North Dakota vs. Minnesota in Las Vegas - October 2018

[snooty89]

The last 2 pages have brightened my day.  Weak little gopher.

[SiouxperDave]

I booked my flights and hotel room today.  Only 250 days to go!!

[Oxbow6]

Read resale tickets going for $600-2100 a seat.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Just now, Oxbow6 said:

Read resale tickets going for $600-2100 a seat.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has actually sold them for that. Anyone can overprice tickets on Stubhub.

[Cratter]

7 hours ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has actually sold them for that. Anyone can overprice tickets on Stubhub.

Considering the lowest priced tickets on stubhub a few days ago were $600 and now the lowest priced ones are $750. It's likely people are buying tickets at that price. 

One of, if not, the hottest ticket in UND hockey history (especially when considering the size of the arena).

[Sodbuster]

Any guesses to the ratio between ND/Minn. fans?

[SJHovey]

5 hours ago, Cratter said:

Considering the lowest priced tickets on stubhub a few days ago were $600 and now the lowest priced ones are $750. It's likely people are buying tickets at that price. 

One of, if not, the hottest ticket in UND hockey history (especially when considering the size of the arena).

Nobody is buying tickets at that price.  It's just some North Dakota fans who were able to get in on the presale and think they can rip someone off.

I'm actually going to be in Las Vegas with a group of my friends that weekend, so I've been monitoring the ticket availability pretty closely for about a year.  I have two tickets from the pre-sale, but if I can pick up more I'm certainly going to do it.

The first tickets that came on the market are those seven tickets in Section 105.  They were originally listed for a little over $600/seat.  They've been listed for months.  When the Herald story came out they were still listed for about that same price, but now they raised them to $748.

Nobody is going to pay $600 to see this game.  The people who have them listed are kidding themselves.

My guess is someone might pay $2-250, but that will be about it.

I do think it'll be interesting to see what happens with the listing prices.  My personal hunch is they will remain high, then the tickets will come off the list because the sellers don't get the king's ransom they seek so they go ahead and plan their personal trip.  There is a cut off by which people will have to book their flight and rooms to avoid getting gouged.  There won't be a lot of walk up demand for these tickets.  If you committed to making the trip, you'll go.  If you don't have tickets, you probably won't make the trip unless you have a reason to be there otherwise.

[franchise]

2 minutes ago, SJHovey said:

Nobody is buying tickets at that price.  It's just some North Dakota fans who were able to get in on the presale and think they can rip someone off.

I'm actually going to be in Las Vegas with a group of my friends that weekend, so I've been monitoring the ticket availability pretty closely for about a year.  I have two tickets from the pre-sale, but if I can pick up more I'm certainly going to do it.

The first tickets that came on the market are those seven tickets in Section 105.  They were originally listed for a little over $600/seat.  They've been listed for months.  When the Herald story came out they were still listed for about that same price, but now they raised them to $748.

Nobody is going to pay $600 to see this game.  The people who have them listed are kidding themselves.

My guess is someone might pay $2-250, but that will be about it.

I do think it'll be interesting to see what happens with the listing prices.  My personal hunch is they will remain high, then the tickets will come off the list because the sellers don't get the king's ransom they seek so they go ahead and plan their personal trip.  There is a cut off by which people will have to book their flight and rooms to avoid getting gouged.  There won't be a lot of walk up demand for these tickets.  If you committed to making the trip, you'll go.  If you don't have tickets, you probably won't make the trip unless you have a reason to be there otherwise.

We've talked about planning a trip regardless and wait to see if the people that bought them with no intentions of going, end up dumping them at the end.

[SJHovey]

19 minutes ago, franchise said:

We've talked about planning a trip regardless and wait to see if the people that bought them with no intentions of going, end up dumping them at the end.

There may be some of that, but I'm not sure how much.  Personally I don't think a ton of tickets are going to go on the market, except at unreasonable prices we currently see.  As I told a friend, if someone wants to pay $2000 to see this game, I'll sell them my tickets, and I'm going to be in Las Vegas anyway.

I've told my buddies that I don't expect to be able to get them tickets.  I personally think the most likely scenario for stumbling into tickets is in a situation where someone planned to go, but life intervened in the 20 months between the tickets going on sale and the game.  You'll probably learn about them in a place like this message board, or through friends.

[streetsahead]

Anyone have good recommendations for hotels?  It will be the first trip to Vegas for my wife and I and we're planning on staying a few extra days.

