1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Downtown Fremont Experience

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Electroguy563, Jul 6, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2011
    Messages:
    8,196
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    21
    Do you still enjoy it? Does the light show need to be updated? How about the whole experience; concerts, kiosks, bars, shops, costumed characters, zipline additions, etc.

    Is the vibe still enjoyable? Is it worse or better than you remember. Do you find yourself spending more or less time under the canopy than previous visits.

    For me, I don't enjoy it as much as before. It became more crowded, partially due to the ziplines. The overhead shows are old, hardly any new content. I like the saxophone guy, but the concerts have music that is past my prime. Guess I'm getting old. Seems like there are more panhandlers than before too.

    It used to be the light show was the main attraction. Not anymore.

    How about you? What's your take on the current Downtown Fremont Experience?
     
  2. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    Messages:
    740
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    When I was there recently it was not as impressive as I remember in days past.
     
  3. casky

    casky Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2007
    Messages:
    67
    Location:
    Ontario
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    87
    I remember going to Fremont show in late 90s and early 2000s. When the music was on everyone was dancing under the canopy. This was long before they upgraded the light system. Those were the best times on Fremont. No outside bars...no people dressed in costumes and few homeless people begging out in the open. The street was wide open and when the show started it was indeed an experience.

    Now when I go people are whizzing by overhead, people begging for money everywhere, outdoor bars taking up half the street, stages with dancers everywhere and freaks wanting you to take a pic with them. When the show light starts no one watches it, instead they all hold their phones up in the air to take live pictures for everyone else. Even saw a girl get sick while going by on the zip line and splattering on those below.

    Times they are a changing
     
  4. scohitch

    scohitch Low-Roller

    Joined:
    May 12, 2013
    Messages:
    179
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    We make it a point to not go downtown at night anymore. We usually head down before Noon and leave early evening, unless we're staying the night down there but then we're in our home casino early evening. We aren't old by any stretch(late 30 and early 40) but we hate the crowd congestion created by all of the new stages, zipline, and outdoor bars.

    Not related but I feel the same about the strip and all of the characters looking for you to take pictures with them for a tip. I can't get past the fake disney characters and the kids that see them.

    Casky, I'll add to yours - Times they are a changing...for the worse in Vegas. Will never stop going but there is more to dislike.
     
  5. SpinyNorma

    SpinyNorma Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2007
    Messages:
    290
    Location:
    Deep in the hot of Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I love Fremont and have been staying there for longer amounts of time in recent years, although a large part of that reason is budgetary. I like most of the changes but there are some I could do without. I even like some of the characters, the ones who put some effort and imagination into it, but too many now are just guys in costumes. It's definitely overcrowded and I did notice an increase in the amount of flat-out panhandlers when I was there in November. They weren't overly aggressive but it did make me a little uncomfortable.

    I like some of the performers and bands. I usually stop to listen to the saxophone guy and watch the spray paint guy for a bit while I'm migrating around. There's a band that I've seen there a couple of times but I never seem to catch their name. It's a shame because I like them quite a bit and generally stop and listen for as long as my feet will let me.

    I still like the overhead show as well, although there are only a couple that I try to make a point to catch--American Pie and Queen. I like the Doors one too. As to the others, I can't really remember who they were--although I do remember that for one of them, I realized I apparently knew a lot fewer of their songs than I thought I did.

    I could do without the zipline. Granted, I have a thing about heights so it's not like I'd ever be even remotely tempted to try it. That thing someone mentioned upthread about someone getting sick while riding it didn't endear it to me more.

    The Container Park opened the afternoon of the day I left downtown so I haven't checked it out yet. I plan to next time. That new pizza place by Downtown Grand (Pizza Rock?) looked good but I'd already eaten so it's on my list to try next time too.

    The things I love about Fremont are that you can still get a decent room for cheap, there's a wide variety of food places to choose from without needing a bank loan, and it's not a marathon hike to get from one place to another.
     
