News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

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OceanBlue

Active Member
Wendy Pleakley said:
I don't think comparing the Star Cruiser to visiting WDW in general is particularly useful or fair.

WDW is accessible to lots of people at varying price points. No, not everyone, but there's low budget options (staying at a dive hotel and taking a shuttle, not getting Genie+), moderate options (lower end WDW resorts), and high end options (monorail resort, upcharge extra hours events, VIP tours, lightning lane, etc.).

Whether one has a low end or high end visit to WDW, they still get to have, for the most part, a comparable experience to everyone else. When we look at the core WDW experience, i.e. spending four days at the theme parks, it is accessible to a large number of people at varying price points.

The Star Cruiser is is a very separate experience. There's no comparable alternative or budget version for people who cannot afford it.
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Yes and No. There's Galaxy's Edge, that's the experience that's comparable for all guests (who can afford to travel to Orlando, stay, eat, and buy tickets). Most will never buy a savi saber or a droid, or even be able to ride ROTR. GE is half of the only day of the entire stay on the Starcruiser. If they built GS and no GE than yes that wouldn't be fair. The star cruiser, IMO is a massive upcharge event, (special entertainment, club level concierge and food with VIP entry to Galaxy's edge). That's my expectation to justify the price, I don't think it will blow my mind or be what I would expect from Disney if they really stepped up like they did in parts of Animal Kingdom, horizons back in the day etc. I've already criticized the square hallways from the famous video.

Now that I'm older and I've experienced the high and low, I do think that things like Cinderellas Royal Table (precovid), Chef Mickey's and character dining in general, Monorail resorts and having time to use to the pool without jamming in everything in one or two days because you're a budget of time, tickets etc, buying dolls and costumes and desserts beyond a figurine are in a different league from I experienced growing up. My experience was magical enough that I bring my kids back. But I didn't even know there was a room behind the windows of the castle where you could get pastries and visits/autographs from my favorite princesses without waiting in line. Maybe it didn't exist then, I'd be none the wiser because it wasn't happening.
 
ImperfectPixie

ImperfectPixie

Well-Known Member
OceanBlue said:
Yes and No. There's Galaxy's Edge, that's the experience that's comparable for all guests (who can afford to travel to Orlando, stay, eat, and buy tickets). Most will never buy a savi saber or a droid, or even be able to ride ROTR. GE is half of the only day of the entire stay on the Starcruiser. If they built GS and no GE than yes that wouldn't be fair. The star cruiser, IMO is a massive upcharge event, (special entertainment, club level concierge and food with VIP entry to Galaxy's edge). That's my expectation to justify the price, I don't think it will blow my mind or be what I would expect from Disney if they really stepped up like they did in parts of Animal Kingdom, horizons back in the day etc. I've already criticized the square hallways from the famous video.

Now that I'm older and I've experienced the high and low, I do think that things like Cinderellas Royal Table (precovid), Chef Mickey's and character dining in general, Monorail resorts and having time to use to the pool without jamming in everything in one or two days because you're a budget of time, tickets etc, buying dolls and costumes and desserts beyond a figurine are in a different league from I experienced growing up. My experience was magical enough that I bring my kids back. But I didn't even know there was a room behind the windows of the castle where you could get pastries and visits/autographs from my favorite princesses without waiting in line. Maybe it didn't exist then, I'd be none the wiser because it wasn't happening.
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I'm not sure exactly when, but it used to be a regular restaurant - King Stefan's something or other (the prime rib was excellent). It changed to become Cinderella's Royal Table when Disney decided to slap princesses on everything, which was some time between 2000 (we ate at King Stefan's then during our honeymoon) and 2013 (our first trip with the kids).
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
ImperfectPixie said:
I'm not sure exactly when, but it used to be a regular restaurant - King Stefan's something or other (the prime rib was excellent). It changed to become Cinderella's Royal Table when Disney decided to slap princesses on everything, which was some time between 2000 (we ate at King Stefan's then during our honeymoon) and 2013 (our first trip with the kids).
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King Stefan's Banquet Hall!

I don't think they really changed anything other than the name. I'm pretty sure the interior is basically the same as it was when it opened.
 
Animaniac93-98

Animaniac93-98

Well-Known Member
UNCgolf said:
King Stefan's Banquet Hall!

