Sunday, May 03, 2015

Orleans

This post updates the Orleans offerings.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?119457-Heading-to-Orleans&p=1127721#post1127721

In case this link gets old, Here is my post


+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 2FirstFirst12
Results 11 to 18 of 18
  1. 04-20-2015, 07:19 PM #11
    buffalo's Avatar
    buffalo is offline Low-Roller
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    188
    Trips To Vegas
    52

    Default

    Love staying at Orleans too. You have to gauge if your newbies are the kind of folks that can deal with large crowds and waiting, July 4 on Strip with have plenty of both. If not Orleans is a good choice. The shuttle can get backed up from time to time in the afternoons and it will be a warm wait. You could probably cab it and split it 4 ways, total should be around $20. If you cab from the west side of the Strip, it will take 5 minutes or so, east side add another 5 minutes and $5.

    The only knock I have at Orleans is when you let your room door close on it's own, everyone in your wing knows it. They need to go to Palazzo and find out why theirs don't slam so hard.
    Quick reply to this message Quick Reply   Reply With Quote Reply With Quote   Multi-Quote This Message      
  2. Yesterday, 05:28 PM #12
    bluesdude is offline Low-Roller
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    146
    Trips To Vegas
    22

    Default

    Just got done staying at the Orleans for 2 nights. There are 3 wings to the Orleans rooms. North wing, rooms face east towards the strip and are even numbered. West facing rooms are odd numbered and face towards pool and the mountains. West wing, even numbered rooms face north, odd numbered face south with some obstructed view on the lower levels. East wing, even numbered face south and may have obstructed view, north facing rooms are odd numbered and have an excellent view of the parking area, downtown in the distance along with mountain views and some of the strip. All higher numbered rooms are closest to the elevators with the lower numbers at the end of the hallways. Rooms are large!
    We encountered a lot of families in the two days we were there. I am guessing that over the 4th it will be the same. This could affect your pool experience!
    BTW, we love the Orleans and have stayed there many times. Gotta go! Flight about to board back to ORD!
    Quick reply to this message Quick Reply   Reply With Quote Reply With Quote   Multi-Quote This Message      
  3. Yesterday, 07:45 PM #13
    Shaunny11 is offline Newbie
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    5
    Trips To Vegas
    75

    Default

    I stay there every trip for a few days on comps. The bonuses are as mentioned lower table limits on busy weekends, decent pool that isn't too packed, gym, cheap eats and the shuttle to/from the strip.
    Quick reply to this message Quick Reply   Reply With Quote Reply With Quote   Multi-Quote This Message      
  4. Yesterday, 08:33 PM #14
    dewey089's Avatar
    dewey089 is online now Guru of Value
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    averill park (near albany) ny
    Posts
    3,918
    Trips To Vegas
    29

    Default

    I like the triple play nickel VP, 9/7 Double Bonus with progressive Royals. It is about all I play. There are two banks, but I play the one between the buffet and the door on the side opposite to where the buffet is. There are about 10 machines and they sometimes fill up as the locals play them regularly.

    If you are there on a Wednesday, check out the Nitekings in the Lounge. They are just wonderful for old sounds. However, arrive a bit early if you want a seat in the first set. The place packs up.

    http://www.nitekings.com/nitekings/Welcome.html

    Be careful in the live poker room. It can be very tough, dominated by locals who all know each other, and once I suspected collusion.

    Check for promotions. Twice I've been there when just standing in line for a few minutes and showing a card got $5 free with some folks getting a good bit more than that.

    Outside and across the street is McMullan's Irish Pub. Great food and interesting ambiance.
    http://www.mcmullansirishpub.com/index.shtml
    “Never marry a casino; just have affairs until the love is gone.” -Jean Scott-

    http://vegasonthebus.blogspot.com/ - BUS INFORMATION
    Edit / Delete Edit Post   Quick reply to this message Quick Reply   Reply With Quote Reply With Quote   Multi-Quote This Message      
  5. Yesterday, 08:58 PM #15
    keno60's Avatar
    keno60 is offline Whale
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    south padre island texas
    Posts
    1,068
    Trips To Vegas
    35

    Default

    Click or hover your mouse to enlarge image Originally Posted by dewey089 Click or hover your mouse to enlarge image
    I like the triple play nickel VP, 9/7 Double Bonus with progressive Royals. It is about all I play. There are two banks, but I play the one between the buffet and the door on the side opposite to where the buffet is. There are about 10 machines and they sometimes fill up as the locals play them regularly.

