Somebody 'splain it to me - vis a vis Casino (Louisville: rent, hotels)

[20yrsinBranson]

Due to a sudden change in plans I have been sitting it out in Louisville for the past two days and I have one more day (tomorrow) to be here before departing.

As soon as I found out there was a casino nearby, I was really thrilled. I love casinos and I couldn't wait to get there and have some fun. Sadly, however, I do not have access to a car. So my transportation options are limited.

I did not think this would be a problem since I have been to many, many, MANY places all around the country that have casinos and it has been my experience that they will bend over backwards to make certain that you can get to their establishment as quickly as possible. I remember a shuttle driver offering to drive over 70 miles (one way) to pick me up from a casino in Albuquerque. Likewise, I have never had a problem GETTING there to spend money.

Well.

Louisville is a whole 'nuther matter. It seems like people in Lousiville actively TRY to prevent you from getting there. There are NO free shuttles from any of the hotels (oh, I take that back. There is one shuttle (not free), that travels the "hotel circuit" and leaves at like 7:30 am (yes you read that right AM). Now somebody PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT KIND OF CASINO GAMBLER -(except the very sickest kind), gets up at 7:30 am to do anything???????)

Anyway, I digress.

The taxi cabs are about $50 one way - so that is a cool C-Note dropped before you even step foot in the place. No buses, no shuttles, no nothing.

I don't know who is in charge of things around here but they just don't get it apparently.

Yes, I realize that the casino is in INDIANA so not only is Louisville not getting any benefit from the casino, but neither is Kentucky - well, from what I have heard through 'da grapevine, Louisville could have had it here, but didn't want it. Neither did the Indiana directly across the bridge (sorry, don't know the name of the town). So the casino had to relocate elsewhere. So is that the deal? Does Louisville have its collective panties in a knot because of THAT?????? Do people from Louisville stick out their tongues and go "nanny nanny poo poo" when they drive by it too? I mean - come on!!!!

What is the deal???????

20yrsinBranson

[tomocox]

Wow, for a short stay, you are a very quick study. I have repeatedly proposed that a light rail/monorail system delivering travelers from Louisville International to Churchill Downs, Downtown, and the Indiana Casino would be a huge opportunity for Louisville. Fly-in, play the ponies, ride downtown, have a gourmet meal, maybe watch an event at the new downtown arena, then a quick hop to the casino before a ride back to the airport. This could be done in many places, but no other has Churchill Downs, a near downtown airport which even Airbus 380's can land, and a tempid climate suitable for nearly year round visitors... Yet, the competition between Indiana and Kentucky alone prevents such an economic opportunity from developing.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Due to a sudden change in plans I have been sitting it out in Louisville for the past two days and I have one more day (tomorrow) to be here before departing.

As soon as I found out there was a casino nearby, I was really thrilled. I love casinos and I couldn't wait to get there and have some fun. Sadly, however, I do not have access to a car. So my transportation options are limited.

I did not think this would be a problem since I have been to many, many, MANY places all around the country that have casinos and it has been my experience that they will bend over backwards to make certain that you can get to their establishment as quickly as possible. I remember a shuttle driver offering to drive over 70 miles (one way) to pick me up from a casino in Albuquerque. Likewise, I have never had a problem GETTING there to spend money.

Well.

Louisville is a whole 'nuther matter. It seems like people in Lousiville actively TRY to prevent you from getting there. There are NO free shuttles from any of the hotels (oh, I take that back. There is one shuttle (not free), that travels the "hotel circuit" and leaves at like 7:30 am (yes you read that right AM). Now somebody PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT KIND OF CASINO GAMBLER -(except the very sickest kind), gets up at 7:30 am to do anything???????)

Anyway, I digress.

The taxi cabs are about $50 one way - so that is a cool C-Note dropped before you even step foot in the place. No buses, no shuttles, no nothing.

I don't know who is in charge of things around here but they just don't get it apparently.

Yes, I realize that the casino is in INDIANA so not only is Louisville not getting any benefit from the casino, but neither is Kentucky - well, from what I have heard through 'da grapevine, Louisville could have had it here, but didn't want it. Neither did the Indiana directly across the bridge (sorry, don't know the name of the town). So the casino had to relocate elsewhere. So is that the deal? Does Louisville have its collective panties in a knot because of THAT?????? Do people from Louisville stick out their tongues and go "nanny nanny poo poo" when they drive by it too? I mean - come on!!!!

What is the deal???????

20yrsinBranson

Try checking out the downtown hotels and see of the concierge can help you. Places like the Brown, Seelbach, and 21C, and Marriot. Heck even the Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn have good shuttle systems.

[SteviePee2]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Yes, I realize that the casino is in INDIANA so not only is Louisville not getting any benefit from the casino, but neither is Kentucky - well, from what I have heard through 'da grapevine, Louisville could have had it here, but didn't want it. Neither did the Indiana directly across the bridge (sorry, don't know the name of the town). So the casino had to relocate elsewhere. So is that the deal? Does Louisville have its collective panties in a knot because of THAT?????? Do people from Louisville stick out their tongues and go "nanny nanny poo poo" when they drive by it too? I mean - come on!!!!

What is the deal???????

20yrsinBranson

Branson,

I dunno...maybe our priorities are in a different place...maybe the casino gets enough business without toting folks like you around...maybe they didn't realize how important you are...maybe you should rent a car. Who knows

StevieP

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by SteviePee2

Branson,

I dunno...maybe our priorities are in a different place...maybe the casino gets enough business without toting folks like you around...maybe they didn't realize how important you are...maybe you should rent a car. Who knows

StevieP

I'm not really saying that I am important, but if I were in the tourism business, the people LIKE me would be very important. It does not make sense to exclude any category of visitor who has money and wants to spend it. If you are business man you understand this so you try to accommodate as many people as you possibly can. It is just makes sense.

Apparently, Caesers Casino owned the property before Horseshoe and they sold out, presumably because of the lack of cooperation between the two states and cities. It sounds rather like they are cutting off their noses to spite their faces to me.

Cooperation could increase tourism revenues for both states dramatically, I would think.

20yrsinBranson

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

I'm not really saying that I am important, but if I were in the tourism business, the people LIKE me would be very important. It does not make sense to exclude any category of visitor who has money and wants to spend it. If you are business man you understand this so you try to accommodate as many people as you possibly can. It is just makes sense.

Apparently, Caesers Casino owned the property before Horseshoe and they sold out, presumably because of the lack of cooperation between the two states and cities. It sounds rather like they are cutting off their noses to spite their faces to me.

Cooperation could increase tourism revenues for both states dramatically, I would think.

20yrsinBranson

Branson,

I had the chance to get to know StevieP, and it's my opinion that he wasn't dinging you personally. He was however dinging the casino and how it treats its customers. A sincere bit of sarcasm is my take.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by tomocox

Branson,

I had the chance to get to know StevieP, and it's my opinion that he wasn't dinging you personally. He was however dinging the casino and how it treats its customers. A sincere bit of sarcasm is my take.

Thanks tomocox, it's hard to read the subtleties as you know.

20yrsinBranson