Vegas with my 11 year old

[debbiedana]

Me and DH are considering 5 days this summer in Vegas with my 11 year old DD, using it as a base to see some other sights, like Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon (day trip via plane)

I want to stay at a place with a fantastic pool for my daughter, where we plan on spending a decent amount of time on the non-day-trip days. I am considering Mandalay Bay and MGM for their huge pools and lazy rivers. Any feedback on either of these pools?

I hear MGM can be really really loud with music blaring and no place to escape it. I hear Mandalay Bay can get ridiculously crowded.

I found discount codes bringing them to about the same price for our dates in mid-August, so cost won't play into our decision.

Any opinions?
Thanks!

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

Me and DH are considering 5 days this summer in Vegas with my 11 year old DD, using it as a base to see some other sights, like Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon (day trip via plane)

I want to stay at a place with a fantastic pool for my daughter, where we plan on spending a decent amount of time on the non-day-trip days. I am considering Mandalay Bay and MGM for their huge pools and lazy rivers. Any feedback on either of these pools?

I hear MGM can be really really loud with music blaring and no place to escape it. I hear Mandalay Bay can get ridiculously crowded.

I found discount codes bringing them to about the same price for our dates in mid-August, so cost won't play into our decision.

Any opinions?
Thanks!

I haven't stayed at either to be honest, so I can't tell you from experience. However my DSIL LOVES the pool at MGM. I have seen the pool at Mandalay Bay from the monorail and its pretty decent from what I was able to see. But it did seem pretty packed. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that the hotel itself isn't much more than a hotel and casino. Some places like Luxor and Excaliber have game rooms for the kids. We have stayed at Monte Carlo which has a wave pool, a regular pool, lazy river and a huge jacuzzi. It can get a little crowded but most pools in Vegas can around this time of year. We also stayed at Mirage recently which has a water fall going into the main pool which was pretty neat.

I'm sure that wasn't much help at all...but hope i was able to shed a little insight.

 

[Pakey]

Both can be packed. Mandalay has the better pool.

 

[marcemc]

We stayed at Mandalay last year, their wave pool is awesome & kids love it, they also have a mini lazy river & other pools.

We stayed for just 2 days last week (came back friday) & this time we choose the MGM because it was closer to other hotels & stuff. Their lazy river is great, it's super big & they have 3 more super huge pools.

In my opinion Mandalay it's a better hotel. The rooms are by far nicer & cleaner than the ones at MGM. Their buffet food seemed better also.

We had a blast at MGM (the boys & I) didn't leave the hotel but my complain would be that a lot of people get into the lazy river & drink there, obviously not family friendly.

Summer is not high season for Vegas, if you can try going during the week, better rates, less people.

Have fun under the sun

 

[skiingfast]

Have you been to Vegas before? 5 days seems like a lot. Since you are planning a day at the Grand Canyon I'd accept 4 tops.

Red Rocks and Hoover Damn are half day trips, that will give 2 pool sessions. What is DD going to do alone at the pool? Will she really enjoy a wave pool or lazy river be her self?

 

[debbiedana]

Yes, I have been to Vegas before and I'm fully aware of what I'm doing.

And I am NOT planning to leave my daughter at the pool by herself. What did I write that would make you think that???


We are planning things other than what I mentioned. CSI, Bodies, Titanic, shopping, Circus Circus, two shows and plenty more. Our departure day will leave us enough time to shower, pack and eat before headed to the airport, effectively making it a travel day only. We have more than enough on our to do list to pack seven days

Thanks to everyone for the pool input!

 

[rpbert1]

We stayed at MGM Signature Suites last July with DD14, and could also use the MGM pool, which was fantastic, Music never bothered us, but maybe at the Weekend it could have been bad but we did not go there on the weekend, to much to see and do, and 5 days was definetly not enough, so going back for a week next summer.
We had considered Mandalay Bay, but decided on the Signature, but visited Mandalay Bay, and to say the pool was crowded would be an Understatement, there was so many people at the pool you could barely move, although it did look good.

 

[eduk8r26]

Unless they have changed in the last few years, most of the pools on the Strip closed early. I could never understand why. As hot as it gets in the summertime and the pools were closed before 8:00.

 

[rpbert1]

Unless they have changed in the last few years, most of the pools on the Strip closed early. I could never understand why. As hot as it gets in the summertime and the pools were closed before 8:00.

Yes never understood that, but suppose they want you out and in the casino, last July the pools closed at 7PM

 

[skiingfast]

Unless they have changed in the last few years, most of the pools on the Strip closed early. I could never understand why. As hot as it gets in the summertime and the pools were closed before 8:00.

Yes never understood that, but suppose they want you out and in the casino, last July the pools closed at 7PM

Not just the Casino. People swimming and tanning aren't spending money in general and the casinos know this. Have you ever seen the swim up poker, think of how much busier the tables inside are. Plus the resorts make more money if you are shopping, eating, watching shows too. Pool closes early just like the TV channel selection is poor. They want to encourage you toward activities that cost $.

 

[skiingfast]

Yes, I have been to Vegas before and I'm fully aware of what I'm doing.

And I am NOT planning to leave my daughter at the pool by herself. What did I write that would make you think that???

Because you didn't say otherwise. So I just pointed out that there are things to consider to be helpfull.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We like the Monte Carlo with kids. Wave pool, regular pool, lazy river. We also like thier easy and inexpensive food court for a quick lunch or evening snack. We've been several times, and would never say it was crazy crowded. I too would like to see the pools open longer in the evenings. My girls and I may be lounging by the pool, but dh is definitely out spending money gambling while we do!!