The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Las Vegas: Is It Worth It?
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Wondering if The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Las Vegas is worth it? Here’s our family review, including best seats, immersive effects, snacks, parking, and tips.
Estimated reading time: 25 minutes
If you had told me a few years ago that one of the coolest things I would ever do in Las Vegas would involve watching a movie from 1939, I probably would not have believed you.
And yet, here we are.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Las Vegas was honestly one of the coolest entertainment experiences we have ever had.
Not just in Las Vegas.
Ever.
I had wanted to see the Sphere pretty much from the moment it opened. When it was first unveiled, I remember seeing videos of it all over TikTok and thinking, yep… I absolutely need to go there someday.
And honestly, I will also forever regret not seeing U2 there when the Sphere first opened because one of my friends went and absolutely loved it. But even without a concert, I knew I wanted to experience the Sphere itself.
Then they announced The Wizard of Oz.
And I was basically sold immediately.
I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz on television. I remember it being one of those movies that came on every year and everybody watched it.
And listen. I love Wicked on Broadway. I really do.
But The Wizard of Oz is the OG.
This is Dorothy. The Scarecrow. The Tin Man. The Cowardly Lion. The Wicked Witch. The flying monkeys. The yellow brick road.
All of it.
So when I saw that Sphere was turning The Wizard of Oz into an immersive experience, I knew I wanted tickets.
The only question was whether my husband and teenage daughter would be as interested as I was.
Turns out, yes.
Very much yes.
We ended up doing The Wizard of Oz at Sphere on our very first night in Las Vegas before heading out on our Utah Mighty Five National Park road trip.
And I am so glad we did.
Is The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Worth It?
Yes.
Absolutely yes.
This is one of those experiences where I think the technology actually lives up to the hype.
And I don’t say that lightly.
There are plenty of attractions where you see all the glossy videos online, you show up, and you’re like…
Okay.
That was neat.
This was not that.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is genuinely immersive.
You aren’t just sitting in a theater watching an old movie on a really big screen.
The movie surrounds you.
The sound surrounds you.
The effects happen around you.
And at certain points, you genuinely feel like you have somehow been dropped into the movie.
That is what makes this so much fun.
And one of the things I really liked about it is that I think this works for a huge range of ages.
Kids will think the effects are cool.
Teens will think the whole Sphere experience is cool.
Adults will be impressed by the technology.
And if you grew up watching The Wizard of Oz like I did, there is a big nostalgia factor too.
This isn’t an attraction that I would categorize as “for little kids” or “for people who love old movies.”
Not at all.
It is just a really cool Las Vegas experience.
The Sphere Itself Is Part of the Attraction
One of the things I would definitely recommend is arriving early.
Do not treat this like a movie theater where you want to slide into your seat two minutes before the previews start.
Part of the fun is seeing the Sphere itself.
The outside of the building is obviously incredible, especially when the massive exterior screen is showing Wizard of Oz imagery.
And during our visit, there were giant ruby slippers outside that were absolutely perfect for photos.
Honestly, everything about arriving feels like part of the experience.
You walk up and see this enormous glowing sphere covered in Wizard of Oz graphics.
Then you have these huge ruby slippers sitting outside.
It immediately feels like something special is happening.
This is not subtle entertainment.
It is Las Vegas.
Of course it is enormous.
Inside the Sphere Before the Show
Once we went inside, there were more Wizard of Oz touches throughout the building.
One of the displays featured the Kansas farmhouse inside a glowing sphere, which was a fun little preview of what was coming.
There were also themed food and drink options.
And yes, we participated.
My daughter got a really fun ice cream sandwich, and I got fancy popcorn.
Because obviously.
If I am already paying Sphere prices to watch Dorothy go to Oz, I might as well fully commit.
I actually think the snacks are part of the fun here, especially if you are bringing kids or teens.
This is not necessarily the night when I would eat a huge dinner immediately beforehand and then walk into the Sphere completely full.
Leave yourself a little room for the themed treats.
Where We Sat for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere
This was one thing I researched before buying our tickets.
We sat in:
Section 306
Row 12
Seats 1, 2 and 3
And I would absolutely sit there again.
The 300 level gave us a fantastic view of the entire screen without making us feel like we were too high up or too far away from the action.
That matters here.
You want to be able to appreciate the enormous scale of the screen.
You don’t necessarily want to be craning your neck because you are sitting too close.
But you also want to feel immersed in what is happening.
Section 306 felt like a really good balance.
There was also another very important consideration.
The apples.
Yes.
The apples.
