Vegas News October 4, 2020
COVID-19 Vegas Capacity Updates
Finally, some details about Vegas capacity updates. As expected, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak increased the 50 person limit on gatherings. The new capacity limits are a bit confusing as the maximum capacity for most venues increased to 250. At the same time, larger venues like theaters, arenas, and stadia can petition to allow 10% of capacity in attendance.
Allegiant Stadium – Vegas Capacity Updates
A venue like Allegiant Stadium will be able to hold up to 6,500 people socially distanced in pods of 250 people. UNLV has already submitted a plan to have fans in attendance for football games at Allegiant Stadium when the season begins.
Loosening the capacity limits continues the long road for Las Vegas returning to the city it was at the beginning of the year. Be patient, this will be a long and slow recovery.
Shortly before Sisolak’s announcement MGM Resorts shared its new health and safety policy for meetings and conventions. It will take some time before people are comfortable enough to fly to Las Vegas for work but it will happen eventually. The plan should help potential guests feel more comfortable visiting MGM properties.
Shows – Vegas Capacity Updates
One interesting thing is that shows can return but the new capacity limits may not be conducive to the venues generating revenue. Having said that, venues like The Barbershop Cuts and Cocktails at the Cosmopolitan already has smaller bands performing.
This is definitely something to keep an eye on. I expect to see some larger venues begin submitting plan for how they can allow fans into certain events.
On a somewhat related Vegas capacity updates note, the Las Vegas Raiders can’t have fans inside the venue yet. The team has a “Tailgate Zone” event for today’s game. Up to five people can pile into a car and watch the game with a lot of food for $400 per car. This might not be optimal but it’s a different way to enjoy the game. There’s no official word if the Raiders will allow fans into the stadium for home games in the future.
Stadium View Rooms At Delano
While we’re discussing Allegiant Stadium…I noticed that Delano is selling rooms with a view of the Allegiant Stadium. If The Linq and Flamingo can tout Ferris Wheel views for their rooms, Delano might as well do the same.
I Was Checking Out Delano
I was checking out the rooms at Delano because I’ll be staying in my first hotel in about 6 months this week. This is a working “staycation” (I hate that word) so I wanted a large room or suite like at Delano. There probably won’t be much gambling happening unless I get bored.
I narrowed my options to about five properties and wanted to stay in a terrace room at Cosmopolitan. As usual, the rooms were more than twice the price of Delano’s suites. I’ll save the Cosmopolitan for a fun night out.
Thanks to twitter I know to be careful around the beds. I don’t want to be stubbing my toe like this guy. This will be my first time staying at Delano after probably 15 trips where I stayed at Mandalay Bay. It should be nice and quiet, which is exactly what I’m looking for.
Speaking of twitter, I’ll be sharing some pics and videos while I’m at Delano if you’re looking for some fun Vegas stuff.
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Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Las Vegas
mohegansunlasvegas.com launched this week. The website for the casino inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas doesn’t have too much information. However, we did find a couple of new renderings.
The Betfred USA sportsbook above appears to occupy the same space as the sportsbook at the Hard Rock. The small space will have new screens and new seating. The hideous red wagering stations have been removed. It appears as though seating is even more limited with some standing room counter space.
The casino will have 650 slot machines. For comparison, Circa will have twice as many (1,350). Mohegan Sun Casino will have more than 50 table games but no poker room.
Here’s another reminder for the east coast peeps – the casino will use Momentum Rewards just like the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. While looking at Momentum benefits in Las Vegas I noticed that “Resort Fee Waived For Complimentary Rooms” for all members.
There’s no guarantee that Virgin will have a resort fee. They don’t typically charge extra fees. This could be boilerplate language for the players club benefits. I haven’t confirmed that there’s a resort fee because I’m writing this on Saturday. I hope to have an update during the week.
Visitation To Las Vegas Up In August
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority released its executive summary for August. If you haven’t seen it before it’s a quick look at monthly visitation and hotel data.
Las Vegas visitation started to rebound in July. That continued in August with a 6.9% increase in visitor volume from July. It’s interesting to note that automobile traffic in August was down compared to July. There was a 7.1% increase in airplane passengers deplaning in Las Vegas.
There’s been a lot of talk about cheap rooms in Las Vegas. That’s a bit exaggerated as the average daily room rate (ADR) in August was $99.24. Room rates in August were only 18% less than in 2019 when the ADR was $120.96.
New Vegas Golden Knights Jersey
The Vegas Golden Knights finally released the gold jersey that’s been rumored since the team first took to the ice. Do you dig the shimmers? Response on Twitter and Instagram is mixed.
Quickest Hits!
This will be a very short quick hits section this week. There’s both a lot and a little going on. Since you read TravelZork, you’ve already seen some of the news for the week. For example, we told you about Sahara’s Infinity Rewards program last week. Consider yourself ahead of the game!
- You probably saw the new commercial for Circa if you watch baseball. Here it is if you missed it.
- I shared this information a couple of weeks ago on twitter when Bazaar Meats announced the new burger. Bazaar Meats at SAHARA Las Vegas officially has a to-go menu if you want the delicious food but don’t want to sit inside the property. Read more here.
- Jimbo Jim Murren has a new SPAC. Read more about it here. Read this if you’re not familiar with SPACS. They’re so hot right now.
- The Wynn Las Vegas poker room opened this week. It’s one of the few 24/7 poker rooms right now. Read more here.
- Caesars purchased William Hill this week. The deal won’t close for a year. Read more here.