Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 - (Page 55)

A Mandalay Bay 750 GR suite UNDER ALL ITS BAWDINESS AND LAVISHNESS, Las Vegas can easily appeal to the younger crowds accompanying mom and dad. After all, if Las Vegas is an adult playground, there must be a kids’ section, right? Though the under-21 crowd accounts for only 10 percent of the 38.9 million visitors to Las Vegas, according to 2006 findings from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, there are attractions in Las Vegas that are equally enjoyable for children and adults. Lions and Tigers and Bears —Oh My! It’s quite an anomaly to see feral animals in a city setting, and altogether bizarre to view them caged above a casino floor. That’s just what the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino (www. mgmgrand.com) has in its Lion Habitat, open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (free admission), which it calls a showcase for public education and appreciation. An insider tells us that, while the display is on the casino floor, parents who escort their children will not be hassled. For a one-stop diversified animal fix, head over to The Mirage (www.mirage.com) for Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat (www.miragehabitat.com), open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (adults $15, children four-12 $10, children three and under free). The Secret Garden is home to royal white tigers, white lions, black panthers, a snow leopard, golden tigers and a four-ton elephant. The Dolphin Habitat is adjacent to the Secret Gar- den and features a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. As an added bonus, The Mirage has a “Trainer for a Day” program, which allows anyone 13 years of age and up to work side by side with animal experts in the care and training of the dolphins. The all-day trainer program costs $500 and includes a private lunch and photos. If aquatic predators are more your cup of tea, make a beeline for the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (www.mandalaybay.com) and its famed Shark Reef Aquarium, open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (adults $15.95, children 12 years old and younger $10.95; group rates are available). Since its debut, the aquarium has been a must-see attraction. It holds more than 2,000 exotic fish in 1.6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 58 October 15, 2007 TravelAgent | 55 http://www.mgmgrand.com http://www.mgmgrand.com http://www.mirage.com http://www.mandalaybay.com http://www.miragehabitat.com

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Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe Central & South America Special Supplement: Ski University Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Caribbean Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Packages Jamaica’s New Minister of Tourism Talks About the Country’s Future Special Package Deals Cruises Hotels Ski Multi-Generational Travel Tours Cover Story: Luxe Life of the Stewart Clan Business Operations - Agent Profile Technology Transportation The Industry - Agenda Caribbean News PATA Travel Mart ITME Report Latest Cruise and Hotel News Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

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