This December, I'm taking my mother to Las Vegas for her 92nd birthday. Although I've been there a hundred times, my mother was there with my Dad just once. My dad was very tight with a buck so my Mom probably had no fun at all. Since this may be my mom's only other trip to Vegas (ever,) I want to show her the time of her life!

My mom has seen Cirque du Soleil on TV and loves them. So I definitely want to get tickets to either Mystere or "O." But I'm amazed to see the better seats for "O" are in the $300.00 range. Is "O" really that much better than Mystere, justifying such high ticket prices? Can tickets for "O' be purchased any cheaper by staying at the Bellagio?

Also, I want to stay at one of the newer hotels such as Bellagio, Venetian, Mandalay Bay, etc. What is the best place to book a room online as far as low rates? We're planning on going during Sunday-Wednesday when rooms tends to be cheaper. We're also going in early December which I know is perhaps their very slowest time of year with many deals usually available. I used to get offers from Hilton and a few other hotel/casinos for cheap or even free rooms during this slow period. How can I get on the list for other hotels that may have deals at that time? Would going out there earlier, on my own, and joining some of their players clubs be a way of doing this? Although I gamble, I'm not a high roller and cannot count on any significant comps.

I would very much appreciate any advice on hotel deals at the upscale properties as well as on Cirque du Soleil. I'm also willing to seeing other shows and am open to suggestions. Thanks!!

Neal