I went there too. I think you're underselling the transporter. They acted like you were about to get on like a motion sim or something, lined everybody up on those rows in front of the doors, then everything went black, sparkles coming from everywhere, a giant rush of wind upward is what it felt like - very confusing - and then BAM, the lights came on and you were on the bridge of the Enterprise-D.
Hell of an effect and something I'll never forget.
