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Request Need INFO and critique my Vegas travel plans (Grand Canyon/HooverDam help plz) in: Travel Packages

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Links at the end, bolded question parts so you don't have to read all of my plans.

 

I'm going to Las Vegas solo soon and would like to make the most of my time and money there though I don't really drink much or at all and don't really know how to gamble.

So here is somewhat my plan of "attack" for the trip, I have some questions, but hopefully some of the information will help others as well.

Preplanning I have done:
-Bought the American Casino Guide
-Printed out coupons for things I want to or might do.
-Read almost all the websites, saving much of the information into PDFs on my computer, so I can access while in Vegas, I'm NOT paying $10/day for internet. This includes the bus schedules for the Las Vegas buses.

Arrive at LAS and take a shuttle to get to my hotel Circus Circus (yea I know...). There should be shuttles already at the airport and no need to preplan/prepay right? I'm probably going to just buy the one way ticket, so that I don't get stuck with having to use that particular company for the return trip. If there are 1 or 2 others that are also going there, I think splitting a cab might be better.

So check in and I'll probably try the $20 trick, maybe only a $10 since I could just upgrade normally for ~$20 . Anyone know if the front desk will have any good coupons/promos for things on the property? Specifically AdventureDome/FrightDome, I'll ask but would like to know what I can expect in advance.

For getting around I'm going to get the 3 day bus pass for $15, which should allow me to ride the Duece bus that runs along the strip as well as the other buses. I've seen some people say there is a $1 charge for getting on the strip with the bus passes, but it seems to only be if you are buying one of the resident bus passes. Can anyone confirm?

First actual activity I have a set time for is Let's Make a Deal with Wayne Brady. You can sign up on their website http://www.ocatv.com/shows/show/269 to go to one of the shows, might even be a contestant. I don't expect to be picked, but think it might be a neat experience to see a TV show being made and maybe meet Wayne Brady. The taping is at the Tropicana and one of the stipulations is that you can't bring cell phones or cameras. I feel a little naked without at least one of those, would there be any locker storage type places nearby for me to store those items during the taping?

Here are some pay activities that I definitely want to do while I'm in Vegas:

-Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - There seem to be $4 or $5 off coupons all around. I went through my local Entertainment book and found a 25% off coupon, so $6 off!

-Bodies The Exhibition - Found a $5 off coupon. I've wanted to see this or Body Worlds for a while since it closed locally.

-Nathan Burton Comedy Magic - Found a $25 coupon for the show and a buffet. On eBay, I saw someone selling $20 coupons, wonder where I can find those. $25 for a show and meal seems decent.

-Dollar Days at the Sahara - I see references to this from various sites, but no official page for it. I just want their shot glass as a memento for $1.

-Comedy Club at the Riviera - I found some 50% off coupons, which should make the show < $20. There is also an offer out for free ticket when you sign up for the casino's card/club, I might use that instead or use it for one of their more expensive shows.

-Mac King at Harrahs - There is a coupon in the ACG for free ticket with a drink purchase. Everyone seems to give this good reviews and the price is right. ($10 drink)

-Blue Man Group at the Venetian - There is a thread over at SD about a student discount code that makes it better than half off.

-NYNY Roller coaster or similar? I would like to ride the same one that Grissom on CSI was on... There is a $4 off for the NYNY roller coaster.

-AdventureDome/FrightDome - I really can't pass up the haunted houses and hoping the front desk will have some good coupons for these.

Other things I wish to do time and price permitting:
-Jay Leno show
-George Lopez show
-One of the Cirque du Soleil shows, except that criss angel one...
I'm going to try All Access or Tix4Tonite to get 1/2 price tickets to those. I won't be crushed if I don't see the first two, see them on TV free all the time . I couldn't find any good coupons for a single ticket to Cirque du Soleil though.

Time permitting:
-The Mentalist - There is a printable coupon for free tickets if you buy $10+ drink. Mostly bad reviews, so I'll only go if I end up being bored with nothing else to do.

-Hoover Dam/Grand Canyon - I am planning on at least doing the Hoover Dam, but not sure on the Grand Canyon. The bus ride ones are cheaper, but take all day. The flying tours take less time, but cost double or more. I don't know which company to go with here and it is OK to make reservations just a day or two ahead of time? I think I'll do the tour on Friday or Saturday since the strip will probably be busier/crowed from the people coming in for the weekend. There seems to be a free Hoover Dam trip here http://freevegastours.com/voucher.aspx
Anyone ever use that before? I'm wondering if it some sorta timeshare spiel or what..

