Hey, everyone it will be May in 9 short months, so I wanted to make this post as a visual reminder to get affairs in order for this shindig. I was worried I wasn't going to be able to make it, but things are looking up and I can't to see some of you again, and meet some new faces too!

US domestic travelers: At least as things stand now, you WILL NEED a "Real ID" to board any domestic flight by May of 2022 unless the law gets put off. This is either an enhanced Driver's License from your state, or a US Passport. Do not make your plans and get stuck not being able to board a flight because of this bullshit law.

Friends from outside the US: Likewise, please make sure your passports and visas are in good order. The sooner you get them done, the better. Back in 2018 for UMD 20, we had a friend who wasn't able to come because there was an issue with their passport.

Start looking into flights and accommodations. As MM has stated with past events, there isn't really any OFFICIAL event (unless we all make them happen) Everyone sort of does their own thing, but Fremont Street by the Nugget is our sort of center point HQ if you will. Look up things you would like to do in Vegas and the surrounding areas. It's not just casinos, there is a LOT of neat things to check out, ESPECIALLY if you're coming in from another country and it's your first time visiting the US!

Start saving your fun money! Vegas isn't cheap, but there are ways to make it go far. I was in a very bad place health and finances in 2018, but with a little help from my friends I had an incredible time, you can too!

I'm sure other "what is everyone's plan threads" will show up later, try to keep this one to questions and discussions planning, for travel, rooms, etc.

** Mods, please feel free to move this around if needed, but as it's pertaining to a large site event, I originally put in the Messy forum.

So, I am going to do my best to make it, fly out on the 3rd Wednesday stay 3 nights and fly back on Saturday. All 4 hotels look good, good location, food and fun. I will be looking at The Golden Nugget, The-d and Plaza hotel casino, with a preference for the Nugget, I will know more when I check room prices.

I have to say after being on the UMD for so long and interacting with so many of you its going to be great to see your actual faces! I have met a few of you, but it will be great to meet more. I sure hope 99 of you show up. Perhaps we can rent a meeting room one night for those of you who want to get messy? I did host a messy event at FetishCon some years ago and I have to say there were a lot more than 99 people there.

What do you all think?

Phil

We'll take any excuse for a Vegas trip, as long as the flights are cheap!

Messtique and I were just talking about doing another trip out there, and staying on Fremont no less (we've been eyeing the Four Queens). Maybe we can make that trip coincide with the 25th anniversary meetup. I pride myself on finding great deals in Vegas, so we definitely have comps to stay, eat, and drink for cheap, the only hurdle would be finding an affordable flight...

Even if we don't go Messtique and I are more than willing to share our hacks for a cheap time in Vegas, and if we do go I'm sure we can swing by one night for margaritas and a discussion about our favorite messes!

Flights HAVE been expensive this last year, but the seem to follow gas prices mostly. And while still high, those prices have started to drop. But who knows, maybe we'll be in WWIII by May.

Traditionally, Vegas flights tend to be cheaper than most places. I've heard rumor that they subsidize at a city level to bring in money, but who knows.

Phil's idea for a meeting room is a great one too, even without mess. The biggest issue I had last time was there was a stage literally right next to Whiskey Dicks where we were hanging out and I couldn't hear a damn thing.

If you have a crew of people you know, an Airbnb can be a good idea. A few of us split one last time we went.

You're absolutely right that Vegas flights are cheaper, and they're even cheaper when flying from a major airport. Messtique and I are closest to Tampa International, but Orlando's airport has more flights (I believe it's the busiest airport in the country, but don't quote me on that) and therefore is cheaper to fly not only to Vegas from there, but anywhere else, including Europe. If you're within driving distance of Orlando, Atlanta, Phoenix, Detroit, Pittsburgh (go Steelers!) or any other hub airport look into flights from there. The cost to drive and park is probably miniscule compared to what you'd pay to fly out of your closest airport.

