Question about the new Star Wars Hotel?

[Kamikaze]

Because this is such a different concept I think it is going to make it challenging to market properly. I think the whole experience needs to be designed in such a way that people don't feel trapped in it, but instead a given a lot of incentive to not treat it as a normal hotel.

They have two different groups in mind I would say. The SW fan and the frequent WDW guest thats looking for something new. I can't see them trying to market this to first time guests.

The other part of it is - if this really is a small boutique hotel with only a couple hundred rooms tops, they won't need to worry about mass marketing for quite a while. It will be filled just on the groups above for a long time without Disney even trying.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Because this is such a different concept I think it is going to make it challenging to market properly. I think the whole experience needs to be designed in such a way that people don't feel trapped in it, but instead a given a lot of incentive to not treat it as a normal hotel.

But again, I go back to the price. "Trapped" isn't a negative thing to the people who will be looking to spend thousands of dollars for a couple days' experience. Those people (myself included) WANT to be trapped in Star Wars.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

But there is no Mickey Mouse, that's the whole idea. It's not bed in your themed resort then off to the Magic Kingdom the next day. It's bed in the themed resort and then a full day of themed activities, also in the resort. Once again, the price for this experience is going to be astronomical already. The value proposition goes completely out the window if you're not DOING the things that you're paying for.

It's like if dad and son want to eat at Boma but mom doesn't like that kind of food. Why would mom pay $45 for a seat at the table and then eat nothing but a cherry tomato and a piece of bread? She wouldn't. Either dad and son would go alone or the whole family would go eat somewhere else.

Because you can't leave Mom in the car for 2 days. And I know there is no Mickey in the Star Wars hotel. That's why Mom is gonna drink for 2 days while everyone else in the family is playing dress up. She just wants it to end so they can move over to a regular Disney hotel and get on with the vacation.

 

[Kamikaze]

But again, I go back to the price. "Trapped" isn't a negative thing to the people who will be looking to spend thousands of dollars for a couple days' experience. Those people (myself included) WANT to be trapped in Star Wars.

And you know exactly what will be disappointing to me? These people who are going to stay there and not participate.

As I said in the other thread - the whole idea of doing that is like going to Hedonism and just sitting on the beach all week.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I go back to something @flynnibus said in the main thread on this topic. This experience did not need to be located at Walt Disney World. They could build it in Random City, USA and it would keep people engaged for the duration of the experience. This isn't just a (really fancy, expensive) place to sleep on your WDW vacation, it IS the vacation.

 

[Kamikaze]

I go back to something @flynnibus said in the main thread on this topic. This experience did not need to be located at Walt Disney World. They could build it in Random City, USA and it would keep people engaged for the duration of the experience. This isn't just a (really fancy, expensive) place to sleep on your WDW vacation, it IS the vacation.

Right, but they put it here in case they miss the mark or people aren't interested. Could always theme it down, drop the performances, and make it an expensive 'regular' resort in the far future. The tie in to SW:GE also helps.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Because you can't leave Mom in the car for 2 days. And I know there is no Mickey in the Star Wars hotel. That's why Mom is gonna drink for 2 days while everyone else in the family is playing dress up. She just wants it to end so they can move over to a regular Disney hotel and get on with the vavation.

Maybe. We agree on the concept but disagree on guest behavior. I think this'll be so expensive that people do this and only this rather than combine it with a "regular" WDW vacation at a second resort.

 

[danlb_2000]

Maybe. We agree on the concept but disagree on guest behavior. I think this'll be so expensive that people do this and only this rather than combine it with a "regular" WDW vacation at a second resort.

I can't imagine many people would do that, and I can't see Disney pricing this to the point where people couldn't afford to spend a couple days at the parks. I think of this like a Disney cruise where you go to the parks for a couple days before of after your cruise.

 

[21stamps]

But there is no Mickey Mouse, that's the whole idea. It's not bed in your themed resort then off to the Magic Kingdom the next day. It's bed in the themed resort and then a full day of themed activities, also in the resort. Once again, the price for this experience is going to be astronomical already. The value proposition goes completely out the window if you're not DOING the things that you're paying for.

It's like if dad and son want to eat at Boma but mom doesn't like that kind of food. Why would mom pay $45 for a seat at the table and then eat nothing but a cherry tomato and a piece of bread? She wouldn't. Either dad and son would go alone or the whole family would go eat somewhere else.

I paid for a CP package at Garden Grill and only eat bread and salad there. Did the same thing at dinner at Whispering Canyon. I went for the experience.. I don't need to eat all of the food to get my money's worth.

 

[Prince-1]

What?????? Just wondering why your response is so mean and sarcastic? Seems like an over reaction to a simple thought on the subject. Chill! and read some of the other rational well thought out responses.

Some people are just morons...simply ignore them.

 

[21stamps]

I think people may be going a little over the top with what this will be.

