Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

September 25, 2010

Vdara Blasts Evil Death Ray On Unsuspecting Visitors ; Dr. Evil Sought In Freak Occurrence

Posted by Hunter

Wow, this is just too funny. It seems that the unique construction of CityCenter's Vdara creates a parabola that focuses the sun's rays, right onto the folks using the pool.

One guy in the story claims it singed his hair and there are supposedly melted plastic bags to prove how powerful this thing is. Even the employees seem to be calling it a 'death ray'. Of course, MGM is trying to play it down. The name they prefer: 'solar convergence'. Ha!

I try not to link to RJ stories but it's the only place you can read all the details:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/vdara-visitor---death-ray--scorched-hair-103777559.html

You can't make this stuff up.

On a more serious note, will this have any impact on condo owners trying to get out of their contracts? I could imagine an enterprising lawyer including this in their complaint.


Categories: Business of Gaming, CityCenter, Las Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts International


Comments

Read archived comments (5 so far)
September 25, 2010 3:45 PM Posted by Jeff in OKC

I read the story this morning and recall the person with the singed hair who called the R-J was both an attorney and a Vdara condo owner. He said he wasn't going to sue, but I think he did call the local newspaper and not the resort developer.
I wonder if toupee plastic hair would singe more easily than human hair?

September 25, 2010 4:51 PM Posted by Dave

"Solar convergence" sounds like the Age of Aquarius, but "death ray," while it sounds cool, is probably a bit on the sensationalistic side.

Now, if this was coming from Wynn and was pointing at the Venetian, that would be a story.

September 25, 2010 6:01 PM Posted by Ted Newkirk

It is a common problem (to varying degrees) all up and down The Strip. Countless times I've been driving the 15 and been blinded by Mandalay Bay. Last week I was sitting at Rhumbar and the sun hit Wynn just right and put a blinding glare right at me. Sunglasses were not enough. I literally had to face the other direction (best I could from my seat) for about 20 minutes.

However, this is the first that I've heard of it concentrating on one particular area populated by hotel guests with such a negative affect.

September 26, 2010 12:57 AM Posted by motoman

Ted, you refer to a reflection off the flat surface of Mandalay and the dark glass of Wynn. What we have at Vdara is a mirrorlike, curved surface aimed at already-vulnerable patrons in & around the swimming pool which could itself add to the reflected sunlight (hence the health warnings re sun exposure while swimming).

We try not to link to LVRJ, I likewise try not to mention a certain LS who used to post here; but I wonder what he thinks of his "Starchitects" now? Imagine the skin cancer potential of this, yet another epic design "issue." (And while "death ray" may be sensational, you gotta admit it sure is funny! I can only imagine the attorney/owner will use this in an attempt to "renegotiate" his contract.)

September 26, 2010 4:17 PM Posted by mike_ch

Ted is correct that this happens all over. The worst is on the sidewalk in front of Caesars while being blasted by reflections off Flamingo.