Elvis IS alive - Faina’s Las Vegas report: February 20-25, 2005
Mar 2nd, 2005, 10:52 AM
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Elvis IS alive - Faina’s Las Vegas report: February 20-25, 2005
We flew Southwest from Oakland, security is strict but fast at both airports. There were questions about shuttles in Vegas. We got our luggage off a carousel, and got out through the nearest door. The shuttle was $4.25 one way one person (before tips), and it was waiting there for us! The first stop was Venetian, I thought people who stay there should’ve splurged if not for a limo then at least for a taxi! Shuttle to downtown was $5.25 with a note: Stratosphere is downtown! The prices wary, probably by shuttle company, the Strip $4.25-5.00, downtown $5.25-5.50. To go back from Sahara we didn’t bother with a shuttle, the taxi was $13.00 before tips.
Yes, we stayed at the Sahara as most of the day we were out coming back only to shower and to sleep. Clean room, hairdryer and iron, no problem with the elevators. Check-in took a while as we didn’t use the electronic thing. They charge $3 electricity and $1 telephone a night. After coming back I sent an e-mail to the reservation confirmation address asking to reverse 4 nights telephone charges (stayed 5 nights, used the phone 1 night) and got a reply: they will credit my credit card for ALL nights’ phone charges!
One of the reasons we’ve picked Sahara is that the weather forecast was bad: rain, showers, and this hotel is on the last stop of the monorail, so I figured it will be easy to get on, to get a seat. I was right! Full day $10 ticket is for 24 hours from the time you buy it (the same for the buses, $5 for 24 hours). Attention Bay Areans: you do not need the ticket for exit, I repeat: do not look for a slot to put your ticket in for exit, this is not BART
The weather was bad for the first 3 days, heavy rains. So the monorail, although it’s a long walk to the strip getting off, helped a lot. All walks are under roofs. BUT: Vegas is not ready for rains. Everything was leaking. Everywhere around the monorail buckets, mops, pieces of cloth to absorb water. On the strip most of the outside elevators and escalators were closed. The moving walkway to the Bally’s out of order. I was surprised the monorail was working! The free monorail Mandalay Bay – Luxor – Excalibur is working fine.
The monorail is good for rainy weather, and try it at least once for experience, otherwise the buses are much better, more convenient as they run along the strip and there are no long walks involved. And cheaper too! Yes, they get full, and be aware of pickpockets, but not too bad! That old trolley is still running around, we didn’t use it.
We are not foodies, and during vacations don’t really care to eat healthy or wealthy, so don’t expect anything exciting food-related. We like buffets. I know it’s almost a curse word here, but we like to see what we’re getting. Brunch buffet at the Sahara is great! Fruits, baked goods, salads and meats, cereals and pizzas, even bagels and lox, everything you can possibly wish for! Unlimited drinks you get yourself. I really liked it! For dinners we tried Paco’s and Caravan, these were just OK. On the run for lunch we either had fast food (even Luxor has a McD!) or coffee and pastry. We did have a lunch at the Rainforest Café at MGM – small pizza, 2 side salads, 2 sodas $30. First time there – of course it’s for children, but we’ve seen more couples there then families!
By the way, who said Las Vegas is not family-friendly? I beg your pardon? Take for example Luciano family, Gotti family… have I convinced you Vegas IS family-friendly
We did the usual (I think) touristy things walking around and sat down to “gamble” when tired, leaving a couple of dollars in a slot machine. It was shocking to see each casino proudly displaying their penny slots! Except Bellagio, where we could only find 2 penny slots! Is Vegas going down? Is this why the hotel prices went so much up? Anyway, we like sounds and cartoon action while playing, so this time our favorites were “Uncle Sam” and “Days Off”.
We had coupons for “free” shows, one drink required. “Viva Las Vegas” in the Stratosphere – I saw it a couple of years ago, but it’s no longer fun! 2 stand-up comics who are not really funny, one juggler who talks with a mouthful of balls (I managed not to throw up looking at him!!) and 2 very short dances to open and close the show. Ewww. But another one, at Harrahs – worth waiting in the long line! Mac King magic show – not just for kids, very entertaining, I’d pay for this one! Free shows at Tropicana – air show is different each time, and the bird show is great! You can order a drink, actually you’re pushed to order a drink watching the birds, but not mandatory. Casino legends museum – if you get in for free, go, otherwise skip it unless history is your passion.
