Las Vegas question

> I will be in Las vegas April 7-10, staying
> at MGM Grand. I'm assuming Speed the ride
> will not be ready, and I havent heard
> anything good about Manhattan Express...so
> how far of a drive is it to Buffalo Bill's?
> Is Desperado worth it and what are the
> chances of it being up and running? Any
> other advice is appreciated too.

It's maybe 20-30 minutes. I should call BB's before you go because when it's not busy they may not open it until Midday, or close it early in the evening. They also insist on having so many people in the train before they send it so you may have to wait a while for repeat rides. Some people love this coaster. It has a great first drop and lots of air but I found it painful airtime rather than nice floaters. Like a lot of Arrows it's become quite rough over time. But I'd definitely take the chance to do it as it has a unique setting and is a spectacular ride. There's also a very juicy turbo drop and a funny log flume with targets to shoot at.

Cal

I would definately go out to Buffalo Bills to ride "Desperado"!!!! The first drop is great and probably one of the best on a steel coaster. If you sit in the back car you won't even get a chance to prepare for the drop, it pulls you over the top of the first hill before you know it your'e dropping. It takes a maximum of 30 minutes to get out to Primm. Not a bad drive at all and you can swing by RED ROCK CANYON while you're out there. It's really pretty and something different to do. As for Manhattan Express, I have been on this coaster over ten times and the first 2 rides back in 1998 were the best. Just this past November I rode it and probably will never ride this coaster again. Everything people say is true about this coaster. You might want to ride it once, just to see for yourself though.

> I will be in Las vegas April 7-10, staying
> at MGM Grand. I'm assuming Speed the ride
> will not be ready, and I havent heard
> anything good about Manhattan Express...so
> how far of a drive is it to Buffalo Bill's?
> Is Desperado worth it and what are the
> chances of it being up and running? Any
> other advice is appreciated too.

Even though it's not a coaster, I HIGHLY recommend a ride on Race For Atlantis at Caesar's Palace. I have never been a huge simulator fan, but this one certainly is worth a look. If you can get past the minor discomfort caused by the 3-D headsets, you're in for one heck of a ride. The story doesn't make much sense, but the depth on the ride and the visuals are outstanding. Admission is $9.50, I believe re-rides are $4.50. And like most good rides, you are conveniently deposited into the gift shop at the end. I bought the 4-track CD of the attraction's music. It's actually not bad! Good luck in Vegas and have a great trip-

ray p.

Thas really cool that you are3 staying at the MGM casue im a ride op in the theme park. Unfortunately the park wont be open until the 15th of april. this week we are training on the parks log ride, over the edge, and you night even see some people on the sky screamer for training (i rode 4 times on friday afternoon.

also check out the cool lion habitat at the MGM for some free thrills.

> I will be in Las vegas April 7-10, staying
> at MGM Grand. I'm assuming Speed the ride
> will not be ready, and I havent heard
> anything good about Manhattan Express...so
> how far of a drive is it to Buffalo Bill's?
> Is Desperado worth it and what are the
> chances of it being up and running? Any
> other advice is appreciated too.

>I didn't go on Manhatten Express but it's $10 so you make the call, also Desperado is about 35 minutes from Vegas and it is worth it, so go try it out, it's layout is quite different from all the other hypers and it has a killer drop, a little rough, but fun. Go to Circus Circus and try Canyon Blaster an awesome Arrow coaster. And while not many others mentioned it on this board go on Fun House an Imax simulator at Circus Circus, this was the biggest surprise of my Vegas trip, it's simply awesome and it shows a little bit of it on one of the Discovery Channel rollercoaster shows. And don't miss Stratosphere, definately go on Big Shot, the coaster isn't that much to miss, but don't miss Big Shot!! and my advice is to go on Stratosphere at night, I went on it in the day and I knew it would be much better at night. Have fun!

>Coaster Steve

I took a trip out there the day after Thanksgiving of 1999. However It was a short trip, and I only had time to go to Buffalo Bills and the Stratosphere Tower.

Buffalo Bills is about 40 miles south of Vegas. If you do decide to go, there's a great chance that Desperado will be running. When I went, Desperado opened about 2:00 PM and stayed opened throughout the night. I think in the Summertime it opens sooner. Its a pretty awsome, yet kinda rough coaster. I rode it 7 times when I went, so its definitly re-ridable. The first 2/3 of the coaster is intense, but then you hit a brake run which makes the last 1/3 kinda weak. The first drop is great, but the first turn to the left can get a little nasty and thrilling at the same time. IMO its a coaster that everyone should try at least once.

I also recommend a trip to the Stratosphere Tower. The High Roller isn't too bad. As a matter of fact, if you sit on the left side it looks like its riding over the edge. The Big Shot is probably the most thrilling ride in Vegas, and I highly recommend it.

Although I've never been on it, I've heard some good reports about the Canyon Blaster.

Jim