Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Devon97 on August 03, 2008, 06:28:41 PM
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I am using my sky miles to go to Vegas so the flight will be covered.
Should I go to LV during the O weekend? Would the rates be any lower for the hotels then?
Croatch I know you are in Vegas. Whats your take on timing and lodging?
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September/October tend to be PEAK travel times in Vegas.
But like everywhere else the economy is on shaky ground
so you could find rooms $59 and up
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notice how two major Bodybuilding Shows THE ARNOLD(IFBB) & THE USAs(NPC)
take place during the worst time of the year in their regions
February/March in Columbus, Ohio
July in Vegas (but it's a dry heat)
and the Nationals occasionally take place before the worst travel weekend of the year pre-THANKSGIVING
somebody has a deal
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Thanks for the info. I am guessing staying on the strip will cost the most?
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Devon, Ask me! I am the all-knowing wise ass of all things Las Vegas, while Tommywishbone may be a bit more knowledgeable about the hooker details.
Here's some basic shit for ya to contemplate before coming to LV.
FIrst of all , Bring Money. Lots of money!
Come for the Olympia. You'll have a great time or at least something to talk about or complain about when you get back home and start posting on GetBig.com.
If you do come for the "O", don't be the least bit shy. Shake hands with everyone including the guy or gal who parks your rental car, the guy who opens the door for you to enter the casino, the guy who takes your luggage, and whomever else looks like they may be associated with your trip or with the the Olympia specifically.
Do that and I can guarantee ya that doors will open and you'll have a lot of good shit to talk about when you get back home. Most of the competitors are damn good folk and if you understand what they are going through the moment you meet them, you'll understand the less than enthusiastic greeting you receive in return. Understand that and you'll come close to understanding the person you are talking to.
Competitors go thru hell to get up there on that stage.
Stay at the host hotel... The Orleans. Book early and get the cheapest rate. Call twice! Reserve a room for Thursday/Friday/Sat nites without mentioning the Olympia. Then call back and reserve a room mentioning the Olympia and cancel the higher priced reservation. You can cancel room reservations without penalty in LV up to 24 to 48 hours before your arrival date.
If you are too damn broke to stay at the Orleans, call the Wild Wild West down the road a piece and stay there. It's a dump, but it's a cheap dump and within a mile from the Orleans.
Meals are relative cheap in LV so don't worry about chowing down while you are here. Figure about $8 to $15 for various mealtimes throughout the day. more if you want to dine at a fancier place, but the meal won't be any different when it hits your stomach.
Don't rent a car if you are staying at the Orleans. The promoters will provide transportation to and from the Expo.
I recommend the Expo and the Prejudging only if you want to save money. The finals is boring as shit and too damn expensive unless you have friends competing.
Got any specific questions? - Just ask here and one of us expert yahoos will provide the info.
Expect to have a great time if you have some extra dollars to spread around. No better place to have fun than in this fancy shithole in the desert.
NOTE:You can count on the Orleans room rates that weekend will be pretty close to the following...
Thursday nite - $80 - $90
Friday nite - $140 - $150
Saturday nite - $140 - $150
Plus tax and some unknown fees that the LV hotels are coming up with. Figure about $450 or a bit less for the three nights that weekend. Best to book early though.
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Spearmint Ryhno!!!!
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Devon, Ask me! I am the all-knowing wise ass of all things Las Vegas, while Tommywishbone may be a bit more knowledgeable about the hooker details.
Here's some basic shit for ya to contemplate before coming to LV.
FIrst of all , Bring Money. Lots of money!
Come for the Olympia. You'll have a great time or at least something to talk about or complain about when you get back home and start posting on GetBig.com.
If you do come for the "O", don't be the least bit shy. Shake hands with everyone including the guy or gal who parks your rental car, the guy who opens the door for you to enter the casino, the guy who takes your luggage, and whomever else looks like they may be associated with your trip or with the the Olympia specifically.
Do that and I can guarantee ya that doors will open and you'll have a lot of good shit to talk about when you get back home. Most of the competitors are damn good folk and if you understand what they are going through the moment you meet them, you'll understand the less than enthusiastic greeting you receive in return. Understand that and you'll come close to understanding the person you are talking to.
