Morrigoon's Vegas Trip Report 7/2-7/4 (photo heavy!)

[RooBear]

For those of us couped up at the homefront, this is a great reprieve. Thank you for sharing!

Peace,
Roo

[SCUBAbe]

Mandalay bay...snooze?...I beg to differ. that is one of the nicest hotels we stayed in it Vegas. I have never stayed at any downtown casinos, but we have stayed at about 7 different ones on the strip......thanks for the pictures.

[SummerInFL]

Love the trip report with pictures, it sounds like you had a fabulous time!

[Ranger Rick]

I do not understand it, but every time I go to Vegas I buy shoes at the Primm mall. Nice pic. Thanks for the report.

[sir clinksalot]

Nice TR!!! Loved all the pictures.

[Demigod]

Nice pix, Goonie! Have been thinking about going back to Vegas...haven't been in a few years.

[Max Fischer]

MG,

Thanks so much for the great trip report, it was very comprehensive. I like vegas, but it can't compare to my love for your home state.

I'm curious, how do you plan your budget there? Do you set aside a certain amount of funds for gambling, entertainment, etc?

Thanks,

MF

[Speedway]

Awesome awesome awesome trip report!

[hoppypooh]

Morrigoon,

Thank you VERY much for such a detailed and informative trip report. As you can see from my signature, we are headed to Vegas for the first time in September. Your pictures really put things in perspective for me. I had no idea how BIG some of these places really are!

I was wondering why you consider Mandalay bay a "snooze"? I was planning on staying there - mostly because of the pool area - but I don't want to spend that kind of $ if it's going to be a disappointment.

So what are your top picks of "fave" things to see & do?

Thanks again!

[kelly]

those photos were great.. thanks for sharing.. Now i want to go to VEGAS.. whaaaaaaaaaa.. I havent been there since last august

[dsnylndmom]

Great pictures!!! Thanks for sharing

[Morrigoon]

hoppy: Having never stayed there, I couldn't weigh in on that. As a hotel to STAY in, I'm sure it's great. I've heard very good things about their pool area (hotel guests only, you know). However, as a casino to just visit, I find it's pretty low on my list. This is mostly because I think that it lacks a consistent sense of its own theme, like it doesn't know whether it wants to be India (which I believe is the intended theme, if their cafe "Raffles" is anything to go by), or New York, or just some random slapped-together luxury casino. It's nice, I'm not saying it isn't, but having lived in Vegas and done "the casino thing" to death, it takes a bit more than just being "nice" to get me there. I prefer strong theming, such as the Venetian, Paris, Bellagio, NYNY, even Excalibur. Hotels like the Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay, and the Wynn, while all very "nice" and high on luxury, just don't have much to keep me there, with high table limits and weak or boring themes.

The Wynn, for example, is fabulous, taken on its own, but because I find it comparable to Steve Wynn's previous project, the Bellagio, which is built around a strong theme of resembling Italy's Lago Maggiore and the Lake District in general (which because of Bellagio, I've decided I simply must see some day), I prefer Bellagio to the swankier, but less strongly thematic Wynn.

Basically, to get my attention, you either have to have low table limits and very reasonably-priced quality food (The Cannery, The Golden Nugget, The Orleans or any other "Coast" casino, etc.), or you have to have a strong and spectacularly-executed theme (Venetian, Paris, Bellagio, Caesar's, NYNY, etc.)

That's why I say snooze about Mandalay Bay. Yeah, it's interesting enough, but no more so than, say, the Mirage or NYNY. With higher table limits at Mandalay, there isn't terribly much for me to "do" there, save for the slots, and I can do those in any casino in town, such as the better themed places. (And have you seen the rotten outfits their cocktail waitresses wear? It gives them all diaper butt! Someone needs to explain to the designer that you do not make leotards out of decorator fabric! Most of the casinos whose waitresses wear brocade usually utilize it in such a way that it does not get used in places where a leotard needs to stretch.)

That said, if I had a chance to stay at Mandalay for a reasonable price, sure I'd do it, because then I'd have access to the pool, which is a whole other situation entirely.

[BFJen]

Great trip! Can't wait to read the Phantom report. I'm also a huge fan of the Bellagio ceiling - I could sit there all day.

I stayed at the Mandalay Bay last year with my kids - and the pool is totally worth it!! It was July and 114 degrees and all we did was float the lazy river and ride the waves in the wave pool - it's awesome! Also, they have their own free monorail that takes you to the Luxor and Excalibur. So, again, a big plus.

Also, I too hate the new TI sign. Also the show is awful. The crowds was mainly parents and kids, and I think half the parents were covering their kids eyes by the end of the pirate show. Luckily, we were on the boy pirate side and my kids couldn't see the sleazy part on the other side of the bridge.

Anyway, I'm glad you guys had a fun trip! I hope you stopped in M&M World and got a handful of treats!!!!

[CrystalCastle]

Great trip report and I LOVED your pictures! Thanks for sharing them!

[Schmielsen]

The thought of a Vegas trip never excited me too much because the last 8 times we've been there, it's been to chaperone a bunch of high school band and drumline kids. Fun times....but....well, not the same.

BUT NOW.....After reading your report and seeing all of your great pictures, I think we need to go--without the band. You know what really sold me? M&M World--I want to go there!

Loved the pictures of the Bellagio. My parents stayed there for their 50th wedding anniversary 5 years ago and had an incredible time.