 
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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