News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

[kingdead]

Can anybody tell me the answer to this?

How is it that "we" the "fans" knew this was not going to work...yet Disney didnt know this. For most of us, this hotel was CLEARLY a bad idea but somehow...Disney did not agree with us.

I can only conclude that Disney creatives and executives are SEVERELY disconnected and out of touch with their customers. They dont understand what Star Wars is...they dont know what Epcot is...they dont know what Indiana Jones is....the list of things they dont understand about the properties they own is very long.

I'm not sure if it's a total failure in the long run--yeah, the permanent hotel concept was stupid but this might be a useful concept in pop up form or as a basis for activities on an actual cruise. I still think a dinner show that involves characters from the different trilogies and TV shows would be great, but they seem absolutely allergic to depicting anything that Lucas did, so...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Can anybody tell me the answer to this?

How is it that "we" the "fans" knew this was not going to work...yet Disney didnt know this. For most of us, this hotel was CLEARLY a bad idea but somehow...Disney did not agree with us.

I can only conclude that Disney creatives and executives are SEVERELY disconnected and out of touch with their customers. They dont understand what Star Wars is...they dont know what Epcot is...they dont know what Indiana Jones is....the list of things they dont understand about the properties they own is very long.

I would say it’s iger’s ego more than anything.

There’s been enough details leaked out here and there to piece together a reasonable timeline of what they did wrong with Star Wars. It was above Kathy Kennedy’s head - as this certainly does.

Iger is Harry Truman…the buck stops there.

But Disney fandom - credit to them for building it - is so loyal that they get alot of leeway to operate that other content companies don’t get. That is the power of the “brand”.

So many of Disneys ardent defenders can’t even admit they have made mistakes - any - with Star Wars. That isn’t even a remotely reasonable take now. They shut down the movie studio…after two awful, unwatchable movies Sandwiched Around a box office flop.

And yet…”great management” is implied on this or even stated. Including here. “All part of the plan”.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Plus, they turned off legions of fans by making this experience content that a large portion of Star Wars fans don't want.
Give them more of what they want, who they want to see.
The hate for this thing on youtube over a blue space captain and such was intense.
People swore off of it on principle.
It's a similar phenomenon to what we keep seeing in films.
Turning off the original fans, courting some new audience that isn't out there, then watching the entity fail.

The concept isn’t wrong…the IP deployment is stupid and with predictable results.

I'm not sure if it's a total failure in the long run--yeah, the permanent hotel concept was stupid but this might be a useful concept in pop up form or as a basis for activities on an actual cruise. I still think a dinner show that involves characters from the different trilogies and TV shows would be great, but they seem absolutely allergic to depicting anything that Lucas did, so...

Because Bob Iger can’t claim credit for making those characters.

There really is no need to look for deep meaning when it’s on the skin in blinking, neon lights

…queue the emperors royal guard

 

[celluloid]

I'm not sure if it's a total failure in the long run--yeah, the permanent hotel concept was stupid but this might be a useful concept in pop up form or as a basis for activities on an actual cruise. I still think a dinner show that involves characters from the different trilogies and TV shows would be great, but they seem absolutely allergic to depicting anything that Lucas did, so...

It is not limited to Star Wars, it is anything that is over 20 years on property as things have gotten worse with only synergy attempts. For the most part there was what I call The Little Mermaid exception rule.

You did not see anything gross net gain WDW be it theme parks or hotels unless it was more recent than The Little Mermaid.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I am aware of this. You are paying for the experience, but a voyage like this (priced high) could complement a true WDW vacation and a discount could be offered. Have vacation packages that help bundle, like the old Cruise and Land trips of years ago.

The bobs

They don’t need to discount…you need to shut and pay.

What sad is people are paying for what those that came before them did (more than less)…they’re holding out hope that it will turn back that direction.

That’s why I still go…for a company steeped in nostalgia for cash…it’s the nostalgia I’m buying. But erosion eventually washes away any pier…no matter how sturdy Tony Baxter or Marc Davis designed it.

 

[kingdead]

It is not limited to Star Wars, it is anything that is over 20 years on property as things have gotten worse with only synergy attempts. For the most part there was what I call The Little Mermaid exception rule.

You did not see anything gross net gain WDW be it theme parks or hotels unless it was more recent than The Little Mermaid.

That may be true, but Little Mermaid is 30 years old now (oof) and the movies from then to about 2000 were almost all genuinely beloved original properties. Same thing with Pixar, great run of movies for what, 20 years? These are now intergenerational properties, if you were old enough to see the first great ones you can now show them to your kids.

