BANISHED FROM THE GALAXY
Disney to close pricey Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel
Disney’s venture into an immersive, very expensive Star Wars experience is ending.
The company said its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Walt Disney World in Florida, which costs nearly $5,000 per couple for a two-night stay, will take its final voyage Sept. 28.
Employees were notified of the decision last week; before that, the website showed availability through Dec. 31. Disney is contacting guests who have trips on the book after the scheduled closing and will give them priority to switch to an earlier slot. New bookings for the remaining voyages have been put on pause.
“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment,” the company said in a statement. “This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.”
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced the project in 2017, when he was chairman of the theme parks division, promising a revolutionary experience that would let Star Wars fans dress up, participate in adventures and immerse themselves in constant role-playing.
“It’s unlike anything that exists today,” he said.
The attraction — which some compare more to a cruise than a hotel — opened in March 2022. It allowed guests to live out Star Wars fantasies, taking part in lightsaber training or droid-racing competitions. Lessons in Sabacc, an in-universe card game, were available, and “story moments” provided chooseyour-own-adventure action.
The stay also included a “transport shuttle” to the Star Wars section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and its two rides, as well as themed meals.
Disney touted some of its innovations with the project, including creating a “real” lightsaber; concocting “new, otherworldly flavors” in its food and drinks (one infamous example: blue shrimp); and merging real-life and digital entertainment to craft a unique story for each guest.
But the price tag — starting at $4,809 for two people on weeknights during the cheapest time of year — made the experience unattainable for many fans, especially considering the rising cost of a non-galactic Disney vacation.
Robert Niles, founder and editor of Theme Park Insider, said in an email that, under current CEO Bob Iger, “Disney does blockbusters, not boutique.”
“There was no way that this ever could scale to the numbers where it made enough money to be a better investment than other projects on which Disney could spend this operating budget,” he said.
The company said it wants to “deliver immersive experiences at an even greater scale” moving forward.
Many reviewers were enthusiastic about their visits when Galactic Starcruiser launched, but even some proponents complained about the less-than-magical arrival scene, the “utilitarian” bathrooms and an “unexciting” lightsaber experience. The price tag has consistently been the biggest concern.