If you’re staring at your screen wondering is Mandalay Bay closed, the short answer is a hard no. It’s wide open. But I get why you’re asking. Between the wild rumors that fly around TikTok and the lingering memories of the 2020 lockdowns, people get confused. Vegas is a place of constant flux. One day a casino is the king of the Strip, and the next, it’s being imploded to make room for a baseball stadium—rest in peace, Tropicana.
Mandalay Bay isn't going anywhere.
Honestly, it’s busier than ever. Walk into the lobby on a Tuesday afternoon and you’ll still see a sea of lanyard-wearing convention-goers mixing with families lugging inflatable tubes toward the wave pool. It’s a massive, gold-tinted ecosystem at the far south end of the Strip. If it were closed, you’d hear the collective gasp from every travel agent in North America.
Why People Keep Asking if Mandalay Bay is Shutting Down
Rumors are a plague in Las Vegas. Sometimes a specific tower goes under renovation and people freak out. Other times, it’s just the "South Strip" stigma. Because Mandalay Bay sits way down past Luxor and Excalibur, it can feel a bit like an island. When nearby projects stall or older hotels like the Tropicana actually close their doors for good, the internet starts speculating about the neighbors.
It's also worth noting that MGM Resorts, the parent company, frequently shuffles its deck. They sold the land under Mandalay Bay to Blackstone and VICI Properties years ago in a "sale-leaseback" deal. To a casual observer reading a business headline, "MGM Sells Mandalay Bay" looks like a closure. In reality, it’s just a real estate shell game. MGM still runs the show; they just pay rent now.
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Then you have the Delano. It’s the "hotel within a hotel" at Mandalay Bay. Sometimes the Delano has different booking windows or specific floors closed for maintenance. If a traveler tries to book a specific suite and sees "unavailable," they hop on Reddit and ask if the whole resort is toast. It isn't.
The Reality of the "New" Mandalay Bay Experience
The resort has actually been pouring money into itself lately. They recently wrapped up a massive $100 million remodel of their convention center. You don't spend nine figures on a paint job if you're planning to lock the doors.
The vibe there is shifting, too. While it used to be the "tropical getaway" spot, it’s leaning harder into the sports and entertainment world. With Allegiant Stadium literally right across the bridge, Mandalay Bay has become the unofficial headquarters for Raiders fans and concert-goers. On game days, the place is a madhouse.
What is actually open right now?
Pretty much everything. The Shark Reef Aquarium is still humming along with its sawfish and localized shipwrecks. The Shoppes at Mandalay Place—that bridge connecting it to Luxor—is still full of niche bars like Ri Ra Irish Pub and Fat Tuesday.
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- The Beach: The 11-acre pool complex is seasonal, but it's the resort's crown jewel.
- Dining: From the high-end cuts at StripSteak to the casual vibes at Border Grill, the kitchens are hot.
- Entertainment: Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil is still a permanent fixture.
- The Foundation Room: Still sitting at the top, offering some of the best views of the Strip.
Navigation and Logistics: Getting There
Because it’s at the end of the line, getting to Mandalay Bay requires a plan. If you’re staying at the Wynn or Caesars, you aren't walking there. Not in that heat. You’ll die. Or at least your feet will.
The free tram is your best friend. It runs between Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. It’s a bit rickety and smells like industrial cleaner, but it beats a $20 Uber for a three-minute ride. If you're driving, be prepared for the parking fees. MGM hiked them across the board recently. Unless you have high-tier status with MGM Rewards, you’re paying to play.
Misconceptions About the 43rd Floor and Beyond
We have to address the elephant in the room. Some people ask "is Mandalay Bay closed" because they are thinking about the 2017 tragedy. For a long time, the 32nd floor (specifically the suite involved) was out of commission.
The hotel handled it by renumbering floors and integrating the space back into the resort in a way that is respectful but functional. Life moved on. The hotel didn't shutter, and it didn't rebranded entirely, despite what some "experts" predicted at the time. It stayed the course.
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How to Check Real-Time Status
If you’re ever genuinely worried about a Vegas hotel closing before your trip, don't check social media. Go to the source.
- Check the MGM Rewards App: If you can book a room for tonight, they are open.
- Look at the Event Calendar: Check the schedule for the Michelob ULTRA Arena. If there’s a WNBA Las Vegas Aces game or a concert scheduled next month, the building is operational.
- Call the Front Desk: Sounds old school, but it works.
There have been times when specific amenities closed. During the 2023 cyberattack on MGM Resorts, the systems were "closed" in a sense. Digital keys didn't work. Slot machines went dark. People had to wait in eight-hour lines just to check in. It was a mess, but the physical building remained open. That event fueled a lot of the "Mandalay Bay is shutting down" searches that still linger in Google's cache today.
What to Expect If You Visit Next Week
Expect crowds. Expect expensive cocktails. Mandalay Bay has leaned into being a premium destination, so it’s not the budget-friendly spot it was in the early 2000s.
The rooms in the main tower are solid—spacious, with those floor-to-ceiling windows that make the gold tint on the outside worth it. If you want something quieter, the Delano is the move. It has no casino floor, so it’s a sanctuary from the dings and whistles of the slots. Plus, every room there is a suite.
Insider Tips for Mandalay Bay
- The Secret Entrance: If you're taking a rideshare, use the Delano entrance. It’s usually way less congested than the main Mandalay Bay valet.
- The Food Court: It’s hidden near the convention center wing. If you don’t want to spend $40 on a sit-down breakfast, go find the Starbucks and the quick-serve spots back there.
- The Wave Pool: Check the schedule. They occasionally close it for private events or concerts (Beach Concert Series), and you don't want to show up in your trunks only to be turned away.
Final Word on the Status
Mandalay Bay is a pillar of the Las Vegas Strip. While rumors might swirl because of its location or the general chaos of the hospitality industry, it remains a fully functional, high-occupancy resort.
Whether you're going for a convention, a Raiders game, or just to see some sharks, the lights are on. The gold glass is still shining. Just make sure you bring comfortable shoes, because the walk from the front desk to the elevators is basically a marathon.
Practical Next Steps
- Verify your dates: Use the official MGM Resorts website to check for any "blackout" dates which might indicate a full-property buyout for a massive convention.
- Check the pool schedule: If you are visiting between October and March, call ahead to see which pools are heated and open; the full "Beach" experience is usually a summer-only affair.
- Join MGM Rewards: Even if you don't gamble, it’s the only way to get the "resort fees" waived if you hit a high enough tier, and it tracks your spending across the whole property.
- Download a map: The property is over 100 acres. Having a digital map of the casino floor will save you twenty minutes of wandering aimlessly near the sportsbook.