If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, experiencing the Cirque du Soleil show “O”, aka one of the most exciting attractions in Vegas, at the Bellagio Hotel is a must. We enjoyed their VIP “La Grande Experience,” and it was a phenomenally good time for our whole family. This Cirque du Soleil “O” Las Vegas VIP review will cover all aspects of our experience, highlighting what made it stand out.
For more Las Vegas show reviews, check out our thoughts on Tournament of Kings, Blue Man Group, and our upcoming guide to the best kid-friendly shows in Las Vegas.
La Grande Experience Details
Cirque du Soleil O offers an exclusive VIP experience called La Grande Experience. The VIP tickets offered early access to the custom-built theater at the Bellagio Hotel, where the Cirque du Soleil performance is held.
Our show began at 7 PM, but we arrived at 6:20 PM as suggested to avoid missing anything. After the experience, I’d say arriving at 6:20 was a good time. We had plenty of time to hang out before the show after rushing to get there.
After scanning our tickets, we were taken to a cozy alcove, followed by an intimate VIP suite, where we were greeted with a private cocktail service and snacks, including a gourmet charcuterie board.
Exciting Pre-Show Reception
Before the show, we enjoyed an exciting pre-show reception with complimentary champagne for the adults and apple juice for my sons.
There was a guided video tour where our hostess walked us through how everything is set up, including the million-gallon pool used for the aquatic masterpiece. We were also treated to fun facts and informative content about the show and its history.
We learned about the show’s cast members (a crew of over 70), each trained to be understudies for various roles in order to avoid disruption. We were offered professional photos taken with the cast members to serve as keepsake photos, which was a nice added touch to the experience.
Behind the Scenes and Meet & Greet
A special VIP area offered an exclusive meet and greet with the performers of this great show. In full, colorful costumes and makeup, some cast members shared their backgrounds and experiences. For instance, a performer from Mongolia explained how contortion is a common sport for children there, which was one of the coolest facts of the night. This personal touch added a unique feature to our VIP experience.
Private Box Seating
The private VIP seating at Cirque du Soleil O is unmatched in Las Vegas. The theater at the Bellagio was specifically designed for this show, featuring intimate VIP suites that other Cirque shows in Vegas don’t offer.
This privacy and flexibility were perfect for our wiggly 7-year-old, who could move around the box without disturbing other guests. I really enjoyed this, as I would have been nervous otherwise about him blocking people’s views by standing up and moving around during the show. The box itself was spacious, with comfortable armchairs, a table, and a private attendant.
We were asked before the show what we would like to eat and drink, and it was all waiting for us when we arrived at our private box. We had an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne, drinks for the kids, and a nice set of snacks, including some chocolate-covered strawberries. I do wish that we would have been given plates for the food; however, it wasn’t a make-or-break feature for me.
Watching the Show
This was not our first time experiencing a Cirque show, so I had high expectations from previous experiences, and the show definitely lived up to them.
The Cirque du Soleil O show is an aquatic masterpiece featuring high-energy acrobatics, trapeze artists, and high divers.
Our private box offered premium views of the stage despite initial concerns about the distance. It was pretty far away from the stage and we were close enough to almost touch the people below us. As it turned out, though, the height allowed us to see the performers underwater clearly, which I don’t think you would have been able to see from other seats around the room.
Our attendant was attentive, checking in on us before the second part of the show after about an hour and ensuring we had everything we needed.
Is Cirque du Soleil O Good for Kids?
My boys were 7 and 10 when we saw O, and they were at a great age for it. There were a couple of dark/loud moments that scared my 7 year old, but overall both kids loved the show. They whispered throughout the night, “This is so cool!!”
Children under 5 are not allowed at Cirque du Soleil “O”, so plan ahead and leave the littles with a caregiver for the night.
In general, I would say this show is good for ages 6 and up, and I think preteens and teens would love it just as much as our younger children did.
Overall Impression
The Cirque du Soleil O VIP experience was well worth the price. Although it’s expensive, the food and drinks included, along with the best seats in the theater and the chance to meet the performers, made it more than worth it.
I’d suggest eating before you arrive, as the snacks provided are not a full meal.
One downside was the slow exit process, as there was no expedited way to leave, even with the VIP package, leading to a long wait with over 1,000 people leaving at the same time. Like the lack of dishware, though, it wasn’t a make-or-break feature for us.
Conclusion
Cirque du Soleil O was easily our favorite Las Vegas show, outperforming the Blue Man Group and the Tournament of Kings. The private VIP box made it an amazing experience for families with young children. For more family-friendly activities in Las Vegas, check out our reviews and guides.