This trip really took off when the Southwest flight attendant serenaded us with her version of "I've been working on the airplane" shortly after takeoff ....it was a cute little ditty that brought smiles to a lot of faces and a well-deserved round of applause. I put in a little practice on Deuces Deluxe strategy on the laptop and chatted with a couple heading for their first visit to Las Vegas, so this flight went really fast. The shuttle bus was waiting for me, and I finally got to experience the magic of Alamo's Quicksilver card ....I looked over at a long line at the rental counter, walked over to the kiosk and was on my way out to a beautiful grey Toyota Camry in about 30 seconds! On-line rate for 4 days came to $88, including all those pesky taxes, which worked out to something over $1/mile on this trip.....but well worth it<g>.

A short ride over to the Luxor, and I was about to go "In Search of the Obelisk"....I love rides like this, but I was a little disappointed in this one. The $7 price is reasonable, and the start was great; you head down in a neat simulated elevator free-fall cuz the bad guys have sabotaged the elevator, and the stops along the way to the actual "ride" were brief, and the graphics were great, but the ride itself was kinda a jerky disappointment, more jerks than motion. It's a 20 minute "experience" and a 5-minute ride, and I'm glad I did it, but the one time will be enough.

"Plan A" was to go over and check in at Caesars before heading to the Orleans, but I was caught in the strip traffic right at 5 pm, so I switched to "Plan B" somewhere in the 30 minute commute from the Luxor to Monte Carlo Blvd<g>......and headed back out Tropicana to get over to the Orleans in time to snag a ticket for the Don Ho show. I had just enough time to enjoy dinner at Vito's first, a caesar salad with some really good, crusty french bread and canelloni stuffed with veal and spinach for my entree, washed down with Beringer's white zinfindel. The service was a good as the meal, the bill only came to $18 with tax and tip since I didn't have time for coffee or any of the great looking desserts that passed by on a serving tray.

$33 bought a seat in the 8th row.........and the show started out with a group called "the kids next door" doing some Christmas songs and dancing up a storm. Then Don Ho came out to do some of his hits, introduced various young singers and dancers, including two of his daughters, and Pat Morita dropped in for a brief visit. Evidently Pat started out as a stand-up comedian over in Hawaii, and he can still sing too. The last time I saw Don Ho was about 25 years ago in Hawaii with two of his sons in the show, and Don did more singing back then.....this was more like a variety show with Don as a very gracious host. Two thumbs up here; I'd love to see this show again.

I stopped off at a beckoning double double bonus machine (two quads/eventually lost my $20) before heading over to Caesars. Evidently, 10 p.m. is a great time to check in<g>. No line, a very friendly and courteous clerk who upgraded me right into the Palace Tower when I presented my Caesars Mastercard. Life is good! My last stay was in the Forum Tower, but I like this room even better. It's the little things like a digital thermostat, a desk for writing trip reports<g>, a reasonable amount of mirrors in the room<VBG>, and the view of the Caesars pool from the 21st floore.....and the jacuzzi also fills twice as fast. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Not a bad deal for $100 for 3 nights, with a $50 dining credit and two Imax tix.

I wasn't quite ready to call it a night, so I headed down to the casino for some excitement on the Bonus Deuces.....that machine dealt me 3 deuces a couple of times, but I couldn't get the 4th one, so I headed over to my favorite bank of bonus machines and managed to hit quad 4s. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I also found out Caesars will serve champagne to quarter VP players. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I hung around downstairs long enough to snag a second glass of champagne for the jacuzzi and ended my first day in a very mellow mood.

Monday started out with a brunch at Caesars Palatium Buffet with Blos, Hal, Laine & Toby.....we all got our fill of cholesterol there<g>. It was a leisurely, relaxed meal with attentive service and great conversation, but they finally cut off our coffee refills, so we figured out it was time to head out into the casino. We all headed out separate ways, but Blos & I hung around long enough to see Toby hitting a quad on a double bonus machine......then the two of us headed out to the Fiesta for some nickel play. This was my first time in the new Fiesta expansion, and I liked the choice of nickel machines available. We both lost at triple play, but we switched to double bonus (Blos) and quarter deuces/DDB (Daisy) and got our money back plus some of the Fiesta's bucks. I think this was the last time I was ahead on this trip<g>.

I headed downtown to meet Gail at MSS Brew Pub, and we sat & talked for awhile there, but we never did see a waiter after my first Henry W Root Beer, so we headed out to try Binions coffee shop for dinner. I had the Prime Rib special ($6.95) which included a salad, baked potato and corn(?)....a bit of a starcy meal, but the prime rib was good. As Gail mentioned, we talked & we gambled a little & we talked some more & watched the FSE Christmas show & talked some more<g>. I'm sure we hadn't run out of things to say, but Gail headed out to get some sleep before work, and I headed to Caesars via the Strat, in a vain effort to get my money back. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img] Did I mention that Gail was winning, and Daisy was losing? In fact, I don't think I'm going to mention gambling again, other than to say it sucked on the rest of the trip<g>. Back at Caesars, I sipped on some costly free champagne to end another day in the jacuzzi. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Tuesday started out with my first trip to Cafe Roma......and a nice introduction to their brunch there. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] They don't have the large selection available in the main buffet, but they have the cholesterol basics and GOOD Eggs Benedict. I was all stoked up for a visit to Sahara Speedworld! I am NOT going to talk about my gambling here [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img], but I did discover a bank of full-pay quarter deuces and DDB on my way tot he restroom located just to the left of the main entrance, and they also had a full-pay DDB progressive bank (with a jackpot over $1400) toward the other end of the casino. My overall impression of the Sahara is that it looked cleaner, and I just might spend more time here on my next trip.

