I will be visiting Las Vegas in July with a 9-year old. Are these shows "kid-friendly"??

Also, what is the best way to buy show tickets?

I think they're kid-friendly, as long as the kid is not bored. O might be a little better for kids because of the "eye candy" factor. They both sell out every show. O is particularly difficult to get tickets. Bellagio guests get priority for O, I'm not sure if TI does the same for Mystere. I think tickets go on sale 90 days in advance for O. Call Bellagio to find out for sure.

Have seen both. Personally, I preferred Mystere to 'O'. Don't exactly know why, however I thought 'O' was a bit of a let down as much as it had been bally-hooed. Guests at the Bellagio have preferential priority to tickets. I was staying at Bellagio and called the Concierge and had no problem on the same day.

I have only seen O. It was one of the best (if not the best) performances I've seen. How your child handles it depends on their experience. Have they been to fine arts/live performances before? Some kids seem fine, but others seem to not have the attention span and squirm in their seats and make noise. If its their first show I would hesitate on recommending it..... If they have successfully sat through 2+ hour performances before, and enjoy music and dancing (there's no real "Story," but it is more like visual poetry), I say go for it!

I have seen both shows twice. I think O blows Mystere out of the water, so to speak. It is as big and dramatic as Mystere, but with the added effect that it all takes place in, below and into the water.

My family has seen both shows more than once. Both shows are wonderful, but I think Mystere would be a better choice. It's just a fabulous show -- very entertaining -- great music -- your child will love it.

Whatever you decide, you can't make a mistake.

Have fun!

I think that for a 9 year old, Mystere is preferable to O. I hope he's sophisticated, though, tickets are over $100 each. Siegfried & Roy might be a better choice, it's a bit more action-packed.

O was a big let down. Would not have seen it but for the fact that we were staying at bellagio and got last minute tix. Would see Mysterie again.

There is a reason why "O" tickets are $120, and "Mystere" tickets are $88. "O" is a much better show. Production value is higher, sets/costumes/music is more complex, it packs more "WOW" into a short time period.
Mystere is fine, and one or two acts are AMAZING, but after seeing "O", "Mystere" was a letdown. I always tell people to see "Mystere" before seeing "O", that way they won't be disappointed.

Do you recommend "Mystere" before "O" even if the person has been to other Cirque shows? I have seen "La Nouba" twice and plan to see "O" because it will be so different from "La Nouba." People who have seen both Mystere and La Nouba have told me I will be bored by Mystere after seeing La Nouba twice. Comments?

I have not seen "La Nouba" but my guess it you will be bored by "Mystere." If you can only see one show, see "O."

I have seen "O", "La Nouba" and "Mystere" (and "Dralion", and "Varekai"). In my opinion, "La Nouba" is a better show than "Mystere", but "O" blows them all away.

Bob.

Thank you SO much for your comment, Bob26! "O" it is!

Thanks for all the info. I decided that "O" will be my #1 choice.

What's the best way to purchase tickets (I'm not staying at a Mirage hotel). One site wants an extra $9.95 per ticket. Is this normal??

To get tickets, I just called the box office at the Bellagio and made reservations. They hold the tickets at will call, and you must pick them up the day of the show before 4 p.m.

We saw "O" two weeks ago, and I'm still in awe. I have seen 2 previous Cirque de Soleil shows in Santa Monica, both wonderful, but the person who designed this show must have been either a genius or a magician, or perhaps both! The underwater platforms going up and down -- my mind went into overdrive trying to figure out how it was done. Yeah, when I was a kid, I'd spend an undue amount of time trying to figure out magic tricks too!

What I'd like to know is -- how on earth do they stay underwater for so long in the opening act? My thought is oxygen hoses under the water (I saw such a device in the 60's movie Where the Boys Are). Any thoughts?

Get your tickets NOW! I just tried to get tix for "O" and it is sold out for when we are going in a month. Bought tix to Blue Man Group as our second choice.

If you don't care about getting a bit wet, your child my really like sitting in the front row, the "wet" seats. The action is right up front, though it's not too easy to take in the entire show. The splashes and actually seeing the action and the actors up close might be a "wow" for a 9 yr old. If you do this, just wear clothes that dry quickly.

Thanks for all your input.

I called the 800 number as soon as they opened (5:00am) exactly 90 days prior to the day of the performance & got great seats for "O" and Sigfried & Roy. I'm excited!

To Surfergirl: I do know that there are underwater "hallways" if you will that they go to and then surface offstage. But to me the great thing was sitting right up front (I've seen it from the front 5 rows twice). As they submerge they don't take a big gasp of a final breath, and those that come up out of the water never gasp for air either. The illusion that these are "creatures" who live in the air or under water equally is carried to the final degree. It is amazing. That is one of the things you'd miss being way back in the audience.

I've said it before and I'll see it again: Don't get the obstructed view seats or the "wet" seats. Yes, these are significantly cheaper, but they both have obstructed views and in the end, are NOT WORTH IT.