I had researched which sections had a good chance of getting one of the souvenir apples that are part of the show.
And Section 306 was one of the areas I specifically wanted for that reason.
Now, sitting in a good section does not guarantee you an apple.
But…
We got TWO.
I was ridiculously excited.
We ended up giving one to someone else nearby, because if you paid to sit in one of the sections where the apples come flying down and you didn’t get one, that is just sad.
Our daughter eventually became the official owner of the apple we kept.
But I got my picture with it first.
Priorities.
Then the Movie Starts…
And this is the point where the entire experience changes.
At first, you are sitting there thinking, wow, this screen is enormous.
The movie looks incredible.
The sound is incredible.
This is really cool.
And then the tornado comes.
And suddenly you realize:
Oh.
We are not just watching The Wizard of Oz.
We are going to Oz.
What The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Is Actually Like
This is where The Wizard of Oz at Sphere goes from being cool to being completely ridiculous in the best possible way.
Because once the movie gets going, you realize very quickly that this is not just a giant screen.
The Sphere is basically using everything it has to pull you into the movie.
And the tornado scene is probably the moment where that becomes very obvious.
The Tornado Scene Is Insane
I knew there were going to be special effects.
I did not fully understand what that meant.
During the tornado sequence, you don’t just see the storm happening on the screen.
You feel it.
The wind starts blowing.
Debris starts flying around.
The entire theater suddenly feels chaotic.
And for a few minutes, it genuinely feels like you are in the middle of the tornado with Dorothy.
It is so much fun.
This was probably the moment when I thought, okay, THIS is why people rave about the Sphere.
Because you can make a screen bigger.
You can make the sound louder.
But when the environment around you starts reacting to the movie, it becomes something completely different.
And the visuals are incredible.
That enormous tornado filling the screen in front of you is one of those scenes where you just sit there staring.
Then You Get to Oz
And of course, this is one of the most iconic transitions in movie history.
Kansas is black and white.
Then Dorothy opens the door.
And suddenly everything is COLOR.
Seeing that scene on the Sphere screen is just gorgeous.
The colors are incredibly bright.
Everything looks enormous.
And because the screen wraps around so much of your field of vision, it feels less like watching Dorothy arrive in Oz and more like you are standing there with her.
The Munchkins are giant.
The flowers are everywhere.
The Yellow Brick Road stretches out in front of you.
And then you start moving through the story.
This is where I really appreciated the fact that they did not try to turn The Wizard of Oz into something completely different.
It is still The Wizard of Oz.
You are still watching the movie you remember.
They have just made it enormous and added effects around it.
Yes, They Throw Apples
Now let’s talk about the apples.
Because obviously.
During the apple tree scene, apples come flying into the audience.
Not real apples.
That would be terrifying.
They are soft souvenir apples themed to The Wizard of Oz.
And yes, we got one.
Actually, we got two.
Which I considered a major victory.
There are certain seating sections that seem to have a better chance of getting apples, which is one of the reasons I chose Section 306.
But again, there is no guarantee.
You could sit in a great section and not get one.
We happened to get lucky.
The apple itself is basically a little souvenir plush apple with The Wizard of Oz at Sphere printed on it.
And yes, I took a picture of it immediately.
Naturally.
The Flying Monkeys Are Even Better Than You Think
Another one of my favorite effects was the flying monkey scene.
Because when the flying monkeys show up in the movie…
There are flying monkeys in the theater.
Again.
Completely over the top, unnecessary, and 1000% fantastic.
This is exactly what I wanted from an experience like this.
If you are going to take one of the most famous movies ever made and put it inside one of the most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world, then please go all in.
And they did.
It Is Still the Original Movie
One thing I wondered about before we went was how much of the original movie they were actually going to show.
Because The Wizard of Oz is a full-length movie, and the Sphere version is shorter.
They definitely cut some material.
But I honestly could not tell you exactly what they removed.
That is how well it worked.
All of the major story beats are there.
All of the songs you expect are there, as well as the famous scenes.
You still meet the Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Lion, and the Wicked Witch.
Everyone ends up at Emerald City where you meet the Wizard and you still get the regular ending.
It did not feel like a chopped-up version of The Wizard of Oz.
It felt like The Wizard of Oz.
Just faster.
And enormous.
And with flying things happening around your head.
The Emerald City Is Gorgeous
The Emerald City scenes were some of my favorites visually.
Everything is so bright and saturated that it almost does not look real.
The Yellow Brick Road seems to stretch forever.
The green of the Emerald City absolutely pops.
And those big scenic shots are where the scale of the Sphere really works.
