Star Wars All-Inclusive "Star Ship" Resort?

[FigmentJedi]

The one thing I like is Kathy Kennedy and LucasFilms greeting excellent directors for each movies instead of George trying to do everything himself and producer Rick McCallum being the "yes, George" guy.

George asked friends like Spielberg, Zemeckis and Columbus and colleagues from the OT like Kasdan and Kershner if they wanted to help out, but they were either busy with their own projects or just told George that he could totally handle it on his own. So George was left with people that were intimidated by his stature that didn't feel like challenging him and that's what lead to the uneven quality of the Prequels. Clone Wars turned out so well because it became a more collaborative process again where George worked with the creative team to craft these ideas into some really good television and basically took Filoni as his Padawan to be a creative torchbearer after his retirement. And it's worked because as far as post-buyout stuff goes, I've been enjoying Rebels far more then I ever did The Force Awakens.

 

[googilycub]

Where did you get the budget of 306 million for Force Awakens. I saw reported 245 million - quite a big difference

Google Force Awakens budget. 306 million gross budget, 245 net.

 

[CanadianGordon]

I have a friend who literally goes to Disney once a year just to go to Star Wars stuff.

I would gladly add extra days on my next vacation if this happens before our next visit as well.

Disney is going to get all the money and Universal would be foolish not to follow suit with Potter.

 

[chiefs11]

I love this idea..... some thoughts:

I'm thinking of this like being on a cruise during an at-sea day. The 'hotel' is the cruise ship, and you can't leave. (Though I guess in this case you could if you really had to) There's plenty to do on a ship to occupy you for a day, between restaurants, entertainment, and pools. Even if you don't take part in any live-action-whatever, it would still be quite an experience.

Imagine being in the solarium pool on the top deck...but instead of it being enclosed in glass, they're actually projection screens where you see stars and planets going by. Your room has a 'virtual balcony' showing the same.

At some point on the second day, your ship lands at it's port of call, and you disembark to spend time in star wars land. Or perhaps, some events transpired during your voyage that forced the ship to land there for repairs or something. Either way, I'd expect this time to be after hours so you don't have to mingle with the normal park guests and can't wander off to other themed lands.

I dunno, this all sounds pretty cool to me and, given it's all-inclusive nature, probably worth the $2k price tag.


Maybe at Christmas time the "ship's" theater will show a live action production of the Star Wars Holiday special.

 

[Donald Razorduck]

I think Phantasialand in Germany is doing the best job of incorporating similar themed hotels that are part of the coresponding areas of the park.

Shocked Disney isn't doing this hotel with Pandora https://blooloop.com/news/ideattack-yangshuo-resorts-world-hotel-vertigo/

 

[flynnibus]

..but that lack of a central location has ramifications when designing themed lands that thrive on familiarity, and creates challenges that don't exist as much in properties like Potter, or Star Trek, or Tolkien.

I

I don't agree that it makes things so much harder since you don't have this central memoerable locale to build around. In fact I think just the opposite, it's a strength that people are used to the idea of new corners of the universe, or races are revealed each film. By having established, recognizable elements and themes... they are able to create new spaces that people can instantly can accept as "Star Wars". Instead of being skeptical, people accept this is a new expanse that they simply weren't aware of before.

And this is what they are doing in Star Wars land... instead of going back to the typical "book report" attraction plot line... they are building an entirely NEW planet in the story universe. So that you will discover new stories, not just relive the old stories... but somehow you are there now. The same would likely be used on Star cruiser. The idea is to use familiar anchors, but make new.

Star trek's entire story library was based on this "explore new worlds" open ended map... and each show could still be recognized as Star Trek because of the characters, the themes, the props, etc.

This kind of experience is not "go visit the Star Wars set brought to life!" - this is BE IN the Star Wars universe. The fans are already conditioned in the idea of being introduced to new places all the time. But you incorporate common elements, themes, character molds, etc to establish this place as part of Star Wars. Have the right finishes, atmosphere, throw in some droids and the right costumes... people will fall right in. They don't NEED a hogwarts to establish credibility....

 

[Capsin4]

Exactly. One of the great things about Star Wars is how decentralized and varied it is. The characters bind the story together.

 

[Cesar R M]

What are you guys talking about? $500/night is almost a standard price for many deluxe resorts without being all inclusive.

The problem with Disney is, they charge grand tourism and luxury prices for 3 star hotel amenities. The only good thing about these deluxe Disney hotels is their themeing and perhaps the fact they are so close to Magic Kingdom. Not in AK's case, still.. that zoo in the hotel is amazing.

