Here is the question: What is the difference between the Wynn, Bellagio, and Aria? They are all very nice hotels, with pretty water features, but…. How about the Luxor, Paris, or Mandalay Bay? Each has location based décor, but….
But in reality, most LV casinos are the same. They have rooms, fancy restaurants, shopping, a gaming floor, a bar, and a show. Some are glamourous, some are worn out.
Flynn and Ollie miss the old Las Vegas. They miss it A LOT. There were lions and tigers. Treasure Island had a pirate show, the Excalibur had dragons, and the Rio had a carnival in the sky. Caesars had the corner on the market for fancy shopping at the Forum Shops, the costumed staff at the entrances, the moving statues, 3-D rides, and the multi-room dinner magic show.
Flynn and Ollie have watched LV go from Sin City to Family-Friendly City back to Sorta-Sin City to Convention City to Luxury City. We do not regret the implosion of the older properties to make way for the new, as that is the cycle of life. We do lament the loss of actual entertainment. The draw to a specific casino. The novelty. The fun stuff.
Back in the day F&O wanted Speed the Ride roller coaster at the (old) Sahara, which made made it worth the trip to the north end. They wanted to see the MGM lions, so southbound they went. And, hell yeah, they were going to hop on over to the other side of the freeway to see the Carnival at the Rio – took the shuttle from Harrah’s. Today there is no reason to venture out as all casino floors are the same, and the fancy restaurants at each property have the same food: steak, seafood, and some type of noodle (don’t forget the overpriced burgers insert famous chef’s name). Heaven knows the shopping at Miracle Mile, Crystals, Grand Canal, and at each property’s hallway, lower level, upper level, or breezeway is the same everywhere you go. There is no motivation to go north or south or across the freeway. There are no draws.
Don’t get us wrong, we understand basic economics. There is a cost to provide free or reasonably-priced entertainment, especially involving large animals. However, the sheer fun of going to the Star Trek experience at the LV Hilton (now Westgate) made the jaunt there worthwhile and this made us paying customers. When we were done saving the planet, we spent money at the property; we gambled, ate and probably spent money in the gift shop. If TI pays for a pirate show, chances are good we will venture inside to see what other cool stuff they have – and oh, look… they have our favorite slot machine, let’s stay a bit. Ollie wishes they had roaming pirates with birds…
Yes, there are still properties that provide novelty and entertainment. Bellagio has dancing fountains and the conservatory. The Venetian has fabulous free entertainment at St Marks Square and singing gondoliers. The Strat has terrorizing rides, NYNY has a cool roller-coaster, and the Mirage still does the volcano display. Sure, some of this novelty and entertainment comes at a price to the consumer or the property, but as long as it is unique and reasonable, customers will seek it out. Visitors will dine, gamble and shop at a property because they went to see the live flamingos in its backyard, and they will bring their friends next time.
Pick one: Wanna ‘see some stuff’, Bellagio or Aria? Pick one: Which is more appealing to investigate, New York New York or Tropicana? Ready for some entertainment or action, do you wanna go to Strat or Sahara?
Flynn and Ollie would like to give a hearty welcome to Resorts World and Virgin. We are begging you to create a reason for us to visit. Big and fancy is not enough, we can get that anywhere in LV. There are plenty of pools, clubs, restaurants, gaming floors, and house-shows/headliners. What are you bringing to the table? What will bring F&O and his friends back more than once?
Dear properties, it doesn’t have to come at an exorbitant cost, and don’t black list yourself with animal rights groups. Hire entertainers to roam the floor, get the animatronics working, have an ever changing display of __________ . Make our visit an experience. Embrace your theme to the extreme. That is what people all over the world come for, the over-the-top. Pools are a dime a dozen, dragons and spaceships are not.
Bring on the pirates.
Fin
Flynn
F & O hit it exactly on the head! Las Vegas used to be fun for its diversity of themes. As I remember (maybe incorrectly), the sameness started when the new Aladdin casino changed to the bland Planet Hollywood and the Luxor removed most of its fun Egyptian furnishings. At least there is decent diversity in poker rooms.
As for the new places … it would be great if they paid homage to the Las Vegas of past. Maybe some cheap mini shrimp cocktails free shows/exhibits that would draw people in. We can only dream.