In March 2022, Disney launched opened Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a first-of-its-kind immersive experience that transports guests to a galaxy far, far away.
The Star Wars-themed experience wasn't your traditional Disney hotel, as it operated more like a cruise. Guests would pay for a two-night experience aboard the Halcyon starcruiser and experience life as it is in the Star Wars universe. The scheduled itinerary included things lightsaber training, dinner in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room, and a stop at Black Spire Outpost on the Planet Batuu (aka Star Wars Land or Star Wars: Galaxy Edge in the theme parks).
It was an innovative and bold concept, but one that never fully caught on with the masses. For starters, the price to stay aboard the Halcyon cost nearly $5,000, pricing out many families and even the most passionate Star Wars fans. Secondly, traditional "hotel" amenities like a pool or a fitness room were noticeably absent.
This brings up another important note, nobody quite knew what to expect from the Galactic Starcruiser. Was it a hotel? Was it a cruise? Was it an interactive experience? Disney never quite billed it as a hotel, although that's what many in the media referred to it as. Disney, however, always referred to it as an immersive experience.
But also is that what Disney fans wanted? As it turns out, no. They wanted a traditional hotel just themed around Star Wars.
In the end, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was a flop. In May 2023, less than two years after it opened, Disney announced plans to close the attraction as part of the company's effort to cut costs by more than $5 billion.
How much did Disney lose on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
The financials of a company as large and complex as Disney can be a bit tricky to understand, but it's now been reported that Disney will take the loss of the Galactic Starcruiser in the form of "accelerated deprecation."
During the company's latest earnings call, interim CFO Kevin Lansberry revealed it will cost Disney $250 million to close the Galactic Starcruiser. With 100 cabins, that figure breaks down to a $2.5 million write-off for each room.
The final "voyage" for the Halcyon will depart on September 30. Disney hasn't announced what they plan to do with the building that houses the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, although Disney chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro said in an interview that “something will happen” with it.