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| - A pleasant break from the madness of Las Vegas, the Chuck Jones Experience is worth a quick visit for any fan of vintage animation.
The "Experience" is a small walk-through museum featuring a replica of Chuck Jones drawing room and library, some larger-than-life dioramas of famous characters, original sketches and artwork, and a collection of awards, letters and telegrams. The colors and architectural design make it feel as if you are stepping into your very own cartoon.
The exhibit is somewhat hard to find due to minimal signage and the enormity of Circus Circus. (It is closer to the adventure dome than the circus midway.) Retail vendors at Circus Circus shopping areas tended to be a bit too enthusiastic for my taste as I walked the gauntlet from the parking lot to the exhibit. At nearly $20 for adults and $15 for kids, I felt the experience was somewhat overpriced, especially for a family.
As a museum that pays tribute to an important animator, the exhibitors would have done better to include more historical information for adults. As a big fan of animation, I would have appreciated a guidebook, placards, or even QR codes to explain in more detail the stories behind many of the pieces on display. While there were some interactive elements for children, there should have been a few more hands-on elements to hold their interest. It was a treat to see original Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, White Seal and Grinch illustrations, but the Tom and Jerry years were conspicuously absent.
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