STARDUST HOTEL & CASINO LAS VEGAS 1958-2006

[halofanboylol101]

i remember my dad took us to vegas we were gonna go to Stardust but we couldnt find it a year later i found out it was imploded :(

[falloutblinkday9]

I cant believe its been 5 years since Boyd's greed closed this great historic casino. Everytime I am in vegas I see that lot and just play out loud nat king cole's stardust version. Rip stardust... Wished I had a chance to visit..

[itsallabouttheloot]

yes, great job.... loved the Stardust. Best part of the video is no implosion footage. Dont understand the videos that want to pay tribute by showing the implosion.

[rollmeoh]

What's so sad is that most of the city and new hotels are being ran buy young tycoons that are about 30-45 yrs old who have no respect or know how to run a business. If it was up to me I'd have all the new casinos built on the south side of the strip and keep the older and historic hotels and casinos on the northern part of the strip and offer partnership stocks to the public to keep the older casinos open..... But who am I except a guy who believes in saving history Richard Christianson aka Ro

[89Kitri]

I hitched Las Vegas the summer of 1958 when i was 20 years old with 2 dollars in my pocket.I stayed at a flop house named 'Liberty Lodge'.It cost a dollar a night and the next day i got a bus boy job at the Stardust.A year later i moved up to pool waiter.I spoke to wayne newton many times when he was at the freemont hotel.I sure miss the old Las Vegas.

Robert Fields

Gensantana@hotmail.com

[falloutblinkday]

I wish I had a chance to see this great historic casino. I always would see the bright stars sign as a young kid while we pass thru to go to Mesquite. Sad, now that im old enough to go I missed out. Shame it had to go.

[Thegolfa19]

I stayed there in september 2005, very happy memories

[420dreamweaver]

Why can't I find anything on his wife? I don't want to pry, I'm just curious. I understand why someone, anyone would want to keep it private, I was just looking. I am sorry she may have died under strange circumstances. I'm just a history buff. My apologies for whom ever reads this. May she rest in peace and Thank God for the best years of Vegas!!!!!!!! I have no desire to see it now.l

[Trance1972]

I am thankful that I actually got to go to the Stardust, back in the mid 90s, and it was truly a classy casino.... not gawdy and tacky like the ones that seem to line the strip, these days.

Las Vegas needs to re-invent itself as the 'adult playground' once again. Now it's just Disneyland with casinos.

Truly sad.

[grossguys]

@Trance1972

MissvegasBeforeAllTheSexMass marketing campaigns bringing every single sex-depraved douchebag in the country. Too many damn average boring tourists. Going on a vacation like this used to be a luxury.. You cannot even walk across the street without using some kind of an overpass these days. When has it not been a "playground". It's a disneyland w/hookers for petes sake. no class, no character, no charm, just pure trash. I guess it's just society in general that has regressed.

[420dreamweaver]

@Trance1972 , I hear you. Why is this a family place. Once there were no cameras, no kids, and a WHOLE lot of fun!!! Let's get back to that. So what about whatever allegedly happened. Those were the days!!!!!!!!!!!! I should have been born earlier. No fun now.

[bonzerrrrr]

Missing old Vegas more than ever

[stevehannah]

I miss this place, not sure why.....

[kikddabottle]

good bye googie...places like this made vegas and now one by one they're losing out and disappearing. it's the little history vegas has and it's going quite quick. sad...

[edgebet]

First time I stayed in Las Vegas it was in the Stardust was a really good place.

Was there this year but not a lot has been built on the sight ( I think its supposed to be the Echelon Casino but not much progress)

[Nlangkirby135]

RIP Stardust Hotel and Casino.

You will be remembered.

[flatpat]

As much as I love Vegas, My heart will always be with the Stardust until my lastVegas trip on this earth. Thanks for the great video!

[JORDANWASAGEM]

it's like going to a big box store now, no charm, no character, nondescript. we only have memories of its heydey. I hope they don't knock down the Sahara.

[Trance1972]

@JORDANWASAGEM

Or Ceasers. I guess Ceasers is the last of the true iconic Vegas hotels

[CarsonConcreteCorp]

That is a beautiful casino. It has two different looks. At night it looks so gorgeous!

[TheORLYTV]

could of just renovate it...

