Is Demolition in the Cards for MGM's Luxor Resort and Casino?

I personally like the themed nature of the Casino Resorts in Las Vegas. I Like Circus Circus  and the Live Circus acts. I miss Treasure Island and the nightly battle of pirates and Sirens. New York New York, Paris, Excalibur and Luxor all attract me for the themed entertainment and decor.

So anytime I hear a major casino resort in Las Vegas may have plans to revamp and de-theme like Monte Carlo which is now Park MGM, Treasure Island which is now TI, Imperial Palace which is now Linq and MGM Grand forgoing its “Wizard of Oz” roots; It saddens me.

I do understand the need for remodels and updates and even them changes, but would prefer Vegas keep resorts and casinos themed.

Enough Whining... On to the rumors.

While no official announcement has been made by MGM Resorts, the iconic Las Vegas Luxor Resort and Casino could be facing demolition if the gossip is to be believed. The consideration is believed to be based on the distinctive and limiting design, which does not allow for much in the way of change. There is also some possible issues regarding inability to repair structure and talk of a MLB ballpark looking for a spot on the strip.

The same face-lift dilemma is rumored to be a topic possibly being discussed regarding the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as well.

Luxor opened 26 years ago, on October 15, 1993. During a time when Las Vegas was much more focused on attracting families. In recent years it has tried to return to its Sin City roots. Las Vegas spent the 1990s trying to attract families by transforming into a kid friendly entertainment destination, but children don't gamble and neither do parents who are entertaining children.

Some de-theming of casinos in Las Vegas began earlier this decade and many changes have already been made at Luxor and other casinos to move away from the original themes. However, it’s nearly impossible to re-image a massive pyramid.

Sources say MGM company officials have discussed the demolition of both Luxor and Excalibur for the last five years and perhaps the COVID-19 shutdowns may contribute to rumors.

MGM Resorts’ real estate investment trust MGM Growth Properties (NYSE: MGP) owns the physical assets of Luxor.

MGM Las Vegas Casino and Resort Opening Announcements

Las Vegas Casino and Resorts were shut down back in March as part of Governor Steve Sisolak’s mandatory closure of non-essential Nevada businesses.

MGM Resorts has since announced return of some of it's Las Vegas hotel-casino operations:

Starting on June 4 with the reopening of the Bellagio, MGM Grand and New York-New York.

Excalibur is set to open on June 11

The Luxor will reopen on June 25th.

Followed by Aria, Mandalay Bay and Four Seasons Las Vegas on July 1.

The upcoming reopenings will come with several new safety protocols to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. These include screenings and temperature checks for employees, who will be required to wear masks. Social distancing also will be implemented, with plexiglass barriers to be installed where distancing restrictions are more difficult.

MGM Resorts will also offer free parking when it's properties reopen.

Looks like Las Vegas Strip may be planning to open for Memorial Day Weekend?

All nonessential businesses in Nevada were temporarily closed on March 17 by Governor Steve Sisolak because of COVID-19. Sisolak’s order was extended through April 30.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) company spokesman says they have canceled room reservations at its Las Vegas properties through May 21.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, whenever the Las Vegas Strip reopens, MGM officials expect to open their properties incrementally. MGM's filing indicated the company’s 10 casinos on the Las Vegas Strip will be opened in phases. However With reservations for Friday May 22nd and the Memorial Day weekend not being included in the cancellations notice, this may indicate that the first phase will be a soft re-opening for the holiday weekend for those who already have reservations.

Visiting the MGMResorts.com webpage, the first available date for booking is June 1st. This may indicate a second phase in re-opening of the Las Vegas Strip for new reservations.

Because of the economic fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic, MGM's stock took a downturn around February 20th and bottomed around March 18th, dropping approx $25 a share the day after Vegas was shuttered.

While the company isn’t scheduled to release its first quarter financial performance until 4/30/20, company officials predicted dire results for the first quarter of 2020. MGM is estimating its consolidated net revenue total for the quarter to be about $2.3 billion, which would be about a 29% decrease from the same period in 2019.

Officials also mentioned MGM’s solid liquidity, the company reported it has about $6 billion in cash. The domestic properties still cost about $270 million per month to maintain and have begun "aggressive cost reduction initiatives".

About 52,000 of MGM’s 80,000 world wide employees are based in Las Vegas.

MGM Properties: Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Delano Las Vegas, Park MGM, The Mirage, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur.

