To Boldly Go...Away?

"Live long and prosper," Mr. Spock used to say. It appears that Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton may need a Vulcan benediction. After living ten years on the Vegas Strip, the E-ticket attractions apparently aren't all that prosperous these days, and, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, their days may be numbered. While nothing has been confirmed, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which inherited the Star Trek attractions when it bought Paramount Parks last year, is reportedly not interested in renewing the lease with the Hilton when it expires at the end of this year. If that were true, I'd highly recommend that Trekkers and park fans trek to Vegas before the attractions close. I consider The Experience to be among the best theme park attractions (even though it's not located in a theme park). While the motion simulator portion is a bit dated, everything leading up to it, including a highly immersive encounter with an impressive cast of live actors on elaborate Trek sets, needs to be, um, experienced, to be believed. The complex also includes a 4-D Star Trek film, Quark's Bar and Restaurant, a gift shop, and a mini museum.

• Star Trek: The Experience Overview and Review
• Stratosphere Tower in Vegas Thrill Rides
• Desperado in Primm, Nevada Coaster Review

Photo: Assimilation station- Jean-Luc Picard as a Borg robot watches over guests in the Star Trek queue. ©Jeremy Levine, Licensed to About.com.