I don't think they really changed anything other than the name. I'm pretty sure the interior is basically the same as it was when it opened.
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And thank goodness it hasn't. Dorothea Redmond's castle interior is still stunning.

Only minor changes in things like CM costumes, chairs and tablecloths. The menus used to be in lovely binders, now they're just printed paper. They used to serve food on pewter plates, now they're just regular dishes. The Cinderella restaurant at DLP has custom designed plates that I wish I could buy, but that's another story.
 
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OceanBlue

Active Member
UNCgolf said:
King Stefan's Banquet Hall!

I don't think they really changed anything other than the name. I'm pretty sure the interior is basically the same as it was when it opened.
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See I never even knew about that, or that the prime rib was great, it sounds charming and I believe that the decor was probably the same.(very Disney) Disney has always been gated and I'm mostly frustrated that they didn't see the problem they created with their advertising for GS. Plenty of people interested in GS could have an awesome(deluxe) stay for half the price by staying at the Riviera, going all out at GE with add ons and doing dinner and fireworks at Epcot, lunch and shopping at Disney Springs. I'm thinking of the people interested who are fans, don't have kids etc and aren't already WDW fans. The fans that were excited and can't afford or like the price now, watch for the eventual promos. The current rates are RACK RATES.
 
Tom Morrow

Tom Morrow

Well-Known Member
Just catching up on this and it's rather unbelievable how bad this looks. The video linked a few pages back made some excellent points, as does this video: (apologies if it's already been posted)




^ paraphrasing: this does not appear to be a curated experience for Star Wars fans but rather just something for rich people to blow money on, using "Star Wars" as branding more than anything else. Something for bragging rights to say you've done. Yet, it doesn't seem to be any sort of luxury spa experience either. Just a knockoff Star Wars, vaguely sci-fi themed hotel that neither adult Star Wars fans or their kids will enjoy.

The video from a few pages back also pitched an idea that is tremendously better: having the hotel be a Jedi/Sith temple. Another great point it made is that Star Wars is not really about being in space. It's about the characters, themes, situations, and adventure in exotic locations. If you ARE going to be in space, the ship should look right, and from what we've seen, this not only looks completely wrong but exceptionally cheap.

I am one of those that believe that Galaxy's Edge got the look and feel of Star Wars extremely right. Despite being hard set in the sequel trilogy and being a previously unseen planet, everywhere you look in the land feels in-universe. Not everyone wanted a "ghetto" location as their ideal Star Wars land, and I get that, but much of the films DO take place on "ghetto" planets and it does look correct. See also: the majority of the locations seen in The Mandalorian.. So for them to get it so horribly wrong here, well, I agree with whoever said that this seems like an intentional sabotage. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it were one, at least.

Making it a luxury cruise spaceship was undoubtedly the wrong approach (because nothing screams "Star Wars adventure" like a Carnival Cruise Line But In Space!!!), especially since they aren't bothering to theme the transportation to the park itself much. I believe it should have just been a location on Batuu. If not the Jedi/Sith temple idea, then perhaps something with a janky, seedy vibe like (a more family friendly version of) Jabba's Palace. Black Spire Outpost is supposed to be a seedy place where smuggling and criminal dealings are rampant behind closed doors, with constant conflict between the established occupation of the First Order and the Resistance. Why not continue that theme at the hotel?

I didn't want this to fail, but I hope the backlash on this grows even further so many, probably not, but maybe, Chapek and crew will finally realize that there's more to this whole "running a theme park" thing than slapping branding an IP on bad or mediocre experiences.
 
SWGalaxys_Edge

SWGalaxys_Edge

Well-Known Member
All the whining about "its not fair - too expensive for me" and it should be for everyone to be able to visit the starcruiser. Where are all those complainers when Elon Musk is asking for hundreds of thousands to "fly" into space? Small cramped quarters, no pool, no massages...yet no complaining like this.

Most of us can;t afford it [space travel] yet many want to go but there is no outrage over the price? Could it be a secret hate for Disney? for the "haves" who can afford it? Be sure to apply your anger evenly, not just at Bob Chapek.
 
ImperfectPixie

ImperfectPixie

Well-Known Member
SWGalaxys_Edge said:
All the whining about "its not fair - too expensive for me" and it should be for everyone to be able to visit the starcruiser. Where are all those complainers when Elon Musk is asking for hundreds of thousands to "fly" into space? Small cramped quarters, no pool, no massages...yet no complaining like this.

