The fountains at the Bellagio are one of the most iconic sights in all of Las Vegas, and thousands of people flock to the shows every day. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, and you might be surprised to learn just how much it takes to make these shows possible.
- It cost a whopping $50 million to build the Bellagio Fountains, but the initial budget was set at just $4.5 million. There are numerous causes for the significant price increase, but the most notable include the rush order put on the project, the demand for pricier materials, and the continued addition of more features to make the fountains truly spectacular.
- Every single day, the fountains’ filters clean some five million gallons of water, and the huge crew takes four days to turn over the lake water.
- Tourists tend to treat the Bellagio fountains like a wishing well, which means countless coins find their way into the lake every day. The team filters them (and other heavy objects) with a barge, and they donate all the coins they collect to several charities.
- Half of the Bellagio’s fountain staff have worked at the venue since it first opened, and every single member is scuba-certified, too. The area they work out of is lovingly called the “Batcave” because it’s where they store boats, the barge they use for cleaning, and all the equipment they use regularly.
- Some of the shows put on at the Bellagio’s fountains incorporate the use of dense fog for ambience. When this feature was first used, people would call the fire department because they thought the fog was smoke.
- When Hyde was still open on the property, it allowed guests to get involved in the fountain shows for the meager cost of just $250,000. They could not only choose the song, but they could also start the show and even toast with champagne at no extra cost. The Mayfair Supper Club now exists where Hyde once did, and the quarter-million-dollar experience is no longer offered.
- It costs more than $10,000 a day to run the fountains. The $10,000 to $15,000 estimates are pre-pandemic estimates, so thanks to inflation and supply chain issues, it’s likely to cost even more now.
- The lakes in which the fountains reside hold an absolutely mind-boggling 22 million gallons of water. Lake Bellagio in Italy inspired the nine-acre lake, and it’s home to 1,200 nozzles, 8,000 meters of piping, and 4,500 lights. These nozzles can fire water 460 feet into the air, and it’s quite the dazzling display when choreographed with music and lights.
- There’s always a show either happening or just about to happen. Monday through Friday, you can view a show every 30 minutes between 3:00 and 8:00pm, or every 15 minutes between 8:00pm and midnight. On the weekends and on holidays, the 30-minute shows kick off at noon, but the rest of the schedule remains the same.
- The music chosen for the fountain shows runs the gamut of genres. You’ll hear songs from artists like Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and even the beloved Luciano Pavaratti.
If you’re planning to see the fountains at the Bellagio in all their famous glory, consider scheduling a Las Vegas limo tour. The Bellagio fountains are just one stop of many, and you’ll have the opportunity to take photos at every one.