Competitors go thru hell to get up there on that stage.
Stay at the host hotel... The Orleans. Book early and get the cheapest rate. Call twice! Reserve a room for Thursday/Friday/Sat nites without mentioning the Olympia. Then call back and reserve a room mentioning the Olympia and cancel the higher priced reservation. You can cancel room reservations without penalty in LV up to 24 to 48 hours before your arrival date.
If you are too damn broke to stay at the Orleans, call the Wild Wild West down the road a piece and stay there. It's a dump, but it's a cheap dump and within a mile from the Orleans.
Meals are relative cheap in LV so don't worry about chowing down while you are here. Figure about $8 to $15 for various mealtimes throughout the day. more if you want to dine at a fancier place, but the meal won't be any different when it hits your stomach.
Don't rent a car if you are staying at the Orleans. The promoters will provide transportation to and from the Expo.
I recommend the Expo and the Prejudging only if you want to save money. The finals is boring as shit and too damn expensive unless you have friends competing.
Got any specific questions? - Just ask here and one of us expert yahoos will provide the info.
Expect to have a great time if you have some extra dollars to spread around. No better place to have fun than in this fancy shithole in the desert.
NOTE:You can count on the Orleans room rates that weekend will be pretty close to the following...
Thursday nite - $80 - $90
Friday nite - $140 - $150
Saturday nite - $140 - $150
Plus tax and some unknown fees that the LV hotels are coming up with. Figure about $450 or a bit less for the three nights that weekend. Best to book early though.
Great info stunt!
Let me ask ......If I do stay at the Wld West would I need a cab to get to the Orleans? WIll the Expo be held inside of the Orleans? I am planning to stay 4 nights, do you suggest I arrive a day early or stay a day late?
Never been to Vegas before. Whare do you and JohnnyVegas lift?
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Go During the convention. this place is boring otherwise. Strip Clubs aside, it is all slot machines, and blackjack tables, and I guarantee you this, they will all still be here during the "O". I'd wait.
Stay at a cheaper hotel, they have beds and tv's just like the rest.
And if you're gonna stay in you're room, why come?
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Devon, the Wild Wild West is located just west of I-5 (the major freeway through Las Vegas running from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City) on Tropicana and is right across the street from In and Out Burger which is just about adjacent to the freeway.
The Orleans (host hotel and contest site) is about ¾ mile further west up Tropicana.
So the Wild Wild West is actually just about midway between Las Vegas Blvd (The Strip) and the Orleans Casino/Hotel. An easy walk in either direction.
It’s the ideal place to stay if you want cheap accommodations for the Olympia. If you book early you can get a Wild Wild West room there for $40 midweek and $60 weekends plus tax.
I’d arrive on Thursday, check into the Wild Wild West and then walk up to the Orleans to join in on the Olympia activities that Thursday evening. Next day hit the Expo at the LV Convention Center which is a couple of miles northeast. (The Expo is not held in the Orleans.)
You can get to the Expo by catching one of the free rides from the Orleans to the Convention Center or by simply walking about a mile to the Strip and hopping on the monorail which will drop you off in front of the Convention Center. A great way to avoid the traffic but you’ll have to pay approximately $10 for the round trip. (You can get a Day Pass for $9 or six rides for $20).
Check the monorail out here → http://www.lvnvmonorail.com/
Do your best to avoid hopping in a cab. They are expensive and they get tied up in traffic along the Strip.
The Wild Wild West is definitely NOT first class but it is cheap and convenient for all Olympia activities and the traffic between the WWW and the Orleans will not hinder you if you elect to hail a cab in either direction.
I’ve never stayed there or eaten there but I hear that they serve one of the best hamburgers for the price in town.
But if you are bringing a girlfriend, I strongly suggest that you book a room at the Orleans.
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Here's a bit more regarding Hotel room prices in Las Vegas.
Room rates are established by Supply and Demand. If there is a major convention in town, there is a big demand for the hotel rooms, so the rates are raised accordingly.
Even if a convention is held a few miles away, every hotel raises their room rates accordingly. Sometimes doubling or even tripling their standard rates. And each and every hotel in town knows exactly how many participants each convention expects to draw.