    If you are there on a Wednesday, check out the Nitekings in the Lounge. They are just wonderful for old sounds. However, arrive a bit early if you want a seat in the first set. The place packs up.

    http://www.nitekings.com/nitekings/Welcome.html

    Be careful in the live poker room. It can be very tough, dominated by locals who all know each other, and once I suspected collusion.

    Check for promotions. Twice I've been there when just standing in line for a few minutes and showing a card got $5 free with some folks getting a good bit more than that.

    Outside and across the street is McMullan's Irish Pub. Great food and interesting ambiance.
    http://www.mcmullansirishpub.com/index.shtml
    i play the aces bonus there. I hit the bonus once after going 3 nearly 4 hour without a 4oak, I had lost nearly $350 before I hit it and it was the first night and morning of my trip!
    Quick reply to this message Quick Reply   Reply With Quote Reply With Quote   Multi-Quote This Message      
  6. Today, 12:06 AM #16
    bluesdude is offline Low-Roller
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    146
    Trips To Vegas
    22

    Default

    The Mardi Gras bar now has brand new VP machines. actually, they are multi-game machines. Played 9/6 DDB there. A couple other bars have new machines and better pay tables on some games. Dewey, you are right about McMullan's. We went there for the first time this trip. We left asking ourselves why haven't we been there before.
    Quick reply to this message Quick Reply   Reply With Quote Reply With Quote   Multi-Quote This Message      
  7. Today, 05:25 AM #17
    dewey089's Avatar
    dewey089 is online now Guru of Value
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    averill park (near albany) ny
    Posts
    3,918
    Trips To Vegas
    29

    Default

    Here is relevant bus information:

    Many of us start our trips at the Orleans because we can take the WAX, get off at the NYNY stop, get the 201 and be at the Orleans. This route is also a way for bus riders to go from the Orleans to downtown without taking luggage on strip buses.
    Next trip I'll go from the Orleans to the Excalibur for a MyVegas free night. After that I will go downtown or I'll take the WAX to the airport and then the free Palace Station shuttle (for hotel guests) to that casino for a few days.
    The city buses have the advantage of a full 24 hour schedule. The free shuttles when I was last there did not start until 9:30 AM. So if you wanted to start with breakfast at Aria, you needed the bus.
    Or a cab. A cab from the Orleans to the back entrance of Aria was just $10.

    Keno (who just posted) tipped us off about getting the senior discounted 5 day pass at Walgreen's
    I did that last trip on his advice. I would always call ahead, but they said that they never run out. Here are my notes from my last trip:

    On one board Keno 60 posted about using the Walgreen's on Decatur and Tropicana, just a short walk from the Orleans to buy bus passes. This worked just great. The Walgreen's is 24 hours so I could go up very early at 5 AM when I could not sleep and had nothing much else to do.


    I thought the walk was very safe and easy.


    There were some pretty girls working the street, but they are not aggressive or much of a bother.


    Walgreen's said that they don't run out of the 15 and 30 day passes with senior discount there, so we can count on them.


    While I was there I picked up some snacks and a large gallon of water that cost just 99 cents as opposed to the small bottles for $2.25 for sale at the Orleans.


    Along the way I noticed a Bank of America that would be a handy place for me to get more gambling money were I to run short.


    Also, if I wanted some food outside the casino that great Irish Pub McMullen's is open 24 hours and there is a Jack in the Box not far from the Walgreen's.

    The 201 is great for getting to the strip and for getting out to the Pinball Hall of Fame
    http://www.pinballhall.org/

    Also, the free shuttles will take luggage and load it on the bus, Even my large bag was welcomed. So next trip I'll be at the Gold Coast and then go to the Orleans by shuttle with luggage.

    _______________________
    I almost tried this painting adventure one trip, but I did not make reservations and the class was cancelled when I got there. The woman leading it said to be sure to call. I'd have had my own private class had I called. Generally, however, it is seen as a fun group experience. And then there is getting the painting home on plane.
    http://buzznbrushes.com/

    ____________________
    There are often specials at the movie theater. On senior day I get the $4 special. Young at Heart Day is grand because it is very easy to squeeze out a brunch and a supper buffet for free without points. Then too, you might meet someone interesting in line as I did last trip
    http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...t-orleans.html

    The lounge is a grand place to go dancing. No drink pressure but good service and as I remember the wine was only about $4.
     
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, April 05, 2015

Fees on entertainment











I was amazed that they can be cheaper if we stay with discounter sites because of fees charged for buying them right at the venue of the show.

My own surprise last visit was to use an American Casino Guide coupon for the MacKing show. This offers two free tickets with a drink, so the show and drink usually cost $10 if I got a cheap drink. Added last time was some fee of 4.50. Mac King is certainly worth $15, but I should know the cost before I get to the register.

