We had a travelzoo deal at around 40.00. Our 'tour' was on a Sunday.
Meeting our hosts at the bar in Mandalay Bay.
We were led up the Foundation Room at the Mandalay. There was no lineup to bypass, so went straight up at around 11pm. The place had about 5 people there inc the girl dancing. Our group started to fill the place as it got busier with more patrons. Standing room only unless you got bottle service. Nice views from the balcony! After an hour here, we started to get bored and then it was time to go to our next destination on The Party Bus!
Our group of 9 were super excited. Our bus group all walked together through the hotel to the lobby... No bus.... Then a bus showed up, people poured out taking packs of beer with them... We were told this was not our bus... It was too hot, so we waited in the lobby... FOR 45 MINUTES!!! There was no seating in the lobby so everyone was slumped on any ledge they could find. The party feeling was zapped...
We looked forward to the 'open bar' on the bus which eventually arrived. Some folks on the 'tour' took off in taxi's...
Finally the bus arrived and we eagerly boarded... Not enough room for everyone ?!? 3 people inc one from my party and the host had to stand...
Open bar!!!! Not. Blue cans of Bud (i think Light) were handed out... The ladies were handed a couple of bottles of leftover Smirnoff Ice, there were 2 small bottles fizzy alcoholic apple something. That's it. Seriously, Bud??? Who the heck drinks this flavored water? Everyone sitting around looked bewildered....
As the bus got going, there Was no music... The host played with the radio and tuned some folky/country station.... Then it got tuned to super loud rap and most people covered their ears.
Less than 15 minutes later (I think much less as the driver was speeding) we arrived at Pure.
We were told we'd be leaving in 20 minutes.... Huh?
Pure was happening, full of people, dance floor full, music kickin'.
Our group unanimously elected to ditch the tour and stay Pure. We had a blast there and shut the place down.
Would I do this 'tour' again? No. That was the answer from the 8 others in my group too.
PS: we had spoken to other people at The Foundation room and at Pure that were not on any 'tour' and they said they didn't pay and cover charges...
I'm left wondering what the admission $$ I paid for this 'tour' actually paid for.
I really wanted this to be 'that Vegas party bus tour' our friends would talk about. Sadly it was but not for the right reasons