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FSE Time has come and gone

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by TomTWI, Feb 2, 2014.

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  1. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    I think the FSE light show has served it's purpose and it's time to get rid of it. Kinda cheesy in this day and age. Maybe when it's gone some of the bums and street performers will go with it. I would keep the street closed and the bands entertainment etc. The canopy would just be for shade.

    What do you think?

    TomTWI
     
  2. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    Well, Tom ... the FSE light show is still a very popular attraction.
    From the very first year it was in operation, and all the years (about 18 ??) until now, there is always a large crowd of people outside at every hourly show, watching in awe.
     
  3. gregluvsvegas

    gregluvsvegas Roller

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    I enjoy the concept of the light shows, but the programs they play are stale. Even when they do cook up a new theme, it's really just more of the same. I think 'The Who' is the newest show and for me it's nothing special. Almost all of the artists they feature were big in the 70s.

    I used to like the shows that had a theme. One of the very early shows was called "Viva Las Vegas" and paid homage to the classic entertainers of vintage Las Vegas (Sinatra, Elvis, Sammy Davis Jr, etc.). I always liked that one. There was western themed show that contained Happy Trails, by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. That was good too.

    As long as I'm here, my least favorite shows are Queen and American Pie. If I never have see those again it would be fine with me.
     
  4. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    I like the canopy and I like the FSE light shows at the top of the hour. I do agree though that they need to add some different shows to their rotation. All in all I think the canopy was, and still is, a great concept. :peace: :beer:
     
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  5. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    They really should invest in some new material. I can't believe that the past 4 times I've visited over 2 years I only see that damn American Pie and We will rock you shows. Every fricken time.

    And what about the older ones? Mix it up a little. The older ones are still fun to watch.:thumbsup:
     
  6. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    Well if you're going to keep the street closed and you're going to keep the canopy for shade, what you're really saying is just don't use the Viva Vision anymore. I can't agree with you there.

    There are always lots of people outside enjoying the show. I must admit if I never hear American Pie again, I'd be a happy camper. We've seen the show so many times that we rarely stop to look. Unless the tribute to America comes on. I'm not sure what song it is but it will stop me in my tracks every time. I'm a proud Canadian but there is something about visiting your country and looking up and seeing that American Flag on the screen and the images that go with it. It just chokes me up to watch the other people on the street and feel their patriotism. I really look forward to catching that song.

    It may seem stale to us regulars but judging from the crowds, it's far from time to shut it down. More variety would be nice though.
     
  7. dfalk

    dfalk VIP Whale

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    I hate that stupid thing too. I stayed DT my last trip and ever hour you had to hear the same cheesy show. This was right before halloween and after every show they had to play the monster mash song. God I was so sick and tired of that song by the time I got home.
     
  8. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Pre FSE experience, people were forced to step over bums lying in their own vomit and urine before heading into a casino. Downtown twenty years ago was a lot like Downtown Reno is today.

    The characters are protected by First Amendment, but you don't see the porn card slappers cluttering up the area. Security does a pretty good job with the crowd sizes they handle. Casinos spend a lot of money to continue the FSE, and if you ask most operators (the Plaza/LVC owners do not pay their fair share of the dues), they get a positive return on their investment.

    While I am not a fan of all the changes, as a whole it is a much more attractive place to stay and play, and there are many options for all ages and backgrounds. The Summer Concert Series is an excellent idea, Container Park has been packed the times we went/walked past, East FS bars are doing great business and many of the hotels downtown have much needed upgrades (The D, GG, Plaza, El Cortez suites) to their casino floors and rooms.

    Would like to see the real estate company sell The Plaza and LVC to a casino operator, and it would be nice if Terry Caudill had access to capital to perform needed work to Four Queens (not sure if it will ever be profitable to remodel Binion's due to asbestos costs). Would like to see new FSE video shows as well, but they cost a good deal of money to create.

    My brother has lived in Vegas for over 2 years. He hated going downtown back in the day, but as a Vegas resident, he typically heads downtown a few times per month. Great bars, great gambling options, several dining options at all price levels. I had a short trip a few weeks ago and couldn't get a last minute comp at The Cal (sold out for MLK weekend), and though we hanged out there on Saturday, I missed staying a few nights as I have most of the past several trips.
     
