Well, well, well ... what did you do over the Memorial Day weekend?
Longtime readers of SciFiHistory.Net will know that -- when it comes to Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and even Reality -- I do take my various fascinations very seriously, and I've always confessed -- whenever asked -- to having been a lifelong fan of UFOlogy as well. While never having seen a flying saucer myself, I've read countless books examining the whole affair, and I've come to the conclusion that the truth behind whatever the phenomenon is has to be something vastly more complex than perhaps society has ever considered. Yes, yes, yes, I say this knowing that there are cases that most likely are little more than clever hoaxes, but the vast majority of the unexplained accounts still need the sometimes dry examination of science even though (ahem) scientists consider the subject well beneath them. Sad. Very sad, indeed.
Still, it's understandable how a guy like me could be interested in saucers, ships, and the supernatural; so over the weekend the wifey was kind enough to drag me to Scottsdale, Arizona (of all places) for a tour of The UFO Experience. It's a somewhat kitschy attraction that -- on the surface -- folks might think was designed for kids. Being part of a location popular with families (including an aquarium, a butterfly attraction, and a few other haunts), it certainly is a premium (and modestly expensive) place to go, and -- yes -- one might argue that even the UFO Experience is a bit pricey given the lack of definitive proof into the whole field of the flying saucers. I can assure you that as far as the wifey and I are concerned? We had a blast.
Longtime readers of SciFiHistory.Net will know that -- when it comes to Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and even Reality -- I do take my various fascinations very seriously, and I've always confessed -- whenever asked -- to having been a lifelong fan of UFOlogy as well. While never having seen a flying saucer myself, I've read countless books examining the whole affair, and I've come to the conclusion that the truth behind whatever the phenomenon is has to be something vastly more complex than perhaps society has ever considered. Yes, yes, yes, I say this knowing that there are cases that most likely are little more than clever hoaxes, but the vast majority of the unexplained accounts still need the sometimes dry examination of science even though (ahem) scientists consider the subject well beneath them. Sad. Very sad, indeed.
Still, it's understandable how a guy like me could be interested in saucers, ships, and the supernatural; so over the weekend the wifey was kind enough to drag me to Scottsdale, Arizona (of all places) for a tour of The UFO Experience. It's a somewhat kitschy attraction that -- on the surface -- folks might think was designed for kids. Being part of a location popular with families (including an aquarium, a butterfly attraction, and a few other haunts), it certainly is a premium (and modestly expensive) place to go, and -- yes -- one might argue that even the UFO Experience is a bit pricey given the lack of definitive proof into the whole field of the flying saucers. I can assure you that as far as the wifey and I are concerned? We had a blast.
I bring it up in this space today because -- quite frankly -- it is a destination that serious fans of SciFi might want to know about if for no other reason than it clearly was crafted to harness the appeal of our genre. There are a good handful of -- ahem -- life-sized aliens both outside and within the establishment, meaning that you can of course pose with any number of those nefarious little green men (from Mars, don't you know) for pictures. There's even a reasonably large replica of a flying saucer along the thoroughfare out front that makes a great spot for pics. And folks who want to pay for the premium package can even pay a little extra for a posed snap with some very authentic-looking ones, but we passed on that opportunity, instead just wishing to take a gander into what the place holds.
The UFO Experience begins in a little ampitheater wherein the seated audience is given a bit of an introduction to the place. While it would've been nice for the facility to, perhaps, have given a stronger set-up for the whole of the UFO phenomenon, this video really is a bit more kiddie-focused, pretty much boiling the topic down to mysterious lights in the sky, a few CGI graphics of space travel, and a single Man-In-Black who kinda/sorta promises to keep an eye on your while you're under his roof. Again, it's clever -- very kid-friendly -- but nothing in-depth or earth-shattering. Not exactly what I was expecting, but it's heart was in the right place, after all.
