They Beamed Me Up!!

So, the trip to Las Vegas was one of the coolest vacations ever. Pretty much everything we did ended up being a little crazy and a lot of fun. I am so lucky to have Steph and Candice as my traveling companions this time around!

The main reason we went was so I could visit the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton before it is torn down in September. I am so so so glad we did! Candice was worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. It was different than I expected, but in so many ways it was better.

First, I love theme parks, and it didn't hurt I'm a fan especially of this theme. The powers that be wasted no time getting us in the groove, and a Ferengi was wandering through the ticket line greeting people and posing for photos. I admit, I felt more than a little shy and silly. Thankfully, Steph and Candice weren't about to let him walk past me! They both took photos of me with the shyest Ferengi I could have imagined... I'll post a photo once I get them from their cameras! We bought tickets for the two rides, the History of the Future museum, the backstage tour, and special photos on the bridge of the Enterprise 1701-D (that's the ship on Star Trek: The Next Generation) and a Borg chamber. The museum was where we first met the Klingon Commander wandering around. I tell you what, he seemed to have a crush on our darling red-headed Candice! He had definite opinions about the politics on our planet, and couldn't believe that we make it to the 24th Century.

Me and Steph with the Klingon Commander


Looking out at Deep Space Nine

We started by wandering around the museum, which was made up of a timeline starting in the 1950s and then outlining events through all 5 (yes, there are 5) Star Trek series, and props and costumes from the movies and shows. It was neat to see how they all came together. Next, we experienced the "Borg 4D" attraction. Unfortunately, the 4D feature was broken, so we just watched the video in our super-comfortable chairs. You could tell the places where stuff was supposed to fly out at you. Oh well. It was still fun.

Next, we had our photos taken, and I tell you what, it was AWESOME getting to sit in the Captain's chair! We weren't allowed to take any of our own photos, but I took the chance to wander around the bridge and take a look at the plaque and everything. So fun! Then we had our photos taken in a Borg chamber. I couldn't stop smiling for that one, so I look sort of dumb, but Stephanie had a great freaked-out look on her face. It was classic!

Candice, me, and Steph on the bridge of the Enterprise. Make it so!


Next we did the Klingon Adventure, which was my favorite part of the whole day. They actually BEAMED ME UP ONTO THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE! Okay, not really, but it was an AWESOME special effect! One minute we were standing in front of some doors for the motion simulator, and the next we were in the transporter room. They rushed us onto the bridge of the enterprise where an officer was sitting at the navigation console and Commander Riker was on the viewscreen (he was in Engineering with Geordi) telling us the plot line for the adventure. I totally started crying because it was just so cool! I really felt like I was living the adventure! The navigation officer took us to a "shuttlecraft" flight simulator where... oh shoot. I just remembered I wasn't supposed to talk about it. Crud. I really hope this doesn't affect the future timeline.

Seriously, it was awesome.

I'm glad we finished the Klingon Adventure before doing the backstage tour, because they revealed all the secrets of the two rides and a lot of the other work that had gone into the whole Experience. I loved getting to wander around and see all the detail they'd put into hallways that we'd just run through during the Klingon Adventure and the Borg 4D thing. I signed a non-disclosure statement promising not to reveal any secrets, so I won't. However, I will say that all of us in the group thought it was supremely cool to see the motion simulator from the outside (we actually got to watch while the ride was going on).

Sitting at the bar in the Captain's Lounge


What next? Oh! We ate dinner at Quark's Bar and Grill. Candice recommended the Holy Rings of Betazed, which turned out to be onion rings stacked one on top of the other and served with three dipping sauces. Then I had Moogie's Famous Pasta (pasta in a cream sauce with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes) and a Frozen Hirogen to drink (a smoothie with pineapple, strawberry and banana - yum!) Candice and Steph had similarly cleverly-named foods and drink, and we watched part of the movie Star Trek: First Contact which was playing on a big screen nearby. There was no sound for the movie -- the restaurant was too loud anyway -- but I watched the movie for the umpteenth time last week, so I could pretty much fill in the blanks when needed...often word for word.

We were running a bit short on time, but we all needed souvenirs before we left. I, of course, bought for my selfish Trekker self, but Candice and Steph found wonderful items for their loved ones. They were so great. I had a hard time choosing my purchases, but anytime I tried to apologize they'd say "we're here for you!" I hope they someday get an idea of how much I appreciate them. I know for a fact I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun without them. We ran into the Klingon Commander again in the gift shop, and he was surprised to find out I had been the instigator for the entire trip (the "Captain" as it were, as evidenced by my photo on the bridge). We all said our good-byes and then we had to leave.

Boo. I found my dream job and they're tearing the whole place down. Does anyone know anyone with a billion dollars who would want to invest in making millions of Trekkies and Trekkers happy? I'd be eternally grateful. Unfortunately, my own brilliant money-making idea won't be ready in time.

Sigh.

Anyhow, I'll post more photos on my Star Trek Experience whenever Candice, Steph and I get together to exchange photos.

And, of course, I'll have more info on the rest of the trip! Hooray!!