Las vegas with kids

[happytraveller]

Hi everyone, after going to florida 6 times i'm considering trying out something else-although mainly because eldest ds11 feels he would like to.I was considering vegas:D and was wondering if this is as family oriented as some claim it is and whether the shopping is as good as orlando and how it compares in general especially budget wise.I would be very grateful for any replies thanks.
HT:jump:

[AEllis]

I went to Las Vegas with my (now ex) DH about 7 years ago. We were there for 3 days and IMO I would say 3 or 4 days is enough. There is stuff to do for kids but its limited and I would say the shopping isn't as good as Orlando, not the number or variety of places. It is however a fantastic place to visit.

I would suggest if you can go to Vegas then maybe on to LA (Disney Land, US, a fantastic Paramount Pictures tour etc) you may be able to fill 14 days.

We went San Fran, Fresno (work reasons!), LV, LA, Monterrey, Carmel and back to San Fran in two weeks but no kids to amuse.

Hope this helps!

Alison

[chloebum]

We went and got married in Vegas in 2002 I dont think it is very family orientated.We did have a great honeymoon traveling around California aswell .San Diego San Francisco and LA were all great and plenty to do,Yosemite national park is a must IMHO

[scrump]

I went to Las Vegas when I was about 12/13 and had a great time! Fair enough, there wasn't much to do at night time, as kids aren't allowed in the casino areas, but we had a blast at places like Treasure Island, Circus Circus as they all had arcade type places with loads of games to play.

Saying that, we were only there for 2 days, as we went for a weekend whilst we were staying with family in Texas, so I don't think it would suit if you were planning on staying there more than a few days. I would definitely try and visit some other places to break it up a bit :)

[Alba20]

We visited Las Vegas in may this year and combined it with a trip to orlando....a bit strange I know.

I thoroughly enjoyed Vegas and did see a few children around although not many, as there aren't as many activities for them as there are in orlando.

The shopping definitely wasn't as good as orlando.

I've heard people describe Vegas as Disney for adults and I think that's quite an accurate description as it's a 24hr party town.

Alba

[Cinders Mum]

A few years ago Vegas tried to make itself "Child friendly" but has now reverted back to being an adults playground.

I would not personally take Teri (8) there until she was a lot, lot older, the boredom really sets in and when I was there in May this year there were a lot of unsettled kids, or even worse lots of kids being dropped off at childcare in the mornnig and picked up in the evening for a couple of hours then in room babysitters at night!!!

I'd give it a miss personally until all adults or until they stop going on holiday with you and you go yourselves!!!

JMHO

Val
xx

[scooby99]

We went last year and I don't think it's child friendly.
Treasure Island is more aimed at adults now.
We hated Circus Circus. It reminded us of a down at heel seaside arcade. It also has a huge trailer park at the back and I've heard reports that a lot of kids run wild there at night in the funfair section as it's one of the few places that local teens are allowed in at night. It is at the far end of the Strip too so a distance from the other hotels.

However, Las Vegas id somewhere for adults to see at least once-it's so over the top and 3-4 days is definitely long enough to be there before you go crazy with all the noise & lights etc.

[happytraveller]

Thanks for all your replies-oh dear, unfortunately Orlando next year it is then!!!

[scrump]

It's a shame Circus Circus appears to be going downhill, we had a great time there. But then this was 10 years ago, and a lot can change in 10 years!

[Rio]

We are staying at Vegas for 2 nights in August and we are staying at Circus Circus, wasn't sure about it at first but we will not be in the hotel that much and my 15 year old goes as a child and I don't pay for her.That was enough for me and 2 nights isn't too bad even if its awful!!!
Happy Traveller,
have you considered Disneyland California as an alternative to Florida? This will be our 2nd visit and we cant wait as there's lots of other things to do like Hollywood, San Diego and you can even go into Mexico for the day. Theres Knotts Berry Farm which is based on Snoopy and Six Flags Magic Mountain and Legoland.
Love Rio

[Tiggernut]

I can only agree totally with those that say LV isn't a 'kids' place! We've been twice duing the '90's and had a great time BUT (and it's a big but) I wouldn't dream of taking my DD there! There's definatly a 'seedy' side that I wouldn't want a kid to see! My BIG problem was with the guys handing out porn mags to the guys walking past (even those obviously with partners) - more often than not, these were just dropped by those people not interested or disgusted and they then just blew round on the floor for ANYONE to look at! And I'm not just talking the sort of things you see in Playboy etc but the type of things you'd find in SERIOUS sex shops!!!!!!