There were a few moments where I stopped paying attention to the plot entirely and was just looking around at the screen.
Which is saying something because I know this movie extremely well.
Is It Too Intense for Kids?
This is going to depend on the kid.
The tornado is loud.
The wind and effects are intense.
The flying monkeys can be a little creepy even in the original movie.
And the Sphere itself is huge, loud and very immersive.
So if you have a child who is sensitive to loud noise, wind, darkness or intense sensory effects, I would definitely take that into consideration.
But for most school-age kids and teens?
I think this is fantastic.
Especially teens.
There are not that many attractions where a teenager, a parent and a grandparent can all walk out thinking the exact same thing:
That was REALLY cool.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is one of them.
Stay After the Movie
One thing I would not do is immediately rush for the exit when the movie ends.
There is an after-show in the lobby.
We only caught the tail end of it because we were making our way out, but it was fun and very themed.
There were performers, Emerald City-style staging and more Wizard of Oz visuals.
It is basically one more little piece of the experience.
So if you are not in a hurry, stick around for a few minutes and check it out.
How Long Should You Plan for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere?
I would give yourself plenty of time.
Not just for the movie.
For the entire experience.
You want time to:
- See the Sphere from outside
- Take pictures with the ruby slippers
- Go through security and get inside
- Explore the lobby
- Get snacks or drinks
- Find your seats without rushing
- Watch the movie
- Check out the after-show
- Look at merchandise afterward
This is not something I would squeeze between two other activities with no breathing room.
Let it be the main event for that part of your day.
Because honestly?
It deserves to be.
Best Seats for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere
If there is one thing I would research before buying tickets, it is where you sit.
For our visit, we sat in:
Section 306
Row 12
Seats 1, 2 and 3
And I was extremely happy with those seats.
Honestly, I would choose Section 306 again.
We were high enough that we could really take in the scale of the screen, but we did not feel so far away that we lost the immersive feeling.
And that matters at Sphere.
This is not necessarily a situation where “closer is better.”
The screen is absolutely massive. You want to be able to see the entire picture without spending the whole movie looking straight up.
The center sections in the 300 level gave us a fantastic overall view.
And, of course, Section 306 also worked out very well for us in the extremely important apple department.
We caught two.
I cannot promise that will happen to you.
But I can tell you that I specifically researched the seating before buying our tickets because I wanted both a great view and a decent chance of being in the area where the souvenir apples land.
Mission accomplished.
Should You Pay More for Better Seats?
For this particular experience?
I would.
Within reason.
I am usually pretty practical about seats. There are plenty of shows where I don’t think you need the most expensive ticket in the building to have a great time.
But The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is different because so much of the experience depends on the visual perspective.
You are paying for immersion.
So personally, I would rather spend a little more and sit somewhere with a great centered view than save money and spend the entire show wishing I had chosen differently.
That does not mean you need the absolute most expensive seat.
We certainly didn’t.
But I would look carefully at the seating chart before automatically choosing the cheapest option.
Arrive Early
This is probably my other biggest tip.
Get there early.
Seriously.
There is enough happening before the movie that I would not want to rush through it.
The Sphere itself is worth seeing from outside.
The Wizard of Oz graphics on the exterior are fun.
The enormous ruby slippers make a great photo stop.
There are displays inside.
Themed snacks and drinks, and merchandise.
And then, of course, you need time to actually get to your seats.
I would much rather arrive early, wander around, take pictures and get some ridiculous Wizard of Oz snack than show up stressed and rushing.
This is Las Vegas.
Half the fun is the spectacle.
Enjoy it.
Getting to Sphere Las Vegas
We drove.
And honestly?
It was fine.
We did not have a horrible parking experience or spend hours trapped in traffic. We drove there, parked, went to the show and left.
So if you already have a rental car because you are using Las Vegas as the beginning or end of a road trip — which is exactly what we were doing — I would not automatically rule out driving.
That said, rideshare is obviously another easy option.
And if you are staying at or near the Venetian, there is a pedestrian connection between the Venetian complex and Sphere.
Just do not make the mistake of looking at a map and assuming that because two Las Vegas buildings appear close together, you can walk between them in five minutes.
Las Vegas does not work that way.
Ever.
Everything is farther away than it looks.
There are giant hotels, enormous intersections, pedestrian bridges and approximately 47 escalators standing between you and wherever you thought you were walking.
Plan accordingly.
What About Food?
You absolutely do not need to eat at Sphere.
There are approximately eight billion restaurants in Las Vegas.
But the themed treats were fun.
