Vegas '07 Thread

niborm

5starpool wrote:

I know Virgin Atlantic are the shizzle when it comes to flying to the states, but does anyone think it is worth it if you have to spend overnight in Gatwick Airport or a nearby hotel? I don't think the 8am flight from Dub will get to Gatwick in enough time to allow for correct check in etc to an 11.25 am flight.

Most definitely won't get there in time - I had to do a similar trip a couple of weeks back and if I hadn't flown to Gatwick the previous evening, I'd still have been in the security queue (took 1.5 hours for that part alone) watching my flight head off. There is a Holiday Inn (do not eat what they call food in this place) for about 80 quid a night, right beside the airport with a shuttle bus.

ZZR1100

HalfBaked wrote:

I'm flying to Vegas with Virgin next week. Heading to London the night before, then straight down to the gutshot where i'll occupy myself until the flight in the am. Problem solved.

theres a 7.30 flight from cork arriving at 8.55.Is this enough time to get make the connection to the 11.25.never been to heatrow but i imagine ill have to change terminals..any1 ??

5starpool

niborm wrote:

Most definitely won't get there in time - I had to do a similar trip a couple of weeks back and if I hadn't flown to Gatwick the previous evening, I'd still have been in the security queue (took 1.5 hours for that part alone) watching my flight head off. There is a Holiday Inn (do not eat what they call food in this place) for about 80 quid a night, right beside the airport with a shuttle bus.

Yep, I reckon I am fairly definitely going to stay overnight. It'll be a lot less stressful all round.

ZZR1100 wrote:

theres a 7.30 flight from cork arriving at 8.55.Is this enough time to get make the connection to the 11.25.never been to heatrow but i imagine ill have to change terminals..any1 ??

The Virgin flight is from Gatwick, so definitely don't go to Heathrow........... there will be a terminal change too.

ZZR1100

5starpool wrote:

Yep, I reckon I am fairly definitely going to stay overnight. It'll be a lot less stressful all round.

The Virgin flight is from Gatwick, so definitely don't go to Heathrow........... there will be a terminal change too.

im doing a london - los angeles / las vegas london.the LA flight from London goes from heatrow and return is to gatwick.kinda swinging for the overnight stay aswell.i had a dublin shannon connection last time and the flight was delayed 40 min in dublin which lead to frantic run through shannon

5starpool

Well Heathrow is one big mofo of an airport. I remember missing a connection there on the way back from the states, and the security will be worse now. If it's not putting you out by staying in a nearby hotel, it is probably a good idea to.

Iago

what dates are people planning on going over for and staying until?

ZZR1100

Iago wrote:

what dates are people planning on going over for and staying until?

good point.
planing for 26th june to the 10th july to take in the 2 sats days for the the main event.if i qualify ill worry about hotel/flight changes then.
btw how expensive is it to change your fight a day or 2 in advance.?
where is the best area to avoid the "body outside the window" in LA.?

Lazare

ZZR1100 wrote:

where is the best area to avoid the "body outside the window" in LA.?

I stayed in Santa Monica for a month in '97. Fabulous place. Venice beach has a few crazies about the place, but they're harmless and very entertaining. Don't stay in Hollywood, apart from Sunset strip it's a ****hole, and probably the best place for finding a corpse outside your window.

Daithio

I'd avoid London like the plague but that's just me. I've had loads of hassle flying through there before almost every time. The easiest way I've found in the past is to fly direct to L.A. with aer lingus, then get a short connection to Vegas from there. Another plus is that you do immigration in Dublin airport before you leave, it's much faster than doing it on arrival and it's not at the end of a long haul flight. I think it might work out slightly more expensive than the budget options, but it's the handiest route IMO.

kpnuts

Daithio wrote:

I'd avoid London like the plague but that's just me. I've had loads of hassle flying through there before almost every time. The easiest way I've found in the past is to fly direct to L.A. with aer lingus, then get a short connection to Vegas from there. Another plus is that you do immigration in Dublin airport before you leave, it's much faster than doing it on arrival and it's not at the end of a long haul flight. I think it might work out slightly more expensive than the budget options, but it's the handiest route IMO.

Agree with that 100%. London is a non-runner for me these days due to security queues etc. I'll be doing Dublin-LA-Vegas too if possible. As regards hotels, I'm in the minority but I really like to be in the Rio for the WSOP. I think the advantage of being able to pop up to your own suite during any 1-hour breaks in play to chill out, get room service, have a shower etc far outweigh any downside. Suites there are fine too, very spacious and well equipped. And there's always money to be made on the Texas Holdem Bonus Poker house games on the way to/from bed!