[UNDColorado]

4 minutes ago, streetsahead said:

Anyone have good recommendations for hotels?  It will be the first trip to Vegas for my wife and I and we're planning on staying a few extra days.

Yesterday I booked a room for Friday and Saturday for a total of $210 at the Tropicana. I have never stayed there so trying something new. That price does exclude the $79 in "Resort Fees" I will have to pay when I get there. Should be an awesome weekend!

[runaroundsioux]

45 minutes ago, streetsahead said:

Anyone have good recommendations for hotels?  It will be the first trip to Vegas for my wife and I and we're planning on staying a few extra days.

We are staying at the Orleans. Attached to the arena. We booked our rooms when we got our tickets. $122.00 includes all taxes and resort fees.There was a deal available at the time.     Edit: Looks like they are sold out.

Edited February 21, 2018 by runaroundsioux

[UNDBIZ]

I've had good experiences at New York New York, though it is a bit more expensive than the places previously mentioned.  With that said, you'll spend very little time in your room, so focus more on quality location than quality amenities.  An Uber to the arena will probably be $15-20 from the heart of the Strip.  Personally, I'm considering staying down on Fremont for this trip just for a different experience.

Anyone looked at flights out of anywhere in North Dakota yet?  Allegiant is making a killing off this game.

[gsiouxo]

We stayed at Tropicana two summers ago.....worst hotel we've stayed at in Vegas....dirty, smoke smell really bad, people smoking pot  (only hotel I've experienced this in Vegas)......Flamingo (Go Rooms) only way to go....you are far enough out that if you check weekly you will get a pretty good rate....We stayed at Tropicana as we were going to see Garth Brooks at T Mobile so it was an easy walk as it was 113 in Vegas then.....would have been worth the cost of a taxi from any other hotel

[runaroundsioux]

Flights from ND are all $600+, including Allegiant.

[UNDColorado]

1 minute ago, UNDBIZ said:

I've had good experiences at New York New York, though it is a bit more expensive than the places previously mentioned.  With that said, you'll spend very little time in your room, so focus more on quality location than quality amenities.  An Uber to the arena will probably be $15-20 from the heart of the Strip.  Personally, I'm considering staying down on Fremont for this trip just for a different experience.

Anyone looked at flights out of anywhere in North Dakota yet?  Allegiant is making a killing off this game.

Depending where you live, you might want to look at a flight to Denver our of Devils Lake or something like that. If you book in advance your round trip to and from Denver is $262. Then direct flights to Vegas from Denver are dirt cheap.

[SJHovey]

46 minutes ago, streetsahead said:

Anyone have good recommendations for hotels?  It will be the first trip to Vegas for my wife and I and we're planning on staying a few extra days.

I have a lot of suggestions.  A group of buddies and I have been going there about twice a year for a number of years, and we've stayed in a wide variety of the hotels.  It really depends upon what you are looking for and what you want to spend.

The Orleans is off the strip, and you really can't walk between the Strip and that resort without a lot of hassle, and some danger.  But the Orleans itself is fine if you just want to show up, gamble a little, go to the game, then leave town without having to see the Strip, rent a car, or pay $20 every time you want to taxi or uber somewhere.

Most resorts are going to have a "resort fee" of about $30/night for the room, so keep that in mind as you check out websites for prices and deals.  We've use Delta Vacations, Orbitz and Cheapo Vegas in the past.  You just have to shop around.

I've found that the best deals, at least coming out of Minneapolis, is for a Thursday to Tuesday trip, primarily because the flights are so much cheaper.  Rooms in Vegas for any night other than Friday or Saturday can be pretty cheap, even at the best resorts.

Keep in mind that it'll be a football weekend, so the resorts fill up with Californians coming over to bet college and NFL games.  Vegas sportsbooks on a Saturday and Sunday in the fall are crazy fun, if you're into football and sports betting.  But be prepared to hit the sports book pretty early Sunday morning to get a seat (games start at 10 a.m. Vegas time).

I would divide the strip resorts into three categories, A to C, with A being the nicest resorts/rooms (but also the highest prices):

Class A:

Aria, Cosmopolitan, Caesars, Wynn, Encore, Mirage, Venetian, Palazzo, MGM, The Cromwell, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay

Class B:

Paris, Treasure Island, Luxor, The Linq (Ralph's old place, refurbished), New York New York, Monte Carlo (about to be rebranded as "Park"), Planet Hollywood

Class C:

Flamingo, Ballys, Tropicana, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Hooters, Harrahs, Westgate Las Vegas, the Stratosphere, Best Western Casino Royale

Within Class C, there is a big variety.  Hooters is horrible.  Excalibur is pretty rundown and gritty.  Same with the Strat and Casino Royale.  They've done refurbishing at the Trop and at Westgate Las Vegas.  Harrahs is pretty gritty.  The Flamingo and Ballys are fine.  Avoid Circus Circus.

