THE PLANNING STAGES:

It's been a while...as a matter of fact TOO "a while" for me to be honest. Me no likey! As most of you know, we skipped our yearly Christmas vacation...and I was not skipping too happily along about it but it is what it is. Our dear spoiled Sakari rules this house I tell ya. No seriously, there was just so much turmoil from the previous months that it just didn't feel right this time around. It was time for a break. It was time to gather our bearings and just chill and assess what to do next.

As most of you know, well, if you keep up with my reviews you should know...unless you're living under a rock, that Sakari's boyfriend had a terrible accident shortly after we returned from our last vacation (St Maarten) which has left him paralyzed (details at the very end of my St Maarten review on the last page if interested). With it being such a new injury and the extent of it, Sakari didn't feel comfortable going on a vacation or doing anything that would hurt his feelings since he wouldn't be able to participate that time around. She is also at that age that she likes having someone her own age to hang around and do things with because mom and dad are no longer the cool kids we once were to her. So we all made the decision to just stay home for Christmas and enjoy being together without the hustle and bustle that is involved in a vacation. I also didn't want to make either of them sad with this all being a fresh wound to the soul. "Karl" was able to come over for Christmas for the first time since his accident. It was so great to have him back over and the joy it brought to his face was indescribable. After Christmas dinner and presents, we also managed to take him out on a little journey and we all went to see the Christmas lights display downtown and although it was cold out, he enjoyed being able to actually get out and do something "normal" that didn't involve going to physical therapy. Truth be known, I think he was enjoying being lifted in and out of the vehicle by the hubby and my youngest son Kolin. "Bring it in...aww the hugs"

Well, behind the scene talks were happening after that visit and "Karl" started throwing around the idea of maybe attempting a vacation with us this year. Sakari wouldn't have another break from school until Spring Break and well, truth be known I didn't want to wait that long. Annnnddddd....my birthday was coming up soooooo...what better time to try it out than a birthday right? It was a milestone birthday for me and that's all I'm going to say and leave it at that. I'm totally not celebrating birthdays after this. I'm only going to go backwards instead of forward. I've convinced myself I'm not going to let it hold me down no matter what the number is. I've had enough holding me back in the past (my leg injury that has completely changed my life in many ways since then).

So, what can we do that would be a good "starter vacation"? We didn't want to go for a long period of time...just in case it didn't work out too well and we wanted something that would accommodate "Karl". I figured maybe an extended weekend vacation would work. My birthday actually fell on a Friday so we'd go Friday-Monday. How about Vegas???

Last time we went to Las Vegas for Christmas we had a wonderful time! BUT...the 2 things we did not get to do (because we ran out of days and it was such an expensive vacation with all the shows we went to) that I was sad that I didn't get to experience the sphere or go to the Michael Jackson One Cirque de Soleil show that time. What better time than to do it for my birthday! We talked it over with "Karl" and he got excited. He said he wanted to go and felt that it would be the perfect trial run. We started reading up on ADA rooms at the hotels, where the 2 shows were located in relation to the hotels, how we were going to get around (since we wouldn't be able to use the Deuce Bus this time around), how long it takes him to "prepare" to go out and also how the airlines work for disabled people. I had my work cut out for me.

I didn't have much time to plan but a planner I am and I put myself into high gear. I called Southwest to find out how their "new" seating arrangements worked with a handicapped person. Previously if you were in a wheelchair, you got to board the plane first, which meant all the front row seats were taken immediately. Well, there are a lot of "handicapped people" when it comes to flying. However, miraculously when the plane ride is over, many get up and walk off the plane like everyone else, not needing assistance. I mean who's going to spend extra money on the "early bird" seating if you can just put yourself in a wheelchair and get on early for free right? Abuse of the system has come to an end. Many are upset about the new rules of purchasing your seats, especially if you want seats up front with more leg room...you're gonna pay the price and pay the price we did. However, since I've been a Southwest card holder for many many years, we at least get 1 free luggage per person, for up to 8 people, in my party that we didn't have to pay for. They also upgrade the seats for free if available. However, with not knowing if there would be any of the front row seats available by the time we fly, I couldn't afford to take a chance there would be any open and purchased them anyhow. I knew "Karl" would have to have one. I also called the airline to find out how they get him into the seat to be sure we could do this and they assured me there would be plenty of staff on hand to assist him into the seat and would also be using a specialized isle chair. Ok, our plane tickets were booked and taken care of. Now to find a place to stay.

