We will be waking up in Vegas this Sunday morning in 4 weeks.

It is amazing how quickly the time has flown although I suppose in fairness we did only book just before Christmas. The saving up has proved a little tough especially in such a short period but the colder weather has helped keep us at home rather than down the pub. Unfortunately, now that it is warming up it is proving a little more difficut, but we managed it last night and with a local theatre show next Saturday we are pretty much fixed up. I am tempted by a few beers on Friday night though

Today I have been doing some further planning. We are staying at the Travelodge Gatwick Central which I have now found is on a local bus route and as we will be doing Twilight Check In with Virgin at Gatwick straight after getting off the train, it will be easier and cheaper to get the local bus without bags. I don't mind airport shuttles when there is no other option but clearly there is here.
Also been looking at the SDX/Deuce/WAX schedules as well and have printed them off. This will be our 7th visit but first to any of the Outlet Malls and Town Square. I am especially happy to know that Old Navy has a shop at Town Square, I did think that the one over at Henderson was going to be the closest but without a car we would have missed it out.
I have also been studying the LVA MRB and other coupons quite a bit. I have printed out the free beer with an Entree at Holstein's so may try that as our 'burger place' on this visit. It tends to get mainly good reviews but it will be hard pushed to beat Burger Bar at Mandalay Place which remains my best burger possibly in the world!
Roll on 3 weeks 5 days I say, boy it is close now. ESTA and money still to sort....

I'm four weeks and five days away from our trip. Have got the hotels sorted, and am just deciding when to have a car during this trip. We will probably get the WAX to the Excalibur when we arrive, but also might go for a cab, depending on the line. Sometimes that is dreadful!

It still seems ages away.

All Booked up now helicopters shows the lot 31 days .....Four weeks on Thursday....I will soon be sat outside the Nine fine Irish men on the big table Anyone want to join us for a pint is welcome

Have a great trip all those that are going soon. 8 weeks for us.

pebbles, we still have to arrange the meet.

luci

OK, Luci. I'll be in touch.

We will be flying out on Thurs 1st Mar for a week, booked it last Aug & thought this week would never arrive

Flying from Man to Atlanta to Vegas with Delta & staying in the Aria, cost us £700 each for flights & digs.

Now i know we have to go through immigration at Atlanta as its our port of entry into the US, but wondered if the process would need to be repeated on arrival at LV?

Last time i went to Vegas(2007) i flew direct with Mytravel, how busy is immigration at Atlanta? we have around 3.5 hours between flights & i hope thats ample to clear immigration, have something to eat & drink & check in for our connecting flight?

Cheers
Smithy

3.5 hours should be plenty time to clear immigration.

Once you clear immigration, pick up your bags and clear Customs, you then drop your bags at the designated area for onward transport. No need to clear immigration again in Vegas.

At McCarran you will arrive at T1, probably take the monorail to baggage reclaim, pick up your bags and head for the taxi line.

The Aria is OK. The rooms aren't that big, but they are relatively new. Casino is OK.

luci

Atlanta Hartsfield is a pain in the backside (from my experience) but you will have plenty of time with a 3.5 hour connection. There are questions on threads about connection times at various US airports all the time but I would certainly look at a minimum of 2 hours at Atlanta, the immigration queue was snail paced. Others have found it a breeze, so it really is on the day. I think you will have some time also for a bite to eat and more importantly, you won't continually be worrying about making the connection which is what is often the case on much lesser connection times.

One of my friends has just booked up to stay at Aria so would be keen to hear what you think. Have a great time.

Just over 3 weeks for us now....ok 3 weeks 3 days if we're being picky

Roll on....

Thanks for the replies & re-assurances.

Will report back on what i thought of the Aria

You can check the average wait time at most US airport HERE Unfortunately it doesn't cover McCarran T2.

luci

Some tips please as it's getting closer

Have never been to a casino & want to get a taste of Vegas so what's the best beginners game? Or just stick to slots? Any casino best to visit?

How much would an average meal plus wine cost? I'm getting the impression LV is expensive?

Anyone done a renewal of vows at a tacky chapel? Was it fun & worth the effort?

How much for a taxi to the airport approx?

Is it worth trying the $20 check-in bribe for an upgrade?

Any answers & any other tips welcome!

toastedmallow wrote:

Some tips please as it's getting closer

Have never been to a casino & want to get a taste of Vegas so what's the best beginners game? Or just stick to slots? Any casino best to visit?

Blackjack is probably the easiest game to learn and you can buy strategy cards in the hotel gift shops. Most hotels have free lessons in the morning for various games. The Imperial Palace used to be 9am, then if there were enough people they would open a table for you to practise.

Probably best to practise at some of the hotels which have lower limits such as the Imperial Palace, Bill's and O'Shea's which are all near each other opposite Caesars Palace.

Video poker is a good game to play without losing a lot once you learn it. You can practise for free here

http://www.freeslots.com/

Even the slots aren't that straightforward to start with. You need to check the denomination of the machine which start at 1c per line. Some are 5c, 25c, $1 and we have seen ones at $500 in the high limits areas. You should play max lines. Again check the amount of lines as a 100 line 1c machine would be $1 per spin (1c x 100 lines).