[Pulpedtoafiction31]

I watched a few Mob Docos on Vegas and alot of the former mob controlled Hotels have been wiped of the Vegas map.Are there any remaining now or is that it?

[chesterst10]

Thanks, takes me back to the 60s when I first started going to Las Vegas. I no longer enjoy the strip and generally stay at the Golden Nugget. There are a few older places downtown that are somewhat like "Vegas" to me. I spent a lot of time (and money) over last 40 plus years at the Stardust, Desert Inn and others, but it's just not much fun anymore. Have not been in about 5 years, and really can't work up the desire to go back.

[cyclonesupercell]

Stardust only 48 years old, michael jackson same year of birth only 50 years old, marlilyn monroe only 36 years old , real GREAT stars die young .the list go's on ,james dean ,van gogh, janis joplin , jimmy hendriks and so on and on and on

[jdfred1970]

yeah sad to know its gone ... it's the motels that you seen in old movies and associate it with Glenn miller and big band music, the GREAT Frank Sinatra .....hard to believe it is economical to destroy the old and build bigger and " better " ... no nastalgia left

[Callofduty4nub]

dang good old stardust! I wish they didnt have to close it down!

[Sorellita]

the movie "Show Girls" 1995 filmed there)))

[ChompTrax]

I lived in Vegas for 5 years from '99-'03 and it was THE BEST...but eventually the novelty wears off.

[SourApplez1211]

RIP Stardust (1958 - 2006).

[tpirjunky]

I stayed at the Stardust for 1 night & was there for only 1 reason. My grandma & I are huge Wayne Newton fans, so my mom arranged for us to see him at the Stardust in April 2005 (but we didn't know until later that it was one of his last shows) for my 16th birthday (BTW Wayne & I share a birthday). It was my first time seeing him live, & my grandma last saw his show in Tahoe in the early '90s. Even though I couldn't drink or bet, I still loved staying at the Stardust & I really miss it.

[dpo1013]

A true Wayne fan will waste no time getting to the Tropicana Las Vegas to see his new show.... "Once Before I Go...."

Its a relativeley short run show, and the title should tell you something.

[vegasadventures]

@dpo1013 I just went to Vegas this year, I missed the StarDust by 4 years. What stands at the Stardust now? Treasure Island?

[TheEnchantressBee]

I still even remember the room we always stayed in. Room 1121. On the first floor to the side there was a security door not to many people cared to look to see, it was very private. Stardust took good care of us. Oh and I even remember flooding the bath room because I couldn't turn the jacuzzi off!! ahaha

[TheEnchantressBee]

oh wow this beings back the memories!!! I used to spend every Christmas thereits a shame they are putting up a new cheap hotel. I dk what BoydeGameing was thinking of tearing it down. You were lucky to pend some of its last days there

[MrUnidyne]

Modern Drunkard Magazine had it's first convention there. The Stardust was the grand old lady of the Strip, and it is a sorry shame to see her go. Even the buffet had class. Where else would you be given a dessert fork with your silverware? RIP- Stardust Casino.

[maikeliRAIWALUI]

The stardust will be missed by the citizens of las Vegas and her sign illuminating the strip

[bottle2lip]

it was blown up in early 07. To be replaced with some Echelon Place by Boyd. But that project is going to be delayed till at least 2012, opening. They should have just kept the old stardust there.

the recession has really hit the town, alot of contractors and investors were over zealous pre recession and blew up buildings, and now there stands either empty lots, or half strung up buildings. City Center is the only thing set to open in dec 31 2009 by MGM joint with Dubai enterprises...gag.

[MrJ13Smiley]

It's a shame the Stardust is gone. My friends and I took a yearly trip out there every year since we turned 21. They treated us very well over there

[profitleads]

Beautifully done. Good music selection too. My late wife and I used to love the Stardust. Last visited it about a year before they imploded it. Man, I really miss that place and the times we had there. Thanks for posting this video review. Brought a tear and smile at the same time.

[pippy204]

Why did they implode this hotel? 48 years old is nothing for a building. Why didn't they sell it??? such a waste of materials and also to the environment. Crazy, the lot just sits there vacant????????????

