Wizard of Oz at the Sphere

[Tasha]

Going to see it again with the parentals in November.

Not with your dad...unless he's in an urn.

Jason might be speaking of going with his Wife's Parents though.

[cyberbabble]

Back to the WIZ. It has been quite successful. Management is starting to think that movies may be more profitable than concerts over time.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...c14961af&ei=17

[Dan Druff]

Back to the WIZ. It has been quite successful. Management is starting to think that movies may be more profitable than concerts over time.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...c14961af&ei=17

They should hire me as a consultant.

I could have told them in two seconds that this would be a wild success.

People love nostalgia, especially if there's a new twist to it.

I imagine at some point in the future, there will be VR versions of old shows and movies, where you can place yourself right in the action (even if it can't interact with you). Not sure how they'd handle the fourth wall, but they can probably supplement it.

Imagine if you could walk with Dorothy and her Oz friends on the way to the Wizard. Imagine if you could sit next to Archie Bunker as he calls Edith a dingbat. The possibilities are endless.

Anyway, yeah, this is more cost effective than concerts, and you can run it for unlimited time without dealing with human stars getting bored or wanting more money.

They would have discovered this sooner if their "Postcards from Earth" movie, which was lauded by everyone for its first 20-25 minutes, hadn't turned into a far-left environmental lecture for the final 2/3 of the program. If the entire thing were just beautiful landscapes and perhaps supplemented with real-world effects like they did for Wizard of Oz, it would have also crushed it.

[Tasha]

Back to the WIZ. It has been quite successful. Management is starting to think that movies may be more profitable than concerts over time.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...c14961af&ei=17

They should hire me as a consultant.

I could have told them in two seconds that this would be a wild success.

People love nostalgia, especially if there's a new twist to it.

I imagine at some point in the future, there will be VR versions of old shows and movies, where you can place yourself right in the action (even if it can't interact with you). Not sure how they'd handle the fourth wall, but they can probably supplement it.

Imagine if you could walk with Dorothy and her Oz friends on the way to the Wizard. Imagine if you could sit next to Archie Bunker as he calls Edith a dingbat. The possibilities are endless.

Anyway, yeah, this is more cost effective than concerts, and you can run it for unlimited time without dealing with human stars getting bored or wanting more money.

They would have discovered this sooner if their "Postcards from Earth" movie, which was lauded by everyone for its first 20-25 minutes, hadn't turned into a far-left environmental lecture for the final 2/3 of the program. If the entire thing were just beautiful landscapes and perhaps supplemented with real-world effects like they did for Wizard of Oz, it would have also crushed it.

Universal Studios already tried something similar with Back To The Future, The Simpsons, and ET where they made it feel like the rider was actually in the movie.

[MisterV]

They should colorize and Sphere-i-fy that old American classic, "Birth of a Nation."

Lest we forget...

[Dan Druff]

The Sphere was on its way to financial ruin until....

Embedded Tweet

https://twitter.com/#!/x/status/1980251160976978011



This has been wildly successful, and the cost per showing is fairly low (much cheaper than a headliner performing there).

The tickets are expensive -- all over $100 each.

Multiply that by 1,000,000 (in a period of about 2 months), and you can see how this has saved them. Not only that, but the possibilities are endless. They can draw upon a huge library of classic movies which will bring in the nostalgia-hungry Gen Xers and boomers with money to burn.

Whoever thought of this was a genius.

[smurgerburger]

The Sphere was on its way to financial ruin until....

Embedded Tweet

https://twitter.com/#!/x/status/1980251160976978011



This has been wildly successful, and the cost per showing is fairly low (much cheaper than a headliner performing there).

The tickets are expensive -- all over $100 each.

Multiply that by 1,000,000 (in a period of about 2 months), and you can see how this has saved them. Not only that, but the possibilities are endless. They can draw upon a huge library of classic movies which will bring in the nostalgia-hungry Gen Xers and boomers with money to burn.

Whoever thought of this was a genius.

Was the Sphere actually doing badly?

[MisterV]

Movies for the masses, eh?

Comng soon for the MAGA crowd and students of American history: "Birth of a Nation?"

Gotta make a buck, so give people what they want and / or unconsciously desire.

[smurgerburger]

Movies for the masses, eh?

Comng soon for the MAGA crowd and students of American history: "Birth of a Nation?"

Gotta make a buck, so give people what they want and / or unconsciously desire.

"Unconsciously".

[mickeycrimm]

I didn't feel like going to the Sphere on my September trip to Las Vegas. In hindsight I think that was a mistake. Next trip down I'll go. But I did get some pics from my room at the Flamingo. Taken at dawn. The colors change like every minute:

[Rob.Singer]

Nice pictures....but I'm enjoying watching another AQ meltdown over me even more! It's slightly more satisfying to see than the constant deserved mockings kew endures by being here. Kew's an admitted punching bag--and weak to the core, which he knows. AQ? This fool comes to the party wearing his newest and best, always trying to communicate anything but chumpiness. While kew knows about and resdily accepts the chocolate streaks, HE actually thinks his underware just came out of a new Sears 3-pack...each and every day. Of course, he has no one near to help him navigate thru all that confusion. And every minute he's on here, he marches to the beat of MY drum.

Maybe I'll call it --- SDS

[Dan Druff]

I just tried to buy Wizard of Oz tickets.

TicketDisaster gave me Error Code 0011.

Lovely.

I tried other dates just to see if it was something about that particular showing, and all of them failed.

Guess they don't want my money.

