Week Before Christmas- Good Time To Visit?

[UncleBen]

I'm planning my 2017 trip and am tempted to try Sunday the 17th of December through to the 21st. This would mean I wouldn't need to take any time off work which is a bonus.
What's it like that week?
Is it quiet with low table minimums or does it start to get busy?
I was in Vegas in December in 2015 but wasn't so keen as it was during The NFR and it was a country music overload for me!
The holiday season sounds fun but just wanted to know other peoples thoughts.

 

[smerrian]

Honestly, I found this time frame to seem just as busy to me as any other time of the year. I know 'they say' it's just about the slowest time of the year, but re-post your findings here when you get home...I saw no difference.

 

[dmr]

We're there (my extended family and friends) almost every year right before Christmas. One of my favorite times to visit! It's typically cold here and much less in LV and it's a great getaway! This year we're starting at Sams Town and ending up at (blow on fingernails, wipe on blouse) at Caesars.

Crowds are down and lines are shorter. This has been changing recently, but last year the Rio casino was a ghost town on Christmas Eve. Comps and great room offers are better than they were the last two years.

 

[irmster]

I usually go just before Christmas and stay until just before New Year - and these days it very busy.

I'll be there earlier this year (next week) and will interested to see if it's any less busy.

 

[Yall]

I've been a few time in December a week or two before Christmas and also during Thanksgiving.

As others have said it's a little less crowded, but not so much so that it doesn't still have that Vegas vibe.

Anecdotally, it feels like everyone is a little more friendly. Whether that's due to the holidays or simply the fact that it's not a complete madhouse (or maybe a mix) I can't say.

Downside? Not wearing shorts as often and sometimes the heat in the Casinos can be a bit dry when it kicks on.

 

[Drewby2b]

I was wondering the same thing. I'll be there the week before xmas this year so maybe I can provide an updated report to add to the info here!

 

[UncleBen]

Thanks.
My last trip, last month, I left on Thanks Giving Day and felt the friendly 'holiday vibe'. I'd be happy to experience that again before Christmas.
Weather wise I think it will just encourage me to book another summer trip at some stage!

 

[FullPay]

This is my second year trying for a birthday trip in the third week of December and I find it to be very busy due to all of the pre-Christmas marketing of the last few years. Flights on Southwest are more expensive and more likely to be sold out with Holiday travel in general. Do not attempt typical tourist moves like flying home on Sunday or flying home on January 1st. Maybe the casinos aren't as packed, but I guess Vegas residents also fly during the holidays, just a messy time for travel.

 

[martinr]

Intetesting week to consider. I'll be there and leaving on Friday, the day before Christmas Eve. Looked into shows like Crazy Girls, Sexxy, etc and they are shut down during that week. Fantasy is the only one with performances. On the plus side, for CET comp rooms, I am seeing nearly unlimited free rooms top to bottom, except The Cromwell for the whole week. I'm still going to make reservations for dining just to be safe. I've been in Vegas earlier in the month of December before, but never this week. Like others, I'll try to provide some reflections and observations while I'm there.

 

[iviicrociot]

I went between the 17th and the 20th last year, but it was also my first time in Vegas so my experience doesn't have much to compare to. But, as far as table minimums, I can say that at the Bellagio/Caesars I never saw a $5 table period, even at 10 in the morning. Most tables were 15-25 and once evening hit I didn't see anything at the Bellagio under 25. Mornings were pretty slow and not crowded in the Bellagio, I was asked if I wanted a drink within about 2 minutes of sitting down at a VP machine (I actually declined it because I didn't realize it was free...first time gaming in Vegas lol).

Friday and Saturday night are a completely different story, Bellagio and Caesars were both hopping. Marquee club? Had a giant line even at 2am and I think filming for WSoP was happening in the poker room. The O show had a lot of people but I don't think it quite sold out on Friday night, however, Absinthe on Saturday night at Caesars was jam packed.

I also visited the Venetian Saturday afternoon and it had quite a bit of traffic but not overbearing at all (the whiskey bar was pretty empty though except for someone sleeping on the couch). Delmonico's was busy at 4pm so if you're looking at any of the nicer places I'd still make reservations or use round table.

Honestly, I had the most fun on Fremont Street Friday night. Binion's had $5 blackjack (was only 6:5 though and 6D) but considering I had never sat down at a table game, the other 5 people there welcomed me and didn't get angry at all even when the dealer told me I wanted to stay with the dealer showing 6 as it was a bust hand. At 1am there were still people head banging to a throwback 80s band in the street.