[Srd1126]

48 is anchient for Vegas. But had the credit markets tightened two years earlier it might still be standing. The Stardust was making less and less each yer.

[ApachePiL0T]

Lefty used to comp my Father at the Stardust, he has pictures with Lefty and the whole bit. My Dad was a professional bowler, so he was in Vegas alot.

My Dad is an old man now, but said this place really knew how to "Take care of people", better than any other join on the strip. He said it was a classy place, ran by classy guys. Shame it's gone.

[bmont2000]

I've been going to Vegas since 2004 and regret not visiting this hotel. Too bad it was imploded as it still had it's charm and looked decent.

[TDawg2002]

Thanks for the memories! I'm so glad I got to go to Stardust a couple months before it closed. I think the exterior was much classier than many of the over-the-top mega resorts on the strip. I wish it had received a refurb instead of demolition but I guess Boyd was hot for their own cookie-cutter mega resort!

[fireteen2008]

Stardust Is Cute

[tino801]

R.I.P. to the STARDUST HOTEL & CASINO... I am a union ironworker out here in Las Vegas, I was across the street at walgreens when the main tower was imploded, and was part of the original crew that started on the construction of Echelon Resort & Casino. The very first day of the project, my truck was broken in to and someone stole my wedding ring, my DVD Head Unit from the dash and subwoofer enclosure with 2-12" JL Audio W7's. Maybe it was Anthony Spilotro and his "Hole In the Wall" gang LOL!!

[angryronikisses]

i moved to vegas the year they blew the stardust up. i wish i'd gotten some photographs of it but i had no idea. watching this video is extremely nostalgic and i never even got a chance to set foot inside. i guess the music just makes me think of all the memories other ppl have of it and they cant even come back to relive them. its so sad. like it never even existed. :( at least fremont is still around, i go there every now & again for that old fashioned vegas feel.

[steelking22]

I won about 9k there on an incredible roulette streak in 1984. I was in the USAF making about $1200 a month. They found out I was GI at cash out and comped me a suite and a cabana for a four-day weekend. A class place run by classy "fellas."

[dingdongditch1000]

Where did you stay after this closed???

[dingdongditch1000]

My golf-instructor stay at this hotel before, he said he like it!!!

[spiffslick007]

great video also miss some of stores desert star and the leather shop nice to visit when in vegas

[theskibas]

Thanks so much for sharing this! Great video -

[blurredelevens]

It's a shame Las Vegas doesn't preserve it's history

Great video and music

[bjroberts65]

i stayed there in 98and99 and it was the best deal in vegas i will really miss that place

[ROLANDleSPECIALIST]

1st casino I ever went to. My grandparents had been going there since 1959. They say it was MUCH better when the gangsters ran it. I believe it to. Used to play 3/6 hold 'em there for months before the tore it down. They had a great $45 tourney every day at 10am too.

[Eddiefry]

Man I really miss the hell out of the Stardust!

[EyezwiDE210]

Me too...the Steak and Lobster was the best!!! ($9.99) Couldn't beat it with a stick! And the Casino was so laid back with all the games in the right spots. WTF??

Sincerely, Huge Vegas Fan

[Eddiefry]

I was there last, about a year before they blew it up, I did not even know it was going to happen till I seen it afterwards on the news. The place was well kept up, and the rooms were beautiful and very new and clean looking, I dont understand why they blew it up.

[EyezwiDE210]

And then to put this whole new Resort project on HOLD?? I mean it's over a year or possibly 2 and I visit once or twice a year only to see an empty freakin' lot where this once beautiful Hotel used to be! Someone didn't think this through. So now when I go, I stay towards the top of the strip, near Ceasar's and Flamingo. It's a pretty fun area the more I visit! I'll be going back with the Wife July 31st, staying in a Go Room @ the Flamingo. got any reviews about the Flamingo??

[acesobrian]

no pictures of the rooms ?

[dpo1013]

I took a few shots of the room itself, but didnt think to include it in the video. Sorry

[tellitlkitis]

Loved the Stardust. Not only were the rooms nice the price and location were great.

[chickentally]

what is there now?

[misslv80]

They are going to build Echelon Place there, but they have halted construction on the project temporarily. Such a shame. Then they could have at least let the casino continue operating for at least another year or two.