The Linq promenade is a relatively new entertainment district right between the Linq resort and the Flamingo.  On the east end of the promenade is the big ferris wheel (The High Roller), and there is a shuttle to and from the Orleans that picks up at the ferris wheel.  That is also the heart of the strip, so I've always thought the Linq, Flamingo, The Cromwell, Caesars and Bellagio area of the strip is the best place to stay.  Walking district to everywhere on the strip.

If I had one tip for travelers out there this October it is to watch for deals at what is now called the Monte Carlo, but what is being completely renovated and rebranded as Park MGM.  The room rates were always pretty reasonable at the Monte Carlo, and it's a pretty good location.  Quite frequently when they do a complete refurbishing out there you see a "lag" in the room prices until it starts building demand.  People associate the property with the old resort so there isn't big demand until people see how nice the rooms are.

That's what happened with the Linq after they refurbished it.  Right now that is one thing I'm keeping an eye on. 

Good luck!

[streetsahead]

2 minutes ago, SJHovey said:

I have a lot of suggestions.  A group of buddies and I have been going there about twice a year for a number of years, and we've stayed in a wide variety of the hotels.  It really depends upon what you are looking for and what you want to spend.

The Orleans is off the strip, and you really can't walk between the Strip and that resort without a lot of hassle, and some danger.  But the Orleans itself is fine if you just want to show up, gamble a little, go to the game, then leave town without having to see the Strip, rent a car, or pay $20 every time you want to taxi or uber somewhere.

Most resorts are going to have a "resort fee" of about $30/night for the room, so keep that in mind as you check out websites for prices and deals.  We've use Delta Vacations, Orbitz and Cheapo Vegas in the past.  You just have to shop around.

I've found that the best deals, at least coming out of Minneapolis, is for a Thursday to Tuesday trip, primarily because the flights are so much cheaper.  Rooms in Vegas for any night other than Friday or Saturday can be pretty cheap, even at the best resorts.

Keep in mind that it'll be a football weekend, so the resorts fill up with Californians coming over to bet college and NFL games.  Vegas sportsbooks on a Saturday and Sunday in the fall are crazy fun, if you're into football and sports betting.  But be prepared to hit the sports book pretty early Sunday morning to get a seat (games start at 10 a.m. Vegas time).

I would divide the strip resorts into three categories, A to C, with A being the nicest resorts/rooms (but also the highest prices):

Class A:

Aria, Cosmopolitan, Caesars, Wynn, Encore, Mirage, Venetian, Palazzo, MGM, The Cromwell, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay

Class B:

Paris, Treasure Island, Luxor, The Linq (Ralph's old place, refurbished), New York New York, Monte Carlo (about to be rebranded as "Park"), Planet Hollywood

Class C:

Flamingo, Ballys, Tropicana, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Hooters, Harrahs, Westgate Las Vegas, the Stratosphere, Best Western Casino Royale

Within Class C, there is a big variety.  Hooters is horrible.  Excalibur is pretty rundown and gritty.  Same with the Strat and Casino Royale.  They've done refurbishing at the Trop and at Westgate Las Vegas.  Harrahs is pretty gritty.  The Flamingo and Ballys are fine.  Avoid Circus Circus.

The Linq promenade is a relatively new entertainment district right between the Linq resort and the Flamingo.  On the east end of the promenade is the big ferris wheel (The High Roller), and there is a shuttle to and from the Orleans that picks up at the ferris wheel.  That is also the heart of the strip, so I've always thought the Linq, Flamingo, The Cromwell, Caesars and Bellagio area of the strip is the best place to stay.  Walking district to everywhere on the strip.

If I had one tip for travelers out there this October it is to watch for deals at what is now called the Monte Carlo, but what is being completely renovated and rebranded as Park MGM.  The room rates were always pretty reasonable at the Monte Carlo, and it's a pretty good location.  Quite frequently when they do a complete refurbishing out there you see a "lag" in the room prices until it starts building demand.  People associate the property with the old resort so there isn't big demand until people see how nice the rooms are.

That's what happened with the Linq after they refurbished it.  Right now that is one thing I'm keeping an eye on. 

Good luck!

Thanks for the info!

