Disney has released new details about the Star Wars hotel coming to Disney World — beginning with the clear message that this isn’t a regular hotel.
As Disney had previously said it would offer a “cruise-like experience,” the company is emphasizing that marketing by dubbing it Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. The idea is guests are being whisked away on a space cruise voyage aboard a ship called the Halcyon.
“Onboard, you will stay in well-appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, and much more,” Disney said in a blog post. “Throughout the journey, you will be invited to delve deeper into your personal adventure by participating in onboard activities, interacting with characters, crew, other passengers you meet, and becoming part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga.”
Concept art of the Halcyon (Disney)
To experience this “story,” guests will have to stay for two nights — so much like a cruise ship, everyone boards and departs at the same time.
The presentation at the 2019 D23 Expo in Anaheim emphasized the immersive environment Disney aims to build, from familiar Star Wars characters onboard, virtual views of the galaxy, and a chance to explore and “perhaps discover hidden spaces deep in the mechanics of the ship.”
In a first for Disney’s Star Wars experiences, guests will be able to wield a lightsaber against a training remote — much like Luke does aboard the Millennium Falcon in the original film.
Concept art of the lightsaber training (Disney)
“Reaching within and discovering any nascent connection to the Force could prove valuable,” said Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer and creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Johnson also promised the choice guests make during their stay will “affect how your Star Wars story unfolds.” This sounds similar to promises Disney made of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but this level of interactivity has largely not been realized.
Disney did not announce an opening date or any official pricing for the Galactic Starcruiser.
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