LAS VEGAS -- The MGM Grand Adventures theme park, which closed to
the public in September, reopened as The Park at MGM Grand for the
exclusive use of groups and special events.
The park had originally opened in 1993 as a sprawling attraction
accompanying the debut of the massive 5,000-room MGM Grand
property, but over the years it dwindled in size from 33 acres to
19 acres.
The park's conversion to a group and special events venue "made
so much sense," according to Richard Harper, vice president of
sales for the MGM Grand.
"In reality, the park had evolved [into a seasonal attraction],"
he said.
"Consequently, the park was more valuable to us in providing
year-round sources of revenue that we didn't have in the past."
Before the park was closed to the public in September, Harper
said, "we were using it on a limited basis on some nights" for
special events.
Now, it is just that much easier to sell seven days a week, 365
days a year, he added.
And, according to Harper, demand is there and sales have been
brisk.
"From a revenue standpoint, it's doubled since last year, and
we're only four months into the year," he said. "That's
encouraging."
It is so encouraging, in fact, that property officials are
adding three employees to the one-person team that originally sold
the park for group and special events business, he said.
The park offers six themed streets, which can be used as an
entire element for large gatherings or blocked off and used as
needed for smaller events.
Of the park's original seven rides, three of the most popular --
the Sky-Screamer skycoaster, the Lightning Bolt roller coaster and
the Parisian Taxi bumper cars -- are still operating.
Also surviving are the Dueling Pirate's Theater, a 950-seat
amphitheater complete with a large pirate ship sitting in a
12-foot-deep pool, and the Magic Screen Theater and the Gold Rush
Theater, each with a 700-seat capacity.
Besides the three rides, a variety of entertainment is available
for groups, including tarot card readers, caricaturists, comedians
and celebrity impersonators, Harper said.
For team-building activities, the park offers a rock-climbing
wall, mechanical calf roping, Velcro Olympics, obstacle courses and
scavenger hunts.
One of the most popular attractions is a graffiti wall, which is
a temporary wall with a covering over it that enables guests to
paint whatever they want on it.
"People pretend that they're kids," he said. "You see
45-year-old men writing 'Bob was here.' It's a riot to see these
people."
Choice Hotels, General Motors and Wells Fargo are among the
groups that have booked the park, which can accommodate anywhere
from 50 people to upwards of 5,000 people, Harper said.
For larger events, he added, the property's adjacent swimming
pool complex also is used, providing space for an additional 2,000
people.
Besides groups, he said, the park has hosted several special
events, such as television show tapings and pre-concert
parties.
For more information about The Park at MGM Grand or to book,
contact the group sales department by phone at (800) 929-1112 or
(702) 891-1200, by fax at (702) 891-1000 or through the property's
Web site at www.mgmgrand.com.