Las vegas Improvements For 2008

[Steve]

What would be the top three things that you think need to be improved in 2008 in Las Vegas?

This can be anything at all:
casino's
shows
restaurants
tourists improvements
safety...etc.


Steve

[misterKeno]

The improvements i have in mind have to do with pedestrians, among other things.

Visitors cross the strip -- or just a hotels' entrance/driveway against a DONT WALK. People figure if 'one person does it' -- then just go with the crowd, meanwhile you have cabs & other motorists moving on the green -- someone can get hurt.

Lane #3 on southbound Las Vegas Blvd (between the Jockey Club & NYNY is just torn up badly -- i know the construction with CITY CENTER has a part to play in 'that' - but c'mon guys.

A parking lot WILL BE PUT IN (i believe in the median ITSELF) near the "welcome to l.v." sign. This is a good idea.

Remove porn slappers.

mK

[sonntex]

I agree, Matthew. There need to be more skywalks.

Another place that is really bad is between Paris and PH. Isn't there a skywalk planned for that crossing?

[sean]

What would be the top three things that you think need to be improved in 2008 in Las Vegas?

This can be anything at all:
casino's
shows
restaurants
tourists improvements
safety...etc.


Steve

Close the strip to just taxi's and the Duce.

Ban the slappers

Close all of the clubs. That way all of the kids (21 to 27 year olds) would stay at home.

[callahanha]

1. Improve the gambling odds. This means no more 6:5 blackjack and 9/6 JOB video poker should not be so hard to find on the strip.
2. Fixed prices for taxi rides from airport to hotels. For example, airport to Ballys would be $14 no matter which route or how long it takes to get there.
3. Eliminate the smut peddlers

[ronnie2000]

Build skywalks over all the major intersections

Get rid of the porn slappers

If you have a moving sidewalk take you in, have a moving sidewalk that will take you out!

Do away with 6/5 blackjack!

Ban smoking in ALL casinos, ALL restaurants, and ALL bars, food or not.

Quit tearing down OLD Vegas. Just because something is new does not mean it is better.

[parillamilt]

1. Stop with the people trying to talk you into some timeshare/free show/tourist trips/players clubs at every casino entrance. I actually like the porn slappers compared to these "greeters" because the slappers don't try to talk to you!

2. More overhead walkways. I don't know where people think that if they are in the street, then cars will stop for them even if they walk on a red. In Vegas, if you pull that stunt, you will be under a taxi eating asphalt. Also giving the driver a dirty look for almost hitting you doesn't work. They don't care because it's a green light for them and YOU are in the wrong. Stop being stupid and follow the crosswalk signs even if you have to wait a minute. The PH to Bellagio crosswalk is the worst.

3. Get rid of the cheesy strip malls between the nice casinos. Come on Wynn, buy them out and put something there so we don't have to glance at the seedy underbelly of Vegas.

4. How about doing something about the sewer smell at the south corner sidewalk of Caesar's?

5. Lastly, how about revamping the 80's looking entrance to Bally's. Yuck.

[OpieLuv]

1. Traffic/Pedestrian crossings
2. Room rates
3. Payouts!

[pateboo]

1. Bring back the fun. The fun of going to Vegas, as opposed to local riverboats, is the kitschiness of all the different hotels. Don't tear down all the unique themed and shaped hotels and put up cookie cutter hotels instead. I can feel like I'm traveling the world without ever leaving the country or the strip.

2. Bring back the bargain prices for buffets. You can still keep all your celebrity chefs with their high fallutin' food that looks like lawn clippings with exorbitant prices, just leave the buffets alone for us common folk.

3. Give new ideas a fighting chance before changing them after only a month or so.

[Big Bad Bob]

The three things I would change:

1) Make a standard room at the major hotels a little more affordable for the average guy. Obviously, Venetian, Bellagio, and Caesars offer more than a standard room but some of the others (Mirage, TI, Flamingo, Ballys, Harrah's etc) offer a room with the basic amenities and could price themselves a little lower.

2) Bring back the "old" rules of blackjack. 3/2 on blackjacks and also have a few $2 and $3 tables.

3) Slot machines should accept coins even if they don't pay out in coins.

I miss all of these.

[vegasbabe]

i think they need to double deck the whole strip, not just the buses. That way, the people who have to get someplace will be able to move, and not be stuck in gridlock for an hour or more.

they also need to open more affordable restaurants and shows. It's getting much harder for the working class to afford a vegas vacation.

as for the third, I'd like to see the hostility and crime come to a stop on the strip. every time I go, I witness more fights and arrests. That is not the Vegas I remember from 10 years ago. Let's go back to the good ole' days--at least in this respect.

[sawsman]

Improve traffic flows in and around the STRIP and around town
Extend the Monorail to the airport, down town, and to the boulder hiway area.
Allow space for safe luggage storage on the Monorails.
Reduce the prices of those VERY expensive headliner and production shows like the "good old days."

[BlondNBlu4]

I wish I could keep my wishes to just 3. We have been going to Vegas for years. We have even built a house there. Now I am wondering if that was a mistake. Where is the old Vegas? The one where you could go and have such a great time. You could eat good food for cheap, you could at least get some play on the slots and you weren't bothered by people peddling porn everytime you stepped out on the sidewalks. I still love Vegas, but not as much as I used to. What a shame. Since a few large conglomerates have all but bought up the whole strip, things are not the same. Not enough competition, I think. Once you get monopolies going, what have they got to lose? You don't like the play or prices in this casino, go next door, I own that one too. Or go across the street. Oh, by the way, I own that one as well and they are all run the same. They are getting too big for their britches and people are starting to complain.