Today I tried to search down the information. It took me 4 phone calls before someone gave me the right number for the box office. Then some ESL clerk tried to answer my question. It took me many repeats of the question before she admitted that the minimum to get in the show with the coupon would be $15 each.




Below is a great article from today's paper on buying entertainment tickets.

Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Amusing arrogance

So today I read another post predicting that as Vegas comes back financially the comps and freebies, the deals and bargains, will dry up.
I love the guys who come on with that arrogant swagger and say, "Why, I gamble enough that my rooms will still be comped and even if that went away, why..... I'd still go."

Here is a guy getting fleeced by one armed bandits and just creaming in his pants to get further screwed,to pay more, as if the more he pays, the more important he is.

And he is proud of being the sacrificial lamb.  He doesn't feel exploited one bit by anything.

Well, as old Garrick used to say, "Someone has to pay the light bills."

 
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, December 06, 2014

EASTSIDE CANNERY

Just wrote a review for a board question and thought it might be a good one to keep here for future reference:

I have stayed at both Eastside Cannery and Sam's Town. Eastside Cannery offers better rooms in my opinion. I love the views from those floor to ceiling glass walls. If you get a corner room, the whole experience is just grand. However, I think they cost more money than when I had one.
This is a five year old set of photos and evaluation, but it stays in my memory.
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...e-cannery.html

Also, to be noted here is that they have a new renovated webpage that earns points toward free food and drink.  It is much more interesting than the old page.  I have more points now than I'd ever use up going as I do just one time a year.  But it is fun to do the crossword puzzles and play other bits.

http://www.eastsidecannery.com/webpass

I have stayed in the regular rooms and liked them although the view is less spectacular.

I just am too fugal to book there. I think about it. Then I get a better deal somewhere.
However, seniors will get $10 off the rack rate by calling and asking.


The VP is pretty amazing. Over near Marilyn's look for full pay.
http://www.vpfree2.com/casino/eastsi...y-hotel-casino
including rare games you just will find few places in Vegas. The JOB is very unusual.

Live poker is a fine limit game of 2-4-6, but it is dominated by locals and a bit tough to crack.

My favorite part is the Monday night Latin show, Claudine Castro on Monday nights. I go there every trip.
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...-eastside.html
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...ish-music.html


The Webpass games on the website will give you some free drinks and buffets and other things depending on what they offer. You do have to print the voucher before you leave home and present it to the Player's Club within 7 days. However, I actually got a couple free wines at the bar and brought them in early to the lounge and just let them sit. That night I did not have to buy a drink. You don't have to actually play games if you just check in and do the key search and the puzzles, etc. Points add up.

The 202 city bus will get you to the strip and back in 30-45 minutes each way, and it just sits at the edge of the parking lot while the driver takes a break. Just watch the time. The last 202 bus that hits the EC comes just before 1AM. I went to the EC from the Gold Coast last trip and it was an easy ride, especially late at night when there was little traffic on Flamingo.

Walmarts for food snacks is across the street.
BankAmerica for fee free withdrawals ( if you have an account) is also across the street.

I like the buffet. It is basic, but there are things I really enjoy there, including Cholula on the table if you ask and moonpie cookies.
Last trip I got two free wines at the bar and carried them into a free buffet for supper.
I never eat beyond the buffet, but I've heard good things about the other choices as well and the Webpass has some great deals sometimes if you have enough points.

There are plenty of promotions. Some days earning a few points will get a free buffet
Posted by at No comments:

Sad Passing of Jack

Board friends become important to those of us who plan Vegas on a daily basis.  I lost one this week.



http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/topic/31165/Sad-news-about-Jack?page=1

Condolences, if you knew Jack, can be posted on the site below:

http://www.familychoicefunerals.com/book-of-memories/1994056/Donahoo-Jack/obituary.php

As a MyVegas fellow player he was also my Facebook friend where  I knew him as Joey Smith, and he played often and shared his winnings with us.  Part of the frugality of my last trip was due to his sharing on MyVegas.

Plenty of sadness on the discussion board posts today.

