vegas or disney?

[UKTim]

I know theyre very different but we've been to orlando but not to vegas. Whats at vegas that makes people gasp when I say I havent been? whats so good?

[piglet]

I think most people gasp at watching the people on the fruit machines, to me they appear to be asleep, there's no expression on their faces, just playing 2 or 3 machines at a time. Having said that, we spent about 3 days there a few years ago and the hotels are fantastic, food is very cheap, and there are often displays outside the hotel. It's a great place to go but not for too long and not if you have an addiction to gambling.

[ukwdwnut]

vegas has no appeal to me so disney every time

[Keith]

Well I like both

Im not into gambling but sure when in vegas I'll play a few hands and have a go at the slots. Certainly not something I'd get addicted to though and funnily enough not what I look forward to when I think of vegas

What I do love is the whole atmosphere of the place. From the moment you disembark the plane, you can hear the slots, feel the excitment. It has a vibrant Vegas feeling all of its own.

There are any number of shows, there are loads of cheap and great buffets. The hotels, like disney, all need to be visited

I guess I'd agree that hmmmmmmm 4 or 5 days would do me, I wouldn't want two weeks there but I'd have a lot of fun in those 4/5 days

[Britchick]

i like both too but wouldn't turn down a trip to disney to just do vegas so it would have to be part of the trip to disney land.

I do like doing the slots and last time we were there i made about $70 which was cool. The buffets were fantastic in the hotels. Lots and lots to do entertainment wise but it's very very busy so you can't really escape. I really like the theming of all the hotels too.

[Taja]

They are completely different experience, IMHO.

When most people say "Vegas," they mean the Las Vegas Strip, or perhaps Fremont Street (old downtown area that has been revived). While you will see children there, "Vegas" has been changing its family friendly style of the past 20 years or so back to an adult playground. There are still things for children to do at some of the hotels, and some shows are suitable for children, but, overall, not a good experience for children. Particularly if they are younger. Children are not permitted on the casino floor, except to enter the hotels. And most hotels have the casino right out front, so you constantly see children being shuttled through the casinos.

For adults, it's a fun playground. We usually like to go for three or four nights, depending on arrival and departure time. If we're able to get an early morning arrival and mid-afternoon departure, it's three nights, otherwise four. We're ready to return home by then!

Las Vegas has added upscale dining and clubs in recent years. Advance reservations required for the upscale dining and standard queue protocol--and appropriate clothes--are required for the upscale clubs. We're well past the club scene age (not sure we ever were that age, but that's us!), so can't really comment beyond that. Expect to drop at least $1,000 dollars at each club, from what I hear. That doesn't include table and/or bottle service.

Quintessential Vegas is the resorts and casinos on the strip, as well as some downtown. They range from tacky to elegant and sophisticated. Some you will look at and wonder: "What were they thinking?" Others are suitable for any modern city. Most of the resorts are elaborately themed, although some have been scaling back or subtly altering their decor in recent years. As I said, they're moving away from family friendly to a more adult environment, and that includes the resorts.

As dining has become more upscale, the buffets have changed and increased their prices, as well. Definitely a good value for guests from the UK, given the exchange rate. Becoming a bit pricey for us, but most are on a par with WDW buffets in terms of price. Some are $50 or more: Sterling Brunch at Bally's, for one. Plus alcoholic beverages, which are available at most resort buffets.

The casinos are similar in philosophy and layout, but vary in decor. Again, from tacky to elegant--and some just plain old fun! The resort casinos have both slots and table games; some of the smaller casinos on Fremont Street are slots only--and can be fun, albeit rather noisy!

If you visit Las Vegas, room rates are lowest Sunday through Thursday nights, so try to plan around that. Watch for conventions (lots of them!) and other special events (rodeos, concerts, etc.)--they can quadruple room prices in a flash--or more! The same room I've managed to get for $50 or so a night at a decent (not upscale) hotel can become $300 a night during those times!

You can book tours from the Las Vegas area to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. You also can tour the Ethel M candy factory and several other areas. There are other things to do, bu it's too early for my brain to think just yet--it's on automatic pilot. It isn't quite 7:00 a.m. yet. *yawn*

[Keith]

You can book tours from the Las Vegas area to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. You also can tour the Ethel M candy factory and several other areas. There are other things to do, bu it's too early for my brain to think just yet--it's on automatic pilot. It isn't quite 7:00 a.m. yet. *yawn*

Thanks Taja I always love the detail in your posts!

I'd forgotten about the tours! I did the Hoover Dam one which was just mind blowingly good and on the way we did the Ethel M candy factory which was worth the tour in itself I thought!

[Tink]

I just turned down a vacation offer to Las Vegas. I'm totally disinterested in the place. Maybe someday I'll go when I've seen many other places that hold more interest for me, but not right now.

The only thing at all in that neck of the woods that interests me is the Skybridge at the Grand Canyon.

[Skywatcher]

Got to be the mouse house - love th eidea of vegas one day but each time I think about it I am pulled relentlessly towards florida

[Taja]

Forgot to mention shopping!

The Las Vegas Strip is one place where I will window shop off and on during a visit--two hours is about my limit at one time. I can handle two sessions in a day if they are several hours apart!

From the unusual and odd to the elegant and expensive, you'll find just about everything! There are outlet shops not far off the Strip, the elegance of the shops at the Bellagio (love Fred Leghton!) and the Forum Shops, and the mix of surprisingly affordable along with incredibly upscale shops at The Wynn, as well as everything in between. Every resort has a least a gift shop or two, and the larger ones have areas devoted to shops (The Venetian, Mirage, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, etc.). There also are other shops along the Strip just waiting for your business.