5starpool

Works out about 100 dearer when you take into account a hotel in London. The dates I am looking to go are Jun 30 - Jul 17.

NickyOD

Don't agree with Mike on Continental flights or staying at the gold Coast.

The Gold Coast is a ****hole. If you're anyway uncomfortable about staying in bad hotels you should avoid it. If you're a good flyer Continental are perfectly fine. My flights to and from Vegas were perfectly pleasant and there was plenty of leg room, but then I'm only 5ft 7.

BTW this thread makes me very sad as I think there is only abouit a 10% chance of me making it over this year.

Shortstack

For those on a budget the Gold Coast is grand. The rooms are OK, there is internet access, cheap restaurant, bar & shop. The rest of the hotel doesn't really matter as you wont be there. Of course if budget is not an issue then there are a lot of better hotels and I would not stay there if I was on a non poker holiday.

Maybe you had a different plane than I did on my flights Nicky, the ones they used on my flights were just 737, albeit slightly bigger models than Ryanair but still small and outdated compared to the planes I have flown on to the US before.

DeVore

Yeah, I'd have to agree with Mike. The GC is a crap hotel but the rooms are fine and its a very short walk from the Rio. What is has going for it is cost. Its dirt cheap and since the rooms are grand and you wont spend more then 5 minutes anywhere else in the hotel, it wins on that count.

Personally I'm with KP, I'll be in the Rio. Its more expensive but my god is it handy for dragging laptops etc around

Continental are the long haul version of Ryanair. I'll probably try the LA trip this year or else fly through NY again. Preferably with anyone but Continental but again, they are functional, clean, a bit cramped but OMG cheap.


DeV.

mewso

Obviously the Gold Coast pales in comparrison to the better places but I would agree with Mike in that if you want to be near the Rio at a much smaller percentage of the cost then it's fine. i.e. the rooms are grand, the food was fine too and you can ignore the rest. I'm glad I was on the strip last time because it was my first visit and I wanted to see Vegas so the Imperial Palace was a deal and a half for the location (opposite Ceasers) and price. Also Wifi was only $50 a week which was the best value I saw.
Getting to the Rio is easy with buses from most of the big casinos but I can deffinately see Ken's point about how handy it would be to stay in the Rio and it's a nice place. Although I really think Ken just liked to be close to the Palms so he could satisfy his highroller tastes
As to getting there how about flying to Chicago and using an Amtrak USA rail pass to see the west

DeVore

I think Ken just wanted to be near that bar in the Rio. You know the one....

DeV.

carrigeen

This is only for Galway people:rolleyes: (the fish trip)


I dont mind if people want organising a trip for a few of us. The dates Im going to go are from the 5th to the 14th of july.

The main event starts the 6th so if you were coming on this trip you wouldnt be able to play the super satellite day (bit of a crapshoot anyway). I have decided if I dont qualify online I will go over and play a lot of side events for example the bellaggio run excellent daily 1k tournys etc.

Anyway if anyone is interested please pm me or give me a shout in the westwood on wednesday. What I propose is I collect €300 per month which will give each person travelling €1800 which will more than cover the travel and accomodation.

Cheers Pat

karlh

and watch your wallet at that bar. i hear the ladies have quick fingers....

Marq

NickyOD wrote:

BTW this thread makes me very sad as I think there is only abouit a 10% chance of me making it over this year.

Ditto.

5starpool

The bullet has been bitten.

Going from Dub - LA - LV on July 2nd - July 17th.

Staying in Harrahs.

Total cost ~€2319

Ollieboy

Also planning to go this year and take in the main event, will fly out as late as possible, but enough time to get use to the time difference and heat etc.

Have to agree with Ken and Dave, Dublin to LA, if a group, hire a car and drive to Vegas, about 3/4 hours, cheaper option and handy in case of delays etc, also a interesting drive etc. The advantage with this option is Visa sort out in Dublin etc and you'll feel better when you get there. Cost me about 700 last year and connection was only 40.

Stayed in the MGM last year and wont stay there again, best to stay in the Rio if playing the main event for the same reasons as Ken mention, but the strip is where the action is etc. I'll stay in the Rio this year.

Will try to qualify online asap.

