WOW at Rio and Awakening at Wynn are both theater-in-the-round spectacles built on visual effects and acrobatic performance. Here is how they compare on price, age policy, parking and format.
WOW - The Vegas Spectacular is a live stage show at Rio Hotel & Casino. It is not affiliated with any online or social casino using a similar name, and it is not a Cirque du Soleil production.
WOW tickets start at $45. Awakening tickets typically start around $104 and climb well past $150 for better sections. A family of four can see WOW for roughly the price of two Awakening tickets. Awakening is also closing permanently on October 10, 2026, so it will not be an option for trips booked after that date.
WOW is open to all ages, recommended for guests 3 and up. Awakening has a strict minimum age of 5, and guests 5 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Parking differs too: self-parking at the Rio is free, while parking at Wynn is paid for both valet and self-parking.
WOW performs Tuesday through Sunday at Rio, one show per night at 7pm, a 90-minute mix of acrobatics, water effects, comedy and 3D projections. Awakening runs about 75 to 80 minutes at Wynn, a narrative fantasy driven by puppetry, illusions and LED staging, narrated by Anthony Hopkins.
Pick WOW if you want water effects, comedy and acrobatics at less than half the ticket price, with kids as young as 3 welcome and free parking at the Rio. Awakening closes for good on October 10, 2026, so it is only worth picking if your trip falls before that date and everyone in your group is 5 or older. If you know your date, book WOW ahead: the lowest-priced seats sell out first.