 
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

WOULD RESORT FEES KEEP ME FROM VEGAS

I posted this on a Vegas discussion board and thought it worth keeping as boiler plate

Resort fees are charged to enable the casino hotel to raise the price of the rooms and get the full value of the raise in price even when the room is booked at discounter sites.  The discounter gets a piece of the price of the room, but none of the resort fees.
They are charged as a mechanism to sort out the gamblers from those just visiting Vegas.  Many places charge no resort fee for comped rooms earned by gamblers.  Others will negoatiate the resort fee after substantial play.  So, it becomes another carrot on a stick to encourager folks to play more.
They are also used as an incentive to encourage upgrading.  Casinos and hotels will often drop the resort fee when upgrading, so the customer has one more reason to spend a bit more.
It is true that if no one paid them, they would go away. 
However, clearly the market has spoken.  The CET experiment in advertising "no fees" to attract customers failed.  That seems to suggest that at no time in the near future will folks actually stop buying because of resort fees.
Personally, it hit my own frugal booking for 24 night trips pretty hard.  Live poker play at CET before resort fees got me decent room rates (below resort fee prices now) and that all dried up. 
Adding just one pay night to my comped two nights at the Gold Coast cost more than it would have without resort fees.
I paid on average $9.25 a night for my last 24 night stay, so a $28 resort fee pushes my average 300%.  Folks who are paying $375 a night for a room see only a slight percentage increase.
That being said I spent 5 nights on the strip when I paid only the resort fee, 3 using MyVegas and 2 using one of the CET coupons for Planet Hollywood.  This was very frugal since the resort fee is the same cost on weekend nights and a resort fee only room offers more value Friday and Saturday than on weekdays.  Also, the MyVegas room at Mandalay Bay and the Planet Hollywood rooms were pretty amazing.  MB would have cost $375 the night I stayed.  In addition, I did find an amenity that was worth the resort fee price in all strip locations.  PH had a heated pool.  Monte Carlo and Mandalay Bay each had a lazy river that opened early enough for me to swim mornings on my one-nighters.  I hate exercise, but this was a delightful workout for an old guy.  With no tube swimming while being zipper around was actually the best exercise I've had.  Along with al the walking and rolling of luggage and healthy food choices at the buffet, I dropped my diabetes sugar numbers.  And I could not get that sort of exercise anywhere else, because water parks are filled with kids.  These lazy rivers were heated and empty at 8 or 9 when they opened.  I will certainly do the MyVegas resort fee only room specials again and I have to think about whether the advantage to my health demands I stop being so frugal and spend the money (and resort fee)  on rooms at Mandalay Bay.
At any rate, I have to think that MyVegas and those CET friend and family promotions are easier to market with resort fees kicking some value back to the casino even from a guy like me who never gambles a slot machine or low pay VP at strip joints.
Nothing will keep me from visiting Vegas.  If money is tight, I may gamble less.  I may round out my trip at Arizona Charlie's on Boulder where $38 will buy me a two room suite but not a lazy river.  Certainly, I save the resort fee by gambling at full pay VP and poker tables that at least at times are filled with tourists.  The best limit poker I played was late night 3-6 at Mandalay Bay and 2-6 spread (and Pineapple) at Monte Carlo and that was always very late at night when to be comfortable I needed to slip into a nearby bed. 
VP in New York state equivalent to what I play downtown in Vegas is actually illegal because it pays over 100% with perfect play.
It is rare that I don't hit enough fully paid full houses and flushes in a day of VP to cover any resort fee.  It certainly covers that charged by the Gold Coast and Orleans or Sam's Town.  In strip casinos I never play any of the machines.
This past trip in 25 days I lost $928.  That is more than covered by what I saved in hotel rates.  Food expenses were under $12 a day.  Entertainment gave me 13 live music or staged shows for an average of $7.  My 14th was a Chris Angel ticket at $87 to go along with my son.  I can't go anywhere cheaper.
My transportation was $38 total for 25 days.  At home it costs me $40 in gas and tolls  to drive one day and back to the nearest local casino where the food comps are less and the drink comps are coffee or soda only.
Two buddies joined me for a week.  They live not far from me, but actually they are so busy at home with work and family, I rarely see them.
There was a blonde board meetup and conversation with a couple dozen people I often write with but only see in Vegas.
I met, talked and danced with  an amazing collection of people from all over the world. 
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2014/11/tr-snippet-people-of-interest.html
My son from Chicago joined me
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2014/11/tr-snippet-time-with-my-oldest-son.htmland took me out to Red Rock. 
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2014/11/red-rock-canyon-with-son-frank.htmlTo be with him one on one without interruption was a very rare treat.
[url]http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2014/11/red-rock-canyon-with-son-frank.html[/url]
No local casino gives me that kind of social life.
Finally, it was cold here and I was swimming there.  I rarely needed more than a very light jacket and generally, to cover after dark bus stop waiting, I just stuck my new MyVegas Palace Station tee shirt in my cargo pant pocket and that was plenty of extra warmth.  That precluded leaving my jacket in some casino.  The cargo pant pockets automatically go with me when I leave, even if I leave drunk or tired.
These benefits easily outweigh the frustration of resort fees.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)