The news has come that Disney is closing its much-hyped Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser in September. That means Disney now has a big decision to make on what to do with the actual hotel. What could Disney do with the property now?
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser may go down in history as a noble failure for Disney. The idea was sound: A two-night experience as fans could indulge in a “galactic cruise” on a huge ship with cast members playing the role of various aliens. Aside from great food and shows, guests could partake in stories involving Star Wars lore and become part of the adventure.
While it had a much-ballyhooed launch in 2022, the Starcruiser faced many issues. Chief among them was the price, as $4,000 to $6,000 per trip was out of the price range of some of its target demographic. While actual guests raved about the experience, it seemed a harder sell for non-Star Wars fans.
Combine that with a slower economy and issues with Disney, and the Starcruiserwill have its final voyage in September. So what will Disney do with the actual hotel?
What becomes of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?
The actual Galactic Starcruiser is a large structure placed by the Hollywood Studios. The entire thing cost a reported $2 billion to develop, so the idea Disney just leaves it abandoned seems a foolish move.
The best bet for Disney is to simply retheme it from a “cruise” experience to a more straightforward Star Wars-themed hotel. All the elements are there, from restaurants to rooms to a few fun touches for guests. Disney can cut down on some of the interactive elements and having cast members “in character” all the time but still keep the Star Wars motif.
That would include dropping the cost to being far more affordable in line with other Disney resorts. Many guests may prefer enjoying the Star Wars theme while going to and from the parks more than living some grand adventure that keeps them locked into the hotel for a couple of days.
That Disney poured so much money, time and effort into the Starcruiser to let it go completely after less than two years of operation wouldn't make much sense. It's still a big property and the makings of a fun resort experience at a much lower cost.
It is possible the Starcruiser may join the likes of River Country or Discovery Island as abandoned Disney spots or that Disney may bulldoze the place to build a new Galaxy’s Edge expansion. Yet it seems a shame to let the Starcruiser die out as all the potential was there for guests to enjoy a stay at a spot in a galaxy far, far away.