STTE: Final visit...

[kevjulian]

My wife and I just spent our last days at the Experience. We had an amazing and fun time but are very sad at what is going to happen to the Experience. The actors and staff were great and the rides were just as fun as the first time we rode them. We closed out every evening at Quarks. We had one Borg Sphere, 3 Tranyas, a Mind Meld, Risa Colada, Tuliberry Wine and a Tamarian Frost... We shared of course. I have never had so much fun as when I am at the Experience. Even walking through the now bare shops. We got in Vegas on the 23rd and they had some collector glasses with the opening and closing dates of the Experience, we bought 6 that morning and came back that night and the rest were all gone. We loved all of the people coming in uniform I just sometimes wish I had the balls to wear one myself. I wished we could have made it to the closing but time and money ruled it out. I wish to send a special thanks to all of the staff at the Experience, you are a credit to Trek lovers every where. I am so sorry that you all will be out of jobs next week.

Kev and Rose

 

[Brian]

My best friend Mike and I went out there together last Friday and Saturday. We both went for the grand opening "Warp-n-Ride" fan appreciation event in 1998. I had been once more in the interim, but Mike hadn't seen it since the opening. It seemed fitting somehow that we both go at the end. What a bittersweet symmetry.

We did the rides on Friday, and took loads of pictures in the museum. That was my first time seeing "Borg Invasion 4D", my most recent previous visit to the Experience having been in 2003. I enjoyed it, but it pales in comparison to the original "Klingon Encounter". I still love that one to pieces.

Beverly Washburn was there outside Quark's, signing autographs. She played Lt. Galway in TOS:"The Deadly Years". What a sweet lady. And a nice unexpected surprise. I told her that she had my favorite blooper on the gag reel, where she forgets her line and tells Bones, "I feel like hell!" She seemed flattered that someone would remember that.

The shops were all curtained except for the Admiral's Collection. And they didn't have much beyond borgified teddy bears, calendars, glasses, phaser water pistols, action figures and pins. I picked up three pins (TNG, Voyager, and TNG-future communicators), a trio of shot glasses with the command, medical and science logos from TOS on them, a 2009 Ships of the Line calendar, and a phaser water pistol. I also got one of the commemorative drinking glass with the opening and closing dates of the Experience on it.

Then we had dinner at Quark's and shared a Borg Sphere and a 5-ouncer James Tea Kirk (in a mini-sphere glass, instead of the usual lager glass). LOL, the waiter upsold me on the James Tea Kirk and I didn't even realize it. We got a mini Borg Sphere (5oz of liquor instead of 10, it was the middle of the day after all!) to share, and decided to try a smaller drink along with it. The waiter asked if I wanted the James Tea in a globe or a regular lager glass. I said the globe, because it sounded cooler. I didn't realize that meant it was a larger drink! Boy were we "happy" when we left there!!

We tried to get the Back Stage Tour on Friday, but they were booked. So we returned on Saturday for that. (The last BST ever was to be held on Sunday!)

Our tour guide Jerad was absolutely fantastic. It was his last BST ever, and you could tell it was tough on him. He seemed to tear up several times whenever talking about the dedication of the staff, his love of his job, or the pending closure. Hell, it was tough on me and I'm an "outsider". I really felt for him. Jerad has played the Ferengi Quan in the Experience since 2000. I'm sad that we didn't get to see him in character. Before the tour, he walked around the circle and introduced himself to all 23 of us, and asked each of us who our favorite captain was. Then during the tour, he remembered every single person's name. I became his "go-to geek". Whenever he asked a trivia question I knew the answer, like what GNDN on the conduits in Copernicus Station set means. ("Goes Nowhere, Does Nothing", lol.)

It was so nice to be able to enjoy the sets at a 'leisurely' pace. We took a moment to read aloud several of the Okudagram labels in the Enterprise corridor ("No matter where you go, there you are," "Gort. Klaatu. Barada. Nicto.", etc.). On the bridge, I took Mike to the master situation display at the aft engineering section and showed him the VW beetle in the shuttle bay and the big rubber duck forward on the same deck.

The true highlights for me were:

1. The transporter effect with the lights on. (After that part, there were three Starfleet officers in the transporter room who exchanged some witty banter with Jerad. He noted that one of them was wearing glasses, something more Starfleet officers should do, lol. He told them it was his last BST and the officers and all the guests gave him an ovation, which reallly moved him.)