We prefer the video slots to the reel slots as you get bonus screens where you can win more loot. Ones to look out for are Goldfish and Wizard of Oz to start with.

How much would an average meal plus wine cost? I'm getting the impression LV is expensive?

No such thing as an average meal I'm afraid. You can spend $50 or $500. Wine is usually very expensive in restaurants. At Alize a small glass of wine starts at $18. If we find a bottle of wine for $40 or less we think it is a bargain.

You can buy gift certificate at http://www.restaurant.com for certain restaurants. At the moment the code TRIP will get you a $25 cert for $3. Note the T&C's for each restaurant. Eg you can get a $50 cert for Envy Steakhouse off a $100 meal.

If you like Italian a nice meal out is at Casa di Amore. It is of strip and cheap by Vegas standards. They are on r.com. They provide a complimentary limo pick up and drop off for the price of a tip, but you have to call them to book it. Sunday and Monday nights are half price wine nights. You can see their menu with prices on their website.

What type of food and what budget per head?

Anyone done a renewal of vows at a tacky chapel? Was it fun & worth the effort?

Don't want to tempt fate!

How much for a taxi to the airport approx?

Where are you staying? Roughly $20 give or take $5 depending where you are staying. http://taxi.state.nv.us/FaresFees.htm

Is it worth trying the $20 check-in bribe for an upgrade?

Again, where are you staying and what type of room have you booked? I have had good success at some places although it doesn't work at the MGM. Rather than sneak a $20 in with my credit card and passport, I prefer to hold the $20 in my hand, ask if there are any complimentary upgrades available and tip if they come up with something. I wasn't going to bother one time at Paris, but the clerk upgraded us without asking and I then had to rummage in my bag for my purse to tip him.

Any answers & any other tips welcome!

WOW! thansks so much Lucie for taking the time to give such a detailed reply. Lots of good advice there which I'm just going to follow up.
We're staying at the Vdara
( our postcode is too long to register with restaurant.com, so how do you register or is it only for US residents?)

Not sure if the $20 tip works at the Vdara. Check http://www.frontdesktip.com

Just register with any US zip code. 89109 which is the Vegas strip works. However I would suggest paying by Paypal as I had a problem with my registered address not matching my credit card address even though only the zip/post code were different.

Search for restaurants with 89109 and 89119 which is centre strip and south strip and within 1 mile for the strip or 5 miles for Casa di Amore.

luci

No Lucie it's not on the list, but if the rooms are what they show on the website I'll be very happy.

Thanks for directing me to that frontdesk site: loads of great info re trips etc.

Well, just over two weeks now, it really is getting close.

Some additional planning has taken place although we are trying not to overdo it. We will be attending the Las Vegas Wranglers vs Alaska Aces Ice Hockey on 27th March. I know the standard won't be as high as NHL but it still sounds like a fun night out plus it gives us a chance to take a look around the Orleans. It looks as though we are going to see Gordie Brown on 29th, last night in Vegas so that is something to look forward to and also the newly opened Mob Museum and the Neon Boneyard at some point before that.
In terms of restaurants, we will probably head to Grand Lux on our first night a) to stretch the legs and b) because we've missed it too many times now not to bother. I think we are aiming for the Palazzo instead of the Venetian for that. First breakfast is likely to be the Peppermill. We did want to go to Hash House a Go Go but the Restaurant.com cert is only valid Monday to Friday. It can wait, no doubt we will be there Monday! Other certs we have are for Harley Davidson and El Segundo Sol. Our burger restaurant choice has changed so much but Burger Bar is again the favourite, best burger I've ever had.
We are also tempted to visit the new Kiss themed Mini Golf near the Hard Rock which opens soon. It sounds like fun.

Roll on 23rd and the train to Gatwick....

I would suggest paying by Paypal as I had a problem with my registered address not matching my credit card address even though only the zip/post code were different.

Aside from the card number and expiration date, the zip code is the most important thing. If that doesn't pass scrutiny, then it doesn't matter if the best of the billing address is correct. Many places don't even check the address, only the zip code.

Brief report on Aria.

Plus Points
Beautiful hotel & room with great housekeepers.
Large comfy bed, floor to ceiling windows with a great view(although lowdown) of citycentre & the Aria Express tramway.
Large bathroom, with 2 sinks but no plugs lol, ample bottles of shower gel, shampoo & body lotion. Even more if you requested it.
iron & board, hairdryer all provided.
Had a slight problem with the TV which was quickly sorted.

Downsides to the Aria.

Drinks very expensive to buy in the Casino. Bar tenders reluctant to serve us if we weren't gambling because we were unlikely to tip given the scandalous drink prices. Not that we are mean tippers by any stretch.
Large min bets at the tables & the slots were reluctant to pay out
Food/drinks expensive at the restaurants/coffee shops etc, buffet was better value but i got fed up of it after a few days.
Quite a trek from your room to the strip, even via Crystals which was a deserted white elephant! Those store assistants must be the most bored employees in LV.

We often headed south towards Monte Carlo & got the tram to Bellagio if we were heading north strip, saved one hell of a march & zigzag thru Crystals.

HTH
Smithy

Thanks Smithy. Perhaps you can update our Reviews page by copying and pasting your review here:

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/united-states/nevada/las-vegas/aria-resort-and-casino/

Thanks
luci