December 1, 1999
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Quality Las Vegas Tourist Information - Hotels, Casinos, Insider Tips, and more. If it's
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This Issue: THE SECRET GARDEN OF SIEGFRIED AND ROY
Curious about a restaurant, event, or other Las Vegas attraction that looks fun? Let us
review it for you first! Suggestions are always welcome at: allvegastv@aol.com
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Scenic Southwest Tours - by plane, bus, or even helicopter! You've seen the glossy ads in the tourist brochures. You've thought about it. You come all the way to Las Vegas -- why not see one of the some of the most famous landmarks in the world! Don't by tricked by web sites & magazines that offer discount tours. Taxes, park fees, permits can almost double the price. Our prices are inclusive - no hidden charges! Best Las Vegas Tours
It's 62 degrees under beautiful sunny skies today, but because of the traditional pre-Christmas lull, a number of hotels have some fantastic deals online. We've listed them at the end of the newsletter.
LAS VEGAS NEWS - of interest to tourists:
FIESTA EXPANSION - The Fiesta has completed it's expansion including Roxy's Pipe Organ Pizzeria featuring a 1929 Kimball pipe organ from New York's famed Roxy Theatre and 4 other new restaurants. There'll be nightly performances on the pipe organ, orchestras on Sundays and a schedule of live concerts. They have also added 20,000 square feet of casino space and 500 slot machines. Full story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Nov-29-Mon-1999/business/12438472.html and Fiesta discount rooms available at http://www.travelnow.com/s/hotel.html?ID=120406&cid=2005
MILLENNIUM NEWSPAPER - The Las Vegas Review-Journal (morning paper) is taking pre-orders for their Jan. 1, 2000 edition, and they are happy to send it out of town. Pre-paid orders of $2.50 per copy may be sent to:
Las Vegas Review-Journal/Sun MILLENNIAL EDITION
P.O. Box 70
Las Vegas, NV 89125
DRAI'S - The upscale eatery in the Barbary Coast has opened an after-hours supper club starting at midnight. It is slated to feature much of the restaurant menu as well as a DJ spinning music. They have renovated the bar and stage to accommodate live music and will be open midnight to 6:00 AM serving dinner and breakfast. Full story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Dec-01-Wed-1999/business/12461160.html
MILLENNIUM WEDDING - You can take part in the Millennium Midnight Matrimony / Renewal & New Years Eve Party! This midnight (and all night) celebration is slated to be covered by FOX TV live and includes fireworks, food, drink, live music, Elvis, and much more. I was able to talk Jon Jacobs at the Las Vegas Tour Desk into giving a discount to our readers (and not many things are discounted on New Year's Eve here). Free details are available by calling them at 1-888-229-5206 -- mention Access Vegas for discount.
NEW YEARS EVE LAS VEGAS ROOMS - are still available! Call Hotel Reservations Network at (800) 666-5268 for a free price quote! NOTE: You MUST stay on the line until you get a person. HRN is NOT booking these specific dates online. We will be leaving this notice up as long as rooms continue to be available, but they are going fast.
WINNERS! - Don Turner of Fort. Collins, CO was the winner of the Play Rio Magazine. Pete Kelly of Virginia Beach, VA won the Annual Guide to Winter Recreation.
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Quick Concert and Show Notes:
Want to see which shows are playing during your stay and book reservations EVEN if the tickets aren't on sale yet? ShowVegas takes care of all your needs directly online! Search by dates at http://www.showvegas.com/svpricing.cfm?cscheme=5&amid=143
1999 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS - Tickets are still on sale for this Dec. 8'th event at the MGM Grand Arena with will be broadcast on the FOX network. Tickets at (702) 474-4000 and MGM discount rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-strip-hotels.htm (MGM link).
ROCK IN THE MILLENNIUM - concert featuring WARRANT, SLAUGHTER, PRETTY BOY FLOYD, and SOFA KING play New Year's Eve at Pink E's (across from The Rio). Included is a New Year's Eve buffet dinner, guitar giveaways, raffles and more. Tickets are $100 in advance at (702) 252-4666 and discount Rio rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/rooms/las-vegas-hotel-reservations-strip-area.htm (Rio link).
MANDALAY BAY - JOHNNY LANG on Jan. 26 and THE PRETENDERS on Feb. 12'th. Tickets at (702) 474-4000 and Mandalay Bay discount rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-strip-hotels.htm (Mandalay Bay link).
Rental Cars - Don't pay top dollar! Enter the dates of your visit and compare prices from virtually every major rental car agency (most US cities). Book the lowest price company or your regular agency. Save the hassle and some money - Car Rental Savings Search. Few regret renting a car. Free shuttles and city bus rides can be slow and smelly. Taxis can cost what a rental car costs. Your vacation time is valuable -- make the most out of it!
