The STRAT Tower Unlimited Ride Pass Ticket

The STRAT Tower turns sightseeing into a test of nerve. You rise more than 100 stories to a 1,149-foot observation deck, then can fling yourself over the edge on X-Scream or shoot 160 feet into the air on Big Shot. The views are broad, but the rides are the real reason to come.

I like two things here: the pass lets you repeat the included rides without buying another ticket, and the observation deck gives you a clear look along the Las Vegas Strip and far beyond it. The high-speed elevator ride also gets you to the top quickly when operations are running normally.

The important catch is ride availability. The pass is sold as an unlimited ride package, yet maintenance, staffing, or weather can leave only one attraction open. The ticket wording also varies between two included rides and three attractions, so check exactly what is operating before you commit.

Key points before you buy

• Repeat rides in one visit: Big Shot and X-Scream are included for unlimited rides during the operating day, not unlimited access on future dates.
• A 1,149-foot observation deck: The SkyPod provides wide views of the Strip and the surrounding area, with food, drinks, shops, and restrooms at the top.
• Two very different thrills: X-Scream sends you out over the edge, while Big Shot launches you straight up and back down.
• Ride closures are the biggest risk: Insanity has been closed for extended periods according to multiple accounts, and other rides can close for maintenance or weather.
• Plan around 2pm to 10pm hours: Those are the stated daily ride hours, though they can change without notice.
• Check the fine print for SkyJump: SkyJump is included only when that option is selected, with separate age, height, and weight rules.

Reaching the STRAT SkyPod from the north end of the Strip

The STRAT sits at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard, apart from the densest cluster of Strip resorts. That location gives the top a useful viewing angle. You can look south along the Strip, north toward the less polished edges of Las Vegas, and outward toward the surrounding desert and mountains.

To reach the tower entrance, use the escalator across from the main entrance and walk through the retail shops to the SkyPod entrance. Another route begins near the STRAT Café, where an escalator leads through the showroom lobby. You do not receive hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way there. Public transportation is nearby.

The pass helps you skip the separate ticket-buying step, but it does not guarantee a fast ride to the top. One especially poor experience involved a wait of more than an hour because only one elevator was working. That may not happen on your visit, but it is a good reason to arrive early rather than showing up at the busiest part of the evening.

The ride hours are listed as 2pm to 10pm daily. Since the hours can change without warning, I would not plan to arrive at 9:30pm and expect plenty of time. Some people have been turned away late in the evening and told to return another day, only to have trouble getting access then. Go with enough time for ticket checks, elevator lines, weather delays, and repeat rides.

The 1,149-foot observation deck gives you the best reason to slow down

The SkyPod Experience Observation Deck is included with the pass. At 1,149 feet, it gives you the high view that makes the STRAT different from a standard casino attraction. The Strip becomes a long ribbon of hotels, lights, roads, and traffic, while the surrounding area opens out in every direction.

I would visit the deck before riding. It gives you a chance to settle your stomach, take photographs, and understand just how high the rides are before you strap in. The deck also works well for family members or friends who want the view but not the launch-and-drop routine.

The top is not only an outdoor thrill platform. Food and drinks are available at 108 Eats and 108 Drinks, including sandwiches, ice cream, cookies, and cocktails. The two-level indoor and outdoor deck also has interactive video maps and retail shops. Restrooms are available upstairs, which is useful since you may spend several hours in the tower.

The setting is practical rather than intimate. Some of the upper areas can look dated, and a few visitors have found the presentation less polished than the price suggests. Still, the view is the part that holds up best. If the rides are closed, the SkyPod can rescue the visit, but I would not pay $133.99 per person for the view alone unless the tower is a high priority for you.

X-Scream sends you past the edge of the building

X-Scream is the STRAT’s signature stomach-drop ride. The car rolls 27 feet beyond the edge of the tower, leaving you hanging 109 stories above the ground before it rocks back and repeats the motion. The ride is not a normal roller coaster with a long track. It is a short, sharp mechanical swing that makes the drop feel personal.

Your position matters. The front provides the most exposed sensation, while other seats may feel less dramatic. If the line is short, I would ride once to understand the motion, then choose your preferred position for a second turn.

