31 replies to this topic

[serendipidy]

Hi

Hubby and i are going to Las Vegas next april for my birthday.

Although my chair is great im worried about wheeling on carpets or having to be pushed for the duration. Does anyone know if there is anywhere to hire an electric wheelchair or at a push i might manage with a mobility scooter?

Also we are thinking of staying at the Flamingo, any experiences posistive or negative greatfully received. We were thinking of taking a room opposite the Balligio (sp) because of the fountains has anyone done this if so what did you think.

look forward to hearing from you

Serendipidy x

[fozzylou]

i visited Las Vegas 6 years ago and found all hotels along the strip fully accessible for wheelchairs. I personally stayed at Harrahs, The Flamingo & MGM they all have adapted rooms but the showers are not all wheel in.

Self propelling is more challenging in the carpetted casino areas but not impossible, plenty of static shocks though when pressing the lift buttons (not painful). If you have help pushing you'll have no problems. With regard to hiring equipment I couldn't say as I have a carer who helped push me about. The strip bus is accessible to wheelchairs.

The water show in front of the Belligio is stunning but I wouldn't worry to much where you stay as all the rooms are pretty much similar in quality. As normal the more you pay the better the room you get. I prebooked 3 nights at Harrahs before travelling and the rest when I arrived. There are many great hotel deals to be had and ringing around will give you some excellent deals. I got a suite at the MGM for US$45 MAY 2003.

From the airport a accessible taxi can be booked though it might take about 20 minutes to arrive.

If you would like any more info feel free to PM me.

Edited by fozzylou, 19 June 2009 - 11:33 PM.

[Texas Angel Ang]

I stayed at Caesars Palace, a year ago, I went for my best friends wedding. Caesar's Palace itself is incredible and we hardly left because theres so much to do just in that hotel. We did go on the strip a couple of times... but I got too hot, but it is wheelchair friendly. I don't recommend waiting for a taxi that is wheelchair accessible! I called 30 minutes ahead of time (I had the bride-to-be) to go to the surprise bachelorette party and we were 30 MINUTES LATE because the taxi didn't come in time. I didn't know about the buses until we were leaving oops! All in all... Vegas is so much fun... no matter what happens!

Flying back was not so much fun... SLEEP BEFORE YOU FLY BACK!

[serendipidy]

thank you for replying all the information i get before i go the better

I really struggle propelling on carpet and have ordered those nu drives which i hope will help and i dont want to tire out my travelling compainions with too much pushing

thanks again, any more advice gratefully received

serendipidy

[acrazies]

serendipidy, on Jun 23 2009, 03:31 PM, said:

thank you for replying all the information i get before i go the better

I really struggle propelling on carpet and have ordered those nu drives which i hope will help and i dont want to tire out my travelling compainions with too much pushing

thanks again, any more advice gratefully received

serendipidy

serendipity, I'll send you some info, but I don't have time right now.

[KarenFerguson]

Las Vegas is pretty accessible - hubby & I have been there multiple times. As for carpeting, I don't find a problem with it, but it's a bit of a push for hubby. Usually there is marble flooring around the carpeting and hubby will push on that. Streets are very flat, the one thing you have to watch out for is the crowds and bumping into people (and people bumping into you). To get across streets there are pedestrian bridges and you'll have to locate the elevator to get to them (instead of going on the escalator).

As for a "good" casinos hubby & I like the Wynn - seems more ventilated and "airy" than the older casinos/hotels - it also has a fabulous Japanese Restaurant - Okada (I think that is it's name). We've stayed at the Venetian (stayed at the "old" tower the first 2 times) and at the "new" Plazzo tower the last time. We've also stayed at the MGM Grand Signature - quite posh. Both hotels are great (really nice restaurants and casinos) and very accessible - roll in showers (also separate tubs), and plenty of room for maneuvering both our chairs around. As for staying at the Flamingo (we've pushed through it to get to the mono-rail), it's an older hotel/casino so accessibility isn't going to be as apparent as the newer hotels. The Balligio is a great hotel/casino and the fountains are pretty neat. Oh, and the Balligio also has a great restaurant - "Three Olives" - so so good. Hubby & I still talk about it sometimes when we're hungry.

Have fun!

[acrazies]

OK I'm going to try and help. Hope I explain things so they make sense.

