Mirage updates its volcano
10th September, 2008
After about 20 years of running, the Mirage hotel and casino decided it was time to update its volcano attraction because many believed it was becoming outdated – although it was the biggest spectacle on the strip when it was first constructed.
Built more than 20 years ago, the world famous volcano had its first eruption in 1989 and immediately became one of the biggest attractions on the strip – spaying lighted red water that looked like lava flowing out.
After spending roughly $25 million to give the volcano the necessary updates, it will now be equipped with fireball devices – some of which shoot flames of gas 12 feet in the air, others will send fiery lava down the sides of the volcano.
“It looks dangerous, but in reality it’s not,” said Jim Doyle, new technologies director at WET. “We just want people to stand back on their heels.”
The volcano eruption will also now be done to the beat of a drum sequence created by Mickey Hart, who is the former drummer of the Grateful Dead. The track will be played on a new sound system that will help patrons feel the eruptions.
“It’s our version of a birthing of a volcano, which is filled with a lot of different kinds of emotional content, anticipation and anxiety,” Hart said. “It’s filled with magic and power. You might even be able to feel the lava coming gown on top of you.”
All of this will surely attract people to see what all the fuss is about, but many are questioning if it will relate to more people actually going inside the casino. This is one of the biggest concerns of the people who decided to make the updates to the volcano.
“It does draw thousands of people for every eruption, but the challenge is getting them inside the property,” said Scott Shibella, president of Mirage.
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By Michael
