Kodidog and Tom 4X4 in Vegas like Turtles

Part 1.  Planning and staying at Mandalay Bay.

In mid December 2022,  Kodidog's email account began to be flooded with subliminal assaults from the MGM group in Las Vegas.  After resisting these for as long as she could ( delete, delete, delete) she began to look at airfares from Toronto for the following Spring, and to discuss possibilities with Tom.

He'd rather cruise, he said.  It had been many years since their  last one, but as they searched the internet and read for a few days, it appeared that the passengers were still dealing with issues relating to Covid outbreaks.  So Vegas mode took over.   

Airfare was workable with some 'credit card point' help.  The MGM offers had resort fees waived, a generous resort credit fo 4 nights and some free play, that would be DOUBLED during mid-week stays!  Santa said he'd bring slippers for Tom, since he badly needed them, and a new frying pan for Kodi...nothing further.  Kodi and Tom should give 'each other' airfare to Vegas, and this trip would also be what they got for Valentine's, Tom's birthday, their 53 rd Anniversary, and Mother's Day,  Was it worth it?  Hell, ya!

As usual, with the actual travel now being something to be endured and not enjoyed, Kodi searched for as many comped nights as possible to be able to spread the two direct flights as far apart as possible.  They would stay South, then North, then Cental and then West while they were there, and would try to get a few MyVegas rewards to cut their meal costs down.  Tom said he wasn't interested in going to a show, but Kodidog had seen chatter about Mad Apple and the $25 stage side seating, so decided to investigate it further.  By Christmas Eve, they'd put Santa's plan in place.  Now to just break it to family and friends that they were going to Vegas AGAIN.

A neighbour was going to Italy for the month of April, and was looking for someone to keep an eye on her home...when Kodi asked if she'd consider looking after theirs,  "Done", she squealed. "  Let's make it an even trade."    Their Son agreed to drive them to the airport and pick them up if they drove to his place (35 minutes) and left their car there.  Also DONE.    Now just to pack and count the days 'til liftoff...in between stalking the MyVegas site, trying to get some 2-1 buffets.

April 25th was Westjet day, and the wheelchair service Kodi now needed because of recent mobility issues worked well.   They had left home at 5:00 a.m. so Son could beat rush hour traffic and get back home for work that day, so they had bagels and cream cheese packed for the flight.   They decided on board however,  to purchase lunch...Tom some pasta and Kodi a small deli plate, figuring that the frozen bagels would keep 'til later.  The flight was smooth and arrived at Terminal 3 on time.  Wheelchair service arrived after a 37 minute wait ( which Tom swears was an hour).  The luggage would be waiting for them at carousel 24...nope 26, sign changed again to 24, but nothing was moving at either.  A couple of hundred people and 3 wheelchairs shuffled back and forth a few times but then luggage  began to drop down and their silver case ( which USED to be uncommon) finally appeared.  The wheelchair pusher was patient and earned a larger tip than planned.   They opted to use the flat rate taxi fare to Mandalay.

Their driver helped Tom load the luggage and then said "Where to?"  He then put a headset on and spoke in another language during the ride.  The second time he spoke to them was to say "$20".  The airport sign had put MB into the '$19' zone, but Kodi had $25 ready for him, so his tip was $5 instead of 6...it wasn't an issue for her.

Kodi had received great tips and answers to her many questions at Vegasmessageboard from kind Vegas crazies like herself.  There was now a GOLD check-in area behind a set of frosted doors, so she headed there, and waited only a couple of minutes . It was 2 p.m. so she crossed her fingers that she would be able to get into her strip view room, close to the elevators.  There was a room available but about 12  doors down from the elevator (22-211)  She was exhausted, so decided to take the room right away.  Jasmine also confirmed that her resort fee was in place.  

Very comfy beds!