[planetbass]

1. Bring back the fun. The fun of going to Vegas, as opposed to local riverboats, is the kitschiness of all the different hotels. Don't tear down all the unique themed and shaped hotels and put up cookie cutter hotels instead.

Yes, yes, yes - could not have said it better. What made my jaw drop when I first hit Vegas (or it hit me) was the variety of architecture and the sheer daring of some of it.

2. Get rid of moving billboards advertising the latest available loose women (we all know what's on offer, or can find out if we're interested)

3. More of what the Sahara is planning to do - remodel and don't implode and remember why people think so fondly about Vegas - it has history. We can't recreate it maybe but we don't have to bury it in a cloud of cement dust either.

[mishaysdad]

I agree with most: Do AWAY with porn slappers!

Bring back gangster Vegas and do away with corporate Las Vegas! They are trying to make it a "rich" people only town.

Have all employees of hotel and casinos train @ the Palms where they treat everyone like kings!

:D

[Dshort2727]

3) Slot machines should accept coins even if they don't pay out in coins.

Not coins but dollar bills. Most won't take them and it can be a pain to have 10 or 15 of them. It's fun to play a dollar. (We have loonies and toonies which can get very heavy in our pocket):)

Dan

[Toicat]

In no particular order:

1. Do away with porn peddlers.
2. Do away with time share peddlers.
3. Fair pricing for bar drinks.
4. Old-Vegas odds/decks for blackjack.


Best to all,

[egglady]

1. Bring back decent gambling. ie: 3/2 blackjack 9/6 VP.

2. Break up the conglomerates and stop the neutralization of hotels. I love the unique themes.

3. Keep the timeshare hawkers behind their desks. I'll go to you if I'm interested.

[Alohafri]

1.

3. Keep the timeshare hawkers behind their desks. I'll go to you if I'm interested.


Amen! I find them more irritating thant the porn slappers. At least the porn slappers aren't in your face trying to give you the "hard sell."

Bring down the prices of basic rooms. Joe Sixpack is being priced out of Vegas.

[stevevarro]

First and Foremost, I'd like to see Steve get this list into the hands of the people who can evaluate these suggestions and do something about them.

As for changes.

1. Higher Payoffs Over the years the pay-out percentages have gone down, causing the casinos to take a bigger chunk of our money Give us a fighting change by raising the payoff percentages and lowering the minimums on table games.

2. Lower Buffets When the pay-outs went down the price of the buffets went up, taking still more of our money. Greed begats greed. Offer better prices for buffet meals.

3. Stop strip traffic. Close the strip to all public traffic and Taxis. Offer travel within the strip via trolleys and double decker buses. If you need to get to the other end of the strip in a hurry, the taxis can take you via an off strip route.

4. Porn slappers What more needs to be said about the problems related to this practice?

[Boston_Bill]

Id improve security Downtown. More visable police in the wee hours of the morning.
As others have said I agree controlling the pedestrians better on the Strip.

[Judy G]

My choices to improve Vegas are: to lessen the prices of the shows - they are way too expensive now; to bring back the neon, instead of building high rise condos right on the strip - they don't belong there; lower the room prices - they have got way out of hand on the strip; there should be no smoking in all casinos, except in a designated area; porn slappers; time-share hounders, and reduce buffet prices - they are way too high now.

[jolo777]

Gambling odds need to go back to how they were so we can have fun gambling again. ie Blackjack 3/2, VP 9/6, nickel machines that don't cost $5 to play max coins.
Once gambling is fun again I can put up with the rest of the wonderful fantasy of Las Vegas.

[bigbri525]

Three things that need to be changed in Vegas:

1. Drinks should be included in the price of a show ticket. I generally don't get a drink while at a show, mainly because I think it is outrageous to spend another $20, just for two drinks. I have no problem tipping the wait staff, but when it winds up being $25 to $30 for two drinks, with tip, I pass.:mad:

2. People that bring their kids to Vegas, give them $40 for the day, and the kids wind up wondering the streets, without parental supervision, once they are out of money. There is a reason why gambling and drinking is allowed everywhere in Vegas, it's for adult entertainment.

3. They need to bring back lower limit Blackjack. I have no problem with $5 a hand, but when I have to spend anywhere from $10 to $20 a hand, my low gambling budget goes fast.:rolleyes:

[Witty38]

1. Nobody, and I mean those visitors that gamble, should ever have to pay for a room in Vegas. Simply tie the room rate to the amount of gambling you do. Based on coins or dollars in a slot or table play.

2. Nobody, and I mean those visitors that gamble, should ever pay for food at casino restaurants. Simply issue vouchers based on slot or table play.

3. Why is it that it cost to rent rooms and buy food while drinks are "free" when you gamble? To discourage unhealthy and excessive drinking, every drink offered to casino players should be chargerd $2. One dollar for the drink and one dollar for the tip.

[Sue]

1. Lower room rates
2. Non-smoking in casinos
3. No children allowed in any casino, period!
4. Get rid of porn slappers

[cindyinnj]

1. Stop raising the table limits! C'mon! It's impossible to find a table that's $5 or even $10 anymore. I don't want to go to the dirty old casino's off strip to play $1-$5 tables. Why can't Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian..etc....lower their table limits. Weekdays the tables aren't too bad, but night time and weekends, FUHGETABOUDIT!!!!

