The first night we arrived in Las Vegas, we rushed to Mandalay Bay Casino Hotel to watch a show. Yes, you hear me right, the recent shooting happened here at Mandalay Bay Casino Hotel on 1 Oct 2017, the crazy gunman fire shots at the crowd who were at the music festival, killed 58 and over 800 people were injured.
Originally our plan was to stay at Mandalay Bay Resort Casino Hotel but because of the recent Vegas shooting, we changed our booking to South Point Resort & Casino Hotel.
Mandalay Bay is definitely a better location as it at the Strip. It mark the beginning of the Strip on the south side but about 1.3 miles away from Bellagio. Still pretty convenient if you were to take a walk to Las Vegas Strip.
The exterior of the Mandalay Bay is dressed in gold color, pretty stunning day and night time. Mandalay is the name of a city in Myanmar, the second largest city. Why the name was used here at Vegas? Well, the theme of Mandalay Bay is “tropic” so I guess they selected one of the tropical country, Mandalay in Myanmar just to sound more tropical and a marketing approach.
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is huge, so huge that you can literally stay in the complex without going out for days.
It has more than 3,000 rooms, 43 floors, 24 elevators and boast a wave pool, lazy river and real sand – a beach club only for guests aged 21 and above.
It contains more than 135,000 square feet of games, including Poker, Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and slot machines.
The movie called Ocean’s Eleven was filmed at Mandalay Bay.
Coming to Las Vegas is to enjoy the vibrant night life, the casino, the poker or slot machines, the blackjack & the show. We went for the Michael Jackson ONE show because we don’t gamble, no smoking and no drinking.
Slots Machines Everywhere
Everywhere is the slots & video poker, total about 2,000 machines in Mandalay Bay. You know you are in Vegas for sure.
Welcome to the Sin City
Easy access to gambling, fast marriage & divorce, cabarets, clubbing, 24-hour liquor sales, strip clubs all happen in Las Vegas. About 300 weddings per day, couples usually elope, (including celebrities) got married here.
There is a saying “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
Las Vegas Used To Be Desert
Can you believe Las Vegas is used to be desert area? Wow… it is located at the Mojave Desert, smallest desert in America.
Shopping at Mandalay Place
We arrived early so we take a stroll at the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. Not going to buy anything but just window shopping.
Minus 5 Ice Lounge Bar
This bar lounge giving you an experience to drink your alcohol in the cold temperature, as low as minus 5 ‘ degree. Most of the things inside were made of ice, the chair, the bar, the chandelier light and many sculptures.
Fur coats are provided, men usually take black and women will take the white fur coat.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by Beatles
The iconic Beatles outfit for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band displayed here in the Shoppes Mandalay Bay.
Art Gallery
We went to take a look, free of charge if you are not buying. The paintings all cost a bomb.
Shark Reef Aquarium
The hotel is known for its enormous shark reef aquarium, which has more than 2,000 animals on display, including 12 types of shark.
Food Court at Shoppes Mandalay Bay
We ordered some Chinese take away because our show will start soon.
Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil
We purchased our tickets for Michael Jackson One show online and printed out our voucher and bring to the ticket office to exchange for the tickets. The counter staff also need some ID for verification; driving licence and credit card.
Due to Christmas seasons, it is always wise to purchase tickets before, else you may not be able to get the seats for the show.
Micheal Jackson Souvenirs Shop
Before you enter to the hall for the show, there is a MJ souvenirs shop selling all kind of stuff related with Michael Jackson and the ONE show.
T-shirts, mug, bags, hats, poster, cds etc all available here.
I think the white gloves is super cool, check it out!
Security Check
You have go go through the security check before entering the theater hall.
These guys in red are also performers for the ONE show, there stay at the lobby to create the atmosphere and help guest to take pictures.
We sat in the balcony first row, a very good view and able to watch everything.
These guys in red acting like a paparazzi before show starts.
The One show combining the Cirque du Soleil elements & Michael Jackson music, it was an amazing performance. There are so many things going on, the flying acrobats, the MJ dance move, images on the walls, great music.
The iconic gravity-defying dance move in “Smooth Criminal” and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk can be seen in the ONE show. It also has hip hop & pole dancing.
