The year I don't go to Disney - Las Vegas edition

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Trip Report Day 1 of 50th Birthday Extravaganza -

We flew Delta out, first class because... bday! It was nice to have a comfortable seat.... of course we were disappointed with the lack of meal service, but it was comfy and the movie/TV selection was nice. We changed planes in Minneapolis, with no issues. Everything went right on time... which means we landed in Vegas at 10am.

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Scooped up the luggage, and took the shuttle to grab our enterprise car rental... We got a nice Toyota Camry, and we were outta there in about 5 minutes... I love enterprise! My biggest issue with the car is that I've become spoiled and had to put an actual key in the ignition.... pffft first world problems.

Arrived at the Aria around 11am, and it was no problem to check in early, and we got upgraded to Strip view... We went from a king to 2 queens to do so, but that was ok with us, because that's how we sleep at home anyhow. Our room was 14-096, not too far of a walk from the elevators.... but not too close either.
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Each room comes with a covid kit. Hand sanitizer, and 2 masks. I have to say these became my favorite masks, and hubby and I both asked different maids for an extra one to bring home... because we both really liked them.
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Hubby took a nap while I unpacked, and then I knew if I was going to try and stay up past 8pm (3 hour time difference) I would need to lay down for a bit too. Just as I laid down, there was a knock at the door, and a employee dropped off a prezzy.
The lemon drops were to die for.. and we never figured out what the flavor was on the gummy bears... maybe they were slipping us CBD!? The adrenalin was pumping, but I was able to get about a hour in... and then my slot hand was ready.

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We went down and grabbed our players cards and we were off. In general, we found out of all the places we gambled, we did get the best play time at Aria. No big jackpots or handpays for us, but we were up or even most of the trip. We had zero problems getting waitress service for drinks at Aria. For dinner, I had made reservations at Hot & Juicy Crawfish, at the Miracle shops right across the street near Planet Hollywood. It did not disappoint! Good stuff if you like seafood and don't mind getting a bit messy!
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We went back to the Aria and played a bit more. We also had $40 food credit, so each night we would grab desserts from the Patisserie to use up some of our credit. It was daily, and did not roll over, so use it or lose it. Their desserts were YUMMY!
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I can't remember what time we went to sleep, but it was early, because the of the time difference for us. Man, those beds at the Aria are COMFY! I need one of those in my life! I would compare them to the new beds at POP.. though just a little less high, so I didn't need to bring my stool to get up on them!
 

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Wait... back up.... before we went back to our hotel for the night, we ended up checking out the Luxor... because hubby loves Egyptian things...

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It was cool architecture, but it's pretty far south on the strip, so although Scott would like to stay there... I dunno if we ever will. After we were done depositing our cash at the Luxor, we walked over to the Excalibur... sad I didn't get any pictures there...

One interesting exchange was that some guy gave my husband crap for smoking a pipe in front of his kids... Scott turned around and said... Dude.. you have kids in Vegas at a Casino... don't give me crap about smoking!

I know people disagree on this... but we REALLY don't believe kids belong in Las Vegas. (Strip or Fremont)

Work is CRAZY .. so I'm trying to catch up from last week.. hopefully I can get more posted soon!
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
It's been so long since I've been to Vegas, but I do recall the Luxor. You're right -- it's a distance from center Strip. Didn't stay at the Luxor, but I remember going in there and being enthralled with the elevators -- "Inclinators"as they were called. They actually slanted into a 39-degree angle, as they ascended high into the pyramid!

Very cool !!! :cool:
 

MySmallWorldof4

Well-Known Member
It's been so long since I've been to Vegas, but I do recall the Luxor. You're right -- it's a distance from center Strip. Didn't stay at the Luxor, but I remember going in there and being enthralled with the elevators -- "Inclinators"as they were called. They actually slanted into a 39-degree angle, as they ascended high into the pyramid!