2. Visiting the bridge, especially being allowed to walk all over it and explore, rather that being stuck on the upper level.

3. Standing under the simulators during the ride.

We ended up in the Captain's Lounge, where I made a point of thanking Jerad for the fantastic tour and acknowledging how tough it must have been on him.

After the BST, I wrote a note for the memory wall then we went back to Quark's and shared a final Warp Core Breach.

The place was so busy the line went up the stairs to the casino, so we sat at the bar. When I ordered food, the bartender said the kitchen was running about 40 minutes behind, which was about how long it would take to down the Breach anyway, so it didn't matter. We chatted with two groups of fellow fans who came and went beside us, and drank a toast to the Experience with them. After about an hour, I finally asked about the food and the bartender said, "food?" The guy never placed the order! I left the place furious and especially PO'd that that would be my last memory of the place.

Since then, a cooler head has prevailed and I know my lasting memory of the Experience will be Jerad's back stage tour, and the obvious passion he had for the place and how much he seemed to love being a part of it.

My hat is off to the place!

And fie on whoever the axeman is.

 

[Crewman6]

Thanks for sharing. I'm very disappointed I never got to go on the BST. I only heard about the impending closure a couple weeks ago, would have definitely made the time for one last jaunt if I had more notice.

Though I haven't been in years, I'm definitely sad to see the place go. Great memories...

 

[Amy Sisson]

Brian, we were there at the same time! While reading your post, I thought perhaps we were even on the same backstage tour, but ours must have been earlier in the day on Saturday (12:30 p.m.) because Jerad didn't mention on ours that it was his last tour, and I don't think we had the banter about eyeglasses. But I too was amazed at Jerad's ability to remember the name of every single person on the tour, and I enjoyed his personality and the tour itself very much.

I didn't realize during the tour that he plays Quon, but Saturday night at the bar, there was a Ferengi making the rounds and I gradually noticed that he moved exaxtly the same way Jerad does.... ;-) It was really fun having a chance to see him in both capacities! (I need to read the rules to see if we're allowed to post a photo, or a link to a photo -- if it's allowed, I'll do so.)

Man, that was a fun weekend. Wish I'd met you in person, though!

 

[Amy Sisson]

Here is our Ferengi friend. This is Quon, right? (Um, I hate to say it, but it can be hard to tell Ferengi apart....)

I guess I'll have to do a link, as the image isn't showing up....

http://picasaweb.google.com/amy.a.sisson/StarTrekTheExperience/photo#5238697080637083362

 

[Brian]

Our tour with Jerad was at 2:30 on Saturday.

I'm pretty sure that's him in the photo. I'm risking getting the Ferengi Anti-Defamation League on my back, but yeah, they all look alike.

Quan's a Liquidator who has fallen out of favor. You can look at him on the ST:TE main page: http://startrekexp.com/

Yeah, I'm sorry we didn't meet up. I should have posted a meet-up thread or something. I just assumed that most of the folks around here would have gone for the convention a couple of weeks earlier. I picked last weekend, between the con and the closing, hoping that it would be a lull in the crowds.

 

[Biggshow]

Here is our Ferengi friend. This is Quon, right? (Um, I hate to say it, but it can be hard to tell Ferengi apart....)

I guess I'll have to do a link, as the image isn't showing up....

http://picasaweb.google.com/amy.a.sisson/StarTrekTheExperience/photo#5238697080637083362

That is Quan. These guys...

I worked with them for four and a half years and have kept in touch ever since. It made me very happy to see that the Experience finally acknowledged their contribution to the place by putting their backstories on the website. In most surveys, they came in second as to what would continue to draw people to the attraction (the rides were first). I have been referencing their dedication to taking the fun seriously in my theatre classes. I will get to see them all in character one last time this weekend.

Qapla'!

 

[S'kai]

I guess some of us passed each other by on Friday. We had a ball, especially the behind the scenes (one of my daughters is a theatre tech, the other an astronomer. Go figure).
We look like this (These should be a caption contest. Go at it, I can take it):

 

[KaiClark]

