travelbuff127

Going back to vegas for 4th time with 3 1/2 yr. old. I know...we're crazy! Anyway, what should we do with her on the strip at night? What restaurants have children's menus? What casino hotel's are more kid friendly than others? We don't do water parks or crazy rides so all of those suggestions are null and void. Madame Tussaud's just won't cut it with her either! We'll have a car but I really don't want to go too far away. I'm counting on all you fodorites for good help! Thanks!

laurenzo

Have you stayed at this Ritz before? Just wondered what your opinions were of it. I have heard mixed reviews but would like to check it out for myself.

HowardR

Of all the wonderful destinations to take a 3 1/2-year-old child, why Las Vegas.....especially since you've eliminted a lot of the potential activities?
What to do with that child on the strip at night? I can't wait to hear those responses!

travelbuff127

Laurenzo, I haven't stayed at this Ritz, but others. I'll assume they're reputation follows them from property to property. Never had a bad experience and can't imagine this location to be any different. I would expect it to be even better. At least, I'm hoping.

HowardR - why so negative> We've been travelling with our daughter all over the world since she's 7 months old and we haven't been stumped yet! Can't imagine in the city of light (and life) that it would be any different! Besides, we won part of the trip and figured we'd take her just like we always do! I wouldn't dare miss an opportunity for her to see another part of this country, nor the world!

laurenzo

travelbuff, I have stayed at other Ritz properties as well. I hope this one meets your expectations .
I think being away from the strip will be easier w/ a child for during the day. I know Mandalay Bay has an aquarium. Have you done a search on this forum for info? This question has been asked before (with very negative responses!) but you may find some good suggestions. We have taken our kids twice. We stayed once on the strip (free trip given to us) and the other off the strip and definitely preferred that w/ the kids. Good luck to you and have a nice time with your family.

travelbuff127

Thanks Laurenzo. We've been to Las Vegas three times before without our DD. Everytime we visited we were baffled that we saw so many families. Obviously, when we won this trip it was a no brainer that we would take her with us. But like you said, I'll prefer off the the strip with my girl. Since we'll have a car, we'll go into town every night I'm sure to eat somwhere and she will just enjoy us going from hotel to hotel to see all the different elements both inside and out. Between the tigers at Mirage and MGM, the pirate ship show at Treasure Island, The gondola's at the Venetian, the dancing waters at Bellagio, the Paris Effiel Tower...well, you get the picture. My evenings will obviously be filled. My only other alternative/option might have been to see a show (not any of the Cirque ones) with her but with most of them being so expensive, I know my options are limited. Thanks again!

tom_creans_daughter

Hello Travelbuff - -since you have been to Vegas before - -you Do know that it is no longer targeted to children/
families...

In our travels, we have Not noticed specific Children's menus - -just lower prices at buffets.

The Ritz IS NOT THE CALIBER that you might anticipate as a couple - -

The adjoining Lake Las Vegas Hyatt is undergoing changes - so there is the element of the Unknown for pools and activities on the lake to share.

You can join the Strip crowd at night, with lil' ones in strollers

or leave her at home with the college student sitter/family member and several wrapped gift tokens - -and have a nice time as a Couple...

I struggled with this thought after the first time we went with kids {the crowds, noise and activities that you also eliminated were factors - -

and chose the sitter and IOU's for Ice Cream Before dinner(!) and wrapped play -doh, and dollys +, and ALL had a nice time!

travelbuff127

To Tom Creans - Did you stay at the Vegas Ritz specifically? I find it hard to believe that it doesn't live up to the typical Ritz caliber. Several people I know who have recently gone said their children were fascinated with the lights and noise, etc. of the strip. I don't anticipate a problem with her enjoying it.... I anticipate her being VERY TIRED from it!!! I did hear that the former Hyatt is now sold to Lowes and undergoing some renos. But I'm set on the Ritz and not staying on the strip. Thanks!

clarkgriswold

If you don't want to do a lot of driving, why stay way out at Lake Las Vegas?

Alice

The kids I took loved the Rainforest Cafe in the MGM, the Shark Reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay and hanging out at the pool. And to be honest, after a full day at the pool, they were pretty tired anyway!