The ride includes vertical and horizontal jolting, and it is not recommended for people with physical, mental, or medical limitations. The minimum height is 52 inches. The height, open-air position, and repeated forward motion make this a poor choice if you dislike sudden movement or exposed heights.

X-Scream is also the attraction most likely to make the observation deck seem tame. You get the city view before the car moves, then the same view changes completely when the machine carries you beyond the roofline. That contrast is what makes the ride memorable.

Big Shot fires you 160 feet above the tower

Big Shot takes a different approach. Instead of projecting you outward, it launches you 160 feet straight up from the top of the tower, then drops you back toward the launch platform. The fast vertical movement creates strong g-forces and a brief weightless feeling.

I find Big Shot easier to understand than X-Scream because the motion is direct: up, down, and repeat. That does not make it gentle. The height remains extreme, and the speed gives the ride its punch. You need to be at least 48 inches tall, and the attraction is not recommended for anyone with relevant physical, mental, or medical limitations.

Big Shot is a good reason to buy an unlimited pass if the ride is operating and you enjoy repeats. A single ride may leave you wanting another turn, especially if you are visiting with someone who is eager to compare reactions. If Big Shot is closed, however, the value of an unlimited package drops quickly.

The third-ride confusion deserves your attention

The supplied ticket information is not perfectly consistent. One section describes the pass as covering two rides, X-Scream and Big Shot. Another refers to access to three thrilling rides, while the inclusion details mention SkyJump only if that option is selected. The additional information and ride requirements also discuss Insanity, an attraction that appears in several accounts as closed for maintenance.

You should not assume that an unlimited pass guarantees three working rides. At the very least, confirm the current operating attractions directly with the STRAT before booking or before making your way across Las Vegas. Ask which of Big Shot, X-Scream, Insanity, and SkyJump are open and which are included in your exact ticket option.

This is not a minor technical point. Several people arrived expecting all three tower rides and found only one or two available. In some cases, an attraction had reportedly been closed for months, with no alternative ride or partial discount offered. If the attraction you most want is not operating, the pass may no longer make financial sense.

SkyJump is a separate choice, not an automatic extra

SkyJump is listed as included only if you select that option. Do not treat it as part of the standard Big Shot and X-Scream package unless your booking clearly says so.

The requirements are strict. You must be at least 14 years old, at least 52 inches tall, and no more than 265 pounds. The harness and gear weigh 10 pounds, making the total equipment capacity 275 pounds. Anyone aged 14 to 17 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the authorization waiver.

SkyJump is also not recommended for people with physical, mental, or medical limitations. Since the supplied information does not give a separate SkyJump schedule or guarantee its operation, verify the details before paying for that version of the ticket.

For most people comparing the standard pass, the practical question is simple: do you want the two tower rides and the observation deck, or do you specifically want a controlled jump from the tower? Those are different experiences and should be priced and planned separately.

How much value do you get for $133.99?

At $133.99 per person, this is not a casual add-on. The pass earns its price through repeat rides, not through a single turn on one attraction. If both Big Shot and X-Scream are running and you ride several times, the unlimited format can be useful. The observation deck, which is included, adds another reason to stay for a few hours.

The math changes when a ride is closed. If you pay for unlimited access but can only use one attraction, you are paying a premium for a feature you cannot use. The same problem applies if long elevator queues or late operating hours leave you with little time upstairs.

I would buy this pass only after confirming that the rides you want are operating. If you are already staying at the STRAT or nearby, you have more flexibility to check the tower and return. If you are making a special trip from another part of the city, the risk is greater.

Food and drinks cost extra. The bar can be worthwhile during happy hour, when buy-one-get-one-free drink offers have made the prices easier to accept. Without such a deal, reported drink prices of about $12 to $18 make the top a pricey place to linger.

Parking is not free according to the current information, though the fee is described as nominal. Oversize parking is available in the lot across Las Vegas Boulevard, east of the casino. That detail matters if you are driving a large vehicle.

Weather and maintenance can change the whole visit

The rides require good weather. Wind and other poor conditions can close the attractions, sometimes after you have already arrived. If the experience is canceled because of weather, you should be offered another date or a full refund, but weather can still turn a planned afternoon into a wait.

