Just a few comments after reading through the thread:
-Vegas has lots of great inexpensive activities.
-You can't expect to stay/visit the most trendy/touristy spots and expect it to be dirt cheap (anywhere).
-The whole "make it family oriented" idea bombed big time (When you have your kids, you aren't going to gamble as much).
-Its more profitable to cater to people who come to gamble and live it up than compared to the Griswolds on their family vacation.
-Vegas simply is not the place for toddlers, especially if you're on a gambling/drinking binge.
-Downtown has MUCH better odd/deals than the strip.
-Giving away endless drinks to people milking a nickel slot is the opposite of profitable/sustainable.
-Paying $200+ to see Britney or Rod is obscene. In the past 2 years, I haven't spent over $300 combined on tickets...
In Vegas I've gotten to see The Village People, DOA, Joan Jett 2x, Motley Crue, ELP, Blue Oyster Cult, Guttermouth, Kansas, Accept, Pat Benatar, AC/DC, Foreigner, Agent Orange, Styx, and dozens more (most of 'em from close enough to smell the beer on their breath).
-Strip shows charge high prices because there are enough people willing to pay it, begrudgingly or otherwise.
-Casinos make their money from people who don't make good monetary decisions. Most people will make a poor odds bet over a good bet as long as it has a blinking red light above it.
-Resort fees suck and is just a marketing strategy to be able to appear to offer low room rates.
I refuse to pay for parking and can cost them my patronage (being a local, it's not usually an issue though) Although there are still places to park for free if you know where/how