The Olympia is big enough to produce a room-rate increase throughout Las Vegas, so in many cases it is best to book a room early. As the room availabilities decrease, the room rates increase.
This may be important too - Most of the major hotels allow you to cancel a room reservation 24 to 48 hours prior to your scheduled arrival, so you can always cancel a room reservation if you find a better price after you have made that reservation. But make sure you inquire about the cancellation policy when you make that reservation.
If you have big money, consider a Fantasy Suite at the Palms.
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some friends of mine whenever they go they rent out some weird/exotic car.
where do you go for that?
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I am using my sky miles to go to Vegas so the flight will be covered.
Should I go to LV during the O weekend? Would the rates be any lower for the hotels then?
Croatch I know you are in Vegas. Whats your take on timing and lodging?
Why would you base a trip around seeing a bunch of juiceheads?
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I took Stuntmovies advice for last years Olympia.
I was alone and had a great time. Didn't do any gambling at all!
And the competitors were very friendly, took pics with tons of them.
Sandra
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A couple of GetBiggers have been asking about Pool Parties here in town.
Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel is definitely the best. Held ever Sunday during the summer months. I haven't been there at all this year so it might be best to give them a call if you want to attend a Rehab Party. Ask if non-hotel guests are invited and then ask the cost of admission and other specifics. Best to get there early if you want to get inside and find a good squatting area.
This is the first year I've seen billboard ads for Wet Republic at the MGM Grand Hotel. A phenominal pool area but I have no idea how the Wet Republic is working and when it is held. Best to give the MGM a call before making a decision on which one to attend.
Another pool party that is promoted well is at the Palms, but you'll have to give them a call to get the specifics. ext month they are promoting a pool party at which everyone (guys and gals) are asked to wear sexy underware. The posters asks the guys not to wear "tighty whities" but by the way it is stated, that seems to be encouraged. This hotel/casino is a major young people spot so I believe that this one will be a major sell-out.
Here is part of the ad they are using to promote this event at The Palms .......
JOIN US on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th, 2008 as Maverick Illustrated magazine attempts a Guinness World Record for the "World's Largest Underwear & Pajama Party".
ALL MEN & WOMEN (with underwear or pajamas) are invited .....to come party with us and set a world record for the "World's Largest Underwear & Pajama Party" on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER. 12th, 2008 @ 12:00 Noon: (at the Palms Pool).
The Palms Casino Resort (Pool) is our host location for Maverick Illustrated's "World's Largest Underwear & Pajama Party". The Palms Casino Resort is located in the capital of entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada at: 4321 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV. 89103.
The Palms is known for its young, vibrant and ooohhh so sexy clientele. The Palms Pool Area will be the ultimate party destination for Maverick Illustrated's "World's Largest Underwear & Pajama Party". Scantilly clad girls are a BIG HIT at the Palms Pool and Maverick plans to bring an abundance of beautiful girls in their skimpy underwear to party with us!
Guys: .....this is your chance to come party with us and see all the wonderful gorgeous girls in their skimpiest underwear and have a blast watching the festivities & hopefully being a 'Maverick Man' with the ladies!
Our Guinness World Record event is for ALL MEN & WOMEN: 21+ years of age.
ALL MEN & WOMEN: simply bring your underwear or pajamas to be a part of this great mega underwear bash and to be in our Guinness World Record for the "World's Largest Underwear & Pajama Party".
For men: .....you will need to wear either: your Pajamas, Boxers, Boxer Briefs or just Briefs, also called your "Tighty Whities". (Guys, we really hope you wear boxers or boxer briefs, rather than those tighty whities! Please guys! LOL)
For women: .....you will need to wear either: your Pajamas, Bra & Panty sets, Cotton Panties and Bra Tops or your BabyDoll sets. (as much as we would want to, please make sure that your Bra & Panty sets are not too transparent!) We wouldn't want all those guys to not be able to stare you in the eyes, while talking to you!
End of advertisement.....
And here's a photo of the billboard ad seen around town to promote Wet Republic at the MGM .....
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Why would you base a trip around seeing a bunch of juiceheads?
Its not the juice heads Im there to see my friend. Its the girls : )
Do you still lift at the LVAC?
