My Itinerary for first visit for daughters...missing anything?

[pooh6890]

I am just so excited for Friday December 7th. I am taking my daughters (twins just turned 23 last week).....We got a lakeview/fountain view room at the Bellagio........Here goes.......

Friday - Tickets for Phantom at Venetian at 7:00, Wayne Brady show at Venetian at 9:00 and then ressies at Tao restaurant/nightclub at 10:30.

Saturday - dinner at 6:00 at Rumjungle at Mandalay Bay and then Spice Girls at 8:00 at the Event Center at Mandalay Bay.........then LAX nightclub at Luxor afterwards.

Sunday - Dinner at 6:00 at Spago at Forum Shops.......Celine Dion at 8:30 at Caesars, then Pure nightclub after that.

Monday - shopping, hotel hopping, probably lunch at Paris Las Vegas and dinner at Olives at Bellagio.

I want this trip to be out of this world for my girls......oh and I surprised them with a limo to and from the airport.

Anyone think of anything else I could possibly fit in?

 

[Judy from Boise]

Wow ! What a trip. Can you really do all of that on Friday ? Just make sure to hit the forum shops....my favorite

 

[Mrs H]

This sounds like a really special trip. What a lovely Mummy you are. Your itinerary sounds great, I wish I was your daughter..... triplets?????

 

[pooh6890]

Yes, my daughters are the best in the world. They graduate next year and are both going into elementary education. They will be wonderful teachers. This is our Christmas present for ourselves. As far as Friday, I am stressed out about it already. We arrive at 4:00.....Phantom is at 7:00.....Wayne Brady is at 9:00 (both at Venetian and they assure me that people see both shows one after another all the time and it is planned to accomodate that)....then dinner at 10:30.......most we will be is deadly tired....we are seeing Celine on Sunday so we will definately be at the Forum shops in the afternoon before dinner at Spagos............I am so

 

[Mrs H]

Have you been to Vegas before? I just had my first trip there last month and I'm going crazy wanting to go back again. As I live in the UK it's a major journey and I probably won't be able to go again until May... I can't wait to be back there.

I get so excited reading about other peoples plans etc... so the more you write about your trip the better.

 

[pooh6890]

Mrs. H,

This will be my 3rd trip so far. I love it so much I have already taken steps regarding jobs and re-locating there. My daughters will graduate and I feel I really need a big change after putting them thru school all these years. I have another friend in the same situation. Also, have a few friends that live there now. I have checked out jobs at the major hotels (been in customer service for 30 years) and have contacted realtors at new home sites. The city is just brimming with excitement and energy. I am 51 and they are dying for people like me to move there and work for them.

I have seen Danny Gans at the Mirage (saw Siegfried & Roy thank goodness before the accident), Celine's show, Trent Carlini as Elvis and a few other shows there. If you have not seen Danny Gans, please do. He is amazing. Bellagio is my favorite hotel but we plan on staying at the Venetian next visit. Have stayed at Mirage also.

We haven't planned lunches yet because we are not huge eaters and don't want to ruin our dinner plans each night. But, I would love to try the bistro at Paris Las Vegas or Emeril's at MGM Grand. We will probably do appetizers and drinks only at lunch.

Any other ideas you have would be appreciated.

 

[Mrs H]

Wow, your future plans sound amazing. I'd be so torn between Florida and Vegas, I love them both. I usually go to Florida every year but now that I've "discovered" Vegas I think I might have to alternate my trips.

I wanted to do so many things while in Vegas but I hardly got around to do any of them, there's just too much to do, it's an excuse to go back and do them next time.... Danny Gans is on my list.

I agree with you about The Bellagio, it's fabulous. We stayed across the road from the Bellagio, at Planet Hollywood. We loved it and will stay there again next time.

Are you planning on doing any gambling while you are there? I love roulette, nothing else appeals to me.

 

[pooh6890]

Mrs. H......I am not a big gambler. Love the slots though. When I want a glass of wine, I play slots........

I am leaving on Friday and can't wait!!!!!!!!!!! I am watching the weather really carefully because we fly out of Miami, into Atlanta and on to Vegas......keep your fingers crossed for me........

 

[ZekeKelso]

Great job with the Bellagio room and trip in general.

Personally, you are cramming too many scheduled events in for my tastes. Just wandering, seeing the resorts, people watching, etc. can fill up your time. I assume you know your family and what you are doing. But I certainlly wouldn't stress about adding anything.

Have a great trip - I just got back last night and can't wait for my next trip.

 

[pooh6890]

I am a little stressed out about Friday...but only for the flight.......if we don't leave Miami on time then Atlanta is late and we arrive around 4:00. If that gets screwed up I will be devestated if we don't make Phantom at 7:00........I will be on pins and needles until my butt is sitting in my seat for the show.......WHEW!!!!

