News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

[matt9112]

Guests at the hotel won't have the option to decide to hop to the Magic Kingdom, their entire experience will be planned prior to arrival (and attempt to not break immersion). This should work like a cruise, rather than a hotel.

The only reason cruise ships get away with that is because....you know ocean. It makes sense....

 

[_caleb]

Obviously Disney is going to have to do a bit more education in their Starcruiser marketing materials to help explain to the general public that this is not a ”Star Wars hotel,” there is no pool, the cabins are small, the exterior will not be seen by the public, and that Batuu is going to be part of the experience.

Because lots of people have really strong opinions about a thing they know very little about.

 

[doctornick]

I'm sure most people would want to do a split stay.

Until they see the price tag.

Makes me wonder: will there be any sort of "promotion" for DVC members to do this along with a DVC stay? Y'know, like a discounted rate or something.

Nevermind, it obviously soudns too silly for modern Disney.

 

[doctornick]

This experience has Black Spire.
The trouble is the hotel concept and the inevitable comparisons.
It's better to think of it as an excursion, or even an extended ride that you get to sleep on.

So it's something like Universe of Energy?

(I kid, I kid...)

 

[GimpYancIent]

Obviously Disney is going to have to do a bit more education in their Starcruiser marketing materials to help explain to the general public that this is not a ”Star Wars hotel,” there is no pool, the cabins are small, the exterior will not be seen by the public, and that Batuu is going to be part of the experience.

Because lots of people have really strong opinions about a thing they know very little about.

The Star Cruiser experience having been referred to as a hotel when the concept was introduced created the wrong expectations. Since the objective is for an experience that would be a virtual Galactic Cruise on a Galactic Cruise ship in a galaxy Far Far away the hotel reference should never have been there. It looks like a marketing fail.

 

[_caleb]

The Star Cruiser experience having been referred to as a hotel when the concept was introduced created the wrong expectations. Since the objective is for an experience that would be a virtual Galactic Cruise on a Galactic Cruise ship in a galaxy Far Far away the hotel reference should never have been there. It looks like a marketing fail.

When did they refer to it as a hotel?

The original announcement on the Disney Parks blog back in 2017 called it a “resort.” Maybe that’s what you’re referring to?

Plans Unveiled for Star Wars-Inspired Themed Resort at Walt Disney World

Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, just confirmed that a Star Wars-inspired resort will debut as part of the new Disney 360 vacation concept.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Obviously Disney is going to have to do a bit more education in their Starcruiser marketing materials to help explain to the general public that this is not a ”Star Wars hotel,” there is no pool, the cabins are small, the exterior will not be seen by the public, and that Batuu is going to be part of the experience.

But if the rooms are small and there's not as many on site amenities or activities as people expect than Disney is going to run into the problem of convincing people to pay an enormous amount of money for a short stay in what is basically an overnight escape room.

The biggest issue may be that it simply does not live up to the hype. You'd hope after the cuts and bungled opening of Galaxy's Edge they wouldn't take any chances with the Starcruiser.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Also, while I get that Batuu is part of the experience, I don't yet understand how it's any different for Starcruiser guests once they get off the shuttle. Will there be exclusive activities for them? Will they be allowed to continue cosplaying? The "immersive" part of the stay may fall a bit flat once the Starcruiser guests are surrounded by hundreds of Jersey tourists in tank tops and cargo shorts.

 

[UNCgolf]

But if the rooms are small and there's not as many on site amenities or activities as people expect than Disney is going to run into the problem of convincing people to pay an enormous amount of money for a short stay in what is basically an overnight escape room.

The biggest issue may be that it simply does not live up to the hype. You'd hope after the cuts and bungled opening of Galaxy's Edge they wouldn't take any chances with the Starcruiser.

I have a feeling the Starcruiser will be very successful early on with diehard fans wanting to check it out, but it may have a relatively short shelf life. I think the price tag may prevent people from doing it multiple times unless it's absolutely incredible.

Even if it is, though, I'm not sure the demand will still be there 5 or 10 years down the road as Star Wars moves into other timelines, unless they plan to continually update the experience. That does not seem likely, though. I can't envision Disney making regular changes.

 

[GimpYancIent]

When did they refer to it as a hotel?

The original announcement on the Disney Parks blog back in 2017 called it a “resort.” Maybe that’s what you’re referring to?

Plans Unveiled for Star Wars-Inspired Themed Resort at Walt Disney World

Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, just confirmed that a Star Wars-inspired resort will debut as part of the new Disney 360 vacation concept.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

Anyone that has followed the evolution of this project knows the references to "Hotel". Stop. Only recently has the reference to this project as an extended experience been truly presented. That is what it is. Hey, truth in advertising! Yea, a marketing fail. As for the success of the project, well, simply put there are a lot of fans looking forward to having the experience.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The biggest selling point could be exclusive access to Galaxy's Edge pre or post park opening. Imagine having no lines for the rides, no wait to get into the Cantina, maybe exclusive meet n greets etc. That would be a big deal.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I have a feeling the Starcruiser will be very successful early on with diehard fans wanting to check it out, but it may have a relatively short shelf life. I think the price tag may prevent people from doing it multiple times unless it's absolutely incredible.