Sahara Speedworld was the usual fun driving....and a bit more fun afterward. I was in a race with three young macho men, and they were kinda confused.....seemed to think we was playing bumper tag instead of racing. The three guys were generally trying to sideswipe each other, and one of them rear-ended me ....I managed to avoid most of their antics and got in some good laps, but one of them finally got me head-on<g>. Revenge was REALLY sweet at the scorer's table. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] This time, neither the scorer or I even tried to keep a straight face.

After that, I was really pumped up for the mig simulator out at Boulder Station......hmmmm, I drove all around their parking lot & couldn't find a mig? Darn! The mig and simulator were only there for one day the previous week. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img] I thought (briefly) about doing some gambling at Sam's but headed back to the Strip to do my tourist thing.

First stop was at Caesars for ALASKA in the Imax Theatre.....this was great! My fear of heights didn't keep me from a top row seat, and it was pretty impressive flying over some of those mountain peaks. Next stop was the Ride to Atlantis in the Forum Shops; this was another 5 minute ride in a 20 minute "experience"....but the ride is fun, lots of motion but less "jerky" than the Luxor's ride, and I enjoyed the graphics more.

I tried all legs of the new pedestrian walkways next.....first to the Bellagio to visit the Conservatory, then on to Paris! I wanted the full treatment, so I walked down the cobblestones from Bally's, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out I like it. The ceilings definitely reminded me of Caesar's Forum, but it wasn't that crowded, and it was an enjoyable stroll. In fact, my strolls & adventures had made me kinda hungry, so I decided to pay another visit to Bally's Big Kitchen Buffet. It's still over-priced at $17.15 with tax, but I didn't feel ripped off.....I probably had enough of the jumbo shrimp and cracked crab to justify the price<g>, but I also enjoyed their Chinese food and desserts.

Next stop was the Flamingo gardens to enjoy their Christmas decorations; they are pretty much the same each year, but it's a nice display. Overall, I was disappointed in Christmas spirit this year ...most of the hotels would have some decorations in the hotel lobby area, but only the Flamingo and Sahara even bothered with a couple of poinsettias in their cashiers cage. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img] Caesars did have some beautiful red & white poinsettias on the walk back to the Palace Tower. I guess Blos was right; they didn't want anything to distract the gamblers.

I still had one IMAX ticket to burn, so I took in the second show "Extreme" .....to me, nowhere as good as "Alaska"....but what the heck, I needed the sleep. Actually, it was a good thing I got in this little nap, because I forgot to set my alarm that night......not a good thing to do when you're flying out in the morning<vbg>. Luckily, I woke up only an hour later than planned and had time to hit Cafe Roma for some more Eggs Benedict before it was time to check out and head to the airport for a nice nap on the flight home.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

O'Sheas - is showing the Hilton effect, ie, no full-pay VP spotted there.

MSS/Binions: only full-pay spotted was DDB.

Barbary Coast - still have their old full-pay deuces along the wall and have added a bank of ten machines close to the pit. (also get Rudy Red-Nose points for poinsettias in the bathroom)

Biggest PITA: not being able to sign on to AOL during the entire trip. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

Biggest laugh: a toss-up between Sahara Speedworld and the billboard advertising Access-Earth... their phone number is 1-877-DROP-AOL if anyone is interested.

Nicest bathroom (for Veronica) - in the shops at Bellagio.

Gambling: let's not even go there!

Daisy, Thanks for the very nice trip report. No Fiesta buffet? what happened? [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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John B.
jblersch@optonline.net

Hey Daisy,
We sure enjoyed spending some time with you, and seeing Blossom and Hal again!
Sorry your winnings were so meager, but your other adventures sound like fun. Toby had a little luck at Caesar's, but I had none. BUT, we went to Texas a couple of days later.....had lunch at the Buffet, which was good, as always, and I was dealt four deuces on a Double Deuces Machine......I was thinking of you.......as I waited for the guy to come pay me......I did manage to donate some of it back before I got out of there! (Good thing we didn't go to the Fiesta, in five years, neither one of us has ever won one thin anything there!)
Looking forward to our next visit.......here or up north....wherever!
Our grand, glittering city would love for you to come back and visit your money again soon.... [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Happy New Year, and the invitation still stands!

Thanks Daisy!

Great report, but sorry to hear the gambling didn't go so well, but thier is always next time! Right? <S>
Sure sounded like you had a busy trip!
I stoped going out to the Fiesta a while back, just couldn't justify the drive time. Would you say with the remodeling it would be worth my effort to make the drive again?


