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The Park

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by alanleroy, Jan 23, 2017.

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  1. alanleroy

    alanleroy Click my avatar

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    My Trip Report

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    On my December trip I stayed at New York New York. That gave me a good opportunity to explore MGM's latest invention....The Park. The Park is located between New York New York and Monte Carlo. No. Not the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from The Strip to T-Mobile Arena. After reading the marketing buildup on The Park, I was curious to find out if The Park lived up to its Hype.

    Here's an interactive Map of The Park.
    https://www.theparkvegas.com/en/about.html#Interactive Map.

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    When I say 'Hype', I'm not kidding. For example, here's what the MGM Web Site says about The Park

    "Welcome to the Neighborhood. Explore The Park, an immersive outdoor dining and entertainment district, and discover an unrivaled sports and entertainment venue, T-Mobile Arena. Throughout the world, beautiful and engaging public spaces have become a trademark of the finest cities and Las Vegas is no exception. MGM Resorts has re-imagined the traditional pedestrian experience by creating a dynamic destination located just off the famed Las Vegas Strip. Whether you’re looking for a spot to gather with friends or to grab a quick bite before an epic show, The Park and T-Mobile Arena offer something for everyone. Discover the energy and excitement of Las Vegas’ newest must-see neighborhood. An eclectic blend of restaurants, bars and entertainment tucked into rich desert landscaping"

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    The 20000 Seat T-Mobile Arena as seen from our room on the 56th floor of the Chrysler Building

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    Ice Rink set up in front of T-Mobile Arena. Also note the "looming, massive, flower-like shade structures". MGM claims these are "artistic inclusions designed by a New York architecture firm and fabricated in the Netherlands, looming over the area at 55 to 75 feet tall."

    Soooo. To summarize: The park is actually a 'Neighborhood.' And it's "Immersive" and an 'eclectic blend' of restaurants and has an 'unrivaled venue". It's "beautiful", "engaging" and has been "re-imagined". It's a "Dynamic destination"....and full of "energy" and "excitement".

    In addition to T-Mobile the $100 Million "Park Theater" at Monte Carlo opened during our stay as a second major entertainment venue. It sits right there on Park Avenue.

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    Park Theater Minions working on Cher

    Of course, MGM minces no words in Hyping the Park Theater.

    "The stunning 5,200 seat Park Theater will redefine entertainment in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, providing artists an intimate space to create one-of-a-kind performances for guests to feel up close and personal. Park Theater is outfitted with a cutting-edge projection video wall providing an immersive experience for concert goers. The flexible venue can also transform to host award shows, events and can function as a convention space."

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    Wave to the Park Theater Minions!

    And finally there are displays of public art.

    Bliss Dance

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    Bliss Dance Daytime Nudity

    The Park is anchored by "Bliss Dance". Here's what MGM has to say about that:

    "Bliss Dance is a breathtaking, 40-foot-tall sculpture of a dancing woman, celebrating the strength of a woman who is both safe and present. The structure and scale of Bliss Dance was inspired by artist Marco Cochrane's first experience at Burning Man, an annual arts and culture event in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, where Bliss Dance later debuted. Most recently, Bliss Dance resided on San Francisco's Treasure Island as a public display before being refurbished and returned to the desert as a centerpiece of The Park's natural landscaping and Nevada-inspired design."

    The Las Vegas Review Journal interviewed Cochrane and reported that "In creating the tower-of-power “Bliss Dance,” artist Marco Cochrane aims to remind viewers to look beyond the nude body and see the humanity within. He also wondered whether it would be possible to sculpt a nude female figure where the nudity “didn’t come across as the main element,” one where “the expression of self was stronger than the nudity.”

    http://www.reviewjournal.com/the-strip/t-mobile-arena/bliss-dance-artist-marco-cochrane-reminds-viewers-see-humanity-within

    Let's put this in perspective. The goal was to put a 40 foot nude woman statue in the center of drunken slobs, hockey fans and sex workers....in the home city of the annual Pornography Awards...And to not have that massive nude woman statue objectified as a nude woman. Good luck with that.

    Park People

    Finally, I was intrigued with the description of a temporary art installation...Park People.

    "LEGO bricks will come to life at The Park on October 14 for a one-of-a-kind art installation constructed by renowned artist Nathan Sawaya. Visitors to The Park, MGM Resorts International’s newly opened outdoor dining and entertainment district on the Las Vegas Strip, are invited to discover Sawaya’s new installation PARK PEOPLE featuring large-scale monochromatic human figures crafted entirely from LEGO bricks and situated curiously on elegant wooden benches. Strategically placed throughout The Park, the nine brightly colored sculptures are all taking their individual respites, allowing guests to sidle up next to these “secret keepers” and bare their souls, or take selfies with their new LEGO friends."

