Viva Las Vegas!@#$

I took a 5 day bender out in Vegas. While I was there, of course, I had to try their coaster line-up.

Manhatten Express - The first drop was good and so was the heartline. The rest of the ride was extremely rough. Going into the first loop I could literally see the train shuffling back and forth. I'm thinking, isn't this thing suppose to be going forward, not side to side? But anyway, not much can be said about this ride that hasn't been said. Its an ok ride, certainly nothing great. I had higher expectations. The worst part: they charge $12.50 to ride it. They should have paid me to go on it. Our train came in with clapping passengers though so apparently the GP likes it.

Canyon Blaster- Wasn't open. I was extremely pissed. I've heard good things about this ride. O well, next time I guess.

Speed The Ride-The standout IMO, on the Vegas strip. This little LIM launcher located @ the Sahara didn't look to promising. After boarding the back seat and taking off, I was blown away. This ride rocked my socks. I loved it. One of those "good things come in small packages." I loved this ride so much I bought an unlimited ride pass. The front seat is the premier seat to sit in. All that wind racing past ya. Solid ride.

Desperado- Didn't make it out to good ol Primm to my dismay. I haven't heard good things about this ride anyways. I still wanted a ride though on one of the worlds first hyper coasters. O well *see canyon blaster* Next time I guess.

Stratosphere- Putting some flat rides on the top of a 900ft tower is cheating in my opinion but it works! They scared the crap out of me. High Roller looked like it was being dismantled. I had no idea it was being taken out. The Big Shot was a S&S Tower that launched you upwards. The Insanity the Ride was pretty much a swing on a 70 degree tilt that swung you over the buildings edge. The X Scream was this contraption that looked like a teeter-totter that shot you over the edge of the tower. This thing had my heart pounding. It really rushes to the edge fast making you feel like your about to just fall off. Like I said, this is majorly "cheating" IMO. The idea however, is brilliant. The rides scared the living daylights out of me. Great fun on and terror on the top of the Stratosphere. An "all day ride pass and trip to the top of the tower" was $30. It was worth it IMO.

edit: location of Desperado *** Edited 8/27/2006 7:06:07 PM UTC by DorneyDante***

Who cares about the rides, where did you stay? What shows did you see? :)

I established a World Record when I visited Vegas in November of 1993. I spent a Weekend there and I only lost $20.00! to the "Adult Penny Arcades" :)

(I spent 120.00 to see shows at the Flamingo, The Stardust and the Riveria. ;) ) The show at the Flamingo, called "City Lights" was the best.

In 1996 I spent almost $300.00 to see shows at San Remo, Tropicana, Ballys and the Hilton. The show at the Hilton, called "Starlight Express" was the best.

(I have better things to do than blow my Hard-earned money on those silly games they have in the Lobbies there, they only put those there to make you spend more MONEY! :( )

I stayed at the new Rennaisance Hotel on Paradise Rd. and saw the "Rat Pack is Back" show @ The Greek Isle. Great show. Great Hotel. Highly recommend.

Canyon Blaster was actually pretty good for a standard Arrow looper. The Drachen-Fire-esque trains looked cool, too. I liked the tunnels and how they built the coaster around the mountain.

Manhattan Express is pretty much a junk coaster but it looks really impressive; I don't think the hotel even cares that it may suck, the fact is, they know people are going to be willing to ride it because it's a novelty. I thought it was worth the money but I wouldn't do it again. I don't think the majority of the people who are in Vegas went there to ride this coaster, and therefore wouldn't know a good coaster unless it turned around and bit them in the a**. It's just a gimmick coaster (but so are all of the coasters in Vegas!!).

Speed the Ride was good but too short. And believe me, the HEIGHT and VIEW on High Roller made it fun.

I don't know why you mentioned Desperado; and besides, it's in Primm, not Reno.

The GP and at least one enthusiast like Manhattan Express. Best coaster in Vegas, IMO. The rest: Canyon Blaster, Speed, and Hi Roller (RIP), in that order.

