When the castle gates in Excalibur swung up for the first time on June 19, 1990, the medieval themes were megare at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip the largest hotel in the world.
Thirty -five years later, the castle is still standing, and the casino’s attraction continues to reason with visitors.
In a city where reinforcement is necessary to survive and the theme hotels have largely provided space for modern aesthetics, Excalibur remains a rare constant. Its bright towers and Arthurian Vibe are part of the structure of modern Las Vegas.
Michael Green, associate professor of UNLV, said that Excalibur is an “underestimated” resort which, understandably, is overshadowed by the opening of Mirage at the end of 1989.
“I think Excalibur is getting lost in the mixture,” Green said of the casino’s importance for the 90’s resume of Las Vegas. “Excalibur was a less luxurious (property than Mirage), if you want, but it was a significant step for Las Vegas to have this larger, modern way out.”
Medieval vision for the masses
Developed by Circus Circus Enterprises, $ 290 million excalibur was depicted as a family -friendly alternative to Las Vegas’ adult playground image.
Hotels with the theme were on fashion, but Excalibur leaned all the way in.
There were song troops and judicials, and the restaurants used smart word games with names like Lance-a-Lotta pasta and Sir Galahad Prime Rib. The staff wore suits, and the plant’s signature attraction, Tournament of Kings, the guests encouraged to eat with their hands while cheering on Jousting Knights on the horseback.
Three and a half decades later, parts of Excalibur, such as the Live-Action tournament of kings, have resisted the test of the time, says Dave Schwartz, a casino historian and UNLV Ombudsman who previously served as head of the school’s center for gaming research.
“(Excalibur) reinforces the idea that something doesn’t have to be groundbreaking (to succeed). It doesn’t have to be the latest,” Schwartz said. “Just offering something that people like can work really well.”
A profitable investment in affordable prices
Behind the Fantasy aspect, Excalibur made a business view in 1990. With 4,032 rooms and an almost 100,000 square meter casino floor, the property’s competitive prices quickly made one of the strip more popular and profitable casinos.
“It showed operators that catering to the mass market could be very profitable,” Schwartz said.
Excalibur’s high presence was immediately recognition against the city’s expanding horizon in the early 90s. Visibility, especially when it was lit at night, helped cement its place in Las Vegas visual identity.
“It stood out at that time,” Green said of the diverse Castle Casino. “It probably stays less today, if you think of the larger resorts and the appearance they have. But it is still a noticeable trait.”
To stay the course through changed times
Over the years, Excalibur has undergone modest updates. Gone are some of the more literal fantasy elements. There are no more prey troubadours or animatronic dragons. The castle facade remains, as well as the spirit of a themes that never stopped being fun.
Ownership has also changed. The property passed from Circus Circus Enterprises to Mandalay Resort Group, then to MGM Resorts. Today, it is owned by Vici Properties, a real estate investment confidence, with Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International, which runs the resort.
Through all, Excalibur has remained remarkably consistent, which is something that both Green and Schwartz see as part of their stay.
“It’s there. It’s consistent. You know what you get,” Green said. “And it’s very comforting for many people. I think it helps them. And maybe it talks about how well it has been running and how good it was built in the first place.”
What is the future grip for the castle on the corner?
The castle at the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue could benefit from upcoming changes in the area. Over the strip, a proposed baseball stadium and a new resort for the party where Tropicana Hotel-Casino once stood.
At the moment, experts suggest that Excalibur is likely to remain as it is, especially a facility at the starting level that satisfies a broad demographic.
After 35 years, Schwartz said that the castle on the strip still has some magic left in it.
“There is nothing wrong with having a property that is more affordable to people,” Schwartz said. “And it’s a really important part of getting people to know what Vegas is about, with that option for something that is more affordable. You know, if everything costs $ 500 per night, you won’t really grow visits to Vegas so much.”
Contact David Danzis at ddanzis@ theplayerlounge.com or 702-383-0378. Follow @AC2vegas_danzis at X.