 

[Cesar R M]

For those who will cry foul over pricing, you're kidding yourself if you don't believe that something like this should cost under $1000 per person for 2 days/nights. The way I see it:

For a group of 2 guests:
"Star Wars Hotel" cost per room/night with deluxe amenities: $400 per night ($800 total)
"Star Wars Hotel" interactive experiences/stories: at least $100 per person per day ($400 total)
EMH style access with daily park ticket: at least $200 per person (assuming this is closer to a dinner party style EMH and not a normal one so $100 for the daily ticket and $100 for the party style admission) ($400 total)
All meals included with unique Star Wars dining: at least $75 per day/per guest ($300 total)
So we're at $1900 before we even discuss the added intrinsic Star Wars theme that will demand at least a 20% markup compared to similar offerings- which then puts the value at well over $2000 for 2 guests and a 2 night stay. If that's the true pricing, it's really not bad at all.

Is the price sky high? Of course! Is it in line with what Disney should be charging given the comps and the new stuff they're bringing to the table? Certainly. Plenty will balk at this, plenty will say it's too expensive. But plenty already say that about Disney's current 90% occupancy offerings. If it's $500 per night per guest they'll have no problem keeping it at max occupancy especially since I'm assuming it'll be closer to a boutique hotel with under 500 rooms.

Honestly, I could see them doing something similar with a Pirates themed hotel too. Maybe a wing of Polynesian could handle something like that?

For what is on the plan of offerings.. I dont think 500 per night is expensive.
Its a full immersive thing. I just hope they blow it out of the park in terms of entertainment and amenities.

 

[Cesar R M]

St:te wasnt this kind of experience. And it did last for years.. a decade no less.
The concept of middle earth is one of the longest and most widely seen version of fantasy.

The topics are certainly desirable- its the business plan that counts. Having this be something by disney st the established wdw... gives it a huge head start

Are we already talking about quality when the thing is still on plans and not finished?

Anyway, I remember you can visit the hobitton in New Zealand.. so theres that..

 

[MisterPenguin]

The problem with Disney is, they charge grand tourism and luxury prices for 3 star hotel amenities.

Well, to be fair to Disney, the premium you pay isn't for the status of the room by itself. You're paying a hidden 'resort fee' for:

• airport transportation
• free parking at the resort and parks
• free transportation in the Disney bubble
• 60 days head start on FPs
• +extra days on the 180 days ADR limit
• EMHs
  
• really good pools, even at the most value of resorts
• free WiFi and other room amenities such as many cable channels and a fridge

Anyone who crows about cheap off-site hotels, I always ask them what the final cost is after parking fees at the hotel and parks, car rental, Uber costs, airport transportation, WiFi fees, and any other 'resort fee.'

 

[rushtest4echo]

Well, to be fair to Disney, the premium you pay isn't for the status of the room by itself. You're paying a hidden 'resort fee' for:

• airport transportation
• free parking at the resort and parks
• free transportation in the Disney bubble
• 60 days head start on FPs
• +extra days on the 180 days ADR limit
• EMHs
  
• really good pools, even at the most value of resorts
• free WiFi and other room amenities such as many cable channels and a fridge

Anyone who crows about cheap off-site hotels, I always ask them what the final cost is after parking fees at the hotel and parks, car rental, Uber costs, airport transportation, WiFi fees, and any other 'resort fee.'

This times 1000, until they add resort fees at WDW very shortly at least.

But for all of those "perks" over a 6 night stay-
Mears round trip for 4 via shuttle bus to WDW: $120 (I know Uber is 1/4 that, but people still just take cabs/mears shuttles largely, can't believe there's an outrageous $10 surchange on Uber pickups there).
Parking at parks/hotel: $40 per day - $240
Head start on FP's (lets just say people would pay $5 a person/a day for the privilege- because they would) - $120
EMH's (people would pay more than $20 a person like they did under E-ride nights, and lets say they do it 4 times) - $320
Buses, ADR, Pools, Fridge and other stuff is debatable if there's any difference so I won't add those

But that's $800 in value added to a "typical" upper middle class family that isn't interested in saving money and just wants a convenient care-free trip with no hassles. I'm not saying most of those aren't hassles (the buses/lack of rental car, EMH and others are a drawback for some) but if you're just a typical family making a once-every-5 years trip to WDW then you view those all as perks and pay extra for them.

 

[Chef Mickey]

The problem with Disney is, they charge grand tourism and luxury prices for 3 star hotel amenities. The only good thing about these deluxe Disney hotels is their themeing and perhaps the fact they are so close to Magic Kingdom. Not in AK's case, still.. that zoo in the hotel is amazing.

Not all the hotels are 3 star amenities. I'd say their nicer hotels are 4 star...definitely not 5 star quality, but they are 4 star. Bay Lake, Kidani Village, etc.