[sp2834aa]

the stardust was great!lee petes raido show with jim brown live from the sports book every night.vegas doesnt care about their history,just their money.

[arthurkitchen]

That is so sad. My band played there for many years and I considered it home!

[leebyrd68]

very nice tribute of one of the grand old casinos,thanks for the memories!!

[azbdby]

Wow. Thanks, that brought back memories. Spent a lot of time in the Stardust in the early 80's when my parents would stay there every chance they got. The pool shot brought back some memories of one of my first kisses as a teen happened right there. :)

[baarbear]

Classy song to say farewell to a classy casino.

[greatmovieclips]

Used to go there every week during football season from 1996-2001 to place bets and play parlay cards. I used to go through the side entrance and walked down that narrow hallway to get to the sportbook.

Missed doing that, can never do it again. Sigh.

[yrs111]

i love vegas :}

[frankd1965]

Frank Rosenthal wuz here. He "cashed in his chips"

[FuerteAventura68]

the legendary stardust came down - for nothing!!! Sad but true...

[a40sgal]

R.I.P Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal

[frankd1965]

he "Cashed In His Chips"

[dpo1013]

I, however, didnt cash my chips-

I left the Stardust with about $120 in chips to save for the future, ( two $25, 10 $5 and 20 $1 in two styles ) but then I'm also a chip collector. I just wish I had gone ahead and gotten a $100 before the casino closed as they are quite rare now.

Thanks to all who have enjoyed my video these last two years.... Keep posting those comments.

Thanks,

DPO1013

[mike2moto]

I do agree with you. The old Las Vegas we know and love is disappearing. I am only 14, but I like the 90's Las Vegas, the rooms weren't so expensive.

[squirtlesadventures]

That was a very nice tribute.Thanks!

[gnr4evr06]

Basically a subsidiary of the Chicago Outfit until the mid-1980's.

[musicmoney21]

we too enoyed it, nice staff (old timers)

[bolt755]

thanks for the great video have stayed 5 times at stardust

[Steveoqotsa]

It was such a shame they got rid of this.For an old hotel it was one of the most striking & looked beautiful at night!!Places like the Frontier you can understand(what a shit hole)& Circus Circus/Sahara should be next

[mike2moto]

Circus Circus is next. The hotel will be demolished, and will be rebuilt, and will still use the Circus Circus name and will still be owned by MGM-Mirage.

[serialclone]

I had a feeling Circus Circus would be next. The north strip is starting to look more depressing every year.

I hate these new extravagant hotels.

[rdadal]

I stayed at the Stardust 2 or 3 times. This goes back to when I could go see the "Lido" show for $18.00, which was the dinner show. I really enjoyed their "lounge" show. Saw many great acts in those days, and for free if you stood outside the lounge. DeCastro Sisters, Don Cornell, Esquivil, the Harmonicats, the ones with the little guy. Every time I went to Las Vegas, had to see two shows. The "Lido" and "The Follies Biegere" at the Tropicana, also, $18.00 for dinner show.

[TheScarletteJadeShow]

theyre rebuilding it. and theres better hotels downtown here than that one.

[dpo1013]

Recent news... They WERE rebuilding it- Boyd Gaming has suspended ALL further work on Echelon, with no plans to resume until at least early summer '09. I would like to join original builder Tony Cornero in a big "phoooooie!" to any company who thinks they can ever match the class and history of the Stardust.

[heistguy]

takes me back. I shot an indie movie in a penthouse suite, around whole hotel in 2000. I like the old school feel to it, but I knew it was on borrowed time.

[DavidYakima]

Those were the days. When the boys ran Las Vegas. Now it is like Disneyland for gamblers. Oh, how we long for some of the days of old. Thank you for posting this video. Brings back good memories. Have a great 2008 summer. David

[yumichan89]

As much as I love the new Las Vegas, I can't help but feel sad and angry that old Las Vegas is disappearing. Why tear down such monuments as the Frontier and the Stardust? Just to build a shopping mall in its place?

Sad...

[JMR83]

It's being replaced by a megaresort - Echelon Place.

Any idea what theme that will use?

[Bartels92]

@yumichan89 I feel the same way, as much as I love the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay, just think that the Stardust was like the Bellagio 40 years ago. Its sad, old Vegas left us all sometime around 1991.

