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| - The Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, jutting 1,149 feet into the Las Vegas skyline. It's also the tallest structure in Vegas, and home to four of the world's highest thrill rides.
My last trip to Vegas had been at the turn of the century; the first ride at the top of the Stratosphere didn't open until 2010, so I had not clue what this place was all about.
I first heard about the Stratosphere coasters from Yelp's legendary "Godfather" of London, Yee Gan O. Among his many accomplishments, Yee Gan is a tireless international traveler, a world-class foodie, and coaster aficionado of the first order. He also travels with a "babe magnet" named Teddie. In his Yelps, through our correspondence on the subject, and when we met in the Real World, Yee Gan gave me the 411 on the coasters of the Stratosphere Tower, and I was hooked - I had to ride these Bad Boys on my next trip to Vegas!
Arriving at the Stratosphere Tower http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kjY3355lQ-M2JHVwrey2qg?select=qXY1AsSqnraKvpPR5CHiBw#qXY1AsSqnraKvpPR5CHiBw, I stepped back across the street and looked up http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kjY3355lQ-M2JHVwrey2qg?select=f6N3zWiGv7jBiWB-FtIf_w#f6N3zWiGv7jBiWB-FtIf_w. Perched at the top of the 108th floor is where the four thrill rides are http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kjY3355lQ-M2JHVwrey2qg?select=wnXZ0wQXz7nIttJMoip3Ew#wnXZ0wQXz7nIttJMoip3Ew. Wait times first thing in the morning on the day I went were pretty short - fifteen minutes to get to the gate of the first ride, and then five or ten minutes for each ride thereafter.
Tickets for three of the four rides can be purchased as part of various "value packages" that are offered. The fourth ride is called SkyJump. It's the newest, and pricing for it is à la carte starting at $109.99. I love coasters, but $109.99 for ONE ride!? While I might ride and review SkyJump on some future trip (preferably after a really BIG win in one of the casinos), this time out I decided to ride the three "normal" rides, and then buy myself a five star dinner at Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak instead.
Note: Admission to the Tower itself costs $18, and is prerequisite to riding. A single ticket to each of the three "normal" rides (Insanity, Big Shot! X-Scream) is $15. The following "EXTREME VALUE PACKAGES" are also available:
Tower Admission + All Day Unlimited Rides - $34
Tower Admission + 3 Rides - $33
Tower Admission + 2 Rides - $28
Tower Admission +1 ride - $23
With no further adieu, here's my take on the three "normal" rides:
Insanity http://www.yelp.com/biz/insanity-las-vegas#hrid:YwlmK6oBEpARaUjNM5qtoA
X-Scream http://www.yelp.com/biz/x-scream-las-vegas#hrid:Ni-yKXy21KMrgRq0oGK71A
Bi Shot http://www.yelp.com/biz/big-shot-las-vegas#hrid:FCXNn2lua0L0eQhvukItqQ
I summary, putting these rides anywhere else would greatly change and diminish the experience. Because they are here, and because the height and the setting adds so much to the gestalt feel, I rank the three ride package 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. If you're into coasters, and find yourself in Vegas with a few hours free, check this place out - I was glad I came!
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