The Aladdin Las Vegas

Aladdin was a Las Vegas icon. The Aladdin provided a lifetime of memories for many of the longtime customers and employees.

Back in the 70s, the opening of the tower was strictly a star-studded event the Aladdin lamp the signature of the new tower expansion was like the grand opening all over again the Hollywood stars like the glamorous ginger Tina Louise from Gilligan’s Island Christopher and Linda day and David Soul. Plus, many other popular TV stars, film stars, and celebrities of the time.

One in particular historical event happened here on May 1st, 1967 and to tell us all about it is Michael geezer a day that was fit for a king Michael you’re absolutely right Robin May 1st, 1967 the day Elvis and Priscilla Presley tied the knot and they did it right here at the Aladdin. In-room 246.
Their marriage certificate still hung on the wall up until its implosion. Room 246 remained off-limits to guests except for one lucky couple from Michigan who got married in the room in 1996.

Thankfully not everything went to waste as the tables signage and many other souvenirs were taken from the property and auctioned off. So, some lucky people got the chance to own a real piece of Las Vegas history.

The Aladdin was interestingly not a purpose-built strip property. The main building itself was built in 1963 called the Tally Ho and did not even have a casino. In 1966 the hotel was purchased and named The Aladdin. When the casino part was built it was the largest casino in Nevada. The owner was friends with Elvis Presley, so it was no surprise that the king chose to tie the knot here in 1967.

In the 1970s Aladdin built a 20-story edition on June 1st, 1976 the new tower of majesty. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Aladdin. The Aladdin was one of the last Mob run casinos still standing and the gaming Control Board ordered it shut down in 1970.

Wayne Newton came to the rescue and business partner Ed Torres bought the property at a cost of 85 million dollars it was soon re opened, but its problems didn’t end there.

The Aladdin filed for bankruptcy in 1984 and again in 1989 current owner Jack summer bought the ailing property in 1994 he paid $80 million five million less than Wayne Newton and Ed Torres had paid 14 years earlier. The resort was imploded on April 27th, 1998, which was the demolition date 6 months after the original Aladdin closed on November 25th, 1997.

Sadly, the Aladdin is now more. Imploded and sent to the history books in traditional Las Vegas style. Explosives!

They shut down the strip and people ran to get the best views. In the Las Vegas tradition of going out with a bang. A big one. 

The Aladdin will be sorely missed by many. But was rebuilt and would soon reopen on the strip in the year 2000.