Split decision
Dear Mark,
We are deciding to make a family trip to either Las Vegas
or Disneyland. We have three children all under the age of
eight. I would like to know your recommendations and experiences
(good/bad). Elise G.
Elise, if you're looking for total family entertainment,
choose the latter and take your family to Disneyland. Don't
get me wrong, I LOVE Las Vegas-just not as a family destination.
Because it's only fair you get a second opinion, let me bring
in my expert on such matters-the biggest Las Vegas promoter
I know. No, not Steve Wynn, my 10-year-old son, Nick.
Mark: All right, Nick, tell my readers your choice
of a vacation, Disneyland or Las Vegas?
Nick: Las Vegas! It's rad.
Mark: Come on, it's not for kids. We were there on
a Tuesday during a school break and I could count all the
families I saw on one hand. (Note: Before you write in and
call me a numskull stating it's during the school year, so
don't expect kids, we were at Disneyland the following two
days and it was swarming with families.)
Nick: That just means we have the whole place to ourselves.
Mark: Okay, name some of the things you thought were
"rad."
Nick: The Luxor arcade. The coolest I've ever seen.
Mark: In two hours, you spent more in quarters than
a Disneyland Passport costs for the day.
Nick: We both liked that pirate stuff at the Treasure
Island Casino.
Mark: The pyrotechnics and the pirate ship battle were
good, but don't forget we waited for one hour so we could
view it from the front, and you complained you were being
squished to death. Plus it lasted only five minutes.
Nick: I've got something, big fella. I can't wait to
go on that roller-coaster on that tall building.
Mark: I'm drawing the line here, Nick. No way am I
going to allow you to get on a roller coaster that's 1,149
feet in the air. Wait till you're 18, better yet, 21. Case
closed.
Nick: Chicken!
Mark: And one further thing about the Stratosphere
tower roller coaster….
Nick: Bawk, bawk, bawk, bawk, bawk…. Anyway, I thought
the amusement park at the MGM was way cool.
Mark: We were there off season, not during the summer,
when the temperatures rise to over 110 degrees, long lines
and you're limited to just 12 rides. Overpriced, no matter
what they charge. (Currently, you must be over 48 inches tall
to go on any of the rides.)
Nick: You have to admit, Dad, the MGM building is awesome.
All the buildings are.
Mark: You mean I've got a future architect in the family?
NOT! You just wanted a $20 souvenir from each location.
Nick: Well, they at least offer you something to do
once you're inside.
Mark: Whether it's the boat ride on the Nile at the
Luxor or viewing the Emerald Forest in the MGM, cha-ching,
cha-ching, it cost bucks, very little is free. And all the
walking to and from, I've got blisters….
Nick: Your whining!
Mark: True, but I don't know what's worse. Blisters
from all the concrete afoot, or our taxi bill for two days:
$148.
Nick: Well, I know something the big guy really liked-the
buffets.
Mark: Guilty as charged.
Nick: And when I went on stage during Lance Burton's
Magic Show, not once, but twice!
Mark: Nick, you couldn't find a prouder father. Of
course, not everyone scores front row, center seats and has
a son with the best "pick me" handwave in his fourth
grade class. Let's take a break, Nick.
Elise, the "Sin City" element of Las Vegas is
still alive and well, so don't expect Vegas to be the "Orlando
of the West." Example: I took a solitary walk between
the Flamingo Hilton and the Luxur, estimation one mile, and
47 times I was approached and handed four color brochures
of fantasy girls, willing and able, to make my visit to Las
Vegas worth-use your imagination. Retreating with my wife
and Nick in tow, discretion worked to a point, with only nine
handbill distributors pushing their wares on me. I guess on
the plus side, 38 respected the institution of the family,
but the visual effects remain. Those circulars are scattered
all over the sidewalk.
Nick: I'm back. Any other questions, snoop doggie
Dad?
Mark: Sure, one more, Nick. Your final word on Las
Vegas.
Nick: When can we go again?
Mark: My final thought, Elise. Baby strollers and high
rollers don't mix.
A final thought. The total expenditure for two days in Las
Vegas was $739. Disneyland, $466. The following is directed
to the gaming industry. Guess how much I gambled (total) when
our family went to Las Vegas? $20. And when the "Nickster"
doesn't go? Let's just say, MORE! Your "family theme"
idea is way off the mark.
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