Las Vegas - MGM Grand Lion Habitat will close on Jan. 31

Hi All,

This is very sad news for Lion Habitat at MGM Grand will be close on Jan 31, 2012 due to renovation the hotels room & casino floor, too.

Unfortunately, it was very few tourist who came to see Lion Habitat.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/28/mgm-grands-lion-habitat-close-jan-31/

There were always a ton of people there when I visited.

Very sad news. We go to Vegas several times a year and stay at the MGM Grand. We always go see the lions every day. We've done the interactions with the baby cubs and had our pictures taken with them once they got a little older. We got to know some of the trainers - we will miss them.

I'm sure the lions don't mind. They had to be shuttled to and from an out-of-town habitat daily. I'm sure MGM will plop some more slot machines in the space or another overpriced restaurant much like what Mirage did with their old Tiger space.

I guess the MGM doesn't have any extra cash lion around if they have to close this exhibit :D

I guess the MGM doesn't have any extra cash lion around if they have to close this exhibit :D

and as a result no moar lions....

Wait...you mean there actually WERE lions in that habitat? I played poker there for a week straight - practically right next to the place - and never actually saw one.

Wait...you mean there actually WERE lions in that habitat? I played poker there for a week straight - practically right next to the place - and never actually saw one.

The lions used to arrive at about 10 am and were taken back at around 7 pm (from the commentary of one of the "lion people":D)
Again from the commentary: the lions were bathed and shampooed before being transported to the habitat; the lions liked staying there and frequently didn't want to go back. There was a ranch, about 30 miles away where they lived (MGM did NOT own the lions); there were about 30 of them and they were rotated for their visits.
I've stayed at MGM often and always found time to observe the lions--they liked to sleep a lot and were only active for short periods of time.

I didnt realize they were trucked in each day. I just assumed they lived in the habitat. There were always big crowds around each time I was there. I wonder what will go in the space.

deleted--a repeat of my post above

Doesn't 'habitat' mean a place where something lives?

Hi All,

This is very sad news for Lion Habitat at MGM Grand will be close on Jan 31, 2012 due to renovation the hotels room & casino floor, too.

Unfortunately, it was very few tourist who came to see Lion Habitat.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/28/mgm-grands-lion-habitat-close-jan-31/

Hmmm.. this is very sad news indeed!

The Lions were always something I looked forward to hopping they'd be there when I walked by... LOL

But really, whenever I would bring my girlfriend and her kids along, they'd always look forward to it. AND< I mean really, it is MGM... The lion!!!!!!

Are they gonna switch out the stunning Lion on the corner outside too!?!?!? I hope not!

Glad I saw them this week. I think they're all that's left of the original attractions. The amusement park is gone, the Land of Oz is gone, the giant lion entrance is gone.

Glad I saw them this week. I think they're all that's left of the original attractions. The amusement park is gone, the Land of Oz is gone, the giant lion entrance is gone.

Wow! Unbelievable! Why I haven't went to amusement park for a long time.

the giant lion entrance is gone.

AFAIK, this was bad for gaming. ;)

Cue Robert DeNiro saying "The town will nevah be the same"

We will be Staying at the MGM Grand in Vegas. I know they have rest... but we are looking for buffet near the MGM. Help. And where is the entrance to the Valet Parking at the MGM ? Thanks

We will be Staying at the MGM Grand in Vegas. I know they have rest... but we are looking for buffet near the MGM. Help. And where is the entrance to the Valet Parking at the MGM ? Thanks

Well, actually, you can lookup the map. Here it is:

http://www.mgmgrand.com/tools/MGM_Property_Map.pdf

There is buffet when you enter the casino floor and go straight down to Grand Buffet.

Hope this is your helps.

We will be Staying at the MGM Grand in Vegas. I know they have rest... but we are looking for buffet near the MGM. Help. And where is the entrance to the Valet Parking at the MGM ? Thanks

Actually if you just google maps the MGM even on your phone, you should be able to see where everything is located. even which slot machines, etc!

The valet is on the side with the bus shuttles, taxi's etc.

I would suggest the MGM buffet, it is ok. Or, you can pop over to any casino and go to theirs. Were you looking for anything more specific, like The Best buffet, or one that specializes in something in particular, etc?

So sorry to learn about the lions. We always liked going by to see them when we went to gamble, and did so as part of all of our trips. I don't think we'll be in a big rush to go there any more because we prefer other casinos on the strip much more. We generally ate there, too, but really there are similar/better restaurants elsewhere.

The lions were what set MGM apart.

Very sad news. We go to Vegas several times a year and stay at the MGM Grand. We always go see the lions every day. We've done the interactions with the baby cubs and had our pictures taken with them once they got a little older. We got to know some of the trainers - we will miss them.

I play poker at the MGM Grand and it was so great that the lion habitat was so close to the poker room. I loved to see the lions, especially when the trainers were playing ball with them. Of course most of the time the lions would be sleeping or resting, because that is what lions do most of the time. But one of my favorite memories is of a sleeping lion and a trainer lying by him in repose with his head on the lion, i.e. using the lion as a PILLOW! The lion didn't mind!

I play poker at the MGM Grand and it was so great that the lion habitat was so close to the poker room. I loved to see the lions, especially when the trainers were playing ball with them. Of course most of the time the lions would be sleeping or resting, because that is what lions do most of the time. But one of my favorite memories is of a sleeping lion and a trainer lying by him in repose with his head on the lion, i.e. using the lion as a PILLOW! The lion didn't mind!

It's funny because some people felt it "detracted" from the gambling floor taking your money... lol... but really it totally added to everything!

I wonder what the REAL reason is for them taking our this Landmark!?!?