Star Wars enthusiasts have been eagerly following the development of the new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Walt Disney World Resort for quite some time.
Just how excited are they? Disney recently announced that Galactic Starcruiser will open March 1, 2022. Now, however, just a few weeks after that announcement, Galactic Starcruiser is already booked solid through at least June 22.
Part of that advance-booking frenzy can be attributed to Galactic Starcruiser being a new hotel. Then again, it isn’t really accurate to call Galactic Starcruiser a hotel, or even a resort.
That’s because a two-night, three-day stay at Galactic Starcruiser is an “immersive experience” where “you and your group will embark on a first-of-its-kind Star Wars adventure that’s your own,” Disney explains.
“You’ll become the hero of your own Star Wars story during this 2-night adventure, traveling the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon starcruiser and eventually making your way to the Outer Rim for a planetside excursion to Batuu,” Jeremy Schoolfield, managing editor at Walt Disney World Resort Public Relations, explained in a blog post. “You choose how to make your way in the galaxy — maybe as a member of the Resistance, or by learning the ancient ways of the Jedi lightsaber. Maybe you prefer loyalty to the First Order or the excitement of living life like a smuggler? The decisions are up to you.”
How The Story Begins
The experience starts at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal, where guests will check in, enter a Launch Pod, and virtually leave Earth behind. As they watch through windows, their Launch Pod will “blast off into space” and dock at the Halcyon starcruiser, where they will stay for two nights.
When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon, its airlock will open so guests can step into Halcyon’s Atrium. Once aboard the Halcyon, guests begin their all-immersive experience with memorable activities.
For example, guests over the age of seven can participate in lightsaber training. “Wield a lightsaber and face off against a remote training device in this exclusive interactive activity that is far beyond anything you’ve experienced before,” Disney explains.
Each stay also includes what’s called “bridge training, where the ship’s crew will explain ‘how the navigation, power, defense, and other critical systems keep the Halcyon starcruiser safe from unforeseen galactic entanglements,’” Disney explains. “These skills may even come in handy should critical situations arise later.”
There’s even a planet excursion to the remote planet Batuu for a visit to the Black Spire Outpost. Foreshadowing events in the interactive activities, Disney explains that “Your missions throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — including your adventures on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — will influence events back on the starcruiser.”
Become Part Of The Story
Here’s how a stay at Galactic Starcruiser becomes immersive and what Disney calls “part live immersive theater, part themed environment, and part real-life role-playing game.”
Disney explains that “new and familiar Star Wars characters need your help and will invite you to delve deeper into the story — interact with them like never before, embark on secret missions, and create alliances.” It must be pointed out, however, that “you decide your fate and the choice is yours,” Disney notes.
“As part of the interactive immersive theater that unfolds throughout your journey, unexpected ‘Story Moments’ will pop up with characters and special invitations that move your story forward in exciting new directions,” Disney explains. “Some Story Moments are called out in the sample itinerary, while others will develop from onboard activities that don’t always go exactly as planned.”
For example, before your regularly scheduled bridge training, you may have an unexpected Story Moment where you must decide if you will join a smuggling ring or hide a stowaway to help the Resistance. Then a little later, based on previous decisions, you may be asked to “broker a deal for a heist” or arrange to steal a ship from the First Order.
Finally, based on previous decisions and consequential storylines, you may be asked to “put the heist plan into action!” or “bring the stolen ship aboard and watch out for the First Order!”
Know Before You Book
Each Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser vacation package includes the ongoing, immersive entertainment, a two-night stay in a cabin or suite, food and beverages for the stay, admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and valet parking.
Now, about that lodging. There’s only one type of cabin, the standard cabin, which sleeps four to five people.
The one-bedroom Galaxy Class Suite, for four people, also includes a living space with a seating area. At the top end of the scale, the two-bedroom Grand Captain Suite, for up to eight people, includes a living space with a seating area and a second bathroom.
The price is a bit out of this world. A family of four will end up paying around $749 per person, per night, for a total of close to $6,000 or more, for a standard cabin — on a weeknight voyage.
You can learn more about the rates and availability here. You can learn more about what to pack and what to wear — including how to dress as part of the Star Wars galaxy — here.
Be sure to check out all of our Disney coverage, and recent news on the Galactic Starcruiser:
