Just returned from LV, downtown observations

Stayed at the D on the 6th of June, was a little taken back by the lack of social distancing and crowded conditions. The D was doing temperature checks of everyone coming through the doors but unlike the other casinos really were not enforcing any social distancing. Stayed also at caesars palace and the MGM Grand, which had a multitude of machines turned off to promote distancing. About 30% of people were wearing masks, MGM required masks in the elevators if you were traveling with others not in your party. Most of the venues were closed- the D only had the hot dogs and the coffee stand open, Caesars the food court and some restaurants, and the same with MGM. Never saw so little traffic on the strip! Very few pedestrian traffic as well. If you wanted a pic at the LV sign there wasn't a line. Seems as if MGM properties were not prepared for the volume of people that were in the casino- short staffed. Machines were going down because the hoppers were full and weren't emptied fast enough. The new carpeting at MGM was impressive although the slot techs said it played havoc with some of their machines which is why many were offline. No maid service at any of the hotels, only clean and sanitize rooms between guests. Some stores were only accepting plastic, no cash transactions. Pools were crowded, restaurants not so much- social distance in effect. All in all it was good to see some semblance of normal and people seem to be eager to be done with this quarantine business although not so sure it was the safest environment for stopping the spread of the virus.
Downtown was empty at Binions, DTG, California, but crowded at The D, and the Nugget. The El also was busy but not crowded. The container park was open but only a few stores were open for business.

 

Thanks for the info. So both The D Grill and Joe Vicari's at the D were closed? I'd thought they advertised that all their restaurants are open.

 

Could swear I heard Andiamo's was open.

 

The D grill was closed, which was a bit disappointing as spending a 25 dollar comp at the hot dog was a waste.not sure about Adanmo but suspect they were closed as well. Probably will be opening soon think LV was trying to gauge response before opening everything. CVS on the strip near Belly's was only open from 7-7 not 24 hours as usual. Stores were limiting customer count but no casino was counting patrons. The 25% capacity seems to be only hotel occupancy but not even sure about that.

 

Explain the new carpet playing havoc with machines ?
Static charges ?

 

Hate to sound like a Mon morn QB, but the TRs and other accounts I've read here and in the papers reflect what I thought might happen. Prior to opening, casinos laid out their plans which sounded good, but I knew that within a short period, both the casinos and patrons would loosen upon following those guidelines. I've read about elevator capacity issues, 8-10 people or around a craps table and of patrons moving a chair over to play a machine without a chair. I think most turn off every other machine, but evidently not all.
Understand that I don't expect the casino to be everywhere at every minute and human nature is going to affect behavior of a number of guests, but we're only a week and a half into this. What will it be 3-4 weeks from now? I guess time will tell.

 

Not to threadjack, but I’m curious if the table mins were affected in a significant way? I’m organizing a bachelor party (not in Vegas) in September and the casino has removed half of the tables and the ones that remain have a 3 player max- effectively cutting the number of available blackjack/roulette chairs & craps spots down to 25% of their “normal” capacity. Some of those attending won’t have an issue going to the HL room in order to play, but others may.

 

More likely that when they moved the machines to lay the new carpet, they did not connect the wiring back up properly/correctly when they were put back into place.

 

Andiamo appears to be open from their twitter page:

https://twitter.com/AndiamoLV

 

Great report dedhd. I was really curious what things were like in Vegas. I am booked for Aug but may not be able to go as being a Canadian, the border is still closed and will be until at least July 21st. It may the closure may be extended again in July if the infection rates go high. We have been somewhat lucky in the numbers on the West Coast. I really feel for what the US is going through compared to us. Be safe and stay healthy everybody.

 

Thanks for the update. Things seem to change daily. One day I read the outdoor bands on FSE will be starting next week, then the next day I see that has been delayed. My group of five booked air and lodging (the CAL) back in January. Right now we are in a wait and see zone. We play blackjack together...with the current table limit of three players that wouldn’t happen. We like to bounce between the CAL and MSS and MSS isn’t opened yet. I don’t think my son could handle not going to the Boar bar every morning for his beer and newspapers. Us sisters love watching the bands and sitting at the outdoor bar at the Four Queens. The only positive right now is social distancing at the CAL pool wouldn’t be an issue. And, our dear friend Henry from Hawaii, will probably be restricted with flying.

I am not optimistic that what needs to be in place for my group to go will happen by August. Crap.

 

On a positive note saw only a couple of Buskers, and no porn slappers. The lighted rolling billboards for the most part were no where to be seen. The FSE had turnstiles set up at all street crossings, checking IDS for age and not allowing backpacks. I think this was more in response to the black lives matter demonstrations that had been happening. Went to the Cal for happy hour- still the best IMHO downtown, but food from the closed asian restaurant (forgot the name) was not being served. the shrimp and the cocktails however were delicious! Valet parking was also closed.
Not sure how the carpet at the MGM had affected the machines but I suspect gregluvsvegas is probably on target. Might have been my imagination but the machines at the MGM seemed a bit on the loose side ( the ones that were open). I had an $800 hit and wife hit for $1400, and had multiple winning runs of smaller amounts. Wife came home up 300, and I was down 500 which isn't bad for a seven night trip.

 

Why would the D grill be closed? It says on the D website that they are open and I am hoping they would be open for take up to room. My trip isnt til the end of month.

 

Great report...thanks.