Where All the Famous People Hang Out
Written: Jan 29 '02 (Updated Jan 30 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: see lots of celebrities, touch wax figures, learn how figures are made
Cons: somewhat expensive, no intricate scenes or active (moving) exhibits
The Bottom Line: Marilyn Monroe. Frank Sinatra. Tina Turner. Barbra Streisand. Michael Jordan. It's the ultimate in celebrity watching. You can even touch.
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| quasar's Full Review: Las Vegas |
When I was in Las Vegas last November I had the privilege of meeting Tony Bennett and Michael Jordan and Bruce Springsteen and Shirley MacLaine. I met Shirley Bassey and John McEnroe and Prince and Whoopi Goldberg. I met Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward and Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minelli.
Before you think me a complete dilletante, I wasn't jet-setting or partying my life away. And if you want to get technical about it I didn't really rub noses with all of these famous folks. I did, however, get to see and touch detailed lifesize replicas of each of them and many more of the rich and famous at Madame Tussaud's Celebrity Encounter at the Venetian Hotel.
It's Just People
One thing that is quite startling about this museum is that it doesn't create complex and realistic scenes. It is, for the most part, just people. People standing around, people sitting at a table drinking, people walking down a staircase, people swinging tennis racquets.
There are a few scenes - probably the most comprehensive has Ali and Holyfield duking it out for the heavyweight title of the century - but for the most part the point is to appreciate the people, to appreciate the workmanship of the wax artists.
The Lay of the Land
The museum spans two floors and is split into five main sections. The entrance has a the feel of a cocktail party, with a wide variety of mostly entertainment celebrities standing around in their party clothes. From Elle MacPherson to Barbra Streisand to Gerard Depardieu, find the beautiful people looking beautiful. Walk amongst them. Touch them. Sit down next to them. Interact.
The second section is the sporting arena, beginning with the aforementioned boxing match and also including figures of Michael Jordan in Bulls uniform, John McEnroe in mid-rant, and Olga Korbut in graceful elegance among others. I was particularly entranced by Korbut as she was displayed in an upside down scale that she used to do on the balance beam. It's a most unusual position and of course it's captured perfectly.
The third section concentrates on the origins and making of a wax museum. With detailed exhibits and videos showing how the figures are made, this is an interesting and educational section. It was very video-oriented, however, so unless you want to stand around watching all of the videos (there were no chairs) you won't get a full appreciation for the process.
The last section on the top floor is a tribute to rock and pop. From Bruce Springsteen rocking on the stage, sporting headband and jeans to Prince preening to Tina Turner strutting, this section has only the creme de la creme of rock stars. I think some of these figures were the least realistic of the bunch, and although I enjoyed some of them, particularly Springsteen who is absolutely perfect, I'd have to say this is my least favorite section of the museum.
As you leave the rock section, you are magically transported back in time to see a young Frank Sinatra at the Sands. This last exhibit, in a small room of its own, is incredibly detailed and leads into the final exhibit on the bottom floor - the legends of Las Vegas.
What legends they are! From Liberace to Wayne Newton to Dean Martin to Debbie Reynolds to Elvis, they're all here. I think my favorite was a single display with Judy Garland to the right and Liza Minelli looking on from her backwards chair in Cabaret costume. Sometimes people are grouped together logically - Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are also together - and sometimes somewhat randomly, but they all glitter. I was particularly entranced by Shirley Bassey wearing a stunning glittering bronze dress. I thought it complemented her perfectly and it really stood out in a room filled with folks who, in general, were more well known.
Those Pesky Details
The museum is located in the northern-most wing of the Venetian hotel one story above ground level on the Strip side. It's completely detached - you cannot access it from within the hotel. I found this odd because most of the other attractions of the Venetian are inside the main hotel and since this is in the same building I don't see any point to having it separated off.
The museum is open from 11am - 7pm daily and charges $13.50 for general admission. Seniors and Nevada residents pay $11.50 and children 4-12 pay $10.75. When I visited there was a woman handing out $4 off coupons just outside the museum. I'd look for discount coupons at your hotel or along the Strip. They aren't uncommon, from what I understand.
Summing Up
I really enjoyed my visit to Madame Tussaud's. It was a bit on the expensive side, but not excessively so and I did get a lot of enjoyment for my money.
This is the only wax museum I've ever been to that lets you touch the figures. That in of itself is worth the price of admission in my book. It also explains how the wax figures are made in some detail if you are willing to stand through the explanations, again information you won't commonly find elsewhere. If you're in Vegas stop by and enjoy your own celebrity encounter.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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