The room was great, and Kodi did her Lysol wipe down and they unpacked a little then headed downstairs.  She wanted to get that great free play offer on her card, and get an extra gold card for Tom to use.  It turned out that Tom was also now entitled to a gold card of his own, since the cards had been linked since inception..and this would later have unexpected positive benefits.  (He would still use Kodi's for the most part when gambling though.) He did flash his own  a few times when going into the GOLD check in area for a free bottle of water. 

Kodi asked for her free play and the mid week bonus free play to be added to the card.  The gal said " Your xxx free play is on there, but you aren't eligible for any bonus."  Kodi's face dropped ( Tom picked it up off the floor because ya know...the cane and all...)  "But  I booked my offer for a Tuesday specifically because of that ."   "Sorry, but even though there is a bonus free play offer for April, you are not eligible because you booked your room in December."  Kodi looked at her email offer that was dated December 12th, and in tiny print saw " Stay by Feb 23rd, 2023."   Obviously if she hadn't needed to plan and pull the trip together months before, she probably would have gotten a similar offer in March.  The MLife gal said she should talk to her host and perhaps something could be added. Host?  LOL.  No host....just a baby player.  SO people, READ everything closely! Excitement and haste and vision issues,  can lead to emotional distress and waves of guilt. Just ask Kodi.

They played for an hour or so, and Kodi discovered that Mandalay Bay machines still hated her.  $50 into a machine lasted as long as it took to hit the button 50 or 75 times.  No ticket to cash...and Tom found the same.  It was time to eat!  They headed for Luxor, and Public House, which opened at 5 p.m....and waited a few minutes until a hostess led them to a table.  Kodi had a 'spend $40, save $20' reward from My Vegas.  The food and service were both great.  They had refillable cola, and Tom ordered the enormous swiss mushroom burger with fries and Kodi the huge Texan burger plate.  

They were both stuffed by the time they left the now busy restaurant.  Neither finished the fries and Kodi had left a lot of her bun as well.   The meal was charged to their room, but the tip was  paid in cash as was her custom.  Kodi realized that she hadn't taken enough food photos when they were halfway thru the meal.  Shows how fatigued she was!

They headed back down the Mandalay Mall to the casino and planned to gamble for a few hours, but were crawling up to the room by 9 p.m.  Kodi made sure that she ordered a coffee and Baileys in a double cup, and drank it before heading upstairs.  The server pointed out that they had sleeves to put onto the cardboard cups to make them less 'burny on the fingers'.  Nope, Kodi still wanted a DOUBLE cup!

MANDALY BAY, Day 2

The East Coast curse had them awake, looking at the ceiling before 5 a.m.  so they started the day...with Kodi needing a double dose of  pain meds after the travel day and cab ride.   The room had a small Keurig, but charged $12 for cups and a pod with fixings.  Kodi had brought 4 pods from home, so Tom got some water and prepared a cup for her in one of her coffee cups that she'd brought up from the casino. She was  feeling quite full from the previous evening's meal, but those damn bagels were still sitting there,  and they agreed that they needed to be eaten then, or not at all.  So, Tom ate his and Kodi forced half of hers down, before becoming queasy, so discarded the rest.   

They headed downstairs to gamble for a while, but needed to head to Excalibur at 12:30 on the tram, because Kodi had scored a 2/1 brunch buffet there, and it closed at 2 p.m.  Kodi still wasn't feeling 100%,  but felt the $15 her meal would cost wouldn't go to waste.    Unfortunately, she'd feel the same queasiness for the next few days, with one other symptom, best not described.  It probably wasn't from the bagel since Tom had no issues.  

 The buffet was decent, the food hot ( or cold) and tasty and they did enjoy sitting and people watching, but were glad they weren't next to the table of 9, where three small children ran around and around,  eating, drinking and screaming until one of them spilled a huge glass of red soda pop all over one of the 'Dads' laps . He spoke to the kid for the first time, and shook his fist at him, and the family left, .  Without a word of a lie, there should have been  a Hazmat Team sent in, a series of red cones were  put around the table and area, and a pile of absorbent substance poured on the rug to soak up the red sticky liquid.  Kodi, limping past saw a large amount of chocolate cake ground into another carpet area next to the table, and food was squashed on top of it.  Two cleaners arrived as they were leaving their own table, 20 minutes later... with a shovel, broom and bucket.  There was no extra charge for the entertainment.

