Unrelated to Podcast, Las Vegas Question - I'm Back :)

[Madi100]

For Valentine's Day my DH surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas that we are taking over Spring Break.
Pro: It's a trip with just him and myself. Con: It's not WDW.
Pro: It's with some friends. CON: It's not WDW.
Pro: Someone else is planning the trip and I have to do nothing. CON: I am the planner! I'm the gal who wants to know what we are doing on the podcast cruise so I can start planning.
Pro: I get to go on vacation in two weeks. Con: It's not to WDW

So, I have mixed feelings about this trip. I really have no desire to go to Vegas, and I'm trying hard to hide those feelings. I know once we get there, we'll have a good time. If nothing else, we have a room to ourselves with no kids. Okay, one pro without a con

They want to see a show while we are there. Does any of the great podcast community have any great tips for a show?

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

As far as shows are concerned I really guess it depends on what you like. Bette Midler has taken over for Celine at Caesars. They've got about a million different Cirque shows in Vegas now not to mention all the old standbys..

--DB

 

[MM32830]

We've been to Las Vegas a few time. Great city to have a great time. You're right, it's not WDW, but once you drive down the strip and you see all the lights, you may realize that there is life outside of Disney.

And, in case that's not the case, Disneyland is only 4-1/2 hours away by car!


Armand

 

[Madi100]

As far as shows are concerned I really guess it depends on what you like. Bette Midler has taken over for Celine at Caesars. They've got about a million different Cirque shows in Vegas now not to mention all the old standbys..

--DB

I'm not sure I want to see Cirque, other than that I don't know. Maybe Thunder Down Under Just kidding. I think we want to stay away from that type all together. I thought Tony and Tina's Wedding looked good. Ever heard of that?

 

[Madi100]

We've been to Las Vegas a few time. Great city to have a great time. You're right, it's not WDW, but once you drive down the strip and you see all the lights, you may realize that there is life outside of Disney.

And, in case that's not the case, Disneyland is only 4-1/2 hours away by car!


Armand

But I don't want life outside of WDW (pretend that guy is having a temper tantrum)

 

[DisneyKevin]

Las Vegas is great for a couple of days. John and I are thinking of going.

Want to see the new Bette Midler show....The Showgirl Must Go On.

There is a bunch of stuff to do other than gamble.

My favorite thing to do is take the 1/2 hour ride out to Boulder City and the Hoover Dam. It's absolutely breathtaking and spectacular. They call it the American Pyramid.

They are building a new highway that will divert traffic from driving over the top of the dam. It's something you wont be able to do for much longer.

Go see it. You wont be sorry. It's an awesome sight.

Kevin

 

[Madi100]

Las Vegas is great for a couple of days. John and I are thinking of going.

Want to see the new Bette Midler show....The Showgirl Must Go On.

There is a bunch of stuff to do other than gamble.

My favorite thing to do is take the 1/2 hour ride out to Boulder City and the Hoover Dam. It's absolutely breathtaking and spectacular. They call it the American Pyramid.

They are building a new highway that will divert traffic from driving over the top of the dam. It's something you wont be able to do for much longer.

Go see it. You wont be sorry. It's an awesome sight.

Kevin

If you planned on going at the same time, we could have our own little podcast meet, and then I might be looking forward to it

I will suggest the Hoover Dam. We aren't renting a car, I don't think. Is there a tour bus that goes out there?

 

[SamSam]

Vegas can be fun. There are several different Cirque shows and as Kevin said Bette Midler has a show. I also liked Stomp Out Loud and The Blue Man Group. There are really lots of great shows. In addition to Hoover dam; if you like scenery the drive out to Red Rock Canyon is a great way to spend a few hours. If you are into shopping, there's great shopping. If you like good dining, just glance through one of the Vegas Books.....lots of great dining.

I haven't seen Tony and Tina's Wedding, but have heard good things about the play.

 

[Tonya2426]

Maybe Thunder Down Under

Actually, (true confessions here) Thunder Down Under is alot of fun. We went to Las Vegas on a mother and daughters trip and my sister had never been to a male "revue". So we put my mother to bed, so to speak, and headed over the the Excalibur for sisterly bonding time. We bought Mike's Hard Lemonade in the gift shop - to save money on drinks because I told her these shows are more fun with a really good buzz. (I've been to a few of these shows in my younger days so I know these things.) The show isn't as cheesie as some male strip shows - you don't put money in their g-strings or anything. Watching all the other women is the most fun. And seeing really hot men is not too bad either.

