Vegas Rumors

[Scrooge]

It has just come down the grape vine that Mandalay resorts is looking at tearing down two of it Vegas resorts, Circus Circus which is no surprise as the place is getting a little old to say the least.

The other which amazed me is Excalibur, I was amazed becuase this is not an old hotel, but from what I was told the powers that be at Mandalay figure that a complete new build would be cheaper than trying to re-model it.

[Pete]

Have to agree with the bosses at Mandalay on both those. Circus Circus is just a dump, which really could do with getting updated to the class of much of the centre/south of the strip, and Excalibur deserves the explosives because it's frankly a joke. They really missed the mark when they tried to theme it, and far from being a medieval castle in jolly ole England, it's a tacky attempt which looks like it's put together with gaudily painted ply-wood.

I'd love to be in town to see either of them razed to the ground.

Pete

Pete - if you have something to say, I do wish you would say it rather than beating round the bush.

Originally posted by pixuk
Excalibur deserves the explosives because it's frankly a joke. They really missed the mark when they tried to theme it, and far from being a medieval castle in jolly ole England, it's a tacky attempt which looks like it's put together with gaudily painted ply-wood.

Pete

Have to agree with Pete's sentiments. Last couple of times we have been to Las Vegas, (3 and 5 years ago),Excalibur was one of the very few places we deliberately did NOT vist. We always found it to be smelly and uninviting.

That said, I think there is still a need for lower priced accommodation at that end of the Strip. Some visitors to LV just cannot afford the prices in the more glitzy hotels and the Excalibur always appeared to have pretty full occupancy. Well that's my $0.02 worth anyway.

[Scrooge]

That being said Pete the place is a total cash cow for Mandalay,when it opened in 1990 the place paid for itself in under 6 months, it is still very popular with families and budget tourists.

Sure it is cheesy and tacky but as John point's out there is a need for budget accommodation at that end of the strip.I am still trying to figure out how a new build would be cheaper than a remodel though, but if im reading Mandalay right they are looking to have all their Vegas casinos be in the hip and sexy mold, kind of like Mandalay Bay.

I can see the tearing down CC to make way for a new casino, with LAS building south of Mandalay is pretty much a non starter, so you have to move north.With the Stardust shutting down to be replaced with Echelon Place and the Riviera being bid on the move north is pretty much a given.

ISTBC but Excalibur was one of the first big "themed" hotels - I can remember it sitting there on the corner all on its own when it was first built - I think I was in Vegas in about 1990 (ish)


What Vegas needs is a Spearmint Rhino Hotel!!!![}:)]

The last time we were there we went to see the "show" of the Wizard killing the dragon - after the fighting pirate ships of TI and the fountains of Bellagio this was piss poor "entertainment"

Originally posted by MarkJ
The last time we were there we went to see the "show" of the Wizard killing the dragon - after the fighting pirate ships of TI and the fountains of Bellagio this was piss poor "entertainment"

Ranks with the "Atlantis" show in Caesars Palace...

Paul

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by pjh

Originally posted by MarkJ
The last time we were there we went to see the "show" of the Wizard killing the dragon - after the fighting pirate ships of TI and the fountains of Bellagio this was piss poor "entertainment"

Ranks with the "Atlantis" show in Caesars Palace...

Paul

Nope..ranks right up there with a Punch and Judy show, you are being way to kind.

So does anyone know what will replace these? Will they be Wynn style upmarket non themed or will they be like so much in the Excalibur area, over themed.
OK, what could we have??? East End Theme? or how about Blackpool! Could compete with Paris then!

Any suggestions?

Paul

[Scrooge]

The plan is to replace them with upscale hotels...of course my question is just how many "upscale" hotel Vegas can support.

I take it MGM group made the decision now that they own the Mandalay resorts to pull the two hotel's down.

Originally posted by jetwet1
The plan is to replace them with upscale hotels...of course my question is just how many "upscale" hotel Vegas can support.

Surely every project now is a scramble to call itself 'upscale'? I can sort of see the arguments for wanting to replace them - but honestly, where would that leave those who want to go to Vegas , but can't afford the more pricey hotels? Or maybe the intention is to price them out?

But never mind all that speculation - what about your job????[:?]

Maybe upscale is a good idea but I still prefer the 'somewhat tacky' themed hotels - I always quite liked Excalibur.

Course what they Vegas really needs is a Star Wars hotel and casino - comeon George get your finger out.

Phil FM

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by FamilyMan

Course what they Vegas really needs is a Star Wars hotel and casino - comeon George get your finger out.

Oh lordy now you're talking!! i can see it now!! They could have a real Emerald Cafe with the Mos Eisley Cantina band and everything!!

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Originally posted by FamilyMan

Course what they Vegas really needs is a Star Wars hotel and casino - comeon George get your finger out.

Oh lordy now you're talking!! i can see it now!! They could have a real Emerald Cafe with the Mos Eisley Cantina band and everything!!

Thanks,
Sarah

I like the way you're thinking [y]

Also a Death Star that explodes in the car park every evening.

Phil FM

I'm surprised that the Imperial hasn't been pulled down - it's a dive.

(edited due to mis-typing[:I])

Originally posted by Mrs Decker
I'm surprised that the Imperial isn't been pulled down - it's a dive.

Only marginally more so than the Rivieria [:$]

[ChuckC]

Dave,
The Excalibur is my least favorite property in Vegas. I remember when it was new and people were streaming in to have a look. The first problem was the theme -- King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Hello? Combine a weak theme with really cheesy architecture (some might say garish, but in Vegas, garish is okay as long as it's fun, eh?) and, well, the crowds were soon seen heading for the doors, to be replaced by tour groups.

If Mandalay could build two properties that are as inviting as the Mandalay or THEHotel they'll have winners. IMHO Mandalay has stood the test of time despite more glamorous rivals opening nearby.

Thanks, Dave!

Chuck-

Why is King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table a weak theme? I thought a lot of your fellow country foke treck of into the country side in order to look at stone built castles (or what is left of them in some cases) when they pay us a visit?

Got to say that the Star Wars themes one does sound cool. Especially the Cantina. They could build the Milennium Falcon and put a shot em up sim into the gun turrets. Do you think if we all put a few quid in we could bank roll it ourselves?

Paul

[Decker]

Spamalot could have created a revival!

Originally posted by Mrs Decker
I'm surprised that the Imperial hasn't been pulled down - it's a dive.

(edited due to mis-typing[:I])

Harrah's have announced that there plans to implode the Imperial Palace and O'Sheas, Check out thissite it has lot's of info on what's happening construction wise in Vegas[y]

Gotta get my piece in here - I have never been in Circus long enough but I have to say my visit there 4 years agi would make me believe they should have torn the dump down long ago - Same goes for "Disney gone wrong" on the corner of Tropicano.
Look on this section you tha MGM/The Trop ( another place that needs to go / Excalaber and NY/NY - They Luxor is due to be totally revamped as its looking very tired compared to the BAY next door . Further dowb the have all the other "big boys " which is what most of the tourists want to visit . With the Luxor / The Bay and The EXL connected its makes sense for them to make the whole area more up market. LV has changed to much more upmarket hotels now with WYNN, Bellagio , Caesars , The Venetian , Mirage , etc.

Phil

The link doesn't seem to work.

Ta
Francesca

yep on this link it looks like there are plans to blow up most of the old hotels - the strip should look very different in 5 years - http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/page2hotels.htm

Upmarket and Mirage in the same sentance. Something is wrong surely?
I am surprised that you put Mirage is in the same list as Wynn, Bellagio and Venetian.

Paul