Star Trek:
The Experience
Las Vegas
Star Trek: The Experience is an inside theme park at the Las Vegas Hilton based on the fictional Star Trek universe. The ticket-only features of the park are the Museum of the Future and two rides. The interactive "rides" are the "Klingon Encounter" and "Borg Invasion 4D". Both involve live actors, state-of-the-art special effects, and top-notch production values.
However, there are several areas of interest that are completely free:
- The Shopping Promenade which includes
The Admiralty Shop were souvenirs can be bought, and exhibits of
Star Trek memorabilia can be seen. Expensive authentic prop replicas
are also available.
- Live encounters with roving Klingons,
Ferengi, and Borg.
- Quark's Bar and Restaurant where you can eat, or just sit and have a coffee. And maybe sit next to some of the world-famous hotel headliner celebrities (not imitators - the real people) doing the same. You also have a great view of large-scale model Starships hanging from the ceiling.
The History of the Future Museum:
After purchasing a ticket, one walks through a museum that includes
numerous items from Star Trek history. It also features several
video display devices and a timeline of Star Trek events. Later,
there are displays for each of the major alien races, which includes
the Borg, Klingons, and Ferengi. Photography is allowed in the Museum.
The last section of the museum is a single hallway (of considerable length) with a divider in the median. The left side is waiting queue for the Borg Invasion 4-D, and the right side is a waiting queue for The Klingon Encounter. Because the Borg ride holds about twice as many people, that line moves much more quickly. No photography is allowed during these events.
Behind the Scenes:
A specialty tour is also available for visitors. This smaller tour takes visitors through the areas seen in the rides -- plus backstage areas like wardrobe and makeup. Since there's no plotline to be followed, visitors are free to explore areas like the replica USS Enterprise-D bridge in greater detail.
Photography isn't allowed on the tour, but visitors do sign a guestbook and get a certificate after the tour is over.
Unlike the rides, there are only three backstage tours on a given day. The tour has a separate admission fee.