2. Calm down on the 20 something clubs! Enough already. These young people don't even spend that much money in Vegas. It's us 35-65 yr olds that gamble, buy souvenirs, tip big, love good restaurants, etc. Why can't somebody come up with a nightclub for us?

3. Timeshare peddlers and porn slappers. They are both equally annoying so they share my number 3 spot.

[CJN]

I agree with most - no more porn slappers, more walkways over the strip (preferably with moving sidewalks), less expensive rooms and shows, bargain buffets should be brought back. If they rid smoking in all casinos, I won't be back. I put up with the no smoking in restaurants but if they ban it in casinos, I'll find someplace else to spend my money.

[MHIROTSU]

1. Ban baby strollers and require all new casinos to be designed in such a fashion that children do not have to go through the casino to get to the restaurants, buffets and hotel rooms, thus avoiding the problem of children being in the casinos for any reason.

2. Nekid cocktail waitresses!! Or sexier outfits. Yes, even sexier than what they are currently wearing. I like seeing sexy women in sexy outfits (sorry for the sexist statement).

3. Bring back the hookers. Actually, that is a bad idea, but they sure were entertaining back then.

4. Everyone named Mike gets everything for free ....

Note: In some ways, I think the high price for rooms, shows, etc. has kept the quality of people up, so it can be seen as a good thing. Except that they have priced me out so I have to look for someplace off Strip, but that's business. And they wouldn't be building all of those additional wings if people weren't staying there.

Mike

[nancyrodeo]

1) get rid of porn slappers

2) monorail to downtown

3) more moving sidewalks

Nancy from Ontario

[sandlind]

lower room rates on strip
lower food prices
no kids in casinos..period. take your kids to disneyworld

[sdreamin]

-Lower priced hotel rooms
-Definitely the Monorail to downtown
-Lower priced dinner buffets
-Points accrued on players card should last forever:D

[Sherry]

#1: Loosen the slots to the way they used to be

#2: Less expensive places to eat

#3: Lower the prices of shows

But you know and I know this will never happen. Greed is all around us. Sherry

[jolo777]

1. Nobody, and I mean those visitors that gamble, should ever have to pay for a room in Vegas. Simply tie the room rate to the amount of gambling you do. Based on coins or dollars in a slot or table play.

2. Nobody, and I mean those visitors that gamble, should ever pay for food at casino restaurants. Simply issue vouchers based on slot or table play.

3. Why is it that it cost to rent rooms and buy food while drinks are "free" when you gamble? To discourage unhealthy and excessive drinking, every drink offered to casino players should be chargerd $2. One dollar for the drink and one dollar for the tip.

Actually this is how it is done if you are loyal to any one casino chain. I haven't paid for a room or a meal at any Harrah's property in many years, and as for the free drinks, would you also charge for the soda and coffee the waitresses cheerfully serve us or the water we need to rehydrate, or even the occasional drink for those of us who would like.? Your players card works like a charge card for all the restaruants at these properties.

[lindainwi]

Remove porn slappers.
mK

I know they are annoying, but they are a part of the Vegas experience. I just can't imagine walking down the strip without the porn slappers.;) Maybe they don't aggravate me because I'm female and they tend to leave me alone. I'm sure it is much worse for you guys.

[rambler]

1. extend the mono rail downtown and to the airport. Allow the hotels to comp.your monorail ride to and from the airport.This might reduce traffic on the strlp. Encourage MGM to extend their tram system from MB to TI since they own almost everything on that side of the strip.
2. Limit the number of casinos one company can own. The more casinos the better the chance of the consumer getting a deal.
3.No more condos or time shares on the strip. Alot of the traffic problems are caused by the influx of these people.The strip and Fremont St should be casino,hotel and shopping areas only.

[tednewkirk]

Someone posted that they hoped Steve could get this thread into the hands of someone in the hotel industry. The odds are that no one working for a major gaming company is going to answer the numerous complaints or suggestions here. They have bosses to answer to and pretty much can't burp without permission.

I don't work for a gaming company or hotel casino. Never have. I simply sell and promote Las Vegas tourism and have been doing so for well over a decade. Since I don't answer to anyone and can say what I want, I'll take a stab fielding some of the comments and suggestions.

Because I'm taking the time to do this, I only ask are two things:

1. If I have typos, so be it. I'm just trying to bang this out and get the info online.

2. Please don't shoot the messenger. I'm going to give as many specific, knowledgeable answers as I can but at the end of the day, I don't set prices or make the rules. So let's go...


* Improve the gambling odds

People are playing 6:5 blackjack and lousy video poker. If you owned a store and you hiked up the prices and people still came and bought stuff, you wouldn't lower the prices. 20 years ago, there were loads of books, videotapes, and other information on how to gamble smart. Now, the average visitor doesn't care.

* Close The Strip except to public transit (taxi, bus, shuttles).

The Las Vegas Strip is a Nevada State Highway. Highway 604 to be exact. You don't close down state highways. Should more traffic infrastructure be built behind the properties to move traffic? Of course. But people will still drive The Strip out of stupidity or because they can.