Speaking of time shares, any good freebies for attending one of their sales pitches? If I have time, I won't mind listening to them try to sell me something for an hour or two for some free tickets/vouchers/whatever. Seems like people are getting approached for these at Planet Hollywood, not sure if I would get approached since I'll be a single female there...

Finally, this all has to come to an end with a ride to the airport. Is it easy to just hop on a shuttle (ie they were scheduled to pick up someone, but I myself did not make a reservation. I know they try to take a full load from the airport, but not sure if it the same with going to the airport) I've been seeing alot that shuttles don't come at their appointed times for a pick up. Is there some kind of etiquette one can follow for splitting a cab to the airport?


Many of the coupons seem to be 2 for 1, rather than 50% off. Any luck with getting the places to take 50% off or should I try to find another single waiting in line and use the coupon with them?

 

Sorry I didn't have links for the coupons, I forgot where they all came from. Likely one of the locations below

Old FW thread, archived
Some still good
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/700925

Vegas values download book
http://www.247vegas.com/content/vegas-values/default.aspx
http://centralmediaserver.com/247M/vv-coupons.pdf

http://www.vegascoupons.com/
some potentially good links, but many expired stuffs

http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/las-vegas-coupons.htm
Long list of coupons to print

http://www.destinationcoupons.com/Nevada/Las_Vegas/las-vegas-cou...
Many coupons to print

http://freevegastours.com/voucher.aspx
Free really? Is this a timeshare scheme?

Let's make a deal tickets
http://www.ocatv.com/shows/show/269

Planet Hollywood $10 off $10 exp 12/31/10
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/952912


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wiredspider said:Many of the coupons seem to be 2 for 1, rather than 50% off. Any luck with getting the places to take 50% off or should I try to find another single waiting in line and use the coupon with them?

Plan B.

BTW I visited Vegas 3 weeks ago. Scored my best deals without coupons.


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For those staying at Sahara, the 108 bus runs right to the Sahara from the airport-only $1.75.
Saw a bunch of people heading to Strip getting on the bus at the airport. The baggage claim has an exit to get to the bus.
Works great after rush hour. Bus runs a regular schedule.

With FWers packing light these days to save on the baggage fees, it gets easier to take the regular bus.
Save on having to tip the airport shuttle guy too.


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Just a little update since I've completed my trip.

Shuttles are located right outside of the airport, you can purchase as needed. Had good timing and the shuttle was nearly full for Circus Circus when I got there, so there was not that much waiting. (It was late in the evening by the time I got there, so I wasn't going to mess around with trying to find a bus)

Currently no $1 surcharge on the Deuce when getting the $7 one day/$15 three day passes.

For Let's Make A Deal, many had cameras and cells, just check them in with security, you get a ticket and pick things up after the shooting. Really takes the 4-5 hours. Alot of time is spent prepping the contestant/audience. Then during shooting, there are pauses and retakes. Sign up for the Tropicana card before you go and get whatever bonus there is with that before hand, otherwise you'll lose the bonus because they will sign you up for the card if you do not have it to give you $10 slot play. (One of the small booklets, has a coupon for $10 slot play with sign up, think it might have been the 24/7 book)

Bodies The Exhibition -No cameras allowed, was not impressed either, would not do again.

Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam - Booked for $84 via Papillion on the phone, had to reference their internet rate. On the day of, informed that the IMAX movie was optional, so another $12.xx to add that on. The driver/tour guide was good so it really made up for things. Overall, one day from Vegas isn't enough time to see the Grand Canyon, we went to two lookout points. Recommend packing some extra food/snacks even though they say breakfast/lunch is included, they are somewhat light meals (ie dannish and juice for breakfast). There is a stop for dinner, so plan/pack accordingly.

Did take the 108 to the airport from behind the Sahara. Took a while because I was waiting for the Duece from in front of Circus Circus, could have probably walked faster.. Then had to wait behind the Sahara, near the monorail station for the 108. Good thing I allocated 2 hours for getting to the airport.

Sometimes the Deuce does take a long time and can be very full, but overall it is a cheap way to get around. If you get in a cab, it's already $3.xx and you haven't gone anywhere yet! However, cabs can be more economical if you have multiple people in your party and split it. I did not rent a car and would not recommend it, unless cheap, for me it would have been ~$200 for 6 days, not worth it.


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