Could I be that enthusiast? My rides on Manhattan Express in october 2004 were pretty good and I liked it. Rough, yes... but then my neck is pretty good at taking rough rides after having to suffer Goudurix and the 2 DLP loopers for 10 months!

I stayed at the Excalibur and liked it. I tried getting tickets to any Cirque du Soleil shows and they were sold out unfortunately.

Regarding Manhattan Express, guys, diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks, I guess. Heck, I love Iron Dragon, so so much for my opinion :)

If you want to catch an interesting show, check out Cirque's Zumanity at the New York, New York Casino. You must have an open mind for that one, but some of the acrobatics are amazing.

I just realized, I've been to Vegas four times and I've never seen a single show there.

I dunno, the only one that sounds halfway appealing is Blue Man Group, and I already saw it in Chicago. To me, Vegas is all about chilling out and taking in the sights that you can't see anywhere else.

Oh, and gambling. :)

I've seen Blue Man and Phantom of The Opera, both at The Venetian, both awesome. Also the topless show at Luxor, which was mediocre, but funny.

Ahhhh, the Stratosphere. I could LIVE up there. ;)

-Tina

I've been to Vegas three times in my life. My first visit, in 1970 was when I was only ten years old. (Back then Las Vegas considered ten year olds the lowest form of life on the Planet :( I considered the city a total let-down, and was glad when we left the city. I had no reason to visit this city again until 1993, when Circus Circus (Which, in 1970 was the ONLY Casino that allowed Children to Visit) built Canyon Blaster :) Casinos that stopped Families at the entrance in 1970 now let them in. (I doubled over laughing when I heard a kid shout to his Father, who was playing a Slot Machine, "Hurry Up and Win Dad! I want to play some Pinball!) Another sight awaited me at the Flamingo. I was watching their "City Lights" show, which (Like many other shows) featured Topless Showgirls. I was watching a Trained Bird act, and when I followed the birds as they flew around the Auditorium, I realised ENTIRE FAMILIES were watching the show! (I almost expected to see Rod Serling Next! "Submitted for your Inspection....") So far this is as far as they have allowed things in Vegas. However, I wouldn't be surprised in the next few years if I pick up a newspaper, and read "Binion's Horseshoe crowns new Poker Champion" and it shows a Ten Year Old saying "Read em and Weep!" ;) Heaven help us when this happens!

Did ya see any nudie shows? ;)

^I am still dying to see "Thunder From Down Under" even though it isn't a nudie show. ;)

-Tina

Vegas shows are the best. From the one's I've seen (the ones where you have to purchase tickets in advance) -- I'd put them in descending order with the better ones at the top. Roller coasters. Big deal ;)

Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity @ NY NY

Blue Man Group @ Luxor

Céline Dion - A New Day @ Caesar's Palace

Jubilee! @ Bally's

Cirque du Soleil's KÀ @ MGM

Storm @ Mandalay Bay

Cirque du Soleil's Mystère @ Treasure Island

Mamma Mia! @ Mandalay Bay

Tournament of Kings @ Excalibur

Lance Burton - Master Magician @ Monte Carlo

--

SHOWS I still have to see and want to see real bad:

Cirque du Soleil's O @ Bellagio

Cirque du Soleil's The Beatles - LOVE @ The Mirage

Le Rêve @ Wynn

My Personal Best ( :( = this show is no longer on )

1. Starlight Express - Las Vegas Hilton :(

2. Jubilee! - Ballys

3. City Lights - Flamingo Hilton :(

4. Follies Bergere - Tropicana

5. Splash - Riveria

6. Enter the Night - Stardust :( (I hear this casino is going to close)

7. Showgirls of Magic - San Remo

(I havn't seen the others, Yet!) ;)

What Vegas needs more than anything else is A WOODEN COASTER!

*** Edited 9/3/2006 2:14:59 AM UTC by Borntocoast***

I was happy to have caught the fountain show at the (Bellagio is it?) last year even though it's a free show.

It was SO beautiful!

Manhatten Express wasn't that brutal. Then again it could of been the 99 cent margaritas numbing the pain. ;)

-Tina