Viewing 2023 Formula 1 races from Elara - November, 16-18th

[CalGalTraveler]

I suspect (and hope) most owners are using them. I also didn't get the unit I wanted but glad I got something. My DH will be happy.

HGVC doesn't have a rental culture like MVC/Vistana and Worldmark. Plus I believe, home week check-in is either Friday or Saturday and that would disrupt the races. Perhaps half week Westgates have an edge.

The HGVC system held up reasonably well given all of the demand at midnight.

 

[tah]

I did snag a unit for the 16-20th, but not the one I had originally wanted. My first experience walking a reservation, and will be my first F1 race. Now I just need to find a few people to go with.

Just curious if you had the same problem that someone else reported and that I experienced -- the night of 15/16 was always absent so could not change the reservation without CS support?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Just curious if you had the same problem that someone else reported and that I experienced -- the night of 15/16 was always absent so could not change the reservation without CS support?

Ran into the same issue on 15/16 and for extending to Monday for Trump where all units had a blank mid-stay online even though I knew we had the night reserved. CSR was able to correct.

However ran into a wall and CSR could not correct for 17th to 18th as was sold out. I surmise it is because the smaller side of the unit was taken so my 2 Bdrm was frozen.

Perhaps when the dust settles, some of us Tuggers can trade reservations so we can get a full stay rather than changing rooms mid-event.

 

[vuice]

Looks like a lot of HGVC rooms opened up all over today for whatever reason. I am guessing they were artificially locked somehow and were just released.

 

[jabberwocky]

Just curious if you had the same problem that someone else reported and that I experienced -- the night of 15/16 was always absent so could not change the reservation without CS support?

No - it was self-inflicted. Everything worked as it was designed over the 15/16. It was when I was going to go for the night of the 17/18th I didn't log on until about 5 min after the window opened and couldn't extend. I didn't contact CSR, instead, I switched over to another room, which will be satisfactory, just not my preferred one.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

[UPDATE: Taken by a Tugger} PSA: I am dropping the following unit for the F1 races in November in Vegas. This is a corner 1 bdrm Jr Suite floors 4 - 39. Any interest? I can coordinate a drop time so a Tugger can pick up. First come first served. PM me.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Update: Glad I was able to hand this unit off to a fellow Tugger.

We should have a Tugger meetup in the bar or Starbucks downstairs while we are there. Please PM me if you are interested.

 

[raddoc]

I was fortunate to pick this up from @CalGalTraveler but as it turns out I'm not going to be able to make it.

Please PM me if you want it so we can coordinate a drop time. First come first served.

 

[raddoc]

This was the most competitive I have ever seen HGVC.

I've been looking at availability in Vegas the last few days and it has really opened up. Multiple types of rooms have opened up at Elara including 2 bedroom units (they are being picked up fairly quickly). Rooms are also available at Paradise, Boulevard, Flamingo, etc.

It's right before the 31 day deadline tomorrow. I wonder if this represents people who were trying to rent their rooms throwing in the towel just before the cancellation deadline? I don't think this many cancellations right before the deadline is the norm for HGVC.

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

We're going to Japan next year, but this is going to be a high priority for 2025! We're closing on an EOY odd contract with Elara.

 

[dioxide45]

I looked at tickets for the F1 race and the cheapest I could find were $1500 for the three days. Some race day tickets are starting at over $1500. No thanks. I don't know who they think has that kind of money, but it isn't me.

 

[raddoc]

I looked at tickets for the F1 race and the cheapest I could find were $1500 for the three days. Some race day tickets are starting at over $1500. No thanks. I don't know who they think has that kind of money, but it isn't me.

That's why hotel prices and airfare have come down so much. When I was looking months ago airfare was out of control. Southwest didn't even offer anything other than "Business Select" or "Anytime" fares out of Vegas on that Sunday. Now they're offering their "Wanna Get Away" fares for the same flights. Seems like expectations for F1 demand are coming down to reality, with the exorbitant ticket prices likely playing a large role. Not to mention that the race doesn't start until 10 pm, making it a challenge for those with kids (and a lot of money to buy the aforementioned tickets for those kids!)

