Backstreet Boys at the Sphere: My Wheelchair-Accessible Weekend in Las Vegas

Surprisingly, it was also Jordan’s first Backstreet Boys concert. It, of course, has been a lifelong dream of his to see them perform. Just kidding, I booked this entire trip while he was in a meeting and didn't have a chance to say no. He did say he enjoyed it, though, including the concert. I think maybe (big maybe) he can differentiate between Backstreet Boys and NSYNC now.

We only had two days, but we packed them with the Strip, one very good dinner, a little unsuccessful gambling, the Backstreet Boys fan experience, the Sphere, and a late-night ride on the High Roller.

Getting there

We took the 7 a.m. flight out of Indianapolis and landed in Las Vegas around 8 a.m., thanks to the time change. I love traveling west. 

Vegas does not get enough credit for how simple accessible airport transportation can be. We walked out to the regular taxi line, just like everyone else, and the attendant called accessible cabs over for us. There was no advance reservation, separate pickup area, or transportation company to track down. In fact, two accessible taxis were already waiting when we arrived. It was genuinely the fastest I have ever gotten an accessible cab in any city.

Each taxi could only accommodate one power wheelchair, so we split into two vehicles for the ride to the Venetian. The trip took about 15 minutes and cost approximately $35 per taxi before tip. That seems expensive for such a short drive, but in the world of accessible transportation, an on-demand ride for that price is still one of the more affordable options.

Getting back to the airport took a little more planning. The Venetian called a taxi for Jordan first, and when he reached the airport, he sent the driver back to pick me up. The entire loop took around 30 minutes, so it was not a major delay, but I would still leave extra time when traveling with more than one wheelchair.

A first day on the Strip

Because we arrived so early, our rooms were not ready yet. We checked in, left our luggage, and headed to Denny’s for breakfast before spending the afternoon walking around the Strip.

We made our way through the LINQ Promenade and stopped at the Flamingo to see the actual flamingos. From there, we explored Paris, the Bellagio, and the Cosmopolitan.

The Bellagio fountains is a classic Vegas attraction that I always recommend, no matter how many times you have visited. The Bellagio Conservatory inside is worth seeing too. The displays change seasonally, and the entire space feels wildly elaborate that only makes sense in Las Vegas.

Jordan and I also played a few slots, although we did not win anything this time. I was especially devastated to discover that my beloved Deal or No Deal machine was gone. I had been looking forward to playing it again, but apparently casinos rotate their games more often than I realized. I am still not over it.

At some point, James was stopped by a group of Chippendales performers and decided it would be funny to take a picture with them. Elizabeth eventually joined in, and the photos turned out exactly as ridiculous as you would expect.

The Venetian

Even when you know what to expect, walking into the Venetian is impressive.

The artwork covering the ceilings is breathtaking, and you see it almost immediately after getting out of the car. It sets the tone before you have even made it to the check-in desk.

Every room at the Venetian is technically a suite, and the accessible room that Jordan, my caregiver, and I shared was enormous. We had two beds and plenty of room to maneuver our power wheelchairs without the space feeling crowded.

The room also included several accessibility details that made it easier for me to use independently:

• The thermostat was installed at a reachable height.
• The curtains were controlled by a remote.
• The safe was positioned at wheelchair level.
• There was plenty of open floor space around the beds and furniture.

The bathroom itself was very spacious, although the shower was surprisingly small. There was not a bench inside when we arrived, but I imagine the hotel would need to provide one if requested. I would confirm that directly before your stay rather than assuming one will already be in the room.

The toilet was open to the main bathroom and had grab bars beside it. That may sound like a minor detail, but it was a big improvement over the standard Venetian rooms, where the toilet is enclosed inside its own tiny room. I hate when hotels do that because those separate toilet closets are often impossible to navigate with a wheelchair.

My biggest complaint was the bed height.

The accessible-room beds were noticeably lower than those in the standard room. My caregiver had to bend much farther than she should have every time she helped me, and it became uncomfortable over the course of the weekend.

A few things to consider:

• There was no platform blocking the space beneath the bed, so a floor-based lift should be able to roll underneath it.
• Anyone who needs a taller transfer surface may want to bring portable bed risers.
• The standard-room beds were closer to a typical hotel-bed height.

We thought about finding risers during the trip, but unfortunately, the idea came to us about a day too late to be useful.

Dinner at Giada and Vegas at night

After walking around for most of the day, we returned to the hotel, got dressed, and headed to Giada at The Cromwell for our big dinner of the trip.

I ordered the lemon pasta with a lemon drop martini that turned out to be significantly stronger than I expected—and worth every bit of it.

