Q:
With CET's Linq, The Park from MRI, and Bally's Grand Bazaar, Vegas' latest trend seems to be a return to the '90s era of free public attractions
outside casinos. Pioneered by Steve Wynn, with his volcanoes, pirate ships, and fountains, it's a policy the originator deliberately abandoned when he opened the Wynn. What are
your thoughts about these new retail/recreation concepts?
A:
2051 Total Votes
| I love that Las Vegas is diversifying and offering a broader spectrum of entertainment, and it’ll be refreshing to spend less time cooped up in smoky casinos. Bravo for having the vision to change things up on such a grand scale! |
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| I understand the need for change, but to me Vegas will always be about the things I can’t do somewhere else: gambling, all-you-can-eat buffets, cheap booze, OTT shows, etc. I can go for a walk in the park at home; if I want to see "Art" I’ll go to NY or LA. |
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| Honestly, I can’t really get my head around all these new projects, so I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve seen for myself. I’m hoping I’ll be pleasantly surprised! |
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| How many "retail centers" and "dining plazas" and Observation Wheels do we need? It’s starting to feel like too much more of the same and some desperate "keeping up with the Joneses" for the sake of it. I just can’t see all of these projects succeeding and there’s nothing more depressing than a half-empty development. |
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| Wynn’s original vision was about making the entire Vegas experience spectacular and unique, so he didn’t mind funding some expensive "free" entertainment to keep "wowing" us back for more (he knew we’d still drop notes in the machines, but the "free" stuff makes it feel like you’re getting something for nothing!) Now it just seems like they want to keep you spending, even in-between casinos. Too much! |
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| From my experience, the weather in Las Vegas is almost always either too hot, or too cold, to be outside in, so I can’t see myself spending much time at the Linq or The Park. Nice idea, but... |
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| OTHER -- feel free to send us a different take on things if none of our suggestions comes close to yours (email link on landing page). |
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Analysis
We received lots of email feedback about this one; here are some of your thoughts:
- "My feelings on all this are so mixed up -- I could give some kind of percentage to each of your answers! I guess I'll have to wait and see whether I like these new ventures, judging each individually and hoping the weather isn't sweltering or freezing. I DO like taking a break from gambling, and I don't mind that the 'break activities' are something I could do in some other city."
- "The 'have's' seem to keep skewing younger and younger; I seem to continue to get older and older. If these projects concentrate the party atmosphere outside the casinos, it's a win for me. I love Bally's but their addition of a temporary Drai's is sending me downtown this trip. "
- "If they want to bring more people into the casinos, why don't they loosen up the purse strings on the inside, instead of throwing away money on the outside? A good start would be getting rid of every 6:5 Blackjack table in the casino."
- "As visitors for over 10 years we have seen so many things come and go: The 'family fun' phase; the 'theme'" phase; the 'club' phase; now we have the 'outdoor park-Ferris wheel' phase. (We still miss the lions, tigers, and the over-themed casinos.) We even miss all the major magic shows and the Follies...even that silly fire-breathing dragon...Has Vegas grown up? I doubt it. But with all this stuff gone, the 'wow' factor has been reduced. My son recently visited for the first time and he noticed all the major and ugly stalled construction that we just ignore. He expected it to be "a lot more beautiful" and I agree. As someone once said: 'Vegas WILL be beautiful, if they ever finish it.' I hope this new Asian casino-resort gets built. (So many unfinished projects that never happened or are only 70% finished.) An Asian-themed Casino sounds like 'fun,' with the Great Wall of China and a water park back on the Strip."
- "Why not ( at least in this case) have included a bullet point for 'All the above'? All of the first six bullets are a part of the answer for me and I doubt if I'm alone in feeling this way. P.S. Doing a great job with QOD. Please keep it up!" [Ed: Thanks ;-)]
- "It's all about 'value-added' entertainment. Wynn wanted something the media would report, film, and regurgitate on a regular basis: the volcano at Mirage, the Pirate Battle, etc.
While the Ferris wheels add a 'WOW' factor, who knows if outside bazaars will do the same? "
- "There are many bars and restaurants and shops, but they seem to be always full. I think a nice development in the middle of the Strip, the Linq, will do great. I am looking forward to it. There is always plenty of time to gamble. Also, you can gamble in almost all states; Vegas needs to continue to be new and larger than life."
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