I just recently went to Vegas - beginning of March '09. My first airline trip and first trip to Vegas since I had my spinal cord injury. I am now learning the ins and outs of traveling with a disability. I am a quadriplegic and I use a power chair. I only have to charge my wheelchair batteries once a week when I'm around the house. Since I (we - my girlfriend and I) were only going to be gone for four days, I thought I would be fine without taking my battery charger - WRONG. Thank goodness we decided to pack the charger at the last minute. We were always on the go, and I had to charge the batteries every night. The batteries stay charged for roughly 20 miles.

Now I know that you said you operate a manual chair, but for the sake of navigating crowds (which are ever-present in Vegas and not looking out for people in wheelchairs) you may feel more comfortable renting a scooter. Now, before booking the airline flight, I was debating whether to take my power chair or not. I looked into renting one once I arrived in Vegas. I found this Las Vegas medical supply store that rents chair, scooters, commodes, etc.. There are many options: after doing a quick Google search for 'wheelchair rentals in Las Vegas' I found several places that rented scooters. Here is the link to the first item that came up in that search: http://www.702scooters.com/. There are plenty of options for renting equipment. The hotel you stay at may even have complimentary scooters. Especially at the Flamingo. I say that because the Flamingo generally caters to an older crowd that may require such equipment. (Personally I like the Flamingo because I like the nostalgic feel it offers) Keep in mind that the resorts are there because they want to make money, so they're going to do their best to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and in the mood to spend money.

On this trip in March we stayed at the MGM Grand - very nice and accessible accommodations. They recently renovated a portion of the rooms. Cool roll-in shower and many other accessible features. It seems like all of those big casino resorts have great accessibility options.

If you plan on doing some sightseeing, the Monorail is a great way to get from one casino to the next. Relatively new and quite accessible (I think it's $12 a day for a pass).

To cross busy Las Vegas blvd, sky bridges are there for pedestrians and elevators are present. However, this may not ever happen to you, and hopefully it doesn't, but we came across three elevators in a row that were out of service.

I probably have more, but I think I've written enough for now. Feel free to ask more questions.

[twisted_ophelia]

I have been to Vegas many, many times--I go several times a year. I have had no problems with accessibility at all in Vegas. I don't have issues with the carpets but I don't have a problem going over carpets in general (I have lots of carpets in my house) and unless you have issues with your upper body strength/grip then you probably don't need a power chair for carpet. I have stayed in most of the big hotel casinos on the strip and never had any problems with the rooms. I bring my own travel shower chair with me. The only thing is that some of the stools/tables in the casinos ie. at the roulette tables are high and getting into them may be a problem for some people. It's quite an awkward transfer.

The crowds in Vegas can be a little rough and some of the sidewalks on the Strip are uneven, have cobblestones, etc. Every restaurant and club/lounge/bar I've been to on the strip has been accessible and I'm actually sitting here thinking of a time when I had to have friends pick me up and carry me or something and I can't think of any! To cross Las Vegas Blvd you need to take the pedestrian bridges but all of them have elevators going up to them.

My two favorite places to stay are Caesars and the Wynn. Caesars is probably my fave because EVERYTHING is there. Awesome restaurants, fun places for nightime, the Forum Shoppes, etc. The Wynn is awesome if you feel like going somewhere really luxurious. I've also stayed at the Flamingo, Luxor, Bellagio, Paris, and the MGM. All of those were good too. I've heard Mandalay Bay is nice as well but I haven't stayed there yet. As for restaurants, my favorites are Mesa Grill (Caesars), Olives (Bellagio), Fleur de Lys (Mandalay), Joel Robuchon (MGM), and Spago (Forum Shoppes). For cheap eats, eat off the Strip ie. at Mimi's Cafe in Summerlin (one of my fave little places in Vegas), and there are some super awesome Mexican restaurants around town as well. Nothing on the strip is cheap. Oh, be sure to check out the Jean Phillipe pasty shop at the Bellagio. It's incredible. If you stay at the Flamingo, you might want to get one of the Go suites (the renovated ones). I've heard the older rooms are kinda gross. I stayed in a Go suite and it was really cool, very modern-looking. When we book the hotel, I just let them know I'm in a chair and that's about it.

