Aw MAN! Vegas "Treasure Island" Changes...

Tony Whalen · 12-23-2003, 12:19 PM

My wife and I have gone to Las Vegas three times in the past 5 years. Haven't been for a couple years now, actually. (Gotta go back SOON!)

I love Vegas, and ususally keep up on resort-related news... but I *JUST* heard about the changes to Treasure Island. (Co-worker noticed I was wearing a Treasure Island golf shirt and told me about it.)

I guess the head-honcho decided that the TI was "tired" and too family-friendly. ???

All pirate themed stuff has been removed from the hotel.

The "Battle of Bucanneer Bay" has been retired, and replaced with some "sexy" spectacle featuring the "Sirens of TI", a 30-minute (!) musical show featuring the "Sirens" facing off against the "pirates" (who are now more Chip-n-dale in appearance)

They've even gotten rid of the old skull 'n crossbones marquee, in favour of a more "hip" one, retitling the hotel "TI".

Old:

New:

Yuck. That new sign is just.... BORING.

I'm really sorry to hear they've changed all of this. One of my most fond Vegas memories was sitting at the BattleBar late in the evening, and watching the "Brittania" sink beneath the waves.

Anywho... just wanted to bitch a little. Glad I got photos and video of the "old" Treasure Island! I thought it was really unique. (And the changes are badly timed, considering the success of a certain pirate-themed movie...)

I'm gonna go hang up my Treasure Island golf shirt with the skull logo. I think it just became a collectors item.

Khoa Tran · 12-23-2003, 12:43 PM

this really sucks....treasure island will be really boring now....

Tony Whalen · 12-23-2003, 12:56 PM

Exactly my thoughts Khoa.

"TI". Whoop-de-do. I guess they figured "DI" worked for the Desert Inn (when it existed)...

Sexy show. Whoop-de-do. You can get sexy/revealing stuff everywhere in Vegas. You couldn't say that about a naval "battle" with explosions and such.

*sigh*

Removal of all the pirate-theme decor inside the place? Suckitude. I'll reserve final judgement until I see it for myself, but my sight-unseen reaction is that they just took out everything that made the "TI" unique and fun. Now it sounds like just another hotel. (Inside at least.) Blah.

Has anyone seen the new show and/or decor?

Khoa Tran · 12-23-2003, 01:17 PM

they are turning into a palms.....i live about 4 hours away from LV so i go there often and treasure island is one of the places i like to see....

Alex-C · 12-23-2003, 01:32 PM

Aarrrrggghhhhh !!!

**HTF Ads**

Bill MacAdoo · 12-23-2003, 01:41 PM

Personally, I'm glad to see them trying to take back Vegas from the kiddies.

That probably won't be a popular view, but the last time I was there, I may as well have been in Disneyland. Bleah.

Las Vegas should be for adults.

Tony Whalen · 12-23-2003, 03:31 PM

I dunno Bill. Most of Vegas is aimed at adults. Always has been. Casinos, mature entertainment (topless reviews and such)

I have mixed feelings about this viewpoint. Yes, Vegas should be for adults. But adults have kids. (Hell, my parents took the whole family to Vegas...and that was in the 70's. There was a pool and videogames...so I was happy.

But that was then.)

But, speaking strictly as a mid-30's adult... I loved Treasure Island the way it was. Was it overly kid-friendly? I didn't think so. (CircusCircus, on the other hand...blah!)

The boardwalk was always crammed for the "Bucanneer Bay" show everytime I was there. Guess I just don't see the need for the image-update.

If they insist on "re-adult-ifying" Vegas... just leave the Mirage Volcano alone. (I know they will... I mean, what would they do, turn in into a giant breast?

)

Michael D. Bunting · 12-23-2003, 03:39 PM

I just stayed there two weekends ago...no complaints. Really liked it...I wasn't the one doing the hotel plans, but I surely would have picked somewhere else if it had been up to me.

But after staying there this time, I'd stay again....

Of course, most of our time was spent elsewhere...and I'm not one to see any of the shows.

Francois Caron · 12-23-2003, 05:08 PM

Quote:

If they insist on "re-adult-ifying" Vegas... just leave the Mirage Volcano alone. (I know they will... I mean, what would they do, turn in into a giant breast?

Quiet! Don't give them any ideas! I'd be afraid of what would come out of that thing when it "erupts!"

It's a good thing I had the opportunity to visit Vegas a few years ago and see the show. That pirate battle may have been heavily mechanized, but it was definitely entertaining. How many times do you get the chance to see a sailing ship sink into the bay?

alan halvorson · 12-23-2003, 10:03 PM

My hometown (Red Wing, MN) Indian casino is called Treasure Island. It has had a long dispute with the Treasure Island Casino, Las Vegas, claiming that TI, NV is using the name illegally since TI, MN casino used the name first (true). I know there was a lawsuit but, so far, no resolution. I have opinions, and ironies to point out, but not now.

Although it is the second largest Indian casino in Minnesota, TI, MN is a far cry from any of the big casinos in Las Vegas. I doubt that anyone would confuse the two (and, boy, would someone ever be surprised if he came here by mistake, in the dead of winter).