jetsetter

we are staying here for 4 days next year and would like to hear from anyone that has stayed here. we are going to have 2 kids with us[1 and 6] and would like some info on where we can take them. i know that there are some hotels with theme parks etc that would suit them. be grateful for any help. thanks

rjw_lgb_ca

Here is my recommendation:

Immediately change your reservation.

Circus Circus is a dump, plain and simple. Terrible location, lame theme, lousy rooms, awful food. Excalibur is a small step up, but I wouldn't choose that one either.

With children that young, I don't know that it will really matter, as just about everything in Vegas will go over their heads. I'd stay somewhere else-- anywhere but Circus Circus!-- and bring them over to CC for a little play time.

Maybe you could look into New York New York...?

gplimpton

Sorry to say, but I'll second the above strongly worded opinion.
4 days is a long time in LV, and Circus Circus is one of the worst places to spend them.
There are so many competitive hotels (granted, few geared toward kids) that you should be able to find good rates at a better, cleaner hotel in a nicer area.
Most all LV visitors calling themseves a 'jetsetter' would steer clear of CC.

E

I third the above--Circus Circus is Crummy Crummy. Staying somewhere newer and cleaner would be better for the kids--I'm sorry I can't help with suggestions, but I'm sure you can find ideas by searching old threads here, or reposting for hotel ideas. Good luck!

rjw_lgb_ca

A recent thread saw a little skirmish of words about Las Vegas' appropriateness for children. For a few years, the Convention and Visitors' Bureau tried to sell LV as a "family" destination-- till they started looking at the numbers and realized that those visiting families don't gamble much. So now they're selling sin and skin again-- "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" is the new slogan. So look for kid-themed stuff right on the Strip to be even rarer in coming months. Some posters were able to come up with a list of kid stuff in the LV metro area, so a search might help in that department.

Wednesday

I have to agree, at least the Excalibur is in a great location and has many neat hotels within quick walking distance on all sides.

Loki

Get out of Circus Circus. Excalibur, Luxor, MGM, NYNY would all be MUCH better choices, and unlike CC, they are within walking distance of many attractions. Alos, to reiterate what rjw said, Vegas is attempting to shred some of the family friendly perception. As long as you are prepared for that, you'll be fine but don't take the kids to the "pirate show" and gripe that it's just a bunch of scantily clad off-duty strippers shakin' what they got. As for what to do, I think 1 year old is a bit young for me to have any constructive suggestions for. I know there is a big arcade at MGM and Wet n Wild is on the strip which could be fun for the 6 year old as well as the rides atop the Strat (if tall enough - the child not the strat). And FYI, the Bellagio may not let you in with your kids, just fair warning. Some properties frown on non-guest children.

Troop

The place is a dump....end of topic.

John

Am going to Vegas next month. Agree
Circus is a dump!
Is the steak house there still recommended????

X_Bellman

The Steakhouse is still one of the best and thats about the only good thing at the CC unless you want to learn how to play BJ on the $2 tables

formerfreqflyer

I stayed at CC just over a month ago because of the low price only. It's still a dump; rooms facing the west get amazingly hot in the afternoons even with drapes pulled. Bored, I wandered into Adverturedome (whatever it's called) and played putt-putt golf on a very sad, dull course, and played Air Rifle Shoot Out with a rifle that did not work. The Dome might entertain your 6 yr old for a little while.
Did not eat at the Steakhouse but a cab driver told me it was "the best" in town.

Deborah

Circus Circus

Yuck Yuck

kanderomero

My sweet Mom planned a family vacation to Vegas for Christmas a couple of years ago and we stayed at, you guessed it, Circus Circus. My brothers and I hated that place! You're huddled over on the wrong side of the tracks at Circus Circus. The sad part is that a couple of weeks before we went she had an opportunity to switch to Mandalay Bay for the same price, but declined thinking it wasn't worth the trouble. She didn't hear the end of that miscalculation! Trust me, if it is at all possible to switch to another hotel/casino you will thank your lucky stars that you did. You will feel like a refugee in Circus Circus compared to all the other nice places. Even if you stay at the Hilton or something it will be a lot better.

hilaryg

I couldn't agree more about Circus Circus being a dump. But I have an inexpensie alternative! The Flamingo. Extremely well located (mid-strip, right next to Paris), clean rooms, refurbished, simple, decent food, AND the BEST pool on the strip. I assume the 6 year old likes to swim, as all kids do?? The rooms are usually around $100 a night.

Heed our warnings, Circus Circus is the black hole of Calcutta!

muffin

I also say skip CC!

Lake

Please do yoursef a favor and do not stay at Circus Circus.

siun

add one more to the switch reservations now crew - stayed there about 2 years ago and it was the worst LV experience ever and so far from any of the things that make LV fun.

There's a reservation site on the las vegas visitors www site that often has good rates and there's always hotwire, etc (hotwire is my booking agent of choice but tricky if you need special room configurations for kids though most hotels will accomodate your requests if you call the concierge after you book - not the reservations folks). That said, hotel bargains are always available in LV (except for special dates like New Years) so you should be able to find a good deal. CC sounds appealling because they play up their circus and adventure dome but even your 6 yr old will be disappointed.

I'd try the Luxor - egyptians, pyramids and all should thrill the 6 yr old as will the funny little monorail to Excalibur and Mandalay Bay - and you can get good rates if you do a little digging.

For sites to see, I'd make sure you see the Treasure Island Pirate battle, the fountains at the Bellagio, the gonoliers at the Venetian and the Luxor sites - all good free entertainment that you can enjoy while strolling and accomodaing kids' needs to run around and play.

Patrick

I'm going to go way on a limb here and ask a question. Are you by any chance British? The reason I ask this is because I have been told the only way they fill Circus Circus is by marketing it in the UK where people don't know any better. The same is true of the Stratosphere. It is a dump. There are many places on the strip that are far better for less money, but Circus Circus thrives on the UK trade of people who "don't know any better". I may be wrong about this, but that's the usual statement about this dump.

KS452

It would appear that you have a ringing dis-endorsement of the Circus Circus jetsetter. As you asked opinions of anyone who has stayed there, I guess we can safely assume that rjw_lb_ca, gplimplon, E, Wednesday, Loki, Troop, John, X_Bellman, Deborah, hilaryg, muffin, Lake and Patrick have all actually stayed there. Would that be a safe assumption?

John

KS452
Yes, I've stayed there and it was 6/7 years ago. It was a dump then and I'm sure it hasn't changed as I looked into it last May.