The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was considered one of Disney World’s most formidable initiatives — and that is saying quite a bit about an organization that has paved a whole lot of roads within the worlds of parks and leisure. Whereas it might have been recognized off-handedly because the ‘Star Wars Resort,’ it offered way more than a spot to sleep after operating round Disney World all day … and charged accordingly.
When the Galactic Starcruiser departed on its first public voyage on March 1, 2022, reviews from visitors of the two-night, immersive leisure painted an image of an out-of-this-world time. A number of TPG staffers who tried it felt the identical magic of residing out childhood goals.
However visitors on the Starcruiser additionally paid an out-of-this-world value for the expertise, even by Disney requirements — a two-night voyage for a household of 4 prices upwards of $6,000. Regardless of the worth, lots of the first a number of months of experiences seem to have offered out. However there was proof of cracks in demand by late 2022.
At the moment, Disney introduced the ultimate voyage for the Halcyon Starcruiser can be Sept. 28-30, 2023.
This information comes as Disney is within the midst of a plan to chop $5.5 billion in prices throughout the Walt Disney Firm, together with not solely the Starcruiser however decreasing 7,000 jobs from its workforce, restructuring its enterprise segments and canceling a plan to maneuver roughly 2,000 Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Merchandise forged members from Southern California to a brand new campus in Lake Nona close to Disney World.
So whereas this can be a a lot bigger day of reports for Disney than simply the Starcruiser, we’ll give attention to what occurred — and what we hope will occur subsequent.
Why is the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closing?
Voyages booked up shortly within the early days, with mega Star Wars followers leaping on the probability to take a (simulated) voyage via the universe of Kylo Ren, Rey, Chewbacca and a handful of recent characters created only for the expertise. The forged members that performed these roles introduced the story to life in a method that’s laborious to match to because it was such a novel providing. It was so distinctive that it offered out strong for months after opening with no reductions out there.
By November 2022, Disney provided a 30% low cost on choose voyages to Disney Trip Membership members. In January of this yr, Disney provided its first public low cost on pre- or post-Starcruiser Disney lodge stays, and in March 2023, Disney introduced that Starcruiser voyages can be in the reduction of from three voyages per week to solely two beginning in October of this yr, whereas additionally providing up a 30% low cost to annual cross holders.
Even with these reductions, you had been nonetheless taking a look at hundreds of {dollars} to have the expertise. Regardless of that, visitors who visited the Galactic Starcruiser largely sang its praises as evidenced in a number of Fb teams devoted simply to the expertise. It received a themed leisure trade award, regardless of solely being open for a short while. Even TPG gave it an award in 2022 for its innovation.
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However at $6,000+ for a household, it value greater than a Disney Cruise and probably much more than some household journeys to Europe. As cool because it was, in the end it was a excessive price ticket for a lower than 48-hour expertise largely happening inside a constructing in Central Florida.
In a press release shared with TPG, Disney gave extra particulars on the closure:
“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is considered one of our most artistic initiatives ever and has been praised by our visitors and acknowledged for setting a brand new bar for innovation and immersive leisure. This premium, boutique expertise gave us the chance to attempt new issues on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we put together for its ultimate voyage, we’ll take what we’ve discovered to create future experiences that may attain extra of our visitors and followers.”
Can you continue to e book a voyage on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?
As expensive the Starcruiser expertise is — or was — we all know of a number of repeat visitors who even would go in with buddies (or strangers) to share a room and divide the price by as many individuals as attainable simply to have the expertise. And the excellent news for them, and different hopeful voyagers, is which you could nonetheless e book stays on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser via the tip of September. The ultimate voyage will happen Sept. 28-30, 2023, and most weeks have two to a few voyages out there.
Nevertheless, new bookings are briefly paused whereas Disney works to rebook visitors who had been already booked for dates that may now fall after the ultimate voyage.
New bookings will reopen on Might 26, 2023. You may view out there voyage dates on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser web site.
What does the long run maintain for the area occupied by the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?
After listening to this information, we won’t assist however surprise what comes subsequent for the Galactic Starcruiser. Fact be informed, we have been pondering that for some time as some warning indicators grew to become evident.
The themed area lodge is already there, totally operational and positioned instantly behind the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge space inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
There are many Star Wars followers who nonetheless have not had an opportunity to sleep in an area bunk, look out the room’s ‘window’ into area and benefit from the unique themed bar and restaurant, to not point out the opposite distinctive areas.
Maybe the subsequent journey for the Starcruiser may very well be to grow to be a Star Wars Resort, because it was offhandedly recognized in any case. We would like to see the themed restaurant, bar and customary areas out there to extra guests. The space-themed Area 220 restaurant in Epcot shares some similarities with this lodge and it is likely one of the hardest-to-book eating places in all of Disney World even after being open for about 18 months.
With this property’s theme and proximity, layering in some particular early or late entry to Galaxy’s Edge space in Hollywood Studios appears … attainable. The expertise additionally already exists for visitors to participate in particular missions and unlock codes in an app, and whereas that may lose some magic with out the immersive component of the Starcruiser, it might nonetheless attraction to many.
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A themed lodge with particular park entry and distinctive meals and drinks might presumably command not less than Disney deluxe lodge costs, that are already typically $500 to $700 per night time at different properties.
Maybe staying in an out-of-this-world-themed lodge continues to be a one-and-done expertise, however there are possible extra visitors prepared to spend a number of hundred per night time to journey to a galaxy far, distant than spend a number of thousand {dollars} per night time.
Backside line
You do not want the ability of the Drive to know that Star Wars is prone to be a significant presence at Disney for years to come back.
A fast scroll via the lengthy listing of Star Wars-themed films and tv exhibits on Disney+ proves that Star Wars continues to be fairly standard. And, after all, there are total Star Wars-themed lands at each Disney World and Disneyland that are not going wherever.
So whereas massive adjustments are forward for the Starcruiser, we aren’t totally packing away our Jedi robes and lightsabers simply but. As a substitute, we’ll cross our fingers that there could also be “A New Hope” for a special model of Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser awaiting sooner or later.
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