After dinner, we stopped to watch the Bellagio fountains. Jordan and I then made our way to the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for dessert. We technically arrived after the time they usually stop allowing people upstairs, but the staff made an exception and let us go up anyway.

I will happily accept special treatment when it involves dessert at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

The Backstreet Boys experience at the Venetian

The next morning, we visited the Backstreet Boys Terminal that the Venetian had set up for the residency.

There were photo opportunities throughout the space, along with options to get permanent jewelry or have glitter and tinsel added to your hair. It was fully committed to the theme and exactly the kind of over-the-top fan experience that belongs in Las Vegas.

Afterward, we went to In-N-Out and played a few more slots before getting ready for the concert.

Getting to the Sphere

One of the biggest benefits of staying at the Venetian is that you can reach the Sphere without going outside.

It is a decent walk from the hotel, especially when navigating a large resort, but the route is entirely connected indoors. The Sphere opened two hours before the show, and we arrived early enough that getting inside was easy. It was not especially crowded yet, and we had plenty of time to find our seats, explore, and get dinner.

The food selection was better than I expected from a concert venue. There were more choices than the usual hot dogs and hamburgers. We ordered hot honey chicken with fries, while James and Elizabeth shared giant meatballs. The garlic fries smelled incredible too, and I still slightly regret not ordering them.

The Sphere

Walking into the Sphere is an experience before the concert even begins.

The building is so massive that it takes a moment to process what you are looking at. The pre-show graphics stretched across the interior and looked so real, which made the entire space feel less like an arena and more like stepping inside another world.

We were seated in Section 308, where there was plenty of room for both of our power wheelchairs. The companion seats were folding chairs placed beside us, which made them easy to move and rearrange as needed.

An elevator reaches every level, and there are accessible and family restrooms throughout the venue. The wheelchair seating also gave us a fantastic view.

People stood in front of us for most of the concert, but it mattered much less here than it would in a traditional arena. So much of the show takes place above, behind, and around the performers that we could still see the visuals even with people standing nearby.

One warning: the Sphere is freezing.

This was my second time visiting, and it has been chilly inside both times. Bring a jacket, even when it is unbearably hot outside.

The show celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Backstreet Boys’ Millennium album, but they also played their biggest hits throughout the night. “Everybody” and “The One” are always two of my favorites. I did not expect to almost cry during “Larger Than Life,” but apparently my inner preteen fangirl had been waiting decades for that exact moment.

The Sphere made the entire performance feel bigger than a normal concert. Instead of simply watching visuals on a screen behind the stage, it felt like the room itself was moving through them.

The only chaotic part was leaving. Arriving early helped us avoid most of the crowds on the way in, but once the show ended, everyone was trying to exit at the same time. The hallways and connecting routes became extremely packed.

We were still able to get out, but you need patience and a little extra awareness of the people moving around your wheelchair.

After the show: the High Roller

We ended the night with a ride on the High Roller to see the Strip lit up from above.

The High Roller was another attraction that felt genuinely prepared for wheelchair users. Staff moved us to the front of the line and lowered a ramp directly onto the enclosed observation pod. We stayed in our wheelchairs throughout the entire ride.

There was plenty of room inside, and boarding never felt rushed.

It was the perfect way to close out the concert night. We were not ready to go back to the hotel yet, but we also did not need another loud or high-energy activity. The High Roller gave us one more look at the city before the night wound down.

What we didn't get to

Omega Mart was the biggest thing we missed.

Getting there would have required two accessible taxis because we had two power wheelchairs. Tickets were also around $60 per person, and we were not confident enough about the accessibility of the actual experience to commit the transportation, time, and money without doing more research.

The building may be wheelchair accessible, but with an immersive attraction, that does not always tell you how much of the experience can actually be navigated or enjoyed from a wheelchair.

Omega Mart is staying on the list for next time.

I also wanted to ride the gondola at the Venetian. There is a ramp leading down to the boats, but riders need to be able to transfer out of their wheelchairs. I was interested in trying it, but we simply ran out of time.

Was the Vibee package worth it?

For us, yes.

The package included an extra hotel night, which gave us more time to enjoy Vegas instead of flying in solely for the concert. It also appeared to be less expensive than purchasing comparable concert tickets separately.

I would absolutely stay at the Venetian again. The resort is beautiful, the suites are spacious, the accessible details were thoughtfully incorporated, and being able to reach the Sphere indoors made concert night much easier.

I would also be interested in trying Paris Las Vegas or the Cosmopolitan on a future trip, if only to experience a different part of the Strip.

Nothing about this weekend was difficult. The only real limitation was the clock. Two days in Las Vegas is never enough—wheelchair or not.