One account describes waiting about 90 minutes for rides to reopen after a weather closure. That is a useful warning: do not schedule this immediately before a show, dinner reservation, airport transfer, or other fixed plan.

Maintenance is the more troubling concern because a long-term closure is harder to anticipate. Insanity has reportedly been unavailable for six months or more in some accounts, and another attraction was said to have been closed for nearly a year. The pass information does not promise a partial refund when a listed ride is unavailable, so ask about the policy before purchase.

Security and staff interactions can also shape the visit. One person reported a stolen phone and felt the security response was unhelpful. I would keep your phone secure around queues and ride platforms, and I would save any booking confirmations and written answers about ride availability.

Who will enjoy this pass most?

This is a strong fit for thrill fans who want more than a single photo from a tower. You will get the most from it if you are comfortable with exposed heights, fast launches, and repeated rides. A four-hour visit gives you enough time to see the SkyPod, eat or have a drink, and ride several times if lines and operations cooperate.

It also suits a small group with mixed interests. One person can take photographs or enjoy 108 Drinks while another rides Big Shot or X-Scream. The observation deck gives non-riders a reason to come along, though the ticket price may feel high for anyone who plans to skip the attractions.

I would be cautious with young children because the height requirements limit access. Big Shot requires a minimum height of 48 inches, while X-Scream and SkyJump require 52 inches. SkyJump also has the minimum age of 14.

This is less suitable for a tightly scheduled evening, anyone who dislikes uncertain operations, or anyone choosing the pass mainly for a guaranteed three-ride experience. The ticket cannot control maintenance, staffing, elevator capacity, or weather.

Plan your visit around the rides, not just sunset

A late-day visit can offer attractive views as Las Vegas changes from daylight to neon, but arriving too late creates avoidable problems. The stated ride window ends at 10pm, and operating hours may change. I would arrive well before the evening rush and use the first part of the visit to confirm which attractions are open.

Allow about four hours if you want the full experience. That estimate gives you time for the elevator, observation deck, food or drinks, and multiple rides. It is not a guarantee of four hours of ride access, especially if weather or queues interfere.

Bring a plan for the people in your group. Decide who will ride, who will wait, and whether everyone wants to repeat the same attraction. A pass works best when you actually use the unlimited feature. If your group wants one ride each and a quick look at the city, a simpler admission option may be better value.

The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. I would use that deadline to recheck the weather and current ride status, then cancel in time if the conditions no longer suit your plans.

Should you book the STRAT Unlimited Ride Pass?

Book it if you want repeated turns on Big Shot and X-Scream, value the 1,149-foot view, and can confirm that the rides are open. The best part is the combination of a major city view with two very different high-altitude thrills. Big Shot supplies the vertical punch, while X-Scream gives you the unnerving feeling of rolling beyond the roof.

Skip it, or wait to purchase, if the tower’s ride status is unclear. The mixed 3.5 out of 5 rating from 131 ratings reflects the central issue: the rides that work can be terrific, but long elevator waits, weather delays, dated areas, and extended maintenance closures can leave you paying full price for a shortened experience.

My practical choice would be to contact the STRAT before booking, confirm the exact attractions included in your ticket, and arrive early enough to ride before the final hour. If both main rides are operating and you plan to repeat them, $133.99 can be reasonable. If only one is open, pay for the view only if that view matters enough to justify the cost.

FAQ

Where is the STRAT Tower?

The STRAT is at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What does the Unlimited Ride Pass include?

The pass includes admission to the SkyPod Experience Observation Deck and unlimited tower rides, including Big Shot and X-Scream. SkyJump is included only if you select that option.

How high is the STRAT observation deck?

The observation deck is 1,149 feet, or 350 meters, above the ground.

What time are the rides open?

The listed ride hours are 2pm to 10pm daily. Hours can change without notice.

What is the minimum height for Big Shot?

You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Big Shot.

What is the minimum height for X-Scream?

You must be at least 52 inches tall to ride X-Scream.

What are the requirements for SkyJump?

SkyJump participants must be at least 14 years old and at least 52 inches tall. The maximum weight is 265 pounds, with a total capacity of 275 pounds including the 10-pound harness and gear.

Can teenagers ride SkyJump without an adult?

No. Participants aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who must sign an authorization waiver.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.