You hit it on the head with the proximity to the Magic Kingdom. That's practically the entire reason they can and should charge what they do. Nothing wrong with charging you to be almost inside the Magic Kingdom, one of the top destinations in the US. You don't pay $1,000/night in the Caymans because it's the Ritz...that's only worth about $300/night (see other Ritz Locations). You pay $1,000/night because you are RIGHT on Seven Mile Beach in one of most beautiful shores in the world.

 

[TiggerDad]

This times 1000, until they add resort fees at WDW very shortly at least.

But for all of those "perks" over a 6 night stay-
Mears round trip for 4 via shuttle bus to WDW: $120 (I know Uber is 1/4 that, but people still just take cabs/mears shuttles largely, can't believe there's an outrageous $10 surchange on Uber pickups there).
Parking at parks/hotel: $40 per day - $240
Head start on FP's (lets just say people would pay $5 a person/a day for the privilege- because they would) - $120
EMH's (people would pay more than $20 a person like they did under E-ride nights, and lets say they do it 4 times) - $320
Buses, ADR, Pools, Fridge and other stuff is debatable if there's any difference so I won't add those

But that's $800 in value added to a "typical" upper middle class family that isn't interested in saving money and just wants a convenient care-free trip with no hassles. I'm not saying most of those aren't hassles (the buses/lack of rental car, EMH and others are a drawback for some) but if you're just a typical family making a once-every-5 years trip to WDW then you view those all as perks and pay extra for them.

Why are you paying for parking if you took an airport shuttle?

 

[Cesar R M]

Well, to be fair to Disney, the premium you pay isn't for the status of the room by itself. You're paying a hidden 'resort fee' for:

• airport transportation
• free parking at the resort and parks
• free transportation in the Disney bubble
• 60 days head start on FPs
• +extra days on the 180 days ADR limit
• EMHs
  
• really good pools, even at the most value of resorts
• free WiFi and other room amenities such as many cable channels and a fridge

Anyone who crows about cheap off-site hotels, I always ask them what the final cost is after parking fees at the hotel and parks, car rental, Uber costs, airport transportation, WiFi fees, and any other 'resort fee.'

Not to pull a strawman, but you mentioned car rental, uber costs, airport transportation and parking fees like they were all at same time thus contradicting. XD

We could split even the idea considering the usual average WDW visitor.
Not everyone rents cars, not everyone uses taxis (or ubers) not everyone uses parking (specially with those outrageous prices).

 

[MisterPenguin]

Not to pull a strawman, but you mentioned car rental, uber costs, airport transportation and parking fees like they were all at same time thus contradicting. XD

We could split even the idea considering the usual average WDW visitor.
Not everyone rents cars, not everyone uses taxis (or ubers) not everyone uses parking (specially with those outrageous prices).

Well, to be fair to Disney, the premium you pay isn't for the status of the room by itself. You're paying a hidden 'resort fee' for:

• various possible transportation costs that are available to you whether you use them or not: airport transportation; free parking at the resort and parks; or free transportation in the Disney bubble
• 60 days head start on FPs whether you use it or not
  
• +extra days on the 180 days ADR limit whether you use it or not
  
• EMHs whether you use it or not
  
• really good pools, even at the most value of resorts whether you use it or not
  
• free WiFi and other room amenities such as many cable channels and a fridge whether you use it or not

Anyone who crows about cheap off-site hotels, I always ask them what the final cost is after parking fees at the hotel and parks, car rental, Uber costs, airport transportation, WiFi fees, and any other 'resort fee.'

 

[MisterPenguin]

Is this Walt Disney World or Star Wars World?

Walt Disney World changed it's name to Princess World a long time ago and then just recently, Frozen World. In two years, it will be changed to Star Wars World.

 

[EOD K9]

Or just generic, "Disney Park". That's all each bus will say at the top. Each sign at the bus pickup will say "Disney Park" and you'll have to ask the driver if it goes to the one with Cinderella Castle, SSE, etc.

 

[MisterPenguin]

When did parking become a given fee? Not long ago parking was free at most hotels except down town city hotels. It's a made up fee just to charge more money.

Cable channels? Have you ever been to a hotel, motel where they didn't have some sort of cable or sat.?

Don't know about you, but I've been at hotels with paltry selection of cable channels and many of the non-Disney resorts near Disney charge for both parking and a resort fee.

 

[MisterPenguin]

You're probably a guy who pays $60 a month for your cell phone then agrees that the other $40 in fees is just normal.

You're probably some guy who so likes to be argumentative that you blow past the point someone makes and then needlessly insults them.