Star Trek Experience Closes Today
by mannyThis Trekkie just found out:
“Star Trek Experience is over?!!”
Trekkies everywhere are mourning the loss of the Star Trek Experience, the only live Star Trek attraction in the world. Today marks the end of its ten-year run at the Hilton in Las Vegas.
Over the weekend, thousands of Trekkies beamed into Las Vegas for a final encounter with the Borg and to drown their sorrows in strong Klingon drinks served at Quark’s Bar and Restaurant.
It doesn’t help that there’s as strong online rumor that the exhibit will become a theater for pop star Michael Jackson. Ouch, that’s harsh. Couldn’t they have just made Michael part of the attraction? Oh well.
Someone put together a touching tribute on YouTube:
Operations Manager Chad Boutte left a final transmission from the Enterprise bridge:
“Hailing frequencies open. We’d like to thank all the fans and friends of Star Trek, whose constant and amazing support we’ve enjoyed throughout our tenure at the Las Vegas Hilton. As we boldly go into the futures that await, know that we take your love of Star Trek: The Experience with us. We share the memories of time spent in the most unique place in the Galaxy, and we carry those memories into our futures with us.
Live long, and prosper. Hailing frequencies closed.”
[Via StarTrekExp.com]
Perhaps all is not lost, Star Trek fans. All of the props will be returned to Paramount, and with a new Trek movie debuting next summer, it’s likely the franchise will reboot into a future with many more Experiences to come.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
You have no idea how much this makes me cry. I’ve been dreading this day for many months. *sniff* I never made it.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:37 am
I’ve been coming to the Las Vegas Hilton for 7 years because of Star Trek: The Experience. After a day of “Casino Hopping” it was nice to come back to “Quark’s” to have dinner, drinks, watch some Trek, and mingling with the resident aliens working at the station. That place had a unique welcoming atmosphere. How many bars have you been to that the patrons actually talk to one another. Wow, I consider that extraordinarily exceptional for any kind of social gathering place. I’m gonna miss that place. I’ve got to find another hotel to stay at. The Hilton and Michael Jackson haven’t got the drawing power to stay at that antiquated hotel. I’ll find another establishment that will want my money.