New Detroit Science Center

I feel for Captain Morley. Something did not seem right at the Detroit Science Center. His instinct is correct. It was just leftovers. However, it would not be practical to fit the Las Vegas exhibit into the Detroit Science Center, for this was not an exhibit, but a real journey into the future. Normally I would not go into detail, such as recommending a book and telling everyone that 'the butler did it.', but since the book, or in this case, the exhibit, does not exist anymore, I can share this with you.
We were all herded into a large elevator. As we were going up, there was a massive power fluctuation. We were a little dizzy, but when the power came back on, we were standing in a transporter room. We were welcomed by someone from the Enterprise D who led us through Star Base 1 and into a shuttle. The shuttle took us to the actual Enterprise NCC1701D. There, Commander Riker explained how the Romulans found out that one of our group from the 21st century was a relative of Captain Picard. They were trying to kill us to stop Picard from being born. The Enterprise then took us all back to 21st century Las Vegas where the Romulans were waiting for us. We watched from the ready room and monitored the bridge from there. We were thrown around as we fought off the Roms around the city.
Just in case the exhibit does re-appear somewhere in the future, I won't tell you how the battle ended or how we got back to the Hilton, but everywhere we were, the Enterprise, the shuttle, Star Base 1, it was all reai and functional.
To this day, my wife is leary about getting into an elevator.

So you can understand why we in Detroit/Windsor have to be satisfied with what was movable.

By the way, who ever canceled the Las Vegas exhibit instead of constructing a permanent site, is an idiot as much as the person who canceled the original series. Note: I kept the evaluation of this person logical, yet moderate as to not offend the webmaster.

Hello Everyone!
I am a BIG Star Trek fan and when Star Trek the Exhibition was coming to Detroit I was so thrilled I could not wait to get tickets! I had missed the Las Vegas Experience so I was not about to miss this one. I only live 30 minutes from the Detroit Science Center and tickets where only $18.95 so what a great time I’m going to have. My friend went with me since my wife does not like Sci-Fi stuff so we grabbed our Star Trek gear and off we went!

I wore my Star Trek original series shirt (Captains rank) and my official original series communicator. I was set; we got to the Science Center early so we had first dibs in line. After the doors opened there was a great big beautiful model of the Starship Enterprise 1701-A. It was huge!!! I wanted to take it home it was so fantastic looking. Then we went to get in line, they had a big lighted sign with the words “Star Trek” and we had to wait for the elevator since the exhibition was on the 3ed floor.

The guy that took us in the elevator was dressed in a Next Generation uniform and was a bit funny warming us up as we got closer to our destination. As the doors opened we where greeted by a very nice model of the original Enterprise (1701). I was very surprised it was not lit! A couple of info cards where in with the model but that was all.

Then as you continued there was a room with the original casts uniforms, right away I noticed that the uniform pants where the Next Generation pants! What’s up with this? So I thought ok maybe they did not have the original pants so they got a substitute. So I got out my camera to get a nice photo when one of the staff members told me “NO PHOTOS”

What!!!! No photos! You got to be kidding me! So I waited for all the people to leave that area and I got some anyway. Then as you continue you step onto a very nice mock-up of the original Enterprise Bridge from the original series. My buddy got a nice photo of me in the Captain’s chair before another staff member caught us. I got my photo taken by a hired photographer so later on you can check it out and buy it to take home.

Then you enter a Next Gen like hallway to see Capt. Picard’s desk in his quarters with his uniform, pad, flute, & some other stuff. Ricker’s wedding uniform was also there as well. By this time I’m thinking WOW, this is getting kind of lame. I was getting worried that maybe they hyped this up to much and the big let down was coming! Next you could get into the Next Generation Transporter and watch a video screen to see your self get beamed away.

The lack of enthusiasm from the staff was a disappointment but I guess if you where a young kid it would be more impressive. Again a photographer took your photo gave you a card and on we went. (The cards where so at the end the staff could call up your photo on a PC). Next there was a room with clear domed tables that housed props from different Star Trek shows like, Trek Original Series, Next Gen, Deep space Nine & so on.

There was however a great mock-up of “The Guardian of Forever” from the award winning episode “City on the Edge of Forever”. There was also a Klingon Captains chair, more uniforms / costumes and a Borg cube miniature. Objects where really spread out and a lot of wasted space. At the end was some Starship filming models from the show and a history line of the Trek Universe and that’s when we noticed these little labels on the displays that had a Spock ear on it.

Well little did we know that was for a listening device that they should have given us so we could hear info when you stand next to the displays. Why did they not give us that? So we went back and I tried to get more photos but there were too many staff members by then to get any more. Over all I took 40 photos and got yelled at 8 times for doing so.

But let me tell you, this exhibition was a let down not because I have to high of standards but it’s due to lack of organization on the part of the staff & exhibit personal, lack of enthusiasm from the staff, every little thing cost money and lack of props & displays. Everything was so spread out you could of added 40% to 50% more items or displays easy! The shuttlecraft simulator was not included in the ticket price either.

For a ride on the simulator is going to cost you $6.00 per person and you get to choose between a mild ride or a wild ride. Well, the wild ride at best was mediocre & took about 2 min to complete. If you’re between the ages of 6-13 you’re going to have a great time in the simulator but as an adult forget it! Don’t waste your money. Also don’t expect much in the souvenir category as there was only a couple of junky books for sale. Now for the plus side of things;

OK, if you’re going to check out this exhibit admission is an acceptable $18.95 for adults $14.95 for kids 2-12. Parking is $5.00 but any ware you park in Detroit you have to pay money so that’s a given. Now, for the price I do think it was worth seeing the huge Enterprise at the entrance, the Original Enterprise Bridge, The Guardian of Forever & some of the cool props. Also if you’re careful you can sneak a few photos without someone yelling at you. Overall it took just under 2 hours to complete if you’re slow and talk to other people.

I’m sad to say Trek fans but I give this Star Trek exhibit a 7.5 only because of the bridge mock-up. I’m not sure why this exhibit was kind of lame? Maybe due to the lack of room? Or just some last ditch effort because of the closing of the Las Vegas Experience or what but if you dress up in your Trek gear and go with just a friend you mite have a pretty good time. I did have people thinking I was part of the exhibit (HA, HA).

Live long and prosper!

Don Morley
Star Trek Fan
Rochester Hills, MI