Hey everybody, Want to share a bit of fun from our Las Vegas trip this past weekend! Our main reason for going to Vegas for the first time since 2022 was to see the Beatles: Love Cirque Du Soleil show which is closing in just a few weeks. If you haven't seen it we HIGHLY recommend it. On our trip we also made a quick stop at Buffalo Bills (not to ride the coaster and log ride), so we have some pics from there. Sadly, it's not good news. New to us and new to Vegas is the new Spongebob Squarepants attraction at Circus Circus, so we of course have some pics and video from that all new family attraction at a resort that has definitely seen better days. We also did a few other things we've wanted to do for awhile including the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. And of course, with any Vegas trip, resort hopping is always fun. That will include a visit to the conservatory at Bellagio and a few other things. But unlike a typical "trip report" I also have some thoughts on if Vegas is actually "back" to it's pre-Covid status. On a weekend that included a fight at MGM Grand, a concert at The Sphere, the final weekends featuring Adele at Caesars and of course the normal events in Las Vegas, I'll be honest, it didn't seem to be very busy inside any of the hotels or casinos all weekend. But more on that later. Let's get to some fun stuff! Buffalo BillsAs I mentioned, we made a pit stop in Primm, NV to, well, you know. But I also took some time to get some pics of the resort. And it's just sad what has become of Buffalo Bills. I remember the days of stopping here on a Friday on the way to Vegas, or on a Sunday on the way home from Vegas and not being able to find parking. Even a few times having to park at Whiskey Pete's and take the monorail over. That seems like another lifetime ago, as there were only maybe 30 cars in the parking lot. I wish I was exaggerating. Spongebob's Crazy Carnival RideLuxor Elite King RoomWe decided to stay at The Luxor for this trip. I had stayed here before and I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of the Pyramid rooms. They're weird shaped (obviously), but more than that, they're quite loud with all of the noise coming up from the casino/other events. So for this trip we upgraded to an Elite King room in the Tower, and it was fantastic. Would recommend. Shark Reef at Mandalay BayTournament of KingsSomehow we've never done Medieval Times, or any similar type dinner show. So we thought we'd go cheesy for our Friday night meal and check out Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. We enjoyed it immensely although K isn't really a fan of eating with her hands. She powered through though. Day 2: Resort HoppingOn day two we had a lunch date with two dear friends at Caesar's Palace so we slowly made our way from the Luxor over to Caesars, which meant a stop at one of our favorite hotels NY/NY for some gaming and a drink at the chocolate bar. From there we made our way to The Bellagio to check out the always awesome Conservatory. The Mirage and Beatles: LoveAs I mentioned, the main reason for our trip was to finally see the Beatles Love Cirque Du Soleil show. We've been wanting to see it for years and hadn't gotten around to it. It was absolutely fantastic. This also gave us a chance to say farewell to The Mirage. Is Vegas REALLY back?So as I mentioned at the top of this report I have some thoughts on the current state of Las Vegas, and if it's truly back to it's pre-Covid level. While of course the hotels and casino's would like you to believe it is, for me it's not quite there yet. We were there on a Friday - Sunday. We visited 10 different resorts (Buffalo Bills, Circus Circus, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, NY/NY, Park MGM, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Mirage). The only time we ever felt any kind of crowd was when we exited the Beatles show, and that was because there was a second show waiting to come in. Other than that all of the casino's seemed very quiet, we never had to deal with any crowds, never had to wait to sit at a bar, or wait for a table to play at, etc. And this was a fight weekend. Dead and Company was at the Sphere. And all of the other normal Vegas'y things were going on. And it was (for us), pleasantly chill. Sure there seemed to be lots of people walking around the strip, there was a rather large crowd waiting for the Volcano show, but where Vegas actually makes it's money ... didn't seem to be very much going on at all. I'm not sure what needs to be done to fix this. There just isn't any excitement going on inside the Casino's any more. I'm not sure if this has to do with the lack of noise or coins no longer being in use at the slot machines. This "not quite back" Vegas works for us, we're very chill, we don't gamble all that much (although I'm a big fan of the Blackjack/Craps machines), we like to walk around, try different restaurants at various resorts, etc. But that is not what Vegas wants, and it will be interesting to see what happens if it stays like this for the extended future. Have you visited Vegas recently? Did you get the same impression as us? Hope you enjoyed this look at our weekend and commentary! Related Videos
