The Closing of Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas

[AdrianWaitemusic]

I still haven't figured out how they did the transporter thing! What a time! I'll never forget the look on my, then, 5 year-old dauhgter's face when one of the Klingons waved at her from Quark's! That was back in 1999. Have they opened the new one yet? Never mind, I'll Google it! Thanks for posting!

[CajunKlingon]

Does anybody know what they did with all the space? since it's gone would look alot different wish I had the chance to go but never did.

[antivirus347]

Sucks that they didnt reopen this elsewhere, I really wanted to see it :(

[goldsmith1210]

I was in the bar on the last night it was open. I'm glad I got to see it.

[DSVOP]

@goldsmith1210 Tried to get Quarks for a last session, but, time worked against me, but, I have some great memories of many happy days and nights in the place. Glad you made the last night, even if I was stuck in Europe.

[Richharris1986]

its a real shame i never saw it

[vulcanluver]

I don't think the new one will be based on the new film, and what a relief. They say there will be many more elements from TOS and the other shows mixed in. Before, it was almost completely DS9.

Also, their plans for a reopening last May crumpled. It's slated to return in 2010, I believe.

[movieguystarraisin]

If the new experience is based on the new Star Trek movie then it will be like a old friend died. It brings a tear to my eye...

[Ooshbala]

but the new movie was very impressive.

[Raelind]

I'm SO glad this is still continuing and has found a new home! :-)

[Chubbbs117]

I was lucky enough to see it when it first opened and i was there the week before it closed. It was sad to leave the rides and see all the cool shops closed down and already have workers taking things apart. Hopefully it will live on at Neonopolis.

[JudeMaris]

It appears that it will, continuing the journey as of May 8, 2009 :D

[chevron8locked]

@JudeMaris

to sad it did not D:.

it looks like a great place. Wish I could see it

[Catfish365]

I'm really upset by this, I also never had the chance to experience this. I was planning on visiting Vegas for the first time this coming year and this was at the top of the list.

[JudeMaris]

Keep the trip on the schedule, because the Experience (as far as the bar and shops) is set to reopen at Neonopolis on May 8, 2009 :D

[Airportchris2]

Better not close it for good. I have always wanted to visit that, I am a big Trek fan.

[JudeMaris]

You may get the chance! News came up that a contract has been approved for the Experience to reopen at Neonopolis on May 8, 2009. Rides won't be available until 2010.

[JudeMaris]

New article in sidebar >>>>>>>>>

"Star Trek" Attraction May Find New Home at Neonopolis :D

[wil1243]

Hey Judemaris, did you hear that STTE is very close to negatiating a new contract with Neonopolis and will move there. I just got the news. let me know what you think. I've heard that that place is run down and the mayor of LV believes that will help revitalise that part of town.

Will Lee

[JudeMaris]

Yes! The story was printed in the Las Vegas Review Journal and Richard (Rog'l, the Ferengi) brought it over to show us yesterday. While it is great that STTE is being considered for reopening in another location, the general consensus is that it would also have to be revamped and updated to win back its audience, both old and new. Richard also knows firsthand that all the ride equipment would HAVE to be replaced, since 11 years of rides had worn the gears down to the nubs! It's all intriguing...

[Kuessemir]

I am sad now...

[JudeMaris]

Stay tuned...the Experience isn't dead yet!

[wil1243]

Well done, i had to watch it 3 times. Does anyone know what they'll (CBS) do now? I can't believe that that's it. Star Trek is a huge multi-billion dollar business. Have you seen what items from STTE are going for on e-bay? I have a hard time believing that so much interest is being written and blogged by fans all over the world and no one from CBS is taking notice.

[coasterfreakawesome]

god damnit, this pisses me off. i was SUPPOSED to go there tomorrow, but then i find out tat its been closed for almost a MONTH! cedar fair made a VERY stupid move. THIS WAS THE BEST THING ON THE STRIP!!!!!!!!!!!! especially klingon encounter. god damnit. sigh. it will be missed VERY much.

[JudeMaris]

Don't throw away your Bat'leth yet, Coaster...

The Las Vegas Review Journal printed an article this week suggesting possible plans to move the Experience downtown. If that IS true, it will certainly be a second coming for Neonopolis, which has been flagging for some time.

[SciFiCajun]

I visited the expereince in Mar. 08

Just went back in Sept. 08 only to find out they had closed it just 10 days prior to my arrival. I had travelled from Louisiana, but I felt bad for the couple I met there that had travelled all the way from Japan to see it.

I will always cherish the memory of my visit there, and will miss it.

[JudeMaris]

I can well imagine how many people's hearts dropped out of their chests when their trip to the Experience was met with closed doors...

HOWEVER...The Las Vegas Review Journal printed an article this week revealing that there IS serious talk of relocating the Experience downtown, so there may be hope yet!

[daleglen]

It's the only Affordable Las Vegas Hotel big enough for our conventions, but I understand so we'll miss you. The Experience was losing too much money on a daily basis. They were busy only one week a year - during conventions.

