Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the September 8 article: Designer Times at <a href="News-ID108440.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID108440.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By crapshoot This is a great article and I can't wait for the next issue, these annecdots are pure magic to those of us who aspire to succeed in the Themed Entertainment Business. One thing though, since Kirk Kerkorian has gotten a hold of Treasure Island and tore out its original sole, I would be curious to hear Mr. Gurr's thoughts on the current incarnation of what was once a proud place in Las Vegas history. TI, as called now, suffers from the worst kind of creative genius, not unlike the same affect of the "creative genius" that got a hold of the DL Parking Lot. Thanks though, for these wonderful articles that us "geeks" can never get enough of!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan What's happpened to Treasure Island, crapshoot? I haven't been there in several years.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice You guys will seldom see me say anything negative about my wonderful hometown, but... The show that replaced the original pirate battle and now features "The Sirens of TI"... BITES. My sweetie and I were at TI (yes, the sign now says "TI" for the 'hipper' audiences they wish to attract) a few months ago to see "Mystere" (which is absolutely wonderful!) We decided to get a drink and take it out to the front of the resort to watch the new show. And... We left less than 15 minutes into it and just went back inside. It BITES. *L* The behavior of the women is just lame, not sexy (IMHO), and the guys aren't tough as they once were. It's sad really... But change is always inevitable around here.
Originally Posted By netenyahoo When I went back to Vegas after a couple years last month I was astonished by the new "hip" sign for Treasure Island. My parents live in Vegas and they told us about the new show. We didn't want to go see it as it sounded like trash. It just saddens me that the neatest free show in Vegas is ruined. It used to be something that anyone of all ages could watch and enjoy. I always thought it would be so cool to have a POTC ride in Treasure Island. The place is nothing to me now. So sad.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan TI??? What were they thinking? So does the new show use the sinking ship effect?
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Ya know, Kar2oonMan, I was immediately wondering the same thing after browsing this article. Since we didn't stay for the entire show, I have no idea. I'll see if I can find something about in a LV-related publication/web site.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Here ya go... <a href="http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/pirate.html" target="_blank">http://www.vegas.com/attractio ns/on_the_strip/pirate.html</a>? Apparently, the ship does still sink. (Probably to escape the Sirens' 'singing' and 'dancing.' ;-)
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<What's happpened to Treasure Island, crapshoot? I haven't been there in several years.>> Yeah it is really bad. But not just the replacement of the great marquis and pirate battle show, they ruined Pirate Lagoon as well. Instead of all of the wonderful touches of the Pirate Lagoon facade that we all enjoyed....not only have they white washed the complete facade, they have also added an adult nightclub, Tangerine, to the lagoon where the Battle Bar once stood. Nothing makes sense. But TI has gotten one auspicious award from one Las Vegas entity. Yes, the Sirens of TI has recently taken the top spot away from Excalliber's Dragon animatron show as being the worst show in Las Vegas. And the animatron probobly only held that award because it never worked. GO TEAM! And you all wondered why Steve Wynn is hiding his new resort behind an 60' tall fake mountain berm. Nobody wants to have to look at what Kirk has done to Treasure Island.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Steve's new place is looking gorgeous so far... I can't wait to see the final product. A class act... as always!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>The Sirens of TI has recently taken the top spot away from Excalliber's Dragon animatron show as being the worst show in Las Vegas.<< Now THAT'S saying something! Oh, man. My wife and I actually made a point of getting to that wind-up dragon show early, so as to avoid the crowds. No crowds appeared, and when the "show" began, we understood why.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I guess these changes are all part of the return to the "adult" Las Vegas? But the pirate battle was COOL, and I saw mostly adults standing there watching it in awe.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Oh, what a wonderful topic. I too really enjoyed the article, and eagerly await the next installment. I think the best incarnation of the show was as it debuted. In addition to the show itself, I loved to just stand by the water and take in the scene. The always-splashing waves being churned by some unseen force, the ship and the city facade really had a Disney-esque feel to it. I remember myself and others making just this comment back then, well before any of us were aware that ex-WDI folks were involved. The ambient sound when the area was not in show mode was especially neat I thought. It wasn't really music - it just had the background sounds that you'd hear at a seafront harbor. There were things like buoy bells ringing and seagulls crowing. It was subtle enough that you really didn't notice it, but it really gave you a sense of place (as long as you weren't looking at Las Vegas Blvd behind you). Then, a few years ago, they decided to replace this with loud, blaring pop music, presumably in an effort to attract more passers-by into the casino. It may have been effective at doing this, but it completely ruined the vibe of the show set during non-show times. The show itself was still fun, but the Disney-esque vibe of the area was gone. It was amazed at how much the background sound (whether it be music or lack thereof) could affect the feeling. I guess that's why the WDI folks get paid the big bucks.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz Thanks again to Bob for a fascinating artticle. I am looking forward to the next part.
Originally Posted By Globalizer What an awesome story! And what an image: this guy going down the Strip with a giant Pirate Ship, Steve Wynn and JACKO! Sounds like something I would dream after eating late night Chinese food or something.
Originally Posted By exiesuniverse I've read before that Steve Wynn was a Disney fan, and he shows it with the attention to detail in his resorts. I too miss the original Treasure Island (casino and show)! To me it was very Disneyesque, and I thought a great theme for a casino. Since its been changed, I hardly go there at all. Too boring now.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<I've read before that Steve Wynn was a Disney fan, and he shows it with the attention to detail in his resorts.>> Both Steve and Kenny Wynn were made honarary Imagineers back in the early 1990's. But then of course, they get it!
