Vegas Star Trek Experience Closing Down

[yesthattom]

(via Slashdot)

“Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton is closing its doors today after the attraction owner and the hotel could not work out a renewed lease deal. In its 10-year tenure, more than 3 million people have visited the Trek themed exhibit. ‘Trekkies are incensed. They’ve scrawled reminiscences about the exhibit on the walls inside, and they’re calling Cedar Fair and the hotel to complain. But their online rumor that the space the exhibit occupies will become a theater for pop star Michael Jackson is unfounded, Sternberg said. He said nothing’s decided.’”

I’m glad I got to go on this ride... a few times. First with cappyhead and many years later with quietchris.

Now that it is over, I don’t mind spoiling the surprise.

...
...
...

The premise is that you are going into the elevator to the bridge. However, the elevator “breaks down” then it is announced that the ship is being attacked. When the door opens, you are on the bridge in the middle of a space battle.

Whenever friends told me they were going to see this exhibit I would say, “Oh, I went on that once. It’s a shame that the elevator broke down.” Of all the people that said that to me, none ever came back and said, “Hey! The elevator broke down for me too!”

A co-worker from a few jobs ago (Tim) set me up with this joke when I went for my first time. I did remember that his elevator broke down, so when mine broke down I thought, “Wow! What a coincidence!” When I got back to work we had a laugh about it.

Comments

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

That's so sad! I loved that when we went to Vegas last year. I hope they can open again somewhere else.

[mtnvwpilot.livejournal.com]

Some friends of mine got married there, on the bridge of the Enterprise. The minister was in a Federation uniform, and the hotel also provided actors (a Klingon and a Ferrengi) to add to the experience.

The funny thing was that, while they shut down the audio track during the wedding, the visuals all stayed on the same loop. So, every few minutes during the ceremony, the screens would all suddenly flash to the "red alert" visuals, as the "attack" began...

Apparently there are actually 2 "bridge" rooms in the setup, so they could close one for a wedding (or maintenance, or whatever) while still bringing regular tours through the other.

[kathdem.livejournal.com]

I, too, went twice. While I enjoyed the ride, it made me naseous both times, and I wasn't even drunk! I can't say I'm surprised it's closing. It was past its prime.

[kimuchi.livejournal.com]

I tried like hell to get my most Trek-crazed friend in there before it closed, but he was too fascinated with work. Sigh.