Best Trip Ever!

[FL Mary]

I have to say that this was my best trip ever! Was it because I saw some good shows? Was it because I attended a couple of meets and had fun meeting other Las Vegas board members? Was it because I won a big jackpot? ALL OF THE ABOVE! I don’t take notes but I’ll try to remember some of the details.

Saturday – Arrived around 10:30 in the morning. Our luggage came out quickly and we took a cab. We checked in and the room was ready. It was a very nice room, very light and bright, with white bed covers and a splash of color at the foot of the bed. You could still feel the newness of the place. We were only staying here one night so there was no need to unpack. Down to the casino to start gambling. South Coast has a great selection of slot machines. They have lots of the new penny video slots, including many of the new Aristocrat machines. Even for a Saturday night, this place did not seem crowded like most of the casinos on the Strip. We ate at the South Coast buffet for dinner. The buffet was very nice – similar to the Orleans and Gold Coast buffets. The one drawback to staying at the South Coast is that there is no other casino within walking distance. Gambling was fun. I got to spin the wheel on $1 WoF and hit the $1000. That’s good, gave me more to play with during my trip. I also played lots of the penny video slots. Mom played two sessions of Bingo and even won $200. She enjoyed the bingo.

Sunday – We had the breakfast buffet at South Coast, then played slots for a while. We took a cab to the Aladdin where Mom and I would spend the next three nights. We didn’t have to wait long for a cab and the ride to the Strip was not bad. It cost about $20. At the Aladdin, you had to go to the 2nd floor (next to the high limit gambling) for hotel check-in. It was a short line and it went quickly. Luckily our room was ready. I loved the room at the Aladdin. I didn’t ask for any special views, but I could see the Monte Carlo. The bathroom was very nice with a separate shower and a deep soaking tub. There were some areas blocked off due to construction, but I didn’t notice the construction. I didn’t hear any noise or see any dust. I did not check to see if the pool was open. The Aladdin had the new Wheel of Fortune game where all the players sit around the big wheel. I knew we would have to get up early to play this because it was always crowded. Saturday night, we went to the MGM Grand. I did not like gambling at the MGM. In my opinion, they have the worst selection of slot machines of any casino. We did enjoy seeing Tom Jones. The Hollywood Theater is very cozy and we had booth seating. Tom Jones still puts on a good show. In fact, the show was sold out. His voice sounds the same but he now has facial hair. There were about 7 or 8 panties thrown on the stage during his show. Tom sang all of his hits as well as some other songs. He ended the show with a hit from Prince.

Monday – We got up early and were able to play the new WoF penny slot. In this slot game, you sit around a big wheel, and there is a pointer in front of your machine. When you get the bonus, there is a 20 second wait to see if anyone else gets the bonus. Then the wheel is spun. There could be more than one person playing the bonus game at the same time as you. It was fun getting the bonus spin and I got the highest amount three times ($100). We walked over to Paris and had the Breakfast Buffet, which we love. Afterwards, we went to the Barbary Coast, played for a little while, then caught the shuttle to the Orleans. Later on that afternoon, we caught the Deuce bus to Fremont Street to meet some other Las Vegas board members. The bus ride wasn’t bad. We got seats immediately and there weren’t mobs of people at the stops. We arrived downtown and visited some of the other casinos before heading for Fitzgerald’s for the meet. We went upstairs to the bar and it was nice to see some familiar faces and chat with other board memberss. We saw the Fremont Street Experience a couple of times. I really like the patriotic one. Afterwards, Mom and I caught a cab to the Mirage. We walked through the Mirage, then stopped at Harrah’s Cafe for a late-night breakfast before heading back to the Aladdin.