[Dan Druff]

Here are the financials for the parent company of the Sphere, with the Sphere's performance listed within:





That's a big improvement!

In Q3 2024, the Sphere had an Operating Loss of $125.1 million, and an Adjusted Operating Loss of $26.3 million. In Q1-3 2024, the Operating Loss was $313 million (!!), and the Adjusted Operating Loss was $18.9 million.

In Q3 2025, the Sphere had an Operating Loss of $84.4 million and an Adjusted Operating PROFIT of $17.4 million! In Q1-3 2025, the Operating Loss was $261.6 million, and the Adjusted Operating PROFIT was $55.2 million!

Now what does this all mean?

First off, you need to understand the difference between Operating Loss/Profit and Adjusted Operating Loss/Profit. Operating Loss/Profit is the simple calculation of whether they made or loss money during that time period. Obviously in that category they're still losing a lot of money.

However, Adjusted Operating Loss/Profit excludes what are considered one-time or unusual expenditures. These can include non-recurring items (restructuring costs, stock-based compensation, asset sale gains/losses, extraordinary R&D expenses, etc).

I'm not sure what they're specifically adjusting, but it's a publicly traded company, so they can't pull shenanigans to much of an extent without running into flak from the SEC.

Basically they're trying to say that, when you ignore non-recurring costs, the Sphere actually made $17m in Q3 2025, and $55m in Q1-3 2025. Now I don't understand how this is entirely attributed to Wizard of Oz, as it only ran for a little more than a month of Q3 2025, and didn't run at all in the first 2 quarters. However, I do believe it's highly profitable, and things are looking up there.

Here's a writeup on the matter from KTNV Channel 13, which includes quotes from the CEO: https://www.ktnv.com/news/strong-las...es-bottom-line


Interestingly, he's claiming they are going to probably release a "Wizard of Oz 2.0" in August 2026, which will contain new features such as "a ride on the witch's broom" (that is, you'll be positioned on the witch's broom as she flies through the air).

Does that mean it's better to wait until the 2.0 version, rather than shelling out over $100/ticket right now? Maybe. But keep in mind that this is just in the loose planning stages, and he also acknowledges the movie may disappear entirely if demand drops, which it probably will eventually.

Now that they have a winning model, I assume they will adapt other movies for showing within the Sphere, especially ones which would appeal to nostalgic Gen Xers and boomers.

Upon the announcement of these financials, the stock popped from 64 to 71, before slipping to 69 by close. I still think the company has issues (look at that massive operating loss), but at least things are looking somewhat up.

[Dan Druff]

I moved all the Electric Vehicle talk and associated arguing to a new thread: https://vegascasinotalk.com/forum/sh...-in-the-desert


This thread is for Wizard of Oz / Sphere discussion only.

[Dan Druff]

I just tried to buy Wizard of Oz tickets.

TicketDisaster gave me Error Code 0011.

Lovely.

I tried other dates just to see if it was something about that particular showing, and all of them failed.

Guess they don't want my money.

Looks like the box office goes down for some hours starting at around 1am PST.

Dumb. They don't tell you this, you just get weird error messages. I realized it tonight.

What is this, 1999?

[MDawg]

There is a difference between watching it at suite level versus in the nosebleed sections. Actually, when we watched it most of the suites including ours were empty, as were most any seats we could see. It was only when we left and noticed all the people walking back that we realized that the Sphere actually had been somewhat full, but almost everyone had been above us, far above, where we could not even see them.



At suite level, there is more to it than simply that there shall be apples galore



(apparently none fall into the less desirable seats). It's not that there is much free food or drink either (just water bottles and popcorn) such as at most suite experience concert or sporting events. Just, no crowding and a better view.

The production is very well done. The sections edited out weren't particularly missed, and were along the lines of segues that simply led from one scene to another. Removal of these segues did not affect plot continuity.

As far as special effects, the 3D and added visuals such as burning propane torches plus the mechanical flying creatures like the flying monkeys, brought the movie alive. The hurricane special effects with all the wind were very well done, as were the occasional vibrations to emphasize movement.

In all, at exactly one hour and fifteen minutes including the credits (be aware, the movie starts exactly on time) this shortened enhanced visual version of the WOO more than works. Worth seeing, especially if you may get into one of the suites. Dorothy and all the Oz characters never looked so alive. Still couldn't get it out of my mind that Judy Garland supposedly was mean to the Munchkins during filming though.

[Rob.Singer]

Where's the retard who keeps claiming "this retard doesn't gamble"??

[jdaewoo]

This retard doesn't gamble, you fucking retard. He's using a family member's comps and you're just too stupid to understand that. Just like you don't gamble. A PC emulating video poker played in someone's basement doesn't count.

[monet]

LOL Sphere Talk Only Fuckers!
Stupid Sphere.
Really, who gives a fuck?
That thing is more of a monstrosity than what they did to Fremont.
I hate driving by that Fucking thing.
A literal distraction to drivers.
Probably already caused over 200 accidents.
I almost went to one of the shows.
Till I started reading reviews and realized how bad it is.
It's a literal tourist trap just waiting to take your money.
Best of Luck.

[Rob.Singer]

This retard doesn't gamble, you fucking retard. He's using a family member's comps and you're just too stupid to understand that. Just like you don't gamble. A PC emulating video poker played in someone's basement doesn't count.

So you get so disturbed by not being able to dispute all his high dollar gaming and comp resources that it's forced you into making up the story that "gee people---it HAS to be that he's using family members' comps"! You mean....like I "live in my children's driveways?

"PC-emulated vp in someone's basement"? That shows me you just can't take it.