Other than that, Saturday is just dinner and concert......same for Sunday......We don't think that is too much.......the days will be spent hotel hopping and shopping and SLEEPING!

We are the opposite in DW.....we don't plan any dinners or shows. We just wing it....but Vegas is so different. There is just so much to do.

I can't Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mrs H]

Pooh, I've got my fingers crossed for you that everything goes to plan. I hope your flights are on time so you can get your bum in that seat @ Phantom. Good Luck and let us know every detail when you get back.... take loads of photo's pleeeeeeeeeze.

Good Luck and have a fab time.

 

[pooh6890]

Thank you Mrs. H. I look forward to giving you all the juicy details when I return.

 

[everylastbreath]

2 shows and late dinner, When we go to Vegas usually I try to not schedule too much on the first night, especially with the time change, I'm usually tired early, but if you can handle it, go for it! Your girls are very lucky, you sound like a great mom. Have lots of fun, and remember - what happens in Vegas stays in VEGAS, Have a blast!

P.S.- Do me a favor while your there, I'm going in January - see if you happen to notice who is playing in Caesars, I have checked Ticketmaster, but doesn't look like anyone is there for the whole month! Thanks

 

[pooh6890]

Mrs. H & Everylastbreath,

Boy, did we have an amazing time in Vegas! Got back yesterday and am trying desperately to catch up with mind and body in the new time zone. So, here goes.

Arrived Friday on time thank god! Limo picked us up and took us up and down the strip so the girls could see all the hotels. Great Limo driver (Joe) thru Bell Transportation....highly recommend their services......$52 from airport to hotel and $47 from hotel to airport. By passed all the people at the airport, worth every penny. Got to the Bellagio and check in was a breeze. By the way, Bellagio is right next door to the new City Center being built. We had a lakeview/fountainview room in the Spa Tower. Both Saturday and Monday were awakened by the construction noise. We were so tired it didn't really bother us, but for most people it probably would have. Keep that in mind if you plan on staying there. Room was beautiful though. We were on the 18th floor and could see the strip from Paris Las Vegas to MGM Grand. Beautiful especially at night.

After waiting thru long taxi line (keep that in mind when planning), made it to Phantom at Venetian at 6:50....show didn't start until 7:10 and was absoluting stunning. Christine's voice just soared and we really enjoyed the show. Wayne Brady also started late due to Phantom running late. Highly recommend his show.....very very funny, all improv and lots of interaction with audience. (sorta raunchy but hey, it's Vegas). Dinner at Tao was very good and then the nightclub (free passes from waiter Josh)....wall to wall people. Probably won't go back there but we wanted to see it, went and stayed 20 minutes and left.....home to bed......

Saturday we went to champagne brunch buffet at Bellagio (very yummy) then siteseeing at Ballys, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand and New York New York. Went to Mandalay Bay for dinner at Rumjungle.....just OK...great waitress and good service but food was just ok. Had steak and their signature rum drink which was very good. SPICE GIRLS........oh my god.....the best concert ever. Had seats in Row K on the Floor and both daughters were right next to stage for the whole concert. I will NEVER forget the look on their faces. All the girls looked amazing. Mel B's body was so in shape it was unbelieveable. AND , Max was right in my row and looked so proud of her........best best time of the whole weekend. Then we went to LAX at Luxor with free passes. Girls were taking pictures of Miquel Coto (was the winner of the pre-fight at MGM) and he motioned for us to come up to his VIP section of the club. Thought my daughers would die! We partied with him and his entourage and during the night met Nicky Hilton, Jude Law, Chris Angel and saw Madonna, Brad/Angelina and Gwen Stefani. Can you believe it? Best night ever for my girls.

Sunday we had lunch at Italian restaurant in Venetian and watched the gondolas and did some shopping. Ate at Spago (very expensive but loved every minute of it and the food was so so good, service the best we had anywhere).....Celine Dion at 8:30 and her show is the best in Vegas. She is so amazing. Loved loved loved her. Went to Pure nightclub, again with free passes (we were VERY lucky to get free passes everywhere...my twins are really beautiful inside and out).....danced for about 1 1/2 hours there and then were exhausted. Saw Judd Nelson.

Monday went to Mesa Grill at Caesars (Bobby Flay) for lunch, Forum shops, then to the Mirage.....had drinks at Revolution Bar (Beatles all florescent bar)....reallly cool and then Siegfried and Roys Secret Garden.....saw baby dolphin and the white tigers and lions at the habitat...since they have been bred there they are not afraid of people and got very almost scary close. Then went back to Bellagio....had the buffet for dinner again....then limo to airport at 8:30 and home........WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best vacation ever!!!!!!!!!! By the way, Caesar's does not have any entertainment set for January at all.....getting ready for Bette Midler I guess.