    I always wanted to ‘sidle up’ to a LEGO ‘secret keeper’.


    1:30 AM Friday December 16, 2016.

    My Gambling Buddy Robin and I had been at Times Square in New York New York for an hour observing the Dueling Pianos and drunk Dueling Pianos observers. Robin had one of those $50 My Vegas Awards and we were playing Video Poker. That allowed me to indulge in many Bombay Sapphire Martinis and our Bartender helped 'Spread the Wealth Around' with free drinks to select people around the bar. We then grabbed a beer and a quick bite at the Reverse Happy Hour at Tom's Urban Restaurant…Right there at NY NY. I was feeling no pain.

    Robin headed up to the room while I was headed on a mission. I wanted to see each of those Park People. I wanted to experience The Neighborhood at night. I imagined it would be a Vibrant, Pulsating richly rewarding experience where I could mingle with enlightened tourists and savvy artistic locals.

    As I approached the exit to the Park, I had a proposition from a nice young woman named Moeshia. She suggested she had 'magic hands' and would like to go up to my room and give me a massage. I asked her directly: "Are you a hooker, Moeisha?” "No, I am a sex worker" she responded. What great fortune. This could be a big winner in my annual photography contest with Robin. "I'll give you $5.00 if you let me take your picture while you're flipping me off" I suggested. "I'll [insert slang for oral sex here] for $200." was her counter offer. We were pretty far apart in our negotiation.

    Where Is Everybody? (Twilight Zone Season 1 Episode 1)

    "The barrier of loneliness: The palpable, desperate need of the human animal to be with his fellow man. Up there, up there in the vastness of space, in the void that is sky, up there is an enemy known as isolation. It sits there in the stars waiting, waiting with the patience of eons, forever waiting ... in The Twilight Zone. "

    I stumbled out the door into the heart of The Park. To my surprise, there was no one there. No one. Not a drunk tourist. No security. No revelers or beggars or cleanup crews or sex workers...No one. How very strange. And yet as I began to stroll The Park, I realized I was not alone. THEY were there in all their Glory. The 9 Park People were calling me. This was truly art I could appreciate. I asked each to don my Lucky Hat and say a few words for this very blog. And they did. And so now I give you my very own art installation. I call it:

    Park People and what they told AlanLeroy

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    Bliss Dance Nighttime Nudity

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    Conclusion

    The purpose of this expose was to see if The Park lived up to The Hype. Unfortunately, nothing ever does. I even doubt that Moeisha has ‘Magic Hands’.

    So what is it…REALLY?

    It’s a pedestrian mall with 4 restaurants (Beerhaus, California Pizza Kitchen, Bruxie and Sake Rok), a 20,000 seat arena, a 5000 seat theater and some outdoor art and nicely landscaped open space. It reminds me of a mall in Fresno….but without the arena or theater. It’s not the Champs-Élysées. But it’s got to be a lot better than what was there before it…because I don’t even remember anything there before it. Free Parking maybe?

    If we’re going to do a fair comparison, we need look no further than the other pedestrian mall that was built at great cost between two casinos on the strip---The LINQ. The LINQ has 30 retail and restaurant establishments AND the World’s Largest Ferris Wheel. It cost about $550 Million. The Park has that Arena and Theater and a lot more space. It cost about $550 Million too. Honestly I think The Park has more potential, but neither will pencil out as half a billion dollar investments. Sadly my favorite part of the Park (Park People) have now left for greener pastures….but I believe they’re still trying to communicate with us all…you just need to listen.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2017
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  2. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    Good writing alanleroy. An enjoyable word and picture presentation.

    We stayed at Monte Carlo in a room facing The Park two weeks ago. The three ice skaters we finally saw certainly made a lonely picture. I too was underwhelmed by the place. There was not much to it. I'm not even sure if the California Kitchen door was facing the Park. I too thought it was going to be an answer to The Linq but it is nowhere close to that sort of action.

    I will say that I could imagine it to be really happening, when there is something going on in the arena, that plaza full of people. Oh, and I am disappointed that you did not mention "Toshiba Plaza" in your report. You missed a very good mocking opportunity about that. I was very confused looking down on the signage all around. The lighted marquee ON The T Mobile arena kept flashing "Toshiba Plaza" and there was a large sign on the parking structure that said it too. What is this place? Toshiba or T Mobile? Then it finally dawned on me that MGM had managed to sell naming rights to both the arena and the concrete in front.of the arena. sigh. America, what a country!

    I'm glad they built it all. But it will not be getting much foot traffic when there is no event going on.
     