The Star Wars stuff is like if you did a Pixar land but refused to use anything created before the 2006 purchase.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Can anybody tell me the answer to this?

How is it that "we" the "fans" knew this was not going to work...yet Disney didnt know this. For most of us, this hotel was CLEARLY a bad idea but somehow...Disney did not agree with us.

I can only conclude that Disney creatives and executives are SEVERELY disconnected and out of touch with their customers. They dont understand what Star Wars is...they dont know what Epcot is...they dont know what Indiana Jones is....the list of things they dont understand about the properties they own is very long.

The "fans" still don't "know" any such thing.

By all accounts from the people who have actually done this, it's a fantastic experience. A handful of people condemning it based on some YouTube clips and zero hands-on experience means nothing.

The product is good, based on legitimate feedback. The question is can they adjust things like price and capacity to make it sustainable.

For most people, the cost of this brief experience will represent their vacation budget for the year or multiple years. It only appeals to a niche group of hardcore Star Wars fans who can drop $5,000 without thinking about it.

There's a market for this. Living a Star Wars story holds appeal to more people than can afford this specific offering.

I've always said I like that Disney did this because they should be pushing what themed entertainment can provide. They should be giving us "only at Disney" experiences.

I'm not a fan of keeping those experiences behind a significant paywall. I miss things like the Adventurer's Club, unique and original experiences that made me want to go back. Those little things beyond the theme parks make for loyal and/or repeat visitors.

The Star Wars VR VOID experience was very cool. An immersive Star Wars experience that didn't break the bank and was a lot of fun. Could the Starcruiser work as a shorter, more affordable experience? Maybe.

 

[celluloid]

That may be true, but Little Mermaid is 30 years old now (oof) and the movies from then to about 2000 were almost all genuinely beloved original properties. Same thing with Pixar, great run of movies for what, 20 years? These are now intergenerational properties, if you were old enough to see the first great ones you can now show them to your kids.

The Star Wars stuff is like if you did a Pixar land but refused to use anything created before the 2006 purchase.

That is why it is called The Little Mermaid Exception Rule. If not Little Mermaid, it has some synergy connection to something in the works or less than 20 years old. The truth still applies even to your things. Even that is about to change because obviously they have attempted a live action remake with same songs and want the confusing synergy.

The bolded still checks out Wall E/RAT is around that area and you rarely see anything older than they or Cars. It checks out the same way.
Toy Story etc...would not have new things if there were not the three sequels of synergy occurring. You don't see them adding more Bug's Life(in fact they removed the lackluster land and presence)

And let me add before there is an attack: There is nothing wrong with expanding on the obvious success and synergy. It is smart and good for all, but when there is no Net Gain from it and when they are afraid to do anything more original or older, there is an issue and makes the library you have almost pointless as you chase only the next thing.

I just wanted to point out that it is not unique to Star Wars in the company. There is a reason we have the term Hubris.

 

[Vipor51]

Believe it or not…I have seen/read almost nothing about what goes on in there…

I know the Controls are clunky, the food is an intergalactic version of a mk crapeteria…and they completely punt on the lightsaber thing (which is 90-% of the point of Star Wars cosplay)…

And now after reading this I gotta ask what the actual Hell is going on in there?
It looks ridiculous…like what people who have never seen Star Wars think Star Wars fans would like?…

…wait…think I just solved the riddle

Honestly sir, based on your first comment I am not sure why you are commenting here at all. From someone who was able to go experience it your 90% wrong.

Controls are clunky? Not sure what you are even addressing here. MK Crapeteria? Actually the food was incredible and abundant. Lightsaber thing? You mean training? It was better than I expected although not the best part of the experience. It was just simply fun.

Also looks ridiculous? The theming overall was very well done including windows in the atrium, rooms, and bridge that all synced up when you past by asteroids, hyperspace, ect. Your just wrong here.

Mostly with the crowd I agree with the insane cost that's the biggest complaint that most have. I agree its incredibly expensive. But for comments above that aren't educated on the actual experience I would kindly just ask you to bow out.

 

[LSLS]

The concept isn’t wrong…the IP deployment is stupid and with predictable results.

Because Bob Iger can’t claim credit for making those characters.