Tuesday – We left early to go to Fremont Street for another meet with Las Vegas board members. I’m glad we left early because it took an hour to get there on the Deuce bus. Meets are always fun. Afterwards, we went back to the Strip. Decided to take the Deuce bus again and that was a HUGE mistake. It was very crowded, we had to stand the entire time, and the bus driver kept yelling for everyone to go back further in the aisle. Then the door wouldn’t open, and the driver had to get out of the bus at each stop and hit and kick the door to get it open. It took over an hour to get back to the Aladdin and I’ve decided that I will never take the bus again. I’ll rely on cabs from now on. We were worn out after that bus ride so we rested in the room for a while, then it was time to have dinner at Todai, the Japanese buffet at the Desert Passage Mall. Mom loves sushi so she is in heaven with all the varieties of sushi. I love the tempura and other hot dishes they have. I filled up on Shrimp tempura, beef and broccoli, fried rice, lo-mein. We had green tea, and they have bite size desserts. I like the little key lime pie wedges. They have green tea ice cream as well as mango ice cream. We waddled out of the restaurant and headed back into the casino to play slots while our food settled. Then the most amazing thing happened. I was playing a quarter slot machine that had a bonus game. I also was wearing my lucky bracelet which has good luck charms on it. The name of the machine was Thunder Struck. If you got the bonus symbol on the third reel, you got free spins until you win something. There is a multiplier that increases each time you have a non-winning spin. I got this bonus several times and even got up to the 20x multiplier once, but only won the lowest amount (4 credits) but it totaled 80 with the multiplier. I was playing the bonus game and it got to 10x, then the reels showed WILD, WILD, WILD! I got the top win of $1000 with a 10x multiplier! This was $10,000! My belly was still full and I thought I was going to throw up! It was so unbelievable! When the attendant came over, I asked for the full amount in a check. A guy in a suit brought me the W2G, and the attendant gave me the check. I gave her a $100 tip. Afterwards, I didn’t feel like gambling for a while because my heart was still pounding. Mom and I walked over the Bellagio to check out the Conservatory and watch the Fountain show. The fountain show is so relaxing. What an exciting night! I played later that night at the Aladdin but didn’t win anything. I knew that I could spend all the money I brought with me and that I was still going to be taking home that check for $10,000.

Wednesday – We got comps at the Aladdin buffet for breakfast, then checked out. I asked if they could reduce my room rate, and they ended up comping one night. The other two nights cost $49. We took a cab to Bally’s and checked in. I’ve stayed at Bally’s before and feel comfortable there. We had a room in the North tower. We casino-hopped on the Strip but just donated to the casinos. I walked over to the Mirage to pick up our tickets for Danny Gans that night, then played at Harrah’s for a few hours. Mom went to Barbary Coast to see Big Elvis. I caught a little of his show but I prefer to listen while playing slots, not watch him. We walked over to Harrah’s and had the dinner buffet. Having a Diamond card comes in handy when the line is long. We even got wine with our meal. I saw Danny Gans a few years ago, and he is still a great entertainer. A lot of the show was the same as we’ve seen before, but he is so talented, you don’t mind. He did have some new material for this show, like references to Brokeback Mountain. He also added Michael Buble to his list of impressions. I had reserved tickets early so we had great seats. I think the $100 price is worth it for this show. The rest of the night, we just played (and lost) at various casinos. We had a great time playing the Big Ben video slot at Harrah’s. We had spa treatments early the next morning, so I went to bed around midnight.

