Is Vegas Getting Better for Anyone?

Props to you. Road trips rock.

 

Thanks... This was before kids obviously. No way I'd do that now with a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old! It was a blast.

 

It's both up and down for me.

I lament the loss of the kitschy throw back casinos on the strip like OSheas, Imperial Palace, Riviera, and Sahara. I like the new stuff too but I'm the kind of who wants the whole spectrum regardless of my budget.

I also hate the trend to pack every square foot with retail like the Treasure Island CVS or the Bally's Grand Bazar at the expense of the uniquely Vegas architecture that those places replaced. It runs the risk of turning Vegas into a carbon copy of every other tourist trap in the country rather than a place with it's own distinct flavor. I get that things like a lighted moving walk way or a pirate show don't generate revenue in and of themselves but they contribute to the suspension of reality that attracts people with wallets in the first place.

On the other hand I think some of the recent projects have been pretty successful (for my tastes). I think The Cromwell actually turned out pretty good and both the Plaza and Downtown Grand were a net positive for Downtown. I like what Derek Stevens has done for the most part with his places and can't see anything but good things coming out of his 18 Fremont project. I hope he pulls out the stops and hits us with something jaw dropping.

 

Some good, some bad, but overall Vegas is getting better and better for us. Some of it is our growing bankroll over the years. Some is from our lessening need to go "off campus." Some of it is our growing appreciation for the finer things, like Delmonico over Del Taco. Sure, it would be nice if all the hotels still gave away swag like it was hot, and we could do without the club kids and the catering to certain groups (4 is my lucky number, dammit! ) But Life is Change - how it differs from the rocks. New worlds to gain...

 

I am in the camp of "done and over".
Enough is enough: resort fees, parking fees, sky high food prices, ridiculous show prices...
I consider I am done with Vegas, well, for this year at least.

 

There ya go. Like everyone on this board, I LOVE Vegas. I study Vegas. I plan for Vegas trips when I don't have Vegas trips planned. I once stood outside of City Center breaking down the buildings and construction history with a couple of strangers after they made a comment about the "optical illusion" of the Veer Towers, and they thought I knew someone on the inside, haha. My SO said, no, he reads and watches everything on Vegas.

Anyway, I enjoy Vegas more each time, and I also find I enjoy it as much taking a smaller bankroll. With younger kids, it's not easy to frequent Vegas, so backing up the Brinks to the casino doesn't make any sense for me. I'd rather save that for AC. And I haven't enjoyed myself any less. Between myVegas and earning comps locally, Vegas is a great affordable getaway. One that keeps me wanting to come back.

 

Three years ago my wife and I went to Niagara Falls, one of our few exceptions to the Vegas vacation. The American side was very huckster carnival style, the false 'Information' booths were just costumed ticket sellers. The Canadian side was much more formal at the park area with real Rangers in charge, but the next five blocks held every American chain restaurant known to man. At no time, on either side of the border, did anyone offer me a free drink. Therefore Vegas wins.

 

The first time we went to Vegas was in the 70's. Stayed at the Ho and loved it. That was the first and only time we stayed on the strip. Always downtown after that, but at that time, the strip wasn't as big as it is now. I loved Fremont Street when cars were driving up and down, and when Fremont Street Experience changed everything, I didn't like it. It's all good, and we can't go back to the way it used to be. The kids-or anybody- going now for their first time, will always love it . Us older people do not ever want to be the crabby people that say it was better in the olden days. If you love Vegas, you will always love it, no matter how things change.

 

My Vegas play has dwindled from 10-12 times a year, with a bankroll that ranged from 10-25g, to 1-2 trips. And have witnessed the rise and fall of casinos that used to be my playground. Silver City 2am $4.95 porterhouse steaks dinners have evolved into the $40.00 steak and egg breakfast. Over the years dealers have gone from addressing me as "Mr. Jackson" to a good luck Jack. Miserable, arrogant hotel/casino staff who expect tips for doing nothing is the norm. Room service has become a nonexistent joke. Gone are the days of customer service and appreciation by making guests feel special. $20 drinks is the norm. Hotels charging ridiculous 'resort fees', parking fees, $100 nightclub cover charges, miserable bartenders with no personality, and the endless line of low life goof balls acting like "players" everywhere you look. The place has become one big '5-star' cess pool. Vegas died along time ago.
It really boils down to this for me...When I'm giving the Casinos a shot at my bankroll, I would rather tip my way from the door to across the floor. Than be nickel and dimed at every turn.