Not sure how long it will be running, but I strongly advise you to see the “Sharks” at Luxor, it’s a 3-D movie by Jack Cousteau, the famous French diver. It’s not only about sharks, and there is no blood, somewhat an educational movie and lots of fun. As everywhere in Vegas before any show prepare to stay in a boring line. But the movie worth all wait. Another 3-D is at the M&Ms world, upstairs, a short tour, an M&Ms related song, and a 3D – mostly for children, still worth seeing especially in rainy weather. And check out all 4 levels of that place, how many souvenirs can you make out of a candy?
About ½ price tickets – we didn’t buy any, but I think there are 2 different companies selling them, one is at the Coca-Cola place next to MGM and M&Ms world, and 3 more on the strip from another company. At least I know that much
Aladdin has hourly “rainstorm” in the middle of the shopping mall – save your time, better go see the lions at the MGM and eat at the Rainforest. About the lions – they don’t live at the hotel, they bring them every morning at 11 am from a ranch outside of Vegas. I am not that much of an animal rights person, but isn’t it very stressful for the lions each time to get in a truck? Where is PETA when we need it! Oh, and to finish Aladdin – they start free concerts, variety shows at 1.15 every hour, free. Didn’t see those, we were there early.
Imperial Palace was an unexpected fun. To all you Elvis fans – he IS alive! Saw him managing a poker (?) table. They have a card table where employees dress and act as famous people, I think I recognized Sonny Bono. This was very cheesy. What I can recommend there, and if you don’t get coupons, then pay the admission fee and go to their Auto Museum, it’s a huge parking lot with collectable cars, most of them for sale, with price tags. The cheapest we saw was $17,000, the most expensive $1,900,000. A car previously owned by M. Monroe was for sale, the price tag said “make an offer”.
Take the monorail to Paris. We got off and walked through France! At least this was our impression. Off the monorail you walk through the shopping and restaurants area. I felt I’m in Europe! Small cafés, boulangeries, shops, rocky sidewalks, I don’t know how to describe, but the feeling was we’ve left USA for France. This was so great!! Just take a walk there for that French feeling!
Now, if you are still reading it, thank you, and I am opened to questions. Any questions
Yes, we stayed at the Sahara as most of the day we were out coming back only to shower and to sleep. Clean room, hairdryer and iron, no problem with the elevators. Check-in took a while as we didn’t use the electronic thing. They charge $3 electricity and $1 telephone a night. After coming back I sent an e-mail to the reservation confirmation address asking to reverse 4 nights telephone charges (stayed 5 nights, used the phone 1 night) and got a reply: they will credit my credit card for ALL nights’ phone charges!
One of the reasons we’ve picked Sahara is that the weather forecast was bad: rain, showers, and this hotel is on the last stop of the monorail, so I figured it will be easy to get on, to get a seat. I was right! Full day $10 ticket is for 24 hours from the time you buy it (the same for the buses, $5 for 24 hours). Attention Bay Areans: you do not need the ticket for exit, I repeat: do not look for a slot to put your ticket in for exit, this is not BART
The weather was bad for the first 3 days, heavy rains. So the monorail, although it’s a long walk to the strip getting off, helped a lot. All walks are under roofs. BUT: Vegas is not ready for rains. Everything was leaking. Everywhere around the monorail buckets, mops, pieces of cloth to absorb water. On the strip most of the outside elevators and escalators were closed. The moving walkway to the Bally’s out of order. I was surprised the monorail was working! The free monorail Mandalay Bay – Luxor – Excalibur is working fine.
The monorail is good for rainy weather, and try it at least once for experience, otherwise the buses are much better, more convenient as they run along the strip and there are no long walks involved. And cheaper too! Yes, they get full, and be aware of pickpockets, but not too bad! That old trolley is still running around, we didn’t use it.
