The future of Las Vegas casinos seems to be themed megaresorts. Do you like this trend, or do you yearn for the "old days" when a casino was a casino? <vbg> What's your idea for a new themed megaresort? Beth, how about a coal mining theme? <vbg> You could sit at the video poker machine wearing a miner's helmet, and with a latern. <vbg>
Lee Ann

Lee Ann: What a good topic.

Some of the themes are OK, but most are too tacky and trashy, especially when you consider the price tags on construction of some of the newer hotels. I wouldn't mind seeing the themed resorts end, and any future hotels have the money sunk into understated elegance instead of all that money spent on cheesy frills.

Veronica,
I tend to agree that some the casino themes are tacky. That's what I meant by my joke about the coal mining theme. <vbg> I am very anxious to see the Venetian this week. The pictures I have seen of it look quite nice. I signed up on their website for more info and they sent me a mailing with pictures of the hotel and a coupon to trade in for 50 points in their slot club.
I have only been visiting Las Vegas for 3 years, but I have been going to Atlantic City for the last 20+ years. I have never wanted to spend more than 2 days at a time in Atlantic City, but I could easily stay in Las Vegas for a week or more. The hotels in Las Vegas offer things to do other than gambling...not that I don't enjoy sitting at a video poker machine, as you well know. <vbg> I like the trend of fine dining and shopping in Las Vegas and I hope this continues. I do wonder how much longer this construction boom in Las Vegas will continue. How can there be enough people to visit all of these new casinos costing millions of dollars? How can they hope to recoup the money that they have invested? Any thoughts anyone?
Lee Ann

V,

Does Lee Ann know that we will be seeing a new resort where Trump's World Fair was operating? We'll just have to keep returning to AC to watch its progress.<vbg>
Wonder if "The Donald" will fizz on this one.

Beth,
Any idea what the new hotel is supposed to be like in AC? I never liked the Trump World's Fair. It was so dark and dingy and the separate areas didn't seem to flow together. I'm glad they are going to be putting something else up in its place. Guess we'll have to make more trips to AC to do some more research. See you there!! <vbg>
Lee Ann

I'm an old Las Vegas fan. I started going to Las Vegas in the early 70's. The trend to themed resorts is nice, but I like the old days better.

Gee, that means we won't be able to call Trump World's Fair the Trump Dump any more.

Lee Ann,

Just for the record, the best theme for me would be the one that Jethro wants to open.....The Beverly Hillbillies. Remember, I'm from the mountains. You and Michael are from the coal mines.<vbg>

Yes Beth you are right. That one wins the award for being the most tacky. LOL
Lee Ann

The Resorts in A.C. just completed a $50 Million remodel. They have been advertising on the Philadelphia radio stations, that they offer elegant accommodations and good gaming options. They poke fun at Mirage by saying you don't need to have a hotel that looks like a European resort or employees that dress like pirates.
I say, give me a casino that gives me some play time, and decent cash back and comps and I will be a loyal patron. Las Vegas doesn't need the cheezy themes. Their entertainment and decent gaming return has it all over A.C., and Conn. for sure and maybe over anywhere else in the U.S.

[This message has been edited by Michael (edited July 12, 1999).]

My LV trips began in the late 70's. And I wish I wouldda know then what I know now.

Maybe they could take just a few things back in time cause I prefer my "old days".

Speaking of the 70's, What ever happened to that Saturday Night Fever production show that was gonna be ?

------------------
Mark V

Lee Ann, I wonder if John likes the old Vegas for some of the same reasons I do? Like they treated you like a king the food was practally free forget the comps you didn't even have to ask! And the best part the shows the lounge shows especially.Coming to Vegas was a world class good time you had the best of everything in the gambling,entertainment,food,drink and "service" you could ask for.I still love it but think about no traffic no crowds no kids oops! I'am not a kid hater just think Las Vegas should be for "Big kids" IMHO.You could go from one end of the strip to the other and never see all the shows and lounges in one visit if you stayed a week! We all know you can't go back so we love vegas as it is.One thing I'll say it's one of the few places that has changed and I still like it,I like it very much so they still have that draw for me anyhow??
Bob NY

Bob,
I agree with you about children in Las Vegas. I don't mind them there so much if parents would pay attention to their children and do things together as a family.
There are too many kids on the gaming floor because their parents want to gamble instead of watching their children. Last year at the Luxor, there were many children standing and watching me play video poker. I think part of the problem is the way Las Vegas casinos are set up. You have to walk through the casino to get anywhere else in the hotel. This is one place where Atlantic City has it over Las Vegas. Security stands at every entrance and makes sure no children enter.
Lee Ann

Bob, you hit the nail on the head. Those are exactly the reasons I liked Old Vegas. In the old days the general manager of the Trop was a personal friend of mine. He came from my hometown and started his Las Vegas career flying to Las Vegas and back once a week with a suitcase. He never asked what was in the suitcase. He eventually became a dealer, then a pit boss, then the casino manager before becoming General Manager. Talk about being treated like a King. I would call Carl and let him know I was coming. That's it. Everything was arranged and handled. I never paid for a thing. It was great in the old days.

I'm with Michael. I'll go visit all of the new megacasinos, but exploding potatoes (or whatever the weird theme is) isn't going to get me to play there. Much more important to me are a good inventory of full-pay video poker, one or two-deck BJ games with decent rules, friendly employees, good ventilation, not too crowded/noisy casinos, etc. I don't WANT to be in the hottest casino.

Of the newish ones, Bellagio and MB kind of leave me cold as a place to play. The Venetian looks a little more promising.

Bringing this old topic back 'cause I didn't know where else to put it: I was watching Diamonds Are Forever and it has some great shots of Vegas circa 1970-71, when the Dunes kinda sat off by itself. There was a lot of footage of the strip and a high-speed chase and the hotel/casinos were listed in the credits at the end. It was showing on TCM, along with some other James Bond movies. I got a kick out of seeing it.