Hello From Las Vegas! – Covid-19 cases are dropping here, new resorts on on track, Governor Grumpy is still stomping his angry feet, important tips on visiting the Las Vegas sign, how to guarantee you get an Uber, and lots more this week. We’ll dive right in!

For our Supporting (Paid) Members, this week we discuss:

– When bars will reopen, and why they haven’t yet. Despite continued long-term drops in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations.

– Having trouble getting an Uber? (Here or anywhere). We’re not. We fill our Members in on the one easy tip to make sure they get a ride!

– More details have come out about Circa Las Vegas. October 28 can’t come soon enough.

Circa update. pic.twitter.com/panhmBXv2r

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) August 17, 2020

– Info you should know to expand your dining choices downtown, while paying locals prices. We’re always helping our Members save!

– How we knew that reopening Las Vegas wouldn’t turn into a COVID-19 disaster. And, why the agenda-driven, fear-mongering national outlets are simply ignoring the unbiased health authority data.

– Tips for visiting the Las Vegas sign, that most visitors don’t know. These tips will save you time and money!

Access is instant, and your membership comes out to less than $3.00 per month (paid yearly). Our Members consider that a small price to pay to “hedge their bet” on getting unbiased information about what is really happening in Las Vegas during these unusual times.

We are NOT casino-supported. (We make a very small commission if you book through various offers we list). However, NOT ONE SINGLE casino cuts us a monthly check nor controls our message.

We are Members-Supported and our only obligation is getting our members the info they won’t find elsewhere, allowing them to make the choice of investing in a Las Vegas vacation (when to come, should they wait, what to expect) as the most informed visitors. Period.

This, on top of our numerous other Member Benefits. And remember, we offer a 60-day money-back guarentee. We can be that confident because year-after-year, far less than 1% of the people who become members, decide that it isn’t helpful to them.

Click To Become An Access Vegas
Insider Vibe Supporting Member.
Access Is Instant!

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Hello From Las Vegas! – If it seems like you just heard from me, you did. However, we have important news, which we’ll break down in the effort to continue to help you decide whether you want to visit Las Vegas in 2-3 weeks, 2-3 month, or 2-3 years.

Governor Grumpy Whistles A Different Tune – I’m not sure whether the governor’s staff are readers or not. However, somebody got through to him with exactly the concerns I stated last issue (members edition linked here).

During the Q&A with the press, he even admitted that closing down all the bars when only 20% were out of compliance might have not been the best idea. So… He HAS let bars open in a few smaller counties. (Bartops specifically, if a bar or restaurant serves food, you can waltz on in, get a table, and drink to your heart’s content). More importantly, we have reason to believe that he’ll be allowing bars in Reno and Las Vegas to open sooner than later. (I’d peg it at 7-10 days).

He’s ditching “phases” that apply to the whole state, or entire industries in favor of heavy enforcement, fines, and even closing specific non-compliant businesses. Including casinos.

What’s That Going To Mean To You? – In the Supporting (Paid) Members version of this issue, we get quite in-depth with the following:

– How strict is mask enforcement, where and/or when, what to expect, what you may (or may not) find acceptable, and a thought at when that restriction may be lifted.

– Where we suggest staying right now. Unlike normal times when Las Vegas is 100% open and everything is hopping, being in the know will help you experience Vegas more in the manner you are used to!

– Is Vegas really dead or depressing (as some of the social media and forum group doomsayers are trying to convince everyone)? We tell (and show) what is really going on so you can make an informed decision on whether to visit soon. Or not. Everyone has different expectations.

– Conventions are canceling through early 2021. No, not because they know something everyone else does not. Convention lead times are months and months and months, and they don’t know how allowed huge gathering will be and when. What does this mean for the casual visitor? Important factors to look for, so you can book in your favor, and save even more.

Just A Reminder: Before you gamble your hard-earned money on your next Vegas Visit, you can still “hedge your bet” and let us keep you in the loop with real info and real data. Not crazy internet rumors. We’re members-supported so the only people we care about are our Supporting (Paid) Members. Not the casinos!

We’re still leaving the Coupon Code 5NOW working, which gets the price down to a ridiculously low $2.48 per month (paid yearly), with our full 60-Day money-back guarantee.

Members.AccessVegas.com
Coupon Code At Checkout: 5NOW

So far this year, NOBODY has asked for their money back after subscribing. Instead, the compliments continue to roll in. We’ve been in business since 1997. We must be doing something right!

About three weeks ago, many of the Facebook and other groups were full of a “Vegas will be closing by the end of the week” rumor. People ate it up, repeated it, and many canceled their trips. So much so that MGM pushed back the openings of Mirage and Park MGM!

Except… there was no evidence nor reason to close Las Vegas. Nor did it. Enforcement on the few casinos (statewide) which were not in compliance were threatened with closure (individual closure, not state-wide) if they didn’t shape up. And, the info in the national media has been horribly inaccurate.

Is relying on spending hours trying to ferret out info before you decide about your next visit, all-the-while unsure about the accuracy? Our Members don’t have those worries. Couple of bucks a month saves them time, stress, and money:

Members.AccessVegas.com
Coupon Code At Checkout: 5NOW

How Are Our Members Benefiting? A couple of weeks ago, a Member asked us when Park MGM was reopening. We didn’t simply confirm the August 6 date to them (which we knew). We ALSO gave them the thought that they may want to book another MGM property which was already open. Just in case the Park MGM opening date got pushed back.

Guess what, it did! So, if the Member followed the advice they asked us for using our Your Guy In Vegas Membership benefit, they are booked somewhere instead of having to get re-booked with limited control. Is that kind of help worth a couple bucks a month? Many think so!

Bonus: We reminded them that Park MGM is reopening (when they do), Smoke Free. That might be important to a few people, one way or the other!

Members.AccessVegas.com
Coupon Code At Checkout: 5NOW

Eldorado Owns Caesars – The merger is done. While the company is taking on the Caesars name, the bottom line is that they are owned and ran by Eldorado Resorts. Out of Reno, Nevada. We feel this is a GOOD thing, and should have plenty more to say about that next issue.

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Hello From Las Vegas! – So… As The Vegas Turns. Masks, bars closed, COVID-19 rates going through the roof. If you simply read the headlines (or what we in this business call “fear porn”), or buy into all of the “don’t know anything about Vegas, reporting from 2000 miles away national media, and/or crazy/incorrect online group rumors, you probably really have no clue what is going on.

So, let’s drill down to some hard data and boots-on-the-ground info and get you up to speed. This way, you can decide whether you want to visit in a couple of weeks, a couple of months, or “I’m still going to wait and see”.

That’s why we’re member-supported: While we run various hotel room specials which you may (or may not) wish to take advantage of, our main source of support is membership dues. Not the few pennies-on-the-dollar we make if you book a room through one of the offers we highlight! (Not that doing so isn’t appreciated).

So, let’s dive in. Here’s what we cover in our current Supporting Members July 19, 2020 issue:

Nevada COVID-19 Deaths – For some reason, this vital statistic (after all, that’s why we’re all worried), isn’t getting much talk. Should it? What are the real numbers? What does it mean?

Nevada COVID-19 Cases Going Through The Roof – Yes, they are. Over 1000 per day for the past few days. Isn’t that major cause for alarm? What’s different in Nevada from the other 49 states, why is it driving this number of, and what does it mean to potential visitors?

Hospitalizations – Are all the ICU beds full in Las Vegas? Are we on the verge of people dying due to lack of capacity? While we won’t do the deep dive here that we do for our Supporting (Paid) Members, keep reading as we’ll hit on a couple of important points in just a minute.

“You Are Sending Visitor Home Sick!” – The number of people who tested positive outside of their area, and who had been on a trip somewhere, actually has been tracked. A few days ago, the number came out regarding how many people who have visited Las Vegas have come home and tested positive for COVID-19. (Whether they caught it here or not).

Take a guess? 14,000? 3000? 9000? 27,000? (Bueller? Anyone?)

We have the real (government) data, and we break it down for our members so they can decide whether they want to come next week, or wait until next year.

Are The Bars Really Closed, Can You Get A Drink? – When masks became mandatory, it appears they pulled every state employee (qualified to do so) to go out and check compliance. Which was so-so to begin with, so the state made it very clear that there would be hell to pay. Starting with casinos who would be facing a possible $130k fine for not keeping their guests in compliance. (Don’t assume that is chump-change to them. It isn’t exactly a seriously profitable sector right now).

After a week or so, casino compliance was very solid, with only Aria and Park MGM out-of-compliance. (MGM Resorts has since been on a “mask up” blitz, including videos featuring prominent statues like the MGM Lion and Lady Liberty wearing masks).

The bars? After a slow start, they had hit 80% compliance. So… the governor said that fines and closures would start to be swift to those 20% not in compliance, right? We’re almost there. Let’s just fix the small portion of issues which still exist. Minor corrections can equal perfection. Smart, right?

