Can I switch hotels?
For example, if you’re booked at Mandalay Bay but don’t want to stay there or at surrounding hotels, can you move? (The Delano and Four Seasons Las Vegas are on the Mandalay Bay property and Luxor and Excalibur are close by.) Again, this is largely a function of how you booked the hotel and the date of your trip. The good news for travelers headed to Las Vegas soon is that MGM Resorts, parent of Mandalay Bay, Delano, Luxor and and a host of other hotels on The Strip, is working with travelers who have concerns and questions. (MGM Resorts’ call center number is 855-788-6775.) Allegiant Air has been calling travelers who are staying at Mandalay Bay and neighboring hotels this week or in the near future to see if they want to remain at those hotels or would like to switch. Hotels generally have less stringent cancellation policies than airlines unless you book a prepaid rate or nonrefundable package, with many allowing cancellations up to two or three days before arrival. The best advice is to contact the hotel, online travel agency, airline or travel agent you booked with as soon as possible if you want to change your booking.
Is The Strip open?
For many tourists, walking the strip is a favorite past-time. Yes. The closed stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard near Mandalay Bay and the festival grounds reopened Tuesday, Oct. 3.
What about the free tram?
This runs between Mandalay Bay and Luxor and Excalibur. It is in operation and open.
Are shows and concerts cancelled?
In most cases, these are still operating. MGM Resorts canceled its Cirque du Soleil shows and other shows on Monday, Oct. 2 out of respect for the victims, but the all the shows returned Tuesday except fort “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay, which is closed through Thursday. Caesars Entertainment, the other giant hotel operator on The Strip, canceled its shows Monday, Oct. 2 but they resumed Tuesday. Jennifer Lopez, who has occasional shows throughout the year at Planet Hollywood, canceled three shows scheduled for this week. The next scheduled show is in February. Elsewhere, the show goes on. Rocker Billy Idol is due to play at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Wednesday Oct. 4 for the first of nine shows in October. Earlier this week he said the show will go on.
Is it safe to visit Las Vegas?
This is not a simple question to answer about Las Vegas — or any destination or attraction with large groups of people, of course. The message from law enforcement officials and tourism officials has so far been” It’s safe, you should come.” And Las Vegas loyalists say the shooter wins if people stay home.
What’s the mood like?
For many, Vegas is synonymous with partying and gambling. The mood was definitely and appropriately somber the first weeks, and there are makeshift memorials for the shooting victims scattered along The Strip. Inside the casinos, however, it’s getting back to business as usual, with visitors on long-planned getaways sliding money into slot machines, playing blackjack and craps, ordering (mostly free) drinks and partying.
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