Not knowing how long travel restrictions will last and how scared the population is to return to crowded venues, it remains unknown how fast the casinos will get back to normal. So these cost cutting measures will help ensure sustainability until it is back to business as usual.

No matter what, vacations like Casinos, Cruises and Theme Parks will likely be forever changed.

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MGM to sell Circus Circus Las Vegas for $825 million to Phil Ruffin

MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) is a holding company that owns and operates casino resorts, dining, entertainment, retail, and other amenities.

MGM has signed a deal to sell its Circus Circus Las Vegas property for $825 million to Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin.

MGM does not view Circus Circus as a core property, said Paul Salem (chairman of MGM’s real estate committee). MGM originally acquired Circus Circus Las Vegas during its acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group in 2005.

Originally opened October 18, 1968; Circus Circus Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was built as a middle class family-fun vacation destination.  The Hotel & Casino has gaming, live Circus entertainment and The Adventuredome (a 5-acre indoor amusement park).

Ruffin said he would like to keep the Circus Circus cost friendly reputation intact. Ruffin, also owns Treasure Island and a stake in the Trump International Hotel on the Strip.

Number of rooms: 3,773
Total gaming space: 123,928 sq ft

Comparing the last three years’ performance of Circus Circus with the other Las Vegas Strip properties, Circus Circus’ EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margin is 5% lower than the average.




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Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort will offer free self-parking for all guests

A 2018 survey by the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance found 37% of survey respondents avoid parking at Las Vegas Strip Casinos with paid parking and 29% avoid using any services from the casinos that charge guests for parking.

On 4/29/19, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort announced that their garages will offer free self-parking for all guests starting May 1st, but that doesn’t mean other resorts (MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corporation) will follow in ending those fees.

The change takes place less than two years after Wynn Las Vegas implemented its paid parking program, which later allowed guests to offset parking fees by those who spent $50+ in the casino.

Michael Weaver (Wynn's spokesman), said the parking policy change was made to be in alignment with the company’s “position as a provider of luxury experiences for guests.”

Some of Wynn’s neighboring Las Vegas Resorts' parking policies may have also helped encourage the change, as Hooters, Tropicana, Venetian, Palazzo, Casino Royale, SLS Las Vegas, Circus Circus and Treasure Island offer free parking.

During MGM Resorts International’s first quarter earnings announcements, president and COO Bill Hornbuckle said Wynn’s “independent decision won’t change ours going forward.”, but MGM properties aren’t as surrounded by competitors offering free parking.

Wynn Las Vegas’s free self-parking is open to all guests and will not require validation; Valet parking will be free for overnight hotel guests (it is part of the resort fee) at both the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort according to the Monday statement.

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Is the Las Vegas Strip Leaning Towards Free Parking Again?

Station Casinos began charging resort fees in 2004. In 2008, MGM Resorts began charging resort fees. In 2013, Caesars Entertainment followed. These fees started out small, but over time have risen along with room rates.

Then starting in 2016 many Strip casinos decided to charge for parking. Prices in Las Vegas, especially on the Strip, are  higher than ever. Charging for parking on top of the resort fees and deteriorating game odds has resulted in angry customers.

According to MGM’s 2017 4th quarter report, both slot play and room occupancy fell slightly in 2017 This was the company’s first full year with pay to park. Revenues in some areas increased, but overall visitation to Las Vegas fell 1.6%. While many Resort and Casinos have reported increases in total income, it seems that paid parking is not inspiring people to visit Las Vegas.

In Downtown Las Vegas, just about everywhere you park can be free with validation. On the Strip, the common visitor is more likely to pay as you generally need casino elite player status to avoid parking charges.

Recently, two Las Vegas Strip Resort and Casinos are listening to their patrons. Wynn Resorts announced a change to their parking policy (for Wynn & Encore) effective July 1, 2018. They’ll be the first casinos on the Strip to allow guests to offset parking fees. Those who spend $50 in the casino will have their parking comped. Free parking has also been added to both casinos’ $39 resort fee, meaning that hotel guests will now be exempt from parking fees.

Wynn Resorts' change to parking policy is the first sign that the people are being heard. If validating parking has a positive impact on visitation and spending, MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment will likely consider following suit.

Allowing parking validation might make less money directly from parking, but if waiving a parking fee brings a customer in to spend more on a meal or gambling, it’s hard to see it not becoming the trend.

As of this writing, properties like Treasure Island, Venetian, Palazzo and even the Fashion Show Mall all have free parking.


