News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

[Patcheslee]

I'll be interested to see how they integrate the outside weather with the resort. If it's raining outside will the projections inside the resort reflect that on whatever method of connection they use?

 

[Lensman]

I've been thinking about it for a while and I think that SW:GE will be less immersive than the SW hotel/experience, so there might be little gained by integrating SW:GE into the experience. I think that having SW:GE special (fast)passes for your after-SWHotel experience might be the optimal treatment.

If the Star Wars hotel fails as a fully immersive experience, then it could be converted to a super-highly themed hotel with direct access to SW:GE. Though it's so small a hotel that it doesn't seem to have to scale to succeed as a resort - not enough guests to support frequent bus schedules to all the parks and such. So maybe it's not such a good idea to turn it into a regular hotel if it fails. Hmm.

As a crazy idea I just had a thought: Maybe they will be able to give everyone alternative-reality headsets for the walk? Then guests could just walk along the outdoor path as usual but see whatever Disney wants them to see. And hopefully not get run over in the parking lot. lol

 

[GoofGoof]

Better duck, because here comes the inevitable "yes, but..."

People aren't paying HUGE SUMS OF MONEY to stay at the CR or Epcot Area hotels for immersive IP-based experiences claiming to offer seamless connections to a HUGELY POPULAR IP-based land.

ETA: I would accept a short walk only under two conditions: (a) the walkway into SW:GE is covered and appropriately themed to resemble some kind of "secret entrance" into GE (i.e., utility corridors or back alleyways), and (b) the entrance to that path at the hotel is gated by a transition experience like a simulator shuttle ride, or Star Trek-like teleportation device with appropriate special effects to make the clean break between the hotel-"ship" and the SW:GE part of the immersive experience.

I think an indoor walkway is very achievable. It’s not hugely expensive and is the most practical way to connect such a small distance. Something like the skyway system in Minneapolis that connects many buildings:

Imagine this but maybe with screens or solid walls instead of windows:

 

[GoofGoof]

I've been thinking about it for a while and I think that SW:GE will be less immersive than the SW hotel/experience, so there might be little gained by integrating SW:GE into the experience. I think that having SW:GE special (fast)passes for your after-SWHotel experience might be the optimal treatment.

If the Star Wars hotel fails as a fully immersive experience, then it could be converted to a super-highly themed hotel with direct access to SW:GE. Though it's so small a hotel that it doesn't seem to have to scale to succeed as a resort - not enough guests to support frequent bus schedules to all the parks and such. So maybe it's not such a good idea to turn it into a regular hotel if it fails. Hmm.

As a crazy idea I just had a thought: Maybe they will be able to give everyone alternative-reality headsets for the walk? Then guests could just walk along the outdoor path as usual but see whatever Disney wants them to see. And hopefully not get run over in the parking lot. lol

SW:GE will be packed with tourists. Most in regular clothing, not Jedi robes. I think that will bother a very small percentage of people visiting the resort. Only the hardcore cosplay crowd. The vast majority of visitors will be regular WDW guests who are fans of SW too. Those people will want to incorporate the land with the resort. It would be very easy to have people go to Galaxy’s Edge from the resort for a “mission” or to just play around.

 

[Lensman]

SW:GE will be packed with tourists. Most in regular clothing, not Jedi robes. I think that will bother a very small percentage of people visiting the resort. Only the hardcore cosplay crowd. The vast majority of visitors will be regular WDW guests who are fans of SW too. Those people will want to incorporate the land with the resort. It would be very easy to have people go to Galaxy’s Edge from the resort for a “mission” or to just play around.

I was thinking that if I'm paying $1000 a day for an immersive experience, I might rather save my SW:GE time for my regular days outside of the immersive experience and instead focus entirely on the immersive interactions.

OTOH, as you said, there could be some missions in SW:GE. Those could be fun in that "Amazing Race" kind of way where you're on a mission in a public space with characters who only really interact with you in a special way not available to the public.

 

[GoofGoof]

I was thinking that if I'm paying $1000 a day for an immersive experience, I might rather save my SW:GE time for my regular days outside of the immersive experience and instead focus entirely on the immersive interactions.

In that case like @flynnibus said, if the land isn’t part of the resort experience than they don’t need a shuttle bus or a path or even a separate gate at all. When you check out you just go to the front gate and experience SW land like everyone else. If that’s the plan then why build it That close to the park? They could have built it somewhere more open with space to expand too. I’m no insider, but my gut says they definitley want to integrate the park land and the resort.

 

[Lensman]

In that case like @flynnibus said, if the land isn’t part of the resort experience than they don’t need a shuttle bus or a path or even a separate gate at all. When you check out you just go to the front gate and experience SW land like everyone else. If that’s the plan then why build it That close to the park? They could have built it somewhere more open with space to expand too. I’m no insider, but my gut says they definitley want to integrate the park land and the resort.

