MGM GRAND 4/27 thru 4/30/2008

LAS VEGAS 2008

We went to Las Vegas April 27-30th 2008. It was a “belated†21st birthday trip for Brandon. He brought his two friends, Donald and Kevin. Matt & Stephanie also went with us.

Sunday-April 27th-We left our house at 7:00am, Donald was with us. We picked Kevin up at his apartment and met Matt & Steph at the Sunray Bowl parking lot. We proceeded to Team Parking, dropped off both cars and took the shuttle to the airport. We checked ourselves in and were on our way. The flight was on time and we actually arrived a little early to Vegas where it was 76 degrees. After a long walk and tram ride, we got our luggage. Of course we were one of the last. The taxi cab line was extremely long…..we waited 20 minutes or so for (2) cabs. Cost to MGM Grand $11.20 plus tip. We checked in immediately. After a short wait, Randy and I and the boys got our rooms. Matt & Steph had to wait till later for theirs. We were in Room 24336 and we faced the strip, specifically New York, New York Hotel & Casino. We decided to go to the pool for awhile. It was a beautiful day and the sunshine was nice. We all got a drink, but had to wait forever for it! Matt and Steph and I took a swim down the Lazy River. I called Mom and told her we arrived safely. We went back to our room about 3:30pm. Matt & Steph then got their room and we agreed to meet at 5:30pm at the elevators to get some supper. Brandon called a couple of times and they were making their way down the strip with several stops along the way. They walked from the MGM to the Stratosphere and took the Monorail back. WOW! We unpacked and showered and rested a bit. We went down to meet Matt & Steph. They had just won a $300.00 jackpot on the Majestic Lions dollar machine. What a way to start off the trip! We were all so hungry we grabbed fast food at the food court. Nathan’s Hot Dogs for us. After this we played a little at the MGM, and then walked over to NewYork,New York. We gambled here just long enough to get a drink, and then walked over to the Monte Carlo. We were here for awhile, Matt & Steph played some “WARâ€. This was the game that proved to be the money maker for everyone on the trip. We went back to the MGM and gambled before bed. We got a piece of Pizza and called it a night somewhat early. 11:15pm (1:15am at home). Unfortunately, I had to call security on the big party down the hall. It was extremely noisy and I was worried we wouldn’t sleep. Security came and we didn’t have any problems. Just before going to bed, I got a text message from Brandon that he just won $275.00 on Blackjack. Matt called at Midnight to say he won $600.00 on WAR. He called again at 2:00am to say he won another $600.00 on WAR. All the kids were together having a great time! We drifted off to sleep in the most comfortable beds we ever slept in.

Monday April 28th-Randy and I got up around 8:30am. We left our room about 10:00 am to get some breakfast. We ran into Matt & Steph in the casino and they wanted to eat as well. We left the MGM, then separated. We wanted Breakfast, they wanted Lunch. We ate a wonderful breakfast buffet at the Monte Carlo ($11.95). Brandon called while we were there and wanted to know the plans. I told him we would all be at the pool later and would meet for dinner tonight. We left the Monte Carlo and went back to the MGM. We went to the pool for a couple of hours. Matt & Steph were already there as well as Brandon and Kevin. Donald was a no show. I found an inner tube and I went down the river one time. It was another beautiful day. We agreed to meet in our room at 5:00pm to go out for supper. We went back to the room for awhile. Randy and I went downstairs at 3:45pm to rent a Van from Dollar Rent a Car . We then went to the Crazy 8 Bar and had a comp drink while we played the bar top machine. We were going to meet Matt & Steph there, but missed them. We found out later they were at the other end of the bar which was “L†shaped. I broke even here. Everyone came to our room and we visited for a while and off we went.We found the Van easily and Valet parked at the RIO. We ate supper at the All American Bar & Grill. Matt & I had the ½ rack barbeque ribs for $11.95, Brandon and Stephanie had the steak sandwich for $12.95. Everyone else had various sandwiches. It was excellent service and wonderful food. We toasted Brandon’s 21st birthday. Total bill with tip, $200.00. We played here a bit afterwards. Brandon won $100.00 on a slot machine.

We drove downtown and parked at the Golden Nugget. We agreed to meet at the four corners at 10:00pm. Brandon started getting a little sick. He was very sun burned and I think a little dehydrated. He sat down at a bank of machines at the Freemont and drank some water and rested. I played some video poker here for at least 45 minutes, but didn’t win anything. We watched the light show for a bit, then left. We drove down the strip and went back to the MGM. We went back to the room for drinks and then back to the casino. We won a few more jackpots and went back to the room about Midnight. Another party down the hall and in bed at 1:00am. We had a plan to meet up with Matt & Steph at 11:00am and go out with the Van.