They played for a while at Excalibur, pretty well staying even, but then spent the evening playing and losing their daily stakes in the evil Mandaly machines. Kodi hoped that some of the free play  would surprise her because she played more than minimum, which was her usual practice, but it just dropped her balance quicker. Some of the losses could probably be attributed to Kodi not leaving uncooperative machines when she should have,  due to her back pain.  It was an early night again, with Kodi hoping her gut would improve overnight.

Mandalay Bay, Day 3

As Kodi sipped her coffee in the room early the next morning, and gazed at the Strip laid out at her feet, she wondered if she'd picked up a gastro bug of some kind, or if she was developing an ulcer from all of the medication she was taking.  Things were still feeling vaguely unsettled.  And ya...black coffee wasn't the best remedy for that.  

She had read about Press Coffee Bar, in the 4 Seasons which was attached to MB.  The online poster said the prices were reasonable, the seating  outside was comfortable, and it wasn't as busy as Hazel in MB,  or the coffee bar in the Delano.  They also said that you could  charge it to your MB room, so it sounded perfect.  Kodi knew that it was next to the pool area , on the lower level, so when they left the room, Kodi's arm draped elegantly over Tom's, they took the elevator to the bottom floor.  By following signs they headed to the double wooden doors that entered the 4 Season's property. " Oh oh," said Kodi. There was a small classy  sign saying that a room key was needed to continue.  Kodi twisted her mouth a little, and tried swiping her Mandalay Bay key.

 Okay, on to plan B.  They headed for the lobby, on the elevator.  Once they got there, Kodi confidently pointed all the way across to a corridor that would lead them towards the other hotel.  "Are you sure? " asked Tom, looking towards the closer hallway that was completely on the other side of the long room.  "Yes.... remember, I was here last year."  

Off they went...and then dragged their asses back to the first hallway,  the one that Tom had pointed out.  It was while making this 3 mile trek, that Kodi stopped, with her mouth open ( yes gasping for breath, of course, but...)  The huge Michael Jackson Statue and it's pedestal that had been the centrepiece of the room last Fall, was gone.  Kodi didn't take a photo to prove it, because, well,  it was just an empty floor now.

They walked down the corridor that said 4 Seasons Hotel ( to be fair, there was also a rideshare arrow, and Bellmen and other clutter, and people moving about  that sort of made the sign less prominent than Kodi thought it should be. ) They got into an elevator and eventually got to the correct level....where there was a very long corridor stretched out in front of them.  They passed a lovely sweeping, curved staircase , where a number of men where ascending with coffee cups in their hands.  They arrived at a long table , set up to hand out goodies for a conference, and when the gal behind it was free, they asked her where Press was.  She declared it downstairs, mentioned the staircase, then noting Kodi's cane, told them where a tiny elevator was, waaay back down the hall.

Kodi was now going, step, stumble, step.  Her elegantly draped hand over Tom's arm was clutching desperately to his arm hair.   They finally arrived , after manoeuvring another long hall, at a tiny coffee and pastry stand...with about a half dozen businessmen lined up to get their coffee.  Things were simply self serve,  and find a table.  They could see a few bistro tables outside, in the sun..and wind, with things skittering across the patio.  Kodi didn't care.  She just wanted to sit.  They decided on beverages and muffins, but needed to pay first.  "Um, no...sorry, we don't accept Mandalay Bay room charges. Verandah does though"....and she pointed down another loonnng hall.

