VEGAS!

HAHAHA I was so eager to see if I could have got a better deal than the one I just booked that I stopped reading when I clicked on the link.

My apologies

Just thought I would share my experience with the Orleans.

I called them Monday to ask about policies and rates. The rates were $80 a night for Friday and Saturday night and $40 for Sunday and Monday nights. After getting the go ahead from everyone that was going, I called today to book. The rates are now $130 for Friday and Saturday and $50 for Sunday and Monday.

Their policy is to allow you to call and get a lower rate if the rates go down again. Last year they went down the week before the tournament. I encourage all of you to go ahead a book a room now, and keep checking for lower rates. If you find a lower rate than what I posted, let all of PilotNation know so that everyone can lower their rates. I will try to check often and will post if I see a lower rate.

Rochin54 and I went last year, and I just booked a total of 4 rooms for other family members that will be attending this year. Hopefully UP and PN will put on a good showing this year.

The only potential "downside" to the tourney this year is that hopefully there will be only 2 games on our road to the championship.

I had the same experience last year... I booked a room early on, and then rates went down prior to the tourney (I found a cheaper rate on another site--Expedia, I think it was). I placed a quick call to The Orleans and they lowered my reservation rate to match, no questions asked.

Book your rooms now... the Orleans will likely sell out that weekend.

I have been watching the prices for flights and just booked mine today. I bought through Southwest for $213 round trip including taxes. Alaska is running a special for $150 round trip depending on your days of travel. Might be a good time to book the flight if you haven't already done so.

The Pilot's performance in Anaheim should get everyone excited enough to book their trips.

Requested the Monday and Tuesday of the tournament off from work. I will find out early next year if I get it off. Go Pilots!

I just got an e-mail from Alaska Air... some good airfares in & out of Vegas right now....

I've been checking the Orleans web site regularly and just noticed a rate reduction for the 5th and 6th.

If you have already booked a room, a quick 5 minute phone call will get you the lower rate.

blacksheep wrote:I've been checking the Orleans web site regularly and just noticed a rate reduction for the 5th and 6th.

If you have already booked a room, a quick 5 minute phone call will get you the lower rate.

I hope people booked yesterday. The rates are back up to where they were.

mattywizz wrote:Requested the Monday and Tuesday of the tournament off from work. I will find out early next year if I get it off. Go Pilots!

I'm still waiting to find out if I got it off. I've been told "get there and you can drum."

Just booked my flight! Arriving Friday eve at 5:15 (in time to catch the Friday games starting at 6) and leaving early Tuesday morning (which will be brutal after being up most of the night celebrating our championship).

Glad you're gonna be there Rochin54! It should be one heck of a time!

Excellent news...

I dont plan on getting much sleep at all Monday night, with all the celebrating and NCAA planning going on...

I get in Friday afternoon at ~1pm, allowing sufficient time to get in some quality beverage & pai gow time before the 6pm game (which we will not be playing in!!!!)

Lost out on the vacation draw for the Monday of Vegas. Lame. Guess I'll just have to send some money for someone to put down on Purple on the roulette table.

mattywizz wrote:Lost out on the vacation draw for the Monday of Vegas. Lame.

Could you try Sick time? Business Trip? Personal Leave of Absence? "Off Site" Meeting or Training? Quitting?!

That's karma paying you back for bragging about your time off!

As of this morning The Orleans is sold out Friday-Monday nights for the WCC Tournament... I hope everyone got their reservations early!

Expedia still shows rooms available, but at a slightly higher price than the Orleans was asking directly.

If you don't have a room, I would try to book now. If you can't get a room at the Orleans, the Palms is a good alternative. Rochin54 and I stayed there last year. It's walking distance to the Orleans.

How far's the walk , and what is the approx price on the Hotel those nights Blacksheep?


Thanks,

Mesa

Price at Expedia for the Orleans is 130 for Friday and Saturday and 75 for Sunday and Monday. I don't know what the Palms wants this years, but we stayed there last year to try and save a buck.

As for distance, Google says 1.4 miles and 27 minutes. I walk faster than that, plus you can use the back exit/entrance to save some distance. I remember it being about a 15-20 minute walk.

If rooms are still available, I would recommend staying at the Orleans, but if not, the Palms is a good second choice. The only downside is that the crowd at the Palms tends to be the young LA crowd. That was perfect for Rochin54, but I didn't really fit in.

blacksheep wrote: The only downside is that the crowd at the Palms tends to be the young LA crowd. That was perfect for Rochin54, but I didn't really fit in.

Did you feel like a black sheep??

What can I say, I'm a trendsetter.

The Palms is definitely the best second choice. The walk is easy, you only have to cross a street once. I'd say it only took us about 15 minutes, and it's not a bad way to start your day. For Fri, Sat, Sun, and Monday, the Palms wants 139, 161, 62, and 76, respectively (according to expedia.com) for an average of ~$109 a night.

I'm a little surprised, that seems a bit expensive, I think we paid about $75 a night last year. I guess the economy has improved since then??

My wife and I will be staying at the Excalibur for the tournament. I wanted to stay at the Orleans for convenience, but staying at the Excalibur and renting a car was cheaper.

...now, if only they brought drinks to the band they way they do at the tables...

PilotDrummer wrote:...now, if only they brought drinks to the band they way they do at the tables...

Unfortunately they were not serving beer in the Arena last year; I am guessing that was a WCC requirement (that I completely understand and would probably agree with).

Sadly, there is no re-entry, either, so you cannot run out to one of the bars/tables between games... (Well, that and the fact that it is a long stroll from the casino to the Arena...)

There is a liquor store in the casino that sells plastic pints of a variety of liquors.

They sell pop at the concessions in the arena.

Cool.

*Edit to note that I in no way advocate breaking any rules set forth by the casino/arena personnel.