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Rod, you can rent one of those exotic cars on the Strip in the vicinity of the Harley Davidson Cafe, but I suggest you look around and get a good deal. There are many such businesses in LV. Or simply go to the Wynn Exotic Car Shop in the Wynn hotel and take one out for a test drive and get lost for a couple of hours. You gotta pay a few bucks to get inside though. (Good luck!)
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that is some cheap hotel rooms there. in a lot of european countries you cant get a decent room for less than 300 dollars.
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Bluto, Have you been to Vegas?
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Its not the juice heads Im there to see my friend. Its the girls : )
Do you still lift at the LVAC?
Hi Mandy.
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Here's more information that anyone who is coming to LV for the Olympia really needs but for you guys who must depend on the cheapest accomodations in the host hotel (The Orleans) area, this may come in handy.
The Wild Wild West (WWW) is one of the least expensive places to say within the vicinity of the Strip. Figure $40 for Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs and $60 on Fri and Sat.
WWW is not a fancy place by any means and definitely not for the ladies who prefer nicer accomodations.
I'll toss some pictures I took while in the area this afternoon to give fair warning of just what this place looks like.
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This first shot is the electric sign enticing one and all to come inside ......
Actually I hear that the food here is not that bad. Checked the menu and dinner prices are in the $10.00 range.
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With a little encouragement from the standard Las Vegas "meal deal" devised years earlier to get you inside in the hopes that you'll hit the tables or risk your hard earned pennies on the slots...
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And then there's the hotel ..... Not really much too look at on the west side where they are either in the process of building something up or tearing something down.
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But it looks better from the inside court-yard area.
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And then there's the Wild Wild West Casino ....
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Here's a photo looking west to the NY,NY Casino on the Strip. Roughly a 12 minute walk over the freeway from the Wild Wild West.
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iN case you prefer something a little more classy, try the Budget Suites across the street from the WWW. Ask info for Budget Suites on Tropicana Blvd in LV and see if their daily/weekly rate can beat Wild Wild West.
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And then there's the Wild Wild West Casino ....
WWW has WIFI and door locks?
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Doorlocks and a few of those extra security chain things.
WiFi - Doubt it.
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Here's a photo looking west to the NY,NY Casino on the Strip. Roughly a 12 minute walk over the freeway from the Wild Wild West.
Jesus Onlyme...Did you really have to post the friday night prime rib special...You're just asking for it...
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I am using my sky miles to go to Vegas so the flight will be covered.
Should I go to LV during the O weekend? Would the rates be any lower for the hotels then?
Croatch I know you are in Vegas. Whats your take on timing and lodging?
Bro listen to me and you will get everything taken care of...Over the next couple of weeks, just follow every post that Alex23 does and tell him how great he is...Within 2 weeks, you will not only have a wedding invite but he you really work the muscle bear, he has been known to fedEx over his black american express card...Not sure how he got one for he only makes early 6 figures but what do you care...
Bottom line is Alex will take care of everything...All you have to do is be his friend...
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Bro listen to me and you will get everything taken care of...Over the next couple of weeks, just follow every post that Alex23 does and tell him how great he is...Within 2 weeks, you will not only have a wedding invite but he you really work the muscle bear, he has been known to fedEx over his black american express card...Not sure how he got one for he only makes early 6 figures but what do you care...
Bottom line is Alex will take care of everything...All you have to do is be his friend...
LOL I didnt know the brute lived in Vegas?
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http://www.hotels.com/processIndexSearch.do;jsessionid=2A2FDBB1B0C6C33B93376864190940F2.guinnesstc07?_dyncharset=UTF-8&allPropertyTypesSelected=true&searchType=&destination=usertyped&usertypedcity=Las+Vegas+area%2C+Nevada%2C+US&street1=&street2=&acDestinationId=7E2ED1CF-2BE5-437F-95F4-4E2E2EA606F7&acDestinationType=1&lat=&lon=&pointName=&checkIn=9%2F25%2F2008&checkOut=9%2F29%2F2008&numrooms=1&adults%5B0%5D=2&child%5B0%5D=0&CIMonth=9&CIDay=25&CIYear=2008&COMonth=9&CODay=29&COYear=2008&refined=true
Stunt... Check out the prices above.