There really is no need to look for deep meaning when it’s on the skin in blinking, neon lights

…queue the emperors royal guard

I disagree with you here some. If you mean that how they executed everything, I'd agree with that. But if you are talking about them using the ST as the basis, I don't think that was the issue at all. I think the issues were a combination of the concept and the execution. Yes, the videos were widely mocked, and the 2 nights is dumb, especially with the whole day at DHS. But, there are a large number of people who want nothing to do with all the interactive stuff. Anecdotally, I can tell you my daughter would have gone NUTS for the ST stuff in the hotel. But, the price point made it tough. Your being almost forced to participate in the weird story stuff to have anything to do was a 100% no go for my wife. The Adventures Club was the deepest pit of you know what for her.

To me, it's always been a concept issue that was exasperated by how they executed it. It's too short, and doesn't convey anything to me other than a make your own adventure story. Make it a 4 day cruise. Have shows, have a pool (indoor pool with almost like a planetarium would still print money in my opinion), multiple bars, variety stuff, kids club. Have excursions. Have optional excursions to Batuu, or get crazy and say day 1 you stay hovering Earth and send them to Magic Kingdom if they wish, then you take off, Day 2 in space, Day 3 in Batuu, Day 4 home. Heck, sell excursion packages like a real cruise (tours, etc.), there's EXTRA money. Obviously, we are past making almost all of this a reality at this point, but bottom line is I think the concept is off as much as how it was done.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I disagree with you here some. If you mean that how they executed everything, I'd agree with that. But if you are talking about them using the ST as the basis, I don't think that was the issue at all. I think the issues were a combination of the concept and the execution. Yes, the videos were widely mocked, and the 2 nights is dumb, especially with the whole day at DHS. But, there are a large number of people who want nothing to do with all the interactive stuff. Anecdotally, I can tell you my daughter would have gone NUTS for the ST stuff in the hotel. But, the price point made it tough. Your being almost forced to participate in the weird story stuff to have anything to do was a 100% no go for my wife. The Adventures Club was the deepest pit of you know what for her.

To me, it's always been a concept issue that was exasperated by how they executed it. It's too short, and doesn't convey anything to me other than a make your own adventure story. Make it a 4 day cruise. Have shows, have a pool (indoor pool with almost like a planetarium would still print money in my opinion), multiple bars, variety stuff, kids club. Have excursions. Have optional excursions to Batuu, or get crazy and say day 1 you stay hovering Earth and send them to Magic Kingdom if they wish, then you take off, Day 2 in space, Day 3 in Batuu, Day 4 home. Heck, sell excursion packages like a real cruise (tours, etc.), there's EXTRA money. Obviously, we are past making almost all of this a reality at this point, but bottom line is I think the concept is off as much as how it was done.

No problem with that. No opinion is gonna be shared by everyone

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Honestly sir, based on your first comment I am not sure why you are commenting here at all. From someone who was able to go experience it your 90% wrong.

Controls are clunky? Not sure what you are even addressing here. MK Crapeteria? Actually the food was incredible and abundant. Lightsaber thing? You mean training? It was better than I expected although not the best part of the experience. It was just simply fun.

Also looks ridiculous? The theming overall was very well done including windows in the atrium, rooms, and bridge that all synced up when you past by asteroids, hyperspace, ect. Your just wrong here.

Mostly with the crowd I agree with the insane cost that's the biggest complaint that most have. I agree its incredibly expensive. But for comments above that aren't educated on the actual experience I would kindly just ask you to bow out.

That’s the feedback I saw…I really haven’t looked to in depth into this. And I do love to study Disney…it’s 90% of the appeal of Disney to me. I have witnesses. So that’s an effort for me.

And I love trading anecdotes, factoids, opinions of all kinds. Wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.

But I switch you off a bit when you use their PR generated buzz words.
“Experience” was promoted under the Bobs reign to disassociate price from product. Because they intentional were told to do so to push prices beyond market. An “experience” for $29.99 for your kid to take a picture with Pooh and eat two grapes and a price of bacon at Crystal palace isn’t a ripoff. But $29.99 when you’re 5 for the food and 15 second is.
It’s not accidental…it’s a strategy and they are really good at. Buzzwords for economics are stressed in many offices. I happened to work in one many moons ago. They pond it into you…like magic. It obviously works.

So you didn’t “experience it”. You’re doing their work for you. You bought it and used it for 48 hours. I hope you had a good time. I do because value structure is under assault in the parks and that’s really how they’ve gotten this far.

But that’s my opinion based on study and experience.

Another opinion is adults can debate, not agree and still not resort to lecture or patronization.