Not Governor Grumpy! From Day 1 of this whole ordeal, he’s verbiage when talking to the state has been that of a kindergarten teacher. And, if little Jimmy is a bad boy, the entire class will pay for it.

This was no exception. He ordered every single bartop in the state’s most populated counties to be shut down. Casinos, bar and grills, restaurants, dive bars… if you have a bartop, nobody will be sitting at it.

What does this mean for YOU, attending a casino here in Las Vegas? It depends on your habits. You can play all day on the casino floor. And, for those of you die-hard bartop video poker players like myself, casinos do offer VP on the floor. And, you WILL get your comped cocktails delivered by the waitress. While policy differs from casino to casino, and walk-up bars (think Fremont Street frozen boozy slushy bars) are basically closed, they are providing a way for you to order drinks and get them brought to you.

Also, an astute Facebook Membership Group regular pointed out that there is no shortage of beer, wine, and liquor at the CVS, Walgreens, and the like! Those of us who live here are jaded to the fact that we can get a bottle of whiskey at any hour of the day, any day of the week, at any 24/7 grocery, pharmacy, or package store. Those rules have NOT changed.

Also, many of the great restaurants are open. With social distancing. So, if you have a yearning for some Wolfgang Puck (or others), knock yourself out. Speaking of…

Buffets – Many predicted that COVID-19 would be the death of the Las Vegas buffet. And, while a small number of them — ones you never really give thought to in most cases — may be bowing out, the well-known and liked buffets at both Wynn and Cosmopolitan are up and running. Each with a slightly different operation.

We break both of them down so that our members know what to expect.

Member Patrick M. of New York says of our current Members Issue:

Very good newsletter this week. Very informative! You covered a LOT of ground

“Who Cares. I Don’t Need Your Membership. I Have Google!” – Oh really, Mr. or Miss Smarty Pants?

Let’s have some “factual fun” and compare a major national news story from last week to a local news story from a very trusted outlet:

Story #1, National News Story

‘Overwhelmed and Terrified’: Las Vegas’ Reopening Backfires Terribly

“I would say in the last month we’ve been completely overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and our hospital is running out of space,” one Las Vegas emergency room doctor, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of professional retaliation, told The Daily Beast on Friday. “Not only are we overwhelmed and terrified, but based on the numbers for the rest of the country, it’s only going to get worse for us.”

Note: This story was dated July 17, 2020 by The Daily Beast out of New York City.

Story #1, Local News Story

Las Vegas hospitals add beds, staff to handle spiking COVID cases

“We’re not at danger of being overrun,” said Dan McBride, chief medical officer for the Valley Health System, which operates six hospitals in the valley.

University Medical Center, whose intensive care unit was 95 percent occupied as of Wednesday, added 87 beds by putting under-utilized space to new uses, CEO Mason VanHouweling said.

Note: This story was dated July 19, 2020 (two days later) by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Which is not only the largest newspaper in the state of Nevada, but is the newspaper of record.

Even if you are pretty hard-core about following Las Vegas news (which means you probably saw the first story), did you see the local, more factual stories?

We don’t miss a thing. Which means for helping us stay independent and not beholden to casino advertising with the price of a “cup of coffee” per month (less than $2.50), our members actually ARE the most informed and smartest visitors to Las Vegas!

You spend THOUSANDS $$$ on your Las Vegas visit. What we do is give you an opportunity to “hedge that bet” and really know what’s up so that you can not only finally decide when you want to visit, but so that (under normal circumstances), you’ll be heads and shoulders above all of the other visitors around out.

Coupon Code and 60-Day Money Back Guarantee Still Valid

By visiting Members.AccessVegas.com and using the Coupon Code 5NOW, you can still knock the membership price for an entire year to under $30. (Less than $2.50 per month). That is quite a bit less than dinner at some of the nicer buffets anymore! And, our Members find that they not only save more than that with our guidance and tips, but they have their best visits every. Why? Because the are FINALLY and ACTUALLY “In The Know”!

The clock is ticking on this offer. Countless members pay full price and feel that it is worth every penny (and then some). Spend a few bucks to hedge your bet on Vegas now:

Members.AccessVegas.com

Coupon Code 5NOW Saves You $5 Instantly (Give It A Try)

So, Is The Current Vegas Worth It? – That’s your call. Not mine. We can let you know how things are going, get down to the true numbers that aren’t making the headlines, and similar. However, only you know how your health is. How your age is. Whether you like the fact that masking up is being so strongly enforced, or you’ll never travel anywhere unless/until you can go mask-free. And, any other number of factors.

Back when this whole thing started, I did suggest a pending side-benefit of the current situation which many visitors are now sounding off on:

It is a somewhat different Vegas, but it is also a more-relaxed, less crowded Vegas. Very few of you will ever have the opportunity to visit a week before Christmas on a weekday, when things are the slowest of the year. And, in reality, it isn’t much unlike now. Shows are often shut down, things are closed for maintenance, not all dining options may be at full force and full hours.

But, you get elbow room! Less people. Shorter lines. Less stress. Some of you may wish to take that into consideration as well.

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Note From Ted:

Members Mania is a regular feature for our Supporting (Paid) Members. Membership includes our “Your Guy In Vegas” feature, where you can reach out to myself and our paid staff of experts with your specific Vegas questions. We don’t have “canned” answers. We’ll ask you for some details pertaining you your wants and needs. Then, answer accordingly.

This is in response to a Members Facebook story post we made about this article (which was also posted in a previous newsletter issue): Elon Musk’s Boring Company finishes digging Las Vegas tunnels 32 – The city’s Convention and Visitors Authority is still planning to open the Loop in January

I’m not too knowledgeable about this. I, also, wasn’t even aware of this underground system. So.. its not a subway.. so what is it.. people mover? Do people utilize it now and will they in the future? 

Elon Musk has grand ideas.. but some of them are impractical or expensive to implement. Is this another “extend the monorail” idea (from MGM to Mandalay to McCarran) or the “High Speed Train” from LA to LV?!?

Patrick Magee

Ted Responds:

We decided not to talk about it until it was a thing. One thing we steer away from is “reporting” on every crazy scheme that people come up with related to Las Vegas. My policy — in most cases — is to give you info and data that is actionable for a pending or future (yet to be planned) visit to see us. Or, ideas which are really, really plausible and have had significant and ongoing work or study on them.

– It is a tunnel system where cars come by every couple of minutes to transport a handful of people to the next stop. Yes… The Jetsons has come to life!

The Boring Company releases new images of Las Vegas project as tunnel nears 50% mark https://t.co/3ukxT2C0EE

— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 16, 2020

-The first part of it was finished just a bit prior to Covid. It is operational.

– Extension or expansion will most likely be based on how it does. It is also based on the ability to dig where. The soil under Las Vegas is actually “cement” (caliche) in much of the area.

– The Monorail extension to Mandalay Bay, while a solid idea because of the stadium and number of events it will hold, is not yet funded.

However, of interest is that the Convention and Visitors Authority is looking into buying it. Ostensibly to make sure it is around to serve the Convention Center expansion.

The thought of running it to the airport is still riddled with issues. Primarily, it would have to come down to ground level along Tropicana as the runways butt right up against the road, and putting anything elevated at the end of an major airport runway is a really lousy idea!

Nobody is developing ANYTHING around a high-speed rail line until it becomes reality. As it is right now, the CA high speed rail line ours was supposed to connect with California’s “might be finished the 5th of never” high-speed rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

To be fair, permission to build the high speed rail line along the right-of-way of I-15 (the freeway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles) has been secured. So, I’m not trying to completely be a “Debbie Downer”.

In fact, I love trains! And, the concept of running a regular train on the existing regular freight lines between Las Vegas and Los Angeles still gets kicked around here and there.

Unlike the high-speed line, which would currently end a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles, this would go all the way in. Which means it would also connect to existing rail service to the Central California wine country, the beautiful seaside town of Santa Barbara, Orange County, and San Diego. Much of that line running directly along the ocean with stunning views.

And frankly, a regular rail connection from here to Los Angeles could simply survive on our international visitors.

Why? 1. They are used to rail travel. 2. The 8 hour trip to Los Angeles (via rail), while longer than a car trip, is a whole lot more restful and fun, and 3. Many Europeans are respectful of and have high interest in American’s “Route 66”. The freight lines parallel Route 66 for a significant part of the route. Through otherwise untouched rugged desert and mountains.

We have answers to your Vegas questions!

But, you have to ask the questions.

Email us at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and let us know, what YOU want to know!

Hello From Las Vegas! – Wow, wow, wow. If you are thinking you have not heard from me in longer-than-usual, you are correct! It seems like every time we were ready to publish, more dust would get kicked up in the ever-changing details of Las Vegas opening.

This will essentially be a double-issue. No, I don’t mean twice as much of every feature. You’ll notice it is simply MUCH longer than normal. Most of you are just now thinking about when to make travel plans, looking many weeks or months out, trying to make heads of tails of the situation. Which is why we’re here to help!

