On January 19th, The Chuck Jones Experience opened in Las Vegas at Circus Circus.  It is a permanent installation, with interactive aspects and chronicles his life and career as one of the geniuses of 20th century animation.

Chuck Jones helped to create some of Warner Bros. Studio’s most famously known film stars. His legacy is lovingly and passionately presented here as a fitting addition to the family attractions inside the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Even before entering, visitors are treated to several interactive gags, straight out of the Acme archives: giant spinning tops, a pair of spring shoes and an inviting “Do Not Pull” sign on a box of fireworks. Anyone who has visited Toon Town at Disneyland or Disneyworld will find some familiarity with aspects of the exhibit, but with a different flavor.

After picking up tickets at a booth that looks like it was pulled from one of Chuck’s animated shorts, visitors enter through a dark hall whose walls are inscribed with quotes from the artist. Emerging into the light, guests are instantly immersed into the cartoon world of Jones’ mind, a street comprised of brightly colored sign posts and store fronts owned and operated by familiar characters. A stylized movie theater gives guests a brief history of Jones’ life and his characters.

The Grinch was drawn on this very desk

Exiting the theater, guests will get the unique opportunity to view a recreation of Jones’ office, complete with a portion of his actual library and the desk on which he drew key sequences for How The Grinch Stole Christmas on. The walls are adorned with original sketches and a few awards Jones earned during his career, excluding his four Academy Awards. A “window” to the outside world occasionally treats viewers to characters lounging on the sill or walking down the street. This may just be a re-creation of Jones’ office, but there is something of a tangible magic about it that you wouldn’t find in a regular museum.

Past the office, the tour enters into a character-centric room with sketches and a “How do you measure up” display, but Jones’ creations really come to life as you round the corner into a cartoon soundstage. Daffy Duck directs Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner as Bugs Bunny operates the camera in a life sized 3D re-creation of a Jones piece entitled “Lights, Camera, Action!”. Guests can take their mark on the X, just below Wile E.’s anvil, if they dare.

Here is the info on their site:

Hours of Operation:
10:00am-10:00pm daily (including holidays, last admission sold at 9:00pm)

Admission Prices
Adults: $19.95
Children (5-17): $14.95 (children 4 and under free)
Seniors (65 and older): $14.95
Military (with ID): $14.95
Students (with ID): $14.95

Nevada Resident Prices (ID required)
Adults: $14.95
Children (5 - 17): $9.95 (4 and under free)

*Annual memberships available

Come see how animation was done during the "Golden Years." Try your hand at making an animation, experience interactive exhibits and total immersion into an animated world. Special workshops and lectures on the art of animation are planned for children and adults. Plus you can catch screenings of some of your favorite Chuck Jones animated films. A never-before-seen collection of drawings, doodles and paintings will top off this one-of-a-kind attraction.