News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

[GoofGoof]

Exactly this. I’m a pretty big Star Wars fan/nerd. And I can’t wait for Galaxy’s Edge to open. Can easily see myself hanging out for a half day/day - many times over. But am I up for a 2-3 day cos-play? I’m not sure. Even as a big fan, not sure I could sustain that. Hopefully there is a balance where guests can go “all in” if desired but also take a more supporting role if they’d rather just soak up atmosphere or accompany a super-fan.

I think there will be. @flynnibus and several others who seem to have more of an idea of what to expect have said you will be free to decide how much you want to participate.

 

[nickys]

Exactly this. I’m a pretty big Star Wars fan/nerd. And I can’t wait for Galaxy’s Edge to open. Can easily see myself hanging out for a half day/day - many times over. But am I up for a 2-3 day cos-play? I’m not sure. Even as a big fan, not sure I could sustain that. Hopefully there is a balance where guests can go “all in” if desired but also take a more supporting role if they’d rather just soak up atmosphere or accompany a super-fan.

They couldn’t actually force you to take an active role. Assuming there’s a lounge type area (is that the Dojo?), you could sit in there. After all, there are always cantina scenes in the Star Wars movies ........ Or explore / wander. There just won’t be a whole lot to do if you aren’t wanting to join in at all. I imagine most will take part, just with varying degrees of participation, knowledge, competence or even understanding what’s going on!

 

[Indy_UK]

I can imagine that when thy advertise it, they will go into detail as to what it entails.

 

[mmascari]

From the “Star Wars” hotel to “galaxy’s edge” it looks like guests will enter the “transport hall” and walk through a gangway/corridor that opens up directly onto a shuttle bus, which will then take them to the park.
Question is... will this bus be enhanced so the illusion of being in space won’t be broken? Sort of like the Harry Potter train at universal or does the illusion begin and end with the elevator at the hotel?

That's easy. The bus will be part of the illusion. Presumably with a similar gangway to get off at galaxy's edge.

While this is a guess, it seems obvious. Why would they go to the trouble to use a gangway directly onto a bus if the bus you're getting on is just a normal bus. There's no reason for the expense and trouble of making that connection seamless unless it's carried through all the way until you get off. Probably with another gangway directly into a building on the other side, with never seeing the actual outside of the bus. Kind of like if you used airports with no windows at the terminals.

How much of the trip is just smooth travel in a virtual environment and how much extra they add to the trip can be speculated on from now until opening. Maybe you have to dodge some asteroids on the trip over and the whole thing bounces and shutters around. Or, maybe there is an effect to simulate traveling form space to ground and then back. Or, maybe it's smooth the entire way, or different every time. We'll have a few hundred pages to talk about the possibilities.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But am I up for a 2-3 day cos-play?

I haven't heard TWDC describe this thing as full-on cos-play -- I'm not at all convinced that this is what this thing is. Not sure why that's the assumption by some. Personally, I think that's too involved to expect to keep 100 rooms booked 365 days/year.

Disney's blog: “From the moment you board your launch pod, it’s a fully-immersive, multi-day Star Wars adventure aboard a luxury starship complete with high-end dining, space-view cabins and all of the exciting action you would expect from an authentic Star Wars experience,” Disney said in a blog post.

I keep hearing that it is an immersive experience -- not one where you must assume a character and cosplay it for 2-3 days. Has to be the kind of thing you can dial up and down or the audience is just too small, IMO.

 

[Indy_UK]

I think they'll encourage the cosplay to build the theme. Saves on paying cast memebers too

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think they'll encourage the cosplay to build the theme. Saves on paying cast memebers too

My personal opinion -- no way some random cos-players replace cast members in any way that matters. Can't count on your guests to entertain the other guests!

 

[Disney Analyst]

I think they'll encourage the cosplay to build the theme. Saves on paying cast memebers too

I doubt it tbh. Costumed guests is a liability. You need to clearly be able to tell who works there, and have no confusion. I guarantee you are just guests on a luxury space cruise.

 

[christine7257]

They couldn’t actually force you to take an active role. Assuming there’s a lounge type area (is that the Dojo?), you could sit in there. After all, there are always cantina scenes in the Star Wars movies ........ Or explore / wander. There just won’t be a whole lot to do if you aren’t wanting to join in at all. I imagine most will take part, just with varying degrees of participation, knowledge, competence or even understanding what’s going on!

I can commit to being the best Cantina patron ever!

 

[MisterPenguin]

I haven't heard TWDC describe this thing as full-on cos-play -- I'm not at all convinced that this is what this thing is. Not sure why that's the assumption by some. Personally, I think that's too involved to expect to keep 100 rooms booked 365 days/year.