I want to participate in activities, I also want to sit and drink a mimosa when I want, and swim with my child. I think it's OK to do both..and I think Disney most likely knows that as well.

Btw.. I'm getting totally confused by this thread and the other..lol

 

[danlb_2000]

I think people may be going a little over the top with what this will be.

I want to participate in activities, I also want to sit and drink a mimosa when I want, and swim with my child. I think it's OK to do both..and I think Disney most likely knows that as well.

Btw.. I'm getting totally confused by this thread and the other..lol

That's the tricky part, we really don't know what this is going to be.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Maybe. We agree on the concept but disagree on guest behavior. I think this'll be so expensive that people do this and only this rather than combine it with a "regular" WDW vacation at a second resort.

You think folks are gonna fly from Anyplace, Upnorth for a less than 2 day experience?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

You think folks are gonna fly from Anyplace, Upnorth for a less than 2 day experience?

They do it all the time. San Diego Comic-Con. Star Wars Celebration, WonderCon, GamesCom, E3. Nerds travel well.

 

[bhg469]

Shhh.. don't say that too loudly.

Must Want Full Immersion 24/7 or else you're not welcome there!!!

You're welcome there as long as your check clears!

I am assuming you won't even be able to visit this place unless you're a guest. No galactic resort hopping

 

[Casper Gutman]

And I continue to contend that Disney is leaving enormous piles of money on the table and outsmarting themselves by not also planning a more conventional, Star Wars themed resort.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

For those into this kind of "deep role playing experience", I am offering a 1 night, $650/pp fully immersive LARPing experience based on a video game.

Grand Theft Auto Live! We spend the night driving around the hood in my Kia Soul. 1st stop. Score some crack in the Paramore neighborhood. After that, we're off to hang with some ladies on South O.B.T. The Experience finale is we "role play" robbing a 7-11 at 5am. (We have to wait until 5am so we get the fresh coffee.)

 

[doctornick]

During the D23 presentation says "opportunity to dress up in costume".

That could be interpreted as either "you can wear a costume if you want during your stay" versus "this resort will allow you the chance to be somewhere where everyone is in Star Wars apparel". I mean, I'm sure there will be those who choose not to participate in dressing up but it will certainly be encouraged and I think @Disneyhead'71 is right that there will be some sort of generic Jedi robe in the room that you can wear during your stay to "fit in" (and purchase if you desire) and be inconspicuous if you don't want to go all out for a costume but are trying to avoid wearing your Mickey t-shirt.

I also would be surprised if at least some activities have appropriate dress as "required".

 

[doctornick]

All inclusive means you don't pay for food/drink.

I'm betting that, at most, basic beer/wine would be included but there will be a ton of specialty extra charge drink opportunities. Probably some upcharge food as well. Wouldn't be surprised if no alcohol is included.

That's basically the model that cruise ships have.

 

[doctornick]

Agreed. There is no way to prevent that from happening but they could make it challenging....they may choose not to offer complimentary transportation from the resort. They would most likely schedule immersive missions and activities that you would want to participate in throughout the resort and Galaxy's Edge since you are paying top dollar. I doubt there would be a lot of free time go out and ride Soarin. I think the key to this is a relatively set schedule and limited timeframe at the resort (check in on Monday and out on Wednesday then move to a more traditional resort to experience the rest of WDW).

Yes. I don't think they will prevent anyone from leaving the resort, but they aren't going to make it convenient to get anywhere else. Even if it is built near/next to DHS and SW:GE, I think the transport to there will be available only during a designated visit to the land (likely after hours) and not open at other times to visit DHS. They are going to try to discourage anyone leaving the experience.

And I think there's very little chance that anyone not staying would be allowed "on board" to see the festivities.

I wonder if they won't rotate buildings or floors out - Day 1 and 2 you are "in" and days 3+ you are at a "regular" resort - I can't see them discouraging guests from visiting WDW - otherwise why even locate it in Orlando?

Well, sure they want to also visit WDW. That's what the other 5 days of your week long vacation is for, after your 2 days doing Star Wars cosplay. They will surely sell combined packages for Star Wars + WDW (like the land and sea stuff with the cruise line).

I think the question easily applies to families too. Dad and kids are all in with the "experience". Mom, not so much. Mom just wants to mimosa and chill her way through until Mickey Mouse!

The more I'm thinking about it, I wonder if they might have a specific available non-themed area to allow less interested members of a party to "get away" from Star Wars and go to the pool or get food, whatever, in a "normal" manner. This would allow guests to self segregate and prevent those guests from "messing up" the experience of the more intense guests, but being more realistic for groups of mixed interests. I mean, the stay won't be any cheaper for those folks so Disney won't care and if it keeps them from wearing crocs and Mickey ears to the local SW cantina, then everyone kinda wins.

They just would need to make such an area set up so that you won't accidentally wonder into it and break theme. Probably have CMs in character who make sure that guests want to leave the ship and go "to Earth" before they leave the attraction.