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Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort, the uber-immersive Star Wars experience that comes with the uber-luxury price is closing. Disney announced on May 18, 2023, that the resort, which opened to much fanfare in March 2022, will close in September.
It turns out the force was not with this resort.
The company did not give a reason for the closing, but Disney is in cost-cutting mode.
A stay at the 100-room resort starts at $4,800 for two guests. That includes a full Star Wars itinerary: two days and two nights in one of the highly-themed Starcruiser cabins, galactic-inspired food and drink, and a visit to Batuu, the Star Wars planet inside the Disney World theme park.
In case you want to know what all the fuss was about, here are the details of the resort, announced as it was set to open two years ago.
What’s Special about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?
Honestly, what isn’t? This hotel is themed to the max from the moment you arrive.
The concept is cruise-like. You board a launch pod at the
Disney Imagineers went all in with the design of this hotel. But your experience is completely up to you. You can follow the rule of the First Order, or join the Resistance and partake in missions.
Characters are in the hotel to interact with, you eat themed meals, and take part in secret missions.
How Much Does a Stay at Disney’s Star Wars Hotel Cost?
To put it delicately, this one is a splurge.
The important thing to remember is that the cost at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is PER PERSON. Current prices displayed on Disney’s site are for “most dates” from 8/20/22-9/17/22 are $749 per person for a 4-person room going up to $1209 per person for a two-person room. Moral of the story? It’s cheaper with friends.
Before you get sticker shock, remember that this is much more than a traditional hotel stay. Think of it as a more all-inclusive Disney experience. The price includes a bunch of extras you’d normally have to buy a la carte.
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So let’s run through it. Your two-night experience includes:
Cabin or Suite at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
There are three room types available:
- standard cabins
- Galaxy class suite
- The Grand Captain Suite
We’re excited to see that the standard cabins will hold up to 5 people, which is great news for bigger families. The Grand Captain Suite has two bedrooms and can sleep up to 8 people.
Immersive and Interactive Entertainment
We know that Star Wars characters will be roaming around interacting and possibly roping you into secret missions. Other entertainment we know about includes Starcruiser Lightsaber training, a costume parade called the Outer Rim Regalia, Bridge Training, Sabacc Lessons (a card game); and an end-of-the-gala celebration.
Food and Beverages
Yes, this Disney experience includes food and beverages. Specifically, it includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners per guest (gratuity included on dinners) and one quick service meal and beverage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on your adventure to Batuu.
Crown of Corellia Dining Room
You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. Breakfast will include hot and cold small plates and you’ll be able to snag Bubo Wamba Family Farms blue milk.
Lunch will be made up of small bites like sandwiches, soups, mini flatbreads, assorted salads and sweets.
Dinner has two seatings; you let them know your preference when you book.
Dinner is different each night. The first night, the Crown of Corellia Dining Room transforms into a supper club with table service and live entertainment.
The meal the second night features courses “inspired by the geography and environments of iconic destination planets throughout the galaxy.” Taste Around the Galaxy will introduce each course and discuss the name, inspiration and ingredients.
To me, this sounds similar to a Delicious Disney-themed event. These dinners took place at Markham’s in Disney’s Golden Oaks neighborhood pre-pandemic. I went with a friend and it was an incredible experience.
Sublight Lounge
This on-property bar/lounge will offer drinks and, we suspect, some small food options.
Read More: What’s New at Disney in 2023
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Admission
This immersive adventure’s price includes theme park admission to Hollywood Studios. On Day 2 of your itinerary, you take a planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. An itinerary will be set for you including time slots for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
You will be transported to Batuu directly from the hotel on a shuttle, enabling you to stay fully immersed in your story.
Read more about Galaxy’s Edge here or check out our suggested Hollywood Studios itinerary.
Valet Parking
Parking is included with a stay at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
MagicBand
Although MagicBands are no longer complimentary for Disney Resort stays, an exclusive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser databand (known on your home planet as a MagicBand) is included.
What Should I Pack for My Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Disney Trip?
We’ve shared a lot of information in the past on packing for a Disney vacation. While many of those items will overlap with a Star Wars themed hotel stay, there are some specifics you’ll want for this immersive adventure.
Star Wars Costumes
Dressing up is highly encouraged. You’re part of the Star Wars story, whether you’re a Jedi or a droid. Costumes are a must-pack. We’re not going to lie — we’re excited. There are some super-cute options for everything from Rey-inspired Mouse ears to R2D2 dresses to Rey costumes to Resistance vests.
Not into costumes? Show your fandom in t-shirt form. My personal favorite is Darth Vader “walking” his AT-AT.
MagicBands for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
While MagicBands are no longer provided with Disney resort stays, they are if you’re staying at this new resort. Your stay will include an Exclusive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser databand, which is awesome.
You can also buy other fun Star Wars MagicBands to attach to your reservation. We love this slap bracelet option, this Mandalorian-themed The Child slap bracelet, and the more traditional style MagicBand featuring Baby Yoda.
Looking for more options? Check out these Etsy MagicBand accessories that look like the Millennium Falcon, full band lightsaber databand wrap, or this Millennium Falcon puck holder backpack charm.
The Disney Play App
While the MyDisneyExperience app is a must-download prior to your trip, make sure you also download the Play Disney Parks App. The Star Wars: Datapad experience included on the Play Disney Parks app is going help you navigate the Galactic Starcruiser.
Who is the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for?
I found myself asking this question as I studied media materials, pricing and videos. Most people think about Disney as a kids trip. However, over the years solo adult trips, Disney honeymoons, and more have grown in popularity.
My friend, Breeze,and I did a girlfriend getaway at Disney and I can’t even tell you how relaxing it is to drink around EPCOT while ignoring the sounds of kids shouting “mommy” because they aren’t yours and you have no responsibilities.
While this immersive experience is one that some kids would go absolutely wild for, the immersive adventure overall seems more geared towards Star Wars fans who are tweens, teens or adults. The pricing is per person. Even in their examples, Disney minimizes the number of kids in rooms giving an example quote of $749 per night for 3 adults, 1 child. (Anyone 10 and up is considered an adult.)
Even the room descriptions feel very adult-oriented. The Grand Captain Suite is described as having “2 queen beds, 2 berths (bunk beds) for one adult each and 2 wall pull-down beds for one adult each.”
The meals that are included are at specified times — you can request first or second seating. They are themed and have several courses along with entertainment. Entertainment is geared towards immersive role playing, card games and strategy.
We’re not saying don’t take your kids. We’re just saying make sure that everyone will enjoy the trip. You’re paying for the experience. Kids who cannot sit through a multicourse meal or are too young to enjoy the immersion may not be worth the price for admission.
