Trip Report - LV w/teen and kid, Monte Carlo/Mandalay Bay - Day 1
Sharon
(2 nights Monte Carlo, then 2 Nights Mandalay Bay)
DAY ONE
*** We arrive - Reno Air - Alamo Car Rental - Monte Carlo Hotel ***
No problems with flight, car rental, or checking into Monte Carlo (short
lines). We had adjoining rooms, and the toilet wouldn't flush in one room,
but was fixed promptly with a phone call. Our room didn't have a view of the
strip, but all we'd asked for was to be close to elevator, which it was. We
ate downstairs at the M.C. Brew Pub, which was dark but had no lines,
reasonable prices and generous servings. Either the nachos or Caesar salad
could have served three! At night this restaurant is more adult oriented,
with a band, drinking and dancing, but during the day it is fine for
families.
*** Monte Carlo Pool area ***
We picked the hotel (for the first two days) for the lazy river and wave
pool, so went on a tour of water area. Regular pool is shady most of day,
which is good for summers, not so good for cooler spring days. Besides
river and wave pool there is a wading pool, regular pool, and hot tub. All
were very nice and adequate for current use, though they must get very
crowded in summer. Lots of families there; water was nicely warm. Life
guards present. Tubes can be rented and towels checked out free. We decided
to leave the pool for the next day and hope for no wind.
*** NYNY Roller Coaster ***
Prices raised from $7 to $10 but still a must-do. There was about a 15
minute wait. It's a bit of a walk from the front of the hotel to the ride.
Arcade games are in coaster area. But the inside of NYNY is great anyway,
especially the area with shops. Very imaginative.
*** Bellagio ***
I had made dinner reservations at the Jasmine at Bellagio ahead of time.
There is a tram from the Monte Carlo, but those under 18 are not allowed
unless you have a room key or a dinner reservation (aren't asked to prove
the latter), but they ask everyone coming in with kids. Bellagio
conservatory is beautiful and full of the scent of flowers. Whole lobby is
very flower-gardeny and Italian villa-ish. Jasmine restaurant OK for
well-behaved kids; shouldn't come looking too scruffy. Dinner was good,
cost $100 for the 4 of us, with no alcohol.
*** Incredible Art ***
Several days earlier I had made an 8 pm reservation for the art show at
Bellagio. Tickets are $12. There are two small rooms, and you are checked
out an audio tour of the paintings, narrated by Steve Wynn (CEO and
Chairman of the Board of the Bellagio's parent company, and the prime art
collector.) Although probably not for kids younger than my son, or kids who
aren't well behaved, this was an unbelievable collection of art, and the
high point of my husband's trip! We are talking original paintings by
Monet, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Manet, Miro,
Degas, Gauguin, the list goes on and on! My son listed to each narration,
starting at painting number 1 through I believe 32. My daughter listened to
a few, but those few she listened to 2 or 3 times. This show is practically
worth a trip to Vegas in itself. If you are interested in art at all, GO!!
*** Water Show ***
Bellagio has fountains in the lake out front, that do a 'show' in the
evening every 15 minutes to a lovely song - maybe an opera? It was worth
standing out in the cold for! Can be cancelled due to wind.
*** Arcade ***
The Bellagio has a nice kids' arcade, which our kids used while we had
gelato at the little shop next to the arcade entrance. Took the tram back
to Monte Carlo and were in bed by 10:30 - early for Las Vegas!