Sad news for the cast, crew, and fans of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World. Cast have just been informed that the experience will close on September 30th, 2023, with all cruises scheduled after that date CANCELED. For now, new bookings have been paused until May 26; guests with existing bookings are still being accommodated.
While the experience did get good reviews from the guests who got to see it, the price was truly out of this world.
There is no immediate information on what may ultimately become of the facility. But it is possible that something may be done with it at a future date.
Our thoughts are with all the cast who put so much energy and creativity into the Starcruiser. We hear that they will be relocated and not let go… a silver lining.
Here’s our original coverage so you can see what it was all about…
ORIGINAL STAR WARS GALACTIC STARCRUISER COVERAGE
In a galaxy far, far away… a brand new interactive hotel experience has arrived at Walt Disney World. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a 2-night immersive experience for guests to embark on a first-of-its-kind Star Wars adventure – an adventure that you play an active part in.
MiceChat was invited aboard the Galactic Starcruiser for a condensed preview experience. This article is an informational overview based upon our quick visit, not a review. Stay tuned for a full review of the 2-day experience shortly after the maiden voyage in March.
Walt Disney World’s Star Wars-themed two-night vacation experience aboard the Halcyon starcruiser officially launches on March 1, 2022, but cast and media have now been able to play-test the experience so we know much more about what passengers will get for the price of their ticket.
(Most of the images at the top of this article are from Disney. It’s dark with dramatic lighting in places, so hard to capture on my phone. But I have lots of my own images for you at the bottom, along with some personal thoughts)
First of all, it’s important to keep in mind that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser takes place between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker (around the same time as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), so you can expect to see Rey, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, and First Order officers as well as new Halcyon-specific figures like Captain Riyola Keevan, Cruise Director Lenka Mok, and a Twi’lek musical superstar named Gaya.
“As we built Galaxy’s Edge, we were able to build a depth there,” says Imagineering Creative Director Cory Rouse. “But we created things that happen between thirty seconds and two minutes – and now you’re going to do that for two days.”
Disney is touting the vacation as a “first-of-its-kind immersive-theater experience,” so let’s find out what that means.
Why don’t we start with a little teaser video from our visit. Just a touch of spoilers here, so don’t click play if you want to be totally surprised (for that matter, you’d probably be better off not reading either. Who are we kidding, you’re here for the scoop, click away!)
Immersive and Interactive Adventure
Imagineers often use the words “immersive” and “interactive,” but in this case, they’re not messing around.
When guests arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal near Disney’s Hollywood Studios to check-in for their two-night experience, they enter a Launch Pod that jumps to hyperspace to rendezvous with the Halcyon Starcruiser; when the Launch Pod docks and guests enter the ship’s Atrium, it’s game on. literally.
Fun Fact: Leia Organa and her husband, Han Solo, honeymooned aboard the Halcyon Starcruiser following the battle of Endor, and Leia presented the artwork hanging on the Mezzanine level in the Atrium – named “The Unified Galaxy” and depicting the Core Worlds to the edges of Wild Space – as a gift to the crew when they returned.
From the moment guests board, their choices determine their experience, and as they interact with characters, crew, and even other passengers, it impacts the action around them and in the larger Star Wars story.
“This is the next level of immersive storytelling…and how we change the way stories are told,” explained Mikael Tara Garver, director of immersive experience for Walt Disney Imagineering. “We’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how ‘story’ is not just one story, but many stories, and then also integrating the technology and integrating the game.”
That means you might be asked to keep a secret, deliver a message, participate in a mission, defend the ship, or conceal an ally. Every decision you make will impact how your experience unfolds – even interconnecting with those of other passengers and characters like Chewbacca or Rey. In other words, if your preferred vacation style is to sit quietly on a beach and read a book, this may not be the right experience for you.
However, if you’re willing to engage in the story, there are many onboard activities that deliver a Star Wars experience, including honing your lightsaber skills against a training remote (just like Luke Skywalker did), visiting the Bridge to learn how to operate the ship’s systems (including weapons and shields), playing holo-sabacc – a game of skill, strategy, and chance – in the ship’s Sublight Lounge, or even learning how to tap into the Force.
Passengers can expand their engagement with characters and storylines through the Star Wars: Datapad features inside the Play Disney Parks mobile app:
- Events – Guest itineraries are updated with new invitations and secret meetings as they interact with different characters and complete missions.
- Comms – Guests can send and receive information relating to missions and adventures, which could impact how their adventure unfolds during their voyage
- Map – Maps of the starcruiser and Black Spire Outpost help passengers navigate during missions
- Tools – Tools needed for particular jobs are activated when required for a mission, especially in Black Spire Outpost.
