News Report: Former Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser to Become Walt Disney Imagineering Offices

[danlb_2000]

The main offices are at Epcot behind Mission: SPACE and Wonders of Life. It’s the complex of building across the street. Along with the already mentioned complexes, there was also one set up at Disney Springs next to Cirque du Soleil.


This isn’t really something you can just do without some effort. It’s a change in occupancy which means the building will have to be modified to meet the code requirements for a business use. Changing it to something guest facing again will require another change. Residential (what hotels fall under) to Business isn’t generally going to be an issue, but they’re going to want things like conference rooms that will end up reconfiguring spaces. People joke about private bathrooms but it’s hard to envision them actually having so many private offices.

I can't imagine them wanting to maintain individual bathrooms. I assume there are restrooms in the common areas but are they big enough?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I can't imagine them wanting to maintain individual bathrooms. I assume there are restrooms in the common areas but are they big enough?

It is possible they’re big enough just because you typically have fewer people in an office versus the assembly spaces that were up front (15 SF/person vs 150 SF/person). The other issue is that a restroom has to be within a certain travel distance (this is why there are restrooms plopped in front of TRON). One of the requirements is that there only be a one story difference, so a restroom on the third floor is automatically too far away from restrooms on the first floor.

 

[Agent H]

Backstage Studio Tour - we can wander around and look over the shoulders of working Imagineers and see what’s in store

That sounds pretty cool

 

[FettFan]

“Hmm. Lost a hotel, Master Iger has. How embarrassing!”

 

[FettFan]

Backstage Studio Tour - we can wander around and look over the shoulders of working Imagineers and see what’s in store

lol. You know they would never intentionally expose themselves to such customer scrutiny!

“Are you seriously adding another *spinner* in that concept art?!”

 

[FiestaFunKid]

A windowless office building? I hope they keep the screens on.

 

[lazyboy97o]

A windowless office building? I hope they keep the screens on.

It’s not windowless. Every guest room had a window. Even if it were, you can add windows to a wall.

 

[FiestaFunKid]

It’s not windowless. Every guest room had a window. Even if it were, you can add windows to a wall.

if you've ever had the opportunity to gaze upon an office building, you'd see they probably need about 500 more large size windows - maybe just use the screens

 

[Bocabear]

the openings for the windows appear to be there, just filled in...So I imagine they could be returned to actual windows if they wanted....and all that refurbishment would still be cheaper than building an entire new office structure. They should leave the bathrooms... I would love to have a private bathroom iin my office....

 

[FiestaFunKid]

the openings for the windows appear to be there, just filled in...So I imagine they could be returned to actual windows if they wanted....and all that refurbishment would still be cheaper than building an entire new office structure. They should leave the bathrooms... I would love to have a private bathroom iin my office....

Definitely cheaper...and I could take a shower while D3-O9 does my work! I wonder if they'll clean them though.

Looks like there are some skinny windows...

now they only need about 500 more to meet the standards for a current day office building, like Disney's own NY corporate office -

 

[lazyboy97o]

Definitely cheaper...and I could take a shower while D3-O9 does my work! I wonder if they'll clean them though.

Looks like there are some skinny windows...

View attachment 841233

now they only need about 500 more to meet the standards for a current day office building, like Disney's own NY corporate office -

View attachment 841239

There is nothing that requires an office building have curtain walls. Go look at the pre-engineered metal buildings and trailers that make up the other Walt Disney Imagineering offices at Walt Disney World. There are also plenty of concrete buildings with pinched windows being used as offices around Central Florida.

 

[flynnibus]

I do think they could have done a 2 shift dinner show to some success here: Group 1 enjoys a modified Gaya dinner, while group 2 rotates through Jedi, bridge, and light saber. Then switch the two groups. At the end they could do a modified finale with Kylo and Rey. 3ish hour experience would probably sell out most nights (maybe only 1 shift during slow seasons). Pair it with a "free" minivan ticket for those staying onsite and free parking for those who are not onsite.

But why? the dining room was one of the weakest things about the entire venue.

It's probably cheaper to build out the expansion space they do have than to try to run supplemental services like transportation for a simple dining room.

 

[flynnibus]

I’m wondering how much effort are they putting into converting this into an office space? Like are they just taking the main beds out of the sleeping quarters and putting desk in their place or is there actual work being done to the building?

Remember there was a whole second building for back of house activities.. that building is probably more suitable for what they need.

 

[flynnibus]

No, I said exactly what it was going to be in that post as quoted-

blame the forum's horrible way of presenting your link... unless you click on it, you don't see your comments, just the tweet and what was before it.

 

[Rockishcoco]

Honestly, the most exciting part of this news is that in the original Wrap report, the author says they're looking to utilize the plot behind Oga's for a real sit-down restaurant. At least them killing any potential dinner show here means we might get an actual Galaxy's Edge expansion.

 

[Purduevian]

But why? the dining room was one of the weakest things about the entire venue.

It's probably cheaper to build out the expansion space they do have than to try to run supplemental services like transportation for a simple dining room.

It would be the justification to drive to price up (like characters at meals). few would pay $70 per person for an hour long experience on the start cruiser... but throw in a 1.5 hour long dinner show with space food and you could probably change $120+

The point is mute though, they clearly didn't think it was the best use of the space

 

[ToTBellHop]

Current exterior gives prison vibes.

 

[Disstevefan1]

 

[MrPromey]

...
they could "Turbo-Charge" the new office complex....

Umm, I think you meant to say they could "light-speed" the new office complex?

 

[Nickm2022]

Been thinking about this and:
1. Now that this is becoming an office does that mean we can finally knock down the buildings behind Animation Courtyard and build some lands there?
2. kinda impressed they found a use for the building they wasted so much money on, plus could be a really cool office.