I asked at check in, and was told the parking garage would take my room-number-receipt thingy as evidence ¬ charge to park. Yes, they can charge and the majority of downtown garages have gone that way, with some still validating, like binions, but only for a limited number of hours. It's still possible to park free at golden gate, I think. The directions to the LVC garage appear to lead no-where, but I remember parking in a garage there long ago! I dont like paying to park, but I really hate walking the half mile from MGM's lot to the strip. I think the western will be free for a while, still. Good Luck!