So all in all, one of the best if not best vacations ever! We did everything planned and it all worked out perfectly......3 months of planning and all went well thank goodness. Really glad I had all my tickets and reservations to all the shows and restaurants....all we had to do was show up. I highly recommend doing that if you can. I am going back in May to see Bette, Mama Mia and Spamalot.......

 

[everylastbreath]

WOW! so glad you posted, sounds like you had the greatest vacation!! What a wonderful trip with your daughters! Thanks for the idea's too, think I might go to the Wayne Brady show, looking for 2 shows while we are there and I def. lean towards comedy shows! Saw that Ray Romano is at Mirage the week I'll be there so that sounds like fun. Also going to check out the Revoluation Bar while at Mirage. As many times as I have been in Vegas you would think I've seen everywhere, but it's really impossible to see everything! Don't think we will be checking out the clubs, not really my thing, we get VIP passes to all Caesar's/Harrahs properties, do you get comped for your trip? Can't wait - we are going to in a few weeks, flying into Reno, spending 2 nights in Tahoe, 1 in Reno, then flying to Vegas for the remainder of the week (4 nights) Love Love Love VEGAS! Can't believe that Caesars has no one at Forum for January, that stinks. Really wanted to see Elton, but it never works out when we are there. Tell me about Siegfried and Roys Secret Garden? I assume it's at Mirage, Do you pay admission to it, is it like a guided tour? Can you touch the animals? About how long does it take (my husband has a pretty short attention span for anything other than the casino there!) How was the weather? Last time we were there in January, they actually had snow! but anyother time we were there you could walk around in a sweatshirt. Sounds like you had a great time, hope mine is as good!!

 

[pooh6890]

WOW! so glad you posted, sounds like you had the greatest vacation!! What a wonderful trip with your daughters! Thanks for the idea's too, think I might go to the Wayne Brady show, looking for 2 shows while we are there and I def. lean towards comedy shows! Saw that Ray Romano is at Mirage the week I'll be there so that sounds like fun. Also going to check out the Revoluation Bar while at Mirage. As many times as I have been in Vegas you would think I've seen everywhere, but it's really impossible to see everything! Don't think we will be checking out the clubs, not really my thing, we get VIP passes to all Caesar's/Harrahs properties, do you get comped for your trip? Can't wait - we are going to in a few weeks, flying into Reno, spending 2 nights in Tahoe, 1 in Reno, then flying to Vegas for the remainder of the week (4 nights) Love Love Love VEGAS! Can't believe that Caesars has no one at Forum for January, that stinks. Really wanted to see Elton, but it never works out when we are there. Tell me about Siegfried and Roys Secret Garden? I assume it's at Mirage, Do you pay admission to it, is it like a guided tour? Can you touch the animals? About how long does it take (my husband has a pretty short attention span for anything other than the casino there!) How was the weather? Last time we were there in January, they actually had snow! but anyother time we were there you could walk around in a sweatshirt. Sounds like you had a great time, hope mine is as good!!

Definately see Wayne Brady...we laughed so hard we almost peed our pants. He is much taller and thinner that we thought. He opens the show with a production number (him and 2 girl singers and 4 dancers). He is such a good singer and he dances hip hop unbelievably well. Highly recommend it.

The Secret Garden takes about an hour. It's $15 per person and totally worth it. You do it on your own. The first part is seeing the dolphins and the new baby dolphin named Sgt. Pepper. Then you walk thru a gate and see white tigers, lions, panthers, etc. They are very up close and personal with you. We got some great pics. You do it at your own pace. Also, it's outside so prepare for the weather. We had light jackets on. It was high 50's to low 40's when we were there.

I don't do club either but 23 year olds do. We are very happy that at least we got to see the "in" places for celebrities.

Any more questions.....put them my way.

 

[Mrs H]

Oh my God POOH!! I can't believe what I've just read. What an absolutely amazing holiday. It sounds like it exceeded your expectations. I'm so glad that it went so well, with so many wonderful surprises too. I can't wait to go back there. Even without all the things you did, it's still amazing, just walking down the strip is a thrill for me.... Imagine if I'd done half the things you'd done, I think they'd have to drag me home. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

 

[pooh6890]

I am already planning my next trip. I work in a tax office so I can't go until May. I will be checking into staying at the Venetian this time. I love that hotel! So much to do there. Didn't get a chance to visit the Wynn or the Palms, so we will be doing that. This trip will include seeing Bette Midler, Spamalot, Beatles Love & Mamma Mia. Also didn't get to go up into the Eiffel Tower...it was too cold. So that's that!

 

[Mrs H]

We are hoping to go at the end of May, I hope we manage to see Bette too, she's bril. It'll be me and my hubby going and also his brother and wife. Will you be taking your girls again?

 

[pooh6890]

No, this visit will be with friends. Don't know who or how many though. Girls are in college and won't be able to get away.