If you are Michael Jackson fan, you would love this to the max. Even if you are not MJ fan, you would still enjoy and amazed at how good these performers are.
MJ show end 90 mins later with no intermission. It was so good I don’t think we need a break. This is the permanent show at Mandalay Bay.
Parking at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Self parking at $7.00 up to 2 hours & $10.00 up to 4 hours & $12 for 24 hours.
Parking lot is spacious!
Nearby Attractions :
- Grand Canyon West Rim – Skywalk
- Road Trip Grand Canyon West
- Las Vegas Strips
- Las Vegas China Town
- Lake Mead & Hoover Dam at Nevada
- Calico Ghost Town
23 comments
This sounds like an amazing performance, especially that it was at such an impressive hotel. I would like to see Michael Jackson One, especially that the entire show is put up by Cirque du Soleil.
Dear Joanna,
Michael Jackson One is a permanent show at Mandalay Bay and worth to see. I enjoyed very much especially MJ is my idol.
OOOOH I wish I could see this show. Sounds an awesome performance. I definitely want to see this Michael Jackson One. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Dear Sue,
The choreography, lighting, and ambiance are breathtaking! It’s a combination of dance, video presentation, and acrobatic performance. You will feel time pass really fast for the show!
There’s so much that you can do while you’re at Mandalay Bay in Vegas! Which is pretty awesome especially if you’re looking to enjoy and relax. I think that show’s worth watching even if you’re not a huge Michael Jackson fan.
Dear Alison,
You are right about it, even if you are not Michael Jackson fan, you will enjoy the show too. The talents of the performers are unbelievable and so passionate.
Looks like an all-around great experience. I’ve been dying to see this show. Huge MJ fan and I’ve always wanted to take in a cirque performance.
Dear Amy,
The circus part is not that much but I think is just right. The dancers are really 5 stars and very professional. Strongly recommended!
This looks like a great show and experience for any MJ fan. I love that it is a permanent show, a lot of people will get so much enjoyment from this
I’m a huge fan of Michael Jackson and would be curious to see how they paid tribute to him with a cirque show!
Dear Marie,
It is an incredible show to pay tribute to Michael Jackson I suppose. A very smart way of combining the dance and circus to the show.
That looks like an amazing show and performance. All the pictures look amazing, this is a very helpful guide for planning and visiting the hotel and watch the performance.
What a fun post about Mandalay Bay! I’ve learned so much and the show really pays tribute to legendary Michael Jackson. When in Vegas I will surely give it a visit
Dear Evelyn,
This show literally blew me away! . The music, acrobats, sounds and visual content was heart warming. The finale was a surprise to many audience and a lot of “wow”. I would strongly recommend to anyone who is in Vegas and looking for a show to watch!
So many fun things to do in Vegas! This looks like a great show to see. I would also love to see the aquarium.
Dear Emily,
The Shark Reef Aquarium is located at the shoppe in Madalay Bay. It is one of the largest aquarium but too bad I didnt have a go because I had just visited the San Diego Seaworld few days before I was in Las Vegas.
I’m so envious. I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan. Also I’m a shopaholic. Looks like you had a great time.
Dear Lebogang,
If you are a huge Michael Jackson fan, you would love the Michael Jackson One show to the max! Such a genius show!
It seems that you really enjoy that show. It looks so much fun and memorable. I would love to experience this.
Oh my! that Mandalay -bay Resort is so huge and has so many different attractions. I think Las Vegas would be a little overwhelming for me, but I would have loved to see the Michael Jackson by Cirque du Soleil show. I was a huge fan of Michael as a teen and I even had the chance to see him perform live during his Dangerous world tour (25 years ago :O )
Wow, you watched the real performance of Micheal Jackson? How cool… I wish I watched any of his live show but late now. Well, at least still have the Michael Jackson One show for his fans now, better than nothing at all.
Seeing Michael Jackson by Cirque du Soleil is fun. I have experienced it once and trust me it was a hell of an experience. Thanks for sharing this! I loved reading it.
Dear Sophie,
I am sure you have a great time just like me. Truly well choreograph and 5 stars performance.