News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The Starcruiser is now sold out into July. In fact, through September there are only 36 dates available. Yet there are still many who insist the Starcruiser is a failure, they are wrong. Disney will gross over $100 million in these 7 months from just 100 rooms, not counting all the stuff they sell. Think about that! over $1 million a room in revenue in just 7 months.

It can’t be declared a failure about as much as it can’t be declared a victory.

This isn’t a Halloween party. It’s a long game.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I was bashing what Disney put out as promos, because they did a poor job at it - and it was not looking good.
As we got closer to the first launch it got even more off putting, because nothing Disney put out dispelled that impression.
I did however, always hold out hope that what I was lead to believe was wrong and that Disney would deliver.
Well, from my perspective they did deliver and did it well.

Yeah, the promos were not well done at all, but I think they tried to walk the line between promoting and telling too much of what will happen. I will agree that they didn't walk it very well, but then, I don't pay any attention to what they put out as promos, but wait to experience something on my own before forming even the start of opinion.

I think you'll be the exception that will admit that they have delivered. Most will just sulk back into their hole and stop commenting. Happens all the time around here lately.

 

[kingdead]

I still believe this underdelivered what was promised and they severely limited their customer pool with their choices (making it not a cruise, but roll playing or LARP or whatever it was argued about being for 40 pages), but I don't think it's nearly the miss I was expecting with the marketing we saw. As for success, I still question that. I don't think until we know how much it cost, and how much they are spending on each 2 days that we will know that. But better than expected? I will 100% admit to that one. Next question, will they keep it that way?

I'm sure this will make some here super angry, but I'll admit I'm kind of sad people are jumping on this and happy with it now. Sad that this is what we were supposed to see in the lands, and Disney now knows they can skimp on their promises in the parks to create insane upcharges for any cool ideas/features. They almost used the announcement of Star Wars land to test how excited people would be for this type of thing so they could determine if they could create the ultimate upcharge for it. But, I guess it's also a thing I'm kind of coming to terms with as well as we go less and less.

That's what fascinates me about this--what is it about Disney that lets them charge THAT MUCH for an interactive experience. Because let's face it, nobody's gonna pay $6k for an equivalent experience without the brand--or will they? The whole IP thing is amazing and scary.

 

[_caleb]

I think it's good if it's a success IF the money is reinvested and the "lessons learned" are spread out for regular paying customers. The other path (and unfortunately the one I think Disney will go down) is further paywalling experiences so that the price of entry just guarantees that you get in the gates, nothing more.

They have been learning and incorporating, but you're right– they're using the lessons to trickle up, not down.

The Starcrusier is a direct descendent of Hoop-de-doo, Adventurer's Club, Pirate's Adventure: Treasure Hunt, Sorcerers of the MK, interactive queue features, etc. were all part of Park admission.

They're incorporating the lessons learned into things that make more money.

 

[flynnibus]

I still believe this underdelivered what was promised and they severely limited their customer pool with their choices (making it not a cruise, but roll playing or LARP or whatever it was argued about being for 40 pages)

As opposed to what? Just building a themed hotel?

Remember, this is an attraction - not hotel capacity. The concept isn't even tied to being at WDW..

I'm sure down the road Disney will build some other SW hotel experience that will be more a hotel with star wars decorations.

They almost used the announcement of Star Wars land to test how excited people would be for this type of thing so they could determine if they could create the ultimate upcharge for it. But, I guess it's also a thing I'm kind of coming to terms with as well as we go less and less.

These 360 immersion concepts pre-date SW:GE. Just like Disney was toying with the Nightly Kingdom stuff. Disney has for some time been exploring entertainment concepts besides just the theme park as we know it. This is just the first of these to make it to reality in some time.

 

[durangojim]

If I remember correctly, Len Testa, who was originally quite skeptical of it, said that he thinks it might be underpriced for what you get.

I also heard him say that if you haven't been to DL Paris or TDL you should spend your money on those experiences first. He absolutely seems to love it though which is encouraging.

 

[James Alucobond]

That's what fascinates me about this--what is it about Disney that lets them charge THAT MUCH for an interactive experience. Because let's face it, nobody's gonna pay $6k for an equivalent experience without the brand--or will they? The whole IP thing is amazing and scary.

People in this fan circle (and many other fan circles, for that matter) spend thousands of dollars and countless man hours creating accurate costumes, jewelry, and weaponry that are generally only used for a couple of days at a convention. They spend exorbitant sums on memorabilia that they never take out of the packaging and only look at every now and then. Seeing them spend a lot on a fully-themed experience like this where they can interact with committed actors and fellow fans in no way surprises me, but as others have indicated, it remains to be seen exactly how large the audience is and how much discretionary income they have. Regardless, the fact that people who really enjoy hobbies like this are willing to spend a lot of cash on related goods and experiences should not come as a shock.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

This is not something that a casual fan should be paying money for. They are definitely not the target audience at all. This is for people that want to have a full on immersive experience with themselves as a character.