And, for our Supporting (Paid) Members who wanted to come much sooner than later, they have been able to reach out to us through our “Your Guy In Vegas” form (where we guarantee to do our best to answer specific member questions), or ask something in our Insider Vibe Members Facebook Group.

For those wanting a great, in-depth and photo-filled account of what it was like to be here the first coupe of weeks things were open, we highly suggest clicking over to read Vegas is open again, but is it worth the visit? by our friends at TravelZork. Head Zork Michael Trager pulls no punches!

Let me note that he’s not very kind of Caesars Entertainment’s evidence of using the health restrictions to cost-cut on services. Let’s keep in mind that the Caesars/Eldorado merger has been approved. Very soon, Eldorado Gaming will taking over Caesars (taking on the Caesars name) and current actions are no reflection on the way new ownership and management may run the resorts. I have a pretty good feeling about Eldorado, which is fodder for a future issue.

Note On Politics: I’ve been doing this newsletter since 1999 and been putting Las Vegas related information on the internet since 1995. I’m also no stranger to having an educated opinion. I’ve been outspoken in the media about parking and resort fees, nickel-and-diming, and why the need to charge $21 for a a cocktail in Las Vegas. (Unless you are paying for the ambiance of a club. Or a view. Or, both).

In fact, that is why we’ve had a move to being member-supported. By buying myself and my team a “cup of coffee” each month, you help us move positive change forward without worrying that upset this or that casino company.

Even though I’ve never missed a presidential election since I started voting 36 years ago, and only missed 5 total in all of that time, I’m not here to tell you why to think my way. I’m here to tell you what is happening, and what you need to know, when it comes to Las Vegas.

I realize that wearing (or not wearing) masks in incredibly political for some. If you don’t like what is going on, write the governor. If you like what is going on, write the governor. The bottom line is that for everyone who stays away due to mask rules, another person who was staying away with visit because of them. So, for me, it is a wash. For you? It is my job to give you all the knowledge, rules, and details to allow you to make an informed decision.

So, let’s get on to…

Masks And Rules – Masks are now mandatory in public, in the state of Nevada. Public transit, airports, more of less anywhere outside your house or car or hotel room. They can be just about anything that is cloth and covers your mouth and nose. A bandana, something you make at home, the traditional medical or store bought masks, you name it. You are not required to go out and buy some kind of certified or special type of mask.

When do you have to wear your mask? How seriously are the casinos taking this? What kind of enforcement is there indoors? What will the police do if you don’t have one on? Why did Nevada take such a drastic step when our hospital projections are fine, and our death rate continues to be microscopic? How should all of this affect you as you ponder if and when to plan a visit?

We went into ALL of that and much more in our June 30, 2020 Supporting (Paid) Members issue. If you choose to get on board (less than three bucks a month for a full year, with a 60-day money-back guarantee if you don’t find yourself getting far more value that the couple of bucks and change you toss us), you can then access this report immediately, right here: June 30, 2020 Access Vegas Insider Vibe Members Issue.

Elevators Away! – An extreme downside of social distancing was the prescribed (and not always enforced) limit of four people per elevator. Which caused lines in properties enforcing it. Now that masks are mandated, we’re understanding that those limits are not needed.

Lines For Pools – A downside of social distancing mandates at the pools is that they continue to be limited to 50% capacity. Right here in our glorious middle-of-summer “but, it’s a dry heat” season. When the most people want to enjoy the pool! (Plus, with not everything yet open, that is one activity you can do).

Once that limit is reached, a line forms. One in, one out..

Don’t Pay That Resort Fee! – While no hard and fast rule, people are having some success getting their resort fees removed. Simply by asking, noting that they are here even though they have to wear a mask, etc.

HOWEVER… Due to something we’re very aware of that isn’t common knowledge out there (good luck finding this one on the hours you choose to spend online finding your own Las Vegas info), there is a pretty effective ace-in-the-hole you can add to the above that gives you a very high chance at getting those fees removed.

You are talking about getting $100 or more removed from your bill upon check-out depending on where you stay and length of stay. No, it doesn’t involve confrontation, creating a storm, causing problems or anything of that nature. It is something you can simply point out that they won’t have a refute for. Which will pretty much give them little choice but to remove your fees!

THAT information is for Supporting (Paid) Members only. Regular readers know that we put out info that will help you on your next visit issue after issue after issue, and all we ask is that you toss me and me team a “cup of coffee” per month.

You can get instant access to all the current info, AND stay looped on everything you know so you’ll have expert advise before you decide exactly when you want to think about scheduling your next visit.

We’re up on it all, without all of the bad internet rumor, misinformation, and current political wars you have to wade though in the hours you may be spending trying to get the latest about Las Vegas online.

PLUS, while many gladly pay $34.80 per year for Membership, right now, we’ll knock it under $30, with the promo code 5NOW. That comes out to UNDER $2.50 per month, to have access to our team of experts and guides with nearly 100 years of “boots on the ground” Las Vegas experience in our field.

If you need a refresher on ALL of the Members Benefits, click to Members.AccessVegas.com 

If you simply are ready to dive in and get your immediate access NOW, please head directly to our

Access Vegas Insider Vibe
Membership Checkout Page

Put the coupon code 5NOW in the first box, and watch your immediate saving kick in!

Rollers, Not Stollers – Circa Las Vegas (site of the old Las Vegas Club), is opening early! On Oct. 28, 2020 they will open the casino, five hotel floors, and all but one restaurant. Reservations are now being accepted here: bit.ly/3fSIyc3. The hotel will open in its entirety in late December, just in time for New Years Eve.

Of very interesting note: This properrty will be 21 and over. Period. No guests of any kind under 21. No families. No rooms booked to anyone whose party contains people under 21.

Relax in retro style. Then enjoy all the perks of being an adult. Rooms are available starting December 28. Book now at https://t.co/9Qp848hRzG; to ring in a new era of classic Vegas, downtown at the city’s only 21+ resort. #CircaLasVegaspic.twitter.com/dPETFn9gut

— Circa Las Vegas (@CircaLasVegas) June 24, 2020

Owner Derek Stevens joked that he ran out of money before they were able to build an arcade. The bottom line is that he wants gamblers. Period. A casino focused on gambling. What a novel concept when MGM Resorts has spent the past few years often putting out advertising that had little (and often no) depiction of gambling in it!

Resort World Won’t Be Far Behind – Sitting on the former Stardust site, this massive project is topped out, landscaping is going in, and the lettering on the building has commenced. (I walked out of my local CVS a few days ago, looked over, and went “Wow”).

Of interesting note, they won’t need to put on building wraps to advertise whatever they want to feature: Nearly the entire west tower facing down The Strip is a video wall. No, we’re not kidding. It is HUGE and it is impressive. As we expect the resort to be.

If you want a sneak peak a the rooms, check this out: Resorts World Las Vegas unveils guestroom designs

PS Keep in mind,… there is little that myself and our advisory team don’t know. We have nearly 100 years combined “boots on the ground” experience here in Las Vegas tourism. Join us here: Members.AccessVegas.com with coupon code 5NOW

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Note From Ted:

Members Mania is a regular feature for our Supporting (Paid) Members. Membership includes our “Your Guy In Vegas” feature, where you can reach out to myself and our paid staff of experts with your specific Vegas questions. We don’t have “canned” answers. We’ll ask you for some details pertaining to your wants and needs. Then, answer accordingly.

June 16 at 2:56 PM Hi Ted. Could give us some reviews of how people are feeling about the new restrictions on table games, most importantly for me is blackjack and how the new “experience” working. Hope you’re healing up.

Kip Petersen

Ted Responds:

People are playing. It all really depends. Bad answer, I understand.

You can take down your mask to drink or smoke (although, you may be asked to step away from the table to take the drag of smoke).

Because so many people are SO divided on masks, the answer lies along your preferences. If you are among the “no mask ever” crowd, or someone who feels it will infringe on your fun, then don’t visit yet.

If you are someone who is “we must wear masks” or “I’m fine wearing them, that’s what is happening this moment”, then those people are having a fun time.

We are featuring Member Michael Trager’s excellent blog post on visiting in the current Las Vegas, and it is worth a read for someone with your concerns.

Hope this helps as much as possible! In a time when so many people have so many different views on everything regarding this kind of topic, there is no “hard and fast” answer.

Michael Trager of TravelZork also chimed in on this one on Facebook: I played close to 14 hours of dice opening weekend. Thursday, Friday, Saturday. At Caesars. I wanted the mask experience. Things are in constant flux, but I did step away and pull down my mask to drink and smoke. I finished my trip with four hours of dice at Wynn. No mask.You get used to the mask. Biggest issue at dice is you need to speak louder with a mask.