  6. jimboguy

    jimboguy MIA

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2010
    Messages:
    2,576
    Location:
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    80
    I like downtown, but I try to avoid the congestion on The Experience later in the evenings. If I want to go to a different casino, I will typically walk along Ogden or Carson to get there instead of being part of the crowd.

    I tried watching the light show recently. I was bored after about a minute. I remember it being more of an attraction when I first saw it in 2003; now it's outdated. However, the canopy does provide some great shade while walking along Fremont Street on a sunny July morning or afternoon.

    I do like to listen to the bands that play on the stages. Some of those cover bands put on a great show.
     
  7. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2012
    Messages:
    7,883
    Location:
    Fort Worth
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    The canopy light show is, these days, an opportunity for me to find a not-too-packed blackjack table. I grew bored with it after the first 4 or 5 out of my 20 or so trips staying downtown.
    The kiosks don't bother me, but the costumed guys are, in my view, disturbing and/or annoying.
    Slotzilla is, again in my opinion, an eyesore. I haven't been since they opened it, but the construction has been a real pain in the ass. Perhaps my opinion will change next trip, since they're finally done building the damned thing.
    I always go mid-week, but I've still noticed the increase in pan-handlers versus a few years ago. I really wish the FSE owners or the city would address this. There has to be a way. I know that it's no worse than strip has become, but still - I think it really hurts the perception many folks have of downtown. That cannot be good for FSE business.
    No, they're not overly-aggressive but for a lot of people, they're very presence is disconcerting. They make the 'average downtown Vegas tourist' nervous and uncomfortable.

    I will continue to stay & play downtown, as it is - in many ways - a far better fit for me than the strip. Strip has better food, shows and "ambiance"...so, if that's why you go to Vegas, then it's a better fit for you. I go to gamble & drink & casino hop. So, yeah - downtown.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  8. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    4,299
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    I still enjoy FSE for a lot of reasons that I've discussed before. I don't want to hijack the thread but I got thinking as I was reading (thinking = dangerous).

    I think Vegas is going through some kind of angst as both an international tourist attraction and a city. From what I've read they're slowly coming to grips with certain realities and taking some steps. But, it's like herding cats. You've got all levels of government, legal challenges, some private interests will be on board and some won't be, some will pony up some cash and some would rather pay lawyers to fight ponying up cash, and a few very vocal locals. They're going to have to identify exactly what the problems are and squeeze them out using various methods. If you compare Vegas to other international tourist spots, they tend to be very protective of their attractions. Vegas is realizing they have to do the same.
     
  9. northerngirl

    northerngirl High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2007
    Messages:
    813
    Location:
    Northern Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I have been staying on Fremont street pre light show.....I sure miss it. When it was just the light show, it was a fun thing to experience. Now with the crowds, crazies, etc., we typically just stay put in our home casino...The Cal. I am not a fan of the zip line as it takes up so much room. With all the downtown changes, it seems bad gambling odds also invaded the majority of the casinos.

    Oh, I feel old......but glad I have some good memories.
     
  10. Ty

    Ty ?

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    8,796
    Location:
    Mid Ga
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    22
    I like the feel of FSE, even with the costume folks. I agree the overhead show does not get the attention is used to, but back then it was the only thing to see besides the casino signs.
     
  11. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2012
    Messages:
    10,689
    Location:
    USA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    180
    I like the canopy for shade and some of the cover/ tribute bands are incredible. The casinos are close and have better rules for the low roller than the strip. There is plenty to like about Fremont Street, as well as dislike, but overall I enjoy staying downtown.

    One thing I don't like, and I'm not sure how the new Zipline affects this, is the stage that blocks the view in front of The Plaza from Fremont Street.
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
  12. keno60

    keno60 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,374
    Location:
    south padre island texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    43
    I have gravitated the last 4 or 5 years to the DTE. Since I started to stay and play a lot at the 4Queens. Before that my base was Flamingo Street and Terribles with the great vp and comps and funbook plus walking up to the Tuscany and Ellis Island with their good tables for low rollers. A short ride to the Gold Coast added to the fun. The narrowing of the street is both interesting and a pain when it gets crowded. The panhandlers kill the vibe, as i feel bad for them.
     
