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For decades, Las Vegas didn't need all-inclusive packages because it had something better: the casino cross-subsidy. Cheap buffets, discounted rooms and free drinks on the floor were funded by gambling losses — and even non-gamblers benefited from the low prices.
That model has eroded. Now, room comps and freebies are more targeted, and loyal players benefit the most. Costs that used to be minimal have also crept up. Resort fees can run more than $50 per night. Parking, once free, is now largely paid. Many buffets closed post-pandemic.
This week, MGM Resorts announced what it’s billing as an “all-inclusive” experience. Starting at $330 plus tax for a two-night stay for two guests at Luxor Hotel & Casino or Excalibur Hotel & Casino, it’s more like a vacation bundle. Still, it could be a good deal for travelers who can maximize it.
What’s the deal?
Starting March 25, 2026, guests can book a two-night stay at Luxor or Excalibur, bundling accommodations, resort fees, three meals per day, two show tickets, two Big Apple Coaster rides at New York-New York and self-parking. The package is valid for travel dates beginning April 6, with no blackout dates.
It’s only bookable directly through MGM, but not through online travel agencies or Marriott's channels (Marriott has a partnership with MGM).
Is this a good deal?
On paper, it’s an incredible deal. Here’s what individual costs look like on off-peak nights (like a weekday in March):
| What’s included? | Estimated a la carte cost (off-peak night) |
|---|---|
| 2-stay at Luxor or Excalibur with double occupancy + resort fees | $135. |
| 3 meals per day per guest, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner* | $400. |
| 1 beer or wine per meal (12 total) | $170. |
| 2 tickets to one MGM Resorts show per stay, from a select list | $80–$150. |
| 2 Big Apple Coaster rides at New York-New York | $50. |
| Self-parking for one vehicle at any MGM Resorts Las Vegas property (2 nights) | $40. |
| Total a la carte estimate | $875 to $945 + gratuity. |
| Starting package price | $330 + tax + gratuity. |
| * Redeemable at a selection of MGM Resorts restaurants across Luxor, Excalibur, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and New York-New York. Methodology: Prices were based on the lowest-available listed price directly from the MGM Resorts website. | |
That’s roughly 65% off the a la carte price. But the value hinges almost entirely on meals, which is where "all-inclusive" gets complicated.
Dining is at casual venues with “dedicated” (read: limited) menus and one beer or wine per person. Eligible restaurants are:
- Excalibur: TAP Sports Bar, The Buffet at Excalibur.
- Luxor: Diablo’s Cantina, Pyramid Café, Public House, Backstage Deli.
- New York-New York: Tom’s Watch Bar.
- Mandalay Bay: Noodle Shop.
- MGM Grand: MGM Grand Buffet, TAP Sports Bar.
Each property’s best restaurants, such as MGM Grand’s Joël Robuchon and Hakkasan Restaurant, are excluded.
The show lineup is also limited to lower-priced shows like the Blue Man Group and Carrot Top, with tickets on off-peak nights typically running $40 to $60 each. This package won’t cover the top-tier shows such as Cirque du Soleil.
When it makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
If you eat at the included venues, you come out ahead on food costs alone. Add the shows, parking and coaster, and this is one of the Strip’s few genuine bargains.
“We’re trying to give a value-driven experience,” says Mike Neubecker, president and chief operating officer of MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, New York-New York, Luxor & Excalibur. “When putting this together, we asked, 'how do we create a package that’s at an incredibly reasonable price?'”
Of course, counting this as a deal assumes you have a car, you’ll drink the alcohol and you’d actually see the shows — otherwise you’re overpaying for inclusions you won’t use. Plus, the limited-use dining vouchers mean you could miss out on some of the best restaurants in the country. If you'd rather hit a Gordon Ramsay restaurant or splurge on sushi, you'd lose out on that value. You’re also tied to staying at the Luxor or Excalibur, two of MGM’s more budget-friendly options — and not typically considered the best hotels in Las Vegas.
Neubecker says MGM intentionally omitted fine dining restaurants and tied the package to MGM’s two cheapest hotels to keep prices as low as possible.
Still, the math is forgiving enough that even if you didn’t use the $40 worth of parking, or you skipped an included meal in favor of a $7 donut from the Hello Kitty Cafe, you could still come out ahead. More than the specific savings, paying for everything upfront could also make budgeting easier — and if a bundle like this curbs vacation spending, that might be the real jackpot.
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