Hi Ted

I thought you’d like to hear how our recent vacation went, given that I asked for your advice on a Grand Canyon trip for my sons. They had a wonderful time with Vegas Daze – pick up was waiting for them even though we were early. Everything went well and the photos were amazing. A great experience.

As very regular visitors to Vegas. It might be useful to you and perhaps some of your readers, particularly from the UK, to feedback on elements of our trip. We stayed at Caesars, primarily for the pools which we think are the best on the strip. The line for check in was so long that I estimated, based on previous experiences, that it might well take 2-3 hours.

After a 24 hour travel time, I wasn’t impressed and I complained at the VIP check in. A very courteous member of the team checked us all in and upgraded us at the same time. Brits don’t often complain but I am learning the ropes and yes, a tip does help. We have stayed at Caesars a couple of times before but probably won’t go back. We’re staying at The D in March for a different vibe. We’d booked Rao’s in Caesars for my husband’s birthday dinner but were really disappointed with the service and the fixed price menu in Mr Chow only works if you are a group of four and you like everything offered, as the menu is equally fixed with no individual choices of dish.

We always go back to Charlie Palmer’s in Four Seasons – we love their menu and the staff remember us each time we visit. We are also fans of Sinatra’s in Encore – it’s a beautiful restaurant and although we’ve not always had the best food, this time everything was perfect and the staff are attentive and helpful without being invasive.

Having the boys with us this time we ventured to go axe throwing – we had a brilliant time. Although we arrived late due to a mix up on our booking with Expedia, the team accommodated us without question and allowed us extra time at the end – an hour goes really quickly and we all wanted to get that final bullseye before we left. Well worth the $20.

Thank you to all those who were driving past the Little Church of the West, when my husband and I were having our photo taken after renewing our vows and sounded their horns in celebration with us. It made our day.

Finally, and I know this is always on your radar too, the resort fees are ridiculous. On checkout we had additional visits to the gym charged to our account – although we managed to get these removed the thought that perhaps only one visit to the gym each day is covered by the resort fee is crazy. Our two rooms for 12 nights racked up a resort fee bill alone of some $1000. The standard wi-fi was wholly inadequate and dropped out all the time but to upgrade was an eye-watering $14.99 per day!

We will keep coming back, as long as health prevails, and next time we will venture off the Strip even more to some of the restaurants the locals go to – I’ve made a note of your recommendations. Thank you and the team for your advice and news stories.

Best wishes. Pauline

Ted Responds:

This is a pre-shutdown trip report that we’re repeating because it may have gotten lost in the shuffle (or, you weren’t checking for a while between trips and are getting caught up)!

Can I get an honest opinion on downtown Vegas? I’m torn between strip or downtown I’m really considering the plaza and the awesome deal there offering I’ve never been downtown just the strip. I just need the extra boost I guess from you guys on what I should do.

Brock Daniel Lambertson

Ted Responds:

You’ve come to the right place! Our Supporting (Paid) Members can use the “Your Guy In Vegas” form feature to access the knowledge of our staff, guides, and partners who have upwards of 100 years of Las Vegas tourism experience, much of it “boots on the ground”.

Do NOT stay downtown if you have not yet visited downtown! I don’t care how good the deal is. Should everyone do downtown one evening? Or afternoon into evening so you can take in Fremont East, enjoy dinner at one of the many places in Container Park or Le Thai or the hidden gems on the handful of blocks surrounding that area. Which will be a coming feature in a Member’s Edition.

However, downtown is its own thing. If you want to really drink and gamble and do so in a way that won’t break your wallet, and that is pretty much the goal of your trip (plus a side visit to Mob Museum, Neon Museum, and the Art’s District — another still “best kept downtown secret” we’ve been informing Members about), then staying downtown could very much be for you.

However, if you are going to spend much/most of your time on The Strip, the time and cost of going back and forth will talke a toll, and you are better off spending a bit more for a Strip room.

Visit downtown first. For an afternoon and evening. THEN, you’ll have a far better idea.

Hope this helps!

We have answers to your Vegas questions!

But, you have to ask the questions.

Email us at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and let us know, what YOU want to know!

Hello From Las Vegas! – Vegas is back when? Man, I wish I had an answer. My educated guesstimate was May 15. We continue to have falling numbers, peak was long ago, curve flattened, casino plans in place (which will make them safer than anywhere else you venture). 

Casinos were ready, willing, and able. As we’ve seen from regional casino openings, there certainly is demand. With Los Angeles locked down until the end of the world, there is no shortage of drive-in visitors ready to come have fun.

However, it has become extremely clear that our Governor continues to have no plan. We’re in Phase 1 of what may be 4 phases. We think. They do not mirror the White House phases (which only has 3 phases). He said casinos may open during Phase 3 or Phase 4.

It is appearing that our governor is among those who will simply be keeping things shut down as long as possible. Period. Every aspect of the tourism and gaming industry is sitting here twiddling our thumbs. The fact that, for the first time in the history of Nevada, a governor is thumbing his nose at the very industry which fuels the entire state is also a strange quirk. Past that, I’ll leave things to your own assumptions.

So, Let’s Get Back To Talking Vegas! – I have backlogged stuff to write about. Las Vegas will be back, and we’ll get back to the inside info, helpful tips, and everything that helps you have a better visit next time. Because, there WILL be a next time. Even if the governor gets recalled to get us to the point we open back up.

But, let’s get to one more interesting thought you won’t (yet) read elsewhere. Although, if it does not get written about in the media soon, I’ll be submitting it as an op-ed to our paper:

We Already Were The Petri Dish – Our Mayor got lambasted for suggesting — in a very testy interview with Anderson Cooper — that Las Vegas should open and possibly be a Petri dish to see what happens. What everybody does not know is… We already were. In January. Let’s run though this:

– University of Southern California found out that Covid-19 had already been a thing in Southern California for some time: USC antibody study suggests hundreds of thousands in LA County may have had coronavirus This means long before quarantine and lockdown, Southern Californians (which make up upwards of 25% our our visitors, driving in), were here having a party. Having a good time. No distancing, no masks, no nothing.

– More than 175,000 industry professionals, including more than 61,000 from outside the U.S., were in Las Vegas in January for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). As it was an electronics show, there was a significant contingent from China. (Or, as the President says, SHHIINNAH). Interacting not only with each other, but with hotel employees, bartenders, wait staff, drivers, the massive number of locals staffing the convention center… I could go on and on.

So, all of those locals got sick and brought Covid-19 home with them every night and we had a pandemic, and the hospitals got overwhelmed, and we all died.

I guess not.

Were there anecdotal reports of a weird flu going around the next couple of weeks? Yes. Absolutely. Not pretending it didn’t exist. However, that was that and life went on.

Having said all of that, and for the (probably) 47th time: STAY HOME if you have any concerns at all. Whether you are older, have health issues, are simply being extra careful, or you believe that opening up (as the nation is doing) will lead to a resurgence and millions of deaths, there is absolutely no hurry to return to Las Vegas!

We’ll publish again next week to make up for the week I missed while flat on my back in traction (not to mention surgery and recovery). At that time, we’ll go over more of what to expect as most casinos are putting their plans in place, what will and won’t be open when, and information along those lines. I wish we knew more now. As noted, I’m privy to as much info as almost everybody. Even the CEO’s of the casino company have absolutely no clue what the governor is up to, nor when he may think about letting hotel resorts reopen.

ALSO, members keep in mind that you can contact us in the members area with specific questions about planning for your next visit. I won’t lie: For the first time ever (literally), we don’t have all the answers. But, as always, we look at your specific situation and questions and we’ll do the best we can to inform you of what we know to date.

Stay safe, everyone. We’ll be open when you are ready.

Next Week – Vegas, Vegas, Vegas. Backloads of Vegas. Back to normal with this newsletter, and hopefully over the next weeks and months, back to normal for all of us.

Since The Governor Is MIA – The promo code ACCESS2020 is still good for a full year where, for less than the price of a cup of coffee per month, you get access to all of the info that does NOT go here in our free edition, all of our archives, 12 special Vegas Visitor “must have” reports you won’t find elsewhere on the internet, and much more at Members.AccessVegas.com 

The day the governor announces an actual opening date, that comes down. Immediately on the day he sets a date. Not on opening date.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Our plans for Las Vegas this year is to try and get there twice! We usually stay 5 nights and we always make time for the newbie things to do/go see. We don’t always stay in the same place, though we do prefer the strip so we don’t have to drive around at night (in case we want to relax and not get a DUI) and can casino hop if one place gets too stale.

The energy is awesome in Las Vegas, so we try to casino hop as much as we can. We have also visited the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, Rick’s Restoration and Danny Koker’s auto shop (which is a must see if you like autos!!!) which is something to do out of the norm of regular tours/casinos/shopping. I usually get to go a second time when the Girls Only trip happens in July. Yea, it’s a hot time to be there, but we laugh in spite of ourselves and have a wonderful time just the same! Hey, it’s Vegas Baby!!

