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AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Brian Jones
Visitors watch lions play at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Lion Habitat in this 2008 file photo.
A slower economy and changing times are taking their toll on one of the most well-known hotel-casinos in Las Vegas.
MGM Grand is shuttering its popular free lion exhibit on Jan. 31, and the mega hotel and casino is closing its once groundbreaking Studio 54 nightclub in early February.
“It’s something of a big deal,” said Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor, a consumer-oriented travel newsletter. “Studio 54, when it came to Vegas, pretty much kicked off the Vegas of today. Prior to Studio 54, only a few places had stuck their toe into the nightlife, the wilder night scene. It was big in the day — back in the ’90s, it was a happening thing. But it’s since been surpassed.”
It’s no secret Las Vegas has been affected by the sour economy — annual visitor rates fell with the recession, from 39.1 million in 2007 to 34.4 million in 2010, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.
Casinos and hotels are doing everything they can to attract ever-scarcer tourist dollars. That means turning a hard eye on attractions that are facing too much competition, such as the plethora of night clubs all going after a slice of the same pie, Curtis said.
“It’s part and parcel of what made Vegas vulnerable to the bad economy,” he said. “There was too much of everything in Vegas to support. People aren’t coming in spending money like nuts like they were five years ago. The older places just really couldn’t make it anymore. You need the latest and greatest.”
Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Resorts International
Rappers Treach, left, and Vin Rock of hip-hop group Naughty by Nature perform in Las Vegas at a post-fight party for UFC 116 and birthday celebration for mixed martial artist Wanderlei Silva at Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino in July 2010.
As for the lions, well, their day has come, too. Lions are practically synonymous with the hotel — home to 5,000 rooms and one of the world’s largest casinos — but it’s time to change things up as part of a major renovation of the property, said hotel spokeswoman Yvette Monet. Iconic bronze statues of lions will remain on the property.
The free exhibit, which opened in 1999, showcases real lions roaming around — or sleeping — in a habitat. The lions don’t actually live there — they’re brought in from a ranch run by an animal trainer. The exhibit closes Feb. 4, Monet said.
“It’s part of a $160 million overall renovation,” she said. “We’re also doing a revamping of all hotel rooms. We’ll be making changes to the casino and public areas as well. We’re always looking for a fresh attraction, a fresh product for our customers, to keep the MGM Grand fresh and new.”
Monet said she had no information yet on what would replace the lion habitat.
Curtis wasn’t surprised the lions are being sent back to their ranch. “It was a cool free thing,” he said. “They could afford to do that when people were coming and throwing money around like crazy. It drew more legs into the place. But now they’ve got to be more targeted ... They made a decision to go for that nightlife crowd, not the day, fanny-pack crowd.
“The whole marketing emphasis has shifted. They want to attract the young, money-spending crowd.”
Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Sin City is a major entertainment center and business travel destination, known for its carefully cultivated image, gambling and nightlife.
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Change is good..... but I am glad I got to see those lions at least once, they were pretty impressive.
I agree on the lions, was a cool exhibit.
Though i'm tired of seeing this lazy writing about Las Vegas. Any time something closes, they spend half of the article trying to connect it to the economy. What this writer failed to mention, is that Studio 54 is being replaced by a brand new $60,000,000 nightclub, and that the lion exhibit is a part of a new retail renovation.
I can pretty much guarantee MGM Grand would have done both of these things, regardless of the economy. Most Vegas nightclubs are renovated after 5 or so years. Studio 54 has been there around 14 years.
Those lions were always sedated anyway...as the article says, you were more likely to see them sleeping than moving around.
They were not sedated.. Lions "sleep"almost 20hours a day in the wild..most of the time just dozing off and lying around..
The Lions have never been sedated. Wow read much . like the previous person commmented they sleep 18-20hours a day and are ounging around. Don't be jealouse of their great life.