- Profile – Displays a passenger’s affiliations as they continue through the story.
Guests can also interact with D3-O9, the ship’s Logistics Droid, to have real-time conversations via “vidscreen” while onboard; however, Disney says that D3-O9 will be only available for a limited test period.
“No one’s ever done anything like this before,” said Imagineering Portfolio Creative Executive Scott Trowbridge. “There’s a technology foundation that allows the story engine to operate underneath. That’s the way we can bring our stories to life in space with a real-time imagery system… so what you see on the Bridge, what you see in the cabins, what you see out the windows, and what you see on the maps are all tied together and real.”
Even Dining is Interactive onboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
The dining program developed especially for this vacation experience features “familiar tastes but unexpected colors and textures.”
The main dining room, The Crown of Corellia, offers breakfast and lunch buffets and a multicourse, table-service dinner menu “of both otherworldly and familiar origins.”
Fun Fact: The dining room is named for Corellia, a planet known for the shipyards that built the Halcyon Starcruiser and the Millennium Falcon.
The first night, guests enjoy a live performance from galactic superstar Gaya – and apparently, listening to her performance may bring insight into the goings-on around the ship.
During the second night’s “Taste Around the Galaxy” dinner experience, passengers are served dishes from different planets, including smoking cheeses and bread from the molten planet Mustafar, beef and seafood from the Wookiee world of Kashyyyk, and that bright blue shrimp from Felucia that’s gotten so much social media attention.
Dress for Success
If you’re going to live your own Star Wars story, you may as well dress the part – and there’s no doubt that many passengers will come with suitcases filled with Star Wars-inspired fashions – but if your local mall didn’t have sufficient options, Disney didn’t forget to build a store.
The onboard Chandrila Collection boutique stocks robes, tunics, and other apparel to help you channel your inner Padme Amidala, or Leia Organa. If you’d rather represent your favorite alien species, the shop also carries Twi’lek “lekku” head tails and the striped, horned montrals of a Togruta (like Ahsoka Tano). Items featuring the ship’s logo are also available.
Planetside Excursion to Batuu
Any cruise worth taking includes ports of call, and the Halcyon’s voyage is no exception. In this case, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser take passengers but to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.
On the second day, transport shuttles ferry passengers to Docking Bay 3 in Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, where they can participate in more missions based on characters they met on the Starcruiser – and (spoiler alert) their actions on Batuu will have consequences when they return to the ship.
During the excursion, passengers will get one-time entry to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, plus lunch at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (or other select locations) is included.
They can also request reservations at Oga’s Cantina, Savi’s Workshop, and Droid Depot, but any food, beverages, and merchandise purchased at those locations will cost extra.
Helpful Lingo
Similar to Batuu, where Bright Suns or Bright Moons means hello (depending on the time of day), we’ve been told there are words and phrases Halcyon passengers should know. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Good Journey = Hello
- Good Passage = Good Morning or Good Day
- Instead of Port and Starboard, you say Spinward (going in the direction the galaxy is spinning) and Rimward (heading toward the Outer Rim)
- Personal Cargo = Luggage
- Turbolifts = Elevators
- Viewport = Windows
- Vidscreen = TV
- Younglings = Children (so, naturally, Youngling Transport = Stroller)
- “Lady H” is a nickname for the ship
- “The Big L” is slang for Hyperspace
And to say goodbye, you say, “May the stars light your way” or “May your routes be smooth.”
Want to know more about the Halcyon Starcruiser?
According to Matt Martin from Lucasfilm Franchise Content & Strategy, the long history and rich legacy of the ship can be found in the five-issue “Halcyon Legacy” comic miniseries as well as in the novel “The High Republic: Mission to Disaster” written by New York Times best-selling author Justina Ireland.
There’s even more Halcyon history to learn in an upcoming book by Beth Revis, Star Wars: The Princess & The Scoundrel. The story surrounds the legendary couple from the original trilogy, Han Solo and Princess Leia, taking place just after the events of Return of the Jedi. After their wedding ceremony, the newlyweds depart for a honeymoon aboard the Halcyon starcruiser while the war against the Empire is still raging.
Our Preview Thoughts
(Warning: Photo Spoilers Ahead!)
During our brief tour of the Halcyon, we were able to take part in key story moments and try just a sampling of what passengers might encounter during their 2-night voyage.
Upon entering the Starcruiser’s sliding front doors, a familiar and exciting John Williams musical score booms before you load into your launch pod up to the Halcyon.