The rest of the city is great as well. We usually rent a car and drive all over the place and for the most part, the accessibility is good. Vegas is lots of fun!

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 24 June 2009 - 05:43 AM.

[serendipidy]

Thank you Thank you Thank you all, im getting more and more excited and i dont go till april next year.

I figured forewarned is forearmed with information and stuff

any other tips id be grateful

Serendipidy x

[Ches]

twisted_ophelia, on Jun 24 2009, 12:40 AM, said:

Oh, be sure to check out the Jean Phillipe pasty shop at the Bellagio. It's incredible.

AMEN TO THAT!

[twisted_ophelia]

Ches, on Jun 26 2009, 05:12 PM, said:

twisted_ophelia, on Jun 24 2009, 12:40 AM, said:

Oh, be sure to check out the Jean Phillipe pasty shop at the Bellagio. It's incredible.

AMEN TO THAT!

Hell yeah! That place is seriously awesome. Everytime I'm in Vegas I go there at least once a day and get a treat. No joke.

I also forgot to mention that I got married in Vegas. Ex hubby and I loved it so much (and he's a big Elvis fan) that we decided to tie the knot there.

[LuckyinKentucky]

If you dont go motorized to help on carpet over inflate your tires.

[serendipidy]

Hi all

thanks for all the tips.

The pastry shop is definatly on my list already, great place to get a birthday bun or two or three .....

any more tips would be gratefully received

serendipidy x

[twisted_ophelia]

serendipidy, on Jul 1 2009, 11:43 AM, said:

Hi all

thanks for all the tips.

The pastry shop is definatly on my list already, great place to get a birthday bun or two or three .....

any more tips would be gratefully received

serendipidy x

Your jaw will drop when you see the pastries. The other stuff they have, like handmade marshmallows and the ice cream are also awesome.

Try and have dinner at Mesa Grill. Bradley Ogden is really good too. You definitely should have at least one upscale dinner while in Vegas because some of those restaurants are beyond incredible.

Are you going to be renting a car? Because I can give you tons of places to shop at off the strip if you are the shopping type. A friend of mine just came back from Vegas last week and they did the Grand Canyon helicopter tour which was apparently phenomenal. It's really pricey (they paid about $1000 for the two of them) but said it was worth every penny. I'm sure they can get people in chairs on the helicopter no problem.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 01 July 2009 - 04:16 PM.

[serendipidy]

Hi

That pastry shop is so on my list for my birthday and every other day by the sounds of it lol.

The couple who are meeting us there are driving so we will have a car, ive figured out there is a lane bryant off strip but would be greatful of any other tips. A girl has to shop especially on her birthday.

I wanted to do one of the grand canyon trips but the price is quite high with the hecopters i might have to do a coach one instead, have to see how the money/savings go

thanks for all your help and look forward to hearing more

Serendipidy x

[twisted_ophelia]

serendipidy, on Jul 1 2009, 05:29 PM, said:

Hi

That pastry shop is so on my list for my birthday and every other day by the sounds of it lol.

The couple who are meeting us there are driving so we will have a car, ive figured out there is a lane bryant off strip but would be greatful of any other tips. A girl has to shop especially on her birthday.

I wanted to do one of the grand canyon trips but the price is quite high with the hecopters i might have to do a coach one instead, have to see how the money/savings go

thanks for all your help and look forward to hearing more

Serendipidy x

Hit up any of the malls and the prices will be better than the Fashion Show Mall (across from the Wynn, on the strip) and also head out to Boca Park in Summerlin. Great shops and restaurants. Vegas is a really spread out city but very easy to navigate--just stay away from North Las Vegas (anything north of Charleston and to the east) and you'll be fine. You can take any of the major roads like Tropicana, Flamingo, etc., out to Summerlin or any of the other suburbs. Anthem is really nice as well, go head over to Red Rocks and check that out if you can. Some great restaurants there as well. I'm not sure what your price range is for eating but you can either eat really really REALLY cheap in Vegas (especially at the casino buffets OFF strip) or you can spend hundreds on a meal at some of the places on the strip. The coach tour for the canyon is a loooong trip, I've heard. I believe it's about a 6 hour drive out to the the canyon. We thought about renting a convertible and going along Route 66 for a cool drive but haven't done it yet. The idea of spending 6 hours one way on a coach bus just isn't really appealing to me.