As we were waiting to go into the show I noticed this guy who was sort of hiding behind his hat and I told my sister that he looked like one of the guys with the show just by the way he was watching people and trying to hide it. When I went to get more drinks my sister struck up a conversation with him and low and behold he was one of the guys in the show and it was his night off and agreed to do the show for some female friends that were in town. He was a break dancer and not one of the stripper guys and from Australia. My sister was worried about being pulled on stage but he told her not to worry about it because there would be women begging to be brought on stage. And he was right!!!

My sister actually caught the shirt that one of the guys ripped off and threw in the audience. She has yet to tell her husband that she went to the show so I get to use that fun fact over her head. (Someday it will really come in handy especially since I still have the ripped shirt . What's a sister for after all?!?!)

We also went to Hoover Dam and it was great. We're planning on doing it again on our next trip - it's really fascinating. We used a tour van service but next time we will rent a car because the tour didn't give you enough time to explore the whole dam site. We saw Mamma Mia which is lots of fun. We tried to see Celine but she was sick that night so we say KA instead - and like most Cirque shows it was great.

Las Vegas isn't Disney World but if I can't go to WDW then Las Vegas is next on the list.

 

[nurse.darcy]

As a Vegas local, I can recommend Blue Man Group and Stomp out loud. Those shows are awesome. I love Cirque so always recommend those. Tony and Tina's wedding is HYSTERICAL. Take a gondola ride at the Venetian (very romantic and fun), watch the Pirate and Vixen show in front of Treasure Island (now referred to as TI), watch the volcano erupt at the Mirage, see the light show at the Bellagio. . .most of the last few things are free. Oh, and take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris. And don't forget the roller coaster at New York, New york. If you are into a little clubbing, there is a great dueling piano bar at New York, New York. On one side of the bar its standing room, the other side you can get a table for 4 guests for 15 bucks. Its an absolute riot. Its right near the main casino and very loud so you can't miss it. There are a million other things I can think of but I would be typing all night. Relax and have fun. I know its not Disney but every once in a while you gotta see something else. . .

 

[ssawka]

Maybe Thunder Down Under

I thought that's what happens when you go to the all-you-can-eat buffets in Vegas.

 

[ADP]

Las Vegas is definately a place you need to experience at least once in your life. If you are big on theming Las Vegas is a place you should enjoy.

 

[Plutes]

While I readily admit that Vegas is no Disney, we do LOVE it!!

Right off the bat, I was going to suggest any of the Cirque shows (Love being my personal favorite), but since you're not too interested in that, the only other obvious one I can think of is Lance Burton. I know, I know...it's a magic show. Believe me, I did NOT want to go lol. DH dragged me and I absolutely LOVED it! We've actually been twice now! Plus, his ticket prices are a little more reasonable than some of the other shows out there. Other than that, I would say check out what headliners will be there. On our past trip, we saw Howie Mandel and he was GREAT!! We took my parents for their 40th anniversary back in July and they're still talking about it. Either way, I'm sure you'll have fun. The strip is really a sight to see, whether you're a gambler or not!!

Have a GREAT trip!!

 

[SamIAm21]

Las Vegas is a great time. It's not WDW, but it's not meant to be! There are so many fun things to do besides gambling. I'll throw my hat in the ring and recommend the Danny Gans show at the Mirage. Great show!

Do not miss the fountains of Bellagio or the conservatory inside the hotel. For Easter/Spring, it will be GORGEOUS. The smells are amazing! Go to the chocolate shop around the back of the conservatory and check out that chocolate fountain! Yummy!

Go have a margarita at Margaritaville, sit outside on the deck and watch the people/traffic go by on the strip. Go to the top of the Stratosphere for an amazing view. Eat at the Top of the World restaurant, make reservations for around sunset. The restaurant slowly rotates so you can see the whole valley.

Honestly, there's no shortage of great things to do in Vegas. You will want to go back. It's nearly as addicting as WDW.

 

[LovesThumper]

Car Rentals are very cheap in Las Vegas so the trip to Hoover is certainly doable. Plus there are little kiosks everywhere with tours. We went to Red Rock the last time we were there. Just going to see the various hotels and their free shows and having a drink is great fun. I am not a Las Vegas fan per se. but I always felt it was Disney World for adults. Lots of glitter, and lots of crowds. Relax, let someone else do the planning and have a great time.

 

[SweaterInJune]

the only other obvious one I can think of is Lance Burton. I know, I know...it's a magic show. Believe me, I did NOT want to go lol. DH dragged me and I absolutely LOVED it! We've actually been twice now! Plus, his ticket prices are a little more reasonable than some of the other shows out there.

I am a magician, so part of me wants to take offense to this, though I won't because it wasn't a personal attack and I understand that the muggles have a very skewed idea of what world-class magic is. It's no one's fault ...actually, I blame many magicians for either doing sub-par work or perpetuating the stereotypes. Even still, Vegas is the Magic Capital of the World, so... (I'm very glad you enjoyed Lance's show!)