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Daisy,

Thanks for the trip report. Sorry we could not have been a week later or you a week earlier. The deuces machines were not too good to us either and we had a little better luck with bonus. We also went to see "ALASKA" and sat at the second row from the top. IT'S NOT FOR ME !!!!! My eyes were closed most of the time. Take care.

Daisy,

Thanks for the TR. Sorry I forgot about MSS, I would have liked to have seen you again.

We went to the Omnimax at Caesars last month for free. It's obvious that the theater is one of the original Omnimax's. The screen is a mess. I would never pay to see a movie there.

Great trip report. Like most of us, you covered a lot of places in a short period of time. Better luck with the gambling next time.

John, I got in plenty of buffet time, but the timing just wasn't right for the Fiesta....but that's ok, it gives me something to look forward to on the next trip. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Tater...be careful what you wish for. It was great talkin with you and exploring Caesars with Toby<vbg>.

Lee, the Fiesta might be worth a trip if you're a fan of the big ole pipe organs. They now have one in a pizzeria in the new section, but I didn't get to hear it since the music doesn't start until after 5 p.m.(but the pizza looked good!) Garduno's has also been moved into the new area

Fred....LOL! I really am not fond of heights, and I wasn't sure if my legs were sore from the walking or from bracing myself into my seat at the theatre<g>. Actually, I used some mental gymnastics during "Extreme" and may have worked out some of my fear of heights.....right up to the point where I relaxed myself to sleep. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Randy, this was my first IMAX visit, so I just loved it and didn't realize anything was wrong with the theatre....the price was definitely right....two free tix with my room, and I used the first ticket stub to get $1.50 off the Ride to Atlantis. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I'm sorry you didn't make it down to MSS, but you might have had difficulty getting a word in edgewise<g>.

Greg, the gambling was only a minor bummer ...I save my major gambling for the stock market<g>. I had really debated between staying at Caesars and Sam's on this trip, and I'm glad I decided to use the Caesars offer since it put me closer to a lot of the sightseeing I've kept putting off the last few trips.

Daisy: Sorry about the gambling this trip.

As for the Luxor show, do they still have 3 separate parts to the "Obelisk" ride in 3 separate theaters? The first part "Search For The Obelisk" was good, but the other 2 shows were boring, IMO.

V, I only saw the one theatre for Search for the Obelisk. I was turned off by the "jerkiness" of the ride, but I also wondered if I was imagining the obelisk went dropping down to oblivion while the hero was hugging the rescued gal at the end of the ride<g>. Did you notice what happened to that elusive obelisk?

Daisy,
I think we'll take a ride out and see what's shake'n out at the Fiesta in late February. I want the kids (ages 21 & 24) to see as much of Las Vegas as possible.
Plus my wallet might need a break, and pizza just might fill the bill! LOL


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Daisy: Although I cannot recall what exactly happened to the obelisk, I do remember it was predictable and lame <vbg>.

Daisy, great job on the trip report as always. Isn't Caesars great? Those Palace Tower rooms are wonderful. Just don't pass out in the jaccuzzi from the champagne.
What was your opinion of the Fiesta Expansion.I've read some good things about it, especially the dining options.
The Sahara is cleaning up, but it still has a way to go.
And, there are full pay Jacks or Better Machines in the bar at MSS. The last time I checked they did have some quarter machines there also.
Hope to see you in Las Vegas in 2000.


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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John, how would I know about full-pay bar machines? I don't hang out at bars unless I'm with unmentioned friends who like to hang out at bars. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

I definitely like the Palace Tower rooms better than the Forum Tower, and I didn't mind the walk at all. It was the little things that made a difference, like a desk and a light switch that I could turn off without getting out of bedtime<g>.

As for the Fiesta, I love the sound of those ole pipe organs, so I know I'll be out there some evening....and I shouldn't go broke since there are lots of full-pay options in the expansion area for a quarter player like me. Then again, I've gotten hand pays from the triple play nickels the last 2 trips ... so maybe I'll wise up and stick to nickels<g>.

The Sahara was a pleasant surprise ...much cleaner than my last visit. I got in an interesting discussion with one of the pit critters while playing their DDB progressive. The changes aren't just cosmetic; they have the largest active installation of that new coin-weighing system there. He dropped one bombshell; he had been the last person to pay off the progressive there about 2 weeks earlier; it was on full-pay DDB and up to about $1400. That's quite a difference from the quarter progressive bank at Caesars that gets hit every day or two! This trip was just a quickie to get in a practice run at Speedworld....next time, I'll plan more time there since they have full-pay in both DDB and deuces at the quarter level.

BTW, my next trip will be the same week you're there, assuming you have Linda's kitchen all finished<vbg>.

Daisy, are you referring to the week after Easter? I won't have any problem finishing the kitchen remodeling, it's coming up with the money for the trip that is the problem. Between my 2 daughters and Linda I can't keep up.
I hope to have things finished by the first of Feb and then I will start to plan a Las Vegas trip.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John, I just got that week approved for my vacation....now all you have to do is convince Linda that you need to go to Las Vegas and raise some money by hitting your first, second and third Royals. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]