Breaking Down the Fourth Wall – Remembering ‘Star Trek: The Experience’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

(Photo by: Kreg Steppe, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

​Hello again, dear reader. It’s been quite a while since we’ve talked about experiences that break down the fourth wall, the kind that allow us to get as close to our favorite stories as possible. That’s due in large part to the fact that I really haven’t visited a genuine movie location in ages, but the other day, puttering around on the internet allowed for me to remember a particular location that allowed for fans to step into a genuine, movie like experience.
 
Because thanks to the wonderful advent of social media and YouTube and the like, I’ve been able to get a taste of what Star Wars fans are able to enjoy when it comes to the ‘Rise of the Resistance’ ride that’s now open, and I have to admit, this looks like a pretty awesome experience for the fans. And seeing what this ride has to offer, has made me a touch nostalgic for the days when Star Trek fans had their own experience in this vein waiting for them for in Las Vegas. For there was a time when a city dedicated to good times and a chance to strike it rich, played host to an immersive experience that helped you to venture to the 24th Century.
 
For off to the side of the Las Vegas Hilton from 1998-2009, there was futuristic looking segment of the hotel that just so happened to house a unique attraction known as Star Trek: The Experience. Which was an interactive world where a Trekker/Trekkie could lose themselves in the universe they so adored and this is a spot that I visited as often as I could back in the day simply because it had so much wonder to offer the loyal fans of this storied franchise. For example, just walking into the ride provided you with wonderful sights since there were massive replicas of Federation ships hanging high above you, the kind that prompted you to stare in awe at their detail and outright beauty and that was really a taste of things to come.
 
Because just below those ships, was a small replica of the Promenade deck from Deep Space Nine, complete with computer displays and shops that offered up all kinds of official gear to take home, and most importantly… it also had a replica of Quark’s famous bar where one could get all kinds of DS9 themed treats and an adult beverage if you so wanted, which also had that wonderful futuristic feel. But while it was nice to get a steak and a Romulan Ale at place you’ve only seen on television, the rides that this experience offered are what truly made it worth your nerdy while. In part because there was a museum on the way to the queueing lines that offered up all kinds of props from the franchise’s illustrious history. But once you got past admiring the quality of the uniforms used on screen, the magic got underway.
 
Because you had the opportunity to immerse yourself in two separate adventures within the Star Trek universe, an encounter with the Klingons, or a battle with the Borg and both were amazing for different reasons. For if you chose the first option, you were magically whisked away via transporter to the 1701-D, wherein you were able to stand on that historic bridge during a Red Alert to take part in a story that involved you and your fellow tourists surviving a calculated Klingon attack. One designed to alter the future and remove Captain Picard from the 24th Century since someone in your group was an ancestor of his and this was just… a magical treat through and through. Because that bridge replica was a true sight to behold and being able to run around the decks of an Enterprise was a dream come true and while the other part of this adventure is fun in its own right, since you get caught up in a fight with the Klingons while you’re on board a shuttle, it was standing on the bridge of a ship that captivated my imagination growing up, that left my spirit soaring.
 
As for the other ride, well that had its merits as well, since the Borg Encounter offered up a vastly different experience than the Klingon Encounter. For while the first one plays upon nostalgia and wonder, this particular ride wanted to you feel a sense of fear and danger and while that’s damn near impossible with a ride, since part of you knows it is safe, this one came close to accomplishing its goal. Because you’re on a remote space station when the Borg attack in this interactive tale, and that means you got up close and personal with the Borg as you worked to evacuate post haste and I won’t lie, it was super cool to see drones walking next to you, and chilling for certain since the costumes were screen worthy. But what truly made this ride eerie, was the fact that the environment changed as the Borg assimilated it and the crew that was working to save you, and the ride gets props for making use of some baseline special effects to try and terrify you.
 
But sadly, this whole experience is gone from the Las Vegas Hilton and that is truly a shame. Because this was about as close as one would get to being part of the show and honestly, I wish all the parties involved would have come to an agreement to update it with new experiences and sets to motivate fans to visit it often. But it is what it is, and this really was quite the special ride, one that honestly… I took part in obsessively. In fact, I remember the last time I was in Vegas on my own, I straight up bought their day pass and just alternated the rides nonstop for hours. Because it was just a joy to get lost in my favorite science fiction franchise and man, I really do hope something like this for Star Trek returns someday. Because I know there are other Trekkers and Trekkies out there that would love a chance to take part in a modernized version of this unique experience.    

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