Best,

Sharon Ball

Ted Responds:

Good suggestions all around. Danny is a character and is true-to-life! I was at my local Carl’s Jr. at Sahara and Valley View a few months ago. I was inside picking up an order. The clerk goes to me ‘The Count’ is in the drive through!” (This is on his way home from his shop, so makes sense). When he pulled around, it was dark out, but he was driving what was obviously a pimped-out 70’s luxury ride.

Also, if you are an aging “metal head” (I plead guilty), he owns Counts Vamped about 10 minutes west of The Strip on West Sahara. It is a rock ‘n’ roll bar and grill which regularly hosts retro rock/metal acts like Bullet Boys, Geoff Tate, Y&T, Britney Fox, Lynch Mob, Femme Fatal, and similar. If this is for you, you may want to check out their site before your next visit.

Do you refuse to put your reward card in the slot machine after a decent win?

Tom Tani

Ted Responds:

No, no, no, no, and… no!

Every spin or button hit of a machine is completely random. It is not based on what just happened on the last deal. The computer that runs the gambling portion of the machine does not know if there is a slot club card in the machine or not.

All you ever do by playing without your card is losing out on comps.

There is one exception! And, to check that out, PLEASE read the special report in our Members Area titled How To Con The Casino Computers Into Comping You More!

We have answers to your Vegas questions!

But, you have to ask the questions.

Email us at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and let us know, what YOU want to know!

Hello From Las Vegas! – Good news out of Nevada, where it appears our peak was not the predicted April 19 (previously April 22), but we peaked on April 8. Nobody is pretending that all is well, and our hearts go out to areas like New York, which are particularly hard hit.

We’ll deal with the closure as it stands now, talk about what is on the horizon as we reopen, and then get back to a few backlogged “business as usual” info/tips/news.

Important Note: If you are new to the classroom or simply missed our previous two issues/emails, we aren’t going to go over the details of how things will open, what will be open, and all of that again. You may wish to catch up here first:

• Access Vegas Insider Vibe April 5, 2020
• Access Vegas Insider Vibe March 26, 2020

While the White House has suggested that governors who wish to* can commence moving toward reopening, Nevada’s Governor Sisolak very recently noted that he’s not reopening Nevada anytime soon. Unlike his counterpart in California, he has not yet even laid out a plan. (Internally, I can tell you that the gaming industry is finding the “no plan yet” concerning, as they don’t have a blueprint to start to study. This was backed up during comments from Donald Trump, when asked about the Nevada situation in Sunday’s briefing).

* The White House has maintained its stance that each governor is responsible for these decisions in their own states. The federal government has never done more than provide suggestions. If you feel strongly one way or the other, write your governor. Write our governor. Not the president.

And, the governor of Utah also has laid out a reopening plan that starts May 1. Utah is very similar to us in size, population, geography, weather, and similar.

Wynn Resorts put out a 20 page PDF plan and a statement from their CEO which said (in part):

Currently, Nevada is well positioned relative to many other states. Clearly we will see increases in cases as we accelerate testing. The Roosevelt aircraft carrier data has shown that of the hundreds of sailors that have tested positive, the majority are asymptomatic. Stanford University just published research that COVID-19 cases could be 50x higher than reported given the vast amount of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic individuals. That means as we increase testing, we will see more cases.

So I believe it is critical to monitor our hospitalizations as we increase testing. We passed our “peak” hospitalizations based on most national models and our hospitals were not overrun. Our COVID-19 related deaths per million are below the national average. We have also acquired enough personal protective equipment (PPE) through a public-private partnership to sufficiently supply our medical community that we all rely on for months.

The tone of his notes were that more testing would mean more cases, but if that doesn’t result in more hospitalizations or deaths (numbers which have appeared to peak), then we’ll continue gingerly moving forward. You can read his entire statement plus look at the 20 page PDF here: A plan to re-open Nevada By Matt Maddox

I have had people wonder how I could be so confident in my conservative numbers and “Vegas will open sooner than later” (spring, not summer, fall, winter, or never) when the nightly news was all doom and gloom and “millions are going to die”. That was actually pretty simple:

I didn’t watch the nightly news. I spent upwards of an hour a day looking at trends, models, and numbers while watching or listening to the daily White House briefings.. The bottom line is that the death numbers never came close to the media claims. Ventilators not needed, hospital ships under-used, no shortage of the malaria drug.

Even just a couple of weeks ago, we were told that 100k-240k people will perish EVEN if we all stay home. Those numbers were also wildly way too high. (Which is awesome! Every death projected but avoided is worthy of celebration).

By the way, we were warned that these numbers were crazy high back on March 26, but everyone seemed to be happier saying “the sky is falling”. Even when we were told that Italy’s deaths mostly involved people already ill (from Bloomburg, none-the-less, not exactly  a right-wing conspiracy site).

I can already hear some saying “THOSE NUMBERS WERE LOWER BECAUSE WE ALL STAYED HOME (YOU MORON)!”

Hold on just a second: Remember a couple of weeks ago when the CDC said (only) 100k-240k would die if we stayed home? The staying home part was already accounted for in the numbers prediction! IE, the numbers would be those if we stayed at home, and a lot worse if we didn’t quarantine.

However, those death numbers — even though more testing means more reported cases — simply aren’t spiking up outside of the New York area. Which is not only 2500 miles from where I’m sitting, but an area with a population density unimaginable out here.

Add to that, it is starting to appear that we have scientific proof that sunlight kills the virus. Well… we’re going to be in the high 80’s next week, and rarely have a shortage of sunshine!

The bottom line is that this virus isn’t as potent or harmful as originally thought. Don’t get me wrong: If you are older, or immune compromised in any way, all of the White House guidelines note one should practice isolation as much as possible. I’m not taking the possibility of death lightly here.

Past that, Wynn’s report on the steps for safety they will be taking are in large part what we already had told you in the past few weeks (regarding what to expect). If you are new to the classroom or have been away, you did read the two links at the top and get caught up, right?

Weeks ago (literally), I told you that Las Vegas could very well be as safe (or even safer) than staying home and going about your business in your area. Once again, people thought I was nuts. Well…

A former Marine intelligence officer who was part of the team that did the baseline training for North American military pandemic preparedness said Las Vegas could become the destination for people looking stay healthy while traveling.

Full story here: The strengths and weaknesses of Las Vegas moving forward

So… why the stark difference between my analysis and your nightly news? Simple: The difference in the goals of the nightly news vs. what we do here. They need to keep you scared so you’ll keep watching. You tune out, they lose out. As our main focus is member-supported, our only obligation is the give you the most accurate info and help possible.

Whether that makes you decide to stay home until next year, book an October trip (our nicest weather month), or you are going to gamble on our (still) guesstimate of mid-May casino restart date, you’re among the most informed visitors now, period. (As our members always are).

Speaking Of …– We’ve included much of what is usually only available to our Supporting (Paid) Members here in the free subscriber issue to help keep everybody up on when they can return to their favorite vacation spot, and what to expect. However… keep in mind that the extension of our “Save 20% Off Membership In 2020” (for a full-year, 365 membership) with the guarantee that if you don’t visit in the next 365 days, we comp you an additional year, won’t be lasting much longer.

As a refresher, the day that our governor announces an opening date, that announcement day WILL be it for that promotion. We’ve already extended it well beyond its planned expiration date due to the current situation. If you were riding the fence of indecision because your friends were telling you that the world won’t be open until 2022, you may wish to re-think this. This could very well be our last mention as our next issue is not for another two weeks.

Go to www.Join.Vegas and use the coupon code ACCESS2020  With gaming outlining their plans and neighboring states ramping up, our “I don’t have a plan” governor is highly likely to be announcing one sooner than later.

Moving Forward… – We’ve already gone over what Las Vegas will likely be like during the first couple of months in our last issue. A major change being discussed now are masks and gloves among all casino employees, including dealers. This will certainly be a change for casinos who previously did not allow masks of any kind. Including Halloween.

Good Cheap Eats In The Arts District – I’ve been at the forefront of telling our Supporting (Paid) Members about the Arts District. Which hasn’t been on the radar of virtually any other Las Vegas blog, podcast, group… or just about any other source.

Part of me doesn’t want to share much about it, because it is a best kept secret. However, since many of you DO venture downtown (or stay downtown and hit The Strip), and given that the Arts District is between the two, and given that is is the home of some amazing eating-and-drinking spots at solid locals pricing, I’m suggesting people ignore it at their own peril.

We’ve suggested spots where the combination of the dining bill plus your Uber ride will be less expensive than anything similar on The Strip to some really thankful member comments. I’ll toss you free subscribers one you can’t go wrong with:

Albo’s Pizza is your typical pizza/wings/burgers/hogies spot just a few blocks north of The Strat, right on Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip road). I probably order delivery from it 2-3 times per month (their pizza is very solid for the price, the wings are good, certainly not gourmet joint, but certainly decent for the money). Well… Albo’s was just picked as a 5 top options for cheap Italian eats in Las Vegas. So, congrats to them!