[steelking22]

In 1984 I was in Vegas for the first time as an adult. I made over 9k playing roulette at the Riviera in about 4 hours. I called my boss and asked for vacation as soon as our meetings ended. I moved into a cabana at the Stardust for a week, had two buddies with me for the week. We lived like the Rat Pack for that week. I'll miss the Stardust.

[didudina]

yes.really good las vegas

[200voltetotti]

deve essere bella las vegas

[dpo1013]

Translation: "it must be beautiful las vegas"

[adzisme]

Thanks for the excellent video montage of what was an iconic property..I was able to stay there twice and enjoyed the experience..very little of the "Rat Pack Vegas'' is left..its worth a trip to the Sahara, Tropicana and Riveria..it what's left..and the Riv will be gone at some point, while the Sahara will get a makeover soon..

[jgoudeau207]

Enter the Night! What a place, remember william B's steak house in the center and that great valet area. Still a great restaurant the peppermill across the street. Next to SD the Frontier had great riding bull and tin horses betting game for like 15 people! West ward ho miss the umbrella lights. and a quick night cap at Debbir reyonlads paddle boat casino.......

[Wun2ThaVisionary]

Damn, that glittery Stardust neon sign was iconic!

[edaz09]

I been to Vegas 4 time's and I'm going again, I never saw a lot of "screaming children" like you said Utexasrn. Vegas did try to be "family environment" In the mid 80's and eraly 90's but they soon found out that no one wanted that, It's not like that anymore.

[foetwintee]

their sports book was the shit !!!

[Tiramisator]

Great Video . Thanxx.

[saffronconnection]

Nice that everyone is caring about the Stardust.

The owner did not ! Money talks, pus... walks.

Here in Europe a Hotel just becomes fantastic after the first 100 years of existing. Nobody would ever consider to blew a place like this up. I like the old and the new Las Vegas. If you be there the next time don´t miss to visit the neon graveyard. You will have lots of memories. Do you remember the silver slipper, Lonchorn Casino, landmark...... ?

[leebyrd68]

did you guys know that the stardust was the FIRST casion to have a sportsbook in it?

[Makell]

i understand all you guys have this NOSTALGIA about these old casinos... I wish I was alive back then to see these places in thier prime. But, to be honest with you, alot of these places NEED to be imploded... especially the Plaza.. I mean these places are just old and worn out. Not to mention they smell like smoke and are full of lowlifes and cheap hookers. I definitely have the Vegas mentality... always out to see bigger and better

[icedogfan1]

Do you really? the Stardust was and will always be part of the great Vegas that you'll will never see,nor apparantly wish to see.this place was NEVER a dump.Sometimes bigger and better isn't.

[misslv80]

The Stardust was definitely NOT a "dump". It was a very nice place - especially the pool! The cabanas from the old Royal Nevada section were something special that will never been again.

[utexasrn]

You clearly don't understand Las Vegas AT ALL! Vegas was never meant to be the "family environment" that it is becoming, and it is sickening! It was meant to be an adult entertainment city. Now that all the mega corporations and super rich investors own everything, and cater more and more to the screaming children, it's almost not worth visiting. I long for the days when it was like it was in the 50's, 60's and 70's...and NO, I'm not some old fart. I'm 41 years old.

[badbearwatch]

I'm with you I'm 47 and if I want Disneyland I'll go to Disneyland/Disney world, I started to lose faith when the pyramid went up-the Venetian was one of the last straws for me too, I have been to REAL Venice-bloody history, intrique, tremendous original art-not chlorine canals and malls. I hope things will swing around in Las Vegas away from megamalls with some slots attached too. I like downtown more and more because of that.

[theairsmells]

vegas or should i say the strip had to reinvent itself once gambling became legal in other states or it would have died, had mirage never opened and the others like mgm, luxor, excalibur not followed quickly after, the vegas strip today would be a forgotten city, nobody would visit.

just look at downtown, gaming revenues downtown have barely grown in over 20 years there despite money value and inflation. on the strip revenues have grown 600% in 20 years

[GrimmGreen]

the Flamingo and the Tropicana and the Rivera are still there.. so not all hope is lost

[dpo1013]

Of the original strip hotels of the 40's-50's you must count the Sahara also- opened in 1952, it is now the 2nd oldest.

