If you’re a Star Wars fan like I am, you’re probably so excited about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closely approaching opening date!
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a highly anticipated experience and is more than just a new hotel but rather a fully immersive 2-night experience, unlike anything else Walt Disney World has ever offered. The themed resort opens March 1, 2022 adjacent to Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. This guide covers everything you need to know–including pricing, reservation info, what’s included, and more!
Think of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser as more like a themed cruise experience on land verses a traditional hotel stay. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort is expected to offer a two-night itinerary where all guests arrive and depart at the same time, similar to a cruise.
If what you want is just a space/Star Wars-themed place to sleep, this is not the experience for you. I would simply recommend a lunch reservation at Space 220 in Epcot and hanging out in Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios for one or two days. However, if you are a Star Wars fan and truly want a fully immersive role playing experience, this is definitely for you!
When Disney’s first “Star Wars”themed hotel opens, your family will be able to board a launch pod near Disney’s Hollywood Studios before making the hyperspace jump and not touching back down on Earth again for two nights — or, at least, that’s what it will look and feel like.
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort will put guests in the center of an interactive role playing adventure that they control. Think of this as a hybrid between a live action role playing game and the all-inclusive resort hands-on ‘enrichment through entertainment’ experience of the Disney Institute. While Disney has tested similar concepts before, this is envelope-pushing in terms of its scope and level of immersion.
Buckle up and hold onto your lightsabers — here’s your comprehensive guide to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel.
PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATION
Prior to their departure, guests preparing for their voyages aboard the Halcyon are encouraged to purchase Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser costumes sold exclusively on shopDisney.com. Options range from $70 to $150 for adults and $60 to $100 for kids. Each seemingly serves a different purpose, so I guess you’ll have the option to buy multiple wardrobe changes to avoid any intergalactic faux pas or style mistakes.
ShopDisney’s merchandise is available for purchase exclusively by guests with a qualifying Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser reservation. Eligible guests are able to buy these outfits on shopDisney.com up to 60 days prior to their Galactic Starcruiser reservation check-in date and up to 30 days after their check-out date. In order to complete the transaction, the email address used to sign into shopDisney must also be linked to your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser reservation.
STAR WARS GALACTIC STARCRUISER DETAILS
The adventure begins once guests complete their earthly task of leaving their vehicle with valet parking at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Terminal. Guests will then enter a Launch Pod for transport into space. Through "windows", they’ll see themselves leave Florida behind, jumping into hyperspace and drawing closer to the Halcyon, which is the starcruiser they’ll call home for the next two nights.
When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon and the airlock opens, guests will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin their journey through a galaxy far, far away. A visit aboard the Halcyon becomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
While staying aboard the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, guests will interact with an eclectic group of characters both familiar and new. This includes the Halcyon’s strong and charismatic captain, a plucky ship’s mechanic, and a galactic superstar who can captivate an entire room with the crook of one jewel-encrusted purple Twi’lek finger.
This singing sensation will be a featured performer during one of your exquisite dining experiences inside the Crown of Corellia Dining Room, which you can see in this artist concept rendering we’re sharing today for the first time. The enticing supper club’s name is an homage to Corellia, the planet known galaxy-wide for its shipyards that gave us not only the Halcyon starcruiser, but also the Millennium Falcon. The dining room is a bright and welcoming hall that will offer breakfast and lunch to passengers before transitioning each evening into a lavish multi-course menu of both otherworldly and familiar origins.
During their all-immersive experience aboard the Halcyon, guests will be invited to delve deeper into their personal adventures by participating in onboard activities, interacting with characters, crew, other passengers they meet, and becoming part of the action.
Some of these activities will include wielding a lightsaber and facing off against a training remote, visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, and operating the starcruiser’s navigation and defense systems–skills that will come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.
Guests will be able to explore the Halcyon and discover hidden spaces deep in the mechanics of the ship–like the Engineering Room, which is perfect for uncovering secrets or holding secret meetings. Another interesting spot is the Silver C Lounge, where guests of all ages can enjoy libations and games in a stylish setting.
