Not worth it.

I was certainly disappointed with the restrictions on taking photos and the sloppy job the staff there did in taking their photos (had to reshoot one a couple of times and then realized another one needed to be reshot when we went to place our order!).

The display included a costume gallery, the TOS bridge (which has certainly been well worn but still exciting to stand/sit in!), a TNG corridor, a TOS transporter pad, a props room with the Guardian and a really cool Borg cube (approximately 3′x3′ in size made up of…well…I am not sure but it was obviously a time-consuming project!), another room with several panels on the history of Trek and various ship models.

Overall, it was worth the trip for my family (especially my younger 13-year old son with diabetes who absolutely beamed when he sat in Kirk’s chair as evidenced in the photos).

We actually live closer to Cincinnati (Dayton, Ohio area) so we are hopeful the other Exhibit makes down there to see the TNG bridge and other items in that exhibit.

While the Exhibit was not entirely what I hoped for, it was still thrilling to see the TOS bridge and walk through the Guardian since I am really a TOS guy at heart–seeing my kids (especially the aforementioned son) enjoy the Exhibit was a definite plus and made it worth the trip.

I will say that the Federation Science exhibit that made the rounds a few years ago was maybe better in the prop area and in allowing photos (see those here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18845&id=1575664480) but it will still be hard to beat the experience of standing on the TOS bridge!

the TOS bridge was so roughed up after a month it looked rather sad

They had the Cheers bar set too, and it could be rented out for private parties.

http://startrekpropauthority.blogspot.com/2009/06/abrams-star-trek-xi-uss-kelvin-pistol.html

The communicator that the Kelvin crew used was cooler, too. There is a picture of it on the same site.

We went down to San Diego when this started up again and the smaller size was a bust for the true fan compared to what Long Beach had. Plus we were able to take as many photos as we wanted, I must have over 200+ on my flash drive. The San Diego guards told us some one took photos of the props and was selling them on Ebay or some thing. Thus the reason for no photos, but you can sneak them if you are quick enough.

I yearn for the day I can have another Warp Core Breach, Borg Sphere, Mind Meld, Tranya, James Tea Kirk, etc at a new STTE. Thankfully between Darren and Jeff (former bartenders) I have the drink recipes to make at home….still it is not the same as sitting at the bar.

There may be some good news, the Las Vegas SUN had a recent article about the new STTE with the owner/developer of Neonopolis. Who knows, we all may get lucky soon or perhaps by next year. Quarks in 2010!!!