[scunes]

who is building there now? what is it gonna be called, etc?

[GrimmGreen]

Boyd Gaming Corporation is building the Echelon Palace on that spot as we speak

[badbearwatch]

Well, I 'm just saying(and its sad we couldn't do this ourselves) the country of United Arab Emirates just put 5 billion into City Center across from the MGM in the middle of the Strip, they are trying again to revitalize downtown with Fremont East,(east of the Fremont Street experience, to back the DMZ-near there back a few more blocks) more casinos and cleaning it up downtown, there is talk of a Las Vegas version of the Plaza in New York, the Wynn expanded with Encore, the second tower.

[misslv80]

True. But I am afraid of the day they will destroy those. Eventually it might happen. Let's hope they hang on for as long as they can!

[misslv80]

Well said, couldn't have said it better myself!

Which shows you the difference between a true original that stood for 48 years and one that has only stood for 12. LOL

[boikimvideos]

Which was owned first by the mob.

[YKoz3]

it's owned by my grandpa, the mafia still owns it

[heartlioness]

This is wrong! Why did they have to take it away. I have so many great memories, and when I saw in GMA that they took the Stardust away, I burst out in tears. It's too sad.

[1998disco72]

The new owners dont care about tradition. The early casinos had class and built great buildings that in my opinion should have never been torn down!!

[Ikarmely]

Watching the Stardust being imploded along with the New Frontier last Month also broke my heart. Las Vegas has very little appreciation for its history.

Ivo :{~

[castooge3]

Tropacana is next. Sorry to see the history of Vegas gone for another cheesy property no one will care or remember. We are loosing the mystic history like Elvis, Hughes, and the Rat Pack for crap!

[misslv80]

I agree! More monstrosities on the Strip. Sad.

It was a shame about the original Stardust pool from the 50s. It was a classy piece of Las Vegas history that will never be seen again. :-(

[pridey77]

Great work on this video. The photos are great. I was in Vegas the night they blew this place up. Sad to see an old beauty go to make way for just another boring shopping complex/hotel. We love the old Vegas.

[ticklemydaisy]

I miss Stardust hotel and casino a lot

[iabhornc]

I was last there (in Vegas) 2005. It's not a place I would go to on a regular basis. It (Vegas) seems like it used to be fun, but anymore.

[iabhornc]

I heard this hotel (Stardust) is no more.

[ralst2]

Great job on this video. Really good job on the editing. It was sad to see this resort shut down. My wife and I visit Vegas at least once a year and after watching this I am inspired to create a video of my own from our footage. Thank you for this

[BorEdZz]

i love the Stardust. I'm sad to see it go. I wonder what they're gonna put in its place now. I hate how they're blasting away all the old Las Vegas hotels...what happen to the originality of Las Vegas guys?!?!

[gforceram]

OMG! i loved this tribute... (sigh) I'm already miss the Stardust hotel. I'm glad i got to stay there before they took it down, i loved the pool area it was very nice with the small pool and the Huge rock with the water fall. Wow those are some of great memories i had while staying there, but yeah great video it was the best. Thank you very much.

[oldschoolwarrior]

Thanks for posting that!! It brought back many great memories. Nice to see something posted other than the sad implosion videos.

[TheBoxingGuru]

Wonderful Tribute! Thank You very much!!

[greenseaships]

I treasure my visit to the Stardust in 2006. I only wish I had taken more pictures and just appreciated the place even more. Then again, I'm sure even veterans feel the same way. Fantastic video collage. Thanks!

[TVnostalgia]

Great video. It's incredible that Las Vegas does not care about it's historic buildings. I was sad to see the old Dunes hotel go, and the beautiful sign was even lit up as they blew it up. They could have kept that at least. Did the Stardust sign suffer the same fate? That was very attractive as well.

[misslv80]

TVnostalgia,

I agree. It's a shame about the Dunes sign being demolished - it was very beautiful. However, they did save the Stardust sign. It is currently sitting in the Neon Graveyard waiting to be restored to its original glory along with other vintage Las Vegas signs.

[TVnostalgia]

Oh great to hear that. I have seen a pic of that place which has what looks like a giant shoe there - presumably from another lost hotel.