  13. Snickers

    Snickers Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    283
    Location:
    Kansas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    The lights used to be fun but with the zip line set up and the stages you can't see down the corridor anymore to get the full effect. We still enjoy the lower prices and more of the old Vegas experience though I admit I really hate the costume folks that can't even put some creative effort into it! We split time between downtown and Strip and the balance of days just shifted to the Strip side for our upcoming trip.
     
  14. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2010
    Messages:
    4,212
    Location:
    Houston by way of Philadelphia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    My buddy and I went down for one evening during the SB trip and admittedly it has lost its allure for me a bit. I was never a huge downtown person to begin with but my girlfriend and I would always spend an evening down there on our trips and we enjoyed that. The ease of casino hopping, the light show and the more laid back attitude was cool.

    But this past trip I wasn't feeling it.

    On my Sept trip I am going to hit up the Mob Museum during the day so I will probably wander over so I can crap table hop for a bit. But if I still have the blah feeling then it will be removed from The Vegas Rotation.
     
  15. Blonde_4_ever

    Blonde_4_ever LasVegas4ever.com

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2006
    Messages:
    2,442
    Location:
    Southern Ontario
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I agree with Casky and Spiny....I still love it and will still stay there...but I am not a fan of all the changes.
    I really dislike all the outdoor bars. How incredibly lazy are we that we can't walk ten steps to the INSIDE bar to get a drink?
     
  16. USCHawks

    USCHawks High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2013
    Messages:
    920
    Location:
    WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I stay on the strip but I always make it a point to get downtown once or twice during my stays just to check out the places I don't frequent often and to see at least one of the shows in the canopy. The shows are ok but I'd much rather watch the fountains at Bellagio and there isn't anything else really that has been making me want to go back. I may end up going there for a few hours on my next trip but if I don't make it downtown I don't really think I'll feel like I missed out on anything.
     
  17. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Messages:
    456
    Location:
    Lakeland, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    The experience on Fremont Street both day and night are getting worse by the year, IMHO.

    The Main Street stage is a huge eyesore and the acts they put on it are generally as mediocre in quality as they are loud in amplitude.
    The ziplines, old and new are, again, nothing but eyesores and destroy the appeal of the canopy, both in asesthetics and for pedestrian traffic. (Can't wait until they go broke and finally get to be torn down. There! I've said it!)
    The plethora of pathetic costume characters and panhandlers makes strolling under the canopy a thing to be dreaded, rather than enjoyed.
    The move by the casinos to sell alcohol as close to the street as they can has turned a walk down the sidewalk into an experience of crowding and jostling. These days, you're about as crowded to about the same degree that you used to be when there was a street down the middle and you were on the sidewalk. You call that progress?? (And the Downtown clubs are not alone. The hotels on the Strip started this trend and it's worse there,)

    I understand that Downtown simply had to try to attract visitors by some means, but the initial vision of a spacious pedestrian mall with overhead entertainment has turned into a loud, cramped, chaotic ordeal the only the most ardent admirers of Downtown would want to experience more than once. And I'm one of them!

    I know that Downtown is changing. I'm just not all that enthusiastic about a future which replaces gamblers with hipsters and techies, pedestians with drunks, and the cast of Guys and Dolls with a costumed freak show.

    Where's Dan Tanna when you really need him?
     
  18. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Stating the obvious but the downtown area is much smaller and much more congested so I think it stands out a lot more then it does on the strip.
     
  19. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35

    Strange, I feel the same way about the strip. I've gone to vegas without ever going near the strip and I don't miss it at all. My trip last month I visited the strip, basically to see the new changes like the Linq wheel and Quad (now Linq) and the Cromwell. While the Cromwell was nice, I wouldn't spend the extra bucks to stay there, instead sticking to downtown instead.
     
  20. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    Guess I never notice the increase in panhandling, most of the time I'm just trying to walk through the mass of people to get somewhere so the panhandlers (costumed people, zip line, etc.) don't bother me at all. The crowd does as it makes it harder to get from one place to another.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.