[Forever Blue]

Some day, I plan to see all the Vegas Cirque du Soliel shows, except Zumanity & the Beatles ones. I've seen about 4-5 here in California. In Vegas, I also wouldn't ming seeing Celine Dion.

[Luv2byte]

Best cirque show by far is Mystere at Treasure Island. Next best is the adult one, Zumanity.

Best buffets for breakfast is Circus Circus & Golden Nugget. Best for dinner is Wynn & Golden Nugget.

I've stayed at some of the "best" resorts there, including an amazing room at the Wynn (best bathroom) but overall welcome feel, location, comfort & pool by far for us has been Golden Nugget. I still exchange emails with the pool manager, she remembered my brother from a previous stay & asked if was doing ok (and that he had a terminal illness, ALS, died 2 yr prior) - considering the volume of people that go thru there impressed me. The rooms, including their suites are very nice. The last two times there I got a great price on a two story suite, which is so nice & fun. Also, Freemont street is my fave part of town, it's fantastic & usually not stupid crowded.

Of the cirque shows: (we've seen approx 15 shows)
Mystere...seen it 4 times, amazing each time.
O.... Kinda boring, not too much you can do with water that inset done over & over throughout the show.
Zumanity...adult but not vulgar, very funny, only resident show where you do want to sit up close to the stage if that is where you chose. Very entertaining of typical cirque & comedy.
Ka'....not bad, very impressive engineering & acrobatics. My thirds fave show.

Alternative to cirque if you want something different is Blue Man groups, sit up close as possible. We've been twice, both times were more fun than I expected. We also saw Stomp, was really good.

You won't be there long enough to do too much, take in a show, do Freemont at at night & for the daytime pick a few casinos that intrigue you. Great is Stratosphere for rides & watching from top deck, New York New York for rides & atmosphere, Circus Circus (if you can handle the extra loud noise) Adventuredome, Paris is nice, Venitian is nice for their mall walk & indoor/outdoor gondola rides (fun to do once) & they also have Madamne Tussauds wax museum that is a fun stop to do.

If you get a rental car use valet, it's free at all casinos with the only expense being a tip for the valet.

And option for on strip but non casino meal is Margaritaville. Fun atmosphere, good food & pretty good service. Lunch or dinner. Only negative is parking but there are options if you are creative.

(Tell my sister & niece HI! My family is from Vegas, I miss them - they are the only ones left there now)

[Luv2byte]

Originally Posted by swagger

Wicked Spoon @ City Center is my favorite. The buffets at Wynn and Bellagio are also very well reviewed, but I haven't been to either of them.

.

Last time we were at Bellagio it was so very pretty but when we looked around while eating there was years of thick gooey dust on everything with a ledge...wall trim, ceiling fans.,,was gross.

[Forever Blue]

Luv2byte, thanks for the info! Since you've seen 15 CDS shows, I must ask, do EVERY single one of them have audience participation? I HATE that kind of stuff & I try to get a close seat, I just hope they never pick me, but I realize with some, the person they pick is part of the show. It was definitely like that when I saw Dralion. Yes, I can see how after maybe 30-45 min, O can get boring with the water acrobatics, but I've always liked synchronized swimming at the Olympics, so maybe I'll be more enthralled in it. Mystere does look good too. I'm thinking I want to try KA for my 1st Vegas Cirque show.

Oh, and the dates I want to go on this trip is probably 12/26 - 12/29.

Originally Posted by Luv2byte

Last time we were at Bellagio it was so very pretty but when we looked around while eating there was years of thick gooey dust on everything with a ledge...wall trim, ceiling fans.,,was gross.

That's a pleasant thought!

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by Luv2byte

Last time we were at Bellagio it was so very pretty but when we looked around while eating there was years of thick gooey dust on everything with a ledge...wall trim, ceiling fans.,,was gross.

Maybe the OP shouldn't eat there, but a trip to their conservatory is definitely in order. They really do a nice job decorating it for the holidays.

[VegasGhost]

Zumanity is fun. It's sexually-oriented but in very good taste. I don't remember there being obvious nudity, but they do tend to make lewd comments.

