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If you have been visiting Las Vegas since the Rat Pack roamed the Strip, you probably remember the Mirage Hotel/Casino for its exploding volcano and the Siegfreid & Roy White Tiger Magic Show. However, after Roy was injured by a show animal and partially paralyzed on October 3, 2003, their showroom has been used by other entertainers. More on that later.
If you are interested in seeing some of the wild animals that were used in the Siegfried & Roy magic show, the Mirage Hotel/Casino still maintains the Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat just outside of the building and to the back of the property.
When I was offered a free pass to tour the facility, how could I not accept the invitation. (Did I ever mention that "free" is my favorite word in the English language, especially when it is used as an adjective?)
The Mirage has one of the easiest self-park garages on the Strip because you can enter from a side street and do not have to fight the Strip traffic. You also get a nice view of the Hotel/Casino from the roof the the parking garage.
A short walkway connects the parking garage to the Hotel/Casino and a combination elevator/escalator brings guests right to the main lobby and the Hotel Check-In Desk. Behind the Check-In Desk is a series of aquariums with many bright tropical fish and plants. The aquariums are worth a stop, even if you are not registering to stay in the hotel.
On the way to the Hotel Rooms and the Casino, guests pass through a large atrium with a high dome that contains a series of waterfalls and beautiful flowers that are immaculately maintained.
Of course, guests then get to walk through a series of retail shops before arriving at the side door that leads to the Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat.
Roy does not appear in public very often, but Siegfried often stops by the Secret Garden to visit the animals, and will typically do magic tricks for the kids and pose for pictures.
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| Photographer Unknown |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The white tigers are the main attraction at the exhibit, but there are also a variety of other large "cats" on display, all of which seem to get along well with one another.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
There are several dolphin pools in the Secret Garden and the dolphin trainers conduct shows at one of the pools ever half-hour throughout the day. Between shows, there is an underwater viewing area that fascinates young people (and most "mature" people - I didn't say "old").
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
There are more continuously running Crique du Solell Shows in Las Vegas than anywhere else in the World, so it was only logical that a new Crique du Solell show would replace Siegfried & Roy. The show developed for the Mirage is a tribute to The Beatles and uses all Beatles music, with some song modifications. So, next time you are in Las Vegas, stop by the Mirage because "All You Need is Love!"
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