What's the worse thing that can happen during a trip to Las Vegas? Catching a damn cold bug! This was suppose to be a 10 day trip over Halloween (10/25-11/4), but after coming down with a cold mid-way through my trip, I decided to return home on 10/29 before it got worse (which it did!). Anywho, more on that later, but at least I was able to get in a few days of quality Vegas time before getting sick.
Last year, I also visited Las Vegas over Halloween, so I decided to plan a similar trip this year, since it also coincided with the LasVegas4Ever board meet on October 30th. I started planning my trip several months prior, since Southwest had some good rates on roundtrip airfares from MDW to LAS.
I also had several comp offers from the Orleans and Green Valley Ranch which covered most of my lodging costs. I had planned to stay at the Orleans for 7 nights (4 nights comped, 3 nights at tier rates) and my final 3 nights at the Green Valley Ranch (3 nights comped). I had comp offers from several CET properties, as well as the Luxor which would have covered those 3 paid nights, but I didn't want to move to 4 different hotels during my trip.
October 25, Day 1:
I made reservations with Echo Limousine to get to MDW and arrived way to early again! I had 3 hours to kill before my flight! LOL! Rush hour traffic going to MDW wasn't too bad and getting through the TSA security was a breeze. I was the only one in the TSA PreCheck line while the regular line had at least a 20 min or longer wait time. Unfortunately on my return trip, it was just the opposite at LAS where TSA really messed up the TSA PreCheck process, but more on that later.
I spent most of my wait time eating breakfast, checking email, surfing the web, and posting to social media. Since I have Sprint as my mobile phone carrier, they also provide free unlimited wi-fi at a number of airports for their users only which is cool. The regular free wi-fi at MDW is limited to 30 mins, then you have to pay, so having Sprint works out well for me.
I was also on one of Southwest's new Boeing 737-800 jets. The seats are nicer (probably because they are still new) and the backrest has 2 separate pockets in front to store stuff. One is located above the tray and one below. There are also 2 lavatories in the rear and 2 more in front, not just one on each end of the plane like on the older model.
I paid for SWA's Earlybird boarding, so I was in group A and got my favorite aisle seat in the rear of the plane. The flight was uneventful which is always good and I spent most of the time watching movies on my iPad. There were no delays, so we landed on time and I was off to the rental car facility after getting my luggage.
I reserved a Mustang convertible or "equivalent" from Budget, so I was hoping that they would have a Mustang which they did. They didn't have the convertible available, but did have a new 2017 Mustang hardtop which was even better!
It was close to 2:30pm after picking up my rental car, so I drove over to the Orleans to check-in. They had a Premium Deluxe King room reserved for me which was the same as the one I had a few trips back, so I didn't take any new photos of the room. You can view photos of that room in my May 2014 trip report.
View from my room...
After checking in, I drove over to Albertson's for supplies (water, diet Coke, munchies for the room), then headed down the LV strip and parked at the Wynn. Free parking, of course! LOL! I crossed over and visited TI which I haven't been to in a few years. The last time I was there was to meet some friends for dinner at Kahunaville which is now closed. That was my favorite restaurant at TI. Anywho, I signed up for their new players card and then walked over to the Mirage. Since I have the MLife Mastercard, I had to get my new Pearl players card, so I can self-park for free at the MGM properties.
Gordon Ramsay's Fish & Chips
A little later, I walked over to the Linq promenade to check out Gordon Ramsay's Fish & Chips. The line looked manageable, so I decided to go in and ordered their combo... Fish & Chips w/2 dipping sauces and a soft drink for $14.99. You get 3 nice size pieces of fish and I had the chips with sea salt. The "Chips" are more like American style fries and not the genuine British style "Chips", so I was a bit disappointed. I tried the Artisinal Ketchup (taste like regular ketchup to me! LOL) and the Curry Mango sauce which was very good. The portions sizes are pretty good for the price and it's more than just a snack.
Overall, the Fish & Chips was excellent and I would definitely eat there again, but they really need a larger seating area. The inside was packed, so I was standing outside along side one of the counters which also has limited seating. Although, you can squeeze in between to stand-up and eat. I was talking with 3 guys from south America who let me squeeze in between them. This was their first visit to Vegas so they were all excited about their trip.
