Star Wars is a Disney-owned billion-dollar franchise, loved by millions of people around the world. Many fans will go to extreme lengths to fulfill their interest in Star Wars, even if it means breaking the bank. In May 2023, Disney announced that one of their attraction hotels built for an audience of extreme Star Wars fans is shutting down, only a year after it opened. Galactic Starcruiser is a Star Wars-themed luxury hotel at Walt Disney World. The hotel features 100 cabins that each go for $2,400 per person or about $6,000 for a 4-person family package. The prices include lodging, all-inclusive food (except for alcoholic beverages), and tickets to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Galactic Starcruiser cabins feature Star Wars themed furniture and even lack windows to further advance the feeling of actually being on a Star Wars ship. Throughout a guest’s two-night stay, they will be immersed into the world of Star Wars, with themed meals, entertainment, and the chance to meet and interact with characters from the Star Wars universe.
Ever since the hotel had opened, many viewed the Galactic Starcruiser’s closing as imminent. Right before grand opening, bookings were sold out but were followed by mass cancellations. The hotel only offered one experience, which made it unlikely for guests to come back a second time. However, Disney officials firmly stated that they believed Galactic Starcruiser was a unique experience that would attract many fans, so many that the hotel would be at 100% utilization. Many believe that Disney had alternative options to completely shutting down, such as making the experience less costly or changing the plot to encourage more Star Wars fans to visit the Galactic Starcruiser.
The Galactic Starcruiser plans to shut down in September, which means that it is still being promoted to the general public. This May, a stay at Galactic Starcruiser was given away to a contestant on Wheel of Fortune as part of the show’s collaboration with the Star Wars franchise for the week. Considering that Wheel of Fortune is taped many months in advance, it is clear that Disney hopes for unwavering demand for a stay at Galactic Starcruiser going into the fall.
The decision to close Galactic Starcruiser was also publicized around the same time as Disney canceled plans to build a $1 billion office complex in Florida. This decision was reached after a legal battle sparked when then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek reportedly criticized some legislations of Florida governor Ron DeSantis. Galactic Starcruiser’s shutdown also came shortly after Robert A. Iger revealed a plan that intended to cut Disney costs by $5.5 billion. As the corporation continues to cut costs and make changes, Disney’s actions may be hinting towards a downwards trend. Disney has created and purchased many fan-favorite movies and franchises, but only time will tell if Disney continues to be popular in the future.