Disney's blog: “From the moment you board your launch pod, it’s a fully-immersive, multi-day Star Wars adventure aboard a luxury starship complete with high-end dining, space-view cabins and all of the exciting action you would expect from an authentic Star Wars experience,” Disney said in a blog post.

I keep hearing that it is an immersive experience -- not one where you must assume a character and cosplay it for 2-3 days. Has to be the kind of thing you can dial up and down or the audience is just too small, IMO.

Costumes: They PR material has gone from saying you can be clothed appropriately to presuming you will be. More than likely, there will be robes and jackets of all sizes to put on (though, I highly doubt anyone will be forced to).

Assume an identity: This happens in some LARPs or Murder Myster Dinners. But, it doesn't have to be. In some Murder Mystery Dinners, you're just you as a guest and the staff are all in character. Nothing in the PR material leads me to believe people will be given a character to play (so far).

 

[larryz]

If successful this has a good chance of being repeated, but I am still not 100% sold that general Star Wars fans are the target demographic. I know a ton of SW fans, most of them can’t wait for SW Land to open. Nobody who calls themselves a fan of the movies could possibly not think getting to fly the MF is cool, but I’m not sure how many of them really want to spend 2 whole days roleplaying Star Wars. There’s a big jump between a) visiting WDW, spending a half a day in SW Land sucking up all of the joys of being in a galaxy far, far away and then going back to the Polynesian for a swim in the pool before hitting Disney Springs for a nice dinner and drinks and b) spending 2 whole days dressed up in Star Wars gear role playing. I think the target demographic is a subset of overall SW fans in addition to people who may be into role playing and aren’t really huge into SW. Since there’s only 100 rooms there’s probably enough demand to keep the place busy, but it’s a risk.

This is not the boutique resort experience you're looking for. You're free to go on about your business. Move along...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Nothing in the PR material leads me to believe people will be given a character to play (so far).

Exactly - agreed. I'd just go further and say that I'd expect that no one will be forced to play a character or dress up -- otherwise this just limits the potential audience too much, IMO.

Just using our family as one anecdotal example: We would do this in a heartbeat -- probably at least 5 of us maybe more....

• I have been a huge SW fan forever. My Darth Vader case filled with action figures is still a prized possession (kids can't go near it). I would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS dress up and play a character. Nope.
• My cousin is a BIGGER fan than I am -- knows everything there is to know about the SW universe. He would dress up in a heartbeat and play a character for 3 days. Yup. Wouldn't HAVE TO do it to enjoy the experience, but would like to.
• My kids might dabble in "acting" a part for a bit, but not the whole time.
• My husband will not dress up -- but he may act the fool in a part if the mood strikes.
• We'd all enjoy an immersive experience without dressing up or acting a part enough to pay for this.

Unless we can all basically be accommodated and no one forced into anything -- most of us really BIG SW fans -- we won't go. I can't imagine that our family is that unique. But I suspect that the universe of folks that will cosplay for 2-3 days and is willing and able to fork out $$$ is much, much smaller.

 

[CinematicFusion]

That's easy. The bus will be part of the illusion. Presumably with a similar gangway to get off at galaxy's edge.

While this is a guess, it seems obvious. Why would they go to the trouble to use a gangway directly onto a bus if the bus you're getting on is just a normal bus. There's no reason for the expense and trouble of making that connection seamless unless it's carried through all the way until you get off. Probably with another gangway directly into a building on the other side, with never seeing the actual outside of the bus. Kind of like if you used airports with no windows at the terminals.

How much of the trip is just smooth travel in a virtual environment and how much extra they add to the trip can be speculated on from now until opening. Maybe you have to dodge some asteroids on the trip over and the whole thing bounces and shutters around. Or, maybe there is an effect to simulate traveling form space to ground and then back. Or, maybe it's smooth the entire way, or different every time. We'll have a few hundred pages to talk about the possibilities.

That would be cool, I’m hoping that’s the case. I’m thinking about cost, how much would 2-4 of those buses cost? Two for use and 1-2 for back ups.
Will be interesting to see how the concept develops.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Exactly - agreed. I'd just go further and say that I'd expect that no one will be forced to play a character or dress up -- otherwise this just limits the potential audience too much, IMO.

Just using our family as one anecdotal example: We would do this in a heartbeat -- probably at least 5 of us maybe more....