It looks like they are constructing three "temporary" vehicular bridges over the raceway to allow access to the part of the city enclosed by the raceway. I can't even fathom how much it costs to construct a "temporary" vehicular bridge much less three of them. Helps explain why tickets are so expensive.

 

[dioxide45]

That's why hotel prices and airfare have come down so much. When I was looking months ago airfare was out of control. Southwest didn't even offer anything other than "Business Select" or "Anytime" fares out of Vegas on that Sunday. Now they're offering their "Wanna Get Away" fares for the same flights. Seems like expectations for F1 demand are coming down to reality, with the exorbitant ticket prices likely playing a large role. Not to mention that the race doesn't start until 10 pm, making it a challenge for those with kids (and a lot of money to buy the aforementioned tickets for those kids!)

It looks like they are constructing three "temporary" vehicular bridges over the raceway to allow access to the part of the city enclosed by the raceway. I can't even fathom how much it costs to construct a "temporary" vehicular bridge much less three of them. Helps explain why tickets are so expensive.

They are also constructing the track so it can be used during the day by regular commuters and then they shut it down starting at 5pm for practice and racing. The entire track surface was resurfaced and everything they are putting up (except the paddock are) will be dismantled and put up again next year.

They also have to block views from pedestrian areas. While you will be able to still walk around Las Vegas during the race, you wont' be able to actually see anything without a ticket. If you are lucky to have a room in a hotel that has a view of the track, it may be good. I certainly wouldn't want to be working the front desk on checkin days ahead of the race. For Elara, at least half the rooms wont' be able to see the track and many will just have a sliver view of a car zipping through. The problem is that everyone checking in probably thinks they are entitled to a great view down to the track.

 

[WIHuck]

Just returned from Vegas and a stay at the Elara. One person I talked to said the views from the rooms will be blocked by a screen over the windows. Possibly a large Hilton advertising like what is used on busses. Everything is a mess there. They are putting up "temporary" scaffolding all around. You can not walk the strip on the Bellagio side due to massive structures from the strip into the fountains. The thing that disappointed me was with all this money being spent, one third of the escalators for the pedestrian bridges were not working. Traffic is terrible, and the Packers lost. Other than that it was a great trip.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

LOL sounds like a cluster. 1/3 of the escalators being out of service is par for the course these days. I swear I remember a time in the mid-late 2010s when they ALL were working. On my last trip in May 2023 I'd say at least 1/3 were out of service, as well, and then they had the gall to try to put barriers up so people couldn't walk up/down them... Nope, folks just walked around the barriers and used the escalators as stairs, anyway.

F1 is going to have growing pains in Year 1 for sure, I'm hoping they smooth it out and by next year or 2025 it isn't as big of a headache. Putting up barriers so people inside buildings along the race route can't look outside is the height of frivolity. I suppose we could all just shell out 20k ClubPoints to enjoy the view on the HGV deck...

I'll be there in late December, hope they have it all cleaned up by then. Based on how roped off the lobby is, they really appear to be cutting the lobby renovation close to F1 time! It's more blocked off now than it was in May 2023.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Just returned from Vegas and a stay at the Elara. One person I talked to said the views from the rooms will be blocked by a screen over the windows. Possibly a large Hilton advertising like what is used on busses. Everything is a mess there. They are putting up "temporary" scaffolding all around. You can not walk the strip on the Bellagio side due to massive structures from the strip into the fountains. The thing that disappointed me was with all this money being spent, one third of the escalators for the pedestrian bridges were not working. Traffic is terrible, and the Packers lost. Other than that it was a great trip.

Are you saying that windows up the to 55 floor of Elara will be covered? That doesn't sound feasible.