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

7 hours ago, Cratter said:

Considering the lowest priced tickets on stubhub a few days ago were $600 and now the lowest priced ones are $750. It's likely people are buying tickets at that price. 

One of, if not, the hottest ticket in UND hockey history (especially when considering the size of the arena).

'Likely' and 'Confirmed Sale' are very distant cousins. Again, if anyone has a 'confirmed sale' of tickets that they know of at these prices, I'd be all ears.

1 hour ago, streetsahead said:

Anyone have good recommendations for hotels?  It will be the first trip to Vegas for my wife and I and we're planning on staying a few extra days.

October will be my 12th trip to Vegas and feeback on hotels I've stayed at:

Venetian - North Side of Strip, Huge gorgeous property, massive rooms(700+ sq feet), Bella Suite has 3 beds including the pullout so can sleep 6 people comfortably, favorite poker room, downside is it can be a bit of walk from your room to casino or the strip

Planet Hollywood - Center of everything happening on the strip, across from Bellagio fountains, younger crowd, easy walk from room to casino/strip, downside is rooms aren't as nice as the high end hotels and price can still be high due to location

Vdara - Newer hotel, Quiet, Set back from craziness of strip, Really nice rooms, may have view of bellagio fountains, downside is a loooooong walk to the strip through Aria/Cosmopolitan to the strip

Caesars - Massive property, large range of rooms from great to crappy with a view of a wall, may get lost in the casino, the coolest nightclub I've seen in my entire life(Omnia), & does have a lot of options for pools and a topless one(or so I've heard )

MGM Grand - Another huge property with everything you could ever want, pool parties, Nightclub that has the same price tag as The Ralph, Lazy River going through regular pool area, ask for a room near elevator ecause like Venetian you could have quite a walk from your room to the casino/strip

Stratosphere - Don't stay here, that is all

 

My main advice is in general you get what you pay for in Vegas.  And you can take an uber or lyft for $10-15 from any hotel on the strip to The Orleans so it's a non-issue if you don't have a room there. I've visited The Orleans once and it didn't do much for me but to each their own. Also, downtown is the place to go for low limit gambling, cheap drinks and an overall classic vegas experience. I usually make it there one night of every trip as I enjoy what the strip has to offer.

[siouxstudent]

I lived in Vegas for 8 years and moved back to ND a few years ago. If anyone has any specific questions go ahead and feel free to reach out.

[SiouxperDave]

24 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

Anyone looked at flights out of anywhere in North Dakota yet?  Allegiant is making a killing off this game.

 

I booked out of Jamestown for $610 roundtrip, 10/26-10/28.

[UNDBIZ]

24 minutes ago, UNDColorado said:

Depending where you live, you might want to look at a flight to Denver our of Devils Lake or something like that. If you book in advance your round trip to and from Denver is $262. Then direct flights to Vegas from Denver are dirt cheap.

Thanks.  Considering flying to Phoenix and driving.  Did find a flight from Jamestown to Denver for $222, but flights from Denver to Vegas are around $300 right now.  Southwest hasn't opened up October bookings yet, so I'll wait on that.

[UNDColorado]

18 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

Thanks.  Considering flying to Phoenix and driving.  Did find a flight from Jamestown to Denver for $222, but flights from Denver to Vegas are around $300 right now.  Southwest hasn't opened up October bookings yet, so I'll wait on that.

Yeah my brother and I were on the phone Monday talking about flights and I told him that I am waiting until late April / early May so I can look at Southwest and Frontier. You should be able to find a Southwest flight for around $150 (Denver to Vegas). 

[SJHovey]

A couple of other options to keep in mind for rooms If you have a group, consider a VRBO.  A lot of people own condos in various locations on the strip, and use them as vacation spots, renting them out during the rest of the year.  We stayed at what was the Westgate time share resort just behind Planet Hollywood a few years ago and got a great deal.  Those suites were spectacular, too. 

Second, we once used priceline and got rooms for $50/night at Planet Hollywood.  With two people per room you couldn't beat the price.

[SiouxperDave]

On 2/21/2018 at 10:30 AM, runaroundsioux said:

We are staying at the Orleans. Attached to the arena. We booked our rooms when we got our tickets. $122.00 includes all taxes and resort fees.There was a deal available at the time.     Edit: Looks like they are sold out.

That's a really good deal. I used this link and booked for $115/night not including the fees.

https://www.orleansarena.com/event-calendar/2018-us-hockey-hall-of-fame-game-university-of-north-dakota-vs.-university-of-minnesota