Thursday – We checked in at the Bally’s spa at 7:30 because we had appointments for aromatherapy salt scrubs and leg/foot massages. This was my first time at a casino spa. We were given robes and a key to a locker. I had the salt scrub first. I was given a little thong-like paper thing to put on. I’m glad there weren’t any mirrors in the room. I laid on a table and a fragrant salt and oil mixture is rubbed all over my body. Then I laid on the table for about 20 minutes relaxing under dim lights with the thick goop all over me. Then the Vichy shower is turned on, and several massaging shower heads sprayed warm water all over my body rinsing off the salt. The oil stays on the skin and leaves the skin soft and silky. It really felt good. I relaxed in the sauna and steam rooms while waiting for my leg and foot massage. After several days of walking around, my legs ached, so this massage was really needed. They have all kind of hair products and curling irons and blow dryers so that you can do your hair afterwards. The spa treatments were a special treat and I hope to do it again on my next trip to Vegas. Afterwards, we grabbed a slice of pizza at Sbarro’s at Bally’s, then walked down to Harrah’s to take advantage of double points day. We ate dinner at Harrah’s Cafe (I have lots of Harrah’s comps), then headed back to Bally’s because we had tickets for Jubilee that night. I’ve seen Jubilee before, but we got free tickets so we went again. It is entertaining and I needed a break from the slots. I stayed up late Thursday night and it was a good thing I was down in the casino, because I had to show lots of foreigners how to play the bonus games on the video slots.

Friday – We had breakfast at the Sidewalk Cafe at Bally’s, then packed and checked out. We had some time to kill so we played slots for a couple of hours at Bally’s, then took a cab to the airport to catch our flight home. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep before the plane even took off. We had a connection in Atlanta, and landed in Pensacola around 11pm , got our luggage and drove an hour to get home. After dropping off my mother, it was around 1am before I got to my house.

Summary -- There were some things we didn’t get to do that we had planned, like going to the Wynn again. We also did not make it to TI. We wanted to go to Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, but we ran out of time. I learned never to take the bus again, only taxis. My favorite casino on this trip was Aladdin, of course. The quarter and dollar slots are more profitable, but I still like to play the video slots too. I like Lil Lucy and Big Ben. They are fun and you can win on these too. It was a great trip, and now I'm trying to figure out when I can go back!

[GREGRIO]

WHO NEED A STINKIN' 1000 POINTS ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE......
......TEN THOUSAND BUCKS IS WONDERFUL!
Real fun TR...THANK YOU.

The $20ish cab ride into town from SouthCoast was better than I thought,
I assume there were a few cabs hangin' out there. I've got a $59. per nite deal from them...worth staying there for a night to check it out? Folks say it's big and new and nice, but just another Stations property. Nothing very special in the way of gaming or anything....

I like the Hollywood Theatre too...saw CHICAGO there last trip, it's their
new home. I keep missing TOM JONES. TR's say his Show is still real good and lots of fun...someday I'd like to see him (again) Our family saw his Show in Seattle...maybe 40 years ago?
Man!...MONDAY was a busy day for you guys....I would have needed
a nap break! lol

I was in BarbaryCoast for the first time last trip...WHAT A TRIP. I did like
the old feel, jam packed, look of the place...ganna actually stay there 1 nite in July...I'm flying in for a concert at the Aladdin and then back out again...it's close and affordable for 24hrs...I want to play THEIR big
Wheel Of Fortune machine!

Good digs, good food, good Shows, GOOD TRIP...VERY GOOD TRIP!

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO Mary $10,000

What a win!!!! bet you was smiling from ear to ear.
Shame about the bus's,but only a small bugbear on your otherwise fantastic trip.
Glad you enjoyed Tom Jones (british export :wink: )
From this day on you shall be known as $10,000Mary

Now thats what I call a GOOD trip!
well done lady and thanks for the report-certainly got me itching to play that slot(probably empty now though!)


P.S. didn't we agree to go splitz on your winnings? heh heh

Best I can say is FANTASTIC WIN.
Loved your trip report. THANKS

[misterKeno]

good, concise trip report

TOP NOTCH on the ten thousand clams !!!!! yay !!

and, your feet are doing great as well.

Well done.
matthew

Mary...
What a great trip report and that win :shock: was awesome. :-D

I was jealous of just one thing. :arrow: That trip to the spa, it sounded fantastic! That is on my to do list on my next trip to Vegas.

So happy for you Mary, that kind of win doesn't come around very often. You did good girl! :-D

[doctor_al]

Outstanding win! wow. Sounds like a good trip overall, but that part, awesome. Of course you're done with the bus, it's limo's for you from herre on out!