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Las Vegas Parking Fees - Another Nickel and Dime Tactic?

Free parking and free cocktails are the classic Las Vegas comps. Unfortunately, many Las Vegas Resort and Casinos have started charging to park.

Free Parking in Las Vegas – Which Casinos Still Offer It? 🚗🎰

Las Vegas has long been known for free parking, free cocktails, and complimentary casino comps. However, in recent years, many of the biggest Las Vegas casinos and resorts have started charging for parking, making it harder for visitors to avoid extra fees.

If you're planning a trip to Sin City, this guide will help you find which Las Vegas Strip hotels still offer free parking, where to park for cheap, and how to get free parking through casino comps.

Over the last year properties along the Strip started rolling parking fees for valet and  self-parking services.

🚗 Las Vegas Parking Fees – When Did Casinos Start Charging?

In June 2016, MGM Resorts was the first major Las Vegas casino group to implement paid parking fees at 10 properties, including:

✔️ Aria
✔️ Bellagio
✔️ Delano
✔️ Mandalay Bay
✔️ MGM Grand
✔️ The Mirage
✔️ New York-New York
✔️ Excalibur
✔️ Luxor
✔️ Monte Carlo (now Park MGM)

By 2017, Caesars Entertainment followed suit, introducing paid parking at 8 more casinos, including:

✔️ Caesars Palace
✔️ Flamingo
✔️ Harrah’s
✔️ The Linq
✔️ Bally’s
✔️ The Cromwell
✔️ Paris Las Vegas
✔️ Planet Hollywood

This rapid shift toward paid parking changed the Vegas experience for many visitors, making it more expensive to visit the Strip.

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🏆 Which Las Vegas Strip Casinos Still Offer Free Parking? (2024 Update)

As of 2024, a few Las Vegas casinos still offer free parking, making them prime choices for visitors looking to save money and avoid parking fees.

🎰 Casinos That Offer Free Parking on the Strip:

✔️ Treasure Island (TI) – Free self-parking for all visitors.
✔️ Tropicana – No self-parking fees.
✔️ Wynn & Encore – First 24 hours free, paid after that.
✔️ Venetian & Palazzo – Always free self-parking!
✔️ Circus Circus – Free self-parking for hotel guests & visitors.
✔️ Stratosphere (The STRAT) – Free parking for all guests.

💰 Casinos That Offer Free Parking with Validation or Loyalty Programs:

✔️ Resorts World – Free for casino loyalty members or with validation.
✔️ Cosmopolitan – Free for hotel guests & Identity Rewards members.
✔️ Mirage (Now a Hard Rock Property) – Free for some MGM Rewards members.

📢 Pro Tip: If you're not staying at a hotel, choose one of the above casinos for free parking and then walk or take the Las Vegas Monorail/Uber to your final destination.

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💰 How to Get Free Parking at MGM & Caesars Casinos

Even though MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment charge for parking, you can still get free parking through casino rewards programs.

1️⃣ MGM Resorts – Free Parking with MGM Rewards

🎟️ Who Gets Free Parking?

• Gold, Platinum & NOIR tier members in MGM Rewards (formerly M life Rewards).
• Hotel guests staying at an MGM property get free self-parking.

📍 MGM Properties with Paid Parking (Unless You Qualify for Free Parking):
❌ Aria
❌ Bellagio
❌ MGM Grand
❌ Mandalay Bay
❌ Mirage
❌ New York-New York
❌ Excalibur
❌ Luxor
❌ Park MGM

💡 How to Get Free Parking at MGM Resorts:

• Sign up for MGM Rewards (it’s free).
• Earn points by playing slots, table games, or dining at MGM restaurants.
• If you reach Gold, Platinum, or NOIR status, parking is free!

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2️⃣ Caesars Entertainment – Free Parking with Caesars Rewards

🎟️ Who Gets Free Parking?

• Platinum, Diamond & Seven Stars members in Caesars Rewards.
• Hotel guests staying at a Caesars resort get free self-parking.

📍 Caesars Properties That Charge for Parking:
❌ Caesars Palace
❌ Flamingo
❌ Harrah’s
❌ The Linq
❌ Bally’s
❌ The Cromwell
❌ Paris Las Vegas
❌ Planet Hollywood

💡 How to Get Free Parking at Caesars Casinos:

• Sign up for Caesars Rewards and earn points through casino play, dining, and hotel stays.
• Reach Platinum tier or higher for complimentary self-parking.