The Clamper

I won 2 seats back in September over on 888/Pacific Poker:D

my total outlay was $6.60 into 2 events, which were satelites into satelites etc until the final, but who cares, this was by far the simplest and believe me the easiest way to win big for small entry

i am going out to Vegas in late June for 3/4 weeks, looks like i will be staying in either the Rio or the Bellagio

i am bringing the family, so i gotta stay somewhere decent, however i will be looking out for all Irish out there for a big Irish Night, I have been speaking with a sponsor about just such a thing and i am hopeful that they will dig deep and we can all have a great bit of craic

i was over there last year and stayed in the MGM, which is definitely ok with me, but here's a tip if you plan on staying there, make sure you are placed in a room near the casino lifts, otherwise (since the feckin place is so huge) you could face a very long walk from your room to the casino lifts.

did you ever see that movie, Willy Wonka" where the room at the end of the corridor os so far away that the door looks like its about 3 inches in height and it actually is only that size in the movie but in the MGM it just looks like that coz its half a mile away, :eek: no joke if you are as unfit and lazy as me.

you could try a "flight & Hotel" package with "Travelocity" but you will have to book it through the UK as the good ol USA wont take your credit cards for booking with this crowd. i used them to Vegas twice last year and did very very well.

Dub-Lax-Las return with MGM hotel stay for 2 people was just under €2,000 for 10 days.

i will say this, if there is a few of you going, why not rent a house, this way you get room for partying and your own pool etc, some even have games rooms and are great value for a gang of 6/10 people, rental of cars is so cheap and most hotels have valet parking FREE with unbelievably cheap petrol compared to here. i hired a CHRYSLER C300 monster for $90 for a week, the only draw back was that they forbid me to smoke in it, otherwise i had a ball, boy was it a fast machine too.

here's a bit of advice, dont get into a car with me over there unless you like being a thrill seeker. dont say you werent warned if you happen to get a lift off me while you are over.:cool:

going thru England is a drag at the best of times, i used to fly on my own and only book my flight open-return to LA, then catch the 1st available to Vegas 1 way, remember this too, 1st class over there is not the rip off you get over here, an extra $50 gets you 1st class if there is room as its usually heavily booked, and worth it.
may all your flops be at the card table:cool:

dont contact me, i'm not a nice person
The Clamper

BigCityBanker

okey dokey

whats the story with this then.

now that people have started to book flights etc what do they find to be the best option?

London to Vegas with Virgin means getting an early flight - the earliest being @ 8am getting in at 9.30am - is 2 hours enough to check in etc etc once you arrive in london? What about getting anally probed by immigration?

How about options from Dublin LA>LV, getting a connection to LV on the other side..

Can anybody help me!!!

How about Dublin > [insert your choice here] > LV etc etc..

cheers.

luckylucky

There is the option to go to Vegas via Manchester with BMI too btw

sikes

people should check out www.mytravel.com for flights too. If you leave it to the last minute you can get return to vegas from manchester for 150stg though in the summer it will be peak time so you prob wont get that cheap.

if people are looking for accomodation:

http://www.vegas-promotions.com/
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=63&threadid=704925&start=340

list all the deals for the hotels. Alot of hotels have a guarntee cheapest when you book through them.

However

www.tripres.com

http://www.travelworm.com/

are also good.

Also for those who are cheap like me and always looking for a bargain:

http://www.frontdesktip.com/index.php

Will tell you where a bit of tipping will get you an upgrade.

5starpool

BigCityBanker wrote:

okey dokey

whats the story with this then.

now that people have started to book flights etc what do they find to be the best option?

London to Vegas with Virgin means getting an early flight - the earliest being @ 8am getting in at 9.30am - is 2 hours enough to check in etc etc once you arrive in london? What about getting anally probed by immigration?

How about options from Dublin LA>LV, getting a connection to LV on the other side..

Can anybody help me!!!

How about Dublin > [insert your choice here] > LV etc etc..

cheers.

I was going to go the London route with Virgin, but decided that 2 hours wasn't enough in case of delays, having to collect baggage, recheckin in a different terminal etc. I am going Dub-LA-LV on 02/07. Probably not the cheapest, but the handiest I reckon, esp with clearing immigration this side before US.

MrPillowTalk

I was going to book my virgin seat last month and now its doubled in price bad beat etc.

cardshark202

Just booked my flight to vegas from sydney, via fiji and LA. I get in on the 12th June. Will be staying for about a month most likely, maybe more if I qualify for the ME/ am running ridiculously hot.

carrigeen

myself and curtis flying out on the 5th july with vigin back on 14th

will be there in time for the social event of the year (mike laceys 40th)

staying in mgm

ocallagh

12th June - 12th July

Heading Out
DUB --> NY (Aer Lingus) €216 + €80
NY --> LV (http://www.cheapflights.com) €50

Coming Home
LV --> LA - Either drive or fly down to LA. Roughly $100.
LA --> DUB (Aer Lingus) €400 + €80

Total: €850 ish

sikes

im farting around in the states before vegas, but i get down on the 1st and checking into the palms for 4 nights, then the hilton for 3 and bellagio for 4.