Construction (Mostly) Continues – Downtown Grand, Circa, Resorts World, and Allegiant Stadium are all moving along and seemingly on schedule. Sports fans may have heard the crazy rumors that The Raiders may play a few game in San Antonio, El Paso, Salt Lake City or who knows where if the stadium does not meet completion date.

First of all, this is Las Vegas. Highly unlikely that any obstacles to on-time completion won’t be overcome. Doing stuff like this is what we do! Second, The Raiders have invested too much into the community to not attempt to play here. 

I’m not saying one or two of their “home” pre-season games won’t be played elsewhere. Playing a game in Salt Lake City is a nice way to build a regional fan base. However, if push comes to shove, expect them to play in UNLV’s old home of Sam Boyd Stadium, on the far east side of Las Vegas.

Sharp eyes may have noted we left out The Drew on this list. (The hulking blue building north of Wynn/Encore). They seemed to be having delays announcing financing before this mess hit. With how quickly and strongly visitation returns, and how well we absorb all of the new rooms under construction, I’m not bullish that we’ll see it finished in the next 2-3 years. But, I do hope I’m wrong! (I only live 10 minutes from it).

Stay safe, everyone. We’ll be open when you are ready to travel.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Note From Ted:

Members Mania is a regular feature for our Supporting (Paid) Members. Membership includes our “Your Guy In Vegas” feature, where you can reach out to myself and our paid staff of experts with your specific Vegas questions. We don’t have “canned” answers. We’ll ask you for some details pertaining you your wants and needs. Then, answer accordingly.

Our group, all in their mid to late 40s, got asked for ID before entering Park on Fremont. As one of us didn’t have photo ID on them, we were refused entry. Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum also asked for ID but let us all in even with one ID missing. Lesson learnt, request for ID at Atomic Liquors met with all of us presenting! Is this a law change in Vegas? Never been carded before in all our previous visits.

Andrew Fry

Ted Responds:

Clark County, which is all of Las Vegas, is very, very, very tight when it comes to ID and liquor.

Yes, I realize that 99% of the time, you go to a bar in the tourism areas and there is no issue. Especially if you are obviously of age.

Having said that, establishments who are either really concerned about getting in trouble, or who perhaps have had past trouble, card EVERYONE.

I’m 54. There is a corner convenience store a couple of blocks from me who cards me. Every time. They don’t even want to have any trouble. I’ve seen people older than me carded there.

Also, the bottom line is that you are expected to have you ID on you at all times here in Las Vegas. When drinking or gambling. It is on you to have legit ID which proves your age.

At the end of the day, a Metro (our police) officer explained it to me like this:

If something happens to you, it is best to have ID on you. You really don’t want to end up in the hospital, or super-drunk and separated from your friends, without them having a way to know who you are. And, to figure out who they need to try to contact.

Or, having your friends call hospitals, who can’t tell you whether your friend is there. Because they don’t know their name.

Trust Me: No one here wants to lose any of your business. When someone lacks ID, there are numerous concerns for smaller business — ranging from losing their liquor license, to not knowing why someone without ID is in their business — which concern them.

We have answers to your Vegas questions!

But, you have to ask the questions.

Email us at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and let us know, what YOU want to know!

Hello From Las Vegas – Well… we had a slight seismic movement in the “when will Las Vegas open” question, which we’ll dive into. However, we’ll still be easing back to “business as normal” reporting starting next issue. As, we already know many are booking. And I mean in a number of weeks.

I’m going to be a little more reserved this time. While many were appreciative of me crunching all of the data, working with my “industry” knowledge and such, I was lambasted by some for suggesting that Las Vegas wouldn’t be shut down for months. Like I was going to be personally responsible for killing millions!

So, let’s just get this out there. I’m an industry analyst. I’ve had a front-row seat to this industry for well over 20 years. Through 9/11. Through the financial and housing crisis of the 2000’s. I don’t disseminate “wishful thinking”. I crunch facts and numbers.

For example, when other “experts'” were claiming that the pre-recession hotel boom was going to be the next phase of Vegas, I’m on record as saying that Echelon Place (former Stardust) project just didn’t pan out in my estimation. Not as a hater. Not because I wanted the project to fail. Simply because I didn’t see it working out. It didn’t. A decade later, the initial bones of the project are are now becoming Resorts World.

So, let’s get a couple of things out there:

1. I toss all of my knowledge, sources, data and similar into the blender (my brain), and do the best I can to tell you what things look like moving forward. If I owned a crystal ball, I’d spend all my time at the sports books, cleaning up on sports bets. Even if (for now), those bets were on Korean ping-pong and Russian soccer!

2. If you don’t like what I have to say, talk to somebody that can do something about it. If you feel it is WRONG that Las Vegas will be open in a matter of weeks (barring something completely unforeseen), write our governor. That is his decision.

My J-O-B and obligation to the Supporting (Paid) Members who help myself and my professional, PAID staff with a “cup of coffee” each month (less than $3 a month, paid yearly), is to help them navigate whatever is going on in Vegas. Resort fees to high? Save that money back through our (not found elsewhere on the internet) food/beverage exclusive specials membership section, or through maximizing your comps, or through hitting the best-kept-secrets and avoiding the time-wasters.

For now, that is all about letting people who are considering booking (given the cheap rooms and airfare) the best advice on when things will be open, how much will be open, and what to expect. And, we’re going to jump into that right now!

When Will Vegas Open? – The original optimistic date — and a date many resorts were booking — was April 17. THEN… came a couple of things. 1. The White House gave new suggested guidelines of “stay-at-home” through May 1 and 2. What looks like a pretty good model for the State of Nevada suggested that infections would peak around April 22. The “good” news? We have enough hospital beds to handle the peak. That means for US. Not the rest of you. And, there is obviously no way you should visit during the peak of anything bad.

For now, the hotels are taking reservations starting May 1. Perhaps a bit optimistic, but not 100% out-of-the-question. I’d peg a best guesstimate on Friday May 15th, which will have provided a three week buffer from the peak (numbers are then expected to start to fall pretty good after the peak), this is an extra two weeks from May 1, and it falls on a Friday.

HOWEVER… this will be a very soft opening. I’ll get into how much will be open and how soon:

If Nobody Can Fly, Who Visits? – Very simple: The populations of California, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico is over 50 million people. Virtually all of which are within a 12 hour drive, and for the majority (based on population centers), it is 8 hours of less.

That will get Las Vegas going again. Past that, it will be up to each individual to decide if and when they want to jump on a plane. I’ve heard thoughts that airlines have either started (or are looking to possibly) keep middle seats empty. Once we get over the mask shortage, I’m sure many/most people who are traveling or venturing out and about quite a bit may choose to wear one.

We’re All Going To Die (Social Distancing) – “But, everybody will go to Las Vegas and breath on each other, and get everybody sick, and millions will die, and you are a horrible, irresponsible person”. Because, I’m sure there are a few who skipped right over the first few paragraphs of this missive.

The hotel casinos WILL be practicing social distancing. They already were prior to the mandated shut-down. They have a blueprint from casinos in the Asian gambling capital of Macau, where casinos have reopened.

On top of that, let’s just do some easy math: Las Vegas is built to easily hold 300,000 visitors. That number spikes even higher on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and New Years Eve. Even if we manage 60,000 visitors at any given time during the first few weeks (and, that may be optimistic), that is the very definition of social distancing!

Think about the typical 15,000 seat sports/concert arena most of us have been inside. Then, put only 3000 people in there. It will look nearly empty, and social distancing won’t be a problem.

Let’s get into specifics:

– Casino floors will most likely have every other machine turned off. Blackjack tables will be limited to three players, not six or seven. Similar with each end of a craps table.

– Buffets will most likely simply remain closed. If and when they open (and, this may be an excuse for some hotels who don’t do a good or profitable buffet business to close theirs), you can expect servers ladling the food to your plate.

– Restaurants will stagger seating, keeping parties of people apart from each other. Which, won’t exactly be a problem. See my arena example.

– Shows won’t all simply open up ASAP. If you are only going to fill up 20% of the room, and/or if you have to seat people in a way that practices social distancing, that simply may not be profitable.

I’m not suggesting there will be NO shows. Some of the smaller shows, especially like comedy magicians and hypnotists and similar, which have a small cast, and low overhead, may find it feasible to play to 20 or 30 people. And, many of these types of shows are in makeshift venues where they can simply remove chairs and spread out the seating.

It’s not Cirque or David Copperfield, but if one of these guys played most of your home towns, it would be considered a big deal, and they often put on a solid show. If they can last in Las Vegas, they must be pretty decent!

– Clubs? Don’t even think about it. Besides the obvious factor that going to a club is all about being part of a crowd, the club scene has been quietly diminishing for a while now. Just because of social distancing, this category could be down for quite a while.