The Riviera is only $40/ night.
Also, Stunt or Croach , what are some good clubs to go to and what is the typical cover charge?
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Yea, Devon, that's a decent rate for the Riv although it is not one of the hotels I'd want to stay at. Plus - I bet ya you can't find a Riv room anywhere near that rate during the Olympia activities. Check out the Sahara too.
Riviera is presently $129 plus tax per nite during the Olympia. Sahara is $91 plus per nite.
All the major Strip Hotels and some of the off-Strip places have great nightclubs.
Tao in the Venetian is one of the top hot spots, but there are many others. Off Strip, I'd recommend the Palms - Ghost Bar or the Playboy Club or Moon
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I was in each last week but it was early and midweek so neither place was jumping yet.
You can figure $20 to $40 cover charge for any of the top night spots (the higher covers are on the busy nights), but ask for a comp when you check in at any hotel and also ask your bell man if he has any. (A $5 tip would be appreciated if he has any to provide.)
Also down on the Strip between the Planet Hollywood and the Harley Davidson Cafe (outside on the sidewalk) there are usually a couple of guys holding a wad of comped passes for most of the major hot spots. Check with them and get as many as you can because you can usually never tell when and where you'll be at any time of night. Tip accordingly and note that some comped passes are only good if your enter the club prior to 10 PM but once inside you're ok for the duration. (Look for these comped pass guys in the vicinity of the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd) and Harmon. Harmon is the street that crosses the Strip between Planet Hollywood and Harley Davidson cafe and across the Strip from the new City Center that is undergoing construction.)
Here are a few hot spots you might want to Google and check out before heading out for a evening of fun and pleasure .. This is just a few of many and all of them actually don't start jumping until 20 minutes after midnite..... And some could actually be very "dead" if something big is happening in another hot spot in town. These joints like to invite Hollywood TV and movie stars to celebrate their birthdays in their joints and advertise it and invite everyone providing they are willing to pay the fee at the door.
Body English - In the Hard Rock on Harmon about a mile east of the Strip
Drais - A late nite hot spot in Bill's Gambling Hall on the Strip
Foundation Room - At the top of Mandalay Bay - Private unless you can get a pass
Ghostbar - Hot spot at the top of The Palms
Jet - In the Mirage (or is it the TI?)
Krave Las Vegas
LAX Nightclub
Mist
Mix Lounge
Moon - The Palms
Playboy Club - The Palms
Pussycat Dolls- Lounge Caesars
Pure - Caesars
Rain
Revolution - Beatle's type place in the Mirage.
Risque - Paris
Rumjungle
Studio 54 - MGM Grand
Tabu
Tao - Venetian - Probably the top hot spot at present.
The Bank
Tryst - Wynn
Voodoo Lounge - Rio
Whiskey Bar - too far out of town
Some of the GetBiggers will more than likely tell you more about some of the better spots.
There was a newspaper article a couple of months back about the Night Club front door guys collecting up to $700 per person from fools who wanted to get in without waiting in line. Apparently they got in trouble with the IRS for not reporting that income.
Advice - Use cash, not your credit card to pay for anything you order across the bar or via the cocktail waitresses.
If you want a private table with a complete set-up, expect to pay approximately $600 to $800+ for each bottle of alcohol. They do provide the cubes and the mix and the table and a place to place your foolish ass though.
A friend of mine turned over his credit card at the Hard Rock Rehab Pool Party early one Sunday morning and got a set-up consisting of roughly four different bottles of alcohol and a shady spot for him and his wife and family friends and then he mixed a Margarita and took a snooze for an hour or so. When he woke up there were about ten strangers having a grand old time within the vicinity of his private shaded oasis and his bill had already reached $3,500 before he kicked them out and into the next shady spot where another poor fool was catching some winks.
You'll be within 50 yards of the guys who pass out the nite-club comps if you look west and see this view ........ In fact, you might be a bit too far south. Go north 20 yards or so and look for them in front of Harley Davidson or cross Harmon and look for them on that cornor with the big vacant lot on it.
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Outstanding info stunt.
