Five Hundy by Midnight 252: Fail

/ Tim / 38 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #252 includes:

  • The T.O. Show opener
  • Cloud Nine Balloon Experience update
  • Station Casinos poised for reorganization
  • Riviera targeted for takeover (again)
  • Cosmopolitan changes its name
  • Venetian and Palazzo restaurant updates
  • Company American (formerly Company American) rebrands as Company American
  • El Segundo Sol Taqueria and Margarita Bar opens
  • Rumjungle and Mandalay Bay battle
  • Why the Vegas Walk of Stars is bullshit, reason #457
  • Win an iPad from RateVegas.com
  • Listener calls about group trips, Cloud Nine, Aria, Planet Hollywood, MGM Grand and much more
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 3/27/10 (78:06 min, 71.7 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 250: The Heart of a Woman

/ Tim / 14 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #250 includes:

  • Six Feet Under opener
  • Cloud Nine Balloon Experience updates
  • Prive’s days may be numbered (again)
  • Best of Vegas Donny and Marie ticket deal
  • Checking out Caesars renovations and The Heart of a Woman exhibit
  • Photos
  • Listener calls about Aria, Golden Nugget, M Resot, Amazing Race slots, Palazzo, Sterling Brunch, Bouchon, Stripburger, Human Nature, Smokin’ Hot Aces, Hash House a Go Go, Todd English P.U.B., Harrah’s Total Experiences, March Madness and more
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 3/14/10 (65:10 min, 59.8 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 249: Food, Food, Food

/ Tim / 24 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #249 includes:

  • Dog the Bounty Hunter opener
  • Power surge delays Barry
  • El Cortez challenge
  • Restaurant/bar reviews of Julian Serrano, Lagasse’s Stadium, Firefly, Level 107, Serendipity 3, First Food and Bar, Hash House a Go Go and Todd English P.U.B.
  • Trip photos
  • Listener calls
  • Tim forgets (again) to mention the Celine countdown is at 373 days
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 3/7/10 (61:45 min, 65.8 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 248: Down But Not Out

/ Tim / 17 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #248 includes:

  • QVC opener
  • Pussycat Dolls Lounge closes
  • Hawaiian Tropic Zone closes; PBR Rock Bar coming soon
  • FAO Schwartz closes
  • Encore Beach Club/Surrender opening in May
  • An overview of our trip, including reviews of rooms at Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood and Palazzo; celebrity sightings; changes at Planet Ho; a review of the Vegas Walk of Stars induction ceremony; thoughts on Julian Serrano and Mandarin Bar; new casino game sighting: Rapid Craps; and more
  • Listener calls
  • Tim forgets (again) to mention the Celine countdown is at 380 days
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 2/28/10 (50:03 min, 46 MB)

What We Know About Planet Ho

/ Tim / 7 Comments

Planet Hollywood casino

We just returned home from our latest Las Vegas adventure—a trip coinciding with Harrah’s takeover of Planet Hollywood. Many Five Hundy listeners have inquired what changes are in store. Here’s what we witnessed and learned:

  • Most video poker paytables have not yet changed. Machines at the Extra Lounge bar were downgraded before we arrived. Most other machines were the same as before—not full pay, but not as bad surrounding properties.
  • On Feb. 21, about 30 percent of the slot and video poker machines were labeled with stickers notifying gamblers the machines would be shut down at 9 p.m. By the next morning, dozens of machines were taken offline and crews were removing them from the slot floor. Three days later, they were still rearranging the slot floor. Signs around the casino assured visitors that we’ll love their new look. Removal of machines is standard operating procedure when Harrah’s takes over existing casinos. They instituted the less-is-more slot floor concept when acquiring Imperial Palace, Barbary Coast and O’Shea’s too.
  • Planet Hollywood’s A-List players club will merge into Harrah’s Total Rewards players club on April 1, 2010. A-List points will be converted into TR reward credits and will be added to players’ TR tier score. A-List gold card holders will receive TR platinum cards; A-List platinum card holders will receive TR diamond cards. No word on what happens for those of us with both TR platinum status and A-List gold status. I’m hoping platinum + gold = diamond. FAQ cards are available at the A-List desk. FAQ 1. FAQ 2.
  • Planet Hollywood will have its own diamond lounge. Construction is underway near the hotel registration desk.