Tuesday April 29th-We woke up about 8:45am and got ready. Matt called at 10:00am and said they would have to cancel. They didn’t get in till 5:00am and were not feeling so good. They would catch up with us later. Randy and I took the van and drove to the new “Palazzo†Hotel & Casino which opened in January, 2008. We had lunch at the Grand Lux Café in the hotel. It was a very nice place and we had a great lunch of Soup, Sandwich and Salad for $9.95. We then went to Planet Hollywood. I played a (5x) machine and hit a 7, (x2), (x5). This was 1200 quarters, $300.00. I was so excited! I never won so much on a quarter machine before. We left Planet Hollywood. I called Matt & Steph and they still were laying low. Steph was especially sick. We took the Van back and went to the room. Brandon stopped by to get some more money. We agreed to meet everyone again at 5:30pm and go see Big Elvis and make some plans. Randy and I went downstairs at 5:00pm to have a drink and we both hit a jackpot. $75.00 for Randy and $50.00 for me. We went back upstairs and Stephanie was still sick and would not be going out with us. Brandon and his friends wanted to ride the roller coaster at New York, New York so we split up. It turns out the ride was closed because of the high winds this day. Matt, Randy and I took a cab to Bill’s Gambling Hall (formerly Barbary Coast) and watched part of the Big Elvis show. Later, Brandon and his friends joined us and we ate supper at the Victorian Room within this casino. We again had another wonderful meal. Prime Rib dinner for $14.95. After dinner, I learned to play Roulette with the kids and made $4.00.

We walked over to Carnival Court and of course this place was hoppin!! I think it was around 9:00pm. The boys ordered the $25.00 drinks that were a foot long. The bartenders were putting on a show and a live band was playing. It was loads of fun. Randy found a $50.00 bill on the floor. We stayed about an hour. Brandon, Kevin and Donald had a pre-arranged Limo ride picking them up at the Mirage at 11:00pm to take them to the Sapphire Strip Club. We left them and Randy, I and Matt took a cab to the Monte Carlo because Matt wanted us to play “WARâ€. Randy and I each bought in with $100.00; Matt bought in with $50.00. Randy and I both lost. Matt walked away with $375.00! The three of us went back to the MGM and played a little longer. Steph was still sick and never made it out of the room the whole day. We were in bed about 12:30pm. Matt called at 2:00am to ask what time they needed to get up in the morning.

Wednesday April 30th-Randy wakes me up at 9:10am. OMG! I have to get up and pack. I slept so sound and would have kept on. The beds were so comfy!! I contacted front desk and got extended stay till 12:30pm. We got ready and packed up. I called Brandon’s room and got no answer. No answer on the cell either. Randy walked down to their room and pounded on the door. Kevin was up, they were all pretty hung over. I walked to their room and called front desk and asked for an extended stay. They had till 1:00pm. I told him to be out of the room by 11:00am if they wanted to get something to eat before we leave at 12:15pm. I told him, Dad and I and Matt & Steph were going to the buffet at Monte Carlo. We did just that and had a little breakfast and lunch at the same time. The made to order Philly Cheese Steaks were awesome. Matt & Steph had a $100.00 chip to cash in here. They did that and we walked back to the MGM. I played my last $20.00 in the sizzling (7) machine and lost. Matt played and won $50.00. Back to the room for our luggage. I knocked on Brandon’s door and they hadn’t even left yet to eat. I said we HAVE TO GO!! He thought he had till 12:15pm and I said, NO-WE HAVE TO LEAVE AT 12:15pm. He had wanted to get the buffet and lost his chance. He also had a $22.00 ticket to cash in at the Tropicana which he had to forfeit. I said meet us in the Lobby at 12:30pm to catch a cab. Well, of course we all were there but Brandon. He went to the Rain Forrest Café and ordered two chicken sandwiches to go, which held us all up! We took (2) cabs to the airport, $15.00 including tip and got there at 1:00pm for our 2:20pm flight! We had to self check in, but had 20-30 minutes to spare. Flight was on time and we arrived at 7:10pm to 60 degrees.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

There's nothing like going to Vegas for your 21st even if it's a little belated. That will be something he'll always remember. Nice wins at WAR
We try to make sure we're in early (midnight or so) the night before we leave because it is so hard to get up and leave the next day.

 

His actual birthday was December 31,2007. It would have been fun,but we wanted to wait for the warm weather and the pool. We took Matt there for his 21st and made a promise to Brandon his turn would come.