Star Trek: The Experience - Las Vegas

If you have ever wanted to step into the world of Star Trek, this was the place. For fans everywhere, you would be surrounded by large model ships, walking aliens, replica sets from the show, displays of memorabilia, and tons of extras.

A fan's dream come true!

Opened in January of 1998 at the Las Vegas Hilton, the 65,000 square foot attraction incorporated several elements from the Star Trek universe and the different shows. Here's the details...

Dual mission tickets were $43 per person - this includes Klingon Encounter and Borg Invasion 4D. For children it's $35 and you had to be at least 42 inches tall.

There is admission to the Star Trek: The Experience - Secrets Unveiled for $31.99 with the purchase of a ticket. This portion allowed you to see how some of the attractions were done, a sort of behind the scenes tour....This is pretty cool because it allowed you to see how they "beam" you onto the Enterprise (more on that later) as well as other technical details that made up this $70 million dollar attraction.

Souvenir photos of you sitting in the Captain's Chair or a Borg Regeneration Chamber ran you $14.99 individually or $24.99 for both. If you ever wanted to be captain of the Enterprise, sit in the chair......this one's for you! Some fans would dress up AS THE CAPTAIN and then have their photo taken, but hey, it's Trekkies......and it's Vegas!

Upper Level - History Of The Future Museum

The Timeline

Lined across the walls is a huge timeline starting from earth's early space exploration history and then converging into the world of Trek. Some events for example:

• Man on the moon landing
• Birthplace and birthdate of Jean-Luc Picard
• First meeting between humans and Klingons

The Displays

More than 200 items which span a collection of props and costumes. There were also displays for alien races and ships.

From the original television series and all the way to the movies, here are some notable pieces.

• Jean Luc Picard's family scrapbook
• Klingon Bat'Leth and weapons
• Borg Queen Head And Spine
• Life-size Borg replicas
• Kirk And Spock's uniforms
• Tribbles, Tribbles, and even MORE Tribbles!!

Lower Level - Deep Space Nine Theme And More

Wanna have your picture taken with a Gorn? On this level, there's a full size replica standing near the stairway so you can do as many funny faces or poses as you want.

How about some genuine "Romulan Ale"? Yep, that's right. Grab yourself a six pack complete with authentic Roman Ale packaging! Also worth mentioning is the Klingon Blood Wine!

The Shops

There are tremendous amounts of Star Trek merchandise for sale and here's where you'd be able to purchase a lot of it.

Structured like the Promenade from Deep Space Nine are shops like Zek's Grand Emporium, Moogie's Trading Post, Admiral's Collection, etc. where you'd find anything from life-size replicas of Klingons or Borg to photos, posters, t-shirts, artwork, tricorders, phasers and more!

Wanna buy a life-size Locutus of Borg, it'll only set you back $5000.

Restaurant

Quark's Restaurant And Bar is located towards the center of the attraction and basically once you've worked up an appetite from all the rides and attractions, you'll probably grab a bite here. Some items on the menu include:

• Isolinear Chips And Dip
• The Wrap Of Khan
• Cheeseborger
• Class-M Pizza
• Fisherman's Worf

and for the drinks and desserts......

• James Tea Kirk
• Saurian Brandy
• Vulcan Nerve Pinch
• Klingon Warnog Ale
• Frozen Gagh - (Gummi worms are used on this one)
• Deanna Troi's Ultimate Sundae
• The Pie Of The Prophets
• Prune Juice - Worf likes this stuff.
• Tea - Earl grey, hot!(Yes, it's really on the menu just like that!)

Here are the highlights:

You enter a briefing room aboard the space station, Copernicus. The walls and panels look like you're really on a Star Trek space station.

Towards the front, there's a large view screen with a live actor in Starfleet uniform. On the viewscreen the Holographic Doctor talks about a program Starfleet is developing with your help against the Borg..........but then.....the Borg attack!

• You pass through damaged and wrecked hallways as if the Borg went through there.
• Some of the live Starfleet actors who are trying to get you safely away through the corridors are taken by live action Borg and assimilated.
• You enter an auditorium which is meant to be a ship and as you enter, you get 3-D glasses to wear.
• While you're sitting in the seats and the Borg are trying to assimilate you, you're actually poked slightly through the seat in several places to similate the experience.
• Captain Janeway and Voyager come and save the day....