There was also a VERY adult atmosphere everywhere you went. Most of the hotel entrances/check ins were through the casino and people had to usher their kids through quickly while the 'bouncers' glowered at them.

As others have said, why not try California as an alternative to Florida - we really enjoyed Disneyland (and CA has opened since we were last there) and LOVED San Francisco. Sea World at San Diego was easily as good as the Orlando one - although we didn't think much of the 'World Famous' San Diego Zoo - give me Chester any day!!!!

[Cinders Mum]

Knotts Berry Farm has some awesome rides in Anaheim if you love serious thrill/extreme rides, however it does not have the same "safe" environment feeling Disney has, (oohh this is going to sound really snobby.... but.....) on the saturday I was there, there were loads of kids from the projects going round in gangs and the girls were worse than the boys starting fights with each other, swearing, stealing etc........ now I'm sure shoplifting goes on in US and Disney, but it's certainly not as noticeable...

just my observations....

Val
xx

[Rio]

We didn't go to San Diego Zoo, we are going to go this time, but we did enjoy Seaworld.
Love Rio

[Rio]

Cinders Mum,
When we were there I was taken aback at how polite the teens were compared to this country and I never heard one swear word from any teenagers anywhere we went in California.Maybe you just hit upon one bad crowd.
Love Rio

[AEllis]

Rio

Have you been on the Paramount Pictures tour?

Alison

[Astrid]

I'd agree with everyone else here about Las Vegas not being particularly child friendly.

We went in '94 with Bryn who was then 3 and even though we had a fantastic week - seeing the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam was amazing - if I go again (which I'd love to do!!) I wouldn't take the kids!

It's an 'awesome' place and bucketfuls of stuff for adults but the stiff laws on not allowing children in the casinos make it very restrictive even though, as has been mentioned, there are the indoor parks like at Circus Circus and I recall MGM had a large play area. Having said all that Bryn loved the pirate battle at Treasure Island, the volcano at The Mirage and the moving statues at one of the hotels (sorry forgotten that ones name!).

Like others have said, why not opt for California? San Diego has the Wild Animal Park, Zoo and Sea World. Los Angeles has Universal and Knotts Berry Farm which as Val says is brilliant.

Have fun planning! :)

[patdavies]

And, of course, under both Federal and Nevada state law they are kids until they're 21.

[Ear_Poppin]

We went to Vegas in 1997 and I thought then that it was quite child friendly. I was quite suprised by it. However when we went in 2002 there was a marked difference. The Fun park from MGM had been removed. The ride in Luxor removed. Anything geared towards kids was being removed ( apart from Circus Circus....unfortunately!!! )

Pat and myself are going next year to celebrate my 40th and we will leave the kids at home !!

I do like california. We had a great time there but I agree with the above. Its not contained within " a World " and as such has the usual dangers of inner city living etc.

Denise

[Suzie&Stuart]

HT,if you are that keen on seeing the West side if America,how about a little tour.
We were supposed to travel to that neck of the woods last November but got let down by a villa owner in Phoenix,hence the return to Orlando.
Our itinery was like this.
Anahiem for 5 nights
Las Vegas for 1 night
Drive across Hoover dam and stay at Williams 1 night.
Travel to Grand Canyon for full day visit and back to Williams 1 night.
Travel over to Palm Springs for rest of holiday and return flight back from LA.

Just a thought

Stuart

[Rio]

Alison,
No we didn't go on it. When we went last time it was November and out of season and a lot of rides etc were closed to be refurbished. Hoping everything will be open this year though not sure if we will be going on Thunder Mountain.
Love Rio

[happytraveller]

Hi, thanks for all your recommendations!The only reason i even considered vegas was because quite a few people from work went and said it was geared at families-obviously not lol!However neither of them have kids and you tend to look at things differently as a parent.I did know of one familiy that went to california and they whinged about it and really did'nt like it-and that bit about the gang bangers is a bit scary.Is california suitable for non-drivers also!

[Cinders Mum]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rio
[B]Cinders Mum,
When we were there I was taken aback at how polite the teens were compared to this country and I never heard one swear word from any teenagers

HI Rio

Perhpas you're right, in all my years of travelling I have never come across such an intimidating experience in a theme park...granted it was a Saturday, but it happened ..... and it is something others should consider when planning their trips

Val
xx