Galactic Starcruiser: DLR Opinions

[TP2000]

Yea you’re right, I agree it cheapens the experience it’s my first time seeing this lmao, they could have come up with much better side activities..

But I was responding to your closing statement here, in whcih you summarize the whole experience with that video

The dance lessons are tacky and off-brand and obviously slapped together. It's like something they do on a cheap Carnival Cruise when it's rainy and the pool is closed.

There are elements of the Galactic Starcruiser that rise above that level. But they are too few and far between, and then you get slapped back into a Carnival Cruise with all the other stuff like dance lessons or bingo.

The hard product itself, the dining room the cabins the bar the bridge and the lobby, are also not up to par. Too much of the facility looks cheap and bland and downgraded by three separate rounds of budget cuts.

Instead of this concept art from the D23 Expo announcement...

I may be partial to this artwork since an Imagineer was kind enough to slyly slot me into the shot, enjoying a cocktail at the lobby bar.

They opened it with this lobby instead...

 

[TP2000]

What kind of demographic target market do you think Disney is pursuing ? It certainly isn’t anything close to what you posted

Obviously the price points are different (higher!) for Aman. Hence, I've only stayed there for two nights instead of five. I'm not a Russian Oligarch!

But the concept is there. Instead of running an Aman with 3 employees per guest, and 1,000 thread count sheets, and a pillow menu with 14 choices, and a comped minibar stocked with your preferred liquors that you texted them before you arrived (in Tokyo they even stocked and restocked jars of Nutella in my room for me when I noted I like to spread that on sourdough toast).... staff the Disney Star Wars Hotel with 1.5 employees per guest, and 600 thread count sheets, and two pillow choices, and a no-host minibar in the room. And it's strictly BYON.

The point to showing photos of Amangiri is that Disney could have built this Star Wars "immersive adventure" in a custom environment. They didn't have to build a small, windowless warehouse in a swamp. Even if they had built this in WDW, they could have used the hundreds of unused acres they still have and custom built this hotel to be on an alien planet.

But instead, they built a small warehouse next to the freeway. And then cut the budget about three too many times.

 

[mlayton144]

Obviously the price points are different (higher!) for Aman. Hence, I've only stayed there for two nights instead of five. I'm not a Russian Oligarch!

But the concept is there. Instead of running an Aman with 3 employees per guest, and 1,000 thread count sheets, and a pillow menu with 14 choices, and a comped minibar stocked with your preferred liquors that you texted them before you arrived (in Tokyo they even stocked and restocked jars of Nutella in my room for me when I noted I like to spread that on sourdough toast).... staff the Disney Star Wars Hotel with 1.5 employees per guest, and 600 thread count sheets, and two pillow choices, and a no-host minibar in the room. And it's strictly BYON.

The point to showing photos of Amangiri is that Disney could have built this Star Wars "immersive adventure" in a custom environment. They didn't have to build a small, windowless warehouse in a swamp. Even if they had built this in WDW, they could have used the hundreds of unused acres they still have and custom built this hotel to be on an alien planet.

But instead, they built a small warehouse next to the freeway. And then cut the budget about three too many times.

I dunno TP - that Florida swamp has $10-20 million properties close by in golden oak so I don’t think the location is the problem. I personally wouldn’t pay their prices for starcruiser, but it’s an interesting experiment to see if there a market for this thing (as offered) - there were 7 hour long lines for a $20 figment popcorn bucket a few weeks ago - so never underestimate the power of fandom

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yes, that's exactly it. And when I read @raven24's post three minutes ago I instantly thought it was an idea with incredible merit!

Because it reminds me of a hotel that already exists, built by a hotel chain that wildly excels at these hotels.

It's in southern Utah, it's called Amangiri, and it's run by the ultra-luxury hotelier Aman. You can technically drive to Amangiri (it's very remote), but many guests arrive via helicopter. You are out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by ultra luxury and exotic landscapes. The dining is 5 star, and the service is impeccable. Curated adventure trips into the vast surrounding desert are available. The hotel is stark and modern, every room is it's own casita with a plunge pool, and the star is the abandoned landscape for miles in all directions.

