In completely unexpected news, as public demand waned last year, Disney announced it was pulling the plug and shutting down its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel in Orlando, Florida after 15 months of operation.
As the Mouse House continues a series of brutal layoffs and cost-cutting measures, it features a reduced release schedule, the cancellation of a massive Florida relocation plan and the removal of the underrated Disney Plus. “This extravagant Walt Disney World Resort attraction was ripe for the chopping block and will welcome its last guests September 28-30.
Given its exorbitant price, claustrophobic rooms, uninspired interior design, and general live-action entertainment offerings, the decision to mothball the Galactic Starcruiser as a risky $1 billion investment that never caught on with fans seems like a wise move. Given Disney’s declining stock price and dollar-saving needs.
“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most innovative projects of all time and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovative and immersive entertainment,” a Disney spokesperson told Variety. “This premium experience has given us the opportunity to try new things on a small scale with 100 units, and we’ll take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more guests and our fans.”
The space-y, 100-room hotel first opened to passengers on March 1, 2022, for a two-night “Star Wars”-themed adventure experience on board the Halcyon, a spaceship set in the epic “Star Wars” cruise line’s Galaxy. It was an all-inclusive interactive attraction where a pair of guests was charged a minimum price tag of $4,809 during off-peak hours.
As whispers of the resort hotel’s declining occupancy numbers spread this year, and despite Disney offering steep discounts to try and stimulate demand, this grand sci-fi venture simply outdid itself and eventually ran out of fuel, surrounded by high inflation in a stagnant economy. and interest rates. In another day and age it may succeed, but not in these troubled times.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will close its airlock after September 30 and the attraction is not currently accepting any new reservations. Disney will seek to discuss refunds, changes in plans, or compensation options for all prospective guests booked after that date.
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