(There are several photo galleries below. You can click on any image to expand the gallery and view the images full sized)
From the quick launch up to the Halcyon (think Space 220), you enter the atrium. Here is where you’ll meet the ship’s captain and crew, your cruise director, and a friendly droid, among others.
Three rooms split off from the atrium; the Chandrila Collection, the ship’s boutique containing apparel, costumes, and accessories; the Bridge, where you can operate the ship’s systems and controls; and the Sublight Lounge, where you can enjoy an exclusive beverage or two, or play a game of holo-Sabacc.
Peeking into one of the standard cabins… accommodations are sleek, and tight like a cruise ship. Doug Chiang, Lucasfilm’s VP and Executive Creative Director, shared that they used the same materials and fabrics as used for the films.
The Crown of Corellia dining room is where delicacies from around the galaxy await, as well as galactic superstar Gaya. The menu was curated by Brian Piasecki, Culinary Director for Disney Parks, who is also responsible for the menus within Galaxy’s Edge. The cuisine found here are steps beyond the rustic quality of Batuu.
The immersion and action are constant, there’s always some excitement happening onboard – even when you think there’s going to be a lull. Whether that’s a group setting for bridge training and battles, continuing your unique journey by communicating with the ship’s crew (both in-person or via your Datapad) and fellow passengers which leads to individual experiential opportunities, exploring the Halcyon, or even just kicking back at the lounge and watching others… Similar to a cruise ship’s itinerary, the Halcyon’s daily schedule includes opt-in activities such as lightsaber training, model shipbuilding, and an excursion to planet Batuu (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios).
Each of these activities, including your trip to Batuu, relates to an underlying narrative throughout your journey, which culminates in a fantastic finale that puts everyone in the middle – and part of – the action.
Your journey is completely up to you. You can partake in as little or as much as you’d like. Want to join the First Order? Be a part of the Resistance? Or perhaps you’ll change your mind halfway through and become a spy for either party? Or maybe you’re just along for the ride and want to be an observer? You can do that.
However, in order to get the most out of the experience (and the price paid!), a large part of your interactive story depends on how much you’re willing to lean in and just play –adults and kids alike.
Talk to the crew members, the ship’s characters, your fellow passengers, fight hard during battle, give your all when learning the force or lightsaber training, solve puzzles with like-minded passengers, formulate a plan to sabotage the Resistance with a First Order Officer and some Stormtroopers, or figure out how to save Chewie from the First Order.
Communication really is key here, as this is a communal experience. You can add layers and layers to your journey by making alliances or ratting each other out, comparing notes, asking what others have seen or discovered. Some guests may need to step out of their comfort zone and make friends (or enemies!) in order to further their Star Wars story.
For the classic Star Wars fan, without spoiling anything, you’ll find some bits and pieces from the beloved original trilogy here. It may not be as much as we’d like, but there certainly is a presence. The Halcyon is a clean, sleek experience with a lot of [new] history. It’s a newly remodeled 275-year old ship after all. It’s not the scrappy bucket of bolts that is the Millennium Falcon, but it caters to the upper class of Coruscant with a crew of characters that are easy to stand behind.
From the theme park fan side of things, seeing and interacting with this many characters after the last 2 years of distanced characters is refreshing. The entertainment is aplenty here. You’re brushing shoulders with Captain Keevan and Gaya in the atrium, while Stormtroopers might guide you to a certain area for assignments with a light push.
And a bit of video from our Instagram Reel (some spoilers here):
View this post on Instagram
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a place where people of all ages get to play together, escaping to another galaxy. That’s a lot we complained about that was lacking in Galaxy’s Edge that we found here. That will be obvious to guests when they take their excursion to Batuu.
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Worth the Cost?
That’s the question. Our packed 4 hour visit doesn’t really enable us to give you an opinion on if the action is too much, or not enough. The price to stay and play is high. At the very least, this is an experience that some Star Wars fans will save up for and treasure. Those who aren’t really up for non-stop adventuring might feel that they overpaid for something they didn’t really participate in.
And be aware, saving the galaxy can be exhausting, and you just might need a vacation after that 2-night action-packed adventure. Might we recommend a hotel with a pool and spa that doesn’t come equipped with blasters and shields?
For more about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, check out our “Everything you need to know” article here:
Everything We Know About Walt Disney World’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Hotel
Stay tuned for even more coverage from the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser coming very soon!
What’s Next at Walt Disney World
The next big thing at Walt Disney World won’t be too much longer. Here’s everything we know about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT… including a leaked launch date. Which is the bigger news story to you: New Star Wars Hotel or new Guardians coaster?
Edited by: SDF and CF
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