[blyons58]

That is not what the manager of Quark's, Lydia, told me - she said they were very much in the black consistently, and that Hilton was the problem, not the financial condition of The Experience.

[daleglen]

Creation Convention will host the 2009 Star Trek Con at the LV Hilton again in August next year. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have signed up to appear. Many more guests will be added on. Thanks for writing.

[daleglen]

This is a great memorial tribute video! Thank You.

We'll miss the Experience.

The Annual Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas will continue on at the Las Vegas Hilton in August 2009. So far Kirk and Spock have signed up to appear!

Join us at myspace/startreklasvegas

The new Star Trek Movie is opening in May of 2009.

Many guests, old and new will be announced soon to appear at the convention! Join us there in August 2009.

[PACIFICA2009]

Iam sorry but its majorly FU#@ED UP that they are still going to host the convention, when they dont host the experience any more.

The Las Vegas Hilton will never see another red cent from me ever again. I will patronize other conventions at other hotels.

[JudeMaris]

Thanks, and we appreciate the offer! We might see you there :D

Richard (Rog'l, the Ferengi) stopped by yesterday with the article from the LV Review Journal cracking open the secret plans to possibly move the Experience downtown.

[janlomona]

what a fantastic video.

i visted the Experience 5 times, from '99 to '07 and always had an amazing time. I got married there October 11th 2006, and we hoped to have a Vulcan Vow renewal 5 years latr, but it's not to be.

Can't believe I'll never get to sit in my favourite seat and suck back an Obsidian Dark, or a Trancer or better stilla Wap Croe Breach and just shoot the breeze with my fellow geeks.

[JudeMaris]

Happy belated anniversary!

There MAY be hope yet...there has been talk of moving the Experience to downtown Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Review Journal printed an article on it!

[VWVVWVVWV]

Again - a beautiful piece of work. Sometimes when I get homesick for my timestation, I sit and watch this, and it makes me laugh, and cry. Thank you so very much.

[JudeMaris]

Wow...you are incredibly welcome and we do appreciate the tremendous amount of good mojo that's been offered to this video as well as to the others who've posted their tributes on YT.

Star Trek: The Experience was a one-of-a-kind WORLD that can never be duplicated. We're glad to have known the original :)

[VWVVWVVWV]

You're right, a world. A world that Gene created, that we could finally emerse ourselves in, guests and employees, and feel at home with each other. A beloved world that we were expelled from by a bunch of corporate number crunchers who never got what that world was about. We all still make up that world and keep it alive - it really isn't gone as long as we remember it.

[Outback372]

Hugs and thanks to the warm family of trekies I met on my visit from OZ, it was a sad occasion but it was improved by the friendly fans I met at Quarks. TY for your hospitality and TY Maj Kahlen. I'll look forward to catching up again in another venue. Pete The Aussie

[JudeMaris]

Aww, you're welcome and thanks for the hugs!

We're thinking about getting a bunch of small goldfish bowls with straws that we can sip our favorite drinks out of just for fun :D

[JadziaAnan]

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

This is a great tribute to the Experience!

It's so funny. I reconize the peaple in this video. I probubly saw you guys every year but never met!

Live Long and Prosper!

Sweet dreams STTE!

[JudeMaris]

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! :D

Yeah, you probably did see us. We were kind of a semi-permanent fixture over there and most of the employees at STTE knew who we were--hopefully for good reasons :D

Onward and upward!

[uptbug]

that seriously depresses me a bit. i remember my dad singing me up 4 the mailings when the thing was being built. i used to tape them to my door. i'm glad i got 2 go atleast once b/c that place was built for ppl just like me. ppl that think walkin in & seeing the enterprise hanging from above is...*sigh* majestic. makes me a nerd i know. but i'm proud of it! btw if ANYONE knows how 2 make those alcoholic drinks @ quarks... let me know. those things were awesome. at least i sat in THE chair once.

[JudeMaris]

The Enterprise hanging from the ceiling IS majestic...there was never a time that we were there that we didn't see someone staring at the sky in awe (usually taking pictures).

So what's wrong with "Nerd Pride"? :D Hey, nerds are the reason all of our technologies exist! That's a lot cooler.

Keep an eye on uglycouchshow dot C and there will soon be some of the bar recipes for some of the drinks :D

[uptbug]

thanks a lot!

[Leahnerd]

I recognize you from the closing ceremonies! I was the obnoxious woman wearing the Khaaaaan! shirt who helped you get past the chairs. This tribute is really great, I'll be forwarding it to my family. Obviously you loved going there as much as we did. Thanks so much.

[JudeMaris]

Yes, we practically LIVED there for as long as we've been in Vegas (4 years). Bob has been visiting there since it opened (and in fact was instrumental in fixing a computer glitch on the Klingon Encounter opening day when the main technician was sick!)

