Can You Boldly Go To A Star Trek Theme Park?

In case you didn’t know, I enjoy watching Star Trek quite a bit (Voyager and Seven of Nine fans, rise up!). While I definitely am not as involved in the lore as others, I find the shows and movies to be a great way to immerse myself in a world other than my own for a bit. But I also like doing that at theme parks. So if you’re like me, you may wonder – is there a Star Trek theme park?

No Star Trek Theme Park…Yet

Unfortunately, there isn’t a dedicated Star Trek theme park currently operating anywhere on Earth (or beyond, as far as we know). This might come as a surprise, considering the franchise’s enduring popularity. But it looks like we may have to wait a little longer for a theme park dedicated to Star Trek and its various worlds, aliens, and starships.

Trekking Through Attractions of Past and Present

Though there hasn’t been an entire Star Trek theme park, there have been a few themed attractions throughout the years.

Star Trek Adventure (1988-1996)

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The Star Trek Adventure at Universal Studios was a short-lived attraction that ran from 1988 to 1994 at Universal Studios Hollywood and 1991 to 1996 at Universal Studios Florida. It used a combination of pre-recorded footage featuring iconic Star Trek actors like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, and live-action participation from park guests. Guests would be selected to play roles in a Star Trek story filmed on a soundstage, creating a personalized and interactive experience.

Star Trek: The Experience (1998-2008)

Star Trek: The Experience, located at the Las Vegas Hilton (now Westgate Las Vegas), was a beloved attraction open from 1998 to 2008. It offered a fully immersive Star Trek adventure, complete with themed areas, interactive exhibits, and even a thrilling motion simulator ride where guests could join the crew of the Enterprise on a daring mission.

BORG Assimilator (2004 – present, renamed in 2008)

Originally located at Paramount’s Great America (now California’s Great America) as the world’s first modern flying roller coater, Stealth, this ride was moved to Paramount’s Carowinds (now Carowinds) outside Charlotte, NC in 2004. There, it received a Star Trek theme related to one of the franchise’s most iconic villains: the Borg. The ride even circled a crashed Borg sphere.

When Paramount decided to sell its parks to Cedar Fair, the ride received a new name: Nighthawk. This came with the removal of all Star Trek theming. However, the ride still stands and operates today.

Expert Tip: This ride tends to get very long lines due to how long the loading process takes. It’s near the front of the park, so hit this ride up first when you visit Carowinds.

Star Trek: Operation Enterprise (2017 – present)

^{Source: Rémih, Wikimedia, 2023}

Thrill-seekers can boldly go on the Star Trek: Operation Enterprise roller coaster at Movie Park Germany. This launched coaster simulates a daring escape from a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, complete with themed music and visuals. The queue line even passes through the bridge of the Enterprise D! It’s not a full park, but it’s a fun way to get your adrenaline pumping!

Looking to the Future

Rumors have been swirling about the upcoming Paramount Park Kunming in China. This massive park is slated to open sometime in the next few years and might include a “Star Trek” themed area called “The Final Frontier.” While details are scarce, the possibility has Trekkies worldwide eagerly awaiting official confirmation.

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For a while, there were even rumors that Universal Orlando Resort would be adding some kind of Star Trek themed lands to one of its existing parks or the new Epic Universe park. Sadly, those rumors never proved to be true (a moment of silence for what could have been, please).

Dreaming Up the Ultimate Star Trek Theme Park

Given the immersion today at theme parks like those found at Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, a Star Trek theme park could be a truly immersive experience unlike anything else. You could have a sprawling spaceport modeled after Starfleet Headquarters, complete with a bustling marketplace selling alien artifacts and Klingon cuisine. Or hop on a thrill ride meant to simulate warp speed travel. Want to sell merchandise? Find a way to let customers create their own starship model. All while you’re completely immersed with no idea the outside world really exists around you.

But Why Isn’t There A Star Trek Theme Park?

So why haven’t we seen a dedicated Star Trek theme park emerge yet? There could be a few reasons. Licensing issues might be a hurdle, with CBS and Paramount needing to find the right partner to develop and manage such a project. Perhaps the focus within the Star Trek franchise has been on television series and movies, leaving theme park development on the back burner. We all know streaming has been a hot topic as of late.

And I will admit, while Star Trek coming to Universal parks in a big way would be a dream, doing it right after Disney unveiled their Star Wars themed lands, Galaxy’s Edge, would seem a little bit on the nose, don’t you think?

Status: There’s Still Hope

So, is there a Star Trek theme park out there waiting to be discovered? Well, not yet, but that doesn’t mean we should give up hope. As fans, we have the power to keep the dream alive through our passion, creativity, and unwavering dedication.

As for me, I’ll be keeping my ears open for any whispers of a Star Trek theme park on the horizon. For now, I’ll be content to explore the galaxy through the countless movies, TV shows, and fan events that continue to inspire us all to boldly go where no one has gone before. And continue hoping for a Star Trek: Legacy show. Until then, live long and prosper.

What would you love to see at a Star Trek theme park?