HowardR

travelbuff127, I'm not being negative. Without knowing that you had won the expenses for part of the trip, I think it's quite logical to question why you would take a young child to Las Vegas when there are so many other destinations that would make more sense.
Hey, and may I remind you that you initially said, "I know...we're crazy!"

travelbuff127

OK - let's be clear - when I said I didn't want to drive far I meant to places like the Grand Canyon, etc. So thank you Clarkgriswold!

Alice - Rainforest and Shark's Reef are high on our list of "things to do" Thanks a mil!

Howard R- People take there kids to all kinds of places, at all ages. I dont think I'm really that crazy afterall! How many kids do you have anyway?

laurenzo

travelbuff, I hope you have found some good suggestions. Funny, I don't recall you asking anyone's opinion on whether or not you should bring your daughter. It is your business what you do. You have obviously made a choice already...I guess people like to give advice anyway! I warned you!
Please wrtie a trip report to let us know how the hotel worked out and what you ended up doing.

HowardR

Hey, I'm not questioning your sanity. You were the one who said you were crazy!
And, oh yes, not that makes any difference, but, yes, I am a parent. OK? Does that mean I'm eligible to respond on this thread?
But, then, I never took a child to Las Vegas, so I maybe I'm not qualified to respond.
However, in the interest of full disclosure, I have been there four times without children....and I don't plan to alter that routine in the future.

travelbuff127

HowardR - some of us have that luxury of leaving the children behind - my husband in not one of those parents. He fully insisted from her birth that she go - where we go! I never said you weren't qualified to answer, just curious if you were a parent (as sometimes people reply who are not). Let's leave it at that.

Laurenzo - thanks again. I fully intend on doing a trip report but I hope you can wait for it until August 23rd! Thankfully I've been getting great feed back from friends of friends who have done it and alot of people say the Ritz is a great compromise. We'll use the strip for dinners and browsing! Besides, as it being our 4th trip, it's not even a necessity for me to go to the strip, but I do have a feeling our daughter will enjoy it. My guess is, after a long day with a toddler we'll be lucky to see the strip 3 times over 7 days! Thanks again!

dawnnoelm

Travel Buff,

I have stayed at Lake Las Vegas twice... for business/pleasure trips with my dh @ the Hyatt - just be advised it can take up to 45 mintues to get into the strip... the little "resort" area around the Ritz is nice - but nothing for your dd. You will have to have your car. We had our 4 children with us on one of the visits and did go into the strip one night to see Blue Man and hang out - they were older then 2.5 though - if there is anyway to not bring your dd I would pass on it... it is just not overly child friendly imo.

bashfulLV

The Secret Garden at the Mirage would be fun for your daughter, but that closes at 5 pm, I think. There is also a lion habitat exhibit (for free) in the MGM, and sometimes there's a tiger or two behind the glass in the Mirage (also free).

Skip the pirate show at the TI, though - it is NOT a child-friendly show in any terms any longer. It is now heavily concentrated on the "sirens" and VERY inappropriate for kids of any age. Not to mention that it is a pick-pocket's paradise over there before and during the show when way too many people pack themselves in to see the show. Unless your daughter enjoys being packed in like sardines with a bunch of strangers - many who will be smoking and drinking while in such close quarters - I doubt she would enjoy it in the least. Also consider that it is very loud and noisy and when the ships burn during the show the heat is pretty intense, depending on where you're standing and it may be frightening for such a young child.

As far as bringing your daughter to the Strip at night - it's your choice, but be prepared for LOTS of people all over the place - lots of smoking, loud folks, etc. The casinos do not welcome small children and strollers and security chases away anyone with kids who linger too long on the casino floor so you have to keep moving or go into a restaurant, a store or out on the sidewalk. Also - it will be HOT - even at night, so take that into consideration when making your plans. I hate to chime in, but I do agree with the other posters that Las Vegas is NOT the place to bring a young child, especially in the hottest part of the summer. But each to his own.

tom_creans_daughter

ttt.

travelbuff127

OK Tom Creans' daughter, I'm not that savy, what is TTT?

trippinkpj

I know a family who just stayed last month at the Four Seasons next to Mandalay Bay. They said it was great, family friendly and you have pool privs at Mandalay Bay, also family friendly.