I have stayed at Mirage and Treasure Island and greatly prefer the Mirage, mostly because of the atmosphere by the pool. It's a great pool and fun. Saw the Ceasars pool - looks big and would be nice. If you stay in Mirage (or maybe anywhere) ask for a room by the elevator. My room seemed like miles from the elevator, and there would be no quick "running up to the room". I called the front desk and they moved us with no questions (tip: you must call from the room to change - do NOT take the 15 minutes to walk to the front desk, because they will tell you "oh, we can help you but if you've already checked in, we have to see you in the old room" UGH!!)
Also - try the trolley for easy (but not quick) travel up and down the strip. It's cheap (like $2.00per trip or $5.50 all day pass, something like that - you must have exact change). It is somewhat air conditioned and a good way to see everything. You can get on/off at any stop, but realize many stops are in the way back of the casino and not near the strip. Also, many things that look "right next door" are much further when you walk it. For example Mirage and Treasure Island are "right next door" but takes quite a long time to walk. There is a free shuttle every 10 min between the 2, and you can easily take it back and forth. Take it over to TI and walk out front door to the right and look for trolley stop sign. You can find a trolley map with stops in most lobbies.
Have fun!

mrwunrfl, if your comment about the Forum Shops and the Mirage not being connected was a response to my post, I did not say they were connected.

As for Olives (at the Bellagio). I have eaten there a few times. I usually get one of the various flatbreads (basically pizza) at the bar as well as a Maytag Martini (Tanqueray 10 gin with Maytag Bleu cheese stuffed olives. If you get a table outside, you will have a front row (though a bit behind and to the side) seat to the Fountain Show.

Have Fun,
Mark

I was answering, with the long answer, the OP's question:
"From looking at some of the diagrams of hotels, can you walk from the Forum shops at Caesars right onto the property at Mirage?"

The short answer is: no.

Decb, you will be able to go to the pool at the end of April. Temps will probably be in the 90s (accroding to a cabbie, but 80s at least). At the Rio yesterday about one third of the lounge chairs at the pool were occupied at 10AM. Half the charis were occupied and there were people in one of the pools at 11AM. Temps were probably mid to upper 70s.

Just returned from 4 nights at Mirage. The pool is wonderful with a tropical feel, the water is heated. Our weather was beautiful (in the low 80's) so the pool was very popular; we discovered we had to get to the pool before 10:30 am to get a deck chair. BTW Love is a great show...you'll enjoy it!

Looking forward to our trip. It is great to hear we may be able to use the pool. Another question - we don't smoke, and I know the casinos allow it. Are there any of the casinos that are particularly better at clearing a lot of the smoke out? Thanks again for all the info. Decb