Here are the highlights:

It starts off low key. You're ushered into a small room with some monitors along the top of the wall. You're meant to feel like it's a museum type experience, initially, with a shuttle ride.

Pretty monotone, not very exciting....and then the lights go out...small round flashes start to go off and you hear the sound of the transporter......

• You get "beamed" onto the transporter pad of the Enterprise (this part was frickin cool - I'm still trying to figure how they changed the floor while I was still standing on it!)
• You get to walk through corridor replicas of the ship...just like the television show.
• You get to stand on the bridge of the Enterprise (it's a little dark though) and see video on the main viewscreen. Live actors are running around in Red Alert mode.
• You board a shuttlecraft and see video out of the windows, being tossed and turned while you move. The video simulates stars, ships, and buildings as you fly around dodging Klingons. All the while, the Enterprise is on the viewscreen advising you on what they're doing.
• You're brought to safety all while the voice of Captain Picard leaves you with a goodbye message.

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife!"

Sound like a normal wedding, right?

Well, not exactly....if you have your wedding vows done on the bridge of the USS-Enterprise NCC-1701-D. Not to mention the characters in attendance at your wedding will be Klingons, Ferengi, Vulcan, Andorian, Starfleet, or even Borg!

Want the details?

With two weeks advance booking, you can have your choice from the following options.

The Wedding Packages

The twenty minute ceremony is performed on the bridge of the Enterprise with a maximum of 45 guests (the bridge isn't a church!).

Vulcan Vow Renewal - $350-$550

Minister to perform wedding, dressed in costume, simple renewal of vows. Bride And Groom in captain's chair photos taken.

Junior Officer's Wedding - $500-$700

Minister to perform wedding, dressed up in costume. Bride And Groom in captain's chair photos. Here, you get your choice of one Star Trek character.

StarFleet Wedding - $1000

One Star Trek character. Intergalactic Bouquet & Boutonniere.

Captain's Wedding - $2000

Two Star Trek characters. Intergalactic Bouquet & Boutonniere. Bottle of Chateau du Trek champagne. 15 tickets for the museum, Klingon and Borg attractions.

Admiral's Wedding - $3000

Four Star Trek characters. Intergalactic Bouquet & Boutonniere. Bottle of Chateau du Trek champagne. 30 tickets for the museum, Klingon and Borg attractions.

The Reception Packages

After you're done with the ceremony you can dine at Quarks as part of the package with the following rates.

Continuum Reception - $35/person

Andorian Reception - $45/person

Haven Reception - $55/person

The difference in price is dependent on what type of appetizer and entree will be served.

Appetizers (examples) :

The Holy Rings of Betazed - A tower of large breaded onion rings served with spicy remoulade, ketchup and cool ranch dressing.

Smorgasborg - A three-tiered platter of beef and pork Empanadas, BBQ chicken quesadillas and spicy boneless chicken wings.

Hollow Deck Hibachi Grill – Grilled chicken, beef and shrimp sates, served with a trio of dipping sauces.

Entrees (examples):

Captain’s Cut – 12 oz. New York steak (served medium) finished with bordelaise sauce, Yukon Gold herb-mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Romulan Warbird - Marinated chicken breast served with wild rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables.

24th Century Surf and Turf – An 8 oz. Prime Rib (served medium) served with four crab-stuffed shrimp, Yukon Gold herb-mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

The day was September 1, 2008 and this was the closing date for Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton.

The ceremony itself was conducted in similar fashion to a naval decommissioning ceremony. Several figures from the Star Trek universe, Garrett Wang, Chase Masterson and Avery Brooks, were present at the occasion.

After the attraction was closed, many of the items included in the attraction were auctioned off. About 1000 items were to be sold by a company called Propworx.

Some of the many items being sold off were:

• Borg Alcoves
• Large model ships (the ones hanging from the ceiling)
• Bar furniture, from Quark's
• Components of the transporter room
• Tribbles, LOTS and LOTS of Tribbles!!