Ask Access Vegas

We just got back from a fantastic time in Las Vegas! We stayed at the Mirage and it was very nice. The weather was beautiful! Being outside everyday in the sun was great. I could easily live there all year long.

My question is this, why do they interrupt shows and ruin people’s good times with those people that take pictures of audience members in their seats? They’re nothing more than hucksters that say nice things to get people to get their pictures taken in their seats. The worst part is, they never know when to stop. We saw Donny & Marie , and The Beatle’s Love show, and these people were at both shows. They kept clicking away even as the shows were starting! What’s the story with them? Do the casinos get some money out of this? It’s very annoying.

At Donny & Marie’s show you can have a ‘meet and greet’ with them after the show. I was going to do this, but then I heard that they take several pictures of you as you talk with Donny & Marie, and they set you up as a lifetime customer buying the pictures! This sounds like that old scam years ago when tricky salesman would sign people up for lifetime dance lessons! I didn’t want a lifetime commitment, just a few pictures with Donny & Marie! What’s the story with this? Do Donny & Marie get something for this, or does the casino? Why can’t we meet them and take our own pictures? Why does everything have to come with a price?

Also, what’s up with the TVs in the hotel rooms? We stayed at the Mirage, and every time we turned on the TV instead of getting a TV channel, it went right to ads for the Mirage? Is this something new? They even send messages on the phone with ads for things to do.

One last thing, will there ever be non-smoking sections in Las Vegas casinos? I can’t speak for all of them, but the Mirage didn’t have any non-smoking sections at all.

Also, a big shout out to the Yellow Cab drivers we had. They were always honest, and helpful, and they took us the shortest and cheapest ways to our destinations. The one even waited when we went to see the Vegas sign. One thing more about that sign, it’s not a few blocks from Mandalay Bay. It’s a lot farther away and the hotels shouldn’t tell people this. I think these people at the hotel have never been there themselves.

I enjoy your emails, keep up the great work!

William Affleck

Ted Responds:

As for the photo takers, that has been going on as long as I remember during certain shows. It isn’t limited to Las Vegas. Restaurants and nightclubs have been engaging in this practice forever in many tourism destinations. They want to take a photo and then sell it to you.

My advice? Now that everyone has (relatively) inexpensive digital cameras and/or the one built into your phone, take your own pictures. If for some reason that is prohibited and only the “official” photographer can take photos, write the entertainer (care of the hotel) and also write the hotel General Manager (write both letters) and complain. Nothing gets changed unless customers speak up!

Having a hotel TV turn on to the hotel’s channel is also very common in resorts just about everywhere. They want you to know what they offer! Per the phone messages that are ads, this is also getting to be a pretty common trick. I’m simply not sure one can do much about this nor will the resorts change their ways. Since people who need to get in touch with my have my cell number, I just ignore the flashing message light on the phone.

Unless you are staying at Mandalay Bay, the Las Vegas sign is going to be a bit of a hike. (It is located just a few blocks south of Mandalay Bay). Taxi waiting time is something like 50 cents a minute, which isn’t bad if you consider that you’ll only be at the sign 5-10 minutes tops. I agree that going to visit it and getting your picture taken in front of it is a “must do” for someone with a few Vegas visits under their belt!

Various Las Vegas and Laughlin hotels have tried non-smoking sections. About 10 years ago (maybe more… I’ve been in town a LONG time), the Silver City Casino (which no longer exists) went completely non-smoking. Guess what? There was no demand. Play at the Silver City went down and they discontinued the policy. Same with non-smoking casino areas.

The good news? Air flow technology has improved over the years and most of the newer properties do not smell like smoke. I’m not a fan of the smell of cigarette smoke, but I simply consider it a part of life whether visiting a casino or a bar or going to see some live music at smaller venues that allow smoking. I wouldn’t hold your breath (no pun intended) for any changes soon. Smokers tend to gamble more, making up for those who skip gambling because of the smoke.

Ted Newkirk
CEO, Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

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