Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Shark Reef prices going, uh, up???

Just last week, I columnized about revisiting the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and puzzled over the fact that the price had risen since my earlier encounters there even though they'd lost their most significant attraction.

Well, guess luck, suckers? The price is going up AGAIN. Starting June 21, it'll cost $17 plus tax for non-Nevadan visitors, $14 for locals. This occurs the day after they unveil the newest attraction, the Komodo Dragon.

I know these are tough economic times for everyone, but/so I wonder if I'm alone in thinking that this just isn't worth it. Anyone else have thoughts on the Shark Reef?

10 comments:

Troy in Las Vegas said...

$14 maybe once. Maybe.
Personally, it it included a behind the scenes tour, like "This is were we feed the fish" sort of thing then yes.

Bay in TN said...

$17?? That's crazy. Seriously? All the touristy things in Las Vegas seems to be just a bit overpriced -- the roller coasters, the monorail, the Star Trek Experience, ... Oh! The Springs Preserve! What does that cost? It's $14, too, right?

Why isn't there an all-in-one ticket like at Universal?

Oh, well. Answering your question, Steve, I am not willing to pay $17 for the Shark Reef. I was going to see it, but the economy stinks. I would rather save that moolah for something that I know is cool.

Anonymous said...

i'm not someone who likes to spend a lot of money, but how can $17 be seen as a lot in Vegas when Tussaud's costs $24 and the Star Trek rides are about $30? $17 sounds like a bargain, if the attraction is any good.

Anonymous said...

I personally wouldn't pay that much to see that type of attraction but similar attractions are priced even higher in different parts of the US. For example, Underwater World at the Mall of America in Minnesota is $18.95. I'm not exactly sure how it compares to Shark Reef because it's been so long since I have been to either one.

Anonymous said...

$17 sounds high, but if it kills an hour of time that I would otherwise spend donating money to the Mandalay Bay slot machines then it's not such a bad deal.

Anonymous said...

I agree compared to other Las Vegas attractions and most public aquariums, it's not that bad. If want to go for cheap on the 8th anniversary, they are adevertising all tickets are $8 each on June 20, the same day they are debuting the new Komodo Dragon.

Troy in Las Vegas said...

Didn't I read somewhere the water rates are going up 33% this year? Or is that just for residential?
A couple months ago they shut down the fountain and water fall in front of my building. "We're cleaning it." I have yet to see any cleaning going on. When I pressed them recently it changed to "We're remodeling it." Really?
Water is expensive in a desert and this shark reef was probably not a great idea in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Troy - yes water rates are going up but the resorts only account for 7% of the water usage in the valley. It's the 2 million residents that let the water run down the street. 1.6 million gallons for Shark Reef is nothing compared to that. Also as a parent this is great resource for kids that may never see these marine animals in their life time, did you know they offer free education programs to the school distric?

Anonymous said...

Hey LV Locals! If you have a library card, adults receive $6 off and children receive $4 off the admission price. This runs through November 15, 2008.

Anonymous said...

not worth the money...don't go to it