It was a really long, lovely, classy hallway, and did i mention it was really long.  Tom looked at the menu outside the restaurant and said, "It's so expensive."  Kodi whined "I HAVE to sit down to rest.  We'll charge it to the room.  The resort credit will cover it, if nothing else."    They got a table on the patio under the pergola.  Soft music was playing.  The servers  couldn't do enough for them.  No request was too much trouble...a taller coffee cup instead of the small ones being used? " We'll get one from another restaurant , if you don't mind waiting for a few moments."   "Extra syrup, no problem, oh another...that's fine, those containers are small aren't they?"  ( and no extra charge). " Bacon not TOO crispy..certainly.  " 

They would be having another 2/1 buffet that afternoon, and even though it was still hours before that, Tom decided to have just whole wheat toast and Chicken Apple Sausage.  Kodi had apple cobbler french toast and bacon.  

They both ordered the extra priced 'fresh squeezed' oj, which Tom, a pulp lover,  swears wasn't fresh squeezed.    Coffee and tea finished off the meal, and let them linger.    They sat and savoured the ambiance and food, music and pampering for over an hour and a half.  The breakfast cost $80, ( plus her usual cash tip) but Kodi felt relaxed and 'special' thinking how nice it would be to be able to indulge all the senses every day, in that type of atmosphere.   It was ALMOST worth the 40 mile march back to the casino.

The casino continued to beat them up, and Kodi invested the remainder of her free play, with no luck at all.  They were heading to Luxor that afternoon.  The brunch buffet closed at 3p.m. so they wanted to be there just after 1:30.  Since the casino also used the same Rewards card, they decided to start turtling down the mall at 12:30, so they could play a bit before eating.  After extra Aleve, Kodi could manage another walk with lots of window gazing on the way.  They got the meal loaded onto the players card and then sat together at a double seated Huff nPuff n More machine.  It was the first time either had played one of those. Bonus after bonus appeared, and after playing for an hour, they were up  $30, which was the best they had done since arriving in Vegas 3 days earlier, and they'd had fun as well.

They headed for the Buffet, and both still agreed that they enjoyed the Excalibur offering much more.  They did both enjoy the pink lemonade though. The food filled a hole..end of story.

Many items were not labeled properly, and many were not labeled at all.  It would not be a safe place for anyone with bad allergies to eat, Kodi thought.

They played a Raking Bacon machine on a double seat after they ate, and  lost their $30 profit and a few dollars more after an hour, but had fun, before they strolled back to their current home.

They  both spent a few hours playing Dragon link machines....50 cents at a time,  while marvelling at their neighbours shoving in hundred dollar bills one after the other and betting $10-$30 a push , and collecting major and large minor jackpots often and frequently small hand pays...i.e. $1300.  The room was calling to them both at 9 p.m. about the same time Kodi was scrambling to dig the last couple of fives out of her wallet.   She sacrificed them to a hungry Panda, and limped up to the room to look at the still empty 'Take Home Envelope' before gratefully hitting the lovely 4 pillows on her bed.

Mandalay Bay, Day 4

It looked like today was going to be the warmest day since they arrived. Kodi ran cold though, so she still put long pants and carried a sweater with her, because if there was a vent blowing cold air, she'd end up sitting under it.  Tom made her a coffee ( in the second cup she'd brought up from the casino the first night) while she showered.  She had made a list of restaurants to try when she was planning the trip and today's breakfast choice was Ri Ra Irish Pub in Mandalay Place.  They were seated quickly, getting the bench seat for Kodi that she found easier to use than a free standing chair with her unreliable balance and painful back spasms. 

The service was good, the meal came out quickly, and was tasty. Tom had waffles and orange juice and Kodi got Eggs, bacon and toast...with cranberry juice. 

 She sacrificed a piece of bacon, so Tom would get a smidgen of protein to start the day.  This restaurant allows room charges to Mandalay Bay, but Kodi was saving the resort credit for later in the day, and perhaps to use towards a small breakfast before moving the next morning.  They headed back to the casino to play for a few hours,  but once again dollars went into machines, never to be seen again.  They headed up to the room at  1 p.m.

Kodi wanted to rest before going out later that afternoon, and she also wanted to start a pre-pack.  The first 4 days of their 4X4 stay in Vegas would be up the next day, and they'd be moving from the South strip location and heading way up North.  With Kodi's now typical fatigue , and knowing they would be out much of the evening, she didn't want to be rushed in the morning .

