE HOTEL DESK TO PUT THIS MONEY IN THE SAFE, SO WE WON'T BE CARRYING IT AROUND, AND THERE WON'T BE ANY POINT IN ANYONE FOLLOWING US TRYING TO STEAL IT, IF ANYBODY HAD THAT IDEA..."
Or maybe I watch too many sitcoms.

Nice report, thanks for sharing.

 

Very nice!

 

That was a good report. Kahlua and butterscotch - sounds like a good mix to me and I'll have to try it some time. Glad you had a good time in Sin City.

 

Was that Kaluha and butterscotch schnapps? Bartender...

 

yes--I had to ask that myself. Takes care of your alcohol craving and your sweet tooth at the same time!

 

Hate to seem like a one track mind, but how was it served?

 

over ice--I don't know if it had some cream in it to dilute it or not--probably not, because it sure did give a warm fuzzy feeling!

 

We used to drink them in college I think we called them buttery nipples!! I can't remember if we put anything else in them....oh well I guess I had toooooo many to remember...LOL!

Great trip report! We like staying at Fitz too. Everyone is so friendly and we usually do good there too. Last trip we must have won 10 free steak dinners for hitting 4 of a Kinds. Are they still running that promo. It wasn't the best dinner but wasn't awful either. Love the corner rooms too.

Thanks for the report! Glad you had a good time and didn't come home broke! That makes for the best kind of trip!

 

your report was similar to mine! loved mac king, did not like the fremont breakfast buffet, loved main street station...

kahlua and butterscotch sounds really good. i think i need to try it.

thanks for sharing your report!

 

Very nice report!

I know exactly what you mean by the septic smell. It was very strong behind Sam's Town casino while waiting for the shuttle. It was also strong outside of Harrah's. I'm surprised more haven't commented on this because everyone sure was at those places.

We stayed downtown, but I don't remember it there.