I spent the rest of the evening roaming around mid-strip visiting the various casinos and shooting a few pics.
Wynn's Mini-Fountain Show
A short video of the Fountain Show...
Back at the Orleans, I stopped by the food court for a snack and got a slice of pepperoni pizza from Sbarros, then donated some $$$ to the Buffalos and VP before turning in for the night. Unfortunately, my lucky Buffalo Stampede machine was not being very nice to me on this trip!
October 26, Day 2:
I was still on Chicago time, so my eyes opened up early again. I decided to walk over to Fudruckers in the Food Court for breakfast. I had a coupon and ordered a breakfast sandwich and coffee.
Since I was still tired from all the walking I was doing the day before, I went out for a drive around town. Needless to say, the new Mustang is a fun car to drive and is why I like to rent one whenever I'm in Vegas. Eventually, I ended up at the M Resort where I signed up for their players card and I spent a couple of hours playing slots/VP in their casino. I received some freeplay for being a new club member and ended up $50 ahead playing the Buffalo slots. Their casino is nice and it wasn't very crowded when I arrived which was before noon.
I also stopped by the Gold Coast, since it's one of the places that I haven't visited on past trips. I donated a few more $$$ to their slots/VP and essentially broke even before I left. I should have dined at Ping Pang Pong, since I wanted to give them a try, but I forgot that they were at the Gold Coast. Oh well, I'll have to save that for a future trip.
After stopping by Walgreens for a few supplies, I drove over to the In N' Out Burgers near the UNLV which is usually less crowded than the one near Tropicana and I-15. Although, that evening, the place was packed so I went through the drive-thru and ordered a Double-Double Combo and brought it back to my room to eat.
The rest of the evening/night was spent donating more $$$ to the slots and VP at the Orleans. So far, the gambling gods were not being very nice to me, unlike the run of good luck I had on Buffalo Stampede during last years trip.
October 27, Day 3:
I woke up too early again! LOL! I was debating whether to have breakfast at the Courtyard Cafe or the Food Court and ended up back at Fudruckers. Their breakfast sandwiches and hash browns are pretty good.
Later, I visited the Tropicana. It's been ages, since I last visited the Tropicana and now that it's owned by the same parent company as the M Resort, they share the same players club which is nice. I found a bank of Buffalo Stampede slots and gave them a try. I had run of 48 free spins on one machine which pretty much made up for my losses for the previous days. Unfortunately, I wasn't playing the max bet, since I was trying to conserve the bankroll. So in the end, I left with $400 in winnings. Anyways, it'll be interesting to see if I start receiving some comp offers from the Trop.
The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage
I had a ticket to see the Beatles LOVE (MyVegas freebie) for that evening which would be 3rd time that I'm seeing this show. I was seated in top row in the peanut gallery, but the view was very good from way up there! The show has undergone some changes, since I last saw it, but it still has a good mix of dancing and acrobatics. It still one of my favorite Cirque shows in Vegas and I would see it again!
Oh, and I parked in the self-parking garage at the Mirage. I used my Pearl players card to enter and then again to leave. They have machines at the entrance/exit where you insert your players card or your paid ticket. There were plenty of open parking spaces near the casino entrance which was surprising, so I'm wondering if people are parking elsewhere to avoid the parking fees.
After the show, I was trying to decide where to eat ...decisions, decisions, decisions! LOL! Anywho, I ended up back at Gordon Ramsay's Fish & Chips. This time, I did find a seat outside, so I didn't have to eat standing up.
October 28, Day 4:
Yikes! Am I catching a cold or is the smoky casinos giving me this scratchy throat and a stuffy nose? Oh well, I have to see how thing progress throughout the day ...keeping my fingers crossed!
Anyways, when I looked out my window this morning I saw a rainbow out in the distance over the mountains. Now, if I can only find that pot of gold, I'll be a happy camper! LOL!
Dupar's at the Golden Gate
I made it my mission to actually visit Dupar's for breakfast, since I kept putting it off on previous trips. I valet parked at Main Street Station which I usually do whenever I visit downtown and then walked over to the Golden Gate.