The UFO Experience begins in a little ampitheater wherein the seated audience is given a bit of an introduction to the place. While it would've been nice for the facility to, perhaps, have given a stronger set-up for the whole of the UFO phenomenon, this video really is a bit more kiddie-focused, pretty much boiling the topic down to mysterious lights in the sky, a few CGI graphics of space travel, and a single Man-In-Black who kinda/sorta promises to keep an eye on your while you're under his roof. Again, it's clever -- very kid-friendly -- but nothing in-depth or earth-shattering. Not exactly what I was expecting, but it's heart was in the right place, after all.
After the introduction, you're pretty much on your own to wander the place at your own pace, which is always nice. There are dozens of wall placards to read from, and the venue is dissected (pun intended) into several major sections, each kinda/sorta focusing on one area of the larger phenomenon. For example, there's one area focused on sightings -- including a listening post where you can hear from 911 audio involving reported UFOs -- and another one on abductions. There's a section on the whole Ancient Aliens aspect -- that is, actually, probably the highlight (for me) of the little tour) -- and then a great deal of fodder centered on UFO tie-ins to pop culture (movies and television shows). There's even a room -- don't ask me to explain this or why it's here except for the kiddies -- that simulates what it would be like walking on the moon, and it boils down to little more than an indoors bouncy house ... not that I'm complaining.
Yes, I took a walk on the moon. Why do you ask?
There are even a few audiovisual attractions wherein you can sit and watch such things as U.S. Congressional hearings into the subject of UFOs. The chamber focused on abductions has a few small video features -- they highlight the Betty and Barney Hill story along with the Travis Walton affair -- but those were in use while we were there so I couldn't get a seat to check them out. But the real focus throughout the exhibit is on reading the wall materials, and -- to be fair -- there is plenty to read. Nothing goes to any great depth, but if you're like me you make the most of what there is.
Yes, I took a walk on the moon. Why do you ask?
There are even a few audiovisual attractions wherein you can sit and watch such things as U.S. Congressional hearings into the subject of UFOs. The chamber focused on abductions has a few small video features -- they highlight the Betty and Barney Hill story along with the Travis Walton affair -- but those were in use while we were there so I couldn't get a seat to check them out. But the real focus throughout the exhibit is on reading the wall materials, and -- to be fair -- there is plenty to read. Nothing goes to any great depth, but if you're like me you make the most of what there is.
As I said, the UFO Experience certainly makes the most out of aliens and/or alien-themed ties to pop culture, so there are a few smaller areas that focus on movies. Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) definitely get a bit of coverage, as does The Terminator with an assortment of movie props here and there. It was curious that they'd still incorporate such obvious fiction right smack dab in the middle of some stuff involving the alleged 1947 UFO recovery from Roswell, New Mexico -- almost as if the curators are trying to suggest that Roswell is a bit of fiction (???) -- but it does make for a nice display. Someone has certainly made a nice investment in the space, and -- for genre fans -- it makes for a welcome distraction.
All-in-all, the wifey and I spent about 90 minutes in the place, and that includes nosing around its way-too-small gift shop. (I was hoping for a greater assortment of books to check out, but I did find something from Nick Redfern that I don't have in my collection so I made the purchase.) Honestly, we could've been there longer -- had we invested time in the audio/visual spots -- but they were occupied, and neither of us like to be perceived as 'Lookie Lous' while others are partaking of them. While some might not find it as good a value for their money, I did think it was worthwhile, mostly because (as I've already disclosed) I've always been in to this kind of thing. Yes, it could've used a bit more depth here-and-there, but as a tourist-style attraction dedicated to shininig just enough light on one of mankind's enduring mysteries? It works very well for casual observers.
All-in-all, the wifey and I spent about 90 minutes in the place, and that includes nosing around its way-too-small gift shop. (I was hoping for a greater assortment of books to check out, but I did find something from Nick Redfern that I don't have in my collection so I made the purchase.) Honestly, we could've been there longer -- had we invested time in the audio/visual spots -- but they were occupied, and neither of us like to be perceived as 'Lookie Lous' while others are partaking of them. While some might not find it as good a value for their money, I did think it was worthwhile, mostly because (as I've already disclosed) I've always been in to this kind of thing. Yes, it could've used a bit more depth here-and-there, but as a tourist-style attraction dedicated to shininig just enough light on one of mankind's enduring mysteries? It works very well for casual observers.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
-- EZ
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