Trip Itinerary September 12 for Six Nights

Trip Itinerary 6 nights in Las Vegas beginning September 12
T-7 days and counting:

My last Vegas trip was December 2013 solo for five days. This trip will be seven days with my wife to celebrate our 10th anniversary (at least that’s the way I’m presenting it to her). We’re leaving next Friday from Boston non-stop via JetBlue, getting in about 11:30 AM, and renting a full-size car via Dollar Express for the week. Also I’ve just learned that my brother and his wife will be there most of the days we will be there (unplanned), so I assume he will be included in the some of the subsequent activities as well.

After getting the car, we’ll likely get something to eat maybe at Bahama Breeze or the Mirage buffet (where I have an LVA 2-for-1) before checking into a one bedroom condo at Wyndham Grand Desert Resort on Harmon (near MGM Signature and Ellis Island) for 6 nights on a timeshare trade through RCI.

Entertainment

When I go with my wife, the trip is always entertainment-heavy. Saturday night have tickets for Bob Saget at the HoB at Mandalay Bay; Sunday night likely the Million Dollar Quintet through tix4tonight; Monday night likely Raiding the Rock Vault at Westgate (former LVH) via a Travelzoo discount voucher; Tuesday night likely The Improv at Harrah’s (ACG 2-for1), and Wednesday night may go see The Fab (a Vegas-based Beatles tribute band) at Mizuya Lounge at Mandalay Bay (no cover).

With my wife during the afternoons (and/or brother) will do some shopping, grab some free slot play here and there, and may check out the Neon Museum, Pinball HOF, the Quad Auto Collection, or Rick’s Restoration.


Gambling

The vast majority of my gambling will mostly be done alone in the mornings. I have matchplays and freeplays (MPs and FPs) from ACG, LVA MRB, and other sources My most extensive coupon/freeplay run will be near strip and include Gold Coast, Palms, SLS, Riviera, Ellis Island, Hooters, and Orleans, and may include Wincard deals at Mandalay Bay, NYNY, Riviera, and Circus Circus. I’ll also do a downtown MP/FP coupon run including Las Vegas Club, The Plaza, 4Queen’s, Binions, and ElCo.

Besides coupon runs, I’m planning to try playing $0.25 x 10 coin FP Deuces Wild (FPDW) VP at the Skyline Casino in Henderson (if the old coin-droppers and smoke are bearable). Regardless, will definitely play a good amount of 50c Aces & Eight’s progressive VP at Circus Circus (CC); 25c FPDW and LDW at GVR; 25c LDW at Westgate; and 25c Pick-A-Pair (aka Pick’Em) at the Fremont.

Food

I have a $50 gift certificate plus a $10 discount coupon for Maggiano’s at the Fashion Show Mall and a $50 Gift Certificate for Bahama Breeze on Paradise. I will also likely use an LVA MRB $10 off at GVR’s Grand Café, MRB 2-for-1 buffet coupons at Mirage and GVR and might hit Grand Luxe, the Peppermill, Earl of Sandwich, and Settebello’s. Our last night if I’ve accrued enough player’s points at Circus Circus, my wife and I may then hit the CC Steakhouse for a “point-comped” steak dinners.

Will send a trip report upon return.

ST

Sounds good! Have a safe, fun and profitable trip and I'm looking forward to reading about your results.

And VPFree2.com seems to be saying that SLS has Pick 'Em (Pick-A-Pair) as well, so check that out!

Also, if any shopping might be done in any LV Mall, you should be able to get discount book for there through the Auto Club (AAA) if you are a member and you also might find ads and/or a coupon in the Freebie LV Magazines. And get your hands on as many of the Freebie magazines as possible because you never know what may be in there!

I've also seen recently a coupon in one or more of the Freebie magazines for some kind of discount (I think for 10% off) at Macy's in LV as well (if you're interested).

RecVPPlayer

RecVP:

Thanks for the heads up on the SLS Pick'Em. Last time I was at vpFREE2 website for SLS they didn't show that. According to the vpF2 comments it was just added to the vpF2 database yesterday.

Thanks again for pointing that out.

ST

You're very welcome! I remember when Slots-A-Fun used to have Pick 'Em as well plus I think Flamingo.

RecVPPlayer

RecVP:

In the Pick’Em full pay version, the last two places I recall playing it in the Vegas area (other than the Fremont) were at Casino Montelago at Lake Las Vegas at the 50c level. At the end of my play I remember trying to cash out a ticket there and on the Pick'em all machines had to be paid (no matter how big or small) by hand there. I tried cashing out with about $10 left and they had to call the casino manager to hand pay me the $10. I asked him why they did that and he said the PE machines would cost too much to convert to TITO. I said why don't you get rid of them? He said because some of our best customers would be upset if we got rid of them. Anyway (as I suspected), they closed the casino not too much longer after that.

The other place I remember playing was when LVH was still associated with Hilton. They had $1.00 Pick'Em at the bars and I seem to recall large metal tokens were paid out at cash out time or if over a certain amount a handpay.

Back east, Mohegan Sun in CT still offers $1.00 FP Pick'em, but like all 99%+ VP there, you get NO player's club points for your play.

ST

Thanks for that Straub66. I also now remember that at one point in time, Palms Casino also had it.

RecVPPlayer

I'm rolling a coupon run that weekend. Same spots, basically. David (recvp..) et al from here will verify I'm no creep if you would share the ride or ride with me. No shame if you can't. Sunday, fer sure, is my day for this. Good luck!

Sounds like a great trip. You have a lot planned but having just returned from my best trip to Vegas -- EVER -- I have become even more of a fan of well-planned trips. Part of the "plan" may to have a day or part of day to do nothing. I also know when I get there the best made plans may be broken -- I did that a couple of times during my trip -- but I think having a good plan BEFORE the trip and checking out promos and entertainment in advance makes the trip more enjoyable because there's less "thinking" to do once you get to Vegas and more time for just enjoying and experiencing. When I get there I look at the local papers and mags to see if there is anything new happening and of interest that I may not have known. If there's nothing new of interest then it's a pat on the back re: my planning and if there is then it's just a tweak to the schedule to include it. ENJOY and Happy Anniversary!

It does sound like a great trip.Well planned.And since you are planning on being downtown,may I suggest the Mob Museum?It's a nice tour that last's about 2 hours(depending on your speed) and is well worth the time.

jmradford:

If I were traveling solo I'd take you up on it, but I already have to coordinate my trip/gambling time with my wife and now also (unplanned) with my brother and his wife. So having one more person to schedule trip time with is going to get cumbersome for me

I usually also take one solo trip per year, so if by chance you are in town the same time I am again when I'm flying solo, it would be great to do some coupon running with you then, especially since we'll probably be traveling the same route.

Good luck. I hope you also will write a trip report so we can compare notes.

ST