Happy Super Bowl Sunday! We haven’t missed a Sunday Vegas News post since starting. I’ve taken time out from vacation to write news while sitting at a bar drinking coffee. The streak will continue albeit a bit more brief than usual. Unfortunately, it appears as though the sick bug has caught me. Let’s get to it because this past week in Las Vegas was sort of all over the place.
MGM Resorts Increases Parking Fees
MGM Resorts not only raised parking fees but they added a new price category. Valet used to charge one price for 0-4 hours. They now charge an additional fee for guests staying 2-4 hours. This isn’t too painful financially but it’s just annoying to have to pay $3 more if you decide to have an after dinner drink at one of the bars. Here’s a look at the new fees.
Circus Circus
Self: NO FEE
Valet: 0-2 hours – $12, every 2-4 – $14, 24 hour period – $16
Luxor, Excalibur
Self: 0-1 hour – free, 1-2 hours – $6, 2-4 hours – $8, every 24 hour period – $10
Valet: 0-2 hours – $12, every 2-4 – $14, 24 hour period – $16
MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo/Park MGM, New York-New York
Self: 0-1 hour – free, 1-2 hours – $9, 2-4 hours – $12, every 24 hour period – $15
Valet: 0-2 hours – $15, every 2-4 – $18, 24 hour period – $24
Aria, Bellagio
Self: 0-1 hour – free, 1-2 hours – $9, 2-4 hours – $15, every 24 hour period – $18
Valet: 0-2 hours – $21, every 2-4 – $24, 24 hour period – $30
Mlife Rewards Pearl members and higher receive complimentary self-park. You can obtain an upgrade to Pearl by signing up for an Mlife Rewards credit card. Gold members and better receive complimentary valet. You can read more about MGM Resorts parking here.
I updated our Vegas Strip parking fee list with new rates if you want to compare parking fees.
Lightning Link Are The Most Popular Slot Machines
I first noticed Lightning Link slot machines last summer when staying at Planet Hollywood. There’s a small bank of games near Earl of Sandwich that was full of players almost every time I walked by. I finally found an opening and decided to drop a bill in. The base game isn’t very special but the Bonus Rounds are fun.
After reading that Lightning Link games were the most popular slot machines in casinos I decided to try them again when I found an open spot at Red Rock Casino. Meh, same thing. People must really love that bonus game because these games are always packed. My current slot obsession is Dancing Drums.
The study showed that Buffalo Grand and the new Dragon Link slot machines were second and third most popular, respectively. I played the Dragon Link panda slot machine and had fun for about 2 minutes because I like pandas. The hook on these games are also the lightning bonus.
If you’re a Lightning Link fan, you might want to know that Rampart Casino in Summerlin has the most Lightning Link slot machines of any casino in Las Vegas. They just added a slew of games and have 31 games available. Last year the Rampart opened a pretty great new sports book. Check it out.
Fortune Cup At Red Rock, Orleans, Cosmopolitan
Way back in January we gave you a heads up that the Fortune Cup horse racing game would be landing at more casinos. Well, I forgot about that and walked right into Fortune Cup at Red Rock Casino during the week. Fortune Cup is also live at the Orleans.
Konami Gaming tells me that the next installations of Fortune Cup will be on the Vegas Strip. Tentatively Bellagio and New York-New York will have the game available around February 12. The Cosmopolitan should be installing Fortune Cup during the 3rd or 4th week of February.
The horse racing game is already at MGM Grand and The Venetian. Yes, MGM Grand has BOTH Fortune Cup and the much appreciated Sigma Derby. I first checked out Fortune Cup at The Venetian last year. Give the old post a read if you’re not familiar with the newest horse racing game in casinos.
Grandissimo Flashback and Lookahead
One of the first articles I wrote for Travelzork was titled “A Look Into The Future Of Las Vegas Club.” I shared information from an interview Derek Stevens gave to the Vegas Gang podcast. He discussed his vision at the time for the Las Vegas Club casino which he’d just purchased. It’s been almost two and a half years and it’s almost time for the new casino to be built.
Back in October 2015 there was speculation that Las Vegas Club would become Grandissimo Hotel and Casino or some version of that name. Well, that rumor has been resurrected in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stevens is still keeping the name to himself and I don’t expect we’ll hear confirmation of the name anytime soon.
The old buildings are down and construction on the new property might begin this summer. There’s still a lot of work and time before we see a new casino where Las Vegas Club once existed.
Quick Hits:
I have to catch this nose that’s been running all day. Here are some remaining bits of news.
- The next Virgin Hotel was just announced…but it’s not in Las Vegas. Jerks. Read more here.
- The new Aria restaurant isn’t intended for people allergic to seafood. Read more here.
- The new Italian restaurant is open at The Mirage. Read more here.
- There are new details about the Linq convention center. I haven’t had a chance to look yet but here’s the brochure.
- I might have more thoughts on Las Vegas gaming revenue next week. Check this out in the meantime.
- Brilliant! At the Neon Museum looks great. Read more here and see below.
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