WAG If you could pick any US meet.....

[munchkin3]

Thanks for the pointers!!!!! It's so nice getting advice from people who know what we are into and our circumstances.

 

[2G1B]

Thanks not that! I think we will definitely try to catch Cirque O or something......we will probably try to do the Hoover damn, and hike maybe....

We loved DS's Vegas meet. We did Blue Man Group; roller coaster at NY, NY; went over and did Hoover Dam. The whole trip was just a lot of fun!

 

[notthatmom]

anybody have opinions about the belaggio, vdara, aria complex?
Would you suggest a rental car, or taxi? We were thinking of driving out of Vegas anyway......have to check on parking rates.

It's much easier to NOT have a car while you stay. It's crazy traffic and easier to just walk places or take a cab. Id rent a car just for the day(s) you plan to leave the general area of the strip.

That complex is great because you can walk all of it indoors and not have to go outside if you don't want to.

 

[Mom2-4]

I'm wondering the same - we are going to Vegas this year! What is so bad?
Chicago Style last year and the girls had a blast! We loved that meet! The gymnast "parties" were a big hit.
Sand Dollar in Orlando is a good meet, we are going again this year, but very $$$ to get in.
Gasparilla in Tampa is a cool venue (inside a baseball park), but awards took forever.

We have been to Chicago Style about 4 times. Cant wait. Love the gym dance party also. Could hardly drag my DD off the dance floor at 10 for an early morning meet. Should have a CB meet up at the dance party for the parents. I always tell my daughter she should make some new freinds at meets. Love the free shuttle and the awesome "free" leo. It was freaking freezing the year before last though. Chicago food is great though.

 

[Mom2-4]

We have been to Chicago Style about 4 times. Cant wait. Love the gym dance party also. Could hardly drag my DD off the dance floor at 10 for an early morning meet. Should have a CB meet up at the dance party for the parents. I always tell my daughter she should make some new freinds at meets. Love the free shuttle and the awesome "free" leo. It was freaking freezing the year before last though. Chicago food is great though.

Oh forgot like the Gasparilla classic and Buckeye. Is it still free for admission?

 

[nastia1]

Woga is a great meet to if you want somewhere warm in the winter

 

[duyetanh]

Thanks! I was told to try and find a hotel with no casino. It's better for the kids and less smoke and strange people walking around......
I might even look on vrbo since everyone wants to go to this meet.....

Embassy suites was lovely when we stayed there. Just an idea.

 

[Muddlethru]

We've been to Lady Luck in Vegas and thought the host hotel wasn't nice at all. If you have an 8 am session it is so loud that it's practically impossible to get your kid asleep. We liked the CSI thing at MGM but the meet was so expensive as a spectator. A big plus was all of the college coaches there.

Brestyans this year might be better - different location and I am hopeful.

Perhaps your bad experience was due to where you stayed. If you stayed downtown, that would certainly account for the noise and sketchy area. I've been to Las Vegas too many times to count and I have never stayed, will never stay downtown. I think Lady Luck is in downtown. You should stay on the strip. There are now so many wonderfuL five star hotels to even try naming. But for the kids opt for the theme hotels like Venetian, Bellagio, Ceasars, even Monte Carlo has a lazy river. There are other lower star theme hotels, excalibur, Luxor, Paris, Circus Circus. I've never stayed at those hotels and probably would not recommend them either. But they are usually very inexpensive. You can have great deals at the MGM because it is so big and probably the Monte Carlo because it is not right on the strip. There are just too many hotels to choose from.

The venue for the Brestyans meet is a block off the strip. Where you stay in my opinion can account largely on how you'll enjoy your stay. I like the luxury Las Vegas affords and like a poster mentioned above, many hotels have so much to offer within the hotel. One thing you can't escape is the smoke in the casinos. So just stay away. I'd love to hear how you enjoy your second stay.

 

[duyetanh]

That is why we stay at the embassy. Room is a suite, free brekkie, and NO casinos so no smoke!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Muddlethru]

Caveat: I admit Las Vegas is not for everyone. I can also only stay there two nights maybe three, then I have to leave. I am not a gambler either. But it is a change of scene.

