BobFunland
Posts: 7962
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 11/23/2004 6:31:11 PM
I got an idea earlier, which usually is a bad thing. Georgia Tech plays Gonzaga in Vegas on December 18th, and I knew that my mom has like three or four free airline tickets from her constant travels due to work (not to mention Mariott Rewars which gets us great descounts at their hotels), so I was like, how about I head out there and spend a few days, catch a good ballgame, and hit up a few coasters, and maybe try to gamble (fat chance)
So, as I am in the process of booking plane tickets and rentals cars and hotels and what not, but I want to know about the amusements of Vegas. I know they have a few coasters and what not, but other than a little on this site and on the Travel Channel, I don't know too much.
Also, does anybody know how far Desperado is? Or how about the Hoover Dam? (I like that stuff for some reason)
And support/tips/info would be appreciated
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Scott
Posts: 2766
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 11/23/2004 7:00:12 PM
First thing is you wont find a Marriot in Vegas (if you want to be on the strip at least). Believe me i've gone back and forth with Marriot Rewards. If you want a Hotel with a coaster on the property you will probably want to stay at the New York New York, The Sahara, or the Stratosphere. If you want a nice hotel to stay at I would recomend the Mandalay Bay or The Monte Carlo (their really expensive, after going to those places I was broke for almost a month!) If you decide to stay at Mandalay Bay or Monte Carlo the coasters are still close though because all the hotels I have named are on the strip. If you plan to go to Desperado i'd recomend getting a rental car because taxis are really expensive for a 40 mile drive. If you plan to go to Hoover Dam i'd suggest a tour there about 60$. Have fun in Vegas. Stay away from the Tropicana, even though I won a ton of money there it was a smokers paradise and my lungs hurt for the rest of the trip.
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BobFunland
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11/23/2004 8:07:52 PM
Thank you
I don't care too much about having the coaster on the property, since Im going to try to hit all of them while Im out there. I also don't particularly care where I stay in general, there is a Mariott near the Convention Center, which their website says is within 2 miles of downtown Vegas, whatever that means. We'll see, Im also checking out some of the new mega hotels, just to see how they compare and whatnot.
We alreday planned on getting a rental car, we get deals through Hertz where we get double our sky miles (Which is a nice little bonus ) Too bad the area has rental tax rates of around 27%
60 bucks  Hmmm... I'll have to rethink that one, as much as I like marvels of civil engineering, I don't know if its worth that much, seeing as the stuff out there is already expensive enough (ie coasters/rides for 10+ bucks).
I did read some reviews on this site, do they still have a thing where if you ride Desperado they will give you a coupon for Manhattan Express?
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Scott
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11/23/2004 8:53:13 PM
I have no idea because i haven't done desperado for almost 3 years. One advantage to manhatten express is that you get a reride at a discount and cut the usually huge line if you reride. And about the hotel, it might be nice to be away from all the crazieness of downtown Vegas and the strip. Although traffic may be horrible to get to the Strip. Besides I only was in my hotel room for about 6 hours a day. 
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Scott Kucharski
Message updated 11/23/2004 8:53:34 PM by Scott
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larrygator
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11/23/2004 11:23:27 PM
don't even try to gamble if you are underage the casinos ID anyone who looks young. Remember they are giving out free drinks also. so they can not afford to jeopardize their liquor licenses.
Manhattan Express is it the far south end of the strip while Circus Circus, Sahara and Stratosphere are about 1 1/2 to 2 miles north at the far north end of the strip. The Hoover Dam is a day trip in itself but everyone that I know that went enjoyed it. There's also a NASCAR/interactive park off the park by the airport that is supposed to be fun. I don't know much about the Star Trek Experience which I think is at The Hilton. I remember The Desperado being about 60 miles west but it only takes 40 minutes as everyone drives 90MPH on the interstate. As much as you love coasters it is certainly worth the drive. The good thing about Vegas is there are plenty of discounts out there if you search the web. I don't know if the site still exists but lasvegasadvisor.com used to have coupons you could print at home for some of the attractions.
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BobFunland
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11/23/2004 11:42:32 PM
Quote:
larrygator said:
don't even try to gamble if you are underage the casinos ID anyone who looks young. Remember they are giving out free drinks also. so they can not afford to jeopardize their liquor licenses.
