‘StarWars’-themed hotel will take you far, far away
Travelers seek out-ofthis-world experiences, and Walt DisneyWorld plans to provide them via a “Star Wars”-based hotel, a concept that could send the trend of immersive vacations into hyperspeed.
The resort, announced this month, will use interactivity, role-playing and technology to create a simulated trip to outer space. The company will even throwdroids into the mix.
“Fromthe second you arrive, you will become a part of the ‘StarWars’ story,” said Bob Chapek, chairman ofWalt Disney Parks and Resorts. “It is 100 percent immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day.” He described a luxurious atmospherewith characters, starships, rooms with interstellar views and multiple days of “unfolding adventures.”
Themed vacations are not new, said Scott Brush, a hotel consultant based in South Florida. Fromdude ranches to zombie cruises to CivilWar re-enactments, folks have explored other ways of life. But in Central Florida, it’s about to get otherworldly.
“Everybody else is doing it. Disney is just taking it up to a new level,” he said. The company already operates some heavily themed hotels, such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
There are plenty of people willing to play— and pay— along with a “Star Wars” theme, saidDave Parfitt, editor of Adventures byDaddy, a travel website.
“You see entire families at StarWars Celebration dressed up as cosplayers, so I could definitely see where youwould have subsets of families that are going to be all-in on this and checking in and being as immersed as possible,” he said.
Participation in activities related to the films remains high. A pop-up cantina called Scum& Villainy has sprung up in California, and the coast of Ireland has gotten a bump in tourism because the upcoming “StarWars: The Last Jedi” filmed there, Parfitt said.
“There are lots of people trekking out to these areas,” he said.
While guests in the future Disney hotel will live out the scenario of being on a space station, visitors to existing GreatWolf Lodges are greeted with another remote theme— that of a northernwoods.
“As soon as you check in, you getwolf ears. … Right awaywe’re kind of beginning that adventure,” said ErinWallace, chief operating officer. “You definitely feel you’re in a north woods-type lodge, a rustic lodge.”
Thewoodsy sense and accompanying décor, including aworking fireplace, run from the lobby, through an indoorwater park and into themed rooms, she said.
“The key for having an immersive family resort is you don’t have to leave the property. You have everything right there that you can do,” Wallace said. Great Wolf activities include ropes courses, rock-wall climbing, miniature golf and a game calledMagicQuest, activated throughout the resort withwands that summon fairies, goblins and dragons.
A sense of community also thrives in the immersive experience, she said.
“Every nightwe do story time,” Wallace said. “Literally, families come down in their pajamas. They listen to a story being told to them from a great big book, gather in the lobby and have that story time nighttime routine.”
GreatWolf Lodge operates 14 resorts, with three more opening within a year. In 2016, theWisconsin- based company purchased 50 acres near Disney Springs for consideration.
“We definitely are exploring whatwe can do in Orlando,” Wallace said.
Meanwhile, Disney fans are anxious for more details about the “StarWars” hotel. Within aweek of the announcement, comments to the Disney Parks Blog included anxious queries about the resort’s level of luxury, swimming pools, roomrates, wedding packages, Disney Vacation Club possibilities and howto get on a yet-to-be-announced mailing list.
Theywant to know where and when, too. Disney hasn’t revealed a location or time frame yet.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Parfitt said. “And I bet ifUniversalwasn’t already planning this for Harry Potter, they soon will be.”
Universal Orlando has announced plans for two hotels on International Drive on the oldWet ’n’ Wildwater park site. It has not announced their themes or if it has any expansion plans for the Potter franchise.
“We feel like this could be the start of something very, very big,” Chapek said.
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