Even if it is, though, I'm not sure the demand will still be there 5 or 10 years down the road as Star Wars moves into other timelines, unless they plan to continually update the experience. That does not seem likely, though. I can't envision Disney making regular changes.

I could see Disney letting people book beyond 2 nights if they have trouble filling rooms and the die hards want more than just the equivalent of a weekend stay.

 

[GimpYancIent]

The biggest selling point could be exclusive access to Galaxy's Edge pre or post park opening. Imagine having no lines for the rides, no wait to get into the Cantina, maybe exclusive meet n greets etc. That would be a big deal.

That is creative thinking. The SW fans would eat that up.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I guess having the shuttle from the Starcruiser to Batuu means Galaxy's Edge got a third ride after all?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Obviously Disney is going to have to do a bit more education in their Starcruiser marketing materials to help explain to the general public that this is not a ”Star Wars hotel,” there is no pool, the cabins are small, the exterior will not be seen by the public, and that Batuu is going to be part of the experience.

Because lots of people have really strong opinions about a thing they know very little about.

Indeed...

I'm sure the sign up for this is going to have a lot of warning screens you have to check thru, if not having to call to reserve and a CM running thru all the caveats.



Thank-you for your interest in staying aboard the Halcyon! Before we schedule a stay, I have some details of the event to go over with you:

The Halcyon is a three-day, two-night role-playing experience that takes place entirely within the hotel building with two trips to Galaxy's Edge in Disney Hollywood Studios. Do you understand that there will be no transportation provided to you or your party from the hotel to any other destination in Walt Disney World or outside of Walt Disney World during your stay?

You mean I can't go to the Magic Kingdom if I wanted?​

The expectation is that you're signing up for two days of Star Wars role-playing and events and you will not leave that experience for any other destination. No one will force you to stay in the hotel, but if you chose to leave, you will have to call a transportation service to leave and return at your own expense.

I thought this was just a Disney hotel?​

It is not. It is a three-day, two-night role-playing experience that takes place entirely within the hotel building with two trips to Galaxy's Edge in Disney Hollywood Studios. Do you understand that there will be no transportation provided to you or your party from the hotel to any other destination in Walt Disney World or outside of Walt Disney World during your stay?

OK, I guess I do now.​

Do you understand the experience includes Cast Members taking on the roles of people who inhabit the Star Wars universe and they will act in character as such for the entirety of your stay, including meals and all the events that will be available to all guests during your stay?

They're going to pretend they're Star Wars characters?​

Yes. This is a three-day, two-night role-playing experience that takes place entirely within the hotel building with two trips to Galaxy's Edge in Disney Hollywood Studios. Do you understand that the experience includes Cast Members taking on the roles of people who inhabit the Star Wars universe and they will act in character as such for the entirety of your stay, including meals and all the events that will be available to all guests during your stay?

OK, I do now.​

Do you understand that the experience greatly encourages all guests to also take on the role as if they were living in the Star Wars universe including dressing-up as such, if you wish, and participating in all group activities as such?

You mean I gotta pretend, too?​

No, you don't, but we're encouraging you to, and hoping you'll find it a fun experience for you and your party. So, do you understand that the experience greatly encourages all guests to also take on the role as if they were living in the Star Wars universe including dressing-up as such, if you wish, and participating in all group activities as such?

OK, I do now. At least if I don't like it, I can spend the entire time by the pool.​

There is no pool.

Ya know... this isn't for me, thank-you for your time.​

Sorry to hear that, is there anything else I can help you with today?

No.​

Have a magical day.

 

[flynnibus]

Makes me wonder: will there be any sort of "promotion" for DVC members to do this along with a DVC stay? Y'know, like a discounted rate or something.

No need... dvc is not anything special here... virtually everyone will be doing a split stay (except those weekend ap visitor types...) and the thing will be massively booked out due to low capacity

 

[flynnibus]

Anyone that has followed the evolution of this project knows the references to "Hotel". Stop. Only recently has the reference to this project as an extended experience been truly presented. That is what it is.

No that is revisionist story telling. Don’t blame Disney for lazy reporting by others.

 

[flynnibus]

The biggest selling point could be exclusive access to Galaxy's Edge pre or post park opening. Imagine having no lines for the rides, no wait to get into the Cantina, maybe exclusive meet n greets etc. That would be a big deal.

Sure, but not something they need to offer to get people to book.

Just by throwing in automatic RoTR reservations will make enough drool.

The idea of exclusivity of your visit as not part of the original pitch. But the ideas around continuity of story were... alas most of those digital story elements of batuu have either been shelved or just skipped (to date)

 

[SWGalaxys_Edge]

All these comments back and forth - what if we actually waited until it opened and experienced it before passing judgment?
Nah - that's not the modern Star Wars "fan" - what was I thinking...

 

[nickys]

All these comments back and forth - what if we actually waited until it opened and experienced it before passing judgment?
Nah - that's not the modern Star Wars "fan" - what was I thinking...

Because this is a discussion board.

Actually this is the second thread all about it.... or maybe they were merged, I don’t recall. But we’ve been discussing this since it was announced. And each time something new is released, like photos, it reinvigorates the discussion.

And that point, those that have been discussing from the start try and pick up where they left off, new posters come in and ask the exact same questions everyone had three and a half years ago! That is the nature of an Internet discussion board. Where it’s not only Star Wars fans who want to join in.