Manhattan Express is it the far south end of the strip while Circus Circus, Sahara and Stratosphere are about 1 1/2 to 2 miles north at the far north end of the strip. The Hoover Dam is a day trip in itself but everyone that I know that went enjoyed it. There's also a NASCAR/interactive park off the park by the airport that is supposed to be fun. I don't know much about the Star Trek Experience which I think is at The Hilton. I remember The Desperado being about 60 miles west but it only takes 40 minutes as everyone drives 90MPH on the interstate. As much as you love coasters it is certainly worth the drive. The good thing about Vegas is there are plenty of discounts out there if you search the web. I don't know if the site still exists but lasvegasadvisor.com used to have coupons you could print at home for some of the attractions. |
I figured I wouldn't be able to gamble, I don't exactly look 21 years old, and I have heard that they are pretty stingy about that stuff. I figured Desperado was worth the drive, just didn't know how far -- 40 mins. ain't bad, about as long as it takes to get downtown on ordinary days.
I think I know what you are refering to with the NASCAR attraction, they had one in Myrtle and it was sweet.
And thanks for the site, I'll have to check that out. Now only if the basketball tickets weren't a pain in the butt to buy, you can't buy them online you have to call and go through that ordeal, I think Ill stop be the AD office tommorrow to see if I can get cheap (or free!) tickets.
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Scott
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11/23/2004 11:46:45 PM
Star Trek is at Hilton But it's 45$ because they give you an all day pass.
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larrygator
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11/24/2004 12:03:30 AM
check this out for thing to do
http://lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-activities.cfm
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It's not a choice between war and peace. It's a choice between war and something much worse.
Message updated 11/24/2004 12:04:18 AM by larrygator
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Scott
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11/24/2004 11:47:24 AM
I would suggest seeing the fountain show at the bellagio. It's completely free and amazing (when we were there traffic was stopped for it.)
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larrygator
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11/24/2004 1:12:06 PM
and if you rent a car drive on the back road not the Las Vegas Strip. The Strip can be the world's biggest parking lot.
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Scott
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11/24/2004 1:18:46 PM
The biggest parking lot thats pretty true, when we were there we took a taxi down the strip from the Monte Carlo to the Stratosphere. It took 40 minutes to drive 4 miles.
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BobFunland
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11/28/2004 8:07:39 PM
Um, it's not looking too good. I can't get tickets to the Basketball game, and quite frankly, that's why I was headed out there. So, for now, I'm hesitant, I'l try to get tickets but I'll wait if I can't get the b-ball tickets.
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Scott
Posts: 2766
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11/29/2004 10:08:33 AM
If you wan't to go, but can't see a game i'd just wait till summer. It's way more fun in summer. Good Luck!
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BobFunland
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11/29/2004 2:00:23 PM
Thats what I was thinking, or Spring Break
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Scott
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11/29/2004 6:17:17 PM
It's a little chilly at that time of the year. Summer's to hot and winter's to cold. Never quite perfect temperatures. Go over Memorial day weekend, that's when I go.
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larrygator
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11/29/2004 6:48:00 PM
just wait til you're 21, I know it's about 3 years but it will be that much better
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Scott
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11/29/2004 6:53:55 PM
I forgot he's only 19. Oh well 
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BobFunland
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11/29/2004 7:03:44 PM
18, but still, the only reason it came up was the combination of free tickets and the GT basketball game. I was thinking about going last year, but cited my age as a reason to postpone, but I can enjoy basketball games whenever.
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Scott
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11/29/2004 11:06:14 PM
Sorry when I read your profile I figured you were 19. Georgia tech rocks!
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BobFunland
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11/29/2004 11:07:37 PM
Thats ok, Im closer to 19 than 18 if that makes any difference, but Im just an 18-year old frosh. GT is a pretty nice school and all
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Scott
Posts: 2766
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11/29/2004 11:09:24 PM
I've heard good things about it. I went to NYU  .
Message updated 11/29/2004 11:10:06 PM by Scott
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
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11/29/2004 11:10:38 PM
NYU is a darn good school, what did you go for? Oh man, this should be in another forum, oh well, this topic is dead for now 
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Scott
Posts: 2766
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11/29/2004 11:14:38 PM
I got a master for business administration and a Bachlor for science. It's funny, I'm becoming an accountant even though I wasn't aiming for that.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
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11/29/2004 11:58:55 PM
Odd how things work out that way, a buddy of mine did his undergrad work in Mechanical Engineering, and now he's in law school 
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Scott
Posts: 2766
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11/30/2004 9:37:07 AM
My degree in business administration helped when I applied for my job (I'm an accountant for Visa).
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