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Klingon Encounter (Las Vegas)

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Location: Star Trek: The Experience, Las Vegas Hilton

Our thoughts: This was the first ride at the Star Trek Experience (they've since added the Borg Invasion ride). Your ticket gives you entrance to the Museum of the Future, which is basically an exhibit of Star Trek props, costumes and other Trek-related "history" entries that are there to entertain you if you are waiting in a long line to get onto the ride. Every time we've gone on the ride, however, there hasn't been a line (possibly because we go in the daytime during the work week and not on a weekend). This means you can view the museum entries at your own pace, or you could just skip the museum part and just head to the entrance of the ride.

The ride starts by watching a small movie that explains how you are to enter the ride for the "shuttle ride" that you're about to take. Once you enter the next area, however, something goes awry and you suddenly find yourself "beamed" aboard the Enterprise, and also in the 24th century (a pretty cool effect). A staff member (aka actor) then explains the situation, and you then follow him/her and find yourself on the bridge of the Enterprise (from the "Next Generation" series). More exposition occurs from Riker on a video screen, explaining that among your group is the future ancestor of Trek captain Jean-Luc Picard (during one ride, we looked around and actually found a bald guy in our group who we pointed out was probably the ancestor). Since the ancestor was kidnapped from the past, Picard ceased to exist (don't worry, time travel gives us a headache too). The crew member then delivers you to a shuttlecraft, which will take you back to the present day.

This is where the 'ride' part actually begins, and they put you inside a motion simulator that jerks you around while you watch a movie. The movie part is really good, you will feel like you are actually flying in space fighting the Klingons. After the ride is over, a confused staff member brings you back to the shopping area of the Star Trek Experience.

The acting from the crew members are very good, they seem to enjoy being part of the action, and walking around the hallways of the "Enterprise" and visiting the "bridge" is a pretty cool thrill for any Trek fan.

Tip: The elevator ride after the motion simulator is not part of the ride. Don't worry.