Dupar's was busy, but there was a couple of open spots at the counter, so I didn't have to wait. I ordered the Pancake Sandwich Special which is basically a short stack that comes with an egg and either bacon or sausage.
The pancakes were very good, but I'm not sure what makes them so famous. I really didn't see/taste anything that made them stand out from the crowd. Overall, the food was very good, so I would definitely eat there again.
I spent a good part of the day roaming around downtown and playing slots/VP at MSS and the California. Both places are Boyd properties, so I was able add more points to my BConnected card, even though those machines at both places were not being very nice to me. Considering that this was a shortened trip, I really doubt that I'll be able to keep my Sapphire level for another year.
Ondori at the Orleans
Later that evening at the Orleans, I dined at Ondori which is their new Asian restaurant. It replaces Koji's which was one of my favorites at the Orleans. I sat at bar and ordered Miso soup and some sushi (California roll and Ell roll). Their food is very good and similar to Koji's. They serve both Japanese and Chinese cuisine at there restaurant, so they have a good variety on their menu. If you get their early (I think before 5pm), they have a number of specials at reduced prices.
When I was talking with the bartender, he was saying that the Orleans has been making lots of changes to their restaurants ...remodeling some like the Prime Rib Loft and the Courtyard Cafe, as well as bringing in some new restaurants. The Courtyard Cafe has also been moved to a new location. It's across from the French Market Buffet. Ondori is located between the Prime Rib Loft and Alder & Birch (another new restaurant). The area where Koji's was located is also being remodeled for another new restaurant. Gone are Koji's, Coastas Cantina, Canal Street, and Steak & Seafood (which opened last year, so they didn't last very long).
Fantasy at the Luxor
Complements of MyVegas, I reserved a ticket to the adult show Fantasy which has been playing at the Luxor for the past 17 years. Fantasy shares the same showroom with Carrot Top. I saw this show during it's early days and it was very good, so I thought that I would check out the latest version. As with the previous version, the showgirls are talented and attractive. The comedian who entertains at various spot during the show is funny and he also tries to get the audience involved in his act. The lady who leads the show as MC is very talented and has a great singing voice. The show is about 90 mins long, very entertaining, and is worth seeing.
October 29, Day 5:
Murphy's Law strikes again! I was afraid this would happen, after waking up with a scratch throat yesterday. Yup, I caught a nasty cold bug! Knowing how most of my colds tend to progress, I debated on whether I should muddle through the next 5 days in Vegas or return home early.
Well, being sick in Vegas is no fun and it would be a waste of time and money trying to force myself into having a good time. So, I logged onto SWA's website and booked an early afternoon flight home. Needless to say, I wished things turned out differently, since I was going to miss the LasVegas4Ever board meet. Plus, I had a bunch of plans that I had to cancel for those 5 days.
Being registered for TSA PreCheck is suppose to eliminate the need to go through the body scanner and allows you keep your shoes, jacket, and belt on when you go through the metal detector. So I don't know why TSA at LAS had programed their metal detectors to randomly choose TSA PreCheck passengers to go through the same screening as "non-TSA PreCheck" passengers. That created a massive backlog in the TSA PreCheck line. After going through the regular metal detector, if you were selected by the detector as that random passenger, then you had to go through the body scanner which meant removing items from your person that the PreCheck allowed. Needless to say, folks were getting pretty aggravated with those TSA agents. The regular security line was moving faster than the PreCheck line! Leave it to TSA to screw things up again!
Since Southwest overbooked their flight, they were also asking for volunteers to take the next flight out to Chicago which was only one hour later. I was waiting for a better deal, so when they needed one more person, I decided to volunteer. Unfortunately, there was a last minute no-show, so I didn't get bumped, but I did receive a $100 voucher for volunteering. If I did get bumped, I would have received a $900 voucher. Oh well, $100 is better than nothing. I was also surprised that I was able to get a window seat, even though I was the last person to board the plane. I thought for sure that I would be stuck in a middle seat, so I got lucky.
I would like to plan another trip to Sin City, but I usually hate traveling during the winter ...so we'll see.