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort will look like an industrial bunker, and not an actual starship. When you enter the hotel, you’ll only be seeing the terminal and Launch Pod, not the Halcyon itself. There’s concept art for the starship Halcyon, but the physical building will not resemble that. Any representations of the Halcyon from inside the hotel will be simulated.
Additionally, there are very few guest rooms in the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort. The exact number of is not known, but construction permits and plans indicate roughly 100 rooms total. That should make for an intimate (and in-demand) experience as compared to other resorts at Walt Disney World, many of which have well over 1,000 rooms.
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort is physically located backstage behind Disney’s Hollywood Studios near Cast Member parking and the show buildings for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. However, every window in the Halcyon, including those in each guest cabin, has a view into outer space, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progresses from place to place.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort will not be open for the general public to visit. This is unlike any other hotel at Walt Disney World, and even the DCL comparison doesn’t do it full justice. A docked ship that would have amenities and facilities that overlap with a standard hotel, but this won’t have things like a pool, spa, tennis courts, or literally any outdoor recreation options.
The Galactic Starcruiser is more like a long-form, multi-part attraction or on-board cruise excursion. Think of it along those lines–it’s an immersive experience…that’s so long it offers a place to sleep, too.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a sample itinerary for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser:
INSIDE THE CABINS AND SUITES ONBOARD
The goal is for the Galactic Starcruiser experience to truly feel like you’re a character in the Star Wars canon universe. Therefore, the ship was designed for a smaller, more intimate group of passengers. There are three accommodation types: Standard Cabins,
Credit: Disney Travel Company
Standard Cabins
Standard cabins can sleep four to five passengers. According to Disney, the room will come with a queen bed, two berths (aka: bunk beds) that will fit an adult, and a wall pull-down bed that can also sleep an adult if you are sleeping five to a cabin.
Amenities include:
Mini fridge
Hair dryer
Safe (to keep valuable information safe from the Republic)
Phone with voicemail messaging (for keeping up with anyone left behind on Earth)
Interactive TV
H20 Plus spa, bath and shower products
Galaxy Class Suite
These one-bedroom suites will sleep up to four passengers with one queen bed and two wall pull-down beds that can sleep adults. Additionally, the suite will come with a double vanity bathroom, bar area, two windows (instead of one), a living space and “extra Star Wars surprises.” Other cabin amenities will be the same as the standard cabin.
Grand Captain Suite
For larger groups or families, the Grand Captain suit will fit up to eight passengers with two queen beds, two berths, and two wall pull-down beds. According to Disney, the suite will “feature a posh living space,” a second bathroom, three windows and “a few extra Star Wars surprises.” Other amenities will be the same as the other two accommodations.
STAR WARS: GALACTIC STARCRUISER OPENING DATE
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort will open on March 1, 2022.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser vacation packages include:
2-night stay in a cabin or suite
Ongoing, immersive and interactive entertainment, where choices determine your experience
Food and beverages on the starcruiser (excluding alcoholic and specialty beverages) and a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or other select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Park
Admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for your planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Valet parking
Exclusive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser MagicBand
PRICING
Walt Disney World has released sample pricing for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort. Above is a look at rates for departures on weeknights in late August and September 2022.
A few things to note here. First, this is the off-season at Walt Disney World and it’s when rack rates at all hotels are at their lowest levels of the year. For example, Grand Floridian rooms start at $742 per night for those same dates but jump to over $850 per night for many dates in October.
Suffice to say, pricing for weekends or more popular travel dates could end up being considerably more expensive. With that said, we’re honestly surprised by how “low” the prices are for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Obviously, this experience was not going to be cheap. To the contrary, it is quite pricy; total voyage costs of ~$5,000 to $6,000 for off-season weekdays and suggests peak dates will be quite a bit more expensive.
However, that’s still less money than most anticipated (some sources were predicting costs of around $3,000 per person) based on everything the experience entails, its all-inclusive nature, and how Disney prices both its luxury resorts and cruises. Some dates could end up being on the more expensive end of that spectrum, but the starting prices–and costs for families of 4 are a pleasant surprise. Again, it’s still a large sum of money…just less than the outrageous numbers some were bracing themselves for.
