What will happen in the future for the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Disney?

The Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser is one of Disney World’s most ambitious projects — and that says a lot about a company that has paved so many avenues in the worlds of parks and recreation. While it may be known as the ‘Star Wars Hotel’, it offers more than just a place to sleep after running around Disney World all day… and is charged the same fee. response.

When galactic cruiser departing on its first public voyage on March 1, 2022, reports from guests of the two-night immersive entertainment program paint a picture of a different time from this world. . Many TPG employees have tried it feel the same magic of living with childhood dreams.

But Starcruiser guests also pay an unusual price for the experience, even by Disney standards — a two-night trip for a family of four costs upwards of $6,000. Despite the price, many experiences in the first few months seem to have sold out. But there was evidence of a demand rift by the end of 2022.

Today, Disney announced the final ride of the Halcyon Starcruiser will take place September 28-30, 2023.

The news comes as Disney is in the midst of a plan to cut $5.5 billion in costs within The Walt Disney Company, including not only Starcruiser but also 7,000 jobs off the workforce, restructuring divisions business segment and canceled plans to move about 2,000 Disney divisions. Parks, Experiences, and Products brings members from Southern California to a new campus in Lake Nona near Disney World.

So while this is a much bigger news day for Disney than just Starcruiser, we’ll focus on what happened — and what we hope happens next.

Why is Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser shutting down?

Travels booked up quickly in the early days, with huge Star Wars fans snagging the chance to take a (simulated) journey through the universe of Kylo Ren, Rey, Chewbacca, and a few more New objects are created just for experience. The actors playing these roles brought the story to life in a way that is hard to compare as it is such a unique production. It was so unique that it sold out months after opening with no discount.

Through November 2022, Disney is offering 30% off certain rides for Disney Vacation Club members. In January of this year, Disney provided First public discount on Disney hotel stays before or after Starcruiserand in March 2023, Disney announced that Starcruiser rides would be cut from three per week to just two starting October this year, with a 30% discount for pass holders. annual.

Even with those discounts, you’re still looking for thousands of dollars for the experience. Even so, guests who have visited the Galactic Starcruiser have largely praised it, as evidenced in the many Facebook groups dedicated to the experience. It has won an award by theme of the entertainment industry, despite having only been open for a short time. Even TPG gave it an award in 2022 because innovation.

But at more than $6,000 for a family, it’s more expensive than a Disney cruise and even more likely than some whole family trips to Europe. As great as it is, it’s ultimately a hefty price tag for an experience that lasts less than 48 hours, much of which takes place inside a building in Central Florida.

In a statement shared with TPG, Disney provided more details about the closure:

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most innovative projects to date and has been praised and recognized by our guests for setting a new standard for innovation. and immersive entertainment. This upscale boutique experience has given us the chance to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for our final journey, we will use what we’ve learned to create future experiences can reach more guests and fans.”

Can you still book a ride on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?

Because the Starcruiser experience is expensive — or used to be — we know there are many repeat guests who will even bring friends (or strangers) to share a room and split the cost among as many people as possible. just for the experience. And the good news for them, as well as other hopeful travelers, is that you can still book a seat at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser until the end of September. The last ride will be September 28-30, 2023 and most weeks there are two to three trips.

However, new bookings are temporarily halted while Disney works to rebook guests who have already booked for dates that will fall after the last ride.

New bookings will reopen on May 26, 2023. You can view travel dates on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser website.

What will happen in the future to the space occupied by Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?

After hearing this news, we can’t help but wonder what will happen next for the Galactic Cruiser. Truth be told, we considered that for a while when some warning signs became apparent.

The themed space hotel was there, fully operational, and located right behind the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

There are plenty of Star Wars fans who have yet to get a chance to sleep in a space bunk bed, look out the ‘window’ of the room into space, and enjoy the exclusive themed bar and restaurant, Not to mention other unique spaces.

Perhaps the next Starcruiser cruise could be the Star Wars Hotel, as it is naturally known. We’d love to see themed restaurants, bars and common areas open to more visitors. The space-themed Space 220 restaurant in Epcot shares a number of similarities with this hotel, and it’s one of the hardest to get a reservation for. restaurants in all Disney World even after being open for about 18 months.

Given the theme and proximity of this hotel, arranging some special early or late access to the Galaxy’s Edge area at Hollywood Studios seems…maybe. The technology already exists for guests to participate in special quests and unlock codes within an app, and while that would take some of the magic away without the Starcruiser’s role-playing element, it doesn’t. it can still attract many people.

Related: How to plan Disney’s epic ‘Star Wars’ ride – it doesn’t cost $6,000

A themed hotel with special park access and unique food and drink can probably at least offer Disney luxury hotel rates, typically $500 to $700 a night at guests. other hotel.

Perhaps staying in an out-of-this-world themed hotel is still a one-time experience, but there are many guests willing to spend a few hundred per night traveling to a galaxy far away rather than spending a few thousand dollars. la every night.