The
Aladdin is an Arabian Nights themed hotel and casino located on the
famed Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada at 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard
South. The hotel has 2,600 rooms, a performing arts theatre, and a 475,000
ft² (44,000 m²) shopping arcade called the Desert Passage.
History
The
Aladdin was originally opened in 1963 as the Tally-Ho. It was later
called King's Crown in 1964. In 1966, the King's Crown was purchased, and
after major renovations was reopened and renamed the
Aladdin. A little after
a year it was opened, the Aladdin was host to Elvis and Priscilla Presley's
wedding.
Wayne Newton was a part owner from 1980 to 1982.
On April 27, 1998, the
Aladdin was imploded, and a newer version was built
that opened on August 18, 2000. The
Aladdin was operated in conjunction with
the London Club which ran a high roller casino on the property. It also
included a major shopping center known as the Desert Passage. The performing
arts theatre was not imploded but was refurbished.
The casino was in financial trouble from the start and was sold on June 20,
2003, to a partnership of Planet Hollywood and Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide. The casino was supposed to undergo a massive rennovation in 2005
to become the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas casino. These plans have been
pushed back several times, however, due to difficulties obtaining full
financial backing and in scheduling construction crews for the rebuilding.
Currently, schedules report a mid-2006 schedule for completion of the
rennovations, but this may change again. The hotel will operate as a
Sheraton Hotel. Changes are also planned for the Desert Passage.
The A&E Network show Criss Angel Mindfreak sometimes takes place at the
Aladdin.