Confirmed: Experience Closing

[FredM 0]

Star Trek The Experience Closing In September

June 29, 2008, by Anthony Pascale

 

In May TrekMovie first reported that the future of the Star Trek The Experience at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas was in doubt after its contract ended in December. Recently we reported that talks were continuing to the end of this month, but apparently a decision has been made in the last couple of days and the contract will not be renewed. After 10 years in operation, The Experience will close its doors in early September.

 

An official announcement is expected early this week, but multiple sources have confirmed with TrekMovie that the decision to close The Experience has been made. Negotiations between CBS, Paramount, Cedar Fair (owners of the Experience) and the Las Vegas Hilton went on longer than originally expected. There was hope that the new Star Trek movie coming in 2009 would help boost attendance, which has been in decline, but not all the parties could come to an agreement. Apparently the Hilton Hotel was the biggest holdout, convinced more money could be made using the space for other purposes.

 

Employees at The Experience are being informed today of the decision. A press release may be issued as early as Monday morning. The final date is likely to be in the first week of September, after the Labor Day weekend holiday. Although the contract for The Experience ends December 31st, Cedar Fair is required to completely vacate the premises by that time so they will need the time to clear out. No word yet on what will happen with all the rides, replicas and costumes, but all the original props and costumes will be returned to CBS.

 

The closure of Star Trek The Experience have no effect on the official Creation Star Trek convention being held August 6th-10th at the Las Vegas Hilton. The attraction will be up and running during the event and is likely to spur additional sales for the convention as Trekkies visit it one last time (or for those who haven’t yet checked it out, their first and only time).

 

Officials from CBS & Cedar Fair have not returned calls or emails yet on this late breaking story. As more information comes to light, TrekMovie will provide updates.

[OdileCondacin 0]

Aww. I liked Quark's bar.

Edited June 30, 2008 by OdileCondacin

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Well, in that case I am happy that last year was my first (and apparently last) time at the Experience. I did have a ball at Quarks and the museum walk through and the adventure ride.

[Abe Kas 0]

I'll be there just after the convention, and will have a Root Beer in Quarks one last time....Wonder if they will have any sales on?

 

Thanks you Admiral FredM, for a timely report.

Edited June 30, 2008 by Abe Kas

[Caelan Fletcher 0]

That's too bad, I never got to go. Some relatives and I were thinking about making a trip out there once, but it never happened.

[Sorehl 0]

Which is why I'm heading to Shore Leave this year and bringing my daughter for her birthday. Can't let the Experience be the memory of only a single generation.

[Aliana Lucindak 0]

Sadly, most generation Y's will have to miss it.... including me. Damn.

~Ali

[STSF Jumper 0]

Which is why I'm heading to Shore Leave this year and bringing my daughter for her birthday. Can't let the Experience be the memory of only a single generation.

 

Totally Sorehl! I had the fortune of checking out the Experience with my mother and father. My mom, who is decidedly not a Trek fan, absolutely loved the Voyager ride/3D portion of the Experience. She was cracking up laughing and having a ball. I'm glad/fortunate that I got to share the whole thing with some family.

[FredM 0]

Hey there,

 

Well...there might be some hope that The Experience won't completely die. According to reports, CBS has confirmed the items from the museum are not being auctioned off and will be returned to CBS. In addition, when asked about it, they gave the following statement:

 

We’re extremely proud of the 10-year run Star Trek The Experience had in Las Vegas. We’re currently exploring several options to continue The Experience for the public to enjoy for years to come.

 

According to what TrekMovie.com said: "The spokesperson would not provide any detail on what these options are. However, the spokesperson did confirm that the original props and costumes at the Experience (which are owned by CBS), will not be put up for auction. It was indicated that these would be needed if The Experience is to find a new home sometime in the future."

 

This actually makes sense to me. Star Trek is about to "come back from the beyond" in 2009 and unless a complete disaster happens, there will be two additional movies in the coming years (major actors I believe are signed for a total of 3 films). One of the issues TrekMovie talks about and I agree with is the fact The Experience at the Hilton had become dated. There was very little upgraded to include the addition of Star Trek: Enterprise. The Klingon Encounter ride was starting to show some age. While the sets were (and still are) amazing, the video portions needed to be updated. The video presentations within The Experience itself (clips from shows) had not been updated since what...2000? With the entire franchise now going "back" to TOS and likely to stay there for the next five to seven years, the entire place would have needed some major upgrades.

 

Due to a work related trip, I ended up with a several hour layover in Las Vegas this past month. I had a chance to go visit The Experience, knowing the rumors at the time. I am glad I did...but. While there were a solid 50 people in line for the ride and Quarks was maybe 50% full, the shops were mostly empty. There really wasn't a lot of foot traffic in and out. And the "dated" nature of some things really did show. My hope? CBS is able to make a deal with someone other than Cedar Fair (love the quote from the below linked article BTW) to have The Experience at another hotel in Vegas or maybe even another major city. I could see it as an attraction at someplace like Universal Studios in California or Florida. I remember maybe 15 years ago when Universal Studios Orlando opened, they actually had a Star Trek "ride" there for a year or so.

 

I would be shocked that CBS won't do something with this. Star Trek is about to make them millions...so why not capitalize on it every way possible?

 

On the flip side, I feel bad for the Las Vegas Hilton. The hotel has already had issues (sale to the current owners one or two years ago). You kind of have to want to go there given its location on the strip. They seem to think they can use the space for something else more profitable. I'm kind of curious to know what...since the hotel doesn't really have a theme. The Barry Mantelo museum and attraction? :P

 

More information at by clicking here.

[shewhosighs 0]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I never got to go.... awwwwwwwww nuts!!!! CRud covered monkey dogs and all that jazz....