Best Las Vegas Pools

July 22nd, 2010

Hard Rock Las Vegas Pool Area (photo by Tim Larison)

According to a July 2010 article in the Denver Post, here are some of the best pools in Las Vegas. They are listed by category:

Best All-Around
The Mirage Resort & Casino
Highlights: Tropical setup with lagoons and soothing waterfalls, plenty of palm trees for shade, terrific family and adult offerings.

Best For Families
Mandalay Bay Beach at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay
Highlights: Three laid-back swimming pools, a lazy river and a large wave pool, reasonably priced food at the Beach Bar & Grill.

Best Mom Getaway
Sunday mornings at Flamingo’s GO Pool
Highlights: Over 21 only, entry to over-21 GO pool for women free and male hotel guests - $15 daily.

Best Pool Party
WET Republic at MGM Grand
Highlights: Underwater speakers boost an amazing sound system, rotating roster of some of the best DJs in the country, excellent drink roster, good food, clean pool (over 21 only).

Best Cabanas
The Golden Nugget
Highlights: Comfy, well-cushioned chairs and loveseats, as well as lamps, end tables and groovy art in spacious cabanas, which also sport mini-fridges, a stereo system and flat-screen TV; situated at The Tank pool in the over-16 Hideout area.

Best Beach
HRH Beach Club at the Hard Rock Hotel
Highlights: The sand actually leads right into the water, swim-up blackjack and a little island pool within the pool that is always about 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding water.

Best Chairs
Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace
Highlights: Sturdy metal loungers topped with velvety soft cushions that absorb water and hold their shape. Spring for a day bed or cabana which are topped with half foot-thick cushions covered with the same plush fabric.

Contact us for a no-obligation price quote on your next Las Vegas get-away!

(photo of the hard rock pool area by Tim Larison)

First look at the real Disney Dream

June 3rd, 2010

We’re back from an extended cruise vacation and it is time to start blogging again! Here’s a video from Disney today showing the real Disney Dream (not a model or simulation) - the final “block” of the ship was put in place today. We can’t wait to sail on the Dream in January! (we’ll have a full report on our familytravelgurus website in February)

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Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay

May 18th, 2010

Disney Cruise Line has added a new waterslide at their private island, Castaway Cay, which looks like fun!

Castaway Cay is our favorite cruise line “private island” and the Pelican Plunge promises to be a good addition!

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Disney Cruise tilt shift video

May 9th, 2010

Last month Disney published a video that really captures the Disney cruise experience in just 2 1/2 minutes:

We love the pictures of Castaway Cay, and the Disney Wonder sailing away. Castaway Cay is one of our favorite spots on earth!

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More details coming on the Disney Dream

April 14th, 2010

More details are slowly coming out about the new Disney Dream cruise ship, with her first sailing in January. Last week Disney announced a 2nd “adults only” restaurant, Remy, that they describe as “the Victoria and Albert’s at sea”. Remy will be in addition to the long time Disney favorite Palo on the Dream.

This week Disney came out with a video showing how Animator’s Palette will have a new, fresh look on the Dream. See the video here:

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Favorite Disney World Thrill Ride

March 28th, 2010

Here’s a short video from Disney asking guests:

“What is your favorite thrill ride at Disney World?”

For the Larison family our choices:

Tim: Test Track
Anne: Tower of Terror
Andrew (age 16): Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster
Josh (age 16): Tower of Terror

How about yours?

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Disneyland tips video

March 15th, 2010

Lots of good tips for a visit to Disneyland and California Adventure in this video from Disney:

I didn’t know about the lockers being free for the first 2 hours near Grizzly Run. Any tips you didn’t know about from this video?

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Captain Eo to reopen Feb 23rd

February 23rd, 2010

Captain Eo, starring Michael Jackson, a classic 3-D video that played in the Disney theme parks in the 1980’s, is returning to Disneyland starting February 23rd. This video from Disney interviews fans about their best memories of Captain Eo. For me, I was amazed by the 3-D effects, the dancing, and the music in the short movie. And I was not a big Michael Jackson fan! We are hoping to get to Disneyland in May to see Captain Eo once again.

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Drew Brees at Disney World

February 14th, 2010

The Super Bowl MVP (or winning quarterback) often is shown after the game saying “I’m going to Disney World!” Drew Brees got his dream on Monday as this video from Disney shows:

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Disneyland Overnight

February 8th, 2010

Here’s an interesting video from Disney about all the work that goes on in the Disneyland Park overnight.  Didn’t know they refueled the 100+ cars at Autopia each night!

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