From my blog



So yeah I was in Vegas doing the Star Trek Experience for the 6th time and last, It’s closing down at the end of the month. It’s odd really to be here now. Allow me to explain I first came here the year it opened for a birthday vacation. It was alive and vibrant everything was new and to be honest I was geeking out along with my friends on the trip. Today the promenade was closed down at least the shops were, except for one of them and a few kiosk’s Gareks was torn down, Zeks was closed and vacant. They had the new toys and a few prints and autographed items. It felt like the promenade in the first episode of DS9. It had seen better days and was kinda a ghost town. Part of me knew it was going to be this way but the other part was still in denial. I didn’t or was hoping that they’d wait til after closing to take down stuff. I can remember the shops and the monitors playing episodes of DS9 or TNG. It was a place to find Trek items that I had wanted. The actors were still playing there parts well. The bartenders serving the drinks were not happy. That would changes as we got to know them and they are comic-book geeks so a doodle on a napkin and a business card here and we were old friends. The food was fantastic…as always.
But I was here and having a great time with Greg (my best friend), who made the trip possible on such short notice. I’m in full on geek mode on this trip. I get to indulge in living for a short time once again on DS9 and hanging out at Quarks. It hit me then and there that right now this is the last time. If you haven’t done it please enjoy this blog and the photos (Coming soon). They pale in comparison to the actual walking around the place. To be so close to Sisko’s Uniform or Odo’s bucket. I’m inches away from Nomad or models of ships. To be so close to all this cool stuff. It’s just amazing. For that I’m happy to be here one more time once more unto the breach as one might say. I even contemplated breaking the glass stealing the clock that Sisko makes and telling Greg to cover me with the phaser rifle, which he would have done.
Even with the shops closing down the handicap ramp covered in letters from fans pleading the Hilton to keep it going. This was possible the busiest I’ve ever seen it since coming here. Waiting in line for the rides something I haven’t done in a long time. After which several in our group this was there first time and they were enjoying themselves wrapped up in the 24th century blanket. There were lots of people in costume with their family walking around pointing out items and other things. Younger kids for the first time going on the rides that was something I overheard a lot “This is my first time”. One young kid got scared just before the ride and asked to be taken home another way.

I walked around the promenade missing and remembering all the times I had been here. I would just spend time watching the main screen. Friends I had done this with and where are they now. I was thinking about this I had done this trip for the first time in ’98 I get sentimental sometimes in the privacy of my home. I’m quite that way. I don’t speak a lot. This blog is only partially me it’s a persona like who I wish I was or more like. Since for the most part I don’t know who reads it I just let things fly out of my mouth. In actuality I’m more reserved as many of my friends will attest.
I first went to the Experience in 98 for a birthday celebration with Matt H, Marilee, Rhesa and Myself. I still have those photos which I’ll scan and put in the gallery soon. That trip was good and bad for a variety of reason to long and frankly sometimes too painful to recant. The follow time was 1 years later again Matt H and Moose, his wife and me. The third was just Moose, Julie and I. 2 years later as a belated birthday present Greg and I, we actually stayed at the Hilton. The previous times were the Luxor twice, and the Tropicana. It was nice to be able to walk down to the ride. The next time was as a family (Greg and Jen are my family herein PDX) and me. Jen had never been so it was fun and she planned the trip making sure we had plenty to do. We did the Experience and had plans to see Ka. When we got ready to see the show I was in full blown sickness having picked up a nasty bit of something in SDCC I was barely able to stand. We had already done the ride earlier but as we went to get the tickets for Ka. They had us all sitting in different parts of the theatre never were three seats farther apart. Jen got a refund and wondered what we were going to do instead. Yep a night out at Quarks we did the behind the scenes tour even as sick as I was, it was awesome. Finally this trip much delayed due to illness and bad timing was just Greg and I. Jen couldn’t make it as kids and it was really a short notice trip was just too much. She called several time to make sure everything was going ok.
I had plans to go on the ride with a few other friends, Sarah, James and Aimee a few years ago but we could never make the time, now I wish we had. 7 times would have been right. Actually no matter how many times I would have gone it would have been short. I could never get my fill of that place. Trek for me is a narcotic and I’m addicted.
As the clock winded down and it was getting closer and closer to go a sinking feeling was coming over me and I went to my favorite spot the observation deck a area where before you go in overlooks the promenade, above you is the giant ships of Enterprise D, Voyager and a Bird of Prey. I watch the screen play images from my favorite show. And I got a little sad. This now was the last time I was to stand on this place. One last meal and thanks for the memories to the bartender’s who had become friends and a few of the workers we had met on other trips that remembered us they were working and couldn’t stop by as they were fighting off the borg. We walked away the last time and Greg notice a little less spring in my step but still a smile on my face.
Melancholy was setting in.
I get wrapped into my head sometimes and over the past 2 years haven’t been the kindest to me. It’s been a ride to be sure a lot has been good and a lot has been awful. I’ve had medical problems that at times are too much for me to handle. Friends and loved ones now gone drifted apart in different directions. So now gone or soon to be is ST:E the only reason for me to go to Las Vegas another chapter with the I’s dotted and the “T”’s crossed. I have my memories, photos and souvenirs I hope it’s enough.