We are not foodies, and during vacations don’t really care to eat healthy or wealthy, so don’t expect anything exciting food-related. We like buffets. I know it’s almost a curse word here, but we like to see what we’re getting. Brunch buffet at the Sahara is great! Fruits, baked goods, salads and meats, cereals and pizzas, even bagels and lox, everything you can possibly wish for! Unlimited drinks you get yourself. I really liked it! For dinners we tried Paco’s and Caravan, these were just OK. On the run for lunch we either had fast food (even Luxor has a McD!) or coffee and pastry. We did have a lunch at the Rainforest Café at MGM – small pizza, 2 side salads, 2 sodas $30. First time there – of course it’s for children, but we’ve seen more couples there then families!
By the way, who said Las Vegas is not family-friendly? I beg your pardon? Take for example Luciano family, Gotti family… have I convinced you Vegas IS family-friendly
We did the usual (I think) touristy things walking around and sat down to “gamble” when tired, leaving a couple of dollars in a slot machine. It was shocking to see each casino proudly displaying their penny slots! Except Bellagio, where we could only find 2 penny slots! Is Vegas going down? Is this why the hotel prices went so much up? Anyway, we like sounds and cartoon action while playing, so this time our favorites were “Uncle Sam” and “Days Off”.
We had coupons for “free” shows, one drink required. “Viva Las Vegas” in the Stratosphere – I saw it a couple of years ago, but it’s no longer fun! 2 stand-up comics who are not really funny, one juggler who talks with a mouthful of balls (I managed not to throw up looking at him!!) and 2 very short dances to open and close the show. Ewww. But another one, at Harrahs – worth waiting in the long line! Mac King magic show – not just for kids, very entertaining, I’d pay for this one! Free shows at Tropicana – air show is different each time, and the bird show is great! You can order a drink, actually you’re pushed to order a drink watching the birds, but not mandatory. Casino legends museum – if you get in for free, go, otherwise skip it unless history is your passion.
Not sure how long it will be running, but I strongly advise you to see the “Sharks” at Luxor, it’s a 3-D movie by Jack Cousteau, the famous French diver. It’s not only about sharks, and there is no blood, somewhat an educational movie and lots of fun. As everywhere in Vegas before any show prepare to stay in a boring line. But the movie worth all wait. Another 3-D is at the M&Ms world, upstairs, a short tour, an M&Ms related song, and a 3D – mostly for children, still worth seeing especially in rainy weather. And check out all 4 levels of that place, how many souvenirs can you make out of a candy?
About ½ price tickets – we didn’t buy any, but I think there are 2 different companies selling them, one is at the Coca-Cola place next to MGM and M&Ms world, and 3 more on the strip from another company. At least I know that much
Aladdin has hourly “rainstorm” in the middle of the shopping mall – save your time, better go see the lions at the MGM and eat at the Rainforest. About the lions – they don’t live at the hotel, they bring them every morning at 11 am from a ranch outside of Vegas. I am not that much of an animal rights person, but isn’t it very stressful for the lions each time to get in a truck? Where is PETA when we need it! Oh, and to finish Aladdin – they start free concerts, variety shows at 1.15 every hour, free. Didn’t see those, we were there early.
Imperial Palace was an unexpected fun. To all you Elvis fans – he IS alive! Saw him managing a poker (?) table. They have a card table where employees dress and act as famous people, I think I recognized Sonny Bono. This was very cheesy. What I can recommend there, and if you don’t get coupons, then pay the admission fee and go to their Auto Museum, it’s a huge parking lot with collectable cars, most of them for sale, with price tags. The cheapest we saw was $17,000, the most expensive $1,900,000. A car previously owned by M. Monroe was for sale, the price tag said “make an offer”.
Take the monorail to Paris. We got off and walked through France! At least this was our impression. Off the monorail you walk through the shopping and restaurants area. I felt I’m in Europe! Small cafés, boulangeries, shops, rocky sidewalks, I don’t know how to describe, but the feeling was we’ve left USA for France. This was so great!! Just take a walk there for that French feeling!
Now, if you are still reading it, thank you, and I am opened to questions. Any questions
Mar 2nd, 2005, 11:23 AM
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www.lvmonorail.com has a map.
And you can see a map of hotels and attractions (including the mall) at www.vegas.com/map.html
You'd probably want to get off at Harrah's/IP for the mall.