Quick tip: Unless it is rush hour locally, use the freeway. Even if you just need to get a mile or so. Quicker to drive to the nearest cross-street, use I-15, then circle back in many instances. Print out some google maps before you arrive.

* Quit tearing down OLD Las Vegas

C'mon... I loved the Sands. I was (literally) the last civilian ever to step foot in to Copa Room. But no one is blowing up Bellagio. With rare exception, the casinos that go make room for something much nicer.

Want traditional hotels? Stay downtown! I tell anyone who wants to experience what Las Vegas used to be to head to Fremont Street.

* Give new ideas a fighting chance before changing them after only a month or so.

I'm with you there. Sometimes fun things or good ideas need time to get traction and word of mouth. How about putting a little extra promotion into a concept before junking it.

* Visitors Walking Against Red Lights

You do so at your own risk. I've come close to hitting people even though I've always driven very defensively on and around The Strip. Don't Walk means Don't Walk and when I'm a pedestrian, I honor that. What's the hurry? Las Vegas has no last call.

* Fixed taxi rates

I'm not fan of the taxi drivers, but as long as they take the best route, they need to get paid for the time and gas. If you want a flat rate, take an airport shuttle. Better yet (and I'm not kidding), take a limo. Both are flat rate and for about double what a cab costs, you can get a limo.

* Porn slappers

Don't waste your breath on that one. C'mon... unless you are brand new to talking about Las Vegas, you know that the ACLU has defended their "freedom of speech." I don't like it any better than you do, but they are so easy to ignore I'm not sure why it is an issue.

The moving billboards fall under the same category.

* Bring back the bargain prices for buffets

First of all, there are still some cheap buffets. Sahara certainly rings a bell. However, people forget to simply factor in inflation.

Also, even the most expensive buffets are amazing values. In your home town, you'd pay $50 a person (or much more) for the variety of top quality dishes you can walk into a nice buffet and just scarf down.

* Slot machines should accept coins even if they don't pay out in coins

Coins are very costly do deal with (handling them, repairing the machines) but I won't deny that I miss coin machines. Nothing like hitting a jackpot, the coins bounce in the tray as they fall out for the next five minutes, then you have to scrub your hands for another five minutes in the bathroom sink (and are happy to do it). However, coins are gone.

* Make a standard room at the major hotels a little more affordable

Hotel rooms are simply supply and demand. The (within reason) exact same room at a pretty nice hotel and a downtown hotel will be priced very differently. Bottom Line: You are paying for the name and/or location of a hotel. Many will tell you that a Lexus is just a really nice Toyota with a fancy name.

If you aren't interested in paying for the name and location, many hotels will give you a very solid basic room.

* Ban smoking in all casinos

Over the years, properties have tried to have non-smoking areas, or non-smoking tables. The Silver City went smoke-free for about 9 months if memory serves me correct.

The reality is that the Nevada anti-smoking laws are pretty much dead in the water. Not one person has ever received the $100 fine, and even local "non smoking (by law)" bars see plenty of people light up. (Disclaimer: I am not a cigarette smoker).

I understand Atlantic City is now non-smoking. Plus, Atlantic City is working to make itself more like Las Vegas every day. Also, many Indian casinos are in states that ban public smoking. If avoiding smokers is one of your top priorities, vote with your wallet and explore non-smoking gaming destinations.

* Need to open more affordable restaurants and shows

Look, the Gregory Popovichs Comedy Pet Theatre (a great show) is only about $15. Mac King is still pretty reasonable. Larry G. Jones. I could go right on down the line. Dirk Arthur $31 (and well worth it).

The production costs of the huge, major shows simply don't allow for a cheap price. The cast and effects of many Las Vegas shows that is now very common was virtually unheard of 10 years ago. Simply compare Mystere to O.

BTW, many say "bring the price of shows back to the old days" but in reality, $25 bought you a pretty nice show in the late 70's. Adjusted for inflation, $25 is now $75. Folies Bergere is slightly less than that, and was one of the top shows back in the day. So, in reality shows still are priced at "good ole' day" prices. They didn't have Cirque back in the "good ole' days."

* I'd like to see the hostility and crime come to a stop on The Strip

I agree. There is sometimes more of an edge, especially later at night or hot weekend evenings.

10 years ago, most casino security still carried guns and wore what looked like cop uniforms. At the time, the properties got worried that would scare people away. To be honest, it always made me feel safe.

* Break up the conglomerates and stop the neutralization of hotels

This is the United States and business is business. If you bought one small store (let's say a sandwich shop) and it did well, and you opened another location and two years later you had 20 locations all over your town and were the leader in sales in your market, should someone have the right to break you up?

The bottom line is that you still have plenty of choice in life. Don't like Coke or Pepsi? Most supermarkets are full of other kinds of cola (generic, RC, you name it... most at much better prices).

Go to Tropicana, Sahara, Riviera, or most any of the places downtown if you want to spend your money somewhere besides the "big guys."

* Kids in Las Vegas

I agree. Leave them home. I wouldn't even raise kids in the suburbs here. The high-school drop out rate is beyond belief. This is a great place to live if you are young and having fun, older and retired, or have chosen to live a child-free life.

* Calm down on the 20 something clubs!

If I recall correctly, the nightclub at Wynn made over $30,000,000 last year. Do the simple math: While you may be upset about paying $100 for a show ticket, there are tens of thousands of 20-somethings who are thrilled to pay a $30 cover charge plus $12 a drink just to be inside the walls of a certain club. This doesn't include people who pay $300 and up (way up) just to sit at a table in the club.

