Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

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Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
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Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser[3] was a Star Wars-themed 2-night live-action/role-playing choose-your-own-adventure experience aboard a simulated cruise in outer space within the Star Wars galaxy. It opened on March 1, 2022, and closed on September 30, 2023.[4] Starcruiser guests began their experience at the terminal next to Disney's Hollywood Studios, in the Epcot Resort Area of the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida.[1] The hotel accompanied the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge themed area in Disney's Hollywood Studios.[5]

History

In April 2017, Disney contracted the website

Swagbucks to survey visitors in order to gauge interest in a possible Star Wars-themed hotel. As a result of the survey, Disney decided to approve such a hotel, with a visitor experience based on the Star Wars storyline.[6][7] Plans for the Star Wars hotel were announced at D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim, California,[8] unveiled along with 22 other improvements and additions to Disney parks around the world.[9] At D23 Expo 2019, it was revealed that the hotel would be called the Halcyon and would be a two-night immersive experience where all guests arrive and depart together, similar to a cruise line.[10][3]

The planned 2021 opening of the Star Wars hotel[11] was delayed to March 1, 2022, by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][12] The hotel received positive reviews from guests—according to CNBC, the hotel "earned some of the highest guest satisfaction ratings in the history of Walt Disney World"—but it was extremely expensive.[13] Guests were only allowed to stay for two nights, and the minimum room rate was $4,800 for two people.[14][15]

Bob Chapek, then-chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, said the Star Wars hotel would be Disney's "most experiential concept ever".[11] Chapek described the hotel as a "100% immersive" experience that "will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits."[16] Planned features included creatures and droids acting as certain hotel staff; guests wearing Star Wars costumes; and an ability to interact with features of the hotel as if visitors were really in the Star Wars universe.[17] Visitors would also be able to have lightsaber training and duels (an extension of the Jedi Training Academy in Disney's Hollywood Studios[6]); explore and pilot Star Wars spacecraft; and go on "secret missions" personalized toward the visitors' experience.[18] These concepts were modified into droids participating as crew members, and lightsaber training solely on the ship for passengers. Instead of piloting the ship, passengers were able to partake in "Bridge Ops" training.

One writer for The Verge called the planned hotel a "Westworld for Star Wars fans," noting the hotel amenities that would facilitate the immersive-hotel experience.[17] Mic compared the planned hotel to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Universal Orlando's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, two hotels containing immersive experiences, though to a lesser extent.[19]

In May 2023, Disney announced that the Galactic Starcruiser would have its last two-day voyage on September 28, and then close for good.[14][20] The Galactic Starcruiser officially closed at 10 a.m. on September 30, 2023, and the website is no longer operable.[21]

Description

Early renderings of the project in 2017 showed that the new hotel would be shaped like a Star Wars starship.[9][18] The guest rooms contained full-size bunk beds and a queen-sized bed; some rooms also had a pull-down to sleep a fifth guest in the style of Star Wars bunkers.[22][6] Renderings also showed a lobby in the style of a Star Wars spaceship interior.[22]

On May 30, 2018, it was announced that the hotel would be located just south of Disney's Hollywood Studios, to the east of World Drive.[23] Valet parking was available for guests arriving in personal vehicles (no self-parking), or guests could use other means, such as ride sharing or a taxi. A driveway connected the Starcruiser's main terminal to the Cast parking lot of Disney's Hollywood Studios.[24]

The ship, named the Halcyon, was described as containing thirteen decks, with only four being "available" to passengers: 4, 5, 6, and 7. Deck 4 contained the Crown of Corellia Dining Room, the Lightsaber Training Pod, the Climate Simulator, the Transport Dock to Batuu, the Cargo Hold, the Brig, and the Engineering Room. Deck 6 contained the Atrium, which led to the Bridge, the Sublight Lounge, the Chandrila Collection (souvenir shop), and the Passenger Services' Desk. Decks 4, 5, and 7 hosted the guest cabins.[25]

On their second day, guests at the hotel traveled directly to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge by a "shuttle-pod transportation system". The interior resembled a shuttle spacecraft that ferried guests between the hotel and the land while maintaining the illusion of traveling from space to the planet's surface and back.[26] The hotel's direct entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios was located between the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction and the First Order ship at Docking Bay 9 in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, though this entrance was for Starcruiser passengers only.