  9. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I guess I'm just not outside on freemont enough. I never hear it when I'm inside a casino. In some trips this actually annoyed me because I wanted to catch it, but I was always distracted with the blackjack. :)


    I do wish they would do more songs though.
     
  10. jwkick

    jwkick Low-Roller

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    Be a great screen to watch sports on if it is possible.
     
  11. billyinpg

    billyinpg Low-Roller

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    +1

    I just asked my girlfriend who just came home from work what she would get rid of on the FSE..........

    American Pie.

    What would you enjoy I ask?

    Anything other than that and the Queen thing was her reply.

    There is a lot they could do but it isn't happening so my vote is to shut it off if they can't change it up.
     
  12. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    Although they've updated the lights and technology it's still SD in an HD world. I agree with the OP, keep the street closed, keep the bands, get rid of the light show. I'd get rid of the whole canopy myself.
     
  13. Lhammer28

    Lhammer28 High-Roller

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    I love it & every time I bring a Vegas Virgin to FSE its their favorite part of the trip! Its such a BIG part of the Vegas experience, I would be so sad to see it go!

    I do agree on the new material tho. Mix things up a little bit!
     
  14. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    The FSE could take some advice for the Super Bowl, they redid the halftime show this year with a mix of new and old(ish) and it went over spectacular! There is something to be said about changing with the times, if the change makes sense!
     
  15. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Each trip I see at least 2 or 3 FSE shows and still thoroughly enjoy American Pie. I enjoy the entire Fremont St experience.

    I don't mind the costume people and I enjoy Carl Ferris, the Sax player. The spray paint artists are also fun to watch.

    To each his own, I guess.
     
  16. Blonde_4_ever

    Blonde_4_ever LasVegas4ever.com

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    Actually I believe they have changed the shows up in the last year or so.
    Heart, Bon Jovi and the Who are all relatively new. They seemed to get placed in the earlier time slots ( 8 pm, 9 pm etc) and the older ones like Queen got moved to later times slots (midnight etc)

    For the most part I adore the canopy shows. I will run outside and watch them till the day I die. (Except for the Doors...I could live quite happily without them)
     
  17. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Actually I liked the Queen tribute. I say liked (past tense) because as others have mentioned it has gotten boring and stale seeing/hearing the same shows year in year out, even queen or american pie.

    They probably need to make seasonal changes to keep it fresh, rotating their shows to keep it going. Unfortunately I don't watch the shows earlier in the evening so I don't see the newer shows.

    The problem is probably expenses, they have to spend a lot of money programming new shows. They also probably have to pay royalties to play music, they probably have a deal to play the current shows but would need to pay more royalties for new shows.

    But then if you look at the current direction they are going with (slotazilla?) :Þ they really aren't doing much to bring in the crowds. Yes, you still see a number of people watching the hourly shows but many of us just walk through the crowd as we get to another casino. The stage bands bring in people of all ages but I don't plan my vegas visits just to see the bands, for many of us, good gambling, cheap food and available comps bring us to downtown.
     
  18. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    And that's why Vegas is so eclectic. Something for everyone. Look at this thread. Some love the light show as is, some don't like it, some want to see it changed, some don't. :beer:
     
  19. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

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    I'd I had it my way, I would tear it down. I think the vintage neon they turn off for every show is far more impressive than the show itself. Against a black sky it would be even more impressive

    I know that ain't going to happen any time soon. It's way too popular even today for them to even consider it. My opinion is definitely not the majority opinion.

    That said, I think the show draws fewer SPENDERS to downtown than some people think. The crowd under the canopy watching the show and the free bands does not strike me as the same group gambling inside the casinos.

    It'll be gone one say but it's hard to say what the catalyst will be.
     
  20. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I agree with most, keep it, but change the music/bands up. I think I have seen the Bon Jovi thing about 5 times, American Pie at least 5 times, and Queen at least 5 times. They should on the first of the month, have new bands and songs. Keeps it fresh.
     
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