RENDERING COURTESY OF CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT
A new thrill ride, a zip line-like attraction called Voodoo Skyline, is expected to open this summer at the Rio. It will connect the resort's two towers.
By HOWARD STUTZ
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
A zip line-like thrill ride will connect the two towers of the Rio and send guests soaring more than 400 feet above the off-Strip hotel-casino.
The attraction, dubbed the Voodoo Skyline, is expected to open later this summer, officials with the project said Wednesday.
Rides will start from the VooDoo Lounge, atop the Rio’s 50-story Masquerade Tower.
Guests will travel 845 feet to the top of the 20-story Ipanema tower, reaching speeds of up to 33 miles per hour. Riders will then make a return trip — upward through a motorized pulley system while traveling backwards at 25 miles an hour — to the starting point.
The total ride covers nearly one-third of a mile and takes 1 minute and 10 seconds from start to finish.
Riders will have 360-degree open-air views of the Strip.
Jonathan Borchetta, a professional photographer who would photograph Las Vegas from the restaurant and nightclub, said the citywide views gave him the idea of a thrill ride. The concept was solidified, he said, when he saw people repelling off the hotel-casino tower for charity.
He and partner Joe Shortal formed New Capital Ventures with Stan Checketts, the creator of more than 200 amusement rides including the Big Shot at Stratosphere.
“It’s going to be different than a typical zip line,” Shortal said. “This type of system is viewed as much safer than a regular zip line because you can’t get hung up.”
Cost to build the attraction is “under $1 million,” Shortal said.
The business is leasing the space for the ride atop the Rio and is expected to employ 35 to 40 full-time workers to operate the system. Caesars Entertainment Corp., which owns the Rio, is sharing in the ride’s proceeds.
Rio Director of Hotel Operations Kevin Donnelly said he was sold on the idea because it was another way for guests to sample the views of Las Vegas offered the VooDoo Lounge facility.
“You can take pictures going one way, and video on the way back,” Donnelly said. “This attraction will please thrillseekers.”
The thrill ride will be open from noon to midnight daily. Cost per ride is expected to be $25 per person in the daytime and $40 in the evenings. Shortal said he hopes the ride will be open by late July or early August.
“There will be some great views for photos,” Borchetta said.
The developers received approvals the Federal Aviation Administration and Clark County to operate VooDoo Skyline.
Zip lines are popping up in Las Vegas.
A currently operating Fremont Street zip line is being replaced by Slotzilla, a 100-foot-tall slot machine-themed structure with two landing pads. One pad is being built near the Fremont, 850 feet from the tower. The line will send riders 75 feet in the air under the world’s largest LED video screen.
The second landing pad is in front of the Golden Gate. The zip lines will hurl riders at speeds of 35 mph, as they lie flat on a harness in a “superhero position” 112 feet off the ground.
The $11 million attraction is on track to open in late June.
Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City offers several zip line experiences.
Last year, MGM Resorts International announced tentative plans for a zip line connecting Luxor and Excalibur over a series of zigzag lines.
Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
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