I was going back through some old articles over on Trekmovie, and discovered we are coming up on an anniversary in Trek fandom that marks the end of an era. This September 1st will mark the tenth anniversary of the closing of Star Trek: The Experience at the (then) Las Vegas Hilton. At the time, there was some limited hope that it might come back in some form, and there were even tentative plans to revive it in Vegas, plans which never came to pass. As someone who never went to The Experience, but admittedly could have done so, I didn't feel the loss as deeply as some did. Seeing that I'm someone who, then and now, doesn't drink or gamble, Vegas had no appeal to me even with The Experience. That said, I realize that The Experience meant a lot to many people. In the aftermath of the announcement, Lord knows many people were saying, "I meant to get there someday, but now I can't..." or "Cedar Fair is making a bad decision because Star Trek is going to be bigger than ever in a few months!" (Remember, this was happening during the buildup to ST09). I would imagine that someone on these boards made it out there at least once. What were your impressions of it? How do you feel about it ten years later? Was it worth it? What was your experience?
I went once back in 2003 I think. It’s been so long that I can’t really remember much. I can remember that I got my picture in the Captain’s chair on the Enterprise D bridge set & still have the picture but my eyes are closed ! Also my sister had gone with me & we got some drink at Quarks Bar that was blue to share. I swear it came in a glass the size of a fishbowl.
Only went once. 1999 maybe? Loved it. While waiting for the shuttle ride I was harassed by a Ferengi that quizzed me on the rules of acquisition. Quarks’ Bar was fun with Trek themed entrees (hamborger) and drinks. Romulan ale, tamarian frost were tried. The gift shop had some great one offs that I still own. Would go back any day if it were still around.
It was an attraction at The Hilton from 1998 to 2008. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Experience Kor
I've told this story often (because it's AWESOME) but the one time I went to the Experience when I walked onto the D bridge it was magic. I'm a TOS guy, through and through. But I was on the freaking U.S.S. Enterprise! So Commander William Riker is giving his spiel on the bridge viewer, explaining the plot when he turns and looks RIGHT AT ME and says "Ensign Thomas!" (my last name) "Get these people to safety!" I had to calm way the hell down. Because this is not real and this isn't really happening and I'm way too young to be having a stroke! Then the actual cast member playing "Ensign Thomas" shouted "YES SIR!" and escorted us off the bridge. Whew! That could have been embarrassing. I've met Shatner. I've met Andrew Probert. I've had pizza with Cirroc Lofton (without knowing who he was). Hell, I've met Jonathan Frakes and told him Riker's middle name should be Thomas! (Ironically, he disagreed.) And that was probably the greatest Star Trek, um, Experience of my life.
Warp Core Breaches were Red! Borg Spheres were green. I don't remember what was blue. We went 5 times over the years. It was a Nerd's Paradise! The food and drinks at Quark's (The "Holy Rings of Betazed" Onion Rings ), TNG playing on the big screens in the restaurant, the characters (A Ferengi cast member offered to buy my wife one time). The timeline exhibits, the attractions... The "Beaming Effect" is the thing I remember the most. It was awesome. One year we did a "backstage" tour where they walked us through everything. Alas, it all ended in tragedy for us. Sure, it's all fun and games...until the Borg Assimilate Your Daughter!!
Entirely possible I’m not remembering the right color. It was 15 years ago and a lot of alcohol. I’m surprised I remember having it...
I was in Vegas in 2003 with my wife and stayed at the Mirage. She isn't a Star Trek Fan and really wasn't into going to the Experience at the Hilton, but I somehow convinced her by telling her we'll take a long walk from the Mirage and enjoy the sites along the way. If you've been to Vegas and know the layout of the strip, that's a hike I recall the same experience with the warp core breach and the Ent D bridge - it was all very authentic. At the end of our Experience I recall being in Quarks and getting some drinks. As expected it wasn't the highlight of the trip for my wife, but as I said, we did have a good walk
I went once within a few months of the grand opening. I recall having to stand in line for over an hour, waiting in an area that was like the entrance to the “Star Tours” Disney ride, than being “transported” to the Enterprise (easily the best part), trooping around the ship a bit, followed by a slightly nauseating motion ride. Afterwards, the Promenade area was fun and I enjoyed drinking in Quarks (lol).
Looking back, I could've gone to the Experience at least once. I live in LA, so it's a one-hour commuter flight to Vegas; I could've taken off after breakfast, had lunch at the Experience, and been back in Burbank for dinner. I had the time and the money (moreso the time by the end) but it never really occurred to me to go. Some of it is that being a non-gambler and non-drinker, Vegas doesn't readily spring to mind as a destination. Also, by the time the Experience was closing, I was just getting back into Star Trek with the anticipation surrounding ST09. I had fallen off Trek during ENT season 3 and more or less left it behind for a good three years. Maybe I just couldn't justify the trip if I were going only for the Experience, even just a day trip.
Apparently, this is how the former site looks as of 2014: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/WestgateBar.jpg