What's new in two years??

[ZanieOR]

I'm in the process of booking my first trip to LV in two years (thanks to Southwest's 1/2 price two-day sale), and I was wondering what all has changed in those two years ago (since February, 2007).
I know Encore just opened and they've revamped the volcano. Also Barbary Coast became Bill's (I took photos of the Barbary Coast signs, not long before the new identity was due to kick in.)

Anyway, I am hoping folks can clue me in on what new things I should check out or expect to see (subtle and otherwise), what things I may miss.

[ChicChas]

On the Strip, Pallazo is also new. Luxor and NYNY have remodelled their interiors. I think Planet Hollywood may be new for you. Certainly the Miracle Mile Shops have been finished since then.

Downtown, the Golden Nugget interior renovation is complete, including their new pool area with the slide that goes through the shark tank. Also the streetscaping on Freemont East heading down to the El Cortez is new.

Allliante Station is new.

[jr7110]

On the Strip, Pallazo is also new. Luxor and NYNY have remodelled their interiors. I think Planet Hollywood may be new for you. Certainly the Miracle Mile Shops have been finished since then.

Downtown, the Golden Nugget interior renovation is complete, including their new pool area with the slide that goes through the shark tank. Also the streetscaping on Freemont East heading down to the El Cortez is new.

Allliante Station is new.

I don't know about the Miracle Mile shops being "finished" - when I was there a few months ago (mid September) there were still many parts of the shopping area that were left over from the Aladdin days - there were still a lot of the middle eastern decor elements left unchanged throughout the shops. Can anyone give a more recent update?

Also - when I was there in Sept I took photos in front of the "Welcome To Las Vegas" sign. The next day, work was supposed to begin on a parking lot so that people can park there and not have to risk running across the highway to get to the sign. That might be something new to you!

The Luxor interior remodel is a vast improvement over the old look, as is the Planet Hollywood conversion from The Aladdin (I love the look of the PH casino - one of my favorites in Vegas now). The de-theming of NYNY though is tragic - there is no more "Central Park" in the casino - it is now a lot more generic.

The Stardust was imploded in March 2007, one month after your last visit and the Frontier was demolished in November 2007, so the appearance of the northern strip is going to be a bit of a shock to you. Construction on new projects on those sites has been halted due to the economy so it really does have a sad look to the area. The area next to Bellagio is swallowed by the horrific City Center project. Vegas has undergone some major changes in the last couple of years for sure!

[nanapat]

I also live in oregon.......have u tried allegiant air?? They're cheaper but only sunday & thursday from eugene.+ other small ports
check travelzoo for good deals too......am seeing bette midler in 2 weeks!! Can't wait!!
Hope u have a lucky trip!!

[Lori R]

Addendum to JR's post:

There are still a lot of Middle East elements left in the Miracle Mile shopping center. I suspect that, as they change out tenants, they will work on some of those things. They did remove a lot of the old decor from the common areas, and, I believe, the flooring has been changed as well. This is as of 12/18/08. Shopping center developers are experiencing the pains of the economy and they are cutting back as well.

The parking lot at the sign is completely finished and, as has been written in a couple of trip reports already, is only accessible if you are traveling south on the strip. As of 12/18, they were just finishing some landscaping.

There's a new shopping center just south of Mandalay, called Town Square.

Have fun and good luck!