[can of worms] Don't give in to the pressure of taking your kids to Fiesta Texas or Six Flags. You're still a good parent if you never do, despite what everyone tells you. [/can of worms]
Wow, I didn't realize so much of the state's revenue is tied to the gaming industry although it makes sense, I had not seen it laid out like that and looks like the citizens get a nice tax break also. Part of it is that people are not as quick to spend money because the price of everything is up and will continue to do so................the other factor is the leader of the country is just a bully, and no one wants to come here. Nevada voted RED in 2024 so you got what you asked for.
Silver Dollar City (and Dollywood - they are the same) are some of my favorite parks and I've been to 34 in my life (if you include water parks). I do like Blizzard Beach but the rest I don't care if I ever visit again. Islands of Adventure is better than Disney IMO. And that's including my work days where they would close Disney early and have open bar and buffet just for our work people scattered throughout the parks - ie 0 crowd and 0 dollars spent.. I LOVED going to Spring Training in FL with the kids. They're all grown now and have their own families so I haven't been in years and I've kind of lost track of MLB players. But man I've had some great memories from those games. Still remember the time we went to see the Yankees play the Blue Jays in Tampa. We're crossing the intersection outside the stadium and almost got run down by an impatient driver leaving, In that car - Joe Torre driving, Don Mattingly in the passenger, Yogi Berra in the back seat behind Don with someone else beside Yogi. The look they gave me after me giving them a WTH... And different time and place but Ken Griffey Jr grabbed the T-Shirt cannon from the person and hit me with a line drive in the chest at close range. He gave me the whoops look. It was a shot but scored an XL Budweiser/Reds T-Shirt. Saw the Phillies when Chase Utley was relatively new He didn't make the team that year but was by far the best player on the field that day IMO. We had good, long conversation with Jimmy Rollins - who trashed talked his own teammate Pat Burrell saying he was such a douche who hasn't don't anything except get drafted 1st. Then we also stood 10' from a picnic table with Ranger players, Carl Everett, Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro. They all ignored our signature request. BTW - ARod was on the Yankees when we saw them and he only signed one auto - for a large chested young woman in a tight t-shirt. Meanwhile Joe Torre signed autos for over an hour. But man the NY fans really need to discover a thing called deodorant.
Ha ha ha. Thanks, I appreciate the advice but we definitely will do Disney with the kids at some point. I have been there twice in my life so I know what it's all about. Been saving up for it since they were born. It might be a few years later than originally planned, but it will happen. In the more immediate future, I am planning a trip to see Winter Carnival in Quebec, which will be our first real family vacation. Should be pretty cool!
I asked my friends about Vegas and why it is struggling - and everyone gave some version of that it isn’t an escape from reality anymore.
But that’s not really new, is it? I keep hearing about some younger generation doesn’t care about this stuff… and while young crowds were part of the Vegas 90’s-2000’s boom, they had nothing to do with that city becoming what it was in the first place. The people with disposable income and have means to travel are still very much alive/active and willing to gamble if other f’d up circumstances were’nt all culminating. I saw somewhere that 2024 summer wasn’t terrible for them. Correct me if I’m wrong. But the “Vegas is dying” escalation of this year seems less “organic” and more sudden.
good beaches is rare for the average earthing. As is an abundance of sunshine. Filthy crowded cities is found in every country. Its common to hear from foreigners the NYC experience is highly overrated. NYC is not in the top 10 visited cities. The reality is the US is not a highly sought after destination.
Good point. If I ask myself where I want to go party like a rock star and have an amazing time, Vegas isn't even on my list.
Nah - the USA is very highly sought after as a destination to live and vacation. It isn't the only highly sought after place like some Americans believe - and the current political insanity/incompetence with the two major parties isn't helping, but the USA is very high on places to visit. A number of my friends in Europe will complain about US politics and/or US foreign policy, but the USA is the first place they go to visit unless they want an island type vacation. The National Parks are considered the best in the world.
Really old people that have an addiction to gambling, that live close by and don't get their fix in Louisiana or Wisconsin gambling ---- people that have always wanted to go, but haven't gone and get a chance to go ---- middle aged people that went a long time ago, and haven't gone in a long time .... conventions and people from LA and Socal that use Vegas as they weekend toilet. The problem is that Vegas has changed what it is, several times and it just isn't working. It has to be a place that not everyone can afford, that is an event and is special. Disney is the same way, if everyone could go to Disney it wouldn't be magic. Plus, Vegas has jacked it's prices up but it isn't delivering a great product anymore. It is dirty, and there is an emphasis in growing the town beyond it's gaming origins, and I think the lack of focus on entertainment is a big mistake long term --- otherwise it is just a dirty, seedy town in the desert. I remember when Vegas tried appealing to families - was stupid long term IMO, Vegas is an adults playground, there is Orlando and other areas for families.
Vegas is not unique anymore, and it is in the desert, and people are short on money - and can go somewhere else to gamble, and you can gamble on your phone these days....it is just not unique. DD
Would be curious to see if there's been a down-turn (or an up-turn) in Orlando tourism.... plenty of overseas travelers going there as a destination.
I've only been a handful of times and during those times it was the lure of a cheap room, cheap flight on SW and party at the pool during the day. The flights are not cheap, the rooms are $$ and they nickel and dime you to death on STUPID things and the amount of $$ it takes to hang at the pool are ridiculous. I used to get a kick to go on Fremont St, but with the cost of everything just make it undesirable for me. If a friend got married there I would go, but to just go for the weekend isn't worth it when I can get down to Cancun in 2.5 hours