Layer on a Star Wars storytelling and special effects to an Aman experience, and the result would be incredible. That said, the operational logistics of this would likely be beyond Disney's ability or desire to attempt. Especially with Bob Chapek at the helm.

But it is a product that exists in exotic locations around the world, and has been wildly succesful for Aman. I have stayed in their property in Tokyo, where I was literally cocooned in ultra modern silent luxury at the top of a stealth skyscraper for two nights, and it was heaven. (But I do not recommend moving directly from the Aman to Tokyo Disneyland like I did, unless you want cultural whiplash) My destroyed international travel plans for 2021 had me staying two nights at Aman's Kyoto location, but Covid ruined that. I have a reservation to splurge on myself this fall with a couple nights at Amangiri once I've moved to Utah, as sort of a "Welcome To Your New Forever State" for myself.

Amangiri in southern Utah...

Luxury Five-Star Hotel & Resort in Utah, USA - Amangiri

Explore Amangiri, a secluded resort in Canyon Point, Utah. Perfect for adrenaline-fuelled adventure and peaceful desert retreats. Book with Aman today.

www.aman.com

This is basically what I had in mind, but it would just look more like Tatooine (although this could pass as a Tatooine) and maybe not quite as fancy, but still similar. And of course, as you perfectly stated, a Star Wars experience would be layered on it. When I say “more sophisticated,” I mean Star Wars, but in a more mature way and not what Disney is currently doing, like with the dance lessons, for example. I’d have a gallery dedicated to the films, almost like a museum within the hotel, that detailed the history of the franchise, beginning with George Lucas. That’s just one example of an offering I’d include that wouldn’t come off as very kiddie or cheesy. Even a space simulator would be better than dance lessons.

This hotel looks stunning and it does remind me of Star Wars. THIS, along with a Star Wars experience, would be more worth the price tag that Disney is currently charging for Starcruiser. When I hear that a hotel stay is $6,000 for two nights for a family of four, I of course automatically assume and imagine something luxurious and of great quality. Something uppity, essentially. Disney is not giving that.

 

[TP2000]

I dunno TP - that Florida swamp has $10-20 million properties close by in golden oak so I don’t think the location is the problem. I personally wouldn’t pay their prices for starcruiser, but it’s an interesting experiment to see if there a market for this thing (as offered) - there were 7 hour long lines for a $20 figment popcorn bucket a few weeks ago - so never underestimate the power of fandom

Oh, no, I agree with you on their market demographics!

I'm sorry, I thought you were saying that the prices for an Aman stay (easily a grand and a half per night per person) were higher than the Starcruiser prices (about $800 per night per person, or roughly half that of an Aman stay). And thus there’s not an East Coast demographic that can afford them. That demographic most definitely exists.

There's a market for high priced Disney experiences at both American properties. I just think they didn't aim high enough for the Starcruiser, and then downgraded it a few too many times during its development and construction.

They seem to be doing that thing Disney does way too much now, where they use grand phrasing and fancy words to describe an allegedly groundgreaking product that is actually not that grand or fancy or groundbreaking.

Words are free, and Disney of the 2020's uses their free words way too easily.

 

[Californian Elitist]

What kind of demographic target market do you think Disney is pursuing ? It certainly isn’t anything close to what you posted

I’d argue that by Disney charging thousands of dollars per night for Starcruiser, they are looking at a similar demographic, in terms of income, as the folks who’ve designed these Amangiri hotels, or at least close to it.

 

[Mickey's Pal]

Oh, no, I agree with you on their market demographics!

I'm sorry, I thought you were saying that the prices for an Aman stay (easily a grand and a half per night per person) were higher than the Starcruiser prices (about $800 per night per person, or roughly half that of an Aman stay).

There's a market for high priced Disney experiences at both American properties. I just think they didn't aim high enough for the Starcruiser, and then downgraded it a few too many times during its development and construction.

