Yeah, for you, you'd be going through Bakersfield. That's how my mom, when she lived in Hanford, would go.
But on the 15 the two typical stopping points are in Baker (Gateway to Death Valley, home of the Mad Greek, the World's Largest Thermometer, Alien Jerky, and not a whole helluva lot else. LOL). And also Barstow, which coming your way, you will miss the stop we usually take which is where the outlets and all the fast food is.
As for the Phantom seats, did you go to their website and see the interactive seating map?
http://www.palazzolasvegas.com/phantom_seating/index.htm
That gives you a good idea of what you'll see from your seats. However, I will say that we were up in the balcony, middle section (Row E, I think), middle area. Our view was fine. And after the show we walked down stairs and stood down below to check out the view from down there and I personally preferred being up higher. So Mezzanine is fine, as long as you aren't too far back.
Fridays are referred to as Get Away Fridays since that is when everyone is "getting away" for the weekend and coming here to Vegas. And Sundays are called Going Home Sundays obviously because everyone is going back home. (Real original, huh?)
But it's true and the later you wait to arrive on a Friday or the later you leave on a Sunday, the more traffic you will hit. If you add a holiday in there, expect that to double or triple. That's what happens when there is pretty much only one way in and one way out.