Are you planning to see any of the shows? The cirque du soleil shows are INCREDIBLE but I've also heard that the Penn and Teller show is awesome.

[serendipidy]

Hi

Id like to see the traditional type show with the show girls and such like, we will probably try the buffet with a special meal on my birthday but need to stick to somewhere that does some plain food as hubby likes plain stuff, im a bit more adventurous. Do you know how the flamingo buffet is priced roughly?

How far is the Boca park mall from the strip, would a taxi be a viable option do you think.

I had heard that the coach trips are long and dont really fancy 6 hours on a coach though maybe i better save a bit harder lol.

I want to see and experience as much as possible. I intend to list all the things i want to do then do an itinerary to see what i can fit in. We are going for a week but something tells me i should have booked longer but are restricted on hubbys holiday entitlement. Id be happy for recommendations for an absolute musts so far i have the pastry shop, a show (possibly a dinner show), hubby wants to drive the fast cars so i have to find out where that is at, the stratosphere for my friend to renew their vows, grand canyon dependent on funds, lane bryant and shopping, a touch of gambling and thats about it so far.

thanks for all your help so far

Serendipidy x

[Zammo]

I've stayed at the Four Seasons at the top of Mandalay Bay for my honeymoon. I was AB at the time, but the room was huge! It would have been no problem if I'd been in a wheelchair. It's a cracking hotel/casino.

I had such a great time, but it was just a short stop before we wasted a week in LA unfortunately.

Can't wait to go back (one day).

[twisted_ophelia]

serendipidy, on Jul 5 2009, 12:02 PM, said:

Hi

Id like to see the traditional type show with the show girls and such like, we will probably try the buffet with a special meal on my birthday but need to stick to somewhere that does some plain food as hubby likes plain stuff, im a bit more adventurous. Do you know how the flamingo buffet is priced roughly?

How far is the Boca park mall from the strip, would a taxi be a viable option do you think.

I had heard that the coach trips are long and dont really fancy 6 hours on a coach though maybe i better save a bit harder lol.

I want to see and experience as much as possible. I intend to list all the things i want to do then do an itinerary to see what i can fit in. We are going for a week but something tells me i should have booked longer but are restricted on hubbys holiday entitlement. Id be happy for recommendations for an absolute musts so far i have the pastry shop, a show (possibly a dinner show), hubby wants to drive the fast cars so i have to find out where that is at, the stratosphere for my friend to renew their vows, grand canyon dependent on funds, lane bryant and shopping, a touch of gambling and thats about it so far.

thanks for all your help so far

Serendipidy x

I think that the only "traditional" show girl type show on the Strip now is the one at Bally's. I can't remember the name. A lot of those showgirl shows have been replaced with big musicians and Cirque du Soleil type stuff. The only buffets I have done on the Strip are Bellagio, Wynn, Rio and Paris. No idea about the one at the Flamingo. We're not really big buffet eaters because there is SO MUCH food that it just sits under those heat lamps getting old. Plus I find carrying the food on a plate on my lap 10 times back and forth to be annoying. The Wynn, Bellagio and Paris buffets are decent though. Rio was WAY overrated. It's supposed to have like 5000 dishes (seriously) and most of them that I tried were just mediocre. There are some very very very cheap buffets at the casinos off the strip, including lots of 2-for-1 prices. If I recall correctly, I've heard the Flamingo buffet is heavy on the seafood.

Taxis in Vegas are expensive so we always rent cars. Last time we were there, my best friend rented an Escalade kind of as a joke and we had a blast riding around town in that thing. Oh that reminds me--if you do rent a car, parking at all the casinos, including valet is free (but you'll need to tip the valet guys a few bucks every time they get your car). Boca Park is about 15-20 minutes from the Strip, depending on traffic. You could definitely take a taxi but I bet it would be costly. As for driving fast cars, there is a racing strip near Vegas that my buddies always go to. I can ask them about it. They're big into racing cars and bikes.

Truth be told, a week in Vegas is plenty. Oh I forgot to mention the Neon Boneyard http://www.neonmuseum.org/ It's cool, you should check it out. If you gamble, you should try Rapid Roulette. It's so much fun. I'm definitely not a gambler and I hate the slot machines but roulette and rapid roulette is a good time. My buddies all enjoy playing poker and black jack but not me. I can be found at the roulette table with a pina colada in my hand

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 07 July 2009 - 03:59 AM.

