Las vegas with kids

[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

[Guest]

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

[Guest]

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

[Guest]

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!

[Guest]

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

[Stitchesmumanddad]

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

[Rigstig]

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

[Guest]

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