What You'll Find Inside Disney World's Immersive Star Wars Hotel
Many devoted Star Wars and Disney fans are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World. For all those fans who wish they could travel the universe like Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, their chance is finally coming. Disney first announced its plans for a Star Wars-themed hotel at the D23 Expo in 2017, and it finally looks like the resort experience will be open for guests in 2021.
As a two-day, two-night experience, the stay on the Galactic Starcruiser will be unlike any other resort experience. Guests will arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal to check in, before being transported up into the Halcyon, the name of the ship that guests will be staying on during their trip through space. Disney previously announced back in February of 2020 that guests would be able to begin making reservations by the end of the year, but so far there's been no further news on that count. Despite that, Disney has stuck to their reports that the Galactic Starcruiser will still be opening in 2021.
Many fans have stated that Galaxy's Edge, the Star Wars-themed land in Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a little lacking in energy. Hopefully, this new Starcruiser, connected to Galaxy's Edge with a scheduled visit to Batuu, will complete the experience. As guests wait patiently for the immersive feature to open its doors to guests, Disney has provided a first-look at the inside of rooms on the Halcyon.
Guests cruise the galaxy aboard the Halcyon
In a virtual presentation at the IAAPA Expo: Virtual Education Conference, Josh D'Amaro, the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, shared a look at the future of the Disney parks around the world. While he gave the audience more information about other upcoming Disney park additions, like the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster and the Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort, he also provided a new look at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
In the new sneak peek at the upcoming immersive resort experience, the main focus was on the rooms that guests will be staying in. Looking very on-theme, with a lot of white and chrome, the rooms have hints of the utilitarian, simplistic feel featured in most science-fiction stories. Though the rooms shown have a regular bed at their center, there are pod-like bunk beds embedded in the wall, likely intended to accommodate families. Previously, Disney stated that the rooms will be able to sleep up to five people. The genius is in the details, however, as the rooms are filled with light-up panels and windows — or rather screens — that show images of space passing by as the Halcyon "travels" throughout the universe.
What an immersive experience on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser entails
While the rooms are a big part of a visit to the Halcyon, a lot of what will draw people in has to do with the fully immersive experience that Disney promises its visitors. Guests will arrive and depart the resort in groups, much like the Disney Cruise Line, so that everyone goes through the experience together. After you check in, you will enter a Launch Pod that will "jump to hyperspace" to take you to the Halcyon. Disney calls the experience "a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios." So don't worry about missing out on the rest of Galaxy's Edge, as a special visit is on the schedule.
The stay is almost like a real-life choose-your-own-adventure story, as Disney claims that "choices you make during your adventure will help determine how your Star Wars story progresses," and that as you explore the ship, you may "discover hidden spaces deep in the mechanics of the ship -– perfect for uncovering secrets ... or holding secret meetings." Aside from sleeping and eating, guests will also be able to train with a lightsaber and learn how to pilot a ship. Star Wars fans should keep an eye out for further updates on the Galactic Starcruiser, and when you can sign up to fly across the galaxy with your favorite characters.