Transportation Advice

cduong · November 2010

So I need some adive. My fiance and I got into a "disagreement" about this a couple of days ago and it wasn't quite resolved. We are just going to discuss it when we get our final head count. We are getting married on March 5, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay and our reception is going to be held at the Luxor. We are anticipating around 40-50 guests and NO ONE is from the Vegas area.

Therefore, as a courtesy to our guests that are flying in from all over the country, I thought we should provide transportation for our guests from the ceremony to the reception. The only problem is that the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor are only a half mile apart. There is only a 30 minute gap between the Ceremony and Reception so we can't really do a strip tour. Here are our options:

-My fiance suggest that we ALL walk the half mile (completely ridiculous I think)
-My fiance also thinks we should take the free tram (its a weekend night so I think the free tram from the MB to the Luxor is sure to be crowded)
-Renting the Vegas Double Decker Bus ($270 total incl grat and tax)
-Renting two 24 passenger limo buses ($55/hr plus $3 surcharge + tax + gratuity)
-Trying to get 50 people into cabs and just paying for the cabs (this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen)

My fiance's argument is that it is ridiculous to rent and spend so much money on such a short distance.

I'm so conflicted. I keep going back and forth and back and forth.

wiwicaty · November 2010

OK, this is definitely not my area but I would absolutely drop two of your options... do not walk and DO NOT take the tram! Oh my, how would you manage getting 50 people on the free tram on a weekend night, plus you in your wedding dress. Not. Pretty.

I would say that to offer decent transportation is mandatory, I know it hurts, it's expensive and the distance is short but...

maybe it's just me

crow99 · November 2010

Don't think you want to walk... Personally I'd be looking at two limos or the bus.

As a side the tram isnt a terrible idea due to its ease would be a strange site but hey it is Vegas.

jccswl · November 2010

Is it possible to move the reception 30mins back? That way you can use the double decker bus or limos to take you all to the Vegas sign (which is on that side of the strip) and take pics at the sign with your guests?

mhoneybee · November 2010

Honestly, I'm going to side with you FI here. The tram goes directly from Mandalay Bay to the Luxor and costs nothing. They run frequently enough that even if it is a little busy you won't be waiting long to get on a tram. There are brides walking around Vegas all the time so most people won't think anything about it, plus you'll get congratulated along the way.

The hundreds of dollars you would spend getting your guests from one location to the other, with probably the same amount of walking as going on the tram, could be spent on a cake upgrade, a round of drinks, favors, etc.

What about scheduling a double decker after your reception for a strip tour with your guests when you can really enjoy the experience?

LilMissScareAll · November 2010

Where is the wedding in Manadalay and where is your reception in Luxor?
I stay in Luxor all the time and walk back and forth from Mandalaly to Luxor in 6 in heels none-the-less. It's not that bad of a walk and you are inside the whole time. It would be completely do-able unless there are people who have trouble walking in your group. And a half hour would give people enough time to meander their way over. It takes me about 15 min to walk from Luxor's check in desk to EyeCandy in Mandalay, and that usually involves stopping at Fat Tuesday for jello shots.

Paying a lot of money to go next door seems kinda silly to me. But if you did throw in going to the LV sign, then it might be worth it.

kareevan · November 2010

Walking or taking tram (which will not be as crowded as you think since there's a few cars to get in) and is your best way to go and its not even worth it renting limos or cabs since they will get in and get out in 5 mins. Thats my honest oppinion since they are really that close

smokeybailey · November 2010

Take the tram...it's easier than any other transport. Even if the group splits up it would probably STILL be faster than a cab and/or limo.

Walking isn't bad either...but the tram is perfect.

MNVegas · November 2010

If I had people going to the expense of "flying in from all over the country" for my wedding, I think I would provide transportation to the reception, but that's just me.