[latin_racer]

Originally Posted by Forever Blue

I must ask, do EVERY single one of them have audience participation? I HATE that kind of stuff & I try to get a close seat, I just hope they never pick me, but I realize with some, the person they pick is part of the show.

It's not part of the show. Audience participation. Avoid Criss Angel. It's more about him then cirque and his illusions sucks. Nothing impressive compared to other magicians. Look into our new show Zarkana which came from Radio City. Currently they are doing dress rehearsals but it should improve once they work out any issues. Also look forward to MJ next year.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by VegasGhost

Zumanity is fun. It's sexually-oriented but in very good taste. I don't remember there being obvious nudity, but they do tend to make lewd comments.

A friend of mine asked a doctor I worked with about Zumanity. He said "How old are you?" She replied "35". He said, "Yeah, I'm gonna need a note from your mother first"

OP mentioned seeing Celine Dion while here. I'm told Celine puts on a really good show. She's also a really nice lady. I second the recommendation for Blue Man as well. I enjoyed Blue Man very much.

[cre8lite]

I was not so impressed with Blue Man - saw Stomp 3 or 4 times up in San Fran & thoroughly enjoyed it. BM was a slower paced show than Stomp, could've fallen asleep in a few parts

Bellagio Conservatory is a must!

I saw Zumanity (my 1st Cirque show), there is topless ladies, some riskay topics - if you go, ya gotta check out the bathrooms! They've got the speakers set up just right in the stalls, so it sounds like someone is behind you whispering in your ear.....tis a little distracting when you're trying to go.

I've heard Mystere, KA & O are the best. Stay away from Cris Angel - nothing but bad reviews on that one.

I agree Margaritaville is a good spot to eat. If you're a carnivore, REALLY hungry & don't mind the price, you should try Texas de Brazil in the Town Center shopping center. If you're in the mood for Mexican, MGM has/had (not sure if it's still there) "Diegos", best damn table side guacamole I've had in this town!

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by JanND

My favorite buffet is at MGM Grand, the variety is wonderful, morning or lunch, or evening...Totally wonderful food. Tour using the people mover, there are underground malls, I believe under Cesars Palace.
The Fremont Experience is fun at night...just park close in...older part of town. There are shuttle buses that go to the shopping away from Vegas...I've done them, and wouldn't suggest it on only couple days there. I hope you are flying in at night....Nothing like seeing the Vegas lights flying in...Like a giant jewelry box...amazing view. Check the Stratosphere...if you like scarey rides, plus the top is like the Empire state building, wraps around observation deck...really worth the 5 bucks to go up that you pay if you aren't staying there. New York, New York has lots of things for young people..incl. roller coaster etc.
Mandalay Bay has a beach...I sent my daughter and her hubby there..They loved it. I hear some of the older hotels smell a lot like cigarettes...so avoid if you don't care for that.
Lots of good info online...Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide - Complete information about Las Vegas Vegas is so much more than just gambling. Lots of families go there these days. Have fun!! And save some slot money for the airport slot machines....lol

I didn't think MGM buffet was all that, but everyone is different. It was typical, a bit above a Station buffet, IMO. May be different around the holidays. Underground malls? Hmmm... Mandalay Beach will be closed at Christmas, I'm pretty sure.

Originally Posted by airics

The Wicked Spoon is NOT at Aria or City Center. It is located inside the Cosmopolitan.

Whew...glad you cleared that up, I was getting dizzy!

Originally Posted by airics

It's $18, not $5

Thanks again, I didn't think that was right!

Originally Posted by jjameson922

Excuse me Airics for saying the Wicked Spoon was at Aria. I should know it is at the Cosmopolitan. And what ever out of towner said it is not more expensive here at Christmas, "excuse me," but I live here, 365 days a year. The well known buffets all go up on the holidays. I believe it will even show that, if you check their websites. When I asked the cashier last year why the increase in price, she said they add a lot more special items on the holidays. I saw nothing different.

The MGM buffet is nothing to write home about. Very run of the mill; quantity not quality.

Agree about the MGM buffet. I also didn't think Caesar's was all that great. I need to check out Bellagio or Wynn to get a real feel for a great buffet. (I'm not a huge buffet fan, but everyone who visits me wants to go to a LV one so...)