In the olden days of Las Vegas (which really means a decade or three ago), there was a rush to build themed resorts. There had always been Caesars Palace and Circus Circus, but then came another redundant named property, New York New York. But, as themes go, let’s not forget Excalibur, Treasure Island, Paris Las Vegas, etc.
Then Steve Wynn came along and brought back the non-themed resorts era…and all of Las Vegas considered the matter closed.
But is it? Any trend, themed or non-themed, fades over time. So now it’s time for a new approach. Instead of theming an individual resort, why not theme all the resorts? And voila, you create a “themed” Las Vegas.
But what would be a theme that could be adopted that hasn’t been done before? Let’s consider a military theme.
Imagine the following changes on the Strip and Downtown:
Caesars Palace becomes Caesars Army. There are already centurions hanging around the place, so the theme is partially satisfied. Add more foot soldiers, convert Cleopatra’s Barge into a war ship, and you’ve got the start of something.
The D Las Vegas Hotel & Casino can be transformed into the D-Day Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Casino staff would be dressed in World War II fatigues and the Fremont Street Experience would use their Viva Vision light show to display celebratory scenes from V-E Day.
The Canteen Food Hall at the Rio could add dancing and entertainment with staff dressed in 1940s G.I. uniforms and the food served on mess trays.
Maintaining the World War II theme: Paris Las Vegas could be rethemed after a famous 1966 film about the liberation of Paris: “Is Paris Las Vegas Burning?” Paris is saved, so bells can be rung and an actor playing Charles De Gaulle can drive triumphantly down the Strip on a nightly basis.
And one more: Resorts World becomes Resorts World War II.
Finally, Mandalay Bay would be themed as Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, with “Anchors Aweigh” piped throughout the Mandalay Bay Beach.
And of course, the one place that doesn’t require rebranding: Nellis.
Hua!