Deck 4:

  • Crown of Corellia Dining Room
    Crown of Corellia Dining Room
  • Lightsaber Training
    Lightsaber Training
  • Climate Simulator
    Climate Simulator

Deck 6:

  • Atrium
    Atrium
  • The Chandrila Collection
    The Chandrila Collection
  • Starcruiser Bridge
    Starcruiser Bridge
  • Sublight Lounge
    Sublight Lounge

Deck 7:

  • Deck 7 corridor
    Deck 7 corridor
  • Guestroom
    Guestroom

Reception

Critical reception of Galactic Starcruiser focused on its high price for a generally less-than-luxurious experience. Early photos of the Halcyon's small, windowless cabins went viral before the hotel opened to the public, with many commentators on Twitter complaining that they were not a suitable luxury accommodation.[27] One commentator said its high prices had kept many from visiting even once, while the lone storyline offered to guests dissuaded them from visiting twice.[14]

Polygon regarded Galactic Starcruiser as a form of participatory entertainment, requiring guests to put in effort to see and do everything they want during their brief stay, without spending much time in their cabin other than to sleep.[28] "If you love Star Wars and want to commit to this experience in full by wearing costumes and interacting with characters and living your best Star Wars life, you'll enjoy yourself," wrote a reviewer for Nerdist.[29] CNBC reported that the price, about $1,200 per person per day, was "steep," but that the experience was worth the cost as long as guests were willing to engage with many of the activities on board, with very little downtime.[30]

In November 2022, Galactic Starcruiser won a Thea Award from the Themed Entertainment Association for outstanding achievement in brand experience.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bankhurst, Adam (September 30, 2021). "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Opening Date Revealed for Walt Disney World". IGN. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Francis, Katie (September 30, 2023). "Together... As One: Reflecting on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser After Its Permanent Closure". WDWNT. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Smith, Thomas (August 22, 2019). "Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Shares First of Many Exciting Announcements to Be Unveiled at D23 Expo 2019". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  4. ^ Egan, Toussaint (May 18, 2023). "Disney World's immersive Star Wars hotel will shut down in September". Polygon. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Fashingbauer Cooper, Gael (July 16, 2017). "Disney's Star Wars land named Galaxy's Edge, includes resort". CNET. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "Disney's Star Wars Hotel: Sleep In A Starship, Live In The Story". /Film. April 18, 2017. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. ^ Holmes, Jamie (April 18, 2017). "Star Wars: Disney fans asked about a new theme hotel". WFTV. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  8. ^ Kumparak, Greg (July 15, 2017). "Disney is opening an immersive Star Wars Hotel where each guest gets a storyline". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Levine, Arthur (July 18, 2017). "Disney announces 23 wild new developments for its theme parks". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Radulovich, Petrana; Patches, Matt (August 25, 2019). "The Star Wars hotel is basically a Disney cruise ship on land". Polygon.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Bevil, Dewayne (July 15, 2017). "Coming to Disney World: Tron, Guardians of the Galaxy ride, 'Star Wars' hotel". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  12. ^ Schoolfield, Jeremy (May 4, 2021). "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Launches in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  13. ^ Whitten, Sarah (May 18, 2023). "Disney World's costly Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser to close in late September". CNBC. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  14. ^
    ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Brooks, Khristopher J. (May 19, 2023). "Disney to close its "Star Wars" hotel that opened last year". CBS News. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  16. ^ Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (July 15, 2017). "Plans Unveiled for Star Wars-Inspired Themed Resort at Walt Disney World". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Bishop, Bryan (July 16, 2017). "Disney wants to build a Westworld for Star Wars fans". The Verge. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Mulvihill, Tom (July 17, 2017). "The world's first official Star Wars-themed hotel to open at Walt Disney World Orlando". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  19. ^ Marino, Valerie (August 1, 2017). "The 'Star Wars' hotel isn't just for fans. It might be the future of immersive travel". Mic. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  20. ^ Sampson, Hannah (May 18, 2023). "Disney to close its $5,000 Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "A Disney World Hotel is Permanently CLOSED | the disney food blog". October 2023.
  22. ^ a b Strachan, Maxwell (July 19, 2017). "Wait, This 'Immersive' 'Star Wars'-Themed Hotel Looks Awesome". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  23. ^ Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (May 30, 2018). "Update on the Star Wars Immersive Resort Planned for Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog.
  24. ^ "New Details Reveal the 'Star Wars' Hotel at Walt Disney World Will Have Special Access". Travel + Leisure. July 6, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  25. ^ "A Guide to the Locations Onboard the Halcyon Starcruiser". February 25, 2022.
  26. ^ Gallagher, Brian (November 17, 2018). "New Star Wars Disney Hotel Concept Art Reveals Shuttle Pod Entrance". ScreenRant. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  27. ^ Warby, Nathan (February 25, 2022). "Fans blast Disney's $5,000 Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser after "luxury" suite goes viral". Dexerto. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  28. ^ Hall, Charlie (February 25, 2022). "Inside Galactic Starcruiser, a tiny Star Wars hotel filled with gigantic performances". Polygon. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  29. ^ Ratcliffe, Amy (February 25, 2022). "Aliens, Lightsabers, and More: Our STAR WARS: Galactic Starcruiser Review". Nerdist. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  30. ^ Whitten, Sarah (February 25, 2022). "Disney's Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser is worth the price tag, if you're willing to let loose and play". CNBC. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  31. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (November 15, 2022). "Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser wins a Thea Award". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2023.

External links

28°21′05″N 81°33′40″W / 28.351389°N 81.561111°W / 28.351389; -81.561111

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