* Nekid cocktail waitresses!! Or sexier outfits.

You know... the outfits (for the most part) were much more sexy in years past. However, one of the little secrets no one talks about is that those "What happens in Vegas" ads appeal to women. More and more women and girls groups are visiting. And... most ladies want to be served by a classy cocktail waitress, not one that looks like she's just about to do a pole dance.

That said, The Rio just went back to some really sexy outfits. Not quite as sexy as when they opened the place, but maybe the tide is turning. Also, Coast Casinos (plus South Point) cocktail outfits have continued to be stand-outs.

* Extend the monorail to (wherever)

C'mon. It is a failure. Even a "free monorail ticket with almost any purchase" that a major Vegas site (not mine) did earlier this year for months on end didn't appear to help.

So they extend the monorail to the airport. So what. You are staying at Mirage. That still means a hike (with your luggage) from the back of the Imperial Palace all the way up into The Mirage. (Literally about 1/2 mile).

My suggestion? An aerial tram similar to what they have in Palm Springs, Albuquerque, and Portland. Instead, this one glides above The Strip, above traffic, above the pedestrian overpasses, docking at most of the major Strip hotels (still above traffic).

It would make a huge loop, up one side of The Strip and down the other. Each car could easily carry 50 people (or more with modern technology). They cars could run back to back, with one being released to move we are talking something like the San Francisco cable cars that latch onto the cable when they need to move, but when at stop are not engaged with the cable).


I hope I've been able to provide some light on the "why do they, why don't they" mysteries of Las Vegas.

The bottom line is that until tourism sees a pretty sharp dip from year-to-year, things are going to continue in the direction they are going.

For those of you who long for the way things used to be, remember: There didn't used to be a Bellagio or a Wynn or Venetian. There didn't used to be mind-boggling Cirque type shows.

You can still have Las Vegas the way it used to be:

Stay at a hotel that was considered one of the finer hotels many years ago. Attend a reasonably priced shows that would have been considered one of the best shows in town many ago. Eat at a buffet that would have been considered one of the best in town may years ago. Adjusted for inflation, you will be paying about the same as you did many years ago.

And you still get the opportunity to gawk at all the amazing, new stuff!

Ted Newkirk
CEO
AccessVegas.com

[pateboo]

1. The beer could be colder
2. The Cocktail Waitresses should be topless-But not older than 35( and no faties)
3. No one should own more than one Hotel- Casino
4. All Machines should be set at 98%

I'm not for topless waitresses, unless you get naked good looking waiters too. But HEY, what's wrong with over 35. That's a rhetorical question, since NOTHING is wrong with over 35. I believe Pam Anderson is in her FORTIES! And I'm not talking cup size either. Somehow I don't see any straight man turning her down and refusing free liquor. LOL :rolleyes:

[yankeeblue]

As long as Vegas continues on this road to "high end" restaurants, rooms and shows...we will think twice about spending the cash to go there.
Most big cities have casinos or a short drive to an Indian casino, casino boats. If it's just about the gambling, we can go to plenty right here in our home town/state.
We go to Vegas for the cheap vacation that it used to be. It was worth the price of the airline flight, because the rates were so good there. Now, they are pricing themselves right out of the middleclass vacation ideas.

We also think the 20 somethings will tire of their newest fad soon. They move on every couple years...a new hot spot will open up and they will flock there...then where will all the nightclubs be? The older generations will still be there. Why cater to the crowd that will not be loyal in the long run?

Vegas used to have a strong pull to ALL ages, and groups, now....less and less for those of us in the middle.

[Boston_Bill]

As long as Vegas continues on this road to "high end" restaurants, rooms and shows...we will think twice about spending the cash to go there.
Most big cities have casinos or a short drive to an Indian casino, casino boats. If it's just about the gambling, we can go to plenty right here in our home town/state.
We go to Vegas for the cheap vacation that it used to be. It was worth the price of the airline flight, because the rates were so good there. Now, they are pricing themselves right out of the middleclass vacation ideas.

We also think the 20 somethings will tire of their newest fad soon. They move on every couple years...a new hot spot will open up and they will flock there...then where will all the nightclubs be? The older generations will still be there. Why cater to the crowd that will not be loyal in the long run?

Vegas used to have a strong pull to ALL ages, and groups, now....less and less for those of us in the middle.

I agree to a point but the Indian casinos in Connecticut just cant compare with the Las Vegas experience. They're fine if you want a quick gambling fix but I cant be bothered making a three hour ride to Foxwoods.

[cocoa6929]

1. Definitely agree--do away with the porn slappers! we all know there is porn available and if we want it then we can check the local phonebook..

2. Bring back the good old days of cheap buffets--.99 cent taco bars??

3.Quit tearing down 'old' casinos to make way for new ones--We still like the 'old' ones!

[hambone]

Skywalks and slappers. But the best I've seen posted was by Callahanha - standard taxi fares between 2 points. Our example - 19.80 down the strip at 4:15 p.m. Next night at a later, busier time/ about the same distance - 12.50 by bypassing the strip. The 2nd cabbie was handed the same amount as the 1st cabbie - 21.00.

[CassidyDiva]

1) better walk-way between Paris & Planet-Hollywood (my scooter doesn't go up those steep ramps)

2) Complete monorail on Both sides of Strip

3) cheaper tickets for main show-rooom atrractions ($150 for Manilow??)