– Pools are outdoors, and once again, with 400 people in a pool area meant for 2000 (just to use round numbers), I expect these to be available.

Last Call – We’re still running our “20% Off In 2020” Coupon Code ACCESS2020 to become a Supporting (Paid) Member. (You are currently a free subscriber, and not entitled to all of the private member benefits). This is for a full 365 days of membership, not just membership through the end of this year. If you missed the details, do a search of your inbox/spam/trash folder for ted@accessvegas.com for my last email for full info.

HOWEVER, this offer ENDS the day that Nevada’s Governor announced the firm reopening date for the casino industry. Note: I didn’t say until the day things actually reopen. I mean the minute that the governor steps up to the podium to announce the date.

Head on over to www.Join.Vegas to find out more. Scroll down to one of the Make Me An Insider buttons, use Coupon Code ACCESS2020, and don’t be left out. As more people migrate over there (and they are every week, even right now during the shut-down), we’ll actually be looking into ending the Free Subscriber version you are reading now.

Hardship Exception! – IF you are someone getting hit economically right now, and would love to take advantage but simply can’t because you are out-of-work, waiting for your company to get their SBA loan, waiting for your unemployment benefits, waiting the the government check, and similar… Have no fear!  I get it. There is a whole lot of revenue streams of ours which are temporarily interrupted.

Let’s do this (if the above applies to you): Drop my awesome Customer Service helper Jessa an email at

AccessVegas@Gmail.com
Subject Line: CV Delay

Just a very quick note about how your job or business is shut down (or taking a financial hit). She will

1. Get back to you with a special 20% off promo code which will remain valid just for our friends like you and 

2. In 2-3 months (depending on how soon everything starts to get back to normal), she’ll drop you a quick reminder note. Your email will NOT be used for any other purpose and the list she keeps will be discarded once this is over.

Stay safe, everyone. We’ll be open when you are ready to travel.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Note From Ted:

Members Mania is a regular feature for our Supporting (Paid) Members. Membership includes our “Your Guy In Vegas” feature, where you can reach out to myself and our paid staff of experts with your specific Vegas questions. We don’t have “canned” answers. We’ll ask you for some details pertaining you your wants and needs. Then, answer accordingly.

Upon further conversation, Keith was asking because he is taking his daughter here for her 21st birthday. Based on our advice to him (which is noted below), he elected to push the “father/daughter” trip out a bit. However, he still may come himself if we’re up-and-running by his original dates!

Imagine that: He tosses us a “cup of coffee per month, and we’re able to help him salvage and make the most of a pending “special trip”! Which is PRICELESS:

I have a trip to Las Vegas planned for May 21-24, 2020. I know we are all in in middle of covid-19 hell right now but that’s still almost two months away.

Anyway, in preparation for my trip I went on Open Table recently and made a reservation for dinner at one of my favorite Las Vegas restaurants – Batista’s Hole In The Wall. Today, I was contacted by Open Table saying that Batista’s canceled my reservation for May 22nd. Did I miss something? How does Batista’s know whats going to be going on in late May? Or is this is temporary thing, a precaution, and they might actually be open come May 22nd?

I just thought it was a little premature to cancel this early. Thanks!

Keith L.
Supporting (Paid) Member

Ted Responds:

Excellent questions!

I’d say the odds of being able to make the trip are in your favor. I’d say the odds of any trip Memorial Day or after are really, really high.

Love Batista’s. Hidden gem at reasonable prices similar to the adjacent (more or less) Stage Door and Ellis Island.

Just a precaution. The hotels can eat the costs of bookings and cancellations and the paperwork (even if it is digital) and similar. For a small restaurant, it can be more trouble than it is worth.

ALSO, Las Vegas will NOT be remotely full by then. Batista’s may or may not even have reopened, even if the hotels are open for business.

As you may know, one of our Special Reports is about using Open Table to snag reservations, even if you are planning to eat somewhere within the hour. Being locked into their system beats showing up and getting put on a list and waiting.

So, kudos for planning ahead! This is actually one time it may not yet be needed.

Thanks for the support!

We have answers to your Vegas questions!

But, you have to ask the questions.

Email us at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and let us know, what YOU want to know!

Update: Wynn/Encore has since announced they will close for two weeks. As noted in this issue, Supporting Members can reference our Private Facebook Group for breaking updates, or use your “Your Guy In Vegas” feature.

Note: This closure was announced on the heels of the shutdown of the schools, and I believe was influenced by that issue as much as anything.

Hello From Las Vegas – No exclamation point after the “Vegas” this week. I had a huge pile of “need to know” savings, latest tips (Vegas is always changing) and similar for our Supporting Members. However, this week, the “need to know” is one singular topic: The virus and Las Vegas.

So ya… if you haven’t pulled the trigger and become a Supporting Member yet because “you have the internet”, enjoy spending hours researching questionable information. Instead of info from our paid staff which has a combined many decades of being true Las Vegas insiders.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now – Las Vegas is not shut down. This weekend, plenty of people are enjoying casinos, walking The Strip, getting their pic taken in front of the Las Vegas sign. Don’t take my word for it. Look for yourself: Earthcam Las Vegas Cam. (Note: Remember time zones and such. If you go to look at 7 AM our time, don’t expect to see anybody out there!)

Buffets and selected restaurants have GENERALLY been closed. This isn’t the end of the world. In fact, many restaurants which are staying open are the kind on our comprehensive list of researched Las Vegas Food and Beverage Specials (sorted by South Strip, Mid-Strip, North Strip, Fremont, and other areas). Just a reminder that we put the phone number with the outlet for a reason! While my staff checks and updates this info at least monthly, call ahead. Restaurants sometimes do make abrupt changes and don’t notify us.

Our tap water was, is, and will be safe to drink. (Our water district assured us of this, and the reality is that their day-to-day J-O-B is to treat the water so it has no virus or pathogen or other matter in it which will make you ill!) In fact, not long ago, we reminded our Supporting Members how they can always get free water in a casino. And no, it does not involve gambling and having a waitress bring it to you, nor sticking your empty glass under the tap in the bathroom. Note: While that water is safe, bathroom tap water is often warm or hot. Not exactly what you want to gulp down on a hot Vegas day.

Shows are closed. With tours, it varies. The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Red Rock, Zion, Death Valley, Valley of Fire, and all of the natural wonders in this area certainly are open. And, there is no shortage of CHEAP rental cars right now. This might be a fantastic time to plan a trip, use the serious money you save on hotel and airfare, and see all the “Not on Strip or Fremont” stuff you’ve always said you’d check out “one of these days”. Well, there is no time like the present!

By the way, a contributor and friend to what we do happens to be our area’s top tour guide. His name is Mark Anthony. He has some time on his hands due to the slowdown. While he does many 1-4 day bus tours around our region, he also regularly does private tours. Just you and your friends/spouse/group and him.

Whether it is three of you in a rental car, or a small van or bus, he’s your guy and you can probably get a good price on everything from top-to-bottom. No matter if checking out how awesome a private tour of anything from Fremont Street and historic downtown to Grand Canyon would be, click on over to The Vegas Tourist and hit him up!

ALSO, if you are planning to hit Hoover Dam, our exclusive Special Report 09 – How To Have The Best Time On Your Visit To Hoover Dam is a must.

Casinos are working as hard as they possibly can to provide a safe experience. Wiping down everything from slot machines to the front desk counters frequently. Casino chips are actually being WASHED! Seriously. Funny side note: 20 years ago, I used to low roller at the Gold Spike Casino downtown. (It is no longer a casino, but a bar aimed at Millennials). Their chips were FILTHY. One night, I came home with a bunch of them in my pocket, and actually tossed them in dishwasher. (By themselves!)

Speaking of, dealers are being mandated to wash up really good both right before and just after they have been dealing. AND, the hotels/casinos have made strict rules about employees staying home if they are not well.

Latest is that Wynn/Encore is shutting off every other slot machine to help people keep this “social distance” everyone is talking about. Speaking of…

Yes, MGM Resorts is laying off people by the truckload. No return date set. Health care coverage ending in a set amount of time. The whole nine yards. Wynn noted that they will pay full-time employees that otherwise are “laid off” until they return. As of this writing, no other casinos have made statements regarding such. So, if wanting to go to hotels where staffing is a concern, perhaps MGM Resorts properties might not be the best pick.

Obviously, whether you want to travel (or not) is a personal decision. I’m not a doctor. Although, a group of home health care professionals did decide to keep their convention dates about a week ago: Conventioneers say healthy habits keep them from fearing coronavirus

If you are sitting at home with 20 cases of water, prepared for the end of the world, no worries. I understand. Everyone is handling this differently. For you, I’d suggest staying home. You would be going around too worried to have fun. Someone sneezes due to allergies (it is very much “springtime” here, temps in the 60’sF most of the time) and you’ll be running away to keep from getting sick. I get it.

