Disney World announced the closure of its massively expensive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel.
Per WDWNT, the Disney World two-day stay experience will close in favor of turning it into a Star Wars-themed traditional hotel. In a statement, Disney said, "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our Guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and we will take what we've learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our Guests and fans."
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Closes After Troubled Opening
The Galactic Starcruiser opened on March 1, 2022, and immediately showed signs of problems. The Star Wars hotel stay, which included two nights in a cabin or suite along with several themed additions, charged $4,809 for two guests and $5,999 for four. Two weeks after opening, reports indicated that Disney had trouble filling rooms at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser due to the hefty price tag. It even reportedly had several months without any reservations at all. Despite the price, it started with several sold-out nights, then began to suffer multiple cancellations.
Galactic Starcruiser offered fans of the series multiple-sized rooms with various Star Wars-themed experiences. These included interactions with some of Star Wars' most iconic characters, ranging from Chewbacca from the original trilogy to more recent characters like Rey and Kylo Ren. What set the experience apart from a normal themed hotel was its story element, which takes place between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Guests obtained an itinerary on arrival that informed them of events within the hotel they could participate in during their stay.
Disney World's Battle With Florida
News of the Galactic Starcruiser's closure comes amidst an ongoing legal battle for Disney World with Florida and Governor Rob DeSantis. Since 2022, Disney World and the Florida governor have been trading blows over DeSantis' "Don't Say Gay" bill, the first of a long list of legal attempts to strip protections from LGBTQ+ citizens in the state. Disney clapped back at the state for its actions, leading to DeSantis to target the theme park. The battle had led to lawsuits, including one that claims DeSantis illegally ignored a deal with Disney in order to take control of the theme park for Florida.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closes on Sept. 28.
Source: WDWNT