I won't do a lengthy Trip Report on Vegas - done it before - but will instead highlight a few things we hadn't experienced previously.
"The Fremont Street Experience" - downtown. Fremont Street is "old" Las Vegas, where it all started really, and did get a bit left behind with the explosion of the Strip. The area is a curious mixture of modern hi-tech offices ( the Courthouse where you go for your marriage licence is there - but it is also the main Courthouse, so there's plenty of shady characters loitering. When we were there OJ was being sentenced, so the car parks were full of TV crews) and sleazy strip clubs, bail bondsmen and cheap liqour stores.
Many of the very old casinos are still there - Binyon's, Glitter Gulch, Golden Nugget - and what they have done is roof over about half a mile of Fremont Street with a massive curved video screen. Every hour, on the hour, they switch off all the casino neon and have a magical video show on this enormous screen, with accompanying music. Great fun, and well worth the effort to get there ( take the Deuce)
"Minus 5" - probably the current trendiest bar in Vegas. It is in the Mandalay Bay hotel, on the mezzanine level, by the walkthru to Luxor. Minus 5 is what it is - a below zero ice bar. They issue you with big fluffy white fur coats, boots, hats and gloves as you enter. Inside everyting is made of ice - the bar, the tables the seats.....................wierd.
"Big Elvis" Big Elvis has been a fixture is what is currently called "Bill's Gambling Hall". for over 6 years. I was surprised when I saw him, as he didn't seem to be .......err...........big. Then it was announced that over the last 3.5 years he has lost 560lbs in weight (40st by my calculation) and is aiming for a further 140lbs - 10st) Well, good on him, being that big must have been a health risk, but by slimming down to 'normal' size he surely loses his USP, and becomes just another Elvis impersonator.
"P F Chang's" a chain of American Chinese restaurants. Some locals sneer at PF Chang's saying they aren't 'authentic' but we had a brilliant meal there - we ate at the Planet Hollywood branch.
"China Grill" great Asian Fusion cookery at Mandalay Bay. Go for the chef's taster menu option, where you get a portion of everything - smaller than if you chose that item from the main menu but there's so much of it, course after course after course that you will not go hungry.
"The Fremont Street Experience" - downtown.
We always go downtown on our trips. Have stayed there at Fitzgeralds once. I think I prefer to visit rather than stay there. Which shows did you get to see on the canopy? I've heard the Queen one is the best, but we haven't seen that one yet.
"Minus 5" - probably the current trendiest bar in Vegas. It is in the Mandalay Bay hotel, on the mezzanine level, by the walkthru to Luxor. Minus 5 is what it is - a below zero ice bar. They issue you with big fluffy white fur coats, boots, hats and gloves as you enter. Inside everyting is made of ice - the bar, the tables the seats.....................wierd.
Did you have to pay to get in there? I heard that it was expensive. Not sure that I'd fancy wearing someone else's clothes.
"Big Elvis" has been a fixture is what is currently called "Bill's Gambling Hall". for over 6 years. I was surprised when I saw him, as he didn't seem to be .......err...........big. Then it was announced that over the last 3.5 years he has lost 560lbs in weight (40st by my calculation) and is aiming for a further 140lbs - 10st)
He was warned that he would be dead in a very short time a few years ago. That is what prompted his weight loss campaign. I remember seeing him when he was barely able to walk from the dressing room to his seat. His voice is very good don't you think?
"P F Chang's" a chain of American Chinese restaurants.
Still haven't made it here for a meal. I've heard it is excellent though, glad you enjoyed it.
"China Grill" great Asian Fusion cookery at Mandalay Bay. Go for the chef's taster menu option, where you get a portion of everything - smaller than if you chose that item from the main menu but there's so much of it, course after course after course that you will not go hungry.
We have never tried any of the tasting menus on offer. I thought I'd be overfaced by the sheer volume of food. I'm glad to hear that they are smaller portions. May give it a go in November.
Thanks very much for your reviews.
How did the wedding go? Very well I hope. (If that wasn't you please ignore.)
We always go downtown on our trips. Have stayed there at Fitzgeralds once. I think I prefer to visit rather than stay there. Which shows did you get to see on the canopy? I've heard the Queen one is the best, but we haven't seen that one yet.
"Minus 5" - probably the current trendiest bar in Vegas. It is in the Mandalay Bay hotel, on the mezzanine level, by the walkthru to Luxor. Minus 5 is what it is - a below zero ice bar. They issue you with big fluffy white fur coats, boots, hats and gloves as you enter. Inside everyting is made of ice - the bar, the tables the seats.....................wierd.
Did you have to pay to get in there? I heard that it was expensive. Not sure that I'd fancy wearing someone else's clothes.
"Big Elvis" has been a fixture is what is currently called "Bill's Gambling Hall". for over 6 years. I was surprised when I saw him, as he didn't seem to be .......err...........big. Then it was announced that over the last 3.5 years he has lost 560lbs in weight (40st by my calculation) and is aiming for a further 140lbs - 10st)
He was warned that he would be dead in a very short time a few years ago. That is what prompted his weight loss campaign. I remember seeing him when he was barely able to walk from the dressing room to his seat. His voice is very good don't you think?
"P F Chang's" a chain of American Chinese restaurants.
Still haven't made it here for a meal. I've heard it is excellent though, glad you enjoyed it.
