Las Vegas attractions of old returning? Resorts quiet as pirate buzz builds on the Strip

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One of the most popular free attractions on the Las Vegas Strip closed 12 years ago when Treasure Island moved on from its pirate-themed past under new ownership.

Now, recent comments by Kelly Warnell, CEO of Screen Masters International, are fueling conversations about bringing the pirate ship battle back for one big night on Oct. 2, 2026. And that’s not the only Las Vegas entertainment spectacle Marnell is trying to revive. She’s also talking about the dragon in Excalibur’s moat. There has been mention of the overhead parade “Maquerade Show in the Sky” at Rio Hotel & Casino.

8 News Now reached Warnell on Friday as she traveled from Las Vegas to London, and she filled us in on her discussions with the resort companies.

“We’ve held multiple meetings with Treasure Island and can confirm that Pirates will return in some form on October 2nd, depending on redevelopment timelines at the property,” Warnell said in an email.

The lagoon at Treasure Island has been drained in this Monday, July 22, 2024, photo. (Greg Haas / 8NewsNow)

“Our goal is to stay true to the original spectacle, ideally we would love to ‘sink the ship’ again and stay as true to the original pirate stunt show as possible,” she said. “Those final decisions rest with the venue and we will evolve accordingly.”

Treasure Island representatives haven’t volunteered anything further. “We’ll get back to you once we have additional information,” a spokesperson said on Thursday. That response certainly leaves the door open.

A general view of the Treasure Island hotel and casino Thursday, May 3, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The pirate ship battle began as “The Battle of Buccaneer Bay” when the resort opened in 1993, transitioning to a sexier “Sirens of TI” show in 2003, and closing in 2013 to make way for retail space at the resort. The show reportedly cost $5 million a year to put on, employing 22 actors.

As a talent and management agency, Warnell’s company represents actors. Screen Masters International has offices all across the world.

Warnell has been working for four years to launch HallowScreamCon and HallowScreamFest, October events that are scheduled to begin in 2026. The outsized attention to her remarks about the pirate show seemed to take her a little by surprise. After all, she said she’s planning a lot more than that.

“To clarify, we currently have 22 activations in discussion across a 24-hour period beginning October 2nd, 2026 (some bigger than the ones being spoken about). Festivities will launch with a 7 a.m. Monster & Zombie Run from BLVD to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, marking the official start of HallowScreamFest,” Warnell said in her email.

She said there’s a lot more to talk about, and she will make announcements as she can. Look to 8 News Now for more coverage as Warnell releases details.

Circling back to the ones we heard about in her Oct. 28 comments:

There’s a bit of a disconnect between Warnell’s comments and MGM’s public relations team.

On the possibility of reviving the dragon in the moat at Excalibur Hotel & Casino, “We don’t have any knowledge of anything like this at Excalibur,” an MGM official said.

But Warnell said on Friday, “Discussions about possibilities with Murphy the Dragon have taken place and these discussions will continue to develop with the MGM team.”

LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 19: An aerial photo shows the Excalibur Hotel-Casino October 19, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Companies are sometimes tight-lipped about projects, releasing information on their own schedules and rarely divulging any detail that isn’t already on a press release. It’s also possible that discussions are so early that they haven’t been shared with all MGM departments.

At the Rio, once home to the popular Mardi Gras-themed “Show in the Sky,” the answers were more definitive.

“Rio Las Vegas takes great pride in its iconic past and the memories it has created for generations of guests. While there are currently no plans to bring back Masquerade Show in the Sky, we remain committed to honoring its legacy while shaping an exciting future. We will keep everyone apprised of our plans for the resort as they unfold,” a Rio spokesperson said.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 05: An exterior view shows a marquee at the Rio Hotel & Casino on December 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

There’s not much wiggle room in what officials are saying, but if you look hard enough, “no current plans” 11 months ahead of October? Maybe beads will rain down from parade platforms running on ceiling-mounted rails again someday.

And the Rio dream might be the most recent, Warnell explained.

“I had not previously been aware of it and explained that, although it sounded interesting, we had not reached out to property and weren’t sure if it was of interest, but after public interest surged, I’ve since visited the property and reached out to key contacts there,” Warnell said. “We’re awaiting their response to see what is and isn’t possible and whether there is interest in being involved.”

Warnell said the response from the public has been extraordinary. “Thousands of messages (mostly very positive!) and countless suggestions for beloved Vegas moments they’d like to see reborn. Our approach is simple: if it’s possible, we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.”

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