True of course, but that brings up another element I've expressed some concern with.

Disney is marketing this to the general public. Mainstream commercials, comic book tie-ins, etc.

Of course they're going to advertise but this brings up the concern that kids will see this and be crushed when their parents have to say no, and casual fans who aren't into role playing could walk away disappointed.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I also heard him say that if you haven't been to DL Paris or TDL you should spend your money on those experiences first. He absolutely seems to love it though which is encouraging.

Sure for those people that have a plan to ever go there. We don't, and I doubt we are in the minority on that.

 

[durangojim]

As opposed to what? Just building a themed hotel?

Remember, this is an attraction - not hotel capacity. The concept isn't even tied to being at WDW..

I'm sure down the road Disney will build some other SW hotel experience that will be more a hotel with star wars decorations.



These 360 immersion concepts pre-date SW:GE. Just like Disney was toying with the Nightly Kingdom stuff. Disney has for some time been exploring entertainment concepts besides just the theme park as we know it. This is just the first of these to make it to reality in some time.

If this does seem to be sustainable, I wonder how long until we see a Marvel one in New York or other IP places like this in Chicago and Anaheim.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As opposed to what? Just building a themed hotel?

Remember, this is an attraction - not hotel capacity. The concept isn't even tied to being at WDW..

I'm sure down the road Disney will build some other SW hotel experience that will be more a hotel with star wars decorations.



These 360 immersion concepts pre-date SW:GE. Just like Disney was toying with the Nightly Kingdom stuff. Disney has for some time been exploring entertainment concepts besides just the theme park as we know it. This is just the first of these to make it to reality in some time.

You’re carrying a bucket here…the whole imagineering line “we’ve been thinking about this FOREVER…”

A little low rent

 

[LuvtheGoof]

True of course, but that brings up another element I've expressed some concern with.

Disney is marketing this to the general public. Mainstream commercials, comic book tie-ins, etc.

Of course they're going to advertise but this brings up the concern that kids will see this and be crushed when their parents have to say no, and casual fans who aren't into role playing could walk away disappointed.

Well, of course they are marketing to the general public, as there are a lot of Star Wars fans that don't ever visit a Disney park. They are pitching to those people as well.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If this does seem to be sustainable, I wonder how long until we see a Marvel one in New York or other IP places like this in Chicago and Anaheim.

Probably never…because of disneyquest

There’s a reason they always plop things in Orlando

We’re missing part of the math here

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well, of course they are marketing to the general public, as there are a lot of Star Wars fans that don't ever visit a Disney park. They are pitching to those people as well.

2019 debunked that in Anaheim

That is a false premise

 

[LuvtheGoof]

2019 debunked that in Anaheim

That is a false premise

Source?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Source?

They emptied the park of regulars - Disney fans - and nobody came.
I assume you just had a menory lapse?

 

[LuvtheGoof]

They emptied the park of regulars - Disney fans - and nobody came.
I assume you just had a monody lapse?

So since you are saying that nobody came, neither did the Star Wars fans.

 

[pdude81]

They emptied the park of regulars - Disney fans - and nobody came.
I assume you just had a monody lapse?

I think they built up so much momentum for the hype train that people thought it would be mobbed and put off their trips. At the same time, they thought somehow that blocking out people with APs would get them to buy day tickets. Now they understand the only way to do that is not to sell them at all over there.

 

[LSLS]

As opposed to what? Just building a themed hotel?

Remember, this is an attraction - not hotel capacity. The concept isn't even tied to being at WDW..

I'm sure down the road Disney will build some other SW hotel experience that will be more a hotel with star wars decorations.

Somewhat. I think the idea of making this seem like an actual cruise through space would have been a smash. No need for all of the storylines, just make it a cruise with some bars, kids areas, pool, etc. I know for our family, and a couple of our friends (yes, I know this is not a true sample size), the roll playing requirement (or requirement to really get anything out of this) 100% means we won't go. My wife, and those friends, HATE when they have random people interact with them and then need to go be part of the story. I understand what it is, my point is I think making it what it is does create an even smaller pool of guests to take from.

These 360 immersion concepts pre-date SW:GE. Just like Disney was toying with the Nightly Kingdom stuff. Disney has for some time been exploring entertainment concepts besides just the theme park as we know it. This is just the first of these to make it to reality in some time.

I'm sure it does. And I'm probably a bit too conspiracy into what I said there, but it's just interesting how they announced how there would be roaming characters, how you could link up what you do on the rides with how characters interact, etc. was all announced (D23 maybe?) and then it just disappeared, only to essentially reappear in a $6,000 upcharge.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So since you are saying that nobody came, neither did the Star Wars fans.

It was a ghost town and well reported. I was actually there and it was creepy.

They blocked out the core to allow the Star Wars fans…who didn’t show

That eliminates the possibility that tons of Star Wars fans were just waiting for Star Wars to show