'Star Trek: The Experience' To End?

[T'Cal]

I've gone several times with my wife and kids and we thoroughly enjoy it. I was there last month with my wife and I asked an employee who told me that she's heard the rumors, too, but that the restaurant, rides, and shops have a steady flow of customers daily. She said that she would be surprized if they shut it down because from her perspective, it seemd very profitable. Still, she's a frontline employee and not in the boardroom where the real money is discussed.

I'm ambivilent about moving it as it is located right next to the convention center and the monorail connects it to the strip. I hope that it's revamped, though, as it has become a bit long in tooth. I would love to see a ride based on the next movie. Then I would base the design of each of the following on one of the other eras, i.e.: a casual cafeteria (ENT); an upscale restaurant (TOS movies); a bar Ten Forward (TNG); shops (DS9); etc. I would love to see a few sets from the shows as part of a guided tour with photo ops: a Bridge or two, a Ready Room, an Engineering Section, a Transporter Room, Crew Quarters, etc.

[MattJC]

AntonyF wrote:

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I've had four of them. I met a guy who's part of a Klingon theatre group there one year... when meeting him a few years later, he said "You are the person who drunk four warp core breeches. You are a legend amongst my people!"

.

Damn. I'm plenty hammered after the mini-Warp Core. You must have a liver of solid steel.

[Biggshow]

T'Cal wrote:

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I've gone several times with my wife and kids and we thoroughly enjoy it. I was there last month with my wife and I asked an employee who told me that she's heard the rumors, too, but that the restaurant, rides, and shops have a steady flow of customers daily. She said that she would be surprized if they shut it down because from her perspective, it seemd very profitable. Still, she's a frontline employee and not in the boardroom where the real money is discussed.

I'm ambivilent about moving it as it is located right next to the convention center and the monorail connects it to the strip. I hope that it's revamped, though, as it has become a bit long in tooth. I would love to see a ride based on the next movie. Then I would base the design of each of the following on one of the other eras, i.e.: a casual cafeteria (ENT); an upscale restaurant (TOS movies); a bar Ten Forward (TNG); shops (DS9); etc. I would love to see a few sets from the shows as part of a guided tour with photo ops: a Bridge or two, a Ready Room, an Engineering Section, a Transporter Room, Crew Quarters, etc.

If I were king of Vegas (or at least the Hilton), I'd clear out some of the Spacequest Casino and move a large part of the Tour in there (since it doesn't seem to be going anywhere at the moment). That would give the Experience perhaps a more complete feel for those who want more TOS. Can you just see the Guardian of Forever at one of the entrances? You'd go through it to get to some of the attractions.

...really need to win the lottery now...

[Sean Aaron]

It would be a shame as I quite enjoyed it the one time I went. Pity I'm unlikely to see the Borg bit as I just cannot justify a trip to Vegas since moving to the UK.

[glindros]

I recently returned from a trip to Las Vegas. I first went to STTE shortly after they opened, and returned for the first time almost 10 years later. I think the place has held up very well. Their attention to keep the place looking fresh and maintained is obvious (except the resturant. Those booths could use some new padding.) I splurged and took the whole package, behind the scenes, pictures, etc..

The Klingon encounter was even better than I remembered it. The Borg ride was great. And the behind the scenes tour was undescribably nice. Our tour guide was fantastic. I believe her name was Kelly. "Ain't no fan like a Star Trek fan".

I fought bitterly to get to Vegas just to go back to see STTE. I might not have went to Vegas at all if it wasn't for that ride.

The staff was talking about getting ready for a refurbishment of the timeline to reflect the new movie, once out. Hopefully it will come to pass, and boost the attendance for what is a wonderful experience.

[donners22]

I've wanted to go there for years. It would be a bitter disappointment if it were to close.

[Mistral]

I've been 3 times and enjoyed them all. On one occasion one of the Klingons in the bar tried to take my wife-but then returned her with the comment, "She bathes-you keep her."
I also remember going there with 2 friends. We drank a LOT of Romulan Ale. I had done this once before so when they headed for the restroom I went with. Y'know, they color that stuff with blue food coloring. It takes a LOT of ale but eventually it turns your piss green. I thought my buddies were gonna faint.

If they tear it down Vegas will lose something unique-I hope it stays.

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Been there more times than I can remember. And times that I can't remember at all.

I remember once, a buddy of mine and I got drunk and belligerent from too many Warp Core Breaches (or was it Borg Spheres?) and we almost got into a physical fight with another table about how shitty "Voyager" was (a "Voyager" episode was playing on the screen nearby).

The waiter intervened, attempting to defend "Voyager." We came this close to getting kicked out.

There aren't too many restaurants where a scene like that will play out...

[Biggshow]

Mistral wrote:

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We drank a LOT of Romulan Ale. I had done this once before so when they headed for the restroom I went with. Y'know, they color that stuff with blue food coloring. It takes a LOT of ale but eventually it turns your piss green. I thought my buddies were gonna faint.

If you get the bottled stuff, it doesn't turn your piss green but you do get blue turds. I took a case of the stuff back to Knoxville when I was going to grad school there and broke it out at a party. I warned those who drank about this unusual side effect. I got calls the next day thanking me for the warning.

[TheLonelySquire]

TrekToday wrote:

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The contract between CBS and Cedar Fair (who owns <i>The Experience</i>) ends this year and it may not be renewed.<p>As reported by <A class="link" HREF="http://trekmovie.com">TrekMovie.com</A>, <i>The Experience</i> attraction, in operation since 1998, may close after the current contract expires at the end of the year. "There are currently no plans to renew it," said a spokesperson from Cedar Fair. <p>Attendance has been declining for years, in spite of the introduction of the "Borg Invasion 4D" ride in 2004. Cost reductions have helped, but may not be enough to save the attraction. <p>This is not the first time that the attraction's future has been in peril. As reported by <A class="link" HREF="http://www.trektoday.com/news/280106_01.shtml">TrekToday</A> two years ago, a change in ownership of the Las Vegas Hilton was cause for concern, but the attraction survived.<p>A final decision on whether to keep the attraction or not will be made by the end of May. It is possible that the attraction could be sold by Cedar Fair to another company, who would then have to make new deals with both the Hilton and CBS. <p>A closure would also effect the annual official Creation Star Trek Convention which has been held yearly at the Las Vegas Hilton since <i>The Experience</i> opened in 1998. A decision would have to be made as to whether they should stay at the Hilton, or relocate to another hotel, possibly opting for one closer to "the strip".<p>To read more, head to the article located <A class="link" HREF="http://trekmovie.com/2008/05/02/future-of-star-trek-the-experience-in-doubt/">here</A>.<center></center>

I'm going in September. Looking forward to it.

[Trektek1]

I think might have to rethink September because if it is decided to close STTE then Cedar Fairs will shut down operations at around Sept. so that they can move out by December 31. I'll miss STTE very much. I've going since 2001 and have had a lot of good times, some great memories and made some good friends there.

[brayman1701]

Any update on this ???

[AlboOfBorg]

My favorite part is the Enterprise-D bridge. I hope they don't shut it down

[Samuel T. Cogley]

AlboOfBorg wrote:

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My favorite part is the Enterprise-D bridge. I hope they don't shut it down

Well, at least you can still get that on "Star Trek: The Tour."

[brayman1701]

So does anyone know the decision yet ?