Very cool !!! :cool:
We stayed at the Luxor the only time we’ve been to Vegas. It was really nice, and we got a great deal. We did bring a kid with us @Rista1313 , but she was still cooking in my belly. 😁
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
That was funny what Scott said to those people about the pipe. My mom was a smoker and one time as she was sitting in a smoking section at wdw a lady came into the section with her kid and sat down and told my mom she couldn’t be smoking there. Mom pointed out the sign and the lady argued for a bit then left in a huff.
 

Longers

Well-Known Member
We have stayed in the Luxor (in the pyramid). Was a pretty cool experience (sloping ceilings) but as you say it’s at the far end of the strip so it’s a fair walk to most places.

And I don’t smoke but I am of the same opinion we always say who would take children to Vegas when you can go somewhere with a pool they could just enjoy with other children. I know they’re trying to clean Vegas up but it’s definitely for adults (or children at heart like me,)
 

Darstarr

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Finally made it over. Happy Birthday!

I was in Vegas a lot as a kid. It was only a
5 hour drive from our house so when we had nothing to do we would jump in the camper and go.
Didnt like it then, still not a fan. I hate to lose.

giphy.gif
 

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Sorry for the stall here... I'm going to be honest, I'm finding it difficult to write this one to a Disney crowd without having to explain a lot. However, I've also been writing daily summaries for a Las Vegas facebook group I'm in. I think what I might do, is cut and paste my post here, and then add pictures to the end of the post.

I hope that's ok with everyone... I thought about just taking the @wdisney9000 approach and just not finish... but I didn't wanna wear a white t-shirt! ;)

Feel free to ask questions!


So on we go!
 
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Rista1313

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 2 of 50th Birthday Extravaganza -

I woke up early... and jumped in the awesome shower.... I miss it...it's a rainshower, so I did miss my water pressure... but I loved how big the shower/tub room was! Once I was almost ready... (not long, I'm not high maintenance) I put on some coffee for my hubby. (we brought a single cup kuerig style pot with us (Walmart $19.99) and once that was finished brewing, I cracked the room darkening curtains so the sun was shining in a bit... after his coffee he was ready to go. We were SUPPOSED to have breakfast at the Sterling Brunch for my extravaganza, however, they still were not open, so I made us reservations at the Wicked Spoon buffet at the cosmo. I gotta be honest... I like the way they are doing this... having employee's manning a couple of stations, handing out small plates. Everything I had there was tasty except the plantains.. they were not cooked well and were very dry. Everything else was great.

After we went to play at the Bellagio... I had $25 in Konami play, which I turned into $110 dollars! Totally forgot to walk thru the conservatory (boo!) and we left and went across the street and went down the Linq Promenade to see if I could get a frozen Bailey's at O'Shea's. To my sadness, the bartender said they had not had them all weekend, and they were closed Mon - Thursday, so I would not have another opportunity... SAD FACE! We stop thru and checked out the flamingo's at the Flamingo, and then made the long trip back to Aria.

As you'll noticed, it was naptime (which happens daily for my hubby, as he is disabled) While he napped, I played on my phone then took a nap of my own. For dinner we went off strip, to a fun place that I would recommend! It's on Spring Mountain Rd (I think there are two other locations) called Sapporo Rotating Sushi. No reservations, you just have to wait... I think we waited maybe 15 minutes. They do take you temperature when you come in to be seated. Sushi was $2.50 a plate, and you just grabbed what you wanted off the line. We were sitting right at the beginning of the line, so we usually had the best pick of Sushi. You could also order entire rolls, soup, etc, off a menu. Cheapest dinner of the week... 10 plates of sushi, 2 soda's, and the tip were less than $42.00. Plus it was fun!

After dinner we decided to check out the Cosmo Casino.... where it really left a bad taste..it was busy, and we could not get any play from the machines at all! Went to NYNY for awhile, where we did ok... we both bought new Swatch watches while we were there, and ended the night with a visit to The Chocolate BAR! What a way to end the night!
 

