Star Trek: The Experience - The Klingon Encounter

I have to agree with the other comments I've seen here, the experience was both well worth the money and time, and I also wasn't sure how they changed the floor.

When I went to the Exp. I had a friend with me. He isn't a Trek fan at all, but he really enjoyed it too. He even commented several times about how much he liked the time-line and the props on display while waiting in line. I guess it was the attention to detail and the total immersion into all things Trek that caught his attention.

Another thing I enjoyed was how immersive the entire exp. was and how the "starfleet personnel" stay in character the entire time. I even pushed the limits while there. I had a pager on, which I'd turned off as instructed before it started. When we boarded the shuttle, my pager was digging into my back, so I was going to hold it in my lap. As I took it off my belt, I accidentally pushed the button on it, turning it back on.. which means it immediately beeped! The "security officer" that was escorting us to the shuttle immediately questioned me. He asked if it was a weapon. I (and a few others) laughed, and I explained it was just a pager. He then looked puzzled and asked what a pager was. I realized what was going on and told him it was a communications device, to which he asked if I'd have to respond to it. I assured him that no, I didn't, I had turned it off and that it wouldn't happen again. It was almost worth the price of admission just to get the extra laughs from the group I was in due to this exchange, and the fact that he stayed perfectly in character was great.

I only had two gripes about the entire exp:firstly, the turbolift was a little goofy looking to me, considering it was about 3 times the size of any from the series or movies.And secondly, during the "ride" I looked up and back, and could see the edge of the dome-screen. We were in the 2nd row of the shuttle, so most probably couldn't see that far back, but for the amount of detail they'd put into making the experience so immersive, you'd think they would've made sure no passengers could see the edge of the screen.

All in all, I'm going back when I visit Vegas again.. if nothing else to pay more attention to the floor.

I saw the Experience shortly after it first opened. I thought that the museum was nice and the ride with the film was nice. The ride was lame in my opinion; and I'm not big on carnival type rides. I also thought that the price was a little steep for the ride and show. Nevertheless it was a good attempt to recreate the image of being on one of the Starships.

This was everything I dreamed of and more. Having just visited Disneyland the weekend before going to Las Vegas, I was primed by the quality that Disney puts into all of its attractions, and I was not disappointed.

The first part of the experience is a long pathway you follow. On your left is the Star Trek universe timeline, from around the beginning of spaceflight through to the events of "Insurrection," giving important dates involving characters, episodes, etc. On your right is a display of series and movie replicas, from the original uniforms, to Khan's necklace, to the Voyager comm badges. Following this are displays on several different races, including Klingon, Bajoran and Borg. All along you are treated to video clips and montages from all incarnations of the ST universe.

Finally, you board the ride. When we first entered, the impression is that it will be a "Back to the Future" or "Star Tours"-type ride (as in you "ride" in a room full of seats with a movie screen projecting the action in front of you).

Then it all changed...

I won't tell you how they do it (as I couldn't figure it out anyway), but you get transported aboard the Enterprise-D, go to the bridge, take a turbolift ride, and end up riding a shuttlecraft (which actually is the ride part of the experience), all the while being guided by Starfleet personnel and some of the bridge crew. (See the IMDB summary for the plot of why, exactly, you're there.)

I was most taken with the detail - the transporter effect, the control panels, and especially the staff. I could believe they were actually serving on a ship, right down to seeing a few loading and unloading cargo in the shuttlebay as we stepped onboard - we went by them so fast, they could easily have done without them, but the point is, they didn't, and it added a sense of realism for me.

Finally, once you leave the shuttlecraft, you're let out onto a replica of the Promenade from DS9, including gift shops and Quark's Bar and restaurant.

All in all, I spent about 4 hours there, including eating lunch, and the $15 was *well* worth it - I know I'll go back again and again any time I'm in Las Vegas.

When Star Trek: Nemesis was being filmed I was fortunate enough to get to tour several of the sets. As you watch the TV series and movies, you'll notice that there are numbered panels all over the ships. If you watch carefully, you can see a few characters large enough to read that represent the panel number and smaller writing that presumably describes what's behind the panel. My guide pointed out to me that the smaller writing on the panel lables had funny comments printed on them. For example, said "Warning, no user servicable parts inside. They fight and bite. They bite and fight. They fight, fight, fight, bite, bite, bite. The Itchy and Scratchy show." Another had the lyrics to Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

The last time I went to the Exp. at the Hilton, I looked at some of the bridge labels and sure enough, they had funny sayings.

I hope the new Voyager Experience keeps up this tradition.

Some of it's a bit hokey, but if you're a Star Trek The Next Generation fan, or any of the newer Star Trek variations, you'll enjoy this.

It's worth the price of admission. I don't want to say anything about it so I don't spoil it for anyone. But, don't miss it if you're out there. It's fun and as realistic as they can make it.

I didn't know what to expect. And I think that's the best way for people to enjoy it the most. Simply walk into it. See all the planning and behind the scenes stuff for all the Star Trek generations. Then, just plan on enjoying the "experience".