What most poeple don't know is the the lions did not live at the MGM . They have a private ranch that is 8 1/2 acres. They are the best taken care of lions . What MGM Forgets is the familys actually live here and evryone comes to see the lions. I know it was a free exhibit, but how can you put a number on how many people that exhibit drew to the hotel. I heard they were trying to put a stripp club in that area and re do studio 54.... yupp just what this town needs another strip club and night club.
Lions sleep 18 hours a day... They are not sedated.
If they'd only ban smoking throughout Vegas I might come back. As it is I've declined two week-long training sessions in Vegas because I can't stand not being able to breathe.
how about they make their table limits affordable for the younger crowd..not over charge for food and drinks and get rid of a bunch of those boring slot machines. If they had more 1 dollar and lower limit tables people like me would come more often and actually gamble with friends rather than just go to a show or two..drink a little and check the girls out at the pool.
I have never seen a dollar table game, the lowest I have seen is $5. now of they had more $ tables at night they might do more business. It seems they would rather have $25, $50, an $100 tables that are sitting empty than switch them to $5 tables and actually do some business.
They should take off those dudes you see waving their tails on the platform as you enter instead and left the lions. They should also have replaced those guys with girls at least and bam! I would be comming back always!
I have been going to Vegas regularly for the last 12 years and I have noticed the corporate greed that has taken over instead of entertainment for all. They now cater to those who can afford it and not everyone. I hate the clubs in Vegas they are to crowded and charge way to much for drinks. On the other hand the pools have gotten way better and there still are some great free or cheap things to do. I will miss the lions though, as I have seen them almost every time I have gone to Vegas. I am glad I read this article because, I leave for Vegas in two days I always stay at Hooters. It's a quick walk over to MGM from there. I do agree that the limits have to come down and more tables with lower limits do give better profits to the casinos. What they really need to look at is reality competitions for money. Like Wipeout course where you compete for money (smaller version of course and less dangerous). The way and how we gamble needs a little bit of a face lift. I hope Vegas catches on (I think they are). Most of all they need to make Vegas cheaper for everyone again!
Lets face it, Vegas is dead. With over 20,000 casinos in the U.S. the only reason to go to Vegas is to see Lions,Tigers( and bears)(oh my) at the hotels. Some corporate zombie millionaire that lives in Dubai or Hong Kong deciced why give something thats special and FREE . They could build a exclusive night club and charge $20 or $25 just to get in. Never mind the drink prices! Vegas will end up like Old Vegas and Reno and Tahoe and...
Loved the Lions. Sounds kitchy, but my wife and I got our picture taken with a lion cub, which gave you a chance to pet the Lion. Was a Blast! the cub is all muscle, beautiful animal. We still have that picture from years ago. Great memory.
Visit the lions where they have always lived at the Lion Habitat Ranch opening in March 2012 a division of The Cathouse Zoo. Find us on facebook at The Cathouse Zoo or visit our website www.thecathousezoo.com
For those who are big cat fanciers, give THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY at Keenesburg, Colorado a look. See their web site at www.WildAnimalSanctuary.org . It's a non-profit so send a few bucks if you can.
I thought gambling was recession-proof. I think it has more to do with the legalization of gambling in other states.
Last year I stayed at, ate four meals and saw a Barry Manilow show at the Paris ...No Resort Fees. Previous years I stayed at Mandalay Bay, an MGM Mirage hotel. I will not stay at a hotel that charges fraudulant resort fees. The old axiam is that customers tend to gamble where they are staying.
Perhaps this is why MGM is not as profitable.
Also, I agree that there are too many confusing video slot machines and not enough $5 tables. I remember when there were $3 tables. With Center City, an MGM enterprise, Las Vegas has over build itself.
MGM - Keep the Lion exhibit!!! Please!!!
Your generous exhibit is one of the few ways in which vacationing folks and visitors can see some of nature's majesty 'up close'. It was and is a wonderful and impressive exhibit. Keep it open. Take the big view - yea, we know you want the young, free-spending crowd...But can't you still keep the majesty as well???????? Or charge a small fee to help offset the cost???? Any way to keep Mother Nature's magnificence in our faces????