Most of us can;t afford it [space travel] yet many want to go but there is no outrage over the price? Could it be a secret hate for Disney? for the "haves" who can afford it? Be sure to apply your anger evenly, not just at Bob Chapek.
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Disney built it's business relying on the middle/working class guests. Now that they've gotten so huge, they're telling those guests - to their faces - that they no longer have value to the company.

I haven't seen a single person whining that they can't afford to book a stay at the Starcruiser. For you to link a critique of company moves and pricing strategies with whining is a pretty big stretch.
 
CinematicFusion

CinematicFusion

Well-Known Member
SWGalaxys_Edge said:
All the whining about "its not fair - too expensive for me" and it should be for everyone to be able to visit the starcruiser. Where are all those complainers when Elon Musk is asking for hundreds of thousands to "fly" into space? Small cramped quarters, no pool, no massages...yet no complaining like this.

Most of us can;t afford it [space travel] yet many want to go but there is no outrage over the price? Could it be a secret hate for Disney? for the "haves" who can afford it? Be sure to apply your anger evenly, not just at Bob Chapek.
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we are talking about how terrible the experience looks and that it doesn’t justify 6000.00 for 2 nights based on what Disney has highlighted in their exclusive hype video.

I was gonna go until I saw that video and the lightsaber video. Wow, that was bad.
Doesn't come across as appealing anymore.

But… let’s wait for real audience reviews to come in and by next April we should have an idea if this is a must do experience for Star Wars fans or a must laugh at experience.
 
G

GimpYancIent

Well-Known Member
A point of view how this Galactic Cruise project is evolving, at least how it is looking to me. Disney projected / initiated a project that would be a Star Wars work of art much like in the automotive world a Ferrari is not just a car but a work of art. Now the final product is emerging to be a Ford sedan (a nice one). Disney is charging Ferrari prices for a Ford sedan. Both are vehicles, both get you from point A to point B, but one is a work of art with class while the other is just transportation. People with the money can buy the Ferrari while others just wish, the thing now is the people with money are realizing this product is a Ford and have issue / embarrassment being expected to pay Ferrari prices.
 
O

OceanBlue

Active Member
ImperfectPixie said:
Disney built it's business relying on the middle/working class guests. Now that they've gotten so huge, they're telling those guests - to their faces - that they no longer have value to the company.

I haven't seen a single person whining that they can't afford to book a stay at the Starcruiser. For you to link a critique of company moves and pricing strategies with whining is a pretty big stretch.
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I think Wall St is telling Disney to its faces they don't care about their guests. Just like wages and so on and so forth.
 
Tom Morrow

Tom Morrow

Well-Known Member
SWGalaxys_Edge said:
All the whining about "its not fair - too expensive for me" and it should be for everyone to be able to visit the starcruiser. Where are all those complainers when Elon Musk is asking for hundreds of thousands to "fly" into space? Small cramped quarters, no pool, no massages...yet no complaining like this.

Most of us can;t afford it [space travel] yet many want to go but there is no outrage over the price? Could it be a secret hate for Disney? for the "haves" who can afford it? Be sure to apply your anger evenly, not just at Bob Chapek.
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I don't see anyone arguing this? What I am seeing is arguing that a 4,000-6,000 experience should be absolute top-tier level of immersion and what we've been shown so far is definitely not that. It doesn't even come close to the level of immersion as seen in Galaxy's Edge. So what are people paying that much for, exactly?
 
Wendy Pleakley

Wendy Pleakley

Well-Known Member
SWGalaxys_Edge said:
All the whining about "its not fair - too expensive for me" and it should be for everyone to be able to visit the starcruiser. Where are all those complainers when Elon Musk is asking for hundreds of thousands to "fly" into space? Small cramped quarters, no pool, no massages...yet no complaining like this.

Most of us can;t afford it [space travel] yet many want to go but there is no outrage over the price? Could it be a secret hate for Disney? for the "haves" who can afford it? Be sure to apply your anger evenly, not just at Bob Chapek.
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Apples to Oranges.

Disney is promoting this thing across their social media channels, to a wide audience, which is going to rub some people the wrong way. Kids will see this and be excited only to be told it's not close to being accessible for their family.
 

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