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After a Multi-Year Hiatus, the Notoriously Haunted Queen Mary Brings Back Fan-Favorite Halloween Event [LONG BEACH, CA] APRIL 30, 2024 - Named one of the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America by Time Magazine, The Queen Mary has become synonymous with ghost sightings, scares, and paranormal activity in Southern California. From 2010-2019, the legendary Dark Harbor Halloween event captivated the residents of Long Beach and beyond until the COVID-19 pandemic and ship renovations caused the event to come to a pause. Now, for the first time in nearly four years, The Spirits Rise once again at The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor! “After a four-year hiatus, we're thrilled to resurrect Dark Harbor and summon the spirits back to The Queen Mary for this coming Halloween season,” said Steve Caloca, Managing Director of the Queen Mary. “We're grateful to be working with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, as well as the unwavering support of the City of Long Beach. This event holds a special place in the community's heart, and has long been a cornerstone of Long Beach's Halloween traditions.” Dark Harbor is a massive Halloween festival that takes place on The Queen Mary and surrounding harbor offering hair-raising-fun entertainment and special ghoulish events throughout the frightful season. This year’s event will feature haunted mazes, live entertainment, themed bars and lounges, experiences on-board the ship, festive eats and treats and, of course, the return of well-known icons like the Captain, Ringmaster, and Scary Mary. 2024 attraction details will be released in the coming months and will include both fan favorites from the past, as well as many new surprises. “Dark Harbor has become an iconic part of our city's Halloween celebrations, and we are excited to once again transform the Queen Mary into a haunted spectacle for scare-goers,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Having brought in hundreds of thousands of visitors to Long Beach in years past, its return is another major step in the Queen Mary’s recovery and return to a premier tourist attraction. I extend my appreciation to Evolution Hospitality and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group for their partnership and to our City Council for their support.” Southern California’s most haunted Halloween event will open on Friday, September 20th and run select nights through Saturday, November 2nd. Tickets will be available for purchase late summer 2024. For early access to presale, event updates and announcements, sign up at www.darkharborhalloween.com. The event is now hiring scare actors, event staff, tech staff and more. Job postings and applications can be found on the event website. The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is located at 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information, visit www.darkharborhalloween.com and follow along on Instagram and Facebook. All media requests can be sent to [email protected] and all sponsorship inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. About The Queen Mary: Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include the Promenade Café and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar, as well as a weekly Royal Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs and visitors of all ages can explore the ship’s museum, tours, and exhibits. The Queen Mary features event space in 14 remarkable Art Deco salons and award-winning staff to create innovative banquets for groups ranging from 10 to 5,000. The Queen Mary boasts 200 staterooms including nine full suites. For more information or for reservations, see www.queenmary.com or call (888) 217-1153. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach. ABOUT EVOLUTION HOSPITALITY Evolution Hospitality, the lifestyle operating division of Aimbridge Hospitality, creates unique lifestyle experiences and drives performance throughout its curated collection of independent, boutique, lifestyle, and soft brand hotels, as well as restaurants, bars, and lounges throughout North America. With an entrepreneurial mindset and revenue and sales-based focus, Evolution's in-house digital marketing agency, extraordinary culinary expertise, and a performance-driven culture combined with Aimbridge Hospitality's world-class management platform contributes to best-in-class management practices and value enhancement to owners. Evolution Hospitality is based in San Clemente, Calif. For more information, visit www.evolutionhospitality.com and connect on social media at LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Turner Classic Movies Launch New TCM Classic Films Tour4/16/2024 The new TCM Classic Films Tour showcases the Golden Age of Hollywood through the 1970s. BURBANK, Calif., April 16, 2024 — Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood announces an exciting partnership with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) to launch a brand new TCM Classic Films Tour for TCM’s 30th anniversary this month. Opening today, the enhanced tour will take guests on an incredible journey through the Golden Age of Hollywood, celebrating iconic movies featured on TCM as well as showcasing the breadth of the Warner Bros. library. Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy said, “For 100 years, Warner Bros. has stood for the very best in moviemaking and TCM has continued to spotlight the legacy of the studio with incredible program offerings throughout its 30 years. We are thrilled movie lovers from around the world can visit the iconic Burbank lot to experience the TCM Classic Films Tour and celebrate the rich history of the studio’s contributions to cinema.” Guests will explore the historic Warner Bros. Studio backlot with a focus on the studio’s early days, delving into the timeless allure of classic cinema and feeling the magic of Hollywood’s rich history firsthand. The new tour promises an entertaining journey that offers something different. Guests can visit new points of interest including: the exterior of James Dean’s apartment where he resided while working on the lot; the serene rose garden, which in the early years was Jack Warner’s tennis court and was surrounded by talent dressing rooms; and the Eastwood Scoring Stage built in 1929 where countless titles have been scored. Guests will have the chance to stop at the Property House, which houses over a half-million television and movie props, including the pirate chair from Captain Blood and even the breathtaking Tiffany’s chandelier from The Letter. Before stepping into the magic, guests will enter the state-of-the-art deluxe screening room, located at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Welcome Center, to admire historical photographs from the Warner Bros. archive and enjoy a newly curated introduction video from the hosts of TCM: Ben Mankiewicz, Eddie Muller, Jacqueline Stewart, Alicia Malone, and Dave Karger. While embarking into newly-themed TCM Classic Films Tour carts with their expert guide to take them around their 90-minute backlot tour, guests will hear from the TCM hosts to transport them into the heart of cinematic history and immerse them in iconic classics such as Casablanca, The Life of Emile Zola, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Blazing Saddles, Giant, and more. “The partnership with TCM solidifies our commitment to providing unforgettable entertainment experiences to our guests,” said Danny Kahn, Vice President & General Manager of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. “The TCM Classic Films Tour is a natural fit for the Studio Tour. TCM showcases and preserves beloved classic films, and the Studio Tour offers our guests the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Hollywood legends and connect with their beloved titles.” The TCM Classic Films Tour lasts approximately three and a half hours, including 90 minutes with an expert Tour Guide and two hours of self-guided experiences. The tour includes a visit to Stage 48: Script to Screen, an interactive sound stage highlighting different steps of film production and iconic sets, including the Central Perk Set from Friends and Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment from The Big Bang Theory. The tour’s grand finale is Action and Magic Made Here, showcasing the DC Universe and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. The tour concludes with a Celebration of Warner Bros., showcasing awards and original props and costumes from classic titles including Casablanca, The Music Man, and My Fair Lady. Tickets, details, and availability for all tours are available at wbstudiotour.com. About Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood gets you closer to the entertainment you love by taking you on the lot of a real working studio. As a recipient of Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards and recognized as one of the Top 25 Attractions in the United States, the Studio Tour gives guests a revealing look behind the camera at how Hollywood magic is made. From TV shows like Friends, Abbott Elementary, The Big Bang Theory, and ER to beloved films like Casablanca, Rebel Without a Cause, Batman, and Harry Potter, fans get to explore a studio over 100 years old as they touch, tour, and visit the real sets and soundstages on the iconic 110-acre backlot where the greatest names in entertainment made history. Also, the Warner Bros. Studio Store, offering exclusive merchandise, is open to the public and does not require a tour ticket to shop. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is open Monday through Sunday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with studio tours departing every 30 minutes. Advanced bookings are recommended, and children five years or older are welcome. For the best value, book your tickets online at wbstudiotour.com or by calling +1 818-977-8687. About Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents classic films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting “where then meets now.” TCM features the insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart, and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. With more than two decades as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also directly connects with movie fans with offerings such as the TCM Wine Club, TCM Auctions and the TCM Library in addition to popular events such as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise. TCM also produces the wildly successful podcast “The Plot Thickens,” which has had more than 7 million downloads to date. TCM hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a classic movie experience on the TCM hub on Max. |
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