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M-G-M Grand Adventures
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MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park was a theme park adjacent to the MGM Grand Hotel and casino in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It opened in December 18, 1993, and it closed to the public on September 4, 2000. In 2001, the park was renamed "The Park at MGM Grand" and it was later used for business operations until being permanently closed in 2002. The character mascots featured at the park were a child friendly version of Leo the Lion known as King Looey, Popeye, Bluto, Olive Oyl and Betty Boop.
The Grand Hotel opened as the Marina Hotel and Casino in 1975, at 3805 Las Vegas Boulevard and later as the MGM Grand in December 18, 1993. The $1 billion, 5,005 room dream became a reality making the MGM the largest hotel in the United States. The MGM Grand sat on approximately 112 acres, with 171,500 square feet of casino (larger than Yankee Stadium's field), eight restaurants, five lounges and bars, 23 retail shops, and 158,000 square feet of meeting space. When entering the resort, guests were greeted by the characters from the Wizard of Oz on the yellow brick road. Looking up at the ceiling one could see the silhouette of the Wicked Witch of West flying, and various jack-in-the-boxes on top of some of the slot machines would have munchkins popping out.
The Emerald City Casino was a seven-story replica of the City of Oz, complete with The Wizard's Secret, a multi-media magic show. This casino was the largest of the four MGM Grand gaming areas with the Flying Monkey Bar contained inside. The Hollywood Casino contained bright lights & footlights, marquees, and celebrity look-alikes. One could have a drink in the Center Stage Lounge. The Monte Carlo Casino contained Baccarat with traditional table games with the Betty Boop Bar contained inside.
Betty Boop at MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park
A Betty Boop impersonator known as Angelia played Betty in person at MGM's Grand Theme Park for eight years, starting in 1993. The role was also played on and off by Diana Rice, who had won a "Boop-A-Like Contest" in 1995.
Diana Rice as Betty Boop.
MGM Grand Hotel
- At MGM's Grand Hotel, the character was portrayed by Terri Gandy from 1999 to 2001.
- The casino in the "Betty Boop Lounge" and "Betty Boop Bar" featured Bally slot machines and official Betty Boop arcade tokens and chips.
Trivia
- In 1993, plans for a Betty Boop film by MGM were made but the film was later scrapped.
- The site has been occupied by The Signature at MGM Grand since 2006.
- MGM also licensed rights to many non-MGM characters including the Three Stooges.
- Betty Boop merchandise was sold at the MGM Grand Hotel. This also included Betty Boop make-up kits for girls.