You may be confusing the Vegas of the 50's with the Vegas of today. Clark County (where vegas is located) has 2.1 million people and attracts over 40 million visitors a year. Mark Image Unavailable, Please Login
This spring. So far the only hold outs are the Venetian and Wynn although Wynn says it's going to start charging for Valet. I cannot reach the gates at the MGM properties. Someone has to help me get the ticket. So far it's still free for locals but they won't say for how long. I'm hoping this a temporary idea and they realize it's hurting business. I just find the idea of actually charging someone to visit your property to spend money there RIDICULOUS. It's like Walmart charged you to use their parking lot. I understand theme parks do this but theme parks don't make potentially thousands of dollars off someone visiting. The entire idea is to entice someone to come there and then fleece them for all they are worth. Not the other way around.
We usually stay at the Bellagio and this year the desert heat was so strong we had to hire a Cabana just to be near the pool. It's definitely still in the middle of a desert
Had to pay to self-park (my rental car not an f-car) at Bellagio last week, a first for me. Agree it makes little sense, but neither does airline demanding payment for luggage. I think the gatekeeper said they started charging in October. WIsh I could recall exactly, but I think it is the $7 for up to 4 hours and a max of $10 for 24 hours. Will just start using Uber/cabs.
I spoke with a caddie who also valet's at MGM. He said his take home from MGM has been down about 60% since MGM started charging for parking/valet. Let me tell you exactly how happy he was about the change. Mark
They will quit and the ones who replace them will be complete morons working at minimum wage. Death spiral. Stupid.
The traffic on the strip is so bad some nights we have been using the Monorails. Most visitors don't know we have three of them.
Thankfully Reno and Tahoe haven't gone that route yet...sad the unions stopped the monorail from going all the way to the airport...
They told me at the Bellagio they were going to start charging locals starting the first of the year. They didn't charge me as you just had to scan your DL. They should have told you that at the garage. I heard them say on the news the main money comes from visitors so I guess I don't understand why they can't make an exception for locals. Cut us a break so we spend time on the strip! Since moving to Vegas 9 years back it has become more and more apparent each year that strip does not care about locals (Even Green Valley I have had issues with during the 4th, make me stand on a parking garage to watch the fireworks because I am a local.......WTF. Never have been back since). Unlike most, my wife and I spend a lot of time on the strip. Our weekend breakfast spot is on the strip. We go there as Saturdays and Sundays everywhere around town is packed but we go to the strip and never have to wait to be seated. We shop at the malls on the strip due to the extended hours. We can shop till 11 week nights and midnight on weekends. I love the food on the strip, some of the best in the world. I am not going to pay for parking, my strip fun is about to come to an end.
The unions are part of it but the Casino's and hotels are ALSO the problem. They don't want you to leave once you check in. So, if you have to pay to go somewhere you won't. You'll stay. And if you have a player card at a certain status you'll stay because if you go anywhere it's a hassle and costs you money. Cheap transportation is also part of this. I've said for years that they should have built a subway system right under the strip from Mandalay bay to Fremont Street. People would love it. Casinos would HATE it. Imagine getting a cheap hotel room at Luxor and 10 minutes and a dollar later you're gambling or eating at the Wynn. Sounds pretty awesome -- unless you're MGM. Its why the Monorail is in the back of Casino's and why most opted out of it. The more difficult it is to use it, the less you will travel outside of the place you checked into. The Monorail is really for the Convention center to try to relieve traffic on Paradise during larger conventions. This may finally be put to rest if they build the Raider Stadium. I think the idea of marketing a game and easily, quickly, and cheaply getting back to their hotels afterwards would be a huge selling point over other Football venues. They may finally do something about mass transit and strip traffic jams, as well as pedestrians and jaywalking problems. At least once a week we hear of another pedestrian or jaywalking accident. I do agree the strip is becoming less local friendly. I still like it though! And when I'm in town at sometime between 7 and 9 on Saturday and Sunday you can find me at the counter of the Peppermill. Just look for the red Alfa 4c parked out back.
Mmmmm peppermills, was there for breakfast a few times last month while in town for SEMA. Treasure island is not (yet) charging for parking. We stayed there but went next door to the mirage to eat and drink.
Why not validate parking if you come for a show, dinner, gambling? If the stadium gets built. Appears Oakland is making a play to keep them.
MGM pulled the trigger today -- no more free parking for locals. If you want to get free parking you have to sign up for M rewards AND sign up to get approved for one of their credit cards. I'm assuming that's for everyone, not just locals 1 hour "grace" period. Starting on Dec 29th, no more free parking in most of the lower strip. Disappointing. I'm actually considering getting a local ticket on the Monorail. $1 a ride. Paying $10 just to go to dinner seems ridiculous to me.
Wife and I will be there in a few days. Decided to rent a car since we wanted to hit up a few places off the Strip like Pinball Hall of Fame. Interested to see what's up at the Caesars properties, especially for holders of their loyalty card...T
Tom. If you haven't visited the Mob Museum and the Neon Museum both are worth it (Neon just had some updates). You can get a two-fer ticket deal. If you are Platinum or Noir in M-Life you do not have to worry about parking fees. If you rent from Avis, rent/pick up from their office at Bellagio (same price as airport as far as I can tell). Their cars are in the Bellagio parking structure, so you don't have to worry about parking fees.
Hi Keith... Thank you. Been to Neon Museum, but a while ago, before they moved into their new facility. So, we're planning on checking out the new digs. Thanks for the tip on Mob Museum and the parking. Wife is a member of Caesars loyalty program. Thus far, our info is that parking is free. She just sent a few emails to confirm. T
I heard the reason is you locals parking for free taking hotel shuttle to airport! So guests get screwed.
