Galactic Starcruiser - what is next for this space?

[zackiedawg]

Having windows overlooking a parking lot and a bus stop, with people freely walking in and out all day, would kind of spoil the whole "Starcruiser" illusion, don't you think?

It would for those looking for full immersion. But 'themed' just means that's the design style or look - kind of like how Wilderness Lodge is themed after great western mountain lodges, but if you look out the window, you see flat, hot Florida stretching out everywhere. Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge - all are themed, but not immersive - you will see parking lots, and Florida lakes, etc. Anyway, just my idea - I'd be interested to check it out if it was just a themed hotel with some cool bars or restaurants inside.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

- I'd be interested to check it out if it was just a themed hotel with some cool bars or restaurants inside.

There’s not enough room for multiple bars and restaurants. It’s just not big enough to be a regular resort and there’s not enough space around it to expand it.

 

[ParrotBill]

A bus driver told me it's going to become a space Earl of Sandwich

And: Here's here all week. Tip your waiter please.

 

[ParrotBill]

For the size of the space, a Dinner show is the best idea I've heard. But the renovation to make it work seems impossible with 3 floors, err, decks, with rooms to gut and open up. But imagine.... Cantina band. Actors who sit down with you asking if you've seen their bounty or if you saw who shot first.

 

[rstevens333]

Didn't they cut a dinner show from DHS Galaxy's Edge in favor of Oga's? I believe they even left an expansion pad. Can't help but think Disney still wants an expensive dinner show and would be tempted by the idea of not building a whole new building.

 

[fatmanatee]

Didn't they cut a dinner show from DHS Galaxy's Edge in favor of Oga's? I believe they even left an expansion pad. Can't help but think Disney still wants an expensive dinner show and would be tempted by the idea of not building a whole new building.

My understanding was that it was going to have both, or possibly a combination.

 

[ttintagel]

It would for those looking for full immersion. But 'themed' just means that's the design style or look - kind of like how Wilderness Lodge is themed after great western mountain lodges, but if you look out the window, you see flat, hot Florida stretching out everywhere. Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge - all are themed, but not immersive - you will see parking lots, and Florida lakes, etc. Anyway, just my idea - I'd be interested to check it out if it was just a themed hotel with some cool bars or restaurants inside.

While I take your point, I think looking out the window of a National Park lodge and not seeing mountains versus looking out the window of a spaceship and not seeing outer space is a bit of an apples and oranges situation.

 

[bsmcneil]

Most rooms that are rented by the hour are used for other purposes!

Folks could join the 62-mile high club ...

 

[Chernabob]

I'll likely cross post in the "Rumors" forum, but I just saw this interesting piece. Apologies if it's already been shared!

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/starcruiser-resurrected-could-disney-1-180000546.html

 

[rdevans_2000]

Are there any rumors about what they will do with this now that it is closed?

Just imagine if they had built this more like a regular resort, albeit still boutique in size, complete with swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurants, come-and-go parking, etc. The resort would be Star Wars themed, as if it was a base on a planet (instead hotel rooms being on a spaceship). Then, guests could travel back and forth to the Halcyon in a simulated light speed shuttle, kind of like the Stellarvator in the Space 220 restaurant. They could go immerse themselves in the role playing, go to the bar, have dinner, etc. then return to the resort. Disney could sell day trips, or even length of say privileges. The resort resort could be priced like the Grand Floridian (proven price point), and Disney would make a fortune selling "trips" to the Halcyon. But... guests are not held captive by the "space cruise" concept.

Crazy enough, there is PLENTY of land to the east of the Galactic Star Cruiser to pull this off. Would have been best to do it this way from the beginning, where Disney would be guaranteed to succeed (traditional DW resort) and still trying out an role playing, immersive concept. All guest rooms would have been in the resort, and the tour "experience" would be on the Halcyon. However, since they missed that chance, it still seems like a hybrid opportunity exists. Add the Star Wars resort (I know, I know... I am thinking big here), and sell one night experiences on the Halcyon, since it has guest rooms. Guests head to the Halcyon in the morning with a carry on sized suitcase, or just a back pack, role play, explore, eat, etc., stay one night, and then go back to their room in the resort.

Interesting to think about. Hate to lose this very cool space and concept.

 

[Jwaire]

The Galactic Starcruiser represents everything that is/was wrong with the current Walt Disney Company.