My daughter got an ice cream sandwich, and I got popcorn.
Were these necessary to our survival?
No.
Did they make the experience more fun?
Absolutely.
If you are taking kids or teens, I would probably budget for at least one ridiculous snack.
You are already there.
Commit to the bit.
Don’t Forget About the After-Show
When The Wizard of Oz ends, don’t immediately bolt for the door.
There is more happening in the lobby afterward.
We caught the tail end of the after-show, and I wish we had lingered a little longer.
There was Emerald City theming, performers and another layer of entertainment happening outside the theater.
It is not the main reason to go.
But it is included in the experience, so you might as well enjoy it.
I would also leave yourself a little time afterward if you want to look at merchandise.
Is The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Good for Teens?
One thousand percent yes.
Actually, if you are trying to figure out what to do in Las Vegas with teenagers, I would put this very high on the list.
Teens don’t need to have some deep emotional attachment to The Wizard of Oz to enjoy this.
The Sphere itself is cool enough.
The technology is cool.
The immersive effects are cool.
Stuff is flying around the theater.
There are snacks.
There are enormous ruby slippers outside.
It feels like an event.
And that makes it a really easy family activity in a city where not everything is necessarily designed with teenagers in mind.
My daughter enjoyed it.
My husband enjoyed it.
I loved it.
That is a pretty good endorsement right there.
Who Might Want to Skip It?
There are a few situations where I would think carefully before buying tickets.
If someone in your group is extremely sensitive to loud noises, wind, flashing or very large immersive visuals, parts of the experience could be overwhelming.
The tornado scene, in particular, is intentionally intense.
And if you simply have no interest whatsoever in The Wizard of Oz and immersive entertainment isn’t really your thing, then yes, there are plenty of other ways to spend your money in Las Vegas.
But otherwise?
I think the appeal here is surprisingly broad.
Is The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Worth the Money?
For us?
Absolutely.
This was one of the highlights of our time in Las Vegas.
And that is saying something because Las Vegas has no shortage of things designed to impress you.
There are incredible shows, gigantic resorts, and wild restaurants.
You can get lost in immersive attractions.
Check out world class museums.
There are experiences you could probably only get away with creating in Las Vegas.
And yet The Wizard of Oz at Sphere still stood out.
It felt different.
It felt special.
And, most importantly, it did not feel like something we could have done anywhere else.
That is usually what I am looking for when I am deciding whether an expensive travel experience is worth it.
Could I do something similar somewhere else?
In this case?
Not really.
Would I Go to Sphere Again?
Absolutely.
In fact, now that I have experienced Sphere once, I want to go back for something completely different.
I would love to see a concert there someday.
I still regret not seeing U2.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
But I also think The Wizard of Oz was almost a perfect introduction to Sphere because it allowed us to experience what makes the venue so unusual.
The screen.
The sound.
The wind.
The physical effects.
The objects flying through the theater.
The sheer scale of everything.
We got the whole experience.
Final Thoughts on The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Las Vegas
I went into this expecting it to be cool.
It exceeded my expectations.
I knew I wanted to see Sphere.
I knew I loved The Wizard of Oz.
But I wasn’t prepared for just how much fun it would be to combine the two.
There is something kind of magical about taking a movie that generations of people have grown up watching and turning it into this ridiculously over-the-top, technologically advanced Las Vegas experience.
You still get Dorothy, Toto, and all her friends.
You still get the Wicked Witch.
And yes, you still follow the Yellow Brick Road.
But now there is wind blowing through your hair, flying monkeys soaring through the theater and souvenir apples dropping into the audience.
Because Vegas.
If you are already planning a Las Vegas trip and wondering whether The Wizard of Oz at Sphere deserves a spot in your itinerary, my answer is very easy.
Yes.
Get the tickets.
Choose your seats carefully.
Get there early.
Buy the ridiculous snack.
And when the apples start flying?
Be ready.
More Fun Las Vegas Experiences
If The Wizard of Oz at Sphere sounds like your kind of thing, there are a couple of other Las Vegas experiences I would absolutely add to your trip.
First, check out our Mandalay Bay Resort Review. We stayed there during this trip, and it worked really well as a home base for exploring Las Vegas before heading out on our Utah road trip.
And if you like immersive, weird, completely unique attractions, you also need to read our Area15 and Omega Mart Review.
Omega Mart was one of our favorite Las Vegas experiences, and honestly, it pairs really well with Sphere because they are both the kind of attractions where the experience itself is the whole point.
They are completely different from each other, but both are creative, over-the-top and very Vegas in the best possible way.