They changed, and Tom put on long pants for the first time since arriving, and  Kodi grabbed a silvery shawl to throw around her shoulders if needed.  At 3:00 , they headed for the tram station, and headed down to Excalibur.  They walked across the bridge to New York-New York and Kodi got the 2/1 Myvegas Nine Fine Irishmen meal added to her player's card.  She had booked the bargain $25 seats for the Mad Apple show online, and discovered that since it was a Friday, a reservation for most restaurants was necessary.  She'd then booked a table at the Pub, but was only able to get a 5:30 time spot.  The show was at 7:00 and seating began at 6:30 p.m.    This  worried her, and she decided to show up at the restaurant at 5:00 p.m. and ask to be seated earlier if possible.  They played for an hour or so, keeping an eye on the time.    That plan worked well and they requested  a table for 4 if possible,  so they had room for Tom's hat, Kodi's bag and the cane.  They told their server about the show, and she gave them excellent and quick service.

After the walk in the heat, they needed water, so ordered that and lots of it.  Tom ordered the Shepherd's Pie topped with ooey gooey cheese, and Kodi ordered the Bangers and Mash,  adding buttered garden peas. 

They enjoyed the meal, and finished by 6:20, so had time to use the restroom and get in-line for the show without panicking, even though Kodi, now limping from a large blister , was passed it seemed by every other attendee of the show, as they made their way towards the theatre.

Upon entering and showing her ticket, it became obvious that they would need to climb a number of stairs to get to the seats they had booked.  Kodi asked the young fellow if there was an elevator up to the level.  "No, but I can help you out.  Just follow me."   He dipped, he doodled, he went left, right, centre, everywhere except up into the rigging in the ceiling. After turtling behind him in a circuitous route, ( and yes, he did have to keep looking back and stopping as he changed direction, so they didn't get lost!) including areas marked Staff only,  they arrived at an exit door.  They entered the theatre exactly beside some stage side seats.  Wonderful, Kodi thought .  "Um no, yours are the ones on the other side of the stage."  their perky  guide ( who appeared to be a performer) said.  They finally arrived at the last row over there, consisting of two comfy looking armchairs.  "Wow, " Kodi said..."We have the King and Queen's chairs!  They look perfect."

Kodi took the chair next to the railing, which was a great assist for her to get up and down in the seat. 

 It turned out to also be next to the corridor where performers entered and exited  to go to the raised stage up a small set of stairs, or often just leaping up.  Her hand got a little sore from the number of 'high fives' but it was a great location.  The MC was chatting with a few folks as patrons filed in and filled the regular seating.  He quipped, as he passed them, "Oh I see we have Charles and Camilla in the audience tonight. Welcome!"  This confirmed what Kodi had suspected about their guide earlier,  being a performer, because he must have passed her comment on to him.

Kodi loved the high energy  80 minute show, but she loves live stage shows generally.  Tom said he enjoyed most of it, but  he really disliked the Comedian's constant use of the FBomb.  He complained that many 'funny men' now can't tell a joke or get interactive with the audience without getting coarse and crude.  Kodi had tried to look past it, but actually agreed she'd found a lot of his stuff less than humorous because of that.  If this one performer was changed out, she would gladly see the show again, as there was plenty of musical and acrobatic talent  to keep her happy. 

 It appeared that of the 1,000 people exiting the theatre, 800 of them were looking for a ladies' restroom.   They walked to the farthest one away, hoping that would help, but the line was still out the door and all the way back to Brooklyn.   Tom patiently waited  with fifty other men in a holding pattern for the 30 minutes or so Kodi needed, and was happy enough to find a slot to sit at when Kodi said she needed to rest before the trip back to Mandalay  Bay.  As well , the tram station would be busy for a while, they figured. 

 They arrived 'home' at 10:30 and headed right upstairs, retiring their MLife players cards for a while....because they were leaving for a Boyd property the next morning.