[kevin]

I don't think money was ever 'no object' in TNG, early on or later, despite being a well funded show for the time. Now you could just do a CGI shot of something new.

Bear in mind 'Shades of Gray' came about because they had no money left at the end of season 2.

I think the Excelsior would be a tighter fit, but I think it would get through.

In fact, that point makes the Spacedock in the new film make a lot more sense - as the ships are all docked 'outside' so to speak, they can be built as big as you like as long as the docking port is compatible with the station.

No doors to worry about!!