I remember the Khaaaaan! shirt, but nothing about anyone helping us being obnoxious. You're fine! Thanks! :D

[nadohawk]

I remember when I was there back in 99. Now I will never have the experience again. Anyone know where I can find the picture with the shuttle attacking the platform from The Klingon Encounter? I can't seem to find it online anymore.

[Captjeanlucpicard]

Poignant video, thank you for posting it.

very best wishes, Giles

[JudeMaris]

All the best for you, Giles, and thanks. Your absence for the Experience's last days was certainly felt.

[StainMitchell]

What horrible news. I was fortunate enough to visit Quarks one last time a month ago. I split a Borg Sphere with a friend of mine.

We'll miss you Darren! Thanks for keeping the Roman Ale cold!

[JudeMaris]

It's STILL horrible news...I wish I had been able to film the full spectacle of Warp Core Breaches, Borg Spheres, and other drinks just about lining the entire bar and decorating every table. THAT was unreal...

[VWVVWVVWV]

Well done. Thank you.

[JudeMaris]

You're welcome. & Thanks for posting Jerad's film!

[heliconarts]

Love it!

[JudeMaris]

We're glad you were there! :D

[IGoByDoc]

Nice video montage. I was there last night with my son. We decided to drive down Sunday from Utah and spent all Sunday afternoon riding the attraction and decided to stay Monday night as well to see the decommissioning. Rode both rides another 5 times! I am going through my pictures and video and will post some later this week. Was a sad night to say the least!

[JudeMaris]

Thanks :) Between this video and what was witnessed at the Decommissioning, the whole thing is really starting to hit hard...

[Treknut50]

Excellent. Captures the true spirit of Quark's and the people who made it a truly amazing experience. Thanks for posting.

[JudeMaris]

Quark's was its own episode on the last day :D Lots of toasts, dances, shouts, Klingon traditions, and other glorious mayhem...

[sabrem82]

Thank you. As one of the crew members decommissioned last night, I am touched by the tenderness of the memories conveyed through your video.

[JudeMaris]

You are absolutely welcome. I only wish I had the power to stop the gates from coming down...

[5keeper7]

I'm glad I got to go at least once. It was interesting. I went for my first and last time in March, 2008, over spring break. We did the 2 rides, museum, 2 photos, and the b-t-s tour. And ate at Quarks Bar, I had the Hamborger. Emily Oenone, our tour guide, said their computers still run on Windows '98.

[JudeMaris]

Heh...if they had put Windows Vista on there the attraction would have shut down a lot sooner :D

[Dunedan1]

I only got to go once, it was easily the best time I ever had out of state, I sorely hope that they reopen it in the near future, didnt get to go nearly as many times as I wanted to.

[JudeMaris]

Even for the people who visited there every waking hour and went on the rides until everyone got motion sickness...it was never enough. The future of STE was always just out of grasp...

[wil1243]

I've gone to The Experience 8 of the last 10 years and am going to miss this place very much. It was the kind of place where you could just talk to someone sitting next to you at Quark's and enjoy a meal and a ale. This video you've composed here reminds me of all the fond memories and friends that I've met there. Its kind of nice to be remembered by our friends who worked at Quark's as something more than another patron, we were friends.

Thank you, Will Lee

[JudeMaris]

The atmosphere there was unbeatable. It was almost healing...

[jaspr1999]

I went about six years and must have went through the ride seven times (my wife got motion sick her third time through). That was a tremendously happy day. I could never seem to get the funds together for another trip, so thank you for posting this! It means a lot!

One funny thing that happened was (at the time) using leg braces and wrist crutches and one of the Klingons accidentally kicked one of them. He dropped out of character instantly until I convinced him there was no harm. Nice guy!

[JudeMaris]

:D We've never met a Klingon we didn't like over there! Everyone there is worth knowing and definitely worth visiting...especially before Sept. 1...

[65CL]

Star Trek is unlikely to fade away anytime soon. For better or worse, the DVD's record of shows and movies and memorabilia as well will remain popular despite all the changes. I hope that the new movie does well too, sparking new life into the franchise. I prefer Star Trek to Star Wars reigning over Science Fiction any day..

[scifib5st]

This is Execlent! What a great way to remember a place that felt like home when I first walked in.... It's realy too bad that this closing, the actors/aliens have to lose their jobs, and take everthing away. With the new movie comming out...and fans making their own episodes... someone some where wake up and see they made the wrong decision...

[JudeMaris]

Thanks :) And you're right, there is and always has been something about the place that felt like home...

[eric3060]

Thank you for putting this together! I was there for the recent convention. It's a shame to see it go :-(

[JudeMaris]

As the last day gets closer, the atmosphere in there is getting more and more surreal. NOBODY wants to see it go :(

[snapesiren]

this is so well done, an honorable and respectful tribute, thank you for making this; it touched my heart.

[JudeMaris]

You're very welcome...I handed a copy of the music album to many of the aliens that worked there and the word came down not too long after that they were playing the disc in the dressing room and constantly having to reapply their makeup because of the tears. Wow.