I wonder. Maybe the simple walkway to the back entrance of SW:GE is the solution to the problem mentioned by earlier posters of having people in the party who don't want to participate with the rest of the family in the immersive experiences? They can take the stroller over to SW:GE and then head over to Toy Story Land? Saves on bus service. Though I guess if they built it elsewhere on the property it would be almost as easy to take the Minnie Van to whichever park you wanted to go to.

 

[nickys]

I was thinking that if I'm paying $1000 a day for an immersive experience, I might rather save my SW:GE time for my regular days outside of the immersive experience and instead focus entirely on the immersive interactions.

OTOH, as you said, there could be some missions in SW:GE. Those could be fun in that "Amazing Race" kind of way where you're on a mission in a public space with characters who only really interact with you in a special way not available to the public.

If they have the resort guests interacting with characters throughout SW:GE, that will pique the interest of the public too! Especially if they then have CMs to explain what’s going on.

Whether they do that or not during regular hours I don’t know. But at the very least I do think there will be some kind of extra magic time in the land for resort guests. Ideally both an early morning and a late evening option to accommodate everyone’s preferences.

In that case like @flynnibus said, if the land isn’t part of the resort experience than they don’t need a shuttle bus or a path or even a separate gate at all. When you check out you just go to the front gate and experience SW land like everyone else. If that’s the plan then why build it That close to the park? They could have built it somewhere more open with space to expand too. I’m no insider, but my gut says they definitley want to integrate the park land and the resort.

I agree. Why would they go to the lengths of building it so close if there is no “special access” direct to SW:GE? It would be a complete waste of marketing potential, some will go as far as to call it an epic fail.

 

[GoofGoof]

If they have the resort guests interacting with characters throughout SW:GE, that will pique the interest of the public too! Especially if they then have CMs to explain what’s going on.

Whether they do that or not during regular hours I don’t know. But at the very least I do think there will be some kind of extra magic time in the land for resort guests. Ideally both an early morning and a late evening option to accommodate everyone’s preferences.



I agree. Why would they go to the lengths of building it so close if there is no “special access” direct to SW:GE? It would be a complete waste of marketing potential, some will go as far as to call it an epic fail.

Based on the Toy Story breakfast packages I fully expect Disney to offer an upcharge event daily for exclusive access to SW:GE. Maybe morning or evening or likely both. Pandora offered daily additional free extra magic hours to all resort guests but I don’t see that happening with SW. Demand will be so high it will be too tempting to not capitalize.

Based on this I could see hotel guests at SW resort receiving the same benefit as those that pay for the upcharge events which should have limited capacity. It will still be way less jammed than entering at noon on a summer day but I am not sure they will be able to just offer exclusive SW resort guest only access, at least not in the beginning. Maybe a few years in when the crushing demand dulls a little.

 

[GoofGoof]

I wonder. Maybe the simple walkway to the back entrance of SW:GE is the solution to the problem mentioned by earlier posters of having people in the party who don't want to participate with the rest of the family in the immersive experiences? They can take the stroller over to SW:GE and then head over to Toy Story Land? Saves on bus service. Though I guess if they built it elsewhere on the property it would be almost as easy to take the Minnie Van to whichever park you wanted to go to.

This is likely true. There will be different levels of immersion people will be looking for. While some guests will want to spend 2 days in their Jedi robes fully immersed in the resort some will be more casual. That split may also be within the family. If there’s some down time in the afternoon some guests may choose to walk over to SW:GE and explore the land while others might stay at the resort in a lounge or at the pool (if there is one).

I agree that they probably won’t have regular buses to the other parks since people will be spending thousands for the in house entertainment, but if you spend a few hours over in SW:GE (that you can walk to) you aren’t missing out on too much vs taking a bus to MK for the day.

 

[EOD K9]

Fixed that for you!

What about Shuttle Tiderium

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What about Shuttle Tiderium

They rejected the original “universally loved” trilogy for Kathy Kennedy’s masterful direction into the Bermuda Triangle...

Though I’m noticing much more “classic trilogy” merchandise popping up as of late...I think the jig is up.

 

[mm121]

Oh, they're not doubt "able". But why spend the money when you can have a bus? Don't they (not Disney, just saying don't these busses exist? They could do something similar) have busses where instead of windows they're screens? It's not interesting to me, but seems likely. Of course none of us really know how they'll get people into the park from the resort (and by us I mean those of us not an insider, LOL)

At the very least the buses should be electric

 

[flynnibus]

If the Star Wars hotel fails as a fully immersive experience, then it could be converted to a super-highly themed hotel with direct access to SW:GE. Though it's so small a hotel that it doesn't seem to have to scale to succeed as a resort - not enough guests to support frequent bus schedules to all the parks and such. So maybe it's not such a good idea to turn it into a regular hotel if it fails. Hmm.