I apologize for my lack of understanding of the nightclub lingo ( Havent been out in 4 years) is a comp simply a free pass?
Also those rates for the hotels & Riviera above are indeed the average rate per night for four nights ( 25th -28th) Thurs- Sun night which is Olympia weekend.
I dont drink which is good since I wont have much $$ while there so I could def use a comp pass to a club.
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Yea, the comped pass merely gets you though the doors providing you arrive early in most cases. Saves you about $20 though.
If you can get that $40 room rate for the Olympia, I'd book it now. In most cases you can cancel as long as it is 48 hours before your arrival date. Riviera ain't the best place on the Strip but it looks like a fair deal to me that weekend.
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I am using my sky miles to go to Vegas so the flight will be covered.
Should I go to LV during the O weekend? Would the rates be any lower for the hotels then?
Croatch I know you are in Vegas. Whats your take on timing and lodging?
Screw the O, play golf. There's a course there (can't remember the name) but each hole represents the great courses of the world. Like Carnousty, Troon, etc, etc. Expensive (like $4-500.00 a round) but it would be worth it.
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stuntmovie and chainsaw are the best LV guides you can talk to, they gave me tons of great info when i went to vegas last september :)
thanks again guys! had a blast.
though one thing I will say, it's way better and cheaper just to rent a car, I had a new dodge avenger for $20 a day, cabs are insanely expensive and vegas traffic is CRAZY.
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I went last year. It was my 1st time in VEGAS and at the Olympia. I had a great time. I was ttere with a few friends but had to watch the olympia without them as most normal people don't like BB. Even when i was away from my freinds it was cool as so many of the other fans and BB's are so friendly and in a good mood that weekend. Go to meet the Olympians and some of the expo if you can. Ron and Isaac were cool enough to let me hang out with them for a while. Hey Ron thanks for letting me interview Eddie Abbew.
The food is great in Vegas. Make sure you fit in a buffet. I recommend the Bellagio for something a little more fancy. Dinner here is about $40 but worth it for the seafood and sushi alone. Sunday champagne brunch for $25 at Mandalay bay was also fantastic.There are tons of fancy resturants if you want to really spend eg in the bellagio, paris but if you have to watch the dollars then some hotels have cheaper buffets abd there is always Fatburger which is open 24/7 right on the strip.
I went to Blush and Tryst nightclubs which are both in the Wynn on friday and saturday nights. I think they were both $20 in but i didn't know anybody re comps and we never thought of asking the staff in our hotel(Mandalay Bay- very nice, great pool). The drinks are pricey in the clubs but the atmosphere, music and women were as we had hoped for in vegas.) If your feeling bored you might take a short cab ride off the strip to spearmint rhino.
Have a great time. I wish i could go this year but have to work. I'm definately going to vegas again next year.
regards,
The Doc ;D
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The fare from the airport to the host hotel (Orleans) will be about $20 if the traffic is reasonable. And taxi rates have just been increased... Here's some official info on that one ......
Sixteen taxicab companies service the Las Vegas valley. When you enter a taxicab, the driver will start the taximeter (referred to as the “drop”) and an initial charge of $3.30 will register. If a taxi ride originates at McCarran International Airport, an additional airport surcharge of $1.20 per trip is added to the taximeter. After the initial “drop”, the taximeter will assess a fare of $2.65 per mile ($.53 for each 1/5th of a mile traveled). If the taximeter senses that the taxicab is moving less than 8-12 MPH, the taximeter will assess a charge of $.53 (fifty-three cents) every 63 seconds ($30.00 per hour waiting time). That is why the taximeter continues to accumulate charges even when the taxicab is not moving. Once the taximeter senses that the taxicab is moving at a speed greater than 8-12 MPH the fare calculates on the actual distance traveled.
Drop for initial activation of taximeter - $3.30 (That's the fee for just getting inside.)
Each 1/5th mile (includes 25¢ per mile fuel surcharge) - $.53
Waiting time per hour- $30.00
McCarran Airport fee per pick-up - $1.20 (I assume that the airport gets this.)
That $20 per day rental was "last year". This year you can rent an economy car in LV for about $25 a day (includes all fees) through Expedia.com so if you do plan to drive around, it would definitely be more convenient and possibly a lot less expensive.