[tabdoo16]

Nice Pics !! I worked at the Stardust for 11 years until it closed !! Hard to believe it's gone Bill boyd sucks !! along with Fat Joe Grazzini and his butt plug Mark Henson !!

[jddskench]

Did you work there during 1978-79 ?

[ravel111]

NO WAY are the resorts becoming kid-friendly;infact, NYNY and the Luxor are changing arcades to nightbars and other adult style entertainment lounges. Circus Circus and the Excalibur are really the only two disneylandia style hotels left; the rest of Vegas is focused on 5 star high class luxury; not tacky child-friendly hospitality.

The Wynn is upscale- it's not child-friendly. It's large only because of the golf-course, otherwise, it's average sized.

[grossguys]

@ravel111

think you missed the point its a disneyland for adults these days. basically a place where everyone and your brother visits and is entertained as if they were children.definitely has lost its charm and history over the years. interesting characters and desperados are replaced by anyone and everyone who just look to party.. basically full of ur avg party animal & hookers.the feel is much diff than in the 90s even and wish i had the opportunity to visit in its earlier days.

[grossguys]

@grossguys

no longer unique.. if i want to visit a common tacky amusement park or club, i can do so in my area.

The charm and luster is forever gone... no old west or any feeling like that anymore... just a complete joke it is today.

[ravel111]

@grossguys The idea of Disneyland is a fantasy or a portrayal of reality that is so lifelike that it becomes reality. It does not fit when applied to the upscale vegas we see today. The immersion in Excalibur's medieval setting is very Disney. The 5 star restaurant in the Wynn is not, because you can find that in any major city. It isn't a fantasy feigning reality, it is reality, whereas Circus Circus is not reality- it's fake. That's the difference IMO.

[grossguys]

@rave

You are very right in the difference between certain hotels/casinos. I like the reality more, but still was acknowledging my distress in the lusterless vegas that remains... I would give anything to go back some decades ago and experience the real vegas... thanks for your comment.

[ravel111]

@grossguys Yea I do agree with the fact that the changes in Vegas are very different. I remember visiting Vegas as a kid and going to Excalibur to play at the arcade and the theme park that was in MGM Grand's backyard. But now that I've grown up I guess the city has grown up with me so I really don't mind the changes. I guess I never saw Vegas in that light back then!

[ahunanya13]

This Hotel resort is one of the first that i noticed upon my first steps on U.S. soil. I always remember the lovely contrasting colour effect (similar to the then New Rio Suites on Flamingo.) We spent Christmas next door to the Stardust last year.. We knew we would never 'enter the night' again..

I said my goodbyes the day we left.. Shame.. i have never known the strip without the Stardust......

Ain't no such thing as sentiment in Gaming...

God bless.. a lovely tribute....

Stephen J..

[lilydale8]

Very nicely done and very nostalgic. Is the music Stardust Melodies? May I ask who performed it? Well done. Thanks,

[dpo1013]

The music is called "STARDUST" performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra

[ericamz35]

nice video. i´m 53 y old. and i remember walking in the corridor whit my parent in 1962.

[ualtigger]

WOW!! What a great presentation! I took my parents there in 1995. I have a picture of me, Mom and Dad in the south parking lot with the tower stretching to the sky behind us. I sat the camera on the roof of our rental car and jumped into the picture. It would be the last vacation we all took together... Dad is no longer with us... thanks for the memories... it will be missed.

[penske13]

i can certainly sympathize with those of you who are attached, it is sad to see them go but that is what makes life great too. we lose a bit every time something changes but that makes me appreciate my time with it even more. good memories.

[joehan8588]

I guess the saying, "The old replaces the new," is true. Even though the rebirth of the Rat Pack days is unlikely, there are still some pretty exciting plans for the strip. I just wish some of the tax dollars from the strip was used to benefit surrounding areas. Though, this too, seems unlikely because Clark County doesn't even regulate the strip. - Lame.

[grossguys]

@joehan8588

yep, the surrounding areas are dumps and there are homeless living along highways... its a shame they dont use tax money for the better good of the COMMUNITY! they only care about you when you've got money to spend and when its depleted, theyll leave you on the corner curb to erect a cardboard box or tent for shelter. the city is corrupt with pimps, hookers, drugs, you name it! It's a filthy eyesore these days.

