The other week I dragged my Grandmother to see the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. The whole family was in town, but she was the only one brave enough to attempt the journey. She was secretly a fan of Star Trek and so actually was the only volunteer. Most everyone backed out at the ticket prices. When the SO and I went before we got the Latinum Package, or something like that, that included the back stage tour. It was definitely worthwhile.
To begin, the Hilton did a great job of highlighting the Experience. The casino entrance to the experience includes a mini-casino with science fiction inspired slot machines and decor. One can never get enough of the Twilight Zone and MIB video slot games. There are also actors in costumes that greet you and speak to you in the surrounding environment. You can have your picture taken with a Borg, or like myself discuss the joys of colder climates with an Andorian woman. There is also a restaurant designed to mimic Quark's from Deep Space Nine and the obligatory gift shop. There is also a worthwhile museum which extends into the lines for the rides. The museum has beautiful examples of the wool costumes worn by the cast. Wool was used because it doesn't wrinkle and so looks futuristic, although the set had to be heavily air conditioned. It is amazing to see how properties have changed over the years to improve the appearance of hand props.
The rides themselves are worth the price of admission. The two rides are the Borg Invasion 4D and the Klingon Encounter. If you need to choose only one, I would recommend the Klingon Encounter.
The Borg Invasion 4D is essentially an immersion movie experience. They can seat more so the line moves faster. The three dimensional movie is accompanied by things that trigger the other senses. It is not to say it is a bad experience, but it pales to the Klingon Encounter. I recommend therefore that you attempt this experience before the Klingon. This is coming from a huge fan of Captain Jane Way. The movie is well done, and the three dimensional graphics are nothing like you expect from the old fashion red and green glasses experiences from the seventies and eighties. The fourth dimension that they refer to is the movement of the seats. This is the movie that William Castle wish he had the technology to make. It will have you jumping out of your seat.
Unfortunately, I am sworn to secrecy concerning the Klingon Encounter. Needless to say, even my Grandmother jumped out of her skin on a few occasions. The effects are stunning, and it is fully immersive. The shuttle craft ride is amazing, and makes the Back to the Future Ride at Universal Studios look antiquated. The exhilarating and excitement is amazing.
The backstage tour is worth the extra expense. The tour guide we had, memorized every person on the tour's name before we even began. He had a great rapport, a great sense of humor, and knew everything that you could possible know about Star Trek. He was challenged on a few occasions by the tour group, and was able to answer any question about any version of the show. The Hilton has done its homework. Even the Klingon actors must be fluent in the Klingon language in order to join the cast. The knowledge and enthusiasm of our tour guide, and what we were able to see from a different perspective made it worthwhile. We are quiet fans, but have our badges from the backstage tour posted on the wall. This was truly a worthwhile experience.
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