Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

September 10, 2008

The Mirage Details Re-Launch of Volcano

Posted by Hunter

The Mirage Volcano, a fixture on the Las Vegas Strip for almost 20 years, is being re-launched.

MGM Mirage teamed with WET Design (Fountains of Bellagio) to re-create the iconic front-feature.

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mgm/34865/

WET brought in Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain to create the audio for the new volcano.

More info here:
http://www.mirage.com/attractions/volcano.aspx

Scheduled to be unveiled later this year, we have a bunch of photos of the construction progress here:
http://www.ratevegas.com/photo/gallery/mirage



Comments

Read archived comments (10 so far)
September 10, 2008 10:48 AM Posted by detroit1051

Fascinating. I'm reassured by the fact MGM selected WET Design to redo the volcano. It should be spectacular, but I'm not sure I'd like a room overlooking the volcano; might be a little noisy:

"The result, a true union of the senses, will rattle your bones, just like a real volcano."

September 10, 2008 11:43 AM Posted by Brian Fey

Very Cool. I think its important for Las Vegas to remember, its things like this that got Las Vegas to where it is today.

September 10, 2008 1:27 PM Posted by mike_ch

Uh, I'm pretty sure they did the last volcano renovation, too.

I'm mixed on this. It looks like they're doing a lot more fire and I'm kind of sad for what that means for the waterfowl. I've met plenty of Momma Ducks walking past the Mirage (apparently Sheldy extra-chlorinates the canals of Venice to keep birds away.)

September 10, 2008 6:56 PM Posted by Judy Jenner

I am not sure everything needs to be bigger and better -- and I really don't think the Mirage volcano was "broken", so why fix it? It was a huge draw just the way it was. I am sure it will be even more impressive, but is it really necessary? As long as it keeps the tourists coming to Vegas, that's a good thing, though. Of course, thinking about reinventing the wheel: the old pirate show at TI was better!

September 10, 2008 7:32 PM Posted by Hunter

WET did indeed do the last 'upgrade', though that was just a minor thing - this is clearly a re-build of the entire feature.

I too worry a bit about the ducks. We covered the Venetian thing with the chlorine way back when.

Newer isn't always better but fortunately they didn't add 'lava babes' or anything super lame like that. How can you not like fireballs? I mean COME ON.

September 10, 2008 7:37 PM Posted by joe

Wow Mirages updated website looks more "tropical themed" I have not seen MGM Mirage going around de-themeing things.

September 11, 2008 11:21 AM Posted by David McKee

Sheldon sometimes extra-chlorinates his swimming pools, too. The Palazzo pool was briefly shut down because of it.

September 11, 2008 7:59 PM Posted by mike_ch

If the loooong video at the homepage is anything to go by, this basically could be the Adventureland version of the Bellagio fountains. Flames spewing around to and fro and bursting in patterns to percussion/tribal style music.

Seems neat. I'll feel bad when a duck inevitably is roasted, but obviously any ducks left when they drained it and after nearly six months of being a dry hot and ugly spot of concrete, they won't be coming back too soon.

September 12, 2008 6:40 AM Posted by Mike P.

mike,

They've kept a small section of the pool to the north of the volcano filled, although the construction fencing made it tough for any ducks that were living there to mooch crumbs from tourists.

I think it's pretty neat they commissioned musicians of the caliber of Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain to do the show music. I might actually take the time to check it out sometime.

September 19, 2008 7:20 PM Posted by detroit1051

The Mirage contributes to global warming. Volcano will heat the air 11 degrees.
http://inbusinesslasvegas.com/2008/09/19/tourgame.html