I leave on the 12th too, but flying over night to JFK, spend two nights there and then back to DUB on the sunday night in on the monday. Going home is with delta for 420e from LAS-JFK-DUB.

BTW if anyone wants a room for 4 nights in the palms from the 1-4 give me a shout, the fecked up my booking and I have two of the same reservations. Total for the 4 nights was 225$

BigCityBanker

Booked........

Flying Dublin to LA on Monday Jul 2nd, coming back on Sat 14th....

ooooooooohhh im all excited..

ianmc38

I flew with Virgin in January and thought it was crap. Absolutely nothing outstanding about it at all tbh.

Hawk Eye

BigCityBanker wrote:

Booked........

Flying Dublin to LA on Monday Jul 2nd, coming back on Sat 14th....

ooooooooohhh im all excited..

Nice one.
Who did you book your connection over to vegas with? Will you be hanging around LA airport much waiting?

BigCityBanker

Hawk Eye wrote:

Nice one.
Who did you book your connection over to vegas with? Will you be hanging around LA airport much waiting?

I havnt booked the connection to Vegas yet - I did check out the website that ocallagh posted above for connections but my eyes were hurting looking at it. Il book one later in the week when ive more time.

Fatboydim

Qualified so defo going. Just got to figure out the best route. As Mrs Dim reckons she's not coming - but might change her mind.

BigCityBanker

Fatboydim wrote:

Qualified so defo going. Just got to figure out the best route. As Mrs Dim reckons she's not coming - but might change her mind.

Well done. I must get myself into gear and play one of these.

5pin5

i stayed in harrags and used the shulle bus it was a nioe hotel.went continental dublin newark vegas no problems .

Imposter

I'll be over there from June 19th to the 29th. Are there any plans for meeting up at any stage?

mewso

ianmc38 wrote:

Absolutely nothing outstanding about it at all tbh.

One outstanding thing. It's one flight and when you hate flying as much as me thats no small thing. Overnight boat and train to London (my favorite mode of travel) and away I go 27th June to 19th July.

Doc Farrell

musician wrote:

One outstanding thing. It's one flight and when you hate flying as much as me thats no small thing. Overnight boat and train to London (my favorite mode of travel) and away I go 27th June to 19th July.

I want to go too!

maybe next year..... Muso will you organise a collection for me?

mewso

Doc Farrell wrote:

maybe next year..... Muso will you organise a collection for me?

I'll get Murdock to distract you while I inject you with tranquillizer.

Fatboydim

Has anyone pre-registered yet? Have any problems doing so?

luckylucky

Fatboydim wrote:

Has anyone pre-registered yet? Have any problems doing so?

I pre-reged and yeah there seems to be a big problem, the url that is automatically sent by harrah's to retrieve your form does not work, at least not for me and I know this is happening to others too. Partypoker sent me over a blank one to fill in manually which they have sent off for me (I hope). So your probably best contacting the WSOP and get them to send you out a form and get the fax number etc off them.

Hawk Eye

luckylucky wrote:

Partypoker sent me over a blank one to fill in manually which they have sent off for me (I hope). So your probably best contacting the WSOP and get them to send you out a form and get the fax number etc off them.

Have you found out yet what hotel your in with party?

luckylucky

Hawk Eye wrote:

Have you found out yet what hotel your in with party?

Yes, the MGM

5starpool

Ok, bumpity bump.

Stupid question time. I know Vegas is excrutiatingly hot, but that inside the casinos it is a total contrast with the AC. What I am wondering is whether it might be advisable to bring a couple of fleeces or whatnot, or will tshirts be fine in general for inside AC over there. I am only asking as I recall somewhere reading that it can be quite cold inside at times, as opposed to a comfortable temp.

Lafortezza

Tshirt and shorts are not the most comfortable if the AC is turned up in the poker room. Consume many beers to help.

BigCityBanker

anybody flying dublin>LA>vegas who has yet to book their connection flights should check out www.orbitz.com I got mine $200 for a round trip.

5starpool

You got robbed. I got mine for $100 with US Airways.