And you can see a map of hotels and attractions (including the mall) at www.vegas.com/map.html
You'd probably want to get off at Harrah's/IP for the mall.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 11:26 AM
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Great report. Loved the old cars there also. Sounds like old Vegas isn't completely gone yet. GOOD!
Nickels / penny machines get a lot of profits for the casinos. We were there once in the rain also. Water has no where to go there.
I feel the urge for a girls' trip to LV coming on. Hope Elvis is available when we get there!
Nickels / penny machines get a lot of profits for the casinos. We were there once in the rain also. Water has no where to go there.
I feel the urge for a girls' trip to LV coming on. Hope Elvis is available when we get there!
Mar 2nd, 2005, 11:37 AM
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I don't think I was able to print a monorail map while at home. There is a monorail website, interactive, with a tiny tram running around But you can write down a list of stops off that website - there are only 7. And a map is available on the 1st page of a booklet at each stop, free.
But you can write down a list of stops off that website - there are only 7. And a map is available on the 1st page of a booklet at each stop, free.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 11:44 AM
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Oh, well, I always have to come back when I remember something.
At Sahara we stayed at Alexandria tower, and our room had a balcony!! Imagine this - a balcony in Vegas!
Also when we were in Tropicana, I really liked the pool area - closed, but visible out of a window - must get crowded in summer, still very nice with all the palm trees and rocks.
At Sahara we stayed at Alexandria tower, and our room had a balcony!! Imagine this - a balcony in Vegas!
Also when we were in Tropicana, I really liked the pool area - closed, but visible out of a window - must get crowded in summer, still very nice with all the palm trees and rocks.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 02:07 PM
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No, electricity charge is not something new, at least since 2001, and from what I've heard varies from hotel to hotel from $1 to $5.
This year the phone charge was new.
I didn't even try to contest the electro charge - they wouldn't put a meter in each room! But the phone charges are easy to trace, so... I'll check the next CC statement for a refund.
Working in accounting I know how easy mistakes are made, and have a (nasty) habit to read each line.
This year the phone charge was new.
I didn't even try to contest the electro charge - they wouldn't put a meter in each room! But the phone charges are easy to trace, so... I'll check the next CC statement for a refund.
Working in accounting I know how easy mistakes are made, and have a (nasty) habit to read each line.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 02:18 PM
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Wonderful report Faina, and it sounds like you had a fun trip.
Interesting about the electricity charge. Good for you catching the telephone charges. I always use my cell phone when in hotels. Hotels seem to be nickle and dimeing us to death.
A good reminder to all of us to check our hotel bills carefully.
Interesting about the electricity charge. Good for you catching the telephone charges. I always use my cell phone when in hotels. Hotels seem to be nickle and dimeing us to death.
A good reminder to all of us to check our hotel bills carefully.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 05:06 PM
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Thanks for all the details.
I'm not exactly an Elvis fan but I know someone that would like proof he's alive and well ....just wondered if you're allowed to take photos in casinos or is this against the law?
Shame about the rain but it sounds like you made the best of it and had fun!
I'm not exactly an Elvis fan but I know someone that would like proof he's alive and well ....just wondered if you're allowed to take photos in casinos or is this against the law?
Shame about the rain but it sounds like you made the best of it and had fun!
Mar 2nd, 2005, 05:23 PM
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It is not illegal, nor strictly against casino policy, to take photos in casinos. But in general you should show discretion. It is not considered acceptable, generally, to take pictures of people who are gambling. But we did take a photo inside Paris of my husband with one leg of the Eiffel Tower in the background. Stuff like that is generally considered OK.
Mar 3rd, 2005, 02:28 PM
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By the way, if you're an Elvis's fan, there is a gift shop across from Sahara advertised as the largest in the world, they have lots of Elvis's memorabilia including dollar bill with his face on it instead of a president's.
I don't know if photography is allowed or not, in the hotel's part, yes, for sure, at the tables or slots - maybe, you can ask a security guard, who is never there for questions, but always there to scream
I don't know if photography is allowed or not, in the hotel's part, yes, for sure, at the tables or slots - maybe, you can ask a security guard, who is never there for questions, but always there to scream