FEATURE STORY: Secret Garden of Seigfried and Roy
I must confess that after 7 years of living here, I had never taken the time to view this exhibit. With my parents in town for Thanksgiving week, I figured it would be a great time to take them to see something new and relaxing.
The Gardens are located at the far back of The Mirage next to the pool area. If you are
unfamiliar with the property, just keep heading toward the back of the building (veering
to the left) until you see the signs. The Gardens open at 11:00 AM, but we suggest not
going during the first hour. Tour groups come through and we had a good 30 minute wait to
get in, with the line wrapping along the beautifully landscaped walkway leading up to the
Garden.
For the first part of the visit, you are among a group of about 30 people and a guide
brings you into the dolphin area, where you can watch the 7 bottlenose dolphins frolic,
play, and work with their keepers. This is not a "Sea World" style show,
although you will want to keep the camera close as you may get lucky enough to see the
trainers putting them through their paces, having them do tandem flips and the like. The
viewing area is tiered so that everyone gets a good view as the guide gives a short talk
about the dolphin habitat.
From there, you descend underground into a long, comfortable area where multiple large
windows let you see these magnificent creatures eye-to-eye. This is a great photo-op, and
if you have a camcorder you'll get some fantastic footage. (If you are in town with a
rental car but no camcorder, Precision Video at http://www.accessvegas.com/video
rents video cameras). If you don't get the shots you want because too many people are
crowding the windows, just wait and come back later. After the guided tour portion is
over, you are free to roam the entire grounds at your leisure including the areas already
toured. The best thing to do is to wait until after you have visited the tiger habitat,
and then go back and descend underground just as a new tour group is emerging. You will
have the area to yourself for a good 5 minutes to photograph or just gawk!
While you are down underground, the guide tells you more specifics about the dolphins,
where they get them (none are from the wild), how much they weigh, and actually shows a
spectacular video of a mother dolphin giving birth to a calf. Interestingly enough, that
calf dolphin is now almost full grown and one of the many you see swimming around. Note:
If you are claustrophobic, no real need to fear this underground area. All the windows
into the huge pools make it very comfortable.
The pools contain 2.5 million gallons of water, and it took 280 tons of salt to create the "natural" salt water. Two artificial coral reefs and a sandy bottom create a naturalistic environment, and the water quality and temperature are vigorously maintained. A separate "technical" tour is available at the top of each hour for those who want a more information or a closer look at that side of the operation. That tour is included in the price of admission and is optional.
After a few more words from the guide, you are pointed at the tiger habitat and you are on
your own. They disperse complimentary wands which allow you to punch in a number
corresponding to the tiger area you are in front of and hear detailed descriptions about
that particular animal.
The tiger habitat is lush and green, and divided up into sections housing the various species. You can stroll from section to section at your leisure. The tigers are well fenced in, but the layout lets you get plenty close! Because of the chill the day we were there, the animals weren't very active but the photo opportunities were second to none. Name plates identify each tiger in an area, and listening to the background and history of not just that species but that particular animal on the wand (it works similar to a cell phone -- you put it up to your ear) brought particular appreciation. Also housed in the area is Gildah, a Ceremonial Thai Elephant. However, my guess is that the only ceremony this one is involved in is when it disappears twice nightly in the shows!.
Winter hours for the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy are 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Summer
hours are longer, so don't hesitate to call ahead at 693-7111. The admission is a very
reasonable and worthwhile $10, which goes to maintaining the habitat and other animal
preservation activities. If you enjoy animals, are looking for something for the kids to
do, or just need to spend an hour away from the tables to halt a streak of bad luck, this
exhibit is well worth your time.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
John Strutt of Southey, SK, Canada writes in response to last week's issue on tipping:
>Good Day Ted,
>
>Thanks for the great newsletter. My wife always plays nickels when we
>are in Vegas. I like beer (like most men) and we always tip $1 for
>each two beer the waitress brings. They seem very happy with the $1
>and to tell you the truth, we never had to order a beer or ask for
>one. The waitress automatically brought them every 20 minutes or so.
>Now that's service. I find this works in all casinos.
>
>All the best,
Certainly you should do what works best for you. Our guidelines were general, but there is no question that service depends on the time of day, the caliber of the property, etc. A $1 tip for a couple is often not out of line as she is making one trip to get to both of you. If she makes it back before your glass sits empty long, she is happy and you are getting the level of service you tipped for. Thanks for the input!
Gerald & Gloria Speen wrote:
>Hello Ted,
>
>We want to extend our thanks and compliment you for the excellent article on
>tipping. It is the first practical, reasonable, down-to-earth schedule we
>have seen. It is fair and ties the size of the tips to the true service
>rendered. Too many times, the articles on tipping are too generous for the
>services provided or assume that the service is worth far more than it is.
>We were particularly pleased with your comments about buffets where the
>patron does all the work and the extent of the server's effort was to bring
>you drinks. Also, tipping at the slots. We have seen huge tips recommended
>for the change person just because they happened to be in the neighborhood
>and nothing more.