They seem to be doing that thing Disney does way too much now, where they use grand phrasing and fancy words to describe an allegedly groundgreaking product that is actually not that grand or fancy or groundbreaking.

Words are free, and Disney of the 2020's uses their free words way too easily.

Hi. I am a long time lurker, first time poster. I just wanted to say I have always appreciated your point of views and clever and witty ways of making a point. And it is a pleasure to meet you.

 

[TP2000]

Hi. I am a long time lurker, first time poster. I just wanted to say I have always appreciated your point of views and clever and witty ways of making a point. And it is a pleasure to meet you.

Well, thank you! It’s a fun group of people here. All with our own opinions, but very fun to chat with! Welcome!

 

[180º]

This is basically what I had in mind, but it would just look more like Tatooine (although this could pass as a Tatooine) and maybe not quite as fancy, but still similar. And of course, as you perfectly stated, a Star Wars experience would be layered on it. When I say “more sophisticated,” I mean Star Wars, but in a more mature way and not what Disney is currently doing, like with the dance lessons, for example. I’d have a gallery dedicated to the films, almost like a museum within the hotel, that detailed the history of the franchise, beginning with George Lucas. That’s just one example of an offering I’d include that wouldn’t come off as very kiddie or cheesy. Even a space simulator would be better than dance lessons.

This hotel looks stunning and it does remind me of Star Wars. THIS, along with a Star Wars experience, would be more worth the price tag that Disney is currently charging for Starcruiser. When I hear that a hotel stay is $6,000 for two nights for a family of four, I of course automatically assume and imagine something luxurious and of great quality. Something uppity, essentially. Disney is not giving that.

Interesting idea. Have you seen DLP’s conversion of their Hotel New York to “The Art of Marvel”? The mood of that sounds a little like what you’re describing.

 

[CaptinEO]

A lot of assumptions being made here. My students enjoy the new trilogy and care more about Rey and Kylo Ren than Vader and Luke. I know I'm bored with OT ideas as they are older than I am. We need to stop clinging to these old movies as if they are perfect. I'm down for new Star Wars experiences rather than repeats of stuff I've already seen duplicated everywhere.

Your students only know these movies, and thats fine. But will they stand the test of time for 40 years and have a legacy like George Lucas' Star Wars films? I doubt it, time will tell though.

Not everything has to be an Original Trilogy retread. Star Tours and the new Star Tours absolutely capture the Star Wars feeling and experience just fine. Hyperspace Mountain did too.

Locking Star Wars into a timeline when most the characters are gone is idiotic. I want prequel. original trilogy, and sequel trilogy characters all in one land. Why not? No one cares about this "story" but Disney.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Interesting idea. Have you seen DLP’s conversion of their Hotel New York to “The Art of Marvel”? The mood of that sounds a little like what you’re describing.

I have not, I’ll have to look it up!

 

[CaptinEO]

I agree. Of course I’m just basing this on a bunch of YouTube videos, so I don’t know for sure, but so far, it comes off as a high end kids’ Star Wars birthday party. Not your neighborhood birthday party when the costumes come from a bootleg Party City, which is saying a lot, but still not very good and too kiddie.

I mentioned this earlier, but the company has gone overboard with the kiddie stuff, especially the rhetoric. Whenever I read about something new coming from Disney, sometimes I feel like I’m sitting in a kindergarten class with my classmates huddled together on the floor while Ms. Smith tells us about our brand new coloring books. There’s a way to get the message across in a fun way and still talk to us like we’re adults.

Wait Disney was able to do it just fine. No overuse of “magic,” or other words Disney loves to use over and over again…just speaking to his audience. And it worked.

I think you're absolutely right. It's like they talk down to their guests/consumer base wirh their "kid voice".

Totally agree Walt actually had reapect for and didn't talk down to his audience.

Love your analogies!

I'm sure the pixie dusters who are blind Disney megafans love the "magic" talk though and being talked to like a kid. Maybe it's a disorder?