[default99telecom]

At least the huge marquee will be saved and re-installed inside one of the 3 new towers going back up on the site. Anybody notice that the Stardust sign is actually modeled after the Nevada nuclear tests, (thus the mushroom cloud) effect?

[joehan8588]

That's it. With the upcoming plans for the City Center and demolition of the Tropicana, LV is becoming the new Disneyland. The Flamingo is run by Harrah's Entertainment. The "old" Fremont is continually modernized. Everything is kid-friendly. Generally, gambling isn't even the main revenue source. Las Vegas has become a haven for everything, but gambling. Ever since Steve Wynn began to implement his ideas, the old Las Vegas has been rapidly fading. Bugsy Siegel would be rolling out of his grave.

[dpo1013]

Just a note- Tropicana has been saved from implosion for the time being...Pinnacle gaming (new owner) is planning to upgrade the property instead of demolish it...adding 3 or 4 new towers to the existing two.

[default99telecom]

When we were kids, we were not allowed on or near the gaming floors, but nowdays you see kids all over the place. Some of todays "mega resorts" have shopping malls inside, one with a Chucky Cheezes!!!

[martyxcallsiefer]

I am a kid (14) and I too think Las Vegas is getting broken. Las Vegas without things like Stardust is broken. Putitng these "Mega-resorts" doesn't simply mean it's better. Look at the Wynn. It's twice the size of most hotels. And replacing Stardust with this, "Echelon Place", pretty much throws a brick through Las Vegas fanatics.

I just hope that they don't break any more classic hotels to make these gargantuan, kid-friendly ones.

[grossguys]

@joehan8588

the "adults" arriving in vegas are kids themselves... thats the problem. if i want to be hassled and groped on by some fraternity low life drunk, i could go to my local bar for the convenience. people who go there act like children themselves so it is only fitting to include a chucky cheeses.

[grossguys]

@joehan8588

I think bugsy would have been elated to see it develop to the extent it has regardless. Everyone likes to be right afterall.

I myself do not like the "new vegas".. it was much more classy back in the days and interesting. Now it's just full of your average college kids and those only there with the objective of getting "laid". I'm sorry but it's just disgusting what the city has become. No charm left.. no old west feel, no history. Pure crap.

[noah1970]

I sat in the lobby two days before they closed just absorbing the atmophere. Never booked a room there, but at least I can say I was there! I talked with a security guard that worked there for many many years and I could tell he was quite bitter about the fact it was closing!

[sparklelilly]

Wow, thank you for the nice journey to the Stardust memory lane...very nice...and it is sad to see it go.. I grew up here and still live here in Vegas, and my mother worked there as a change girl..and still tells the storys of the bosses.. the pitt bosses, you know those guys, part of the mob..

[krunchedup]

My sister was a lido dancer at the stardust 1975-80 - Toni Ashton...pls ask your mum if she knew or knows my sister.

[Timcdfw]

Thank you! This is a great reflection of the end of an era. Sad. Good job :)

[darkhoarse820]

My Wife and I spent our wedding night there in September 2005. That is OUR hotel/casino and no upgraded, new bullshit is EVER going to change my feelings. I'm not going to set foot in the new place. I might not go back at all, now.

Though I dream in vain,

In my heart it will remain.

My Stardust melody -

the memory of love's refrain.

[AwsiDooger]

Thanks for these photos. I moved to Las Vegas in '84 and was a sportsbook regular at the Stardust. Great memories. In the late '80s and early '90s I was a guest football analyst on the Stardust Line radio show on KDWN. Late last June they had a finale program for that famous show and brought many of the past hosts, and shared stories of its 25 year run. It was a packed house and a good time.

[korthoga]

Thank you for this video!

[geek1352]

well done....I enjoyed the photos greatly..stayed at the stardust about 10 times...gonna miss the free rooms

[ajdpadbury]

Lovely photos! I have been to Vegas a few times but never stayed there - we usually stay at the Sahara. Sad to see the Stardust go but I am sure the implosion will be magnificent! Implosions facinate us over in England, the Stardust would be a listed building over here and therefore protected. Thanks again!