>
>Thanks for getting it straight.
Craig Ashton of England wrote:
>Dear 'In Vegas',
>
>Next summer I plan to tour America for 4 weeks. The first week will
>be spent in Las Vegas. I will be 23 years old and will have a valid
>passport to prove my age. However, it is not my wish to carry my
>passport with me to prove my age. I am writing to ask you if there is
>any alternative to carrying my passport around with me I.e. Would a
>photocopy be acceptable in the casino's and bars?
It is mandatory that you have original proof of age in all areas where gaming or alcohol sales take place. In fact, if you are young or young looking, we suggest having this handy at all times in casinos. Clubs are different, as they just need to verify once as you enter.
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Your input is welcome. Write us a "letter to the editor" at allvegastv@aol.com Please include your name if you wish to have it published (stating your city is optional). Also, guest article submissions are welcome with full credit to you, your website, etc. if accepted.
FREE CONTESTS:
Note: You may enter every contest, but only one entry to each. Please note the expiration date and only enter if you will be in town and can use them. The 10'th entry in each contest will be the winner (unless otherwise noted). Just sent a blank email to the specified email address -- we'll get your mailing address from you only if you win. Also, please do not enter if you have won within the past month.
SIEGFRIED & ROY 2000 CALENDAR - 1 winner will receive this full-sized calendar featuring a new lion or tiger photo every month. Enter at (contest closed)
SIEGFRIED & ROY POSTCARDS - 5 winners will receive a postcard of Siegfried & Roy with their white lions. Enter at (contest closed)
SAHARA BUFFET AND SPEEDWORLD - Two $1.00 off coupons for the $4.99 weekday brunch and a free passes to the Sahara Speedworld Motion Theater. Expires Dec. 27, 1999. Enter at (contest closed)
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Hotel Specials through Christmas -- Book at
http://www.hoteldiscounts.com/cgi-bin/pickcity?SID=IVC&LKF=IVC
BALLY'S FROM $49.95!
Stay at Bally's located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip for only
$49.95! The hotel has six restaurants, three bars, pool, gym, world-class
casino and more. The regular HRN rate is $79; the hotel rack rate is $188.
HARD ROCK HOTEL FROM $69.00!
Feel like a rock star when you stay at the Hard Rock Hotel for just $69.
This deluxe hotel is just one mile from the airport and three blocks from
the Strip. The hotel has an expanded pool and beach club with sandy
beaches, private cabanas, whirlpools, spa and more. The HRN regular rate
is $79; the hotel rack rate is $250.
HARRAH'S FROM $35.00!
Stay in the heart of the strip for only $35.00. Harrah's is a deluxe hotel
with a state-of-the-art fitness center, sauna, Olympic size pool, whirlpool
and much more. The regular HRN rate is $69; the hotel rack rate is $300.
GOLDEN NUGGET FROM $59.95!
The Golden Nugget is a deluxe hotel located downtown just five minutes from
the strip. The hotel has an Olympic size pool, gym, beauty parlor, five
restaurants, three bars and more. The regular HRN rate is $79; the hotel
rack rate is $129.
LUXOR LAS VEGAS FROM $69.95!
Stay at the Luxor for just $69.95. It is a deluxe pyramid-shaped hotel
with eight restaurants, a 100,000 square foot casino, show arena, large
outdoor pool with a waterfall and more. The regular HRN rate is $79; the
hotel rack rate is $169.
MIRAGE FROM $89.95!
Stay at the Mirage for only $89.95. This luxury hotel is located on the
famous strip. The entrance has a tropical rain forest and 20,000 gallon
aquarium. The hotel has an outdoor pool, spa, 11 restaurants, four lounge
and bar areas, casino, erupting volcano and more. The regular HRN rate is
$119; the hotel rack rate is $400.
STRATOSPHERE FROM $39.95!
The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino comprising of three buildings and a new
135-foot observatory with the worlds highest rollercoaster. The hotel has
high-speed elevators, three restaurants, swimming pool and more. The
regular HRN rate is $49; the hotel rack rate is $199.
Above Hotel Specials through Christmas -- Book at
http://www.hoteldiscounts.com/cgi-bin/pickcity?SID=IVC&LKF=IVC
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Have a request for a review? Boggled when you come to town and see the hundreds of dining, attraction, and show opportunities? Let us know what you'd like to hear about! Unlike the tourist magazines where all of the "articles" are really paid ads, we give you the honest scoop. If you appreciate this service, please consider booking your rooms and rental cars for ALL destinations with us at http://www.accessvegas.com You get secure ordering with the convenience and savings of booking online!
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New to the list? Back issues can be found on the web at:
http://www.las-vegas-news-reviews.com
Don't hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates,
but please ask for permission before reproducing the content in any
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All contents copyright 1999 Ted Newkirk
December 1, 1999