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🚗 Best Budget Parking Options on the Las Vegas Strip

If you can’t find free parking, the following locations offer cheaper parking rates compared to major casino garages.

✔️ Fashion Show Mall – Free parking just north of Treasure Island.
✔️ Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood – Free parking with validation.
✔️ The LINQ Promenade – Free parking for some Caesars Rewards members.
✔️ STRAT (Stratosphere) – Free parking, just north of the Strip.
✔️ Resorts World – Free parking for certain guests or with casino validation.

📢 Pro Tip: Use a parking app like SpotHero to find discounted parking near the Strip!

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🔥 Will Free Parking Ever Return to the Las Vegas Strip?

Las Vegas casinos originally introduced free parking to attract visitors, but as more resorts introduced fees, it became the industry norm. However, with rising complaints about resort fees, parking fees, and hidden charges, some experts predict that casinos may start offering free parking again to lure back visitors.

💭 My Prediction:

• As competition increases, some Vegas casinos may bring back free parking to attract more tourists.
• Loyalty programs (MGM Rewards & Caesars Rewards) will continue to be the best way to get free parking.
• Expect more free parking at off-Strip casinos like Downtown Las Vegas & The STRAT.

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📌 Final Thoughts – How to Get Free Parking in Las Vegas

🚗 Want to avoid Las Vegas parking fees? Follow these tips:

✔️ Park at casinos that still offer free parking (Treasure Island, Tropicana, Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, etc.).
✔️ Join casino loyalty programs (MGM Rewards, Caesars Rewards) for free parking perks.
✔️ Use mall or hotel parking garages for free or cheaper rates.
✔️ Take advantage of validation at select restaurants & shops.
✔️ Skip the Strip parking hassle & use the Monorail, Uber, or taxis instead.

📢 What do you think about paid parking on the Strip? Should Las Vegas bring back free parking? Let us know in the comments!

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Comped Drinks to Disappear at Casinos in Las Vegas?

Are Free Drinks in Las Vegas Casinos Disappearing? 🍸🎰

For decades, free drinks in Las Vegas casinos have been a hallmark of the Sin City experience. Whether you're playing slots, video poker, or table games, cocktail waitresses traditionally serve complimentary drinks to keep gamblers at the machines or tables.

However, as of October 2016, major casino companies like Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts have begun implementing new rules to determine who qualifies for free cocktails while gambling.

Are Las Vegas casino comps disappearing? Let’s take a look at how casino drink policies are changing and whether you can still enjoy free drinks while gambling in Vegas.

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🍹 How Do Free Drinks in Las Vegas Casinos Work?

Casinos offer complimentary drinks to gamblers to encourage longer play and bigger bets. The logic is simple:

✔️ The more you drink, the more you play.
✔️ The longer you stay, the more money the casino makes.
✔️ Casinos hope free drinks make you "loosen up" and gamble more aggressively.

Until recently, free drinks were provided with almost no restrictions, as long as you were actively gambling. However, new technology is changing the system.

🚨 New Casino Drink Rules – What’s Changing?

1️⃣ Caesars Entertainment – New Comp Drink System

✔️ As of 2016, Caesars properties have installed "comp drink indicator lights" on their video poker machines.
✔️ Gamblers must wager a certain amount per hand to trigger a green light indicating that they qualify for a free drink.
✔️ This system is being used in Las Vegas, Laughlin, Reno, and Stateline near Lake Tahoe.

📢 What does this mean?

• Low rollers who play slowly or at low stakes may not receive free drinks.
• If you want complimentary cocktails, you’ll need to bet at higher levels.

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2️⃣ MGM Resorts – Free Drink Vouchers

✔️ MGM Resorts (which owns MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, and others) has introduced a new drink voucher system.
✔️ Instead of unlimited free drinks, players at MGM Grand and The Mirage must earn vouchers by hitting a set amount of playtime.
✔️ Once you reach the casino’s requirement, the machine will print a voucher for a free drink.

📢 What does this mean?

• You can no longer get unlimited free drinks just by sitting and playing slowly.
• The system rewards players who actively gamble for longer periods.

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🍸 Can You Still Get Free Drinks in Las Vegas Casinos?

Despite the changes, Las Vegas is still one of the few places where you can get complimentary drinks while gambling.