We can debate if the concept was flawed, priced wrong or had poor marketing, but let's just ponder the business side of this project for a second.

It was greenlit and built during a period of turmoil, when the parks division was slashing costs left and right including laying off workers, reducing live entertainment including parades, fireworks and shows, failing to maintain attractions, cutting back on operating hours, hiking prices, removing previous amenities like FastPass, instituting park reservations, suspending annual pass sales, decimating Imagineering and slowing attraction construction to a crawl.

The fact that his project got approved and built during a pandemic was a waste of company dollars. They were chasing a particular economic subgroup that happens to love the sequel trilogy films. How much more niche can you get?

And no Plan B? Why wasn't it built to at least basic hotel specs? Moreover, there's going to more to come out on this. It sounds like a former CEO's pet project (Disney Institute, anyone?).

This project should have been part of Disney Signature Experiences from the beginning where Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line reside. That's what this project was—an experimental signature 2-night experience, a figurative cruise on land.

Instead, it was buried deep within the parks and resorts budget for Walt Disney World on purpose. (For those that keep up with the shareholder thread, this sounds familiar doesn't it?)

That was a strategic decision and it'll be interesting to see why that decision was made and who was responsible.

For those that don't understand the significance, the Disney Signature Experience divisions have to live or die on their own. They are separate business units and aren't affected by what happens at Animal Kingdom for example.

It is very likely that the building of this project kept other Walt Disney World projects from being completed or greenlit. Now, look where we are.

They don't have a choice but to strip and abandon it—at least for day guests.

As for the concept itself, Galactic Starcrusier had some cool technology that may be implemented in future attractions or experiences. But the idea of a two-night larping experience in a specifically built venue was an utter economic failure.

Bring the dinner show back to the expansion pad where it was originally planned and wash your hands. Use what you learned to build a proper Star Wars hotel in a more favorable location on property.

Guests will pay to stay in a proper Star Wars hotel and you can incorporate some of the live entertainment concepts from this project within the hotel.

 

[irlandaise]

The fact that his project got approved and built during a pandemic was a waste of company dollars. They were chasing a particular economic subgroup that happens to love the sequel trilogy films. How much more niche can you get?

I don't have enough knowledge of TWDC's business units to comment on that aspect of your posting (which looks well thought out), but I will take issue with the point above. I'm pretty sure I've seen all three of the sequel films, but please don't ask me for details because I watched them on TV just once each years ago. So I barely know the characters, and I certainly don't "love" the films. But if I had planned a cross-country trek to WDW in the past year, I would have included a Halcyon cruise in a heartbeat.

I know there are people who are still mad about Galaxy's Edge focusing on the sequel characters, and I imagine that those people turned up their noses at the Galactic Starcruiser as well. But I'm sure I'm not the only Boomer who believes that the prequel and sequel films are just as valid in the Star Wars canon as the movies we saw and loved when they began the whole SW phenomenon. I think Galaxy's Edge is amazing. I had a ball watching a friend go head-to-head with Kylo Ren one day, and it's such a delight to see little girls interacting with Rey.

Bottom line: I don't think the audience for GC was as niche as you portray.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Starcruiser Resurrected: Could Disney’s $1 Billion Star Wars Make A Return?

Just saw this article.

 

[fatmanatee]

I still don’t understand why there’s so much speculation around a survey. They’ve sent me surveys after every trip I’ve taken, there’s nothing unusual about this.

 

[New Mouse]

Bottom line: I don't think the audience for GC was as niche as you portray.

It was one of the quicker failures in Disney history. It was fairly niche.

 

[AmishGuy91]

I still don’t understand why there’s so much speculation around a survey. They’ve sent me surveys after every trip I’ve taken, there’s nothing unusual about this.

They paid you $150-250 for those surveys?

 

[Suger Mag]

The Galactic Starcruiser represents everything that is/was wrong with the current Walt Disney Company.

We can debate if the concept was flawed, priced wrong or had poor marketing, but let's just ponder the business side of this project for a second.

It was greenlit and built during a period of turmoil, when the parks division was slashing costs left and right including laying off workers, reducing live entertainment including parades, fireworks and shows, failing to maintain attractions, cutting back on operating hours, hiking prices, removing previous amenities like FastPass, instituting park reservations, suspending annual pass sales, decimating Imagineering and slowing attraction construction to a crawl.