Another thing to consider here is that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort is essentially an all-inclusive boutique hotel plus an interactive live entertainment experience. It’s labor intensive but does not have many rooms, meaning that the price-points here are high.
Scarcity is also a huge factor. Some have derided this as a hotel or experience for the top 1%, but that’s actually not accurate. On any given day, less than .01% of the guests at Walt Disney World will be staying at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort. This isn’t to say it’ll only appeal to the wealthy…just that an infinitesimally small number of Walt Disney World’s overall guest population will be staying here.
There are enough diehard Star Wars and Disney fans with large amounts of disposable income. Look no further than the prices Savi’s Workshop for Handbuilt Lightsabers is able to charge for that experience due to its incredibly limited capacity. This resort is similar to that, but with a more elaborate and involved experience. These fan demographics alone will push prices even higher, at least for the first couple of years that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort is open.
RESERVATIONS & HOW TO BOOK?
Hopeful Jedis and resistance fighters can start booking reservations now by calling (407) 939-1800. Reservations can not be made online.
When you do call to make your reservation you should have the following information at hand, (and be prepared for lengthy hold times and being transferred a couple of times):
Voyage date preferences (including alternates, as availability may be limited)
Number of people in your party
Names and ages of all people in your party, including any infants
My Disney Experience (MDE) email address(es)
Address and phone number for all people in your party
Preference for first or second dinner seating
Any additional activities you would like to book (some additional activities may not be available yet when you call)
Any desired dates for Disney Resort hotel reservations before or after your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyage
While I've found the reps booking Galactic Starcruiser to be knowledgeable and experienced, they’re also very “careful” with information. For example, they won’t simply tell you which dates are cheapest or offer pricing info certain suites–you have to provide specific dates and info, and then they’ll give you a quote for those dates–and only those dates. It can be a bit tedious.
The only way to bypass the overall hassle and long wait times on the phone is by contacting an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and requesting a free/no obligation quote and then having them reserve your vacation package for you – that’ll save you time, effort and headache, as they’ll take care of all of the not so pleasant parts of the planning process. (pick me, pick me!). I am experienced in booking Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser and will be happy to assist you with the process, help you choose the most economical dates, best add-ons, and so forth.
STAR WARS GALACTIC STARCRUISER AVAILABILITY UPDATES
Above is a look at the online availability calendar for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser as of February 19, 2022. Approximately two weeks before the first departure, and the entire month of March is sold out, as is most of April 2022. After that, availability is pretty wide open for most dates through September 2022. That’s as far out as bookings can be made at this point, with October 2022 through early 2023 scheduled to be released once the resort opens. (This calendar is for informational purposes only; Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser cannot be booked online and availability is subject to change.
Keep in mind that options, especially the Galaxy Class Suite, Grand Captain Suite, and Captain’s Table, are limited and might not match the calendar above. In the last few months, availability has fluctuated quite a bit.
WHEN TO BOOK
If the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort is something that interests you, I’d highly recommend booking it ASAP. This is for a couple of reasons. First, prices are likely to go up–Disney rarely decreases prices. The ‘sample pricing’ is likely the cheapest Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser will ever be. Second, this is an ambitious and envelope-pushing idea, and when it opens will be in a state of ‘pure & pristine’ Imagineering. Compromises and changes are likely to be made in service of operational realities, changing demographics, and guest feedback.
This is all speculation, however, this is a truly unprecedented project for Walt Disney World, and iteration is likely to continue based upon guest feedback and behavior patterns. This will likely begin as a thematically ambitious experience with structured live action roleplaying plus minimal real world intrusions. It’ll likely be aimed at the hardcore Star Wars fans who want something incredibly immersive and all-encompassing. And that’s largely who it’ll attract at first–Star Wars zealots and other hardcore fans who save or splurge on this.
Ultimately, I would expect the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort experience to be diluted after its first year or so. The primary demographic will shift from hardcore fans making a big splurge to affluent guests wanting their first visit to Walt Disney World to consist of the very best of everything. The latter group is far less interested in thematic and storytelling integrity, and more so in exclusivity and luxurious experiences. Over time, Imagineering will iterate on the concept so it comports with guest feedback and expectations–even if that means changes for the worse.
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