It’s been a year since Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened at Walt Disney World Resort and our own Tom Corless has experienced the unique, immersive hotel three times.
In our initial reviews, we raved about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience. It is a generally impressive and immersive experience once (and if) you can get past the price.
The Starcruiser offers a three-day, two-night immersive “Star Wars” adventure on a fictitious cruise ship where guests become part of a conflict between the Resistance and the First Order. It includes an excursion to Batuu, themed meals, and live entertainment.
It also has a high price tag, with trips starting at $4,809 for two guests for a standard cabin, which has one queen-size bed and two twin-size bunks. The price increases if you add more guests, with a family of four looking at upwards of $6,000 for a standard cabin. Guests can also reserve larger rooms, such as the Galaxy Class Suite that sleeps up to six people in two bedrooms. The even larger Grand Captain Suite sleeps up to eight guests at an even higher price point.
Before the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened, it went through waves of selling out followed by mass cancellations. Right before the grand opening in March 2022, several months were completely booked. Despite generally positive reactions, cancellations increased after opening.
Recently, the hotel has seen months of disappointing occupancy, reaching a point where there were only enough guests to fill one dinner service. Low occupancy cruises were being canceled, and rumors indicated that Disney was opting not to renew many entertainment Cast contracts. They began offering discounts to Disney Vacation Club members and Cast Members recently, as well.
It was just announced that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would go down from three to two voyages a week. In a statement regarding this change, Disney said, “We’ve been learning a lot during our first year of operation and have adjusted voyage dates to meet the needs of our guests.”
During our third “cruise,” we could tell Disney had learned and made improvements since the opening. However, things like the hotel’s excellent white glove service did highlight how other areas of the Walt Disney World Resort (and general Disney Parks) experience have declined in the past few decades. And it’s frustrating to see the incredible Cast Members of Starcruiser — perhaps the most caring Cast Members at Disney right now — putting their all into their positions, while also knowing about the cuts to Starcruiser Cast, and the overall fight by Walt Disney World employees for better wages and treatment.
We’ve never spoken to anyone who had a negative experience aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which points to the amazing performances of the Cast Members. We hope that with more attendance, more positive reviews spread by word of mouth, and hopefully a drop in price, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will continue to be an excellent experience, it will become accessible to more people, and Disney will do better at recognizing the work of their Cast.
Watch Tom’s honest third review (and his full rant) of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser below.
Disney has mentioned plans in the past to address what may happen if interest in Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser runs out. Discussions have been conducted regarding adding holidays, changing the plot, or even adjusting the timeline to allow for the inclusion of other characters. The events of the Starcruiser have been cited as why Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will maintain a strict timeline, whereas Disneyland is loosening the rules to allow for characters such as Boba Fett to appear. Changes to the Starcruiser story may encourage guests to visit again or interest new guests.
The Starcruiser won the TEA Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in Brand Experience last year.
Check out our complete guide to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for information about the activities, cabins, food, merchandise, and more available to guests during their space voyages.
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