[jjameson922]

I'm all for value too. The middle class began to be ground out. When we began our trips to Las Vegas, back in the 80's, Las Vegas was on the RADAR and it was very value conscious yet the glitz was there too. In fact, it was much fancier and in the evenings, the casinos were filled with beautiful people dressed to the nines. You could hang out at Caeasar's or the Sand's just to people watch. You could find value everywhere instead of being ripped off and if you wanted to pay through the nose to be seen, that was also available. In the 90's, it took on that stupid family scene. MGM opened catering to the kiddies, Wet N Wild expanded and Excalibre catered to the little kids and parents with jousting matches and hand eatten feasts. When that ebbed out, Las Vegas went into the next phase where dress codes totally relaxed, hedonism became the password and the Hard Rock and Palms became the in places. I'm embarrassed that many people think what Las Vegas stands for now is what they see on t.v. at the Sunday pool parties. I'm sad that when the middle class travels there, they now are charged $7 for a glass of casino orange juice or are told tickets for Bette Midler will cost them $500. When people find out we are planning to move there, they look at us like we have two heads. All they know is the perception they have from the Strip. If I could choose, I would like to see the Strip perception classy back up a little but still have many outlets for value.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by radraja

Converting Vegas' image into one of cheapy buffets and low-budget hotels isn't going to work either. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have those things (we can and do), but making that our image isn't a good idea...people can get those things anywhere, so why come to Vegas? I still think the sexy "high life" image is one that's going to attract better crowds, since it's so unique to our city.

It isn't 'converting', it's 'returning' to cheap buffets and low-budget hotels.

That really was the reason why people were coming to Vegas....not the 'high life' image. Well, actually both were coming, and both were receiving it.

But somewhere along the way, executives opted for ALL 'high life'.

People WILL lose money in the casinos guaranteed. But as long as they can still talk about their $2.99 steak and eggs, and all the bargains they got, they will go again and again and again.

However, when bottled water costs more than restaurant meals back in a person's hometown...then there is NO WAY they'll be going back...'luxery' is good if you are a wannabe rap star...but the mass majority of Americans are basically simple folks with simple needs who are generally just looking for a good 'bargain'.

[Yeti]

that reminds me of a story. We were at House of Blues and after the concert we were thirsty as heck. Walked through mandaley bay to the "store" and asked for 3 bottles of water. we were all talking to each other the girl rang it up and said $18 and then just paused. We realized after a second that she paused and we were like "is something wrong" and she answered "usually when I tell people the price they dont want it any more"

We told her that we were locals and "Thats the cost of living in Vegas"

[Wing Feathers]

These outrageous prices are in line with any other tourist spot. Have you seen how much a bottle of water costs inside Disney World? A meal? Come off it!

I will concur that prices need to come down at all tourist spots, however... don't wish for Vegas to become ghetto. There is a reason Freemont St is so desolate. Nobody wants a "reality vacation". Ugh

[dynimagelv]

I don't understand how Fremont St. is 'desolate'.....I work there....the FSE is busy ALL the time.....our hotels downtown are keeping occupancy levels of 89-97 % [hotel average daily rate IS down] whereas the rest of the country is happy with 70-80% and our Casinos are busy every evening.

Are we doing as well as we did last year? NO but are we in trouble.....not really...we'll survive quite nicely.

[jfkIII]

Problem is that all the generations X and Y that love the $7 beers, high-end clubs, high cost fancy rooms...are generally known to be low-end gamblers.

[guinnessjim]

Originally Posted by drinkme

I will concur that prices need to come down at all tourist spots, however... don't wish for Vegas to become ghetto. There is a reason Freemont St is so desolate. Nobody wants a "reality vacation". Ugh

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

I don't understand how Fremont St. is 'desolate'.....I work there....the FSE is busy ALL the time.....our hotels downtown are keeping occupancy levels of 89-97 % [hotel average daily rate IS down] whereas the rest of the country is happy with 70-80% and our Casinos are busy every evening.

Are we doing as well as we did last year? NO but are we in trouble.....not really...we'll survive quite nicely.

yeah....drink is off base here.

[Wing Feathers]

Interesting. Perhaps it looks desolate to me when contrasted to the numbers on the strip. Glad to hear it is busy.

[guinnessjim]

Originally Posted by drinkme

Interesting. Perhaps it looks desolate to me when contrasted to the numbers on the strip. Glad to hear it is busy.

it depends when you are there....nighttime, esp on the weekends is populated...days, not so much. way more people out during the day on the strip. you can't really compare numbers directly, as the strip is an entirely different animal than FSE

[iluvcj]

Well what ever image vegas hopes to promote next I will always make my yearly trip no matter what. I love coming to vegas. As a matter of fact I will be coming there for mothers day for the week and staying at The Venetian for a paltry $129 a night. I never thought I could ever afford to stay at this hotel because it was just to expensive but the deals in vegas right now are incredible. I even got an emailed offer for the Wynn hotel for $109 a night. Last year when I went to vegas these rooms was $300 and $400 per night.