I am breaking down my belief on the big, corporate behemoth’s - who care not at all about you or your magic - mistakes on this property and the root IP. I’ve been scoffed at for years…but the evidence mounts near daily.

You don’t have to ask who I am? I know who I am…I’m me

You be comfortably as you and there’s something here for all of us.

I don’t want Disney to fail…I get my entertainment from it. But accountability goes a long way to success.

 

[flynnibus]

Setting aside the behavior employees of truly luxurious hospitality locations should have, as that's a skillset that was budgeteered out of the WDW experience over a decade ago and will probably be impossible to get back with TDO's current low standards...

I get that it's a dance that people can do later in the lounge as part of the show. But this is not the way to teach it or introduce it as a storyline concept.

Imagine you are in a movie theater watching a scene from a Star Wars movie about a luxury hotel glamorous spaceliner where a dance is taught to the swanky and wealthy passengers. Would the hostess really wear a dental hygienists uniform and screech "You guys are AAAMAAAAZING!" at Rey? Nope.

So if it doesn't work or fit for a Star Wars movie, it doesn't work or fit for the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser.

I think you should just admit you didn't know the connecting points and just saw awkward dance lessons and went with that attack...

 

[flynnibus]

Is Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser a canary in the coal mine for the folly of Disney’s tactic of chasing high dollar customers?

This is functionally DOA. There doesn’t appear to be a sustainable market for it.

You can't know unless you try. Disney has experimented with lots of high-spender targeted offers. Remember the cabanas, etc? This just happens to be the largest 'fixed' installation attempt yet. Not every experiment is going to work, nor are all entered in expecting to be perm in its trial format.

Lots of other things are still flowing like mad... They will learn from this and can still iterate on it as well.

I would not take one miss to be 'the canary' -- I think that is a blinders view that ignores the larger set of experiments and trials Disney has been going through.

 

[_caleb]

Remember when this thing had only been open for a month or two and many of us looked at the lack of relative sellouts as a worrying sign, some of the defenders kept insisting that those “open” dates could mean there was just one vacancy/sailing?

We were just trying to get you to be honest that you didn't have any actual information about guest numbers.

Now, everyone who's been rooting against the Starcruiser is celebrating show cancellation like they've won some sort of prize.

 

[_caleb]

The concept isn’t wrong…the IP deployment is stupid and with predictable results.

Because Bob Iger can’t claim credit for making those characters.

There really is no need to look for deep meaning when it’s on the skin in blinking, neon lights

…queue the emperors royal guard

I started a new drinking game where I take a shot every time I read a post of yours that references Bob Iger.

That was two days ago. I passed out by 7:30AM and I'm just now getting back to this thread. Looks like I'll have to make another run to the liquor store before I can continue reading.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I started a new drinking game where I take a shot every time I read a post of yours that references Bob Iger.

That was two days ago. I passed out by 7:30AM and I'm just now getting back to this thread. Looks like I'll have to make another run to the liquor store before I can continue reading.

Bob Iger has been the dictator for 18 years…with very brief speed bump he laid…

He is responsible for 90% of where they are the problems they face.

You want to be glib…but that only works if you know how they run things.

Iger is everything as it stands…Which is the best reason why it’s time to go

 

[_caleb]

Bob Iger has been the dictator for 18 years…with very brief speed bump he laid…

He is responsible for 90% of where they are the problems they face.

You want to be glib…but that only works if you know how they run things.

Iger is everything as it stands…Which is the best reason why it’s time to go

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis.

Hey…If you can unequivocally bank $100 billion off D+ in fiscal 2025 with no numbers to support it…I can draw conclusions from what is observed.

 

[drizgirl]

It's worthy of a summer camp. Or a community rec center. My heart goes out to this poor CM trying very hard with very little professional support behind her from multiple levels of her management.

It is not worthy of luxury hospitality of any kind, much less luxury hospitality allegedly "immersive" and themed to the Star Wars stories.

Nothing about this is Star Wars. Nothing about this is luxury. Nothing about this works for the environment.

It reminds me of about 10 years ago when they "reimagined" the Rapunzel/Flynn meet and greet in the Magic Kingdom. It was going to be something EXCITING! NEW! and IMMERSIVE! What they did was add a big table in the middle of the meet area and gave kids coloring sheets to occupy them while they waited. Coloring sheets. In the Magic Kingdom. Kind of like what you get at the local Ihop while you're waiting for your food to arrive.