The newest permanent FRIENDS(TM) Experience has opened inside MGM Grand, inviting travelers to step straight into the sitcom's most quotable moments. The 29,000-square-foot attraction, titled "The One in Vegas," recreates signature sets-from Monica and Rachel's purple apartment to the fountain with the orange couch-and adds a wedding-chapel photo op inspired by Ross and Rachel's whirlwind vows. Tickets start at $39, and a standalone retail store sells exclusive Las Vegas merchandise. The location is the brand's first West Coast flagship and its third permanent outpost worldwide.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Adds a marquee, year-round indoor attraction to the Las Vegas Strip.
- 29,000 sq ft of photo-ready sets, props, and costumes.
- Vegas-only wedding chapel lets guests propose or re-create the show's famous nuptials.
- Tickets from $39, timed entry, with a free-access retail shop for souvenirs.
Snapshot
Set adjacent to the Grand Garden Arena in MGM Grand's District retail wing, "The One in Vegas" packs more than a dozen interactive environments under one roof. Visitors can "PIVOT!" a couch up a staircase, sip coffee in a full-scale Central Perk, or peek into Joey and Chandler's recliner-laden living room. Props run from Joey's gladiator costume to the infamous turkey head, and informational panels offer behind-the-scenes trivia. The attraction caps visits with an immersive fountain set, complete with the theme song's umbrellas for group photos.
Background
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences launched the traveling FRIENDS(TM) Experience in 2019, rolling through 31 pop-up stops before planting permanent flagships in New York and London. Las Vegas earned early bragging rights with Season 5's two-part finale "The One in Vegas," where the main cast filmed amid local landmarks in 1999. The new venue nods to that history, opening during the sitcom's 30-year Anniversary season. Original X Productions operates the attraction, while MGM Grand provides a high-traffic resort setting that draws more than 40 million annual visitors to the Strip.
Latest Developments
Tickets, timing, and guest flow
Timed-entry slots are available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., allowing roughly 60-90 minutes to explore at your own pace. VIP upgrades bundle expedited entry, a themed photo book, and a complimentary coffee-shop-style drink. Group sales and private event bookings open later this summer, targeting convention traffic at the adjacent Grand Garden Arena.
Retail roll-out
The on-site store stocks Las Vegas-exclusive T-shirts, Central Perk mugs, and replica props such as the Ugly Naked Guy poking device. Additional capsule collections will drop seasonally, starting with a Friendsgiving line this fall, giving repeat visitors a fresh reason to return.
Analysis
Las Vegas has long mined pop-culture nostalgia to diversify beyond gaming, yet sitcom-specific attractions remain rare compared with music residencies and film-themed exhibits. By anchoring the FRIENDS(TM) Experience inside MGM Grand, Warner Bros. ensures a steady flow of foot traffic from resort guests and arena events, while also tapping the growing demand for share-worthy indoor activities that beat desert heat. The price point under $40 keeps the experience accessible, especially for multigenerational groups seeking a break from casino floors. Unlike many Strip attractions, the walkthrough is fully climate-controlled, stroller-friendly, and alcohol-free, widening its daytime appeal. For travel advisors, the timed-entry model simplifies itinerary planning, and the VIP tier can serve as an upsell for clients celebrating milestones. The chapel set, offering unofficial vow renewals without paperwork, could prove a sleeper hit among bachelor-bachelorette parties looking for a humorous pre-wedding photo. With the sitcom still streaming globally, the exhibit's evergreen intellectual property should sustain interest well past the 30-year Anniversary glow.
Final Thoughts
By blending nostalgia, interactive sets, and Strip-ready spectacle, "The One in Vegas" positions itself as a crowd-pleasing add-on to any Las Vegas itinerary, especially for fandom-driven travelers seeking more than roulette wheels and residencies. Expect social-media feeds to fill with fountain-jumping boomerangs as the FRIENDS Experience Las Vegas welcomes its first season of guests, solidifying FRIENDS Experience Las Vegas as the city's newest must-post attraction.