 

I'm sorry I should have provided more details. My last trip was 7 nights of which 5 where comped. I never can get a weekend night comped. So the resort fee was about 30 a night and the weekend nights were over $100 each night. Still not bad compared to most cities but it used to be even cheaper. Plus the airfares keep going up. I'll probably continue to go to Vegas unless it gets to out of hand. Like if it every costs as much as traveling to Hawaii or Europe.

 

Hawaii doesn't have a casino and the casinos in Europe are few and far in between also their opening hours are weird. I am from Europe originally and still go back on a regular basis.

 

Hawai'i. Can't get there enough.

 

After 20 years of going to Vegas once a month (sometimes more) for mostly business, I changed employment about 18 months ago and have only been 3 times, most recently 2 weeks ago. It's gotten a lot more fun again for me again. That, coupled with the fact that I change planes there monthly but don't leave the McCarran, make the "tease" a little more exciting. Going less has made me appreciate it more.

 

Bcartel : What a great summary of reality.

 

Says you. My first trip downtown was in 2009 and I'd still prefer to see the canopy, Slotzilla, and permanent stages go. I'm 34.

I do like the street closed to traffic though so I guess I'd keep that. My biggest criticism of the canopy is that it detracts from the already impressive neon and bulbs of the casinos. I personally think "glitter gulch" viewed against a pitch black sky would be a hell of sight.

The canopy can't last forever. I hope I live to see the day when it comes down.

 

It's not getting better for me. I can't think of anything since the Cosmo that's opened on the strip that's excited me. There aren't really any restaurants I want to try. There are no shows I am passionate about seeing. And I don't want to shop, especially if the same stores are opening a location on every mile. At least when things change off strip, the casinos tend to still remember who their customers are and try to not alienate them but that doesn't counter all the things that are worse.

 

Vegas changes and I'm able to adjust. Some things are better and some are not but I sure don't go and think what the hell, they didn't do this in 75.

 

THIS. I would also add that I am able to enjoy a wider variety of what makes Vegas than I was 25 years ago or even 5 years ago as my disposable income is much higher now. That being said, yes, I do miss some things about the "olden" days, such as nickel full pay Jack or Better VP. And my heart still has a tiny ache that the Stardust is gone, especially as it looks like it was imploded with nothing still really coming any time soon. Great memories playing side by side with my brother Champster1 full pay nickel JoB multistrike VP while downing together probably 20 diet cokes with lemon and water (we are talking I think 12 hour play days)

But, I have those memories and photos. Bottom line is that I like the Vegas of today as well, especially given how in many respects our society has gotten less personal. I think of my host at Wynncore. Yes, it's a business relationship, I get that. He's not not my "friend." But he is a kind person, seems like a genuinely decent guy, and goes out of his way to show appreciation for the business I give him and his company. I find that less and less these days in my everyday life but it is still present, to some degree, in Las Vegas.

 

Love Vegas but wish I had started going there a lot earlier in life. Would have loved to have visited The Sahara/Sands/Stardust/Riviera and some more of the 'old skool' Vegas.

Last couple of times I have been it just seems like they are just swindling every last cent from you especially with staff expecting a tip for opening the door for you. I like to pay my way but don't like the feeling of being taken advantage of.

Was playing some serious coin at The Mirage a couple of weeks ago and my wife asked for a Pina Colada and was abruptly told by the cocktail waitress that they don't do them. Got back to Sam's Town and told the waitress there and she was gobsmacked. Her words were "The Strip is getting like that now. Welcome home, I will get you a Pina Colada".

When back in Vegas I will be going Sam's Town for part of my holiday.

 

Kevin853, Your Sam's Town is my Palace Station and El Cortez. Even when I am staying at Encore, I typically head over to Palace for some old school bingo and free drinks while playing bingo. (You can get pretty much anything you want.) It's pretty funny how I think the Tower Suites valet guys think it's pretty cool that I play bingo there. I'm also still drawn to El Cortez. Can't put my finger on as to why, but I know it is in part the history of the place. I still kick myself that I didn't "bother" Jackie Gaughn and take a picture with him when we were both dining at separate tables at a restaurant there a few years ago.