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

everything feels a bit too neat and clean and generic for my kind of SW. Would have liked to see them go more exotic and really lean into the weirdness of SW.

 

[GimpYancIent]

everything feels a bit too neat and clean and generic for my kind of SW. Would have liked to see them go more exotic and really lean into the weirdness of SW.

It is designed to be a G rated experience. I would go for an R rated version myself. Even at an R rating the cost would not be justified.

 

[CaptinEO]

It is designed to be a G rated experience. I would go for an R rated version myself. Even at an R rating the cost would not be justified.

How does neat and clean mean "G Rated"? The original Star Wars Trilogy was unique for portraying space / futuristic technology as run down and worn.

This was part of the design. It wasn't 2001 A Space Odyssey

The clean looking environments and Star Destroyers interiors in the sequel trilogy made no sense to me.

 

[Dear Prudence]

The dance lessons are tacky and off-brand and obviously slapped together. It's like something they do on a cheap Carnival Cruise when it's rainy and the pool is closed.

There are elements of the Galactic Starcruiser that rise above that level. But they are too few and far between, and then you get slapped back into a Carnival Cruise with all the other stuff like dance lessons or bingo.

The hard product itself, the dining room the cabins the bar the bridge and the lobby, are also not up to par. Too much of the facility looks cheap and bland and downgraded by three separate rounds of budget cuts.

Instead of this concept art from the D23 Expo announcement...

I may be partial to this artwork since an Imagineer was kind enough to slyly slot me into the shot, enjoying a cocktail at the lobby bar.

They opened it with this lobby instead...

I am feeling a migraine coming on just looking at the lighting in a photograph.

 

[smooch]

The price tag is way way way too high. And I am a very big Star Wars fan and I think the aesthetic is off, as stated previously, it looks like generic SciFi / Star Trek. I think Disney's problem they keep running into trying to make these new Star Wars locations / experiences is Star Wars is a lived in, dirty world and they can't make a hotel or anything fitting that aesthetic. They don't want guests staying in a dirty beaten spaceship so they have to make something that doesn't look or feel like Star Wars. The fact there's no windows for 2 days straight is a little bothersome to me even though I swear by my blackout curtains, it feels strange overall. The experiences look geared towards kids mainly which makes sense but I can't imagine paying the huge price tag for the activities they offer. The fights are okay but look a little cheesy to me. I don't want to say it's bad but I will say the most disappointing part of all this is they cut the actual experiences promised for Galaxy's Edge and locked them behind a RIDICULOUSLY overpriced hotel experience that you can only stay at for 2 days of your trip. The shows, the droids, the interactivity they promised would be in the land was all cut and locked behind a paywall most people would never be able to (responsibly) afford. I just don't think this sort of experience is in high demand to be honest but I could be wrong, maybe it just needs to be executed better. Hogwarts themed hotel with interactive wizard classes / etc. in the future? Just kidding most likely not, I doubt we'll see more like this since I am assuming this will be severely underbooked and have costs cut in the future and make the experience even cheaper.

 

[smooch]

But the concept is there. Instead of running an Aman with 3 employees per guest, and 1,000 thread count sheets, and a pillow menu with 14 choices, and a comped minibar stocked with your preferred liquors that you texted them before you arrived (in Tokyo they even stocked and restocked jars of Nutella in my room for me when I noted I like to spread that on sourdough toast).... staff the Disney Star Wars Hotel with 1.5 employees per guest, and 600 thread count sheets, and two pillow choices, and a no-host minibar in the room. And it's strictly BYON.

Man you're really selling me on Amangiri, not like I would be able to afford it for a long time considering I'm not even finished with college yet, but thank you for making me aware of this place. Sounds like quite an experience I would love to have some day.

 

[Mickey's Pal]

Well, thank you! It’s a fun group of people here. All with our own opinions, but very fun to chat with! Welcome!

Thank you. I am looking forward to my stay.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

Since I can't afford it, I'm glad this whole experience looks kinda lame.