Now's the time to start playing the MyVegas games and racking up loyalty points. MyVegas has a bunch of mobile app games (and one Facebook desktop game) wherein you can earn real Vegas rewards from MGM properties. While they don't have any properties near Fremont St. they do own about half the strip, and with some persistence you can win enough coins to get free stays, free meals, and other awesome comps. MGM Resorts have the best loyalty program I've ever seen from a hotel chain, and MyVegas is a huge part of that.

Also, if you want cheap accomodations I'd recommend either booking at the El Cortez, which is just two blocks from Fremont and is steeped in Vegas history, or using MyVegas and taking either an Uber or the Deuce Bus to Fremont.

Speaking of the Deuce Bus, if you aren't leaving the tourist areas of Vegas this is the way to go. You can get three days of unlimited rides for less than an Uber ride from the airport. It goes from the south end of the Strip to Fremont and back again, and with a quick bus transfer you can use it to get to and from the airport.

I'd recommend the YouTube channel Jacob's Life In Vegas for more Vegas tips as well.

Very much hoping to be there, though going to have to contact the US embassy first - the US still requires vaccination proof, but for historic reasons my health records are in a slightly different name to my passport - reason being my official name is the same as my father's so I was always called by a variation on it, to differentiate us, and my NHS records are under the variant. So I have all three jabs (will probably become four this autumn) but need to be sure US immigration will accept the records.

Last time flew from Heathrow to Seattle on way out, then to Vegas, and back direct, though one of the options I was offered involved going via Iceland and Canada, might do that next year if it's still on offer, take-off is the best bit of flying and that would involve three of them.

Stayed at The D last time and liked it, though might try staying on the actual Strip this time.

I second the advice about The Duce bus service, great way to get up and down between The Strip and Freemont. Vegas' buses in general are great, and if you use the ones in the streets a block or two east of The Strip, much faster because not blocked by tourist traffic.

I'd also totally recommend making time for a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Awe-inspiring, beautiful, magnificent, and flying in a helicopter is all kinds of fun.

I'm slowly working my way back to regular travel so I should be there in Vegas that week.

I'd love to go to meet up with like minded people, and maybe have a little messy fun on the side but at the same time I'm not the world's biggest social butterfly and I feel like I'm not the funnest to be around. I don't drink, so that makes me even more awkward. I did a little search for the heck of it, I'm looking at $584.17 to fly in Wednesday night and leave Saturday night and stay at the Golden Nugget. That's not completely terrible I guess? Then of course I'd have to factor in transportation and meals for 3 days. Also, I'm in the stone age with a flip phone (by choice), so I don't even know how to uber, or set anything up, I don't really have to, unless I travel, in which case I'm usually with someone who does know how to do that stuff.

I assume most of the meeting goes down at night, I really wouldn't know what to do during the day, I could probably sleep since that's usually what I do as a third shifter lol...I'm not really big into gambling, well to be honest I've only done it once when I was on a cruise ship ages ago. I'm sure there's more to do, but then the whole getting lost thing comes in to play. I've got the money, and I should try to do more fun stuff aside from going to Florida once a year and doing a couple comic conventions here and there. I just hate the idea of traveling alone, some people swear by it and say you should absolutely do it, but I'm one of those nervous types who doesn't really like getting out of his comfort zone, hence why I generally always travel with someone, and that someone is usually my Mother or Sister. I don't think I'm going to be asking either of them to go to Vegas with me so I can meet up with Fetish friends lol. Honestly I probably won't make it, but who knows...maybe I'll grow a pair and go.

I'm going hoping to get on the same flight as https://umd.net/what_a_mess66

Haven't worked out logging yet or airfare

I'm not a very extroverted person either, and I was still very sick when I went last time, so I wasn't a bundle of joy either. I also am really not a drinker (granted Judyann got me completely shitfaced the first night, but Messmistress was like a good mom and looked after me and kept me hydrated :love.

