Why did themed casinos come then go again so quickly?

Since we are discussing which post-mirage-era casino might be first to go, I have another topic for discussion. There are probably many answers.

Why did "themed" casinos become a mostly 1990s phenomenon? There were "themes" before like the Flamingo being pink. Caesars Palace and Circus Circus were themes before the more-modern era. But I think we all agree this was nothing compared to Excalibur, Luxor, and Treasure Island. If you watch the History Channel version of "Casino" Peleggi states that while back in the day you just needed a casino, "today you theme the casino."

The Wynn seems to have ended the "theme" casino once and for all. But any thoughts on why the era was so short? Did themes get old? Do they limit marketing? Are they too much "for the kids?"

Quote: AZDuffman

Are they too much "for the kids?"

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

Actually, it wasn't kids, per se, but the 'family oriented' aspect that was the problem.


Adults, acting like kids, plays right into the "Sin City" vibe.

Parents / families do not.

As well as the whole failed family friendly experiment, I think the themes themselves are part of the problem, as they date rather quickly. So while other more up market venues were opening themeless, the themed places looked shabby in comparison.

The Luxor is a prime example, but stripping the Egyptian theme completely from a pyramid shaped building may not be easy, they tried it in 2007.

I havnt seen the results myself, but read its supposed to be appealing to a more upmarket clientele. Personally, i think a bit of Tacky can go a long way with tourists, but loses its appeal quickly.

I go to Vegas usually once a year and I really lament the de-themeing! Not only are new casinos unthemed, the old ones are being transformed (ala Planet Hollywood, Luxor, NYNY, etc). I want some cheesy Egyptian decor or to feel like I'm gabling in central park. :-)

I don't think that themes are necessarily going the way of the dodo. While the encores and arias don't employ them, I think there is still a big interest in the euro-luxury type themes, ala venetian/palazzo/bellagio type places. Also i think people will always want to stay/eat/gamble at a giant castle or pyramid when in Vegas.

Theming has always been popular with resorts. If you go to Hawaii there are themed resorts everywhere (Greek, Roman, etc.). In general theming became less popular after 2001. I understand that Dubai is going to try some ideas like the Moon theme.
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But Mirage is still making much more money after 20 years than all the themed resorts that have come afterwards. Bellagio is one of the top earning casinos on the strip, only recently surpassed by the WYNN/ENCORE and VENETIAN/PALAZZO combinations and the new ARIA. But VENETIAN/PALAZZO is basically upmarket theming.
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Industrial theming is popular with some of the new casinos in Pennsylvania. And as some WAGS have pointed out, City Center is simply themed as a City. It doesn't resemble a real city.

Quote: Croupier

The Luxor is a prime example, but stripping the Egyptian theme completely from a pyramid shaped building may not be easy, they tried it in 2007.

I havnt seen the results myself, but read its supposed to be appealing to a more upmarket clientele. Personally, i think a bit of Tacky can go a long way with tourists, but loses its appeal quickly.

I saw the Luxor in 08 and 09. Both times there was an abundance of Egyptian-themed decor. I particularly liked an obelisc with led-lighted symbols carved in it :) At the time I was watching Stargate SG-1 daily, and the Luxor reminded me of the show.

If it was more heavily themed before, I'd like to have seen that.

Anway, I do think themeing will come back at some point in the future. As has been noted, it existed in Vegas long before the Mirage. true, the older properties, like the Sahara, are only mildly themed (and at that part of the Sahra is NASCAR-themed, and what does that have to do with ancient northern Africa?). So look for such themeing in the future. Harrah's could do worse than to revive the old Aladdin at PH.

Themeing can be tacky or tasteful. Harrah's strikes me as campy, but Paris pulls off the theme almost with elegance. Caesars goes over the top, but it's luxurious in a grand-tacky sort of way 8well, parts of it). But then that captures how Rome itself was (very much like Vegas in some ways).

I wouldn't say that the Wynn has no theme. It is themed "rich". Mr and Mrs Mimbo are actually heading there in four days. Now we got in the hotel for about $110/night (hopefully not in a broom closet) for a four night stay beginning Friday so it was actually a very inexpensive option for us and we liked the casino last time we were there. I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to eat as most of the food options there are on the pricey side and will likely have a couple of meals in Venice next door.

That said, some themes work better for different people. Mrs Mimbo likes the Parisian atmosphere whereas I might like Caesars. Mrs Mimbo likes Excalibur but I like Bellagio. It's a matter of taste.

Quote: pacomartin

Industrial theming is popular with some of the new casinos in Pennsylvania.

If the theme mentioned was anything other than 'Industrial,' I wouldn't ask...

Is that really a "theme" or just the result of utilizing vacant industrial buildings?

Quote: boymimbo

I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to eat as most of the food options there are on the pricey side and will likely have a couple of meals in Venice next door.

You might know about this but there is a great little restaurant in the Venetian next the food court that does fantastic Italian dishes. It's called Trattoria something. Not too pricey--falls somewhere in between the food court and the full-service dining options at the V. Always make it a point to get the baked ziti there once every trip.

Quote: Nareed

I saw the Luxor in 08 and 09. Both times there was an abundance of Egyptian-themed decor. I particularly liked an obelisc with led-lighted symbols carved in it :) At the time I was watching Stargate SG-1 daily, and the Luxor reminded me of the show.

If it was more heavily themed before, I'd like to have seen that.

I dont know how much has changed, but apparently MGM stripped it back some from what it was. When I visited the theme was obvious throughout the place. Like I say, I dont know how much has changed, but I am looking forward to going back and finding out.

Quote: Croupier

Quote: Nareed

I saw the Luxor in 08 and 09. Both times there was an abundance of Egyptian-themed decor. I particularly liked an obelisc with led-lighted symbols carved in it :) At the time I was watching Stargate SG-1 daily, and the Luxor reminded me of the show.

If it was more heavily themed before, I'd like to have seen that.

I dont know how much has changed, but apparently MGM stripped it back some from what it was. When I visited the theme was obvious throughout the place. Like I say, I dont know how much has changed, but I am looking forward to going back and finding out.

I played the majority of my time last June in the Luxor. From reading about how they were changing their theme, you would have thought the only things left that were in any way, shape or form Egyptian would be the Sphinx outside and the pyramid itself.

From being there, though, they did strip it back, but they did not get rid of the theme all-together. Mostly, they got rid of the Egyptian attractions (like Tut's Tomb) and little things like removing the Egyptian themed gaming tables and waitress outfits. There are still hieroglyphs on the walls and things like the columns have remained the same with their carvings.

I actually really like it now. Dialing it back a little was a good idea. It's very modern looking now with the hint of Egypt.

Quote: DetroitCobra

From being there, though, they did strip it back, but they did not get rid of the theme all-together. Mostly, they got rid of the Egyptian attractions (like Tut's Tomb) and little things like removing the Egyptian themed gaming tables and waitress outfits. There are still hieroglyphs on the walls and things like the columns have remained the same with their carvings.

I actually really like it now. Dialing it back a little was a good idea. It's very modern looking now with the hint of Egypt.

I'd like to have seen egyptian-themed tables. If anyone knows of a photo or two online, please let me know.

The rest is not so bad. I think places like Luxor or Caesar should aim for a particular themeing standard. I'm thinking the designers should ask themselves: if ancient Egyptians, Imperial Romans, Renaissance Venecians, etc were alive today, how would they decorate a hotel casino in Las Vegas?

Whether or not they apply that standard to the tables and waitress uniforms is up to them. A little adaptation of a distinctive motiff or two, without copying a headdress (which were reserved for royalty in Egypt), can go a long way towards themeing the uniforms.