[flamingofun]

Thanks Ted from Access Vision, for putting all things Vegas in perspective. Your points are well taken, reality is hard to swallow! I'm sad that June 2007 we were priced out of our Flamingo home of 10 years, to Imperial Palace. But hey, we still got 'to gawk at all the new stuff"!! Viva Las Vegas

[tednewkirk]

Quote of Yankee Blue:

We also think the 20 somethings will tire of their newest fad soon. They move on every couple years...a new hot spot will open up and they will flock there...then where will all the nightclubs be? The older generations will still be there. Why cater to the crowd that will not be loyal in the long run?

We also think the 20 somethings will tire of their newest fad soon. They move on every couple years...a new hot spot will open up and they will flock there...then where will all the nightclubs be? The older generations will still be there. Why cater to the crowd that will not be loyal in the long run?

20 somethings simply flock to the next hot club in Las Vegas. Clubs run their course, and others open. If there is another city that the 20-something club people are headed to that is hotter than Las Vegas, no one is talking much about it.

Until and unless California repeals their 2 AM closing time, 20-somethings will flock to Las Vegas:

They are the ones who can spend money without a care flying over for a day or two.

If the do a road trip,they have the energy/stamina to drive all night to get back home if they don't fly. Also, because of the L.A. vibe/demands they will spend piles of cash to try to impress others.

Complaining about 20-somethings in Las Vegas is like getting upset because the sun rises. Your time is much better spent voting with your wallet when it comes to shows, food, and (especially) room prices.

[Blackjack]

I have been going out to Vegas for 14 years, and have enjoyed each trip, but I have to agree with some of the responses for the 2008 Improvements:
1. PLEASE get rid of the porn slappers. That trash just messes up the streets and sidewalks.
2. Yes, Blackjack should go back to 3/2, and some $2 & $3 tables would be fun again.
3. Room rates - definitely need to go down some. Us average "joes" would stay longer if the rates were a little more reasonable. (I usually stay at Bally's.)
4. You don't hear the "cha-ching" coming from the slots anymore. That is too bad. (that was half the fun)
:confused:

[ASTIDIXIE]

:confused:Hmmmm........I think the first thing I would change is: I would like to see far more free transportation to offsite locations, secondly I would like to see far more Dunks open up before I get there in four days....lol and last I would like to see lower room rates!!!!
I would spend far more money there if these came true.........more on gambling and buying things at the malls and casino stores.

[legalois]

Actually this is how it is done if you are loyal to any one casino chain. I haven't paid for a room or a meal at any Harrah's property in many years, and as for the free drinks, would you also charge for the soda and coffee the waitresses cheerfully serve us or the water we need to rehydrate, or even the occasional drink for those of us who would like.? Your players card works like a charge card for all the restaruants at these properties.

Well you must spend a hell of a lot more than we do. We do manage to eke out two free nights, but have never had any free meals. We must be doing something wrong.

[jolo777]

Well you must spend a hell of a lot more than we do. We do manage to eke out two free nights, but have never had any free meals. We must be doing something wrong.

We go to Vegas about 4 times a year but also go to other Harrah's properties during the rest of the year like Harrah's Rincon in California, and Harrah's Laughlin. The free meals we get are at these places because we use the reward credits that accumulate on our total reward players cards, sometime we also get offers in the mail that are like coupons that are used toward the meals like $50 coupon toward food at Caesars. I did not mean to imply that we get free meals everywhere, only at the properties that we run up a bunch of points on our players card. They also give free meals or vouchers with the tournaments. Even at Silverton we have used our players card at the cashier to pay for lunch and we do not gamble that much there. I doubt that we would have enough credits there for a fancy dinner. When we use up our points and coupons there is always Slots-O-Fun with a big hot dog and beer for $1, and you can usually find a coupon for that too.

[wilber]

bring back coin slots, cheaper room rates and buffets

[LJG0722]

Good Evening

Have smoking ban similar to Atlantic City

remove all porn slappers from everywhere

have mandatory low minium tables

[Jimmyvegas]

1.) Anyone under 18 gets turned away at the airport.

2.) Ban anyone that scrunches up their nose when I light up my cigar in the casino. This is Las Vegas. This is why I go to Las Vegas. Go home if you can't stomach it.

3.) Ban all construction that has any impact on the strip. Make all strip casinos use side streets and streets behind the casinos. Inconvenience the casinos and not the hundreds of thousands of customers that visit your establishments.

And the kicker that all casinos should read, if you have someone outside your casino trying to sell me something, you've lost a customer and I move on.


JV

:cool:

[cjm051]

1. More 3-2 blackjack and lower limit tables($5-10).:);)

2. Cater the casinos to the middle rollers, not just the high rollers and young wannabies. We are the ones who made the city what it is. We will go to other places if we are priced out of Vegas.:mad:

3. Bring back the cheap food deals and buffets.;)

[rambler]

I'am not a smoker, that said the smoking restrictions in A.C. has cost them business. So don't expect Nevada to pursue the smoking issue too hard.It's probably one of the reasons so many people come from SoCal.
Nevada can pass a law limiting the number of casinos a company can own if the state wants to.

[pateboo]

1.) Anyone under 18 gets turned away at the airport.

