Sphere Las Vegas draws $2M daily with 'Wizard of Oz' screenings amid tourist slump
Sphere Las Vegas draws $2M daily with 'Wizard of Oz' screenings amid tourist slump
The new "Wizard of Oz" show at Sphere Las Vegas is drawing crowds from across the country, generating nearly $2 million a day for just two performances, according to Bloomberg.
Tourists are flocking to the immersive experience, which combines nostalgia with cutting-edge entertainment.
"My wife and I are here from the state of Washington," said Dean Schenke, a tourist. "Actually, we came for the show, but we like Vegas. We come down about two or three times a year just to visit for a while."
Sarah Lardy, visiting from Minnesota, shared her excitement: "We saw the show was happening, and my dad sent me information about it and was like, 'Do you want to go to this?' And I'm like, 'Say less.'"
Despite a downturn in tourism numbers, Sphere is thriving, offering a new age of entertainment that is both immersive and interactive. Kimberly Zibilich, another tourist, described the experience as "great," noting the atmosphere and special effects, such as "the wind blowing, the apples falling, the monkeys."
Diego Torres, who also attended the show, said, "My dad used to love it. He would play the movie for us. And seeing Dorothy and remembering the songs and all that coming back. The nostalgia was great."
The success of the "Wizard of Oz" show coincides with a new Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) brand campaign promoting a fabulous experience at a value.
Dr. Marla Royne Stafford, a UNLV professor of marketing, said, "I do think this campaign is reinforcing that, I absolutely do, but you do have more options now. Shows, of course, who can compare to Vegas with shows?"
If you're a 'Wizard of Oz' fan, even if you're a 'Wicked' fan, this is the show for you," said Lardy. "And I think if you're willing to pay to see something amazing, I haven't heard a bad thing about it.
As the Sphere continues to captivate audiences, there are already talks of bringing other popular movie franchises to the venue, such as "Harry Potter" or "Star Wars," according to the Hollywood Reporter.