As an evening show, aside from Cirque (I choose 'Love', as well. If you like the Beatles, this is NOT TO BE MISSED!), I definitely can't recommend Lance Burton's show at the Mirage enough! He is a world class performer--he is a WORLD CHAMPION--and also a world class person. The show is fantastic and FLAWLESS! He left me speechless, and it takes a lot to really impress me as I know the secrets...

Also, a different type of magic show is at Harrah's in the afternoon. This is the Mac King Comedy Magic Show. Mac is very talented, VERY FUNNY, and very nice. You will not be disappointed by this show, either. It's family friendly and probably one of the highlights of my trip last summer. Don't get the wrong impression by this though. It's not like a birthday party magic show. It has to be seen to be believed. This show is very inexpensive ($30 maybe?) and usually if you buy a $10 drink (alcohol, soda, whatev), they'll let you in for free--stop by the front desk for a voucher.

I went out to Vegas in August for a professional magic conference. And decided to see both Lance and Mac as I hadn't made it out to see the shows before. There is a reason that they've been out there so long. Mac just extended his contract through 2011, and Lance has his OWN theatre at the Mirage. Quite literally, the Lance Burton Theatre was built and desigened for him! If you know anything about live entertainment, this rarely happens. I grew up with them as people I looked up to, and though I had met Mac before, I was still impressed by their personalities. They are 2 of the nicest, most talented guys in magic. Don't miss these shows!

 

[njsweetP]

My husband and I are headed to Vegas in 3 weeks to celebrate our 20th Anniversary and I CANNOT wait!!! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Vegas!!!! The last time we were there was 3 years ago and it was for DH's convention so there really wasn't alot of down time. This trip we are seeing Cirque's KA and Spamalot! I am so psyched!!! Vegas is an ever changing always evolving type of town and there's always something to do. Great restaurants, great shows, great weather! Have fun and I think you will really enjoy yourself! Hey, if anyone can recommend some not-to-miss restaurants, I would appreciate it!!! Thanks!

 

[Plutes]

I am a magician, so part of me wants to take offense to this, though I won't because it wasn't a personal attack and I understand that the muggles have a very skewed idea of what world-class magic is. It's no one's fault ...actually, I blame many magicians for either doing sub-par work or perpetuating the stereotypes. Even still, Vegas is the Magic Capital of the World, so... (I'm very glad you enjoyed Lance's show!)

I'm very glad you chose not to take offense to my comments, as they surely weren't meant that way. If anything, you should take them as the opposite, for Lance Burton's show turned me around! And, I must mention (& I KNOW I'll be in the minority on this one) that I saw Sigfried & Roy on my first trip to Vegas back in '98. In my 'muggle' opinion, it was just awful. Showpeople they are, but magicians they are not. I could actually figure out some of the 'tricks' just sitting in my seat in the audience. I was VERY VERY disappointed and swore I would never 'waste' money on a magic show ever again, which is why DH had to 'drag' me to see Lance. As I said, they were amazing performers, but their magic was very old/stale and reminded me of the magician I had at my 7th birthday party! lol Lance Burton, on the other hand, was amazing, and I recommend his show to everyone! I'd actually go to see him AGAIN if I could. Actually, maybe I will if we get back there this year! (btw, Lance's theater is at the Monte Carlo, Cirque's 'Love' is at the Mirage! )

 

[disneyholic family]

i hate vegas, but it's interesting to see once ...

there are two cirque shows there that are good, but all 4 of us thought the cirque at WDW is better, so i'd recommend investing your time and money on some of the other (non-cirque) shows...

also, it's fun to visit the various hotels....many of them are pretty incredible..

 

[kmk1180]

"Pro: I get to go on vacation in two weeks. Con: It's not to WDW"


Con-Your going to LAS VEGAS for 2 weeks!!!!!
Yikes!
Vegas can be fun but it can also cost a fortune, even if you don't think your a gambler type.
My advice is plan al ot of things to do. (you can't plan too much here)
Simply because with two weeks planned you'll still find some time to check out the casinos.
Tip 1: Each casino offers free or cheap things to do to bring you into them. Check them out. Like the Secret Garden at the Mirage. The Art Gallery at the Venitian. The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
Tip 2: Get out of town. Like others have suggested try Red Rock Park, Hoover Dam, maybe 4 wheeling in the desert.

As for shows, our favorite is Blue Man Group. If you haven't seen it live you should there's no good way to describe or catagorize it but it's fun. Also look for smaller shows off the strip There's some great acts away from the big casinos, we caught The Rightous Brothers, great show and very reasonably priced.