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How the Enterprise nearly landed in Las Vegas

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited April 2012 in Ten Forward
http://www.garygoddard.com/blog/index.php/now-it-can-be-told-the-star-trek-attraction-that-almost-came-to-life-in-1992/

Recent blog entry by one of the project team members who sought to build a full-scale U.S.S. Enterprise in the middle of the downtown Las Vegas / Fremont Street area in the early 1990s. Ultimately, when the project was nixed, the city's second choice -- the electric video ceiling known as the Fremont Street Experience -- got the go-ahead.

In a sad case of "why couldn't it have happened sooner?" the Paramount exec who killed the project at the last possible moment was himself forced out in Feb'94 when Viacom purchased Paramount.

While part of the project design requirements was that the new downtown attraction could not be a new hotel/casino, as a long-time Las Vegas resident, I like to imagine that, had this project gone forward, perhaps the property could have eventually contained residential condominium space. Even in 'Vegas, it's hard to think of a more awesome home address than the U.S.S. Enterprise. ;)

--Chris
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    It's such a shame this didn't happen. Even if it totally flubbed and the interior attractions closed, all you'd need to do is keep the exterior clean and light it up at night and it'd still be amazing. I just don't see what the exec was thinking.

    Can you imagine if Star Trek conventions were actually held in the Enterprise's rec rooms? This would have been amazing. I can only hope that someday, someone will have the vision and money to make this happen somewhere. It's just too bad that it'll probably be a lot harder for many people to get to than Vegas.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    that would have been epic. alas, but for the lack of one man's vision ... :(

    <a tear drops>
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Thanks for linking this.

    I recall the rumor of the full-scale environment. I had just assumed Star Trek: The Experience was the final result of the same development. I don't usually use words like travesty. But that executive decision really was. Yeah. To attend a convention presentation in the actual rec room would have been a hoot. And to have worked Experience-styled elements into the starship setting would have been absolutely mind blowing.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    All.
    Of,
    My.
    Money.

    All of it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    All my money.

    And a kidney...

    And a few body parts I can't mention on the forums.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    I suppose we'll just have to take comfort in the idea that this project could have gone through in a mirror universe where Stanley Jaffe either had more foresight or a different job.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Ansler wrote:
    I suppose we'll just have to take comfort in the idea that this project could have gone through in a mirror universe where Stanley Jaffe either had more foresight or a different job.
    Unfortunately, in the mirror universe, it would probably have become a high tech prison or something like that.

    But at least it would have awesomely cool. Aren't we sure this isn't a belated April Fool's joke? Because - dang? That would have been awesome... Imagine seeing a CSI (Las Vegas) episode and seeing the Enterprise regularly appearing in the background. Or all the action movies using this as one of the special action set piece locations...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Unfortunately, in the mirror universe, it would probably have become a high tech prison or something like that.

    But at least it would have awesomely cool. Aren't we sure this isn't a belated April Fool's joke? Because - dang? That would have been awesome... Imagine seeing a CSI (Las Vegas) episode and seeing the Enterprise regularly appearing in the background. Or all the action movies using this as one of the special action set piece locations...

    Paramount really missed a trick, here. They could have been making money for every time the Enterprise appeared in a TV show or movie based in Vegas. :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    I remember hearing about this is 94 whilst I was at school, althoguh I admit I heard it was the Ent-d they were building back then (which would of been mental). I'm curious as to how they would of built it (as in how they would support the saucer and nacelles). If they were to make a ship, it would be more feasable to make the Defiant. :-)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    I wish the new attraction for the new ST Experience was made...few years ago it was supposed to get it's own building complex, etc off of Vegas...then the money issues... :rolleyes: :(

    Oh Well...I shall always remember when I used to go to the Experience...I still have the old shirts... :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    wrote:
    I remember hearing about this is 94 whilst I was at school, althoguh I admit I heard it was the Ent-d they were building back then (which would of been mental). I'm curious as to how they would of built it (as in how they would support the saucer and nacelles). If they were to make a ship, it would be more feasable to make the Defiant. :-)
    There are some vague allusions to it in the blog post, but it seems they would need some additional support. But it could probably be done in a way that it's not too intrusive, at least from distance.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Sadly, I think I'd have to agree that this wasn't the greatest idea.

    Structurally, a full-size Enterprise replica wouldn't have a Structural Integrity Field to fall back on. The neck and struts would have been terribly fragile and most likely the nacelles and possibly even the saucer section would have had to be inaccessible.

