Since my first visit in 2002, I figure I've been to Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton at least fifteen times. 

Believe me, that's not an exaggeration at all.  Each time I've gone to Vegas, I've gone to ST:TE at least twice and brought at least a dozen or more people to the attraction for their first time.  (Each left loving it and wanting to come back again.)

I was really bummed out to learn that one of my favorite destinations was closing its doors for good, effective September 1st.

Well, next month, I've decided to make a final visit to The Experience to have one last Warp Core Breach and I'm doing it during the Official Star Trek Convention in just a couple of weeks.

Personally, I don't believe that Cedar Fair ever knew what to do with this property.  Instead of dropping the price and advertising the heck out of it, they did the exact opposite: they pulled all ads—billboards, monorail car, print—and even wound up raising the price.  (If you want more people to come through the door in an economy that's getting tougher, you lower the price some.)  That was only part of the problem, though.

I think the Las Vegas Hilton deserves some of the blame as well.  They didn't want to renew the lease because they thought that space wasn't as profitable as it could be.  (See above paragraph.)  Sure, they put a Monorail stop right at the entrance to the attraction, but that wasn't enough.  To me, it seems like the Hilton decided it wanted to close the attraction after a decade so they could just do something else with the space.  Considering that hotel isn't even on the famed Las Vegas Strip, one would think it would need all the draws it can get. 

So, I've got an opportunity for one last hurrah at one of my favorite destinations and I'm taking the opportunity.  Sure, there will be a thousand other Trek geeks there, but that will make the occasion even better.  I'll also be making this last trip with one of my closest friends—the same friend who accompanied me on my first trip to The Experience back in 2002.

Star Trek: The Experience will be bustling with the kind people who have kept the franchise going for 41 years—what could be better?  I'll have a chance to meet fellow Trekkies and Trekkers and have one last Warp Core Breach (pictured left). 

I ask you, what could be better than that?? 

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