 

[beachgirl]

@munchkin3 I stay at the Aria in Vegas a couple of times a year. To me it's the nicest and newest hotel on the strip. You have to walk pretty far from the parking to the rooms, plan at least 15 minutes each way. The Vdara has no casino, so that would be nice for kids. My kids love the Aria, but there is nothing really kid friendly about it. If you do stay there make sure you get a strip view room because they have been upgraded ( better bedding, etc). It's hard to drive in vegas on the strip because it's so crowded. The Southpoint where the Lady Luck (if that's where you're going) is not close, so would be an expensive cab ride. The Delano inside the Mandalay Bay is nice and is more like a suit with a living room and 1.5 baths. There are more kid friendly things at that hotel. If you have any questions feel free to DM me.

 

[GymRatMama]

The Pink Invitational in Philadelphia is a great meet that DD looks forward to every year. It is a really big meet that is run really well. All of the girls dress up in a theme for team introductions and they also get a pink themed leo. The location is great because there are so many historical sites to tour that are within walking distance... that is, if the weather is ok.

 

[LinnieC]

My daughter is going to the Lady Luck in Vegas this year. Super nervous for her as it is her first meet of the season and it is a travel meet AND its her first optional meet ever. Here's hoping luck is on her side! We have been to Magical Classic and Sand Dollar (both in Orlando) and they have been fun... but I think it was more for the "vacation" and not so much the meets. LOL I would love for her to go to the Chicago Style one... I keep hearing awesome things about it!

 

[Canadian_gym_mom]

The only US meet my dd has been to was the Sand Dollar. It was well run, cool medals, great location. But we came from Canada expecting something "more", just because it was supposed to be this big American meet!

But inside, while comps were on it was no real difference from any meet we see here in Ontario.

Our tour goes to the Lady Luck and this year dd is old enough to try to qualify. Even though she would go with the team if she made it, I might find a flight out as I've never been to Vegas!

 

[munchkin3]

Thanks beachgirl!!!!!!

 

[2gymmies]

Perhaps your bad experience was due to where you stayed. If you stayed downtown, that would certainly account for the noise and sketchy area. I've been to Las Vegas too many times to count and I have never stayed, will never stay downtown. I think Lady Luck is in downtown. You should stay on the strip. There are now so many wonderfuL five star hotels to even try naming. But for the kids opt for the theme hotels like Venetian, Bellagio, Ceasars, even Monte Carlo has a lazy river. There are other lower star theme hotels, excalibur, Luxor, Paris, Circus Circus. I've never stayed at those hotels and probably would not recommend them either. But they are usually very inexpensive. You can have great deals at the MGM because it is so big and probably the Monte Carlo because it is not right on the strip. There are just too many hotels to choose from.

The venue for the Brestyans meet is a block off the strip. Where you stay in my opinion can account largely on how you'll enjoy your stay. I like the luxury Las Vegas affords and like a poster mentioned above, many hotels have so much to offer within the hotel. One thing you can't escape is the smoke in the casinos. So just stay away. I'd love to hear how you enjoy your second stay.

I agree, we probably should have stayed in a nicer hotel for Lady Luck... we just went with the meet host hotel so the kids could be with their teammates. It was on the strip but at the exteme south end, so a taxi ride to everything. For Brestyans we are staying in the host hotel again but are hopeful that we can get out and about easier since its so close to the monorail. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Muddlethru]

I agree, we probably should have stayed in a nicer hotel for Lady Luck... we just went with the meet host hotel so the kids could be with their teammates. It was on the strip but at the exteme south end, so a taxi ride to everything. For Brestyans we are staying in the host hotel again but are hopeful that we can get out and about easier since its so close to the monorail. Thanks for all the advice.

Oops! Sorry 2gymmies, forgot about the teammates. Lol Of course, staying with her teammates is top priority. Perhaps I can see why a gymnastics meet in Vegas may not be that great. The smoke and nightlife are not the best combinations for sporting events. Nonetheless, hope you have a better experience this time around.

 

[GymDad9.9]

Curious.... anyone stay at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Vegas??? Any thoughts?

 

[MeetDirector]

If the Lady Luck meet is still at the South Pointe, then that is a far piece from the Treasure Island. The South Pointe is way south of the actual Strip itself and the TI is on the North half of the Strip. With any casino, you will encounter the cigarette smoke.

 

[GymDad9.9]

If the Lady Luck meet is still at the South Pointe, then that is a far piece from the Treasure Island. The South Pointe is way south of the actual Strip itself and the TI is on the North half of the Strip. With any casino, you will encounter the cigarette smoke.

I understand that. Lady Luck is still at The South Pointe and really the only time we would be there is when my daughter competes and my wife wishes to be on the Strip, cigarette smoke, bright lights, drunks and crazies, et al.