Or just provide a small shuttle that takes you to DHS's transportation hub.. or provide it's own resort buses like everywhere else. Or now you have minnie vans to fill in the gaps.

Bay lake Tower is just as close to MK... yet no one begs for a backdoor access to tomorrowland.

The huge advantage WDW has is no labor/transit must be dedicated to one site all the time, they can easily add transportation options for just periods of time without the full expense of that labor/infrastructure being tied up just for that location.

 

[GoofGoof]

Or just provide a small shuttle that takes you to DHS's transportation hub.. or provide it's own resort buses like everywhere else. Or now you have minnie vans to fill in the gaps.

Bay lake Tower is just as close to MK... yet no one begs for a backdoor access to tomorrowland.

The huge advantage WDW has is no labor/transit must be dedicated to one site all the time, they can easily add transportation options for just periods of time without the full expense of that labor/infrastructure being tied up just for that location.

If SW:GE is not part of the multi-day SW resort experience than I agree with this. No need for a separate entrance just like BLT and MK (although they do have a separate security check on the walkway which is a huge upgrade over waiting in the mob coming from the parking lots and/or buses)

If they want/expect guests to move between the resort and SW:GE then it’s a complete fail to take them by bus or Minnie van to the front gate of DHS and have them walk down Hollywood Blvd and through Toy Story Land to get to SW:GE. That’s not “seamlessly connected to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge” which is how the official releases from Disney are describing the resort.

 

[flynnibus]

In that case like @flynnibus said, if the land isn’t part of the resort experience than they don’t need a shuttle bus or a path or even a separate gate at all. When you check out you just go to the front gate and experience SW land like everyone else. If that’s the plan then why build it That close to the park? They could have built it somewhere more open with space to expand too. I’m no insider, but my gut says they definitley want to integrate the park land and the resort.

It gives you options... and you can ride on existing infrastructure/proximity.

I don't think they won't tie the two experiences together (in fact, the INTEGRATION across them has been in the pitch all along). The problem is some people think having free-flow access is a requirement. I don't think so. You can easily integrate things without allowing freedom of movement between them adlib.

What we do know is... they've not included any infrastructure from what we can see in the permits around the hotel for such bridges/etc and I think what we see now is representative of final form.

 

[flynnibus]

If they want/expect guests to move between the resort and SW:GE then it’s a complete fail to take them by bus or Minnie van to the front gate of DHS and have them walk down Hollywood Blvd and through Toy Story Land to get to SW:GE. That’s not “seamlessly connected to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge” which is how the official releases from Disney are describing the resort.

The post was replying to the idea of if the hotel were repurposed to something besides the current entertainment concept. There, the continuity is not as important and you could treat it as any other hotel.

 

[GoofGoof]

The post was replying to the idea of if the hotel were repurposed to something besides the current entertainment concept. There, the continuity is not as important and you could treat it as any other hotel.

Agreed. In that case a back entrance would be unnecessary.

It gives you options... and you can ride on existing infrastructure/proximity.

I don't think they won't tie the two experiences together (in fact, the INTEGRATION across them has been in the pitch all along). The problem is some people think having free-flow access is a requirement. I don't think so. You can easily integrate things without allowing freedom of movement between them adlib.

What we do know is... they've not included any infrastructure from what we can see in the permits around the hotel for such bridges/etc and I think what we see now is representative of final form.

The “skyway” and Peoplemover stuff is just speculation of what could be, not likely to happen. If there’s a ground level path they wouldn’t need permits beyond what they have for paving the parking lots and roads. The speculation comes from the ally between show buildings (middle of picture below) which could also very well be CM only or backstage areas.

 

[flynnibus]

If there’s a ground level path they wouldn’t need permits beyond what they have for paving the parking lots and roads. The speculation comes from the ally between show buildings (middle of picture below) which could also very well be CM only or backstage areas.

But we know the layouts of the curbs, roads, paths, etc. I think it's just people not letting the subject go...

I mean, do we really expect Disney to have guests walking across multiple roads, through parking lots, and up the backside of buildings?
(insert Let it Go gif...)

 

[MisterPenguin]

Agreed. In that case a back entrance would be unnecessary.

The “skyway” and Peoplemover stuff is just speculation of what could be, not likely to happen. If there’s a ground level path they wouldn’t need permits beyond what they have for paving the parking lots and roads. The speculation comes from the ally between show buildings (middle of picture below) which could also very well be CM only or backstage areas.

View attachment 309436

We've already heard from our insider that the guests won't be coming in through there but through the entrance I indicated on the map a few pages back.