What Propels the Gondolas at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian?

We spent some time at the Grand Canal Shops this weekend. Watching the gondolas, we got to wondering what propels them. It isn't the paddle, which appeared to be used only for steering. And it can't be a current, because the gondolas move in both directions. We thought of taking the ride so we could ask the gondolier, but at like $40 per person plus tip, we thought we'd ask you for free!

Good question -- and we're happy that a QoD can save you $100 or so.

The answer is: electric motors.

Due to the limited space available, the gondolas are fitted with small motors. They're used primarily to help launch the boats. Once they're moving, they are, actually, partly propelled by the gondoliers using their paddles, but they're powered mainly by the motor.

We understand that this sets them apart from the gondolas in Venice, which are substantially longer than those at the Grand Canal Shoppes and are powered manually via rowing, poling, or both.

The average depth of the Venice canals is about four to six feet, while the depth of the canal at the Grand Canal Shops is no more than two feet, which makes poling an effective propulsion method.

The Vegas versions are also fabricated from fiberglass, rendering them significantly lighter and easier to move through water than traditional Venetian gondolas, which are composed primarily of eight different types of wood in more than 500 separate pieces.

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Comments

David Mar-11-2023

$40?

Wow! I remember being at Venetian when it opened. If I’m not mistaken the rides were free for some short prompt period then the charge kicked in. Even then I thought it was a ripoff.

Robert Byrne Mar-11-2023

Gondolas

Having had rides in both the Venetian and in Venice, we can say that undoubtedly the originals are better value at 120 Euros for 30 minutes, but few of the gondoliers in Venice actually sing as they're too busy propelling the boat and avoiding other craft, particularly on the Grand Canal

[email protected] Mar-11-2023

Birthday

My sister bought us a ride for my birthday one year.  It was fun!  I wish the people who think it's too expensive would just not take the ride rather than complain about the price.  Obviously lots of people think it's worthwhile, so let them enjoy it and spend your money elsewhere instead of complaining.

Derbycity123 Mar-11-2023

Watching them

Watching them you can see there are two buttons on the floor by the driver. They will step on one of them to activate the motor. One button for forward and one for back.

Roy Furukawa Mar-11-2023

$40 plus tip per person?!

Holy cow, I think I'd have to hit some kind of big jackpot before I'd think of paying that much for a gondola ride.

O2bnVegas Mar-11-2023

better spent

Depending on how one rolls, consider whether $40 (or $80 for two) would put such a dent in the gambling budget as to be worth it or not. Myself, I'd think of it as time spent away from the casino, money saved, $40 for a nice memory versus burned up in a game in 5 minutes.  But that's just me.

Candy

Question of the Day - 11 March 2023

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