2.) Ban anyone that scrunches up their nose when I light up my cigar in the casino. This is Las Vegas. This is why I go to Las Vegas. Go home if you can't stomach it.

3.) Ban all construction that has any impact on the strip. Make all strip casinos use side streets and streets behind the casinos. Inconvenience the casinos and not the hundreds of thousands of customers that visit your establishments.

And the kicker that all casinos should read, if you have someone outside your casino trying to sell me something, you've lost a customer and I move on.


JV

:cool:

If you have to go to Vegas just to smoke your stinky cigar, I'm betting the wife doesn't care for your cigars either. :rolleyes:

[8888]

no children. period. vegas is a place to act like a child not bring one on vacation.

[RWHannu]

>>bring back coin slots, cheaper room rates and buffets

Well, let's see...

Coin Slots- Check
Cheap Room Rates- Check
No "Porn" Slappers- Check
No time share salespeople- Check
Old School Casinos- Check
Smoking-to-your-heart's-content- Check
No trendy California kids with too much money- Check

(Plus a whole litany of other complaints, like "too hot in the summer", "too much traffic", "too dangerous to walk the streets".)

I see what everybody's problem is...all you folks are going to Las Vegas when you should be comin' on up to spend your vacation here in Elko...

[trackman]

I would change: 1-lower the room rates. Things have gotten out of control with the room pricing! 2-not so many of these clubs around that attract the 21-29 year old crowd who do not know how to act accordingly. 3-lets not make Vegas a non-smoking town! I am not a regular smoker, but when I'm in Vegas, I enjoy to smoke, drink and gamble! They have already done this in Atlantic City, which is near me, so let's NOT do this to Las Vegas!!!!

[Dee]

Trackman, I elect you to oversee the future of Vegas :cool:

[HeyNow]

1. Make 6:5 Blackjack Illegal
2. Legalize Prostitution
3. Make the Grand Canyon closer so I can actually see it one of these times

[RWHannu]

1. Make 6:5 Blackjack Illegal
2. Legalize Prostitution
3. Make the Grand Canyon closer so I can actually see it one of these times


Once again, in two out of three issues that everybody brings up, it's clear that Elko is the place for you all to be!

[trackman]

Trackman, I elect you to oversee the future of Vegas :cool:

Thanks Dee, I would love to! But seriously, I have seen first hand what has happened in Atlantic City, and I have to say, it stinks! You can't relax and play your game, while enjoying a drink and a smoke! The casino sticks you into a spot deemed smoking, and your lucky if you find a game you like, whether it be slots or tables! The room rates are totally out of control, and the young kids just do not know how to act!! Sit at the nickel video poker machines at the Venetian, closest to the entrance, and just watch all the drunken fools trying to walk into the casino, yelling, tripping over themselves, saying ridiculous things, its just silly! I'm all about fun, even tying one on, but let's not act like amateurs!!

[Dee]

Thanks Dee, I would love to! But seriously, I have seen first hand what has happened in Atlantic City, and I have to say, it stinks! You can't relax and play your game, while enjoying a drink and a smoke! The casino sticks you into a spot deemed smoking, and your lucky if you find a game you like, whether it be slots or tables! The room rates are totally out of control, and the young kids just do not know how to act!! Sit at the nickel video poker machines at the Venetian, closest to the entrance, and just watch all the drunken fools trying to walk into the casino, yelling, tripping over themselves, saying ridiculous things, its just silly! I'm all about fun, even tying one on, but let's not act like amateurs!!

I was in AC for Columbus Day weekend I very much agree with you. In my opinion smoking sections don't work, the smoke permeates everywhere regardless and the smoking section and all around it so very thick with smoke I think it is more hazardous. Smoking is such a touchy subject. Was in Vegas in June didn't smoke didn't have the urge, on our trip in August I start lighting up and started regularly smoking again (will quit after this trip in Dec). It is what it is. At this point it should be about respecting the current laws, and people who agree/disagree with them as much as possible. I do not want people to suffer for my bad habit, so I look for areas where there are a few machines empty or where I see others smoking. Ie. was at MGM and a very pregnant woman sat down beside me so I imediatley extinguished and she said oh it is fine (I disagreed) however I would not have appreciated if someone (unpregnant) sat down and told me to put it out (the key word being told, being asked something different). Oh and AC with the drinks in plastic cups :mad: (except Borgata)lite beer? not for me. Take care Trackman.

[yanxfan]

Get rid of those DAMNED "Bevertainers" at the Rio or at LEAST make them change their songs occasionally! I go about 3 times a year and they have been singing the SAME songs over and over ever since they started a few years ago! It makes me crazy after a day or two, so I can't imagine how crazy that must make the locals who have to listen to them all the time! Bring back the Mardi Gras parade with Rio Rita and they guy on the stilts...at least that cheered me up if I was losing.;)

[1940GMC]

I agree with many of the previous postings.....GET RID OF THE PORN SLAPPERS. They absolutely gross me out. MORE SKYWALKS.....crossing the strip is dangerous. Crossing from the Bellagio to Planet Hollywood is just a tad frightening.

I also agree with fixing the taxi prices from the airport to hotels. Good idea.

[monsterpocket]

I have a long list but will keep it to one.

Police the sidwalk across hotel entrences so that walkers can not cross against the light (and then they get mad at the drivers).

[VegasBride]

Well you must spend a hell of a lot more than we do. We do manage to eke out two free nights, but have never had any free meals. We must be doing something wrong.

