Not as Smart as the Borg

I just realized something about when I write. I have a desire to write when I’m tired.

I’m at the Las Vegas airport after going to see Star Trek: The Experience, which is unfortunately closing on September 1.

My general feeling about Vegas is the place is too damn commercialized, too auto-dependent, and too fricking dry. I could see myself coming here to go see a bunch of shows, but given that most of them are truncated vegasfied versions, I’d much rather just go to New York to catch the full versions or catch shows as they come through as touring shows.

I’m not sure why Star Trek: The Experience is closing, officially the Hilton and Cedar Fair couldn’t agree on lease terms. Unofficially, I have the pretty clear impression from discussions with the cast and media reports that Cedar Fair doesn’t know what to do with the ride, and simply doesn’t want to have an oddball, like Star Trek: The Experience, in its portfolio of amusement properties. They’re used to and experienced running large amusement parks, and I think the executive level management doesn’t want the distraction.

It is perfectly acceptable to realize that something doesn’t fit in with the rest of the company and get rid of it, but just shutting it down is a pretty poor use of assets. I am amazed that they were unable to find a buyer for this attraction. I don’t have access to the numbers, but my gut says is this is a profitable attraction.

I think we’ve got some crappy management that isn’t nearly as smart as the Borg.