"China Grill" great Asian Fusion cookery at Mandalay Bay. Go for the chef's taster menu option, where you get a portion of everything - smaller than if you chose that item from the main menu but there's so much of it, course after course after course that you will not go hungry.
We have never tried any of the tasting menus on offer. I thought I'd be overfaced by the sheer volume of food. I'm glad to hear that they are smaller portions. May give it a go in November.
Thanks very much for your reviews.
How did the wedding go? Very well I hope. (If that wasn't you please ignore.)
Fremont Street : We saw the new Don McLean "American Pie" show, and the Queen one. Excellent, both.
Big Elvis: Yes he is good, but not outstanding IMHO
P F Changs : DO go, great food, good atmosphere
China Grill : we were there sat at the table, more or less constantly being fed for almost 3 hours!
(And, yes it was me, Pebbles.......wedding was fabulous, a truly memorable day)
Big Elvis: Yes he is good, but not outstanding IMHO
P F Changs : DO go, great food, good atmosphere
China Grill : we were there sat at the table, more or less constantly being fed for almost 3 hours!
(And, yes it was me, Pebbles.......wedding was fabulous, a truly memorable day)
God I'd love to go there! What a bizarre experience!Sancho Proudfoot wrote:They issue you with big fluffy white fur coats, boots, hats and gloves as you enter. Inside everyting is made of ice - the bar, the tables the seats.....................wierd.
Thanks for that. I'd never heard of Minus 5 before. I bet the drinks are expensive.
I was very underwhelmed by the Fremont Street Experience and certainly wouldn't rush back to see it.
We keep thinking about visiting PF Chang's, but never seem to get round to it.
luci
I was very underwhelmed by the Fremont Street Experience and certainly wouldn't rush back to see it.
We keep thinking about visiting PF Chang's, but never seem to get round to it.
luci
If you don't want to go the whole hog for Minus 5, go to 'Red Square' in Mandalay Bay, it has an Ice bar too and does hundreds of different Vodka's. A bit expensive but very nice!! 
TC
TC
I'd heard of Red Square, but not Minus 5.
So if Big Elvis has lost that much weight, is he actually still 'big'? We passed by when we were there in September and he was sitting in a chair singing, but we were at the back of a crowd and just had a quick look from a distance and actually never noticed. As I say though, we were quite far back and we weren't really looking closely.
Regarding Downtown, we've said from our second visit that we wouldn't be bothered about going back up there. We did end up there in September though to see Defending the Caveman, but my general opinion hasn't changed. Absolutely fab service in Mermaids though, they asked us what we wanted to drink when we entered the casino! Oh, if only they all did that! I remember there used to be a place that the machines had a drinks button. It was either Mermaids or somewhere else on that side of the street. That impressed me!!!
So if Big Elvis has lost that much weight, is he actually still 'big'? We passed by when we were there in September and he was sitting in a chair singing, but we were at the back of a crowd and just had a quick look from a distance and actually never noticed. As I say though, we were quite far back and we weren't really looking closely.
Regarding Downtown, we've said from our second visit that we wouldn't be bothered about going back up there. We did end up there in September though to see Defending the Caveman, but my general opinion hasn't changed. Absolutely fab service in Mermaids though, they asked us what we wanted to drink when we entered the casino! Oh, if only they all did that! I remember there used to be a place that the machines had a drinks button. It was either Mermaids or somewhere else on that side of the street. That impressed me!!!
i saw Big Elvis and quite enjoyed him, was a little disturbed by his shape, as he's lost so much weight, the skin just hangs down to his knees!!!
I also enjoyed the CHina Grill and the Mandalay, but didnt see the ice bar, sounds fantastic!
I also enjoyed the CHina Grill and the Mandalay, but didnt see the ice bar, sounds fantastic!
Big Elvis is still wearing the same outfits from when he was a lot bigger. That contributes to the odd shape, I'm sure.
well no - this one was pretty snug 
He must have got some new outfits since we saw him in May.
i've been looking for pictures of how big he used to be, but most of my own are rubbish.
i've been looking for pictures of how big he used to be, but most of my own are rubbish.
The first view I had of Big Elvis I thought "eeerrrrrr....I thought he was supposed to be big??" When I get round to it, I have a few photos of him I'll upload.
Minus 5 is $35 each admission, but that includes two drinks each.
Minus 5 is $35 each admission, but that includes two drinks each.
http://www.bigelvis.biz/
I did have some pics of him, but there are probably better ones on his website.
I did have some pics of him, but there are probably better ones on his website.
regardless of his size, you get free entertainment and a 99c marguerita!!!
who can complain at that!
who can complain at that!
Elvis is great entertainment and some of the whacky people that also go to see him are even better entertainment.
5 or 6 Elvi's turned up at our last visit there and it was like a Mexican stand off.
One was French and one was even dragging a womens shopping trolley behind and what a laugh we had on their expense.
The best free show still has got to be the fountains
5 or 6 Elvi's turned up at our last visit there and it was like a Mexican stand off.
One was French and one was even dragging a womens shopping trolley behind and what a laugh we had on their expense.
The best free show still has got to be the fountains
Big Elvis is still singing & has a huge wooden chair that he sometimes sits in.
He still wants to lose more weight.
For a free show its quite good fun.
There was another singer there who sang two songs solo and then sang another with Elvis.
He still wants to lose more weight.
For a free show its quite good fun.
There was another singer there who sang two songs solo and then sang another with Elvis.
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