The tram does sounds like it could be fun. You know your guests best. Do you think they would mind taking the tram?

cduong · November 2010

The thing about renting a limo or a bus is that is going to be at 7:30-7:45 on a Saturday night in Vegas and I'm worried about the traffic and the cost of it only being a 10 minute ride. The last time I went to Vegas (I was on a strict budget and couldn't afford cabs) I was staying at PH and my friends were staying at Bally's - I walked the entire time (in 5 inch heels and a minidress) and I think that distance is longer.

LilMissScareAll - our ceremony is at the chapel which is next to the Shark Reef I think and the reception is in the West tower of the Luxor. Would it really be inside the entire time - through the casinos? Is it similar to the walk from Bally's to Paris?

I would love to do a strip tour with our guests but that's just something thats not in our budget. That's an extra hour of photography to add and we would probably want to provide alcohol on the double decker bus. plus, we're already on a tight schedule that day. 11 AM setup at the reception venue, 2:00 hair + makeup appts for me + 4 girls, 3:30 - 6:00 photography session. 7:00 ceremony. 8:00 reception.

LilMissScareAll · November 2010

In Response to Re: Transportation Advice:
[QUOTE LilMissScareAll - our ceremony is at the chapel which is next to the Shark Reef I think and the reception is in the West tower of the Luxor. Would it really be inside the entire time - through the casinos? Is it similar to the walk from Bally's to Paris? I would love to do a strip tour with our guests but that's just something thats not in our budget. That's an extra hour of photography to add and we would probably want to provide alcohol on the double decker bus. plus, we're already on a tight schedule that day. 11 AM setup at the reception venue, 2:00 hair + makeup appts for me + 4 girls, 3:30 - 6:00 photography session. 7:00 ceremony. 8:00 reception.
Posted by cduong[/QUOTE]

If I am remembering the layout correctly, you would walk through MB's casino and then go out and through Mandalay Place (which is a bunch of shops and resteraunts) and walk across Luxor's casino and I believe. The Tower rooms are over by the moving walkway to Excaliber. It is a little bit of a walk but still not bad, IMHO. Tram is also a good option but you will still have to do a bit of walking.
Taxis in Vegas are only allowed 4 people per car (+ vans are hard to come by) It automatically costs $3.30 when you step foot in the cab, and $0.20 per 1/4 mile. so your looking at min $5 per cab times 10-13 cabs = $50/$75 plus tip.so $100 bucks to get everyone 1/2 a mile.

smokeybailey · November 2010

You can walk through the Mandalay Bay place shops to get to the Luxor without every going outside, but again, why walk when you can tram!?

http://www.mandalaybay.com/images/convMaps/pdf/Casino.pdf

mwkoby · November 2010

The tram isn't anywhere near the chapel at MB. It would probably be faster to walk through the shops into the Luxor. The two are connected so I don't think your guests would walk through 2 casino floors and think, "gosh, they should have paid for us to take taxis!" Another route you could take is to go out front of MB and take some photos with your guests in Valley of the Falls. Once you're there, you cross a small street and you're in front of the Luxor, where again you could take a couple pics in front of the sphinx. It would look intentional for you to be walking there because of the photo ops. It has taken me longer to take the tram than walk before.

aerinpegadrak · November 2010

I think you're overthinking it. It really isn't all that far, and getting everyone from the ceremony to the place where the bus would pick them up and then from the place they will be dropped off to the reception will probably be just as much walking as just going directly from one to the other. What I would do is make sure you indicate on your reception insert that it will be a bit of a walk, so they can plan their shoes accordingly.

smokeybailey · November 2010

In Response to Re: Transportation Advice:
[QUOTE]The tram isn't anywhere near the chapel at MB. It would probably be faster to walk through the shops into the Luxor. The two are connected so I don't think your guests would walk through 2 casino floors and think, "gosh, they should have paid for us to take taxis!" Another route you could take is to go out front of MB and take some photos with your guests in Valley of the Falls. Once you're there, you cross a small street and you're in front of the Luxor, where again you could take a couple pics in front of the sphinx. It would look intentional for you to be walking there because of the photo ops. It has taken me longer to take the tram than walk before.
Posted by mwkoby[/QUOTE]