For those interested its not the Hilton, they have a contract to do the Creation Conventions, the Decision was the owners Cedar Hills, as when they purchased a few rides from Paramount they got the Experience, which they didn't want and decided to dismantle instead of keep it going ....a little bird told me when I was drinking my Klingon Blood Wine at the bar.

The lights are turned off. The curtain falls
Hailing frequencies are now closed.
m

 

[digefxgrp]

For those interested its not the Hilton, they have a contract to do the Creation Conventions, the Decision was the owners Cedar Hills...

I think you mean Cedar Fair. Cedar Hills is outside of of Beaverton.

 

[KaiClark]

For those interested its not the Hilton, they have a contract to do the Creation Conventions, the Decision was the owners Cedar Hills...

I think you mean Cedar Fair. Cedar Hills is outside of of Beaverton.

I do, thx for the correction

 

[Dale]

I'll be at Star Trek: The Experience for the final two days. On Sunday I'll probably be in a regular, dark-colored, short-sleeved shirt with a bar of gold-pressed latinum on a chain around my neck. On Monday I'll be in a TNG series command uniform with commander's pips. I'm 43, about 5'11", a bit of grey hair, and my name really is Dale. If you're there and you spot me, come on over and introduce yourself. We'll toast the glory that was Star Trek: The Experience! I'll probably be in Quark's most of Sunday and all day Monday 'til they finally kick us out!

 

[Ssosmcin]

I just got back from a 4 day jaunt to Vegas, primarily to see the Experience on last time. I live out in NY, so getting to Vegas more than once every 5 years is financially impossible for me, but the LVH room rates were amazingly low ($59 a night) and the airfare was equally cheap ($300 r/t), so I knew I had to get there.

To be honest...I was fairly depressed at the atmosphere of finality, like being on the set of Turnabout Intruder, I guess. If you're going this weekend, don't expect to find anything in the gift shop except for $30 communicators (tons of them not marked down - grrr), DS9 and Borg teddy bears (marked down - yaay) , some pins and the Klingon and Andorian Mego repros.

However, the staff was as into it as ever, and I even got a hug from the cashier girl at the gift shop. Suzie Plackson and Beverly Washburn were there signing pictures and greeting fans, like a mini-convention. The wife and I had our pictures taken in the Borg alcove and the Bridge (where two fans contributed assistance attaching fan owned pins and getting the oversized shirts on). I even got a small teeny bit o'fame during the bridge picture as "the make it so guy." lol

I had my last meal at Quarks (awesome Hamborger but their fries are awful) and saw hundreds of messages pinned to the walls from fans who expressed their appreciation and disappointment at the attraction closing.

I said goodbye to the last remaining place keeping pre-JJ Abrams Trek alive, sad in the knowledge that most of the physical, non-TV series original props and sets will most likely be demolished rather than stored.

I also said goodbye to the Las Vegas Hilton, since now there is absolutely NO reason for me to ever go there again. They're too far from the strip, they don't have any good place to eat (except Paradise Cafe, but the wait staff is horrific) and they have butt-ugly cocktail waitresses.

 

[Biggshow]

I left my baseball there last night. When I'm less tired I'll post more. I feel like I should be wearing a black armband today.

 

[kevjulian]

I look forward to your post Biggshow and I hope you took lots of pictures. Anyone else who was there for the last day please tell us about your experiences.

Kev

 

[USS Intrepid]

I see someone has posted the closing ceremony on You Tube. Seeing the staff lining up was really very moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZThaDeqCpbk

 

[MattJC]

It was heartbreaking to see April break into tears like that.

 

[USS Intrepid]

Yeah very much so. Especially so given her usual character in demeanour. Still can't believe the place is gone.

