Welcome back to the saga that is the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. It would be hard for you to have missed all the drama surrounding this six-thousand dollar experience for a family of four. Yesterday we featured leaked photos from the hotel and today we’re following that up with a leaked video and first impressions I’ve been provided.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbT5FfJ4vlw&t=36s
I have not personally experienced the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser previews, so what I’m going to relay is from those who have. I also cannot tell you really anything that will compare to the video above when it comes to you determining if you’re interested in going. Still, reporting on what sources are saying could be helpful, especially considering that I doubt the YouTube video stays up for long… Disney likely can make a claim against it plus even normal guests aboard the Starcruiser are heavily encouraged to turn in their phones so that this sort of thing doesn’t get out onto YouTube.
Spoilers Ahead…
Impressions:
First, I’m hearing that the work to improve initial internal tests have not resulted in a significantly reworked experience. The concept is still severely flawed. Sources are saying that the only three Star Wars characters you’re likely to know and will appear are Rey, Kylo Ren, and Chewbacca. All other characters are believed to have been created specifically for the hotel. Interactions with the main three characters you’ll know are also more limited than interactions you’ll have with generic Star Wars passengers.
Second, I’m told that while the actors are eager, there is just a lot of awkwardness involved. Because the actors are supposed to be fellow passengers, they try to act like they’re doing all the things you’re doing… except that when an actor complains to a bartender loudly, it comes off as hokey. The actors do their best, but I’m told that the magic is broken when they’re presented with conversation points that throw them off. Maybe that will be better over time. They’re being asked to do a lot; princesses for example have a minute to interact with guests, and even then their improv skills are pushed to the max.
On the plus side, everything I’m hearing about food and drinks is superb. Apparently, the offerings aboard the Halcyon are up there with the very best menu choices anywhere at Walt Disney World outside of Victoria and Albert’s.
One thing I’ve heard from multiple sources is that the hotel feels small… much smaller than people were expecting. The rooms are small and claustrophobic and outside of the rooms there isn’t much. A small lounge, a small dining room, the Jedi training room, and a deck that is made to look far larger than it is are surprisingly minuscule. Speaking of the rooms, they feature a small restroom, a very small one-person vanity, a phone built into the wall, and the bed, bunk-bed combo that you’ve probably seen in concept art. There’s no privacy for parents aboard this “voyage”. Sources are saying it feels like cheap cruise amenities in that there aren’t many. Surprising to me, some sources are even saying that if you struggle in windowless rooms, this experience isn’t for you. I’m told that “windows” into space are sparse and not helpful for those who need to see outside.
Despite the intense backlash to what has been shown in the original Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser trailer, you can expect that exact concept to play out for guests. The area is often dark, often bathed in purple neons, and sources say that while much of the hotel is well-themed, there are also extremely cheap issues. One thing that is coming up are tables and chairs that some sources don’t feel were worthy of an experience that requires you to be in the dining and lounge areas for long periods of time. When tables and chairs are not themed and clearly movable, some sources thought this made the hotel feel generic.
Finally, what I’m hearing over and over is that this just isn’t Star Wars. When compared to Galaxy’s Edge, sources felt that Rise of the Resistance was far more consistent with the franchise feel than this. A conversation online about the hotel has been that the aesthetics look more like they fit in with Epcot than Star Wars. Both the light saber experience, the arcade shooting game, and the droid competitions were described as “cheap” and “lackluster”. That’s from multiple sources.
Personally, I’d rather be giving you much better news. It would be great if Disney had knocked it out of the park and proven early reports wrong. It doesn’t appear to be the case. If you’re wealthy and your kids want to do this, maybe it’s worth it. Otherwise…
https://www.tiktok.com/@waltdisneyworldparks/video/7067921513185578287?_t=8Q7WEpOavWB&_r=1
The good news is that Disney can go back to the drawing board and rework some of this. The bad news is that issues with scale are going to be far less likely to see resolution.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and make sure to keep checking out That Park Place for all the latest on Star Wars and news that should be fun!