✔️ Free drinks are still available at most casinos, but with restrictions.
✔️ High rollers and table game players still receive the best drink service.
✔️ Some casinos (like off-Strip properties) still offer free drinks with no restrictions.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want to maximize your chances of getting free drinks in Vegas:

• Stick to table games (dealers tend to call waitresses for drinks more frequently).
• Tip the cocktail waitress well on the first round—this increases your chances of getting faster refills.
• Avoid low-stakes and slow play at video poker machines, where casinos now track your activity.

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🍹 Where to Still Get Free Drinks in Las Vegas (2024 Update)

Not all casinos have implemented the strict drink-tracking policies used by Caesars and MGM. If you’re looking for the best places to still enjoy free drinks, consider these options:

✔️ Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street Casinos) – The Golden Nugget, Binion’s, and El Cortez still offer complimentary drinks with less hassle.
✔️ The Cosmopolitan – Great drink service for active gamblers, especially at the Chandelier Bar and high-limit slots.
✔️ Tuscany Suites & Casino – A hidden gem off the Strip where free drinks flow more easily.
✔️ The STRAT (Stratosphere) – Still one of the best places for free drinks on the Strip with low-table minimums.

📢 Pro Tip: The fancier the casino, the stricter the free drink rules. If you want free alcohol without restrictions, avoid the high-end resorts like Bellagio and Aria.

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🏆 Will Free Drinks Disappear Completely in Las Vegas?

Many fear that Las Vegas casino comps are disappearing, but the reality is:

✔️ Casinos will always offer free drinks—just with more restrictions.
✔️ Casinos compete for gamblers, and some properties will always provide better perks.
✔️ Tip well, play consistently, and choose the right casino to keep getting free drinks.

💭 My Prediction:

• Some casinos may start offering "comp drink cards" for loyalty members.
• Downtown Las Vegas and off-Strip casinos will continue offering better free drink policies than the Strip.
• High rollers and VIP players will always get complimentary drinks, no matter what.

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📌 Final Thoughts – Are Free Drinks in Vegas Still Worth It?

Las Vegas is changing, but free drinks are still available for gamblers who play strategically. The key is to understand the new rules, choose the right casinos, and play at the right level to maximize casino comps and complimentary cocktails.

📢 Have you noticed the new drink policies in Vegas? Share your experience in the comments below! 🍸🎰

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Sirens of Treasure Island - Pirate Show Permanently Closed

The Sirens of Treasure Island show is closed but the Pirate Ships will remain after the area in front of TI (Treasure Island) is remodeled.

Most of the Las Vegas Casino Resorts have an attraction to draw crowds in. For example, the Volcano at the Mirage, the Fountains of Bellagio, the Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops or the Circus Show at Circus Circus.

In 1991, Wynn announced plans to create an extension of The Mirage; a Resort and Casino to be known as Treasure Island.

On October 27, 1993 canon fire signified the opening and birth of the $430 million, 2,891 room Treasure Island Hotel Resort and Casino.

Treasure Island opened offering a free family show with the HMS Britannia sailing around the corner at Skull Point to confront pirates from the Hispañiola. They ordered the pirates to surrender, the pirates refused and defended their ship in a swashbuckling battle.

In 2003, the show was rewritten (loosely based off of Homer's "Odyssey") targeting a more adult audience  and called the Sirens of TI. This show entailed a group of sensual and tempting sirens engaging with a band of pirates led by the infamous Blackbeard.

On October 20, 2013, the show was halted for what was said to be a temporary closure until December 26, during construction of retail space.

But this week, Treasure Island announced that the closure was permanent.

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Las Vegas Attractions: The Evolving Entertainment Capital of the World

Las Vegas is constantly evolving, with its iconic casinos and resorts reinventing themselves to stay ahead of the curve. Over the past two decades, several major attractions have closed, been revamped, or replaced with new high-profile experiences. Along with the permanent closure of the Sirens of Treasure Island show, other significant changes include the demolition of the iconic Stardust (2006) and Riviera (2016) to make way for Resorts World and the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion. The beloved Mirage Volcano is set to be removed as the resort transitions into the Hard Rock Hotel, featuring a massive guitar-shaped hotel tower. Meanwhile, Caesars Palace has undergone multiple renovations, and the Fountains of Bellagio continue to mesmerize visitors. Additionally, MSG Sphere at The Venetian—a next-generation entertainment venue—debuted in 2023, redefining immersive experiences with its state-of-the-art LED display and 4D effects. Whether it’s the transformation of classic casinos or the rise of new entertainment hotspots like AREA15, The LINQ Promenade, and Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas remains a must-visit destination, offering a unique blend of nostalgia and modern innovation.