Harrahs Las Vegas

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted about Las Vegas, because I’m not in a Vegas trip-planning mode right now. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still keep an eye on news from my favorite vacation spot.  Aside from the fact that the hotel deals are amazing right now, and there’s a new hotel on the block (Encore), there are also a lot of changes happening in terms of show openings, closings and movings.  This is good news for regular visitors. If nothing changed, we’d run out of new things to do. I’m looking forward to having a whole new list of options for my next trip.

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to Mandalay Bay, replacing the long-running Mamma Mia!  I am really excited about this one. It’s going to the top of my list of possible shows for my next trip, right alongside Ka.  (And if Ka closes before I get a chance to see it, I have only myself to blame for not going during my last trip.)

Danny Gans has moved to the Encore resort and Terry Fator has taken over the headliner spot at the Mirage. (I’ve heard good things about Fator; it’ll be interesting to see how it goes for him at the Mirage.)

Several long-running shows have closed or are closing soon, including Folies Bergere, An Evening at La Cage, the Scintas, and Menopause the Musical. Elton John ends his five-year run at Caesar’s Palace on April 22.  I hope everyone employed by these shows all find new gigs soon.  Not that I’m worried about Sir Elton.

According to this article, the first phase (or is that phaser? Heh) of the new Star Trek Experience at Neonopolis is slated to open May 8, just in time for the release of the new Star Trek movie.

The Excalibur has a very creative dining deal right now: Pay $25, and you’ll have all day access to the hotel’s buffet.  That’s breakfast, lunch and dinner–and any snacks in between–all for $25.   Cool. Of course, it would be a lot cooler if it were the Mirage buffet.  But points to them for trying something I’ve never seen before.

Finally, Harrahs is offering the Get Your Wings deal:  Stay 3 nights at one of its Las Vegas properties and get a $300 airfare voucher for your next trip (or 2 nights/$200).  First trip must be taken before May 31, 2009.  Return trip must be booked within 4 months of your first trip and taken within 9 months of booking. So if you plan to go before May 31, and again within a year, you should JUMP on this deal to get free (or nearly free) airfare for your 2nd trip.

If the economy doesn’t rebound in the next couple of months (and I have my doubts about that), I expect we’ll be seeing more and more creative deals like these coming out in the not-too-distant future.