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Songbird76

Well-Known Member
Day 2 of 50th Birthday Extravaganza -

I woke up early... and jumped in the awesome shower.... I miss it...it's a rainshower, so I did miss my water pressure... but I loved how big the shower/tub room was! Once I was almost ready... (not long, I'm not high maintenance) I put on some coffee for my hubby. (we brought a single cup kuerig style pot with us (Walmart $19.99) and once that was finished brewing, I cracked the room darkening curtains so the sun was shining in a bit... after his coffee he was ready to go. We were SUPPOSED to have breakfast at the Sterling Brunch for my extravaganza, however, they still were not open, so I made us reservations at the Wicked Spoon buffet at the cosmo. I gotta be honest... I like the way they are doing this... having employee's manning a couple of stations, handing out small plates. Everything I had there was tasty except the plantains.. they were not cooked well and were very dry. Everything else was great.

After we went to play at the Bellagio... I had $25 in Konami play, which I turned into $110 dollars! Totally forgot to walk thru the conservatory (boo!) and we left and went across the street and went down the Linq Promenade to see if I could get a frozen Bailey's at O'Shea's. To my sadness, the bartender said they had not had them all weekend, and they were closed Mon - Thursday, so I would not have another opportunity... SAD FACE! We stop thru and checked out the flamingo's at the Flamingo, and then made the long trip back to Aria.

As you'll noticed, it was naptime (which happens daily for my hubby, as he is disabled) While he napped, I played on my phone then took a nap of my own. For dinner we went off strip, to a fun place that I would recommend! It's on Spring Mountain Rd (I think there are two other locations) called Sapporo Rotating Sushi. No reservations, you just have to wait... I think we waited maybe 15 minutes. They do take you temperature when you come in to be seated. Sushi was $2.50 a plate, and you just grabbed what you wanted off the line. We were sitting right at the beginning of the line, so we usually had the best pick of Sushi. You could also order entire rolls, soup, etc, off a menu. Cheapest dinner of the week... 10 plates of sushi, 2 soda's, and the tip were less than $42.00. Plus it was fun!

After dinner we decided to check out the Cosmo Casino.... where it really left a bad taste..it was busy, and we could not get any play from the machines at all! Went to NYNY for awhile, where we did ok... we both bought new Swatch watches while we were there, and ended the night with a visit to The Chocolate BAR! What a way to end the night!
What is that happy-looking chocolate concoction in the last picture?? Want. That!
 

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 3 of 50th Birthday Extravaganza -

Day 3 was our "downtown" day. It started off with Breakfast at Hash House a gogo in the Plaza hotel. The meal was really good... hubby had a big O banana pancake, and I had Andy's sage fried chicken and eggs... both were really good... I'm glad I had made this reservation!

Things got ugly after breakfast... we went into a few casinos including the D, and seriously the casinos down there were just taking our money as fast as we were putting it in... I always hear that people have luck with loose slots downtown, that was not the case for us that morning, and it really left a sour taste in hubby's mouth. We had the most fun betting on horse Derby at the D.
We had tickets to the mob museum at 1230p, so we walked over there... cool museum... but MAN that was a LOT of reading! Too much reading for me. I love all that mob stuff, but I did better just watching the video's and looking at the stuff. Took one picture of hubby in the electric chair (mwahahahahaha)

After the museum we went back to the D and spent more time on the horses, then decided to go back to the room for the daily nap. We saw the new sign on the way back.. pretty cool.

For dinner we went to Luke's lobster at the fashion show mall.. of course we parked at the completely wrong end and had to walk thru the entire mall, which made hubby stop at the lego store and buy lego's. The Vegas skyline, and the child... (baby yoda!)
After dinner we headed back towards fremont, as we had tickets for the 830pm tour at the neon boneyard. Boy was this place cool! (if you like neon) It was really neat seeing the old signs.. and they had just finished restoring the pink Moulin Rouge sign. We also saw the brilliant show.

and then we headed back to the Aria for the night...
 

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