  3. FYMYAWF

    FYMYAWF VIP Whale

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    There's no "there" there yet. MGM was in such a hot rush to get the arena open that they didn't give the Park time to get on its feet. What worries me about it is that myself and others have been saying this for almost a year now. It's basically the same place it was the day it opened, with the same sad lack of offerings. Maybe the opening of the Park Hotel will get things rolling, but we're still over a year away from that. Add to that a very un-Linq-like wide plaza and a FRICKING ROADWAY RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, and my hopes are fairly dim that this will ever rival the Linq in traffic or buzz.
     
  4. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    alanleroy, you should re-post this in Trip Reports where it will get more traffic.

    I was trying to think of a "solution" to this. The street being there is a huge problem for creating a defined space. I thought there might be room to line the street with Grand Bazaar type shops to enclose the plaza space. But there would not be enough foot traffic to support those shops. So...I don't know.
     
  5. alanleroy

    alanleroy Click my avatar

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    lol...I figured people just weren't interested in my topic. Like the real thing.
     
  6. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I moved it to Trip Reports for you.
     
  7. alanleroy

    alanleroy Click my avatar

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    Thank you Sonya! I'm still working on a full trip report. It turns out that the following day...Saturday December 17 is one of the strangest days I've ever spent in Vegas.
     
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  8. casinokid68

    casinokid68 Caesars Diamond Member

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    Isn't it amazing what some people concern themselves with? Is it really that important? Aren't there better things to talk about, like how your trip went? Food, gambling, shows, etc. The Park is nice. Yes, it might be quiet for now, but still compared to what was there before, like nothing, there is nothing wrong with it. Let the people who invested their money in it worry about the foot traffic. We are just tourists who come to enjoy Vegas for a few days, get drunk, gamble and get away from every day life!!! :beer:
     
  9. alanleroy

    alanleroy Click my avatar

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    Whatever. I was just posting my observations and pictures on The Park that I thought some would enjoy. I originally posted it in Strip Hotels. Then it was moved to Entertainment. Then it was moved to Trip Reports. There are most certainly better things to talk about. Like how I spent most of Saturday with some of the freakiest people in Vegas. But that would be in my trip report that I haven't finished!

    If you're interested in Food, I did post this little write up of some happy hours I enjoyed on my trip.

    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/3-good-happy-hours.137811/
     
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  10. bigalbr

    bigalbr VIP Whale

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    It sounds to me like "The Park" is really a place to grab a meal or drink before an event at T-Mobile or the theater, not a draw like the Linq or the passage between Paris and Bally's. Is that fair?
     
  11. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    bigalbr, I think they want it to be that, but it isn't quite there yet.

    I am glad you posted this @alanleroy . I had planned to check it out in Sept/Oct, but never made it over there for whatever reason (aka, :drunk:). I get a lot of press releases about how awesome it is, but I don't see a lot of chat about it here. Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.
     
  12. Peachiekeehn

    Peachiekeehn High-Roller

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    The Beerhaus is actually a great place, especially when the slots have eaten most of your money and you want to take a break from the gambling. They have games you can play while you're there. Jenga is a hoot when you've got a bunch of alcohol in your system!
     
  13. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    You're probably right. He probably should be more concerned about what other people are posting about.:rolleyes2:

    Did you not read the OP's post that was right before yours? "I'm still working on a trip report."
     
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  14. casinokid68

    casinokid68 Caesars Diamond Member

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    People can post whatever they want. Everyone has the right to like something or not. I have walked through The Park a couple of times, had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen there, and really thought it was quite nice. A couple of nice statues, restaurants, a waterfall. What's wrong with that? It could be much worse. Once the concerts start and the NHL team starts playing, the place will be hopping I'm sure. No offense to the OP, I meant no disrespect, it's just that why worry about The Park? I think most people who visit Vegas don't care about that. They just want to kick back, have fun and not think about how much money these big corporations are making or losing. As far as I'm concerned, they are not doing too bad, considering the food prices, drink prices, parking and resort fees.
     
  15. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I had noticed this posting a few times, but had not opened it. I am glad I did today. Great review of "The Park".

    Great review. thanks
     
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  16. alanleroy

    alanleroy Click my avatar

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    What can I say? The Park People made me do it.
     
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  17. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    I had the EXACT same thought... I saw the post but finally opened it after a few days. I enjoyed the "review"!
     
  18. Joejoejackson

    Joejoejackson The Max Bet King

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    Thanks for review
     
  19. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Thank you for your observations and thoughts on The Park, alanleroy!
    I look forward to taking some time to explore it on my next trip!

    RICHARD
     
  20. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Thank you for the write-up. With what you have written so far, I think I can skip it for now unless I am heading to the theater. Maybe I'll wander through it one day & take some photos.
     
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