How to Avoid Tourist Traps in Las Vegas

Step1

The Gift Shop Trap: This trap can be found almost everywhere in Las Vegas. Most casino/hotels have other attractions that you must pay for in order to enter. Instead of directing you to the exit when your done with the attraction, they direct you to the gift shop. In other words they have the motto, "pay to get in and pay to get out". Beware of these places!Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay: The Shark Reef is a self guided tour that ends with a gift shop for you to purchase ocean themed gifts and souvenirs. They charge you almost $16 to see sea creatures in a giant fish tank. While the site is amazing, you can see many tropical fish and other sea creatures at the average restaurant or casino display for FREE.Gallery of Fine Art at The Bellagio: While this exhibit may display some of the finest pieces of artwork, the self guided tour ends with a gift shop. Although you come out to the place where you started from, the staff actually directs you to the gift shop on your way out. The Tomb and Museum of King Tut at Luxor: The King Tut museum is filled with beautiful ancient artifacts, however; this self guided also ends with an Egyptian themed gift shop.

Step2

The Casino Trap: Many casinos are extremely good when it comes to luring in customers by giving away free stuff. The most common trap includes casinos on the strip that make it easy to get in, but nearly impossible to get out. They have escalators and elevators that take you right to the building, but when it's time to leave, you have to walk all the way around the building due to construction or other distractions. Beware of these places!Fremont Street: All of the casinos on Fremont Street are a tourist trap! Most of the casinos on Fremont lure you in by giving you something free like beads, t-shirts, pair of dice or even money. The main attraction on Fremont Street is the full fledged ceiling light show. What they fail to tell you is that when you go into the casino, you're likely to lose all or most of your money. The jackpots on Fremont don't go off that often, so prepare to throw most of your money away on the slots and tables. (Note: Take special care to hold onto your wallets and purses when on Fremont, there are tons of con artists!)Caesars Palace: Caesars Palace tends to have a 2 lane automated walkway headed in the casino but doesn't have one headed out. They are often guilty of placing construction signs near close exits so you're forced to walk around the entire Palace before leaving. They believe the more time you spend in the casino, the more money you'll want to spend.

Step3

The Cab Trap: Be careful when taking cabs! You should know the area that you want to travel to and even if it takes a little research, look up the fastest way there so you can tell the cab driver. At times the driver will take advantage of tourists by going the "long way" or raising prices so be prepared!

How to Avoid Long Lines at Disneyworld

Step1

Plan your trip for a less busy time of year.Disneyworld doesn't really have an "off season" but crowds will be much larger during the times when kids are traditionally off of school - Spring Break, the Summer months, and during the holiday season. If you can avoid these peak times you will have the advantage of less crowded parks.

Step2

Stay on the property. Walt Disney World ticketholders who also stay at one of the Walt Disney World resorts get the benefit of extended park hours at no additional cost. Since extended hours are not available to ticketholders staying off the property, the crowds will be smaller and the lines will be shorter during those extended hours.

Step3

Eat your meals during non-meal times.If you can ride when everyone else is eating and eat when everyone else is riding, you will experience shorter lines at both restaurants and at rides/attractions.

Step4

Use the Fast Pass option. At popular rides and attractions Disneyworld offers a Fast Pass option, which can reduce your wait time significantly. A Fast Pass ticket can be obtained by entering your park ticket into the Fast Pass machine in front of the ride or attraction. The Fast Pass ticket will tell you what time to return to enter the Fast Pass line.

Step5

Think left, not right.If you're entering the park at the beginning of the day, chances are you're entering with hundreds of other park guests. The natural inclination is to head to the right. You may experience shorter lines during the morning hours if you buck the trend and head left instead.

How to Avoid Additional Screening at Airport Security Lines

Step1
PACK IN LAYERS.

Packing your suitcase in layers can save a lot of time when passing through security checkpoints. The United States Transportation Security Administration recommends that you separate items like electronics between layers of clothing. This will help prevent your luggage to be pulled aside and searched by hand. When the contents of a bag are disorganized, the x-ray machine cannot decipher the items apart and is cause for suspicion.
Step2
DO NOT WRAP GIFTS BEFORE TRAVELING.

If a gift fails the first security screen and has reason to be searched, it will need to be unwrapped. Your wrapping will most likely be damaged when the gift is searched. Wait until you reach you destination before wrapping a gift.
Step3
BE AWARE OF METAL YOU ARE WEARING.

