We've spent the last two days reexploring Las Vegas. The last time we were here was fifteen years ago. There have been quite a few changes in that time. Not all are good, in our opinion.
The main reason we stopped for these past two days on our way back to Yuma was to experience a show at the Sphere. I had heard this new entertainment venue was an amazing and unique experience, and it sure was. You get to experience the show in 4D. Wow!!
Showing while we're here is a reworked version of the original movie, The Wizard of Oz. It was 75 minutes of incredible entertainment.
The sphere screen surrounds you almost 360 degrees. Everything is in 3D, and makes you feel as if you are in the show. I did notice that if you look at the area where the seats meet the screen, it feels as if the seats are actually moving. I can imagine it could be an issue for someone with vertigo or motion sickness. But, if I only looked at the screen, it was fine.
As we walked up to the venue, I took some pictures. It is really quite massive. The scaffolding in the road of the first picture is in preparation for an upcoming Formula One race.
Getting in was very organized. The lobby had some displays and, of course, a gift shop.
I had researched where the best seats are. It was suggested middle of theater, about half way up. They were great seats. The seating is quite steep, so it was a little scary getting seated. It is said the stage is created in the style of Radio City Music Hall.
The first few minutes start out on just the screen above the stage. Then it switches to the whole theater. What an amazing moment!! There is no way to capture the whole screen in one picture, so I took a video of when it first appeared. Hope it gives you an idea.
The colors and clarity were incredible. The best 4D part of the show was the tornado portion. Huge fans were blowing fake leaves all over. Our seats were vibrating. The tornado totally looked like it was coming right at us. Fantastic!!
This very short video clip shows how audience members were reacting.
Here are a few more pictures.
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The end after the credits
During the scene where the flying monkeys capture Dorothy, there were actual flying monkey replicas flying over the audience. One of them was hanging in the lobby after the show.
Here are a few pictures of the outside after dark.
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There is no way to capture just how awesome the experience was in pictures. You'll just have to go see it for yourselves!!
We stayed at Circus, Circus, mainly because they had free parking, and it was inexpensive. We had stayed here many years ago. Well, it's looking pretty old, dated and in need of some TLC. They do still have a free show at their Midway area. We saw an aerial family act from Argentina. They were quite good.
Our first day we wandered along the Strip finding some happy hour drinks and appetizers as we went. We walked to the Bellagio because I wanted to see the water show.
Walking along the Strip has become more difficult. Often, you have to go up and over walkways or go through shops or hotels. This adds more walking and confusion.
Also, since we were last here, the Treasure Island hotel has discontinued their outdoor pirate show. The Mirage which used to have a volcano erupt outside is being torn down for a Hard Rock. Lots of new hotels and casinos.
Since I don't gamble, my favorite part of Vegas has always been The Bellagio water show. Well, it too was a disappointment. It's much shorter now, and they no longer play the beautiful music with the water synced to it.
I do love the Chihuly glass on the ceiling in the lobby.
The shopping area at Ceasars Palace had a free animatronic show called Atlantis. It was laughable. The technology was terrible.
They did have a beautiful fountain.
This was our fourth time here (1996, 2005, 2010 and 2025), and most likely the last. Prices are super high. Food and drinks have especially gone way up. Shows are also pricey as are most of the hotels. I'm not surprised their tourism numbers are down.
I forgot that we are not as young as we used to be, and figured we could walk the Strip like we did in the past. The first day we walked a total of about 10 miles. Today, it was about 5 miles. Our feet hurt!!!
Tomorrow we head home to Yuma. We are very much looking forward to a fun filled winter at our resort, and seeing our friends again!