    Could those problems be solved? Maybe. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the thing in the event of an earthquake... don't know how tectonically stable that area is.

    If it HAD resulted in a disaster, people would be lauding the man for his foresight.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    bluegeek wrote: »
    Sadly, I think I'd have to agree that this wasn't the greatest idea.

    Structurally, a full-size Enterprise replica wouldn't have a Structural Integrity Field to fall back on. The neck and struts would have been terribly fragile and most likely the nacelles and possibly even the saucer section would have had to be inaccessible.

    Could those problems be solved? Maybe. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the thing in the event of an earthquake... don't know how tectonically stable that area is.

    If it HAD resulted in a disaster, people would be lauding the man for his foresight.

    Building the Full Scale Replica so it appeared to be within a TMP Drydock, would have alleviated many of the structural problems.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    wow. just wow.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    bluegeek wrote: »
    Sadly, I think I'd have to agree that this wasn't the greatest idea.

    Structurally, a full-size Enterprise replica wouldn't have a Structural Integrity Field to fall back on. The neck and struts would have been terribly fragile and most likely the nacelles and possibly even the saucer section would have had to be inaccessible.

    Could those problems be solved? Maybe. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the thing in the event of an earthquake... don't know how tectonically stable that area is.

    If it HAD resulted in a disaster, people would be lauding the man for his foresight.

    If you use a turbolift, how do you know where you are on the actual, physical ship?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    this thing would cost in the mills if not bills so unless some billionaire wants to see it I don't see this going from a blueprint
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Suricata wrote: »
    I remember hearing about this is 94 whilst I was at school, althoguh I admit I heard it was the Ent-d they were building back then (which would of been mental). I'm curious as to how they would of built it (as in how they would support the saucer and nacelles). If they were to make a ship, it would be more feasable to make the Defiant. :-)

    That's what popped into my head, too (it was the most current Enterprise at the time, after all). The size of the ship would have made it one of the most ridiculously oversized buildings in the world... if they worked out how to make the saucer section not fall to pieces.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Got to be kidding me, how could one man kill off the most awesome thing that the world could have seen two decades ago.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    The best part is, imagine what that would look like in the post apocalyptic future Vegas we all know is coming! It's be AMAZING!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Tumerboy wrote: »
    The best part is, imagine what that would look like in the post apocalyptic future Vegas we all know is coming! It's be AMAZING!

    I hadn't even thought of that.... THINK ABOUT IT... Trek Zombies!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    I hadn't even thought of that.... THINK ABOUT IT... Trek Zombies!

    Brains... Spocks Brains...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Brains... Spocks Brains...

    ::: ROTFLMAO!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    wrote:
    The best part is, imagine what that would look like in the post apocalyptic future Vegas we all know is coming! It's be AMAZING!
    Wasn't one Fall Out game/expansion set in Las Vegas?!

    Man, what a stupid Paramount Exec... No wonder ST is struggling so much.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    DenizenVI wrote:
    .
    ... I just don't see what the exec was thinking.
    .

    "So much money from that strage guy from yesterday for just saying no to a project" Or maybe something completly different.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Wasn't one Fall Out game/expansion set in Las Vegas?!

    Man, what a stupid Paramount Exec... No wonder ST is struggling so much.

    Fallout: New Vegas.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    I hadn't even thought of that.... THINK ABOUT IT... Trek Zombies!

    Well it has been done before. Last year a book came out called, well something like this: Night of the Living Trekkies

    Pretty much a soldier from Iraq can back home and lost hope in humity, then began to gain interest in Trek and started to have hope again, and went to a convention. Something happened and all but him and a few other trek fans didn't turn into zombies and had ot fight their way out of the hotel where the convention was being held.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Tumerboy wrote: »
    The best part is, imagine what that would look like in the post apocalyptic future Vegas we all know is coming! It's be AMAZING!

    I saw this and thought of New Vegas. Thanks Tumerboy, I'm stuck at work for the next 8 hours, and all I can think about is New Vegas...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Sollaf wrote: »
    I saw this and thought of New Vegas. Thanks Tumerboy, I'm stuck at work for the next 8 hours, and all I can think about is New Vegas...

    Same here, now I have to go finish the Ultimate Edition now. :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2012
    Glad to be of service.
    ::tips sombrero:::
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