To avoid additional pat-down searches by security personel, be careful what you wear when passing through airport security. Body piercings, metal belt buckles, hair pins, and even underwire bras can set off the metal detectors. These things take time to remove and send through the x-ray machine individually. Just avoid the hassle and remove your metal when you travel.

Step4
WATCH YOUR MOUTH.

Even though a joke may be harmless or you may just be trying to lighten the mood, NEVER make any joke or remark that may in any way be considered a threat. Air travel makes many people nervous, and airports have become high-security areas. If the security staff finds your comment threatening or inappropriate, they will pull you aside and may cause you to be late or even miss your flight. Just keep quiet and cooperate with airport security staff.

How to Attain Stress Free Airline Travel with an Infant

Things You’ll Need:

soft baby blanket

comfortable clothing for you and the baby

formula/food/extra bottle

strategically packed diaper bag

birth certificate


Step1

Check with the doctor Start by checking with your pediatrician to make sure there are no restrictions on having your infant travel during the time you plan. For instance, some infants may at risk due to an immature immune system that would make traveling undesirable during cold and flu season. If your pediatrician is against traveling, take the advice. As hard as it is to change plans, your child's health is more important than the visit to the grandparents house - they can visit you this time.

Step2

Always carry a copy If you are cleared to travel, and your infant will be seated on your lap during the trip, make a copy of your baby's birth certificate and place it with your carry on bag or diaper bag. As ridiculous as this may sound, you could be asked to prove that your 3 month old infant is under two years old to be allowed to fly free on your lap. Families that have forgotten to take proof of an infant's age, even with a baby that is clearly under two years, have been forced to purchase a ticket for the baby because "ticket agents are not trained to know what a child under two years looks like" and proof of age is therefore strictly enforced. Crazy yes, but it happens more than you would like to know!

Step3

Nonstop flights are best Book your trip nonstop if at all possible. Even if you save money by taking that connection, you will later thank me for telling you to take the nonstop flight. Because, connecting flights take longer overall trip time, and infants are opposed to longer trip time, you may find the extra money is worth your peace of mind, literally. If you are not offered nonstop, don't lose your mind. You can use the time between changing planes for changing a diaper and a meal for you and the baby.

Step4

Car seat prep Particularly if you book your trip online - which incidentally - is usually the best way to get the best rates, call the airlines that you book with afterward to find out if they allow car seats to be added checked baggage for free or will you incur an extra baggage charge. You may be better off renting a car seat from your car rental company, borrowing one from the friend picking you up at the airport, than incurring a $75.00 charge each way to bring your infant's car seat with you. Also, remind the airline that you will be traveling with an infant and to put that in their notes so there is no confusion at the time of check in.

Step5

Pack a diaper bag well Strategically pack a diaper bag for the trip. Bring diapers (enough for the next twelve hours in the bag and the rest packed in your luggage), wipes in a travel case, and a diaper rash cream. Bring a smaller sized favorite stuffed toy or two for baby's distraction/amusement, a second comfortable outfit in case the first becomes soiled, a fleece or soft blanket - planes are cold after takeoff, baby Tylenol, gas relief liquid, any medications, any snacks or food if your infant is eating solids, and if on formula, enough pre-measured dry formula in each baby bottle to last you 12 hours (you never know if you will be delayed and for how long). Remember, depending on the level of homeland security alert, the security checkpoint will not allow large amounts of liquid through to the terminals. Once you are through security, you can have a terminal based restaurant or a flight attendant add warm water to the bottles as you need them, for your baby if you are not breast feeding.

Step6

Bring the binky Also, bring a pacifier or two. Sometimes adults chew gum when landing to help with the inner ear pressure of the descending plane. That pressure can be very painful to a baby and is why many start to scream during landing. A pacifier or "binky" can help relieve some of that pressure and reduce your baby's pain if this occurs. If your little one doesn't care for pacifier, try a bottle instead. The swallowing is the key to relieving pressure.

Step7

Before boarding routine Day of your flight, give yourself at least an hour extra than you think you will need to get to the airport. Dress yourself and baby in comfortable clothes. Print your boarding pass at home if you have that option. If you arrive early enough, you can feed your baby before boarding. A baby with a full tummy will be more likely to be a sleepy baby during the flight. And you may want to check that diaper once more before boarding - changing a diaper in a plane restroom requires a skill level you cannot imagine.

Step8

Goal to is have baby sleep through flight Board the plane relaxed and with as little carry on luggage as possible. Once you locate your seat, keep the diaper bag under the seat in front of you for easy access. Try to soothe your baby to sleep after takeoff. The more relaxed and stress free you are the more your baby will be as well.