There are SO many neat things to see that aren't just gambling. If you're a foodie, there are incredible buffets to eat at. There are all sorts of niche shops and museums to see. They have an entire little shopping mall made out of shipping containers, and an ATM that dispenses cupcakes!

It's definitely worth looking into. And if you are concerned about being on your own, or not with people you really know, try and bring a friend if you can. Remember, actual messy stuff is stuff people do on their own, it's not a specific event. We're going to chill, meet, and enjoy each other's company.

It is a little drive for me so it could definitely work out. I would like to remind people that weed is legal for recreational consumption in Nevada. A lot safer for your liver as well. Only down side is the munchies lol. Good thing there is an M&M store on the strip that sells every kind you can think of and they have the bulk bin things so you can get your color.

YES!!! Which also turned me on to one of the most delightful strains called "Tangie" which I think Will had gotten hold of! Man, that was good stuff.

Now that I live on the west coast I might make it. I also have to knock the Vegas trip off the bucket list.

I've liven in Vegas since 10 years old (1997) so if anyone needs suggestions or tips and tricks or anything at all, please let me know! I am hoping to meet everyone or at least most of you this time around!

I'd love some messy meet up's as well! Keep me posted if anyone is planning anything.

Can't wait to see everyone!

Hopefully will be there pending on a thing or two I'm waiting to find out about.

Loved it when I was at the 20 year anniversary and wouldn't want to miss this one.

I contacted the UK M&M store, and they don't stock that variety (I assume orange colour with a hint of tangerine). They did me a good deal on some purple haze though!

Used to be cheaper to fly to a US East Coast airport from the UK, then an internal flight to Vegas, rather than booking one ticket. Companies used to offer special flight prices for New York breaks. Haven't seen those recently, but still seems a bit cheaper to break the journey up.

Golden Nugget website is saying that no rooms available that weekend.

Yeah, I'm seeing that too. There are a lot of other places around to stay. I only found out recently that I'm ABLE to go. So I'm scrambling to try and put together a team for a place like last time maybe.

As a Vegas resident with a job that sees the worst of the city, some advice. You might want to pre-game the drinks in your room to save money. Prices downtown and on the strip are inflated beyond reason. Get a lyft, uber, cab, whatever off the strip and hit a Lee's Discount liquor. It'll be way cheaper than anything you get in a casino.

Do NOT take anything from your room's minibar. Biggest mark up anywhere, skip that shit.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Our summers are no fucking joke, and alcohol dehydrates you. It's all fun and games until you pass out and wake up with a massive bill because the hotel had to call an ambulance to haul your dried up ass to a hospital. Water is your friend here.

If you're horny and lonely, do NOT under any circumstances solicit a prostitute. They are everywhere around the casinos and once they are in your room you are facing a serious chance at being robbed. These girls carry weapons and do not want to suck you off if they can instead snag your cash, jewelry, phone, etc.
The police will likely be of no help either, as these girls know the casino exits and blend right back in with a crowd. These robberies happen every night here. Just jerk off, or hit one of our many reputable sex stores and get a fleshlight. It's cheaper and safer.

Stay aware of your surroundings at all time, the strip, downtown and even the casinos have people prowling for victims. Don't think it won't or can't happen to you. Be smart and stay safe, even with all the cameras and security, you can be a victim.

Yes, weed is totally legal here but casinos will still not let you smoke it on their property. If you're outside most cops tend to not give a shit as long as you're not smoking around kids, or bothering anyone.
If you've never smoked or consumed weed in any form before, you have a weak ass tolerance. Go easy. I'm tired of going to medical calls with people freaking out because they had their first edible and didn't know what to expect.

If you break laws, casino security has the legal authority to trespass you from property and even detain you for the police. Yes, they can use physical force to detain and restrain you.

I'm not trying to shit on anyone's good time, but I want everyone to be safe, happy, messy and not waste any unnecessary cash.