What should change about the possible new Star Trek Experience?

[jcNX01]

I always thought the food sounded great on paper but was always lacking when it actually arrived at my table. Vegas is extremely competitive with food, and I would hope to see a little more care and attention given to the food at Quark's. It doesn't need to be break-the-bank high-end, but there is bar food and "pub grub" that's better than what I have been served.

 

[LutherSloan]

I agree that they need to cut back on the price of the admission. I was there in July and it was really bad. Overall it was fun, but not the greatest.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Not far... a couple of miles/a couple of minutes away from the LV Hilton (may it be forever cursed). It's located at the near end of Fremont Street immediately adjacent to the Fremont Street Experience (the massive television monitor/lightshow canopy that extends the length of Fremont Street).

It's last thing on the east end of the Fremont Street Experience.

If you are without a vehicle while in Vegas you can take a cab or a small bus known as "the Deuce."

The Deuce is a double decker bus... Ain't nothin' little about it (including the price which in January is going up from $1 to $3).

-Shawn

 

[Dale]

Not far... a couple of miles/a couple of minutes away from the LV Hilton (may it be forever cursed). It's located at the near end of Fremont Street immediately adjacent to the Fremont Street Experience (the massive television monitor/lightshow canopy that extends the length of Fremont Street).

It's last thing on the east end of the Fremont Street Experience.

If you are without a vehicle while in Vegas you can take a cab or a small bus known as "the Deuce."

The Deuce is a double decker bus... Ain't nothin' little about it (including the price which in January is going up from $1 to $3).

-Shawn

I have no trouble believing I am misremembering. I've only visited Fremont Street twice, and there was alcohol.

As for the Deuce, I distinctly remember seeing one of those hotel shuttle-type buses clearly branded "The Deuce," but perhpas it was just an advertisement for the real thing...

Anyway, you're the local, so I bow to your wisdom.

 

[TheSeeker]

For me, as long as Quark's and the walk-around aliens live again, I'm happy.

Same here. My wife isn't really a trekkie but she loved Quark's.

But yeah, a larger version of Quarks would be pretty sweet.

That would be sweet!

I always thought the food sounded great on paper but was always lacking when it actually arrived at my table.

The food I had was pretty good, but I thought the presentation could have been a little better. For instance, it would have been cool if the Fried Pipius Claw actually looked a little more like claws even if we all know it's just chicken.

 

[Amaris]

I would make the focus the new movie, but keep references to other trek (especially the original movies and TNG). Quarks would be a definite, since it was pretty popular (also, it's a way for them to make money ).

This.
I have never been to the experience, but when it's finished and I can go, which granted may be a long while, I want to experience all Trek, not just some.

J.

 

[azebelys]

does anyone know if a "neonopolis" website actually exists? its been a couple of weeks since there has been any news on the new experience, and so far as i can tell, no "official" word from CBS about the props and materials.

one thing i do find strange about this, is that neonopolis as far as i can tell has no official website. seems strange to me that a place as big as this place is would have a website... something smells funny here... the articles i have read are saying that the future is bright, and neonopolis is on the up. but surely the best way to advertise this would, in a modern world, involve having some sort of website. it must be the only place in vegas not to have one!

I have seen neonopolis, been in it... its pretty rubbish, and a lot of work will need doing to accomadate star trek. do the owners of this place really want to take such a big risk over something that currently has a niche following at best???

 

[azebelys]

Neonopolis was a good idea, but it lacks in execution. I've never seen it not looking like a ghost town, which may only be because I'm only down there at night.

But...wait...this is Vegas. If it's going to be bustling, it's going to be bustling at night, right? Hardly.

And it's not the kind of deserted that's quaint and refreshing in a sea of too-much-all-the-time. No, not at all. It's stranded in the desert, coming across a completely empty town and finding a doll in a rocking chair kind of deserted; creepy deserted. If you ignore the sounds of kids screaming to put more money on their card (god, it was easier with tokens, I swear) at Jillian's, it's almost silent.