The fact that his project got approved and built during a pandemic was a waste of company dollars. They were chasing a particular economic subgroup that happens to love the sequel trilogy films. How much more niche can you get?

And no Plan B? Why wasn't it built to at least basic hotel specs? Moreover, there's going to more to come out on this. It sounds like a former CEO's pet project (Disney Institute, anyone?).

This project should have been part of Disney Signature Experiences from the beginning where Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line reside. That's what this project was—an experimental signature 2-night experience, a figurative cruise on land.

Instead, it was buried deep within the parks and resorts budget for Walt Disney World on purpose. (For those that keep up with the shareholder thread, this sounds familiar doesn't it?)

That was a strategic decision and it'll be interesting to see why that decision was made and who was responsible.

For those that don't understand the significance, the Disney Signature Experience divisions have to live or die on their own. They are separate business units and aren't affected by what happens at Animal Kingdom for example.

It is very likely that the building of this project kept other Walt Disney World projects from being completed or greenlit. Now, look where we are.

They don't have a choice but to strip and abandon it—at least for day guests.

As for the concept itself, Galactic Starcrusier had some cool technology that may be implemented in future attractions or experiences. But the idea of a two-night larping experience in a specifically built venue was an utter economic failure.

Bring the dinner show back to the expansion pad where it was originally planned and wash your hands. Use what you learned to build a proper Star Wars hotel in a more favorable location on property.

Guests will pay to stay in a proper Star Wars hotel and you can incorporate some of the live entertainment concepts from this project within the hotel.

I don't have enough knowledge of TWDC's business units to comment on that aspect of your posting (which looks well thought out), but I will take issue with the point above. I'm pretty sure I've seen all three of the sequel films, but please don't ask me for details because I watched them on TV just once each years ago. So I barely know the characters, and I certainly don't "love" the films. But if I had planned a cross-country trek to WDW in the past year, I would have included a Halcyon cruise in a heartbeat.

I know there are people who are still mad about Galaxy's Edge focusing on the sequel characters, and I imagine that those people turned up their noses at the Galactic Starcruiser as well. But I'm sure I'm not the only Boomer who believes that the prequel and sequel films are just as valid in the Star Wars canon as the movies we saw and loved when they began the whole SW phenomenon. I think Galaxy's Edge is amazing. I had a ball watching a friend go head-to-head with Kylo Ren one day, and it's such a delight to see little girls interacting with Rey.

Bottom line: I don't think the audience for GC was as niche as you portray.

It was one of the quicker failures in Disney history. It was fairly niche.

but was that failure the subject or the price? I dare say the price point put it out of the reach and then adding in the niche group/toxic fans didn't help. Star Wars has so many fans who are utterly absolute... only one part is good (usually the OT), the rest sucks seems to be the motto for the most part. So yes, they turn their nose up at anything but ....

I love Star Wars... not picky about which part... sequel original... prequal... streaming. Give me some light sabers, cool ships, and fun creatures.... and I am usually happy. But at that price point... and with my paycheck... nope. I enjoy visiting WDW as much as I do now, only because I bought into DVC in 2008. If I had to pay out of pocket I would not be able to justify it. just out of my financial reach. A two day immersive also presents a lot of issues. Many people dont want to devote that much time to just one activity. ... even though I kinda liked the idea/subject.... the two day- no leave- no windows give me the claustrophobic vibes.

I think sometimes the powers that be are a little too purist... and that hampers it. A more general Star Wars themed resort would have done well .... or even the star cruiser but have different options.... maybe some voyaged themed to one set of films (OT)... another themed to a different set like the prequals. Make the star cruiser more basic and swap in and out set pieces. Or a smaller show set to a dinner.

 

[Lewisc]

I still don’t understand why there’s so much speculation around a survey. They’ve sent me surveys after every trip I’ve taken, there’s nothing unusual about this.

Guests who qualified, after initial screening, were paid around $200 and had to sign a NDA.

Was that how your surveys were handled?

 

[fatmanatee]

They paid you $150-250 for those surveys?

Nope.

 

[irlandaise]

I still don’t understand why there’s so much speculation around a survey. They’ve sent me surveys after every trip I’ve taken, there’s nothing unusual about this.

The article from The Wrap that was posted a couple of days ago (and just re-cited here) says that it was "an unusually specific survey." And, as others have pointed, out, Disney provided a very enticing financial incentive to fill out the survey. It appears that this survey was indeed different from the standard ones.