MGM Mirage executives plan a transformation of Treasure Island's exterior, changing the megaresort's look to match its evolution from a pirate-themed property to a hip spot with allure to value-conscious adults.

Company officials are expected to announce today plans to change the resort's wildly successful pirate show and its skull-centered marquee.

They're making the moves to eliminate a lingering perception that the property's still the same Treasure Island that opened in October 1993.

"We've evolved from a yo-ho-ho feel to a more sophisticated feel," Treasure Island President Scott Sibella said. "We want to change the exterior to introduce the outside to what we've already done inside."

The current pirate show, "a show you'd see at Disneyland," will be changed to a "sexy and beautiful, adult Broadway-caliber show."

I can't feature it any other way - other than the way it is now - with the huge crowds it attracts now, I am not sure this is a good idea (IMHO)

Why am I thinking "cost cutting measure" here? I seems to me that the current sign and show out front are still doing thier job...attracting people! So.....why fix something that isn't broke? MONEY! Looks like the spin doctors are busy putting a positive spin on a money saving idea! M2C

Ralph,
April fools day has past, are you pulling our leggs

I read this too somewhere else and at first thought it was an April Fool's joke but apparently it's not. They're going to change the pirate show to feature sexy female pirates battling the male pirates. This sounds really ridiculous to me. As Lee said, why are they trying to fix something that isn't broke? The last time I was at Treasure Island, the place was packed.

Search the LVRJ online, the Tuesday edition 4/22/03. That is where I read the article.

So will the "sexy and beautiful, adult Broadway-caliber show." still be out front in the water?

I've heard many people talk down about TI saying it's for families and there's too many kids. Maybe the hotel execs are reading our boards?

When are they doing away with the Pirate battle? This is really bad news for me. I have promised my kids that they'd see this show for years, to no avail. Last week when we were in LV, we stood out there on that crowded walkway for more than an hour, only to have the battle cancelled for high winds! The next night, we had tickets for Lance Burton so we never made it. I'm in deep trouble, I think.

Gail, I think there are gift shops that sell videos of Vegas that contain at least part of the pirate battle. Buy them the video and explain how Vegas reinvents itself on an ongoing basis. Tell them how you would love to see the RatPack at the Sands, or drive down Fremont Street in a convertible, or play craps at the old Castaways, or any of those old times that many of had but only will800 remembers.

Or you could just keep putting it off until they grow out of it.

Gail,
You'll just have to take them back SOON.

Gail - good "travelog" video tapes are also sold at the airport.

In 3 trips to Vegas I still haven't seen the Pirate battle - not just because the Brits always get beaten - but I didn't fancy queuing for an hour just to get jostled around and lose my wallet or something. However, I read that you can get a great view from the Battle Bar inside the TI. Say I got there an hour before one of the battles is due to start, is this a good alternative to standing outside?

You won't feel the heat of the gas jets, oops I mean fire onboard the ship.

Unfortunately, my husband told me he has Vegas burnout, so I don't know how soon we can plan another trip. I'm gonna have to work on this one.

I think the change at Treasure Island has to do with the obvious move away from family oriented themes and shows in general and the reasons for it.

But, it's actually families yes, kids no. Once a hotel gets a reputation as a place where a lot of kids are, it suffers, for understandable reasons. Vegas has arrived. The hotels are spending -more- money, a lot more, in the final phase towards a -best of all worlds- environment.

The family safe reputation of Vegas has been accomplished, i.e. Vegas is -very- safe, period. What has this fact brought about. Corporations want to have conventions in Vegas. The Hotels want to accommodate. Note all the convention space being built, fast, with all suite towers at that! (Bellgio, Mandalay Bay). How many hotels have begun charging extra for kids in the room, most.

Steve Wynn said Le Reve will be targeting an affluent businessman (person) clientele. No Disney like theme for Le Reve! No theme at the successful Palms or Green Valley Ranch (note, no pony rides, cowboy clowns..) for that matter. Wet and Wild is being priced out of the neighborhood.

The younger crowd on the other hand, the L.A. weekend crowd ect., didn't grow up gambling like the Baby Boomer crowd and Vegas hotels are adding nightclubs as fast as they can build them. The nightclubs are a draw to the casino, kids rolling around screaming in the aisles while their parents blow their tuition money dosen't.

Disney and kids isn't what the customers want and it's not the atmosphere and the image hotels want to present.

The new adult themed Cirque show at New York/New York, the Pirate Battle at Treasure Island, world class restaurants, Trump's million dollar condos, Turnbury place, upscale shopping malls, oh yes, the era of the G-Rated riff raff with mouse ears is at an end.

A safe and classy, Sin City for adults, what could be better. Now, if one of the hotels would take lead, create a trend and ban shorts and T-shirts at $100 shows...

Well, what are the changes.

Last night was the final Treasure Island pirate battle........one of the pirates held up a sign which said "Pirates for Rent".
Anyone need a Pirate?

I can just see the fliers being handed out on the corner already.....Pirates, direct to your room! LOL

LOL Lee!! I'll rent a pirate!! :p I just have one thing to add. I hope the attitudes of the personnel at TI change also. I was there a couple months ago and was appalled at the attitudes!!! One cab hailer started an argument about me with a cab driver when I was standing there!!! He was so busy berating this poor cab driver (who probably had no idea what he was saying) that he didn't even take the tip I held out to him. The service and attitudes at the Battle Bar were no better. I always liked this place, but that left a bitter taste in my mouth.