 

[brp]

Just returned from Vegas and a stay at the Elara. One person I talked to said the views from the rooms will be blocked by a screen over the windows. Possibly a large Hilton advertising like what is used on busses. Everything is a mess there. They are putting up "temporary" scaffolding all around. You can not walk the strip on the Bellagio side due to massive structures from the strip into the fountains. The thing that disappointed me was with all this money being spent, one third of the escalators for the pedestrian bridges were not working. Traffic is terrible, and the Packers lost. Other than that it was a great trip.

We were there about 2 weeks ago and this infrastructure was being set up. Could still walk by Bellagio, but it was clear that seating was being set up along with the lighting infrastructure along the strip. We saw the same lighting scaffolding on Harmon. Not sure about seating.

At the time, we had a great view of the track prep

And, similar experience with the escalators. We generally prefer to walk the stairs, so it wasn't a big deal to us...except for the places without separate stairs in the same bank- like just outside Miracle Mile...

Cheers.

 

[raddoc]

One person I talked to said the views from the rooms will be blocked by a screen over the windows. Possibly a large Hilton advertising like what is used on busses.

Wow, hard for me to imagine a more effective way to upset your customers who were hoping for an opportunity to watch the race from their room in the timeshare that they paid for! I wonder if the Elara HOA had to agree to this?

 

[muscae]

Wow, hard for me to imagine a more effective way to upset your customers who were hoping for an opportunity to watch the race from their room in the timeshare that they paid for! I wonder if the Elara HOA had to agree to this?

This is what an Uber driver in vegas told me last week. Per the F1 agreement with Las Vegas, properties have the option of paying a licensing fee to F1 for every room with a view OR don't pay the fee and a screen that eliminates the view will be erated over all windows. Your TS does not include a ticket to watch the event, you can't get something for nothing.

Restaurants with a view of the strip are paying over $1 million each in licensing fees for their patrons to watch while dining. Some restaurants are bringing in their celebrity chefs for the event. For example, Gordon Ramsay is reported to be at his Caesars restaurant for the event.

Some of the properties in the middle of the track will only have access via a pedestrian bridge during the event e.g. Flamingo.

Barriers will be installed to block viewing from the pedestrian overpasses on the strip.

So, to view the event; 1. Buy a ticket. 2. Stay at a property that is paying the licensing fee. OR 3. Dine at a restaurant that is paying the licensing fee.

Las Vegas and F1 have a 10 year contract but F1 does not need to have the event in each of the ten years. They intend to reopen negotiations after this year's event. Las Vegas wants a 6 year commitment and have the event in each of those 6 years.

 

[buzglyd]

I originally planned on going but F1 is so crazy expensive these days. I know people that have gone in Austin and they all lament the cost. I’m a huge racing fan but most F1 races are just parades with no passing or real action. I go to the motoGP races in Austin and they are far more exciting and much cheaper than F1.

F1 reminds me of soccer. A lot of screaming with nothing happening.

 

[raddoc]

This is what an Uber driver in vegas told me last week. Per the F1 agreement with Las Vegas, properties have the option of paying a licensing fee to F1 for every room with a view OR don't pay the fee and a screen that eliminates the view will be erated over all windows. Your TS does not include a ticket to watch the event, you can't get something for nothing.

Exclusive | Formula One slashes Las Vegas Grand Prix fees after backlash from clubs, restaurants: sources

The red-hot racing league — which rolls into Sin City in November — has lowered the price that clubs and restaurants along the 3.8-mile circuit must pay to around $50,000, sources close…

nypost.com

Sounds like there wasn't an actual agreement with Las Vegas requiring this but that F1 was asking for money and threatening to build a barricade or set up lighting to block the view from a restaurant / bar if they didn't pay the licensing fee.

I'm just not seeing how it would be legal or enforceable for a city to require a hotel to install screens to block views of a public street from their windows. From a practical standpoint - who is going to pay for the expense associated with that? I don't think the city will do that and I'm pretty sure F1 isn't going to pick up the tab to install view blocking screens over every hotel room that overlooks the race course. If there is anything, I suspect it will be an HGVC banner to take advantage of the free advertisement opportunity.