We have stayed at the Luxor (loved it there but at the end of the strip and a lot of walking involved to get to most of the main area) and also at the New York New York, which we also really loved and closer to everything.

Last time we were there, we really liked the little side pedestrian road area heading to the High Roller by the Linq and Flamingo hotels. The hubby actually said "next time we should stay here". I took that into consideration as well and after checking on ADA rooms, we booked at the Flamingo. "Karl" was happy to see they had the option of a roll in shower.

Now the getting and staying part was done. Time to figure out booking the shows. Man they are expensive. I was really struggling with finding the perfect place to sit for a handicapped person and us being able to sit beside him along with the location and would we be able to see good. I also didn't want to have to take a second mortgage out on my home to pay for it either.

Michael Jackson One, located at Mandalay Bay, had several places for wheelchairs and we ended up in section 203 (in the middle) in the very last row. I guess one of the pluses is that they seem to be cheaper seats and everyone said you'd still be able to see everything just fine. They usually have a wheelchair seat and another seat beside it for a companion. However, "Karl" has 3 companions! He's needy I tell ya! I called them just to make sure we'd be able to all sit together and take up 4 seats in that area and they told us absolutely! Alrighty then...I booked. (Our seats are marked in the yellow)

I had decided that if they weren't good seats, the music alone would make it a wonderful show. I ❤️Michael Jackson music!

Up next was trying to figure out seating for the sphere's Wizard of Oz. Now that took a lot of planning. They had wheelchair seating (at the very top of course) and they had handicapped seating in the last row, down from the wheelchairs. After a lot of research I found that the actual seats were hepatic. Well of course we wanted the real experience. Now these seats (I guess) are for semi-mobile people that can transfer from their wheelchair to the seat and there are 3 steps to get down to that level. So, I called them to inquire about the seating. They do have an ADA office for the Sphere to help answer questions and help with booking. I specifically ask about sitting in the handicapped seat for someone that is paralyzed and was told we could in fact book them and they would have staff on hand to lift him and put him in the seat...no worries. Alrighty then, we booked section 407, row 25, seats 1-4. Below in yellow:

This would be the seats we ended up with (in yellow):

After reading many reviews about the seating at the sphere, I did know that they said seats further back were great seats because you were able to see everything happening without constantly looking up or behind you to see certain things. So, that was perfect for us!

Ok, the airflight was booked, the hotel was booked and both shows were booked! Whew! "Karl, you're a lot of work" 😘I guess the only thing left was to see if there were any places we wanted to walk to in order to fill in our time there. However, I know since "Karl's" accident he gets tired easily. He goes to bed very early and gets up late. He kept asking "What else are we doing? I wanna do more!" I told him we already had shows booked for both days and one day is traveling there and one day is traveling home. There wouldn't be much more time for anything else plus he would be tired and we would probably need to go back to the room for a nap before heading out again, which would leave even less time. His reply..."I'll be fine and I wanna pack in everything I can" Slow your roll Mr Karl. This is a trial run for future trips. We're not going to over do it. Sigh 😮‍💨After that, his only request was to get burgers from the In-N-Out Burger that we didn't get to eat at last time we visited. Ok, I think I can make that happen...especially since we would be staying right where it is located.

I did know that some of the hotels change their flower arrangements in the lobby so maybe we'd check those out while we were there. We've only been to Vegas during Christmas and seen their Christmas arrangements (twice now). Other than that, we could do a little bit of shopping because one of my favorite hoodie shirts is from Vegas and I knew I wanted another.

Now on with the review...