There's so much that could be done with it, but I don't know who really will. It seems like a losing venture to try much in there at this juncture.

I don't know. Go getcherself some mall food or something. Try to avoid the zombie by the escalator.

------------------

This was a review i found posted about Neonopolis. i found it here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/neonopolis-las-vegas

This is why i worry about how likely it is that so much money will be spent, na dso much effort invested in a place that has been around for 6 years, and has been nothing but a failure the entire time. if trek moves is, how long will it last? how much will it be marketed to bring people in? how long before the current owners get bored and sell up like all the previous ones? couldnt this kill the trek experience completely if it doesnt work out? - i really hope not!!!

 

[Dale]

You're being a little dramatic, methinks. Look at it this way: STTE was dead. Now it has a chance to live again. If it's stillborn and never opens, that'll be sad. If it's half-assed and low-rent, it'll be better than nothing. When it does eventually close again, that'll suck. But we lost something and now we're very likely going to get something back. The talk is it may be bigger and better than before, but you know talk... sometimes that's all it is. Be patient. Something is really coming to Neonopolis... we'll see what it turns out to be next year. A new movie and a revived STTE... good year to be a Trekkie, 2009.

 

[azebelys]

while i agree there is potential here. the pessemist in my doesnt yet see it as "very likely". until there is an offiicial statement from someone (CBS/Paramount?Neonopolis/the mayor who started all this talk etc etc) i'm remaining sceptical. though, i eagerly await the day when i can say i'm wrong lol. i do believe one way or another STTE will be back, i'm still unsure that neonopolis is the right place. lets just hope this new movie draws enough people in to make a new STTE financially viable and profitable. if and when it comes back - wherever that may be - even if its crap i'll be there. lets just hope these neonopolis people know enough about trek to get it right and make it a place that can draw the trekkies and "norms" alike. good luck to them!

 

[Biggshow]

I don't understand all the scepticism about STTE opening at Neonopolis. There have been any number of articles recently about the move with statements from official sources. (This in some ways reminds me of the scepticism about The Original closing even after an official announcement had been made. Weird) Check out all the articles at Trek Today and then follow them back to the original articles. It's official, folks. The move is on.

As I've said before, I'm encouraged by the involvement of two of our better former STTE General Managers. I'm somewhat cautious because my local friends say that Neonopolis is a bit of a mismanaged dump.

So we'll just have to wait.

 

[Dale]

They should get a new website up asap. Nobody on the internet believes in anything that doesn't have its own website.

 

[Biggshow]

I don't remember if someone posted this earlier in this thread (and it might have been me. Absent-minded professor...) but one of the things that really needs to happen is an updated projection system for the Klingon Encounter and the bridge viewscreen and flat-screen HD displays for the read-out panels on the bridge. It would also be nice to have a bridge on some kind of gimble or platform system like the show on the Tour (excuse me, Exhibition) to be able to simulate actual weapons hits.

Probably for the future...

 

[TheSeeker]

^Agreed. The one thing that took me out of the Klingon Encounter was the washed out look of the graphics in the shuttle.

 

[Dale]

I have to agree that the shuttle movie was a little worn in the end. I have to wonder how many prints they had to work with... it was actually film in a projector, you know (how old school)! Surely they'll use a digital projection system going forward. I also agree that a little physical action on the bridge would enchance things... did you ever notice the way the floor would vibrate aboard Copernicus Station during the Borg adventure when the Borg were cutting away part of the station, looking for us? Something like that, if not Biggshow's aforementioned gimbals beneath the floor, would add a bit of oomph.

That said... the shuttle ride itself and the other special effects were never the most important part of the show for me. It was materializing in the transporter room and encountering Starfleet crew, being rushed onto the bridge, whisked into the turbolift, hustled through the grand corridor and into the shuttle bay... it was the actors and their tireless energy (keep in mind how many times per day/week/month/year those men and women experienced that particular "emergency") that sold it and made it feel so real. Had STTE been a mere tour through realistic sets it would have grown old and tired very quickly... but every time it was visceral... an adventure. .. like living in an episode... even better, like living in a real Star Trek universe.