Try the Station Casinos; we have stayed at three of them and do not pay for rooms or meals, plus we get a limo to and from the airport, and a fruit basket in our room. The majority of the time we stay at Palace Station. We do not consider ourselves high rollers. We play anything from a penny to once in a while $5.00 machines. Most of the time on quarter machines.:)

[VegasBride]

I have many choices but I will stick to just three:

1. The smut peddlers.:mad:

2. The taxi fares are outrageous. You are at their mercy. There should be standard fees because they are never the same.:confused:

3. And mostly, I think points put on slot cards should have a longer time span. They range all the way from some casinos saying they last indefinetly to the Wynn who told me when I first applied for a slot card that their points only lasted 30 days. Guess where we don't play. It may have changed by now, but we never went back to find out.:(

[VivaLasVegas]

Pay out some jackpots on the slots far more often than now. Hardly see anyone winning anything over $100. Should be a real frequency of regular winners. How many can count on one hand the number of $300 jackpots they get each trip to Vegas for example.

Better and more consistent buffet food. Why are some really bad and still in business? Improve the food and lessen the choices. While at it lower the price to nothing over $20.

Have more free or near free shuttle buses to area hotels including the downtown running near 24/7. Include getting to the shopping areas.

Finally if you can't get the porn slappers off the strip then force them to hand out only in areas where the sidewalks are more than 20 feet wide. It's hard enough to walk the strip in some areas and they converge on the narrow areas making it unsafe to walk in some instances.

VLV

[jr7110]

Thanks Dee, I would love to! But seriously, I have seen first hand what has happened in Atlantic City, and I have to say, it stinks! You can't relax and play your game, while enjoying a drink and a smoke! The casino sticks you into a spot deemed smoking, and your lucky if you find a game you like, whether it be slots or tables! The room rates are totally out of control, and the young kids just do not know how to act!! Sit at the nickel video poker machines at the Venetian, closest to the entrance, and just watch all the drunken fools trying to walk into the casino, yelling, tripping over themselves, saying ridiculous things, its just silly! I'm all about fun, even tying one on, but let's not act like amateurs!!

I am a non smoker and I am personally very happy about the new laws in Atlantic City - if the casinos were better ventilated it would be a different story (somehow the Vegas casinos do not seem nearly as smoky as Atlantic City casinos so they do not bother me) but I am a non smoker for a reason _ I take very good care of myself, work out 5 days a week and I do not want to be forced to breathe in poisonous chemicals against my will. If someone wants to smoke that is their right, but they do not have the right to take away the choice of someone else who chooses not to smoke, so the casinos are doing the right thing - building an area where people who like to smoke can go out and do as they please without forcing people who do not want to risk their health to breath in toxic fumes. And before people start jumping all over me - smokers are smart enough to realize they are doing something widely considered unhealthy and that yes, secondhand smoke has indeed been proven to cause cancer. They still have the right to make their own decisions for themselves as long as my rights are equally respected. That is why I feel the AC casinos are doing what is best for everyone concerned.

[yanxfan]

I am a non smoker and I am personally very happy about the new laws in Atlantic City - if the casinos were better ventilated it would be a different story (somehow the Vegas casinos do not seem nearly as smoky as Atlantic City casinos so they do not bother me) but I am a non smoker for a reason _ I take very good care of myself, work out 5 days a week and I do not want to be forced to breathe in poisonous chemicals against my will. If someone wants to smoke that is their right, but they do not have the right to take away the choice of someone else who chooses not to smoke, so the casinos are doing the right thing - building an area where people who like to smoke can go out and do as they please without forcing people who do not want to risk their health to breath in toxic fumes. And before people start jumping all over me - smokers are smart enough to realize they are doing something widely considered unhealthy and that yes, secondhand smoke has indeed been proven to cause cancer. They still have the right to make their own decisions for themselves as long as my rights are equally respected. That is why I feel the AC casinos are doing what is best for everyone concerned.

Wow, "jr," I couldn't have said it better myself. As a matter of fact, your views are so spot-on to mine that I had to double-check to make sure it wasn't me who wrote it in the first place! Especially when you said that you notice it less in LV than in AC, it must be the higher ceilings or something.

It's funny, the difference between some smokers is unbelievable. I travel with a good friend who is a smoker, but she is a considerate smoker (and not just to me). If her cigarette seems to bother someone, she will volunteer to move it. Then there are the ones who find me. We tend to enjoy playing VP at the bar where we can have a drink and watch the games, and it never fails that I sit next to a smoker (or they sit next to me), who is sitting next to their spouse or friend on the other side, but will hold their smouldering cigarette on MY side so that they don't bother the person they are with. I do realize that smokers have their rights, too, but I find it laughable if, when I ask them politely if they would mind moving their cigarette to the other side, they get defensive and say (and you wouldn't believe how many times I've heard this) "if you don't like smoke, why are you sitting at the bar?" DUH, because I DO enjoy drinking and gambling and watching the games? What, is the bar EXCLUSIVELY for smokers? Honestly, if a smoker is a considerate smoker, I could care less how much they smoke. It's just the rude, defensive ones that really get me going and tends to ruin my good time...especially if I have a good machine at the time.

Anyway, there is update, though, in that AC will become COMPLETELY smoke-free in a few months (may be July if I remember correctly). The bill was unanimously passed a few months ago.