Poll : 03 November - 17 November 2015

Analysis

A pretty decisive result for this survey, which speaks for itself, but here are some of the choice words the poll elicited from our readers:

• "For the first twenty-plus years of my regular trips to Las Vegas, I could find very little to complain about, except the increasing presence of children. This last ten years its appeal has been steadily declining. Poor odds, even poorer service, extra fees, and an overall corporate feel have been the source of heartburn for us. Casinos in other states don't try to gouge me and there are fewer drunk trust fund babies to contend with. Why would anyone in their right mind submit themselves to more fees for a less enjoyable time? Vegas, the Strip in particular, needs to get its head out of its collective ass or risk losing us hardcore devotees!"
  
  
• "I live close to Disney World/Universal Studios/Sea World, in Orlando. I hate to tell you, but they all charge for parking. You may get a discount for parking if you are a registered guest in one of the hotels on their properties. The last report your site reported as being the Number One Destination in the USA was Orlando. Parking fees don't bother those who visit -- they keep on coming! If you are a local in Orlando, you pay for parking just as others pay. Enjoy Vegas as is as long as you can is my advice."
  
  
• "Simple supply and demand, just like any other business. If you're parking there just to attend the event, then pay the price. I bet if you pay to park for an event, there will be an opportunity for you to earn 'free' parking, like by going to the casino and logging some play time."
  
  
• "Why should I pay for parking to see an event (hopefully hockey) that I've purchased a ticket for? A sports game or concert lasts about 2-3 hrs. There are people who park their car in the morning and make a day of exploring the Strip, without spending a dime where they parked, but bottom line there's still enough parking for everyone, without anyone being charged for it."
  
  
• "Anyone who has attended a major sports contest or music concert knows you have to pay for parking. Even season ticket holders have to pay for their parking. I can understand why they would charge for parking at certain times of the year, such as New Years Eve, the night before the Super Bowl, or if there are several major events going on at once. You have to look at this with some common sense: If they built a parking garage specifically for the arena, most of the spaces would be empty because most would choose to park in a free parking space even if it is some distance from the event."
  
  
• "I'm not a local but now I only go to the strip for a specific reason, e.g., to see a show or for a splurge at a high-end buffet. Lately I've been preferring places on Boulder Hwy, which is kind of like how the Strip used to be. I would mainly have a problem with paying for parking if I had to pay even if I had no plans to attend the event. On the other hand, a prominent ticket booth might be a good signal that the Strip will be even more crowded than usual and would encourage me to drive right past the structure instead of turning into the lot and getting stuck in the inevitable traffic jam."
  
  
• "For me it is very simple. I will not attend any event that I have to pay to park, period."
  
  
• "If paid parking on the Strip is successful for event attendees, it will eventually spread to all parking at all times. If history is any guide, paid parking will become another resort fee. This could stunt the Strip's future growth. It will absolutely damage the Strip's image."
  
  
• "If I bought a ticket to the event, I would expect free parking CLOSE to the event. NO shuttles. NO TRAMS. NO walking, PERIOD!!!!
  
  
• "I no longer go downtown since the Plaza starting charging for parking. Parking should be free at all casinos! I will just have to gamble on Boulder Highway and some of the outlying casinos that don't charge for parking."
  
  
• "I live in Texas, and have stopped going to a couple of casinos in OK/LA because they were charging for parking. (I have stopped going to Atlantic City because most of their casinos charge.) When I drive to Las Vegas, I look for free parking where I stay and in the casinos I visit, or I go elsewhere."
  
  
• "I'm MLife Gold. I use the valet and do tip; however as a registered guest, I have come to expect free parking. MGM Resorts get enough money out of me as it is. They also have to realize that hey, I'm a Total Rewards member too and if they annoy me, I can go elsewhere."
  
  
• "I just voted for the 'nickel and dime' choice. I realize that many larger venues are looking to attract visitors, but I don't believe many can exist on visitors alone. So they really should consider locals as well when designing their infrastructure (inc. parking). We have cars and day jobs, and we may not have the discretionary budget that a vacationer/conventioneer has for transportation, but we can certainly help fill an arena for sports and concerts. The price of admission should be the main cost -- not the transportation and parking. Thank you and keep up the excellent work on the QoD and Poll." [Ed: You're welcome - thank YOU. And on that note, we'll conclude.]