[serendipidy]

Hi

Didnt think of all that food sitting under the lights, only had breakfast buffet in europe and that was fresh out about 15 mins before we ate. I think i will try one just to say i have tried it but am not big on seafood so ill try one of the others you recommended.

Id be really thankful if you could find out the stuff about where the cars are at, ive got to let him do at least one thing for tagging along lol.

Im not a huge gambler, just a few slot machines now and then and in the uk hardly at all apart from the lottery and a seaside arcade.

Thanks for the heads up on the taxi prices i will give them a miss unless i absolutely have to, by the way what is the escalade?

thanks for all the tips. its all going in my 'holiday' file

serendipidy x

[twisted_ophelia]

serendipidy, on Jul 7 2009, 09:56 AM, said:

Hi

Didnt think of all that food sitting under the lights, only had breakfast buffet in europe and that was fresh out about 15 mins before we ate. I think i will try one just to say i have tried it but am not big on seafood so ill try one of the others you recommended.

Id be really thankful if you could find out the stuff about where the cars are at, ive got to let him do at least one thing for tagging along lol.

Im not a huge gambler, just a few slot machines now and then and in the uk hardly at all apart from the lottery and a seaside arcade.

Thanks for the heads up on the taxi prices i will give them a miss unless i absolutely have to, by the way what is the escalade?

thanks for all the tips. its all going in my 'holiday' file

serendipidy x

I will ask the boys about the race track later today--if I remember! Remind me if I don't get back to you. Escalade = Cadillac Escalade, a big fancy SUV that is WAY overpriced.

[cowgirl]

I have a question, I want to take my power chair instead of my manual chair. I can get further, faster and cover more ground with more ease. How do you get transportation in a power chair?? It is too heavy for 1 or 2 persons to lift, and it won't fit in a taxie. So what have others done about that in Vegas, I plan to fly there next year.

Is it possible to have as much access and fun in a power chair in Vegas, or will it limit me in a big way?

Thanks,

Kay

I would think if I had to, that I could take my manual chair and rent a power chair for my stay there, but that is still more to do than just use my power chair.

[twisted_ophelia]

cowgirl, on Jul 7 2009, 06:59 PM, said:

I have a question, I want to take my power chair instead of my manual chair. I can get further, faster and cover more ground with more ease. How do you get transportation in a power chair?? It is too heavy for 1 or 2 persons to lift, and it won't fit in a taxie. So what have others done about that in Vegas, I plan to fly there next year.

Is it possible to have as much access and fun in a power chair in Vegas, or will it limit me in a big way?

Thanks,

Kay

I would think if I had to, that I could take my manual chair and rent a power chair for my stay there, but that is still more to do than just use my power chair.

You should always travel with a manual chair, if you can. Makes life so much easier.

[StellaLAtella]

I was in Las Vegas this past May. We stayed 5 days at The Bellagio. Really, 5 days is plenty there. Most of the hotels have manual chairs available for their guests and there are companies that rent the motorized chairs & scooters. With the manual chairs, it really is difficult to maneuver on the carpet and the carpet is EVERYWHERE in the casinos. The cabs are expensive, but they are great about assisting with wheelchairs. Oh, and from the airport, tell the cabbie to NOT take the freeway. It's more expensive and the other way is more scenic anyway.

We ate at the Bellagio Buffet one night. It was great! The food was good quality. Not crap. We also ate at the Rio "World Buffet".......and I would agree with T.O. that it was NOT good. Don't even waste your time at "World Buffet"....it REALLY SUCKED!! However, we did lots of slot machines in the Rio Casino and they seemed to pay out more frequently. There is a lovely indoor garden at the Bellagio. Worth checking out.

I've also seen 2 Cirque Du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. "O" which is the water show, and "KA" which is equally spectacular. They are price, but you can buy your tickets online in advance and save big. They also have "student tickets" with proof of student identification, that offer is online. Additionally, we saw "The Blue Man Group" show which was also great.