 

[Dale]

***I WARN YOU: THIS IS A LONG, LONG POST***

I am still emotionally exhausted after being on hand for the final day of Star Trek: The Experience. I arrived at the attraction about half an hour before it opened on Monday in an effort to get a seat at Quark's bar. There was the slightest tinge of dread over the impending closure, but at the same time the excitement of participating in this extra-sepcial day. Lots of media were there including the guys from The Ugly Couch (if you don't know, just Google it), lots of local news crews and a crew from Paramount who were there to record the last day events, fans and closing ceremonies for a mini-documentary on STTE reportedly to be included as an extra on the eventual dvd release of STXI.

Once they let us into the Experience gates, we and the crowd we were spending the day with, including long-time Quark's regulars Gerry and Francine, ran to the bar to get in line at the entrance... there was a huge throng wanting in and only a limited number of barstools. We were right at the front and killed time chatting with Rog'l and Quan (the Ferengi) and Major Kahlen (the female Klingon warrior) and Commander ChuroQ (the tall Klingon warrior). Suzie Plackson (Kehylar and Dr. Selar from TNG, the female Q from Voyager) was there to sign autographs for the day and officiate at the closing ceremony later that night, and she stopped by to say hello as well. Chase Masterson (Leeta from DS9) was also on hand and signing (in a skimpy silver bustier, I might add)!

We made small talk waiting for Quark's to open and could already see that it was going to be a very busy day... the promenade was packed. We held our ground and when they finally let us into the bar, we rushed to secure seats which we held onto the entire day as the place got busier and busier, louder and louder. Many stories of good times at STTE were shared, and there was a lot of toasting and laughing and hugging.

Every alien in the cast was on hand that day with the exception of 3 of 6 (the liberated Borg drone), who had left STTE employment a few days earlier in anticipation of the closing. Guess he had to start another job. He was missed and remembered fondly. Toward the end of the night, they began to come by one-by-one and give small speeches of gratitude to and affection for the human guests with which they'd shared the last decade. Churoq said he had learned to tolerate and even enjoy our company, Kahlen pounded her fist on the bar and sang Klingon drinking songs with us all, K'Stran (the Andorian male) stood on a chair and explained to us all that, despite the fact that Quark's and STTE were closing that night, the clever Ferengi had found a way to take the entire place back through time where they'd be opening for business and taking our money all over again, so in a way the entire thing was about to start over... those lucky bastards back in 1997! Each new alien arrival was greeted by the entire bar chanting their names and cheering! Even Risca, (the female Ferengi) made a shocking appearance completely clothed! T'Pril, the Vulcan scientist, showed up late in the evening and chided a few of the regulars who were by this time getting very emotional as this place we all considered a home away from home drew closer to it's final demise.

Eventually, even the bartenders began to get a little wild, posing for pictures, pouring free shots and climbing on the bar for accolades from a crowd of adoring patrons. Insiders will appreciate this: even loveable-but-surly bartender Darren was in a jubilant mood!

As 9pm drew nigh, they stopped serving hard liquor and began selling off the glassware to people who'd reserved a bar souvenier (I was, sadly, not able to get in on one of the famous warp core breach glasses as they were all spoken for!) I did manage to order and receive one of the last few warp core breaches served, but when I was about 3/4 done with it they took away the glass and poured it into a plastic cup... so that was how we ended the evening... with plastic cups! This did nothing to somber the mood, however, as we all revelled in the comraderie of our fellow Trekkies and the alien friends we'd miss so much in this most special of bars.

A few people did get out of hand. One drunk was 86ed, barely able to stand, and escorted off the property because he wouldn't leave people alone, and two girls who got really loaded and a little too into each other (kissing, groping and fondling one another until finally one removed her shirt to reveal nothing but black tape over her nipples) were finally asked to leave. The crowd cheered, shouting "take it outside" and "get a room!" These two were actually making out right next to my barstool and occasioanlly bump'n'grinding into me! I don't think anyone objected in particular to their romatic choice but more to the fact that they were disrespecting the strange, festive-but-somber vibe of the evening. It was something akin to an Irish wake as we celebrated the place's life and death, but they were treating it more like some nightclub hotspot.

Anyway, once the end came the bartenders started closing out tabs and manager Lydia kindly-but-firmly ordered us out of the bar. Many of us left behind signed baseballs with messages of gratitude and love in a sort of existential protest - a Sisko-like statement that come hell or high water, we'd be back! We made our way out in a bit of a daze and not without a few tears, and as one warmhearted, sad-but-happy herd we left the Experience's property and gathered out front for the closing ceremony. The stores had been stripped bare, the bar had been drunk dry and the glasses sold off, the last rides had been taken, and there was nothing left to do but pipe the crew off the station.