If you are someone who has checked with your doctor or nurses line regarding any current health issues, and if you feel that this is basically a flu and you should just wash often and go about your life, Las Vegas is a bargain like we have not seen in a long time. Check your comps. Check how few airline points they want to fly you here (or how low the fares are). If you can live without seeing a show or eating at a buffet, you’ll have a great time and have a fair amount of elbow room.

Yes, there are still resort fees. As discussed last issue, we’re been fighting against fees very strongly, including being vocal in the media. However, our Supporting Members can usually save more than a couple nights resort fees from the tips and help of the paid expert staff that membership dues support.

AND, because many people are re-evaluating travel plans, we’ve EXTENDED both our guarantee and 2020 coupon code for the time being:

1. IF you don’t visit during the next 12 months (a Supporting Membership is for one full year), we will comp you the following 12 months. And, twice monthly, you’ll be soaking up expert advice/tips for your next trip. Must know stuff!

2. The coupon code ACCESS2020 will STILL save you 20% off the full year membership. (At this point, your membership would be valid until March 2021).

Joining is easy at Members.AccessVegas.com  Coupon code — once you’ve read enough of the info and see a Join button — is ACCESS2020

Also, I’ve just scratched the surface. I’m sure that many have questions specifically pertaining to future Vegas travel, trips people are thinking about (either right away or in a couple weeks or even a couple of months as this issue might be around for a while).

Don’t forget about your “Your Guy In Vegas” benefit. We promise to personally answer questions you have, go back and forth with you to really understand your needs, and make sure your next visit is as perfect as possible. (Supporting Members only, please. Our paid staff is only equipped to handle so many requests).

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Sports are cancelled for now, but they will be back. Of interest was that the state of Michigan just made the necessary moves to offer sports betting.

Watch carefully over the next year or so as Derek Stevens (owner of The D, Golden Gate, Circa, and Circa Sports book) becomes the nationwide king of sports betting.

Even though he’s an avid sports bettor himself, it raised a few eyebrows when he decided to take his properties sports book business in-house. The “smaller players” in the hotel game, as well as a fair number of the big corporations, have companies like William Hill operate their sports books. Why? If nothing else, RISK.

Can a sports book win a million bucks on a weekend? Sure. But, if the “public” (majority of bettors) get on a certain side of certain games, and they are not able to “balance the books” with enough wagers on the other side, they can take a bath as well. Does it balance out in the long-run (if they are doing it right)? Yes. However, many of you in states just legalizing it are seeing your governments — who at first thought it would be a cash cow — realize profits on sports betting are comparatively low.

So what is Derek up to? Simple:

Year-over-year, he actually won’t make zillions of dollars off of this.

HOWEVER…

He’s going to get GAMBLERS to come to his properties.

Don’t be surprised if he has a “bad beat for the house” weekend and gets in front of as much media as possible and says “Ya… the bettors took us for almost $2 Million this weekend”.

Are you kidding me? That is old school. Why? Blackjack used to be “the” game to play because everyone thought is was beatable. Everybody wants to beat the house.

If Circa Sports becomes know as the brand that can be beaten (even if they do win the vast majority of weekends), players will gravitate to them.

This is no different than the huge money wagers Derek placed on Michigan State during March Madness. Who cares if he lost $350k (or whatever it was… right up around there). He got as much, if not more, back in publicity.

Plus, he’s doing Vegas right. Full-Pay blackjack even on the lower limit tables, good drink service, a 24/7 Coney Dog joint that won’t break the bank. Word is he may even be bringing back the world-famous Golden Gate Shrimp Cocktail at Circa when it opens! Although, we’ll forgive him if he can’t offer it at 99 cents, or even $1.99.

Still… I can almost taste that zesty, tangy cocktail sauce they make from the decades-old recipe, that he acquired when he bought Golden Gate!

Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Note: Normally, the column from AccessVegas.com Founder and 20+ year Las Vegas resident and visitor expert is only available to our subscribers who support our efforts. However, in light of possibly the biggest Las Vegas news in a decade, we’re giving our free email subscribers this section today.

Hello From Las Vegas! – Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. The biggest shake-up in a long, long time could be good for our visitors. Some of you have heard that MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren is stepping down. For those not up to speed: He’s the guy who brought high resort fees, paid parking, and tons of other high prices and nickel-and-diming. Which ended up permeating most of the industry here.

For those new to the classroom, we generally don’t go way into the business side of Las Vegas here. Although, there have been calls for it in our Members Facebook Group. Hence, I am considering a time-to-time section at the bottom of our Members newsletter version for those interested. I’m constantly involved in talking the business side of Las Vegas with colleagues, industry people, and those in the media.

My involvement the past couple of years has aggressively centered on calling out MGM Resorts for these practices. I’ve frequently been speaking out in assorted articles about how fees were negatively affecting visitors, visitation rates, and simply leaving a bad taste in people’s mouths.

So… Ding, Dong… The Witch Is Dead! Let’s backtrack almost exactly two years, trace this amazing and fortunate downfall, talk about how and why it happened, and talk about what is next for Las Vegas!

On February 17, 2018, I wrote the following Op-Ed in the Review-Journal:

COMMENTARY: Some warning signs in Las Vegas tourism numbers

Let’s just say that suggesting the emperor has no clothes on isn’t popular. I got one very gruff phone message, and some of you may have noticed that we haven’t carried any MGM advertising nor promotions in a long, long time! (Except perhaps through a third party not associated with them). However, I really felt strongly about what they were doing to our visitors, the bad path they were taking, and was in a position to speak up.

While I can’t begin to take full credit for getting Murren out the door, what followed that op-ed was quarter-after-quarter of (usually) sub-par earnings calls. Jim Murren kept saying “wait until 2020, wait until 2020” and I was thinking “Yes, 2020 when everybody finally sees that your horrible treatment (financially) of your guests isn’t helping the business and you get shown the door.”

Disclaimer: Murren is resigning, but many feel that the company board of directors suggested that he do so.

In fact, many months ago, well back into 2019, I had specifically told anyone who will listen that Murren would be out the second half of 2020. (He’s taking his time stepping aside, and highly likely will within that window). People no longer think I’m nuts on that one!

I followed that “Warning Signs” article with a Letter To The Editor:

LETTER: No secret to the revival of downtown Las Vegas casinos

Here’s the crux of that letter:

As someone with more than two decades of Las Vegas tourism promotion, I can tell you what they are doing right: Lower limits, more favorable game rules, looser slots, free-flowing liquor comps, and more affordable food and beverage. They know they are going to get your money eventually. Not only isn’t it a sin to let you play longer, but even after you’ve lost that first $100 bill, you are more likely to pull out the next one because you got your entertainment value out of it.

The mantra of Strip casinos has been “people aren’t gambling as much, so we want to focus on other revenue sources.” The reality is that people aren’t gambling on the Strip as much in recent years because those casinos decided to choke the golden goose some time ago. Slots were tightened, limits were raised, house-favorable rules like lower-pay blackjack were instituted, and people simply lost their money more quickly.

Oh, and could downtown’s lower (or non-existent) resort fees, free guest parking and lower-priced dining (both fine and casual) be leaving people more money to gamble with? Food for thought.

I’ve been additionally quoted regarding the negatives of parking fees here, here, here, and here. Plus, articles such as South Point going strong with “old-school” playbook regarding casino operators who are doing it old-school (good odds, good rules, reasonably-priced food and beverage) and seeming to do just great!

We also started our Access Vegas Insider Vibe Membership program a number of years ago to help combat this. I can’t make the casinos stop charging you resort and parking fees. But, with the support of our members, I can hire help so we can research and stay on all the ways you can do Las Vegas like you always used to, and on the same budget you used to. It is not uncommon for our members to save 2-3 times (and even more) the $34.80 per year we ask you to support us with.

Honestly, you can’t NOT afford to “buy us a cup of coffee” per month (less than $3 per month) if you want to help us not only keep “sticking it” to those who are trying to bilk you on your visits, but provide you both deep and extensive ways to save on each visit that your zillion hours trying to search the internet simply aren’t going to uncover.

Seriously, ask an internet group a simple question like what the best Las Vegas steakhouse is. Try it. You are going to get 18 different answers, often from people who have only heard about a place, and none of which might be appropriate for what your celebration requires. And, don’t even get me started on the problems with possibly fake Yelp reviews. Our members? They ask us, we answer based on their wants, and we often publish that info to help all of our members!

Join Our Members Now, Get Back To The Vegas Budget You Loved

How can I be this confident in how we help our members? Because we have a 60-day money-back guarantee that (literally) virtually nobody ever takes us up on. In fact, it is the other way around: People regularly write and say “When is my subscription up? I want to make sure I’m resubscribed and don’t miss a thing!”

There is a whole lot more to this Murren story, his downfall, future changes, how I knew it was coming months before others did, and what it all means to you regarding what to watch out for future visits. When you choose to become a member, you can Be In The Know Before Your Next Visit and have instant access (to that, and everything else).

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com