• I have been a huge SW fan forever. My Darth Vader case filled with action figures is still a prized possession (kids can't go near it). I would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS dress up and play a character. Nope.
• My cousin is a BIGGER fan than I am -- knows everything there is to know about the SW universe. He would dress up in a heartbeat and play a character for 3 days. Yup. Wouldn't HAVE TO do it to enjoy the experience, but would like to.
• My kids might dabble in "acting" a part for a bit, but not the whole time.
• My husband will not dress up -- but he may act the fool in a part if the mood strikes.
• We'd all enjoy an immersive experience without dressing up or acting a part enough to pay for this.

Unless we can all basically be accommodated and no one forced into anything -- most of us really BIG SW fans -- we won't go. I can't imagine that our family is that unique. But I suspect that the universe of folks that will cosplay for 2-3 days and is willing and able to fork out $$$ is much, much smaller.

Precisely. This experience , as they’ve already described, is a luxury cruise but in “space”. I’d expect activities and events, excursions to Batuu, and maybe even some sort of game throughout like what they tested at Disneyland in Frontierland a few years ago.

 

[danlb_2000]

If successful this has a good chance of being repeated, but I am still not 100% sold that general Star Wars fans are the target demographic. I know a ton of SW fans, most of them can’t wait for SW Land to open. Nobody who calls themselves a fan of the movies could possibly not think getting to fly the MF is cool, but I’m not sure how many of them really want to spend 2 whole days roleplaying Star Wars. There’s a big jump between a) visiting WDW, spending a half a day in SW Land sucking up all of the joys of being in a galaxy far, far away and then going back to the Polynesian for a swim in the pool before hitting Disney Springs for a nice dinner and drinks and b) spending 2 whole days dressed up in Star Wars gear role playing. I think the target demographic is a subset of overall SW fans in addition to people who may be into role playing and aren’t really huge into SW. Since there’s only 100 rooms there’s probably enough demand to keep the place busy, but it’s a risk.

I am a huge Star Wars fan, I'm even building a droid in my basement, but this sort of experience wouldn't interest me. You also have to consider families where there are maybe one of two big fans, but not everyone would be interested, and you really don't want to turn off families since that's where the big money is.

 

[danlb_2000]

I doubt it tbh. Costumed guests is a liability. You need to clearly be able to tell who works there, and have no confusion. I guarantee you are just guests on a luxury space cruise.

One of the official releases from Disney said costumes would be an option for guests. They will probably have something that identifies who is a cast member so there is no confusion.

 

[christine7257]

Exactly - agreed. I'd just go further and say that I'd expect that no one will be forced to play a character or dress up -- otherwise this just limits the potential audience too much, IMO.

Just using our family as one anecdotal example: We would do this in a heartbeat -- probably at least 5 of us maybe more....

• I have been a huge SW fan forever. My Darth Vader case filled with action figures is still a prized possession (kids can't go near it). I would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS dress up and play a character. Nope.
• My cousin is a BIGGER fan than I am -- knows everything there is to know about the SW universe. He would dress up in a heartbeat and play a character for 3 days. Yup. Wouldn't HAVE TO do it to enjoy the experience, but would like to.
• My kids might dabble in "acting" a part for a bit, but not the whole time.
• My husband will not dress up -- but he may act the fool in a part if the mood strikes.
• We'd all enjoy an immersive experience without dressing up or acting a part enough to pay for this.

Unless we can all basically be accommodated and no one forced into anything -- most of us really BIG SW fans -- we won't go. I can't imagine that our family is that unique. But I suspect that the universe of folks that will cosplay for 2-3 days and is willing and able to fork out $$$ is much, much smaller.

Our demographic as well. All fans ... but at varying points on spectrum and varying willingness to be part of the story. I can’t really imagine also worrying a costume but maybe they’ll change my mind. I think you and others are right that, by definition, they’ll have to accommodate different levels of engagement. But also wonder how they’ll fit that into the story. Can’t wait to hear or maybe find out!

 

[EOD K9]

One of the official releases from Disney said costumes would be an option for guests. They will probably have something that identifies who is a cast member so there is no confusion.

A big sign on the back of the robe that says, "This Jedi outfit is property TWDC".

 

[larryz]

A big sign on the back of the robe that says, "This Jedi outfit is property TWDC".

More likely, anyone in a First Order outfit is WDW, everyone else will be guests.

 

[Voice of Disney sanity]

I personally think that this will start off as a very controlled and immersive experience, but will very quickly start to be dumbed down and made more like a normal resort. I know this is not a popular opinion, but I truly believe it will happen.

Same here, that’s why I intend to make sure experience it as soon as it opens because a couple years later it will be dumb down much like expedition Everest accidentally was