If you do rent a car while at the "O" ask if it would be cheaper to rent the vehicle from another location other than the airport or at the hotel. These locations often charge an additional "service fee".
For you Get Biggers on a strict budget ..... the locals' buffets are a good deal if you plan to eat a lot, and look for 1/2 price or "two-fer" coupons and take advantage of them. And if you are really tight for cash, most of the casinos offer "Grave-yard Specials" such as steak and eggs for $2.99 between the hours of midnight and 7:00 AM. (Damn tuff steaks though!).
In the old days you could spend a weekend in Vegas with $30 in your pocket. Opening weekend at Caesars was less than $12 a night and drive-in burgers were 29 cents. And if your haircut was short enough to look like you were Marine Corps property, you would NEVER lose at the tables.
If you are just a damn tight-wad and want a decent but cheap meal, make sure you visit the coffee shop way back in the corner at Ellis Island. Damn good food at damn cheap prices. Order the steak special by simply pointing at it on the menu cover.
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Another good tip is rent your car from off the airport locations. The prices are cheaper because you aren't paying the airport tax. Enterprise is very good. Also, if you are a player then don't pay for any rooms. Go play at least a grand and hang around the tables and you will get your room and food comped. In fact if you play anything a couple hundred bucks ask the pit boss for a comp meal. If you play more and you have friends with you then ask for enough comp meals for everyone
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Yea, I've had a few great meals and many many cocktails as a result of Keith's action at the Crap tables. A couple of times those "free" meals were pretty expensive, but if you are a high or mid stakes gambler, you should expect a comped meal at least.
And ..... Yea! It looks like DOC knows how to live the life while in LV. He went the expensive route and enjoyed the best that Vegas offers, but let me hit him back a bit in what he passed to each of us.
Bellagio Buffet at $40! I've eaten here for a bit less so Doc must have fine dined here on a busy weekend. I'm one of those old Las Vegas farts who firmly believes that buffets are supposed to be cheap places to have lots of food and that the casino feeds you well and cheap in order to get you inside to do some gambling. Bugsy offered a great buffet for $1.29 and filled the place every meal. So to me, it's kind of like an old tradition; and once a casino charges anything over what I call "cheap", that old time tradition goes out the casino window. (Never seen one of those I bet!) Those old traditional cheap buffets are slowing disappearing from the Las Vegas life-style.
There used to be an old saying in LV, "It was the buffets, that built this town!". But now I sort of think that the current buffets may be in the process of tearing it down!
S0 I most often pass on the Bellagio Buffet and other less traditional and look for someplace a lot less expensive and a hell of a lot better.
And for the best and cheapest sushi and fish you gotta drive out to one of the shopping centers in Henderson and plunk down your $12 for the best damn sushi buffet I've even eaten no matter what the price. If you want to know the name of this place, you have to ask ONLY ME. I forget the name, but it's a steal of a great meal. (One catch - The $12 deal is only offered during certain hours like 3 to 5 PM, but even at $20, it's one hell of a bargain.)
Mandalay Bay buffets at $20+ are a bit on the high side also but worth the price if you are staying in that hotel and don't want to leave it for a better meal with one exception .... Charlie Palmer's is right downstairs in the Four Season's section and one fine hell of a fine dining spot. Not cheap at all but excellent.
And Doc chose two of the better night spots with Blush and Tryst. I've been in Tryst but never as a paying customer so I have no idea what it costs to spend an evening in either one of those night-spots, but I would guess that a bottled beer would set you back $10 and a shot of Tequila about $12. I have a good friend who hangs at those high end night clubs and he says that a $1,000+ tab in not uncommon when he has a couple of guests and meets some attractive ladies while his wife is on the other side of the dance floor.
Someone mention "Rhino"?! That's a "gentlemen's club" and although I can't refer to Rhino as a "rip-off", I can attest to a number of other so called LV clubs that had their hands in numerous wallets. I asked a friend of mine who is a doorman at a "gentleman's club" if someone could enjoy the club with about $100 in his pocket. "That's the minimun for a short say!", was his reply.