All the technologies that will be applied to this new incarnation of STTE may make certain parts of it seem more authentic. It may stand up to close eyeball scrutiny better than the original, but if they fail to capture the energy and enthusiasm that was present in the original cast it'll all be for naught. I got the sincere impression that those people loved their jobs as evidenced by the fact that they sold it so damned hard each and every time.

So from this corner I say bring on the new tech, but don't forget that Star Trek has always been about the people and the way they relate to one another... even during quick, passing encounters with a herd of 21st century civilians, that has made Star Trek the amazingly satisfying epic tale it is, and will make the new STTE worthwhile and worth shelling out hard-earned dollars for repeat visits. It's about the actors - both those inside the attractions and those we encounter on the promenade (or whatever environment replaces it) and inside Quark's... and it's them that made me love the place.

Well, that and the drinks!

You listening, STTE developers? Build well, but cast better!

 

[T'Cal]

Changes:

• An enlarged Quark's Bar and Restaurant with Dabo girls
• A new family oriented and less expensive restaurant with several flat screen TVs around showing various Trek movies or episodes. Each table should have a speaker box so that patrons can choose the audio they want for the TV they choose to watch, a set up that is common in many sports bars.
• Updated rides based on STXI, the TOS movies, and TNG
• Shops with more reasonable prices and better sellections, not just stuff that has Star Trek written on it. I want props, uniforms, jackets, DVDs of all series and movies, models, toys, cups, mugs, hats, insignia, etc.
• More photo ops. Designated spots with small portions of sets so visitors can take their own pix such as at a captain's chair, a work station, a ship's helm, transporter controls, a brig, etc.
• A more comprehensive museum perhaps divided up into individual sections, one for each series and movie. Maybe it could have the theme of each ship or commanding officer.
• A job for me when I retire in 8 years...

 

[Brannigan]

...took a pay cut to join the Alien Ambassador Group as Kralk, son of T'Nek (no prize for anyone who finds the hidden joke in that name).

Clark Kent. Never caught that before, and I must've read the name dozens of times.

Heh. What can I say; I'm doubly geeky. Well, triply when you consider that The Hilton was used as the Whyte House in Diamonds Are Forever.

Dont feel bad. Before I figured out the Experience was in the Hilton I was going to visit it because of its use in Diamonds are Forever. Oh yeah and dont forget the Hilton (as the International first) was also wear a gem studded, white jump suited Elvis made his debut.

 

[azebelys]

I agree totally with people that say the bringing back the old staff (or finding equally talented new people) is one of the most key factors with a new experience. STTE has always been more about the people than the actual place itself. But lets face it, its in Las Vegas, so even if we cant get the same people back, there will be loads of others lining up to replace them.

 

[azebelys]

I've just been informed that there is a big announcement due to made about STTE on 12/12/2008. someone has posted that on the STTE group, no idea of the source though, or what is going to be said. what could it be?

my guess is that its along the lines of a confirmed deal to bring it back, or that constuction is beginning

 

[azebelys]

Changes:

• An enlarged Quark's Bar and Restaurant with Dabo girls
• A new family oriented and less expensive restaurant with several flat screen TVs around showing various Trek movies or episodes. Each table should have a speaker box so that patrons can choose the audio they want for the TV they choose to watch, a set up that is common in many sports bars.
• Updated rides based on STXI, the TOS movies, and TNG
• Shops with more reasonable prices and better sellections, not just stuff that has Star Trek written on it. I want props, uniforms, jackets, DVDs of all series and movies, models, toys, cups, mugs, hats, insignia, etc.
• More photo ops. Designated spots with small portions of sets so visitors can take their own pix such as at a captain's chair, a work station, a ship's helm, transporter controls, a brig, etc.
• A more comprehensive museum perhaps divided up into individual sections, one for each series and movie. Maybe it could have the theme of each ship or commanding officer.
• A job for me when I retire in 8 years...

dont ask for much do you lol