A couple of other things I would recommend checking out are:

***The pastry shoppe at the Bellagio.....they have "the world's tallest chocolate fountain"

***The lion exhibit at the MGM Grand, but check on the times, because they aren't out all day and they take them "in" around 7 p.m.

***The fountain show out front of the Bellagio. Only lasts about 10 minutes, but they do it every hour or half hour depending on the time of day.

***The shops in the Venetian Hotel are really interesting.

***The light show at Freemont Street is fun. But keep in mind, it can be dicey if you find yourself off the beaten path.



Don't forget, that if you are going to gamble, get a "player's card" from the casino. This keeps up with your winnings and if you should hit it big, you can get some good "comp" goodies! Have fun!
~Stella

[twisted_ophelia]

Oh, good point about the player's card, Stella! Yeah, definitely sign up for all the cards. Harrah's offers one and the MGM group offers one. You have to spend a lot of money to at the casinos to get above the basic tiers but after you reach the higher points tiers you get all kinds of good stuff like free rooms, free meals, no waiting in lines at certain places like getting your car from the valet, it's great! I do believe the points expire if you don't accumulate more within a year though. We go often so we've managed to get an enormous amount of points because you can have multiple people use your card (just ask for more free cards) and that way all of us accumulate points on the same card/account. It's also totally free.

If you go to the Venetian--which is beautiful inside--you can also do the gondola ride. You have to get into the gondola (a boat) but I've done it and they were helpful, I didn't fall in or anything. It's overpriced but kind of a fun novelty to try. Also, down at the pool, I would recommend renting a cabana or one of the pool beds. It's much more comfy than laying in one of the pool chairs all day. The pool decks get BUSY and the cabanas offer privacy. I think you mentioned you are going in April though and the pools might not be open yet.

[chargergrl]

serendipidy, on Jun 25 2009, 05:25 PM, said:

Thank you Thank you Thank you all, im getting more and more excited and i dont go till april next year.

I figured forewarned is forearmed with information and stuff

any other tips id be grateful

Serendipidy x

[
font="Century Gothic"][/font] I went to Las Vegas in Feb 2009 and I enjoyed it. The major hotels have rental for power chairs and even using a push is easy. The Luxor where I stayed had an accesible room with a pretty big roll in shower with a bench. I hope you have a great time. Im planning on going again for Christmas. Also went to see the Criss Angel show great show and it has wheelchair seating.

[twisted_ophelia]

It's funny that this topic got bumped back up today because I'm going to Vegas for the big tattoo expo at Mandalay Bay the first weekend of Oct. I'm looking forward to going again, I love Vegas. I'd like to see that Criss Angel show but I've heard it's not that good. Anybody got any reviews on it?

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 20 September 2009 - 03:15 AM.

[misstd]

I was looking into the GO Rooms at flamingo they look really nice, but then saw a deal for The mirage for the same price? im not which one to go to now I have never been vegas before so don't know which is the better hotel, I like the location of Flamingo? any suggestions?

[twisted_ophelia]

misstd, on Sep 26 2009, 05:57 AM, said:

I was looking into the GO Rooms at flamingo they look really nice, but then saw a deal for The mirage for the same price? im not which one to go to now I have never been vegas before so don't know which is the better hotel, I like the location of Flamingo? any suggestions?

I've stayed in the Go rooms at the Flamingo. They're pretty good, very modern and new. At the Mirage, as far as I know, no rooms have been renovated.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 26 September 2009 - 05:26 PM.

[codakitty]

Quote

I was looking into the GO Rooms at flamingo they look really nice, but then saw a deal for The mirage for the same price? im not which one to go to now I have never been vegas before so don't know which is the better hotel, I like the location of Flamingo? any suggestions?

i don't know about the flamingo but i know it's an old hotel. i stayed at the mirage and it has THE best handicapped room i've ever seen. there is a hoyer lift in the bathroom that just whizzes you into the shower sans chair. it might be the only handicapped suite there, i'm not sure. but if you can stay at the mirage at a discounted rate (which they do from time to time) DO IT. you will not regret it. (there are even lifts by the beds but i'm a para so i didn't use those. i'd love to have a bathroom like that though.)

my recommendation--book ahead and specify clearly that you want the handicapped room. it's right across from the mandalay bay. personally, i won't stay anywhere else in vegas until someone can show me a better wc/room.