REMEMBER THIS - Las Vegas was built on comps! Never fail to ask anyone who works in Sin City or anyone who knows Sin City if any sort of comp is available. Comps for meals! Comps for night spots! Comps for sex! Comps for rooms! Comps for free gambling money! Free otel room upgrades! Free drinks!! ..... But you gotta remember to TIP those who give you comps. A fiver here and a fiver there does wonders! Oners are good too!
If anyone gives you a strange look for your comp inquiry, they are definitely new in town.
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Thanks again stunt.
Reguarding a car rental: Is the parking fee high in pay lots for the night clubs or gentlemen's clubs or just round about a big name hotel/casino area? And is parking hard to find?
Reguarding the comp passes for clubs: Would all comps given out only be good for that night? Example: Would I expect to get a Sat night comp pass to PURE on a Thursday night?
Other then doormen who should I ask for comps to the Olympia Expo? Also should I tip them a $5 before or after I ask?
Also at the location Harmon and Harley Davidson do they also pass out comp passes for Rehab?
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I am using my sky miles to go to Vegas so the flight will be covered.
Should I go to LV during the O weekend? Would the rates be any lower for the hotels then?
Croatch I know you are in Vegas. Whats your take on timing and lodging?
stay home and help the children, they need you ;)
E
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stay home and help the children, they need you ;)
E
That really got under your skin didnt it Earl?
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Devon, Casinos want your business in LV so there never is a parking fee anyplace I've ever been to. Some of the downtown hotel/casinos may set a fee but then it is only a simple matter of getting your ticket validated for the free parking.
No matter where you're at your best bet is to simply drive up to Valet Service and let them park your hog. A two dollar tip upon pickup is good enough, but a bigger tip would be more appropriate in the high class spots.
Here's a pretty typical way of spending an evening at one of the trendier Las Vegas nightclubs. I don't know if there are other nightspots in other cities that work it this way, but now it is common in LV....
Blush Boutique Nightclub Details (for example)
Hours of operation: 9 p.m - 4 a.m.
General admission: $30
Front-of-the-line pass: $50; must arrive before midnight.
VIP Package for four (Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat.): $865 - Includes escorted service to table, two bottles of Skyy Vodka (or equivalent bottle) and tax. Gratuity is not included and will be collected at club.
VIP Package for four (Sun., Mon., Wed.): $435; includes escorted service to table, one bottle of Skyy Vodka (or equivalent) and tax. Gratuity is not included and will be collected at club.
Payment information: Cash, all major credit cards.
If four of you guys go out to meet the ladies at one of these better night spots, figure it out to cost each of you about $250 if you want two bottles or $130 each if you can get by on one bottle of booz.
Those individual prices include the tip (usually 20%).
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That really got under your skin didnt it Earl?
actually it made me laugh
a guy that trolls bodybuilding forums even though he hates bodybuilding claims to help out our needy children ;D
E
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I'm always trying to get some of the major suppliment companies to book a great hotel room in Las Vegas and throw a party immediately following the Olympia or other major contest held in LV.
They used to do this lots back in the 60's and the 70's and part of the 80's but not lately. We had one hell of a great after contest party in one of the Caesars' suites the year that Tim Belnap won the NPC nationals.
Maybe Ron or Bob might consider throwing a post - Olympia party this year. Or any member of this board who has the funds to make it happen.
And I have a suggestion as to where it should be held - One of the Fantasy Suites in The Palms. Preferably the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa where you can invite 250 of your closest friends (or closest GetBig enemies) to have one hell of a great time and go down in the archives of bodybuilding history for hosting the biggest and best bodybuilding party of all time.
Check these big time party suites here----------------->>> http://www.palmsfantasy.com/
Get the Hefner suite but be prepared to pay $25,000 for the 9,000 square foot penthouse space with your own pool on the lanai overlooking the LV Strip. And find some sponsors to pay for all the booz and entertainment. Once the word gets out every major player in this town will be requesting invites. Great publicity for some individual, company, or maybe just the overall winner. Or one of you GetBig big-time spenders.
I know one on here who can definitely afford it and knows most of the principal players in the game.
But you are limited to 250 guests.
Maybe we should start those invites with those on MooseJay's List while others would have to request an invite.
Most important, whom should not be asked to attend?