The tram and the walkway to the Luxor are on the same side. Neither is close to the wedding chapels. My grandmother couldn't walk through the shops...she'd have to take the tram. See my post above for the map.

mwkoby · November 2010

I agree with aerinpegadrak . It's going to be the same amount of walking either way.

ebonyivory10 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_transportation-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:e901ebf3-25da-414e-8e75-fdf2798823ffPost:2f2f6483-1b74-4ab6-a6c8-36ec7164e135">Re: Transportation Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]Honestly, I'm going to side with you FI here. The tram goes directly from Mandalay Bay to the Luxor and costs nothing. They run frequently enough that even if it is a little busy you won't be waiting long to get on a tram. There are brides walking around Vegas all the time so most people won't think anything about it, plus you'll get congratulated along the way. The hundreds of dollars you would spend getting your guests from one location to the other, with probably the same amount of walking as going on the tram, could be spent on a cake upgrade, a round of drinks, favors, etc. What about scheduling a double decker after your reception for a strip tour with your guests when you can really enjoy the experience?
Posted by mhoneybee[/QUOTE]

I'm going to ditto this. Save money. Use the tram.

jusstice · November 2010

I would have to agree on giving your group the option of walking or taking the tram.

My guests would have thought it crazy to have a bus just to take them right next door. As it was, I had events over several days at the Mandalay Bay, Orleans and Paris and did not provide transportation. No one ever complained. They were having too much fun riding around on the Deuce, carpooling and cabbing it. I still hear the stories about their advenures on the Deuce.

aerinpegadrak · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_transportation-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:e901ebf3-25da-414e-8e75-fdf2798823ffPost:000c887e-5411-4900-b324-9351078e2fa3">Re: Transportation Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I would have to agree on giving your group the option of walking or taking the tram. My guests would have thought it crazy to have a bus just to take them right next door. As it was, I had events over several days at the Mandalay Bay, Orleans and Paris and did not provide transportation. No one ever complained. They were having too much fun riding around on the Deuce, carpooling and cabbing it. I still hear the stories about their advenures on the Deuce.
Posted by jusstice[/QUOTE]
Most of our stuff was at MB, but we didn't provide any transit to brunch at the Orleans. I did write up a page on our website that described all the various ways of getting around, but people worked out transportation on their own. (One BM and her husband carpooled with us over there because they didn't rent a car and didn't want to pay for a cab.)

cduong · November 2010

Thanks for all the advice!! I think we might just walk through the casinos. After looking at the maps, it looks like we may be doing almost the same amount of walking even if we take the tram or buses. Btw I got the good old "I told you so" from the FI.

Maybe we'll play a little black jack before the reception lol.

red1115 · November 2010

....or see if you two can get your picture taken at one of the craps tables! Sometimes the security team will let a photographer get a couple of "Vegas" shots of the Bride & Groom rolling the dice.

[Deleted User] · November 2010

I would compromise and just rent one of the 24 passenger buses and have the driver make two trips, if necessary. Since they will charge you for an hour either way, they won't take an hour on the first leg and then it's only 58 dollars, and people will have the option of walking or not.

Those who want to walk, can still do so, but those who don't won't feel put out.

Just my .02

cduong · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_transportation-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:e901ebf3-25da-414e-8e75-fdf2798823ffPost:e272b356-faff-4568-9e64-00d41804ce58">Re: Transportation Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I would compromise and just rent one of the 24 passenger buses and have the driver make two trips, if necessary. Since they will charge you for an hour either way, they won't take an hour on the first leg and then it's only 58 dollars, and people will have the option of walking or not. Those who want to walk, can still do so, but those who don't won't feel put out. Just my .02 :)
Posted by bearsfan[/QUOTE]

I thought of that too but when I spoke to a couple of limo companies the rate is for one hour one way - one stop.

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