And so they did. Every single employee from the management to the bartenders, from the cashiers to the janitors to the castmembers from the rides and the promenade were each announced by name and made their own solo walk down the ramp leading from the ticket counter and off the station. It was so strange to hear General Motog, (the grey-bearded and regal Klingon ambassador) called "Tom" and Quan (the Ferengi liquidator) called "Jared," but each and evry one of them got their proper respect and cheers from the adoring crowd. It was a vibe like the rest of the day, somehow filled with the glory of a decade-long mission well accomplished, but at the same time the ever-growing sense of finality... and all the while a massive golden curtain hung over the scene and everyone in the crowd shared the unspoken knowledge that it would soon fall forever on this home-away-from home, this portal to the Star Trek universe.

In the end, in accordance with the protocol used to decommission a military vessel, the longest-serving member and first-aboard was the last one to leave.

April, better know to us in her Andorian and Vulcan guises (she was still dressed as T'Pril) was the very first person hired when STTE was being opened, had helped test and fine-tune the rides themselves, and had spent literally thousands of hours and days interacting with more than 3 million visitors over the years. She was given the folded flag that had flown over STTE (it was Federation, not American) for safekeeping, and at that moment as the crowd roared adoration for her, her fellow castmembers and the entire decade long adventure we'd all shared... she lost her Vulcan composure. Her lip quivered, her face screwed up, and tears began to flow.

I had seen a group of off-duty, out-of-costume cast members at Quark's about a month ago. They hadn't spent much off-duty time at the bar over the years but with the end approaching and their identities having already been revealed at the "Aliens Unmasked" event at the recent convention, they felt more free to mingle with patrons. So there they were sharing a few drinks and some converstion among themselves when T'Pril came up, still in costume and in character, to greet them... and they spent the next five minutes trying to get her to crack a smile or laugh. It was K'Stran who finally got through to her and elicited the smallest of smirks which she quickly buried. That day I saw a Vulcan laugh.

This last night, I saw a Vulcan cry... and she wasn't alone. Many in the crowd, myself included, were moved to tears at the site of her accepting the flag and the crowd's adoration.

The rest of the alien cast then joined her on stage again and took a bow to yet more wild cheering. We sensed with dread that there was little time left... General Manager Chad Boutte gave a brief speech that the place would always live in their hearts and ours as we all embarked on new adventures in our future... a "Let history never forget the name... Enterprise..." sort of moment, and then to cries of "NO!" but also to the roar of a sustaind ovation, the gold curtain fell and we were forever cut off from Star Trek: The Experience.



I stopped by the attraction to peer through the locked gates on my way out of the Las Vegas Hilton (forever!) Tuesday morning. The gold curtain lay crumpled in a big ball on the stairs I had walked down so eagerly, so many times. The ramp leading to the ticket booth and History of the Future Museum was blocked by stacked chairs. The giant spaceships hanging over the scene were dark. A few lights were on on the promenade, flashing and beckoning, and the sign for Quark's was lit. I could even see the beer taps if I crouched down. Some of the giant screens inside were still playing clips from the various series, though most of them showed only the electric blue screen indicating "NO SIGNAL"... but the place was devoid of life. It was over.

They say the stuff in the museum will be returned to CBS Paramount, and that some of the generic fixtures and frniture may be repurposed by Cedar Fair (the company that owned the place in its waning years after Paramount Parks sold it off), but that anything even remotely trademarked or copyrighted... like the Enterprise bridges, the very shuttlecraft that had provided escape and homecoming to so many visitors over the years, the walls of Starfleet or Cardassian design, all the signage, all the Okudagrams and control panels... all of it by contract must be not merely destroyed but obliterated... rendered unrecognizable.

It's still sinking in for me, and I am sure for many others. There's a hole in my heart and an empty place in my gut. As my wife and I talked about everything that'd happened to us over the final days were were there we kept speaking in the present tense: they do this, they say that, they mix that drink THIS way... but it's time to start using the past tense. Star Trek: The Experience is gone.

May our shared memories, then, live long and prosper.

 

[MattJC]

Great report, Dale.
I really hope they don't put footage of the ceremony on the DVD for Abrams' movie.
He had nothing to do with the Experience and most of these new fans this movie is supposed to attract to the franchise, will have no idea what they missed out on. Plus, I really don't to pay money for a movie I really do not want to see, just so I can watch a handful of minutes from the closing ceremony.