 

[dioxide45]

This is what an Uber driver in vegas told me last week. Per the F1 agreement with Las Vegas, properties have the option of paying a licensing fee to F1 for every room with a view OR don't pay the fee and a screen that eliminates the view will be erated over all windows. Your TS does not include a ticket to watch the event, you can't get something for nothing.

Restaurants with a view of the strip are paying over $1 million each in licensing fees for their patrons to watch while dining. Some restaurants are bringing in their celebrity chefs for the event. For example, Gordon Ramsay is reported to be at his Caesars restaurant for the event.

Some of the properties in the middle of the track will only have access via a pedestrian bridge during the event e.g. Flamingo.

Barriers will be installed to block viewing from the pedestrian overpasses on the strip.

So, to view the event; 1. Buy a ticket. 2. Stay at a property that is paying the licensing fee. OR 3. Dine at a restaurant that is paying the licensing fee.

Las Vegas and F1 have a 10 year contract but F1 does not need to have the event in each of the ten years. They intend to reopen negotiations after this year's event. Las Vegas wants a 6 year commitment and have the event in each of those 6 years.

Right now, from what I have read and understand. Las Vegas has a three year agreement with F1, but passed a law that would allow the race to happen through 2023. By passing the law to close the roads for the race circuit it allows them to make a deal with F1 for additional races which I certainly would expect to happen.

Exclusive | Formula One slashes Las Vegas Grand Prix fees after backlash from clubs, restaurants: sources

The red-hot racing league — which rolls into Sin City in November — has lowered the price that clubs and restaurants along the 3.8-mile circuit must pay to around $50,000, sources close…

nypost.com

Sounds like there wasn't an actual agreement with Las Vegas requiring this but that F1 was asking for money and threatening to build a barricade or set up lighting to block the view from a restaurant / bar if they didn't pay the licensing fee.

I'm just not seeing how it would be legal or enforceable for a city to require a hotel to install screens to block views of a public street from their windows. From a practical standpoint - who is going to pay for the expense associated with that? I don't think the city will do that and I'm pretty sure F1 isn't going to pick up the tab to install view blocking screens over every hotel room that overlooks the race course. If there is anything, I suspect it will be an HGVC banner to take advantage of the free advertisement opportunity.

I understand that F1 is covering most of the costs related to the track. If F1 is putting up barriers or installing lighting to prevent views from certain places, then F1 would be covering the costs but they couldn't physically attach something to the buildings. They could extend the track barrier higher to prevent views. It seems though that HGV has a side agreement with F1 as they have a specific "Hilton Grand Vacations Zone" when looking at the ticket website and you see Alara building highlighted in blue.

The problem with their initial fee of $1500 per head is that people come to a restaurant for only an hour or so and not every seat from within a restaurant or club could even see the sliver of track that would be available from any given location. People in a restaurant or club would certainly have a diminished view of the race compared to someone in a grand stand. That is the problem with any road circuit.

 

[muscae]

F1 is paying for the screens to block views from properties that do not pay the licensing fee.

 

[emeryjre]

I use to go to the F1 races held in Long Beach
They were not high dollar events
The average person could afford tickets, get into the pits and see the race
Nowdays F1 is a uber wealth event
Rock Stars, Movie Stars, Celebrities, dot the pits
They do not mingle with us mere mortals
The races itself this year are a real bore
Max Verstappen jumps into the lead on lap 1 and everybody else tries to catch him
I tried to book rooms at 12 months at Grand Chateau with points
Nothing available
There was availability just prior to the 60 day mark as cancellations rolled in

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Maybe block around the side of the track because it would be prohibitively expensive on high rises. I don't see F1 bearing the cost nor the liability on covering 50+ story buildings in the area.

IDK...this might be like the 2016 Rio Olympics. Tickets were uber expensive 9 months out. Then as Zika hit and people cancelled, you could buy tickets at ticket window cost on the day of the event.

Southwest has return flights on Sunday when it was unavailable before.

We'll go and take our chances. If not we will see shows, walk around and eat. I don't believe they could block our windows. There is no notice on our reservation that windows would be blocked.