Wish List: Ways to Make a Galactic Starcruiser Visit Possible
Ever since Galactic Starcruiser was announced, it dominated Disney headlines. But many Star Wars fans cringed at the rack rate for a two-night stay.
Now that the hotel is open, reviews have been mixed. Some fans claim it’s the pinnacle of Imagineering. Others say it’s perfectly fun, but not worth the high price tag. (Personally, I can’t comment on a place I haven’t seen.)
Honestly, I’m sure a Halcyon voyage is well-themed, immersive, and pushes boundaries beyond my imagination. But … it’s still too expensive.
And I’m not the only Disney fan who feels this way. Less than a year after opening, there have been reports of financial struggles and “less-than-full” voyages.
Now, we’re seeing rather sad attempts at discounts. These include discounts for DVC members and Cast Members only, and Deluxe hotel discounts after a full-priced Starcruiser journey.
While following the journey of the Galactic Starcruiser, I can’t help but daydream. Surely, there must be an alternative to these sky-high prices. If not, there must be some way to keep the Starcruiser from turning into a parking lot or River Country: Part II.
Today, let’s pretend we have a genie at our disposal and list “wishes” for the Star Wars hotel. If only one of these came true, a Starcruiser visit could be within reach.
Wish #1: Turn the Galactic Starcruiser into a Regular Deluxe Hotel
I know this would be a difficult change. As of now, the Galactic Starcruiser only has 100 rooms and no true common areas.
The overhead is significant, as the Cast Members are not only trained in upkeep but are also highly skilled performers. No, this wouldn’t be easy, but it could be done.
If the building could be expanded to include more hotel rooms and recreation areas, that would be a start. Certain areas of the ship could also be repurposed to house a cafeteria, a pool/spa area, or serve as a lounge.
Transforming at least half of the hotel into a “normal” Deluxe hotel experience would still require staff, but the skills could be less demanding. Adding on more non-role-playing centered areas would bring about more opportunities for everyday roles like Housekeeping, Janitorial Staff, Maintenance, etc.
Considering a regular hotel is what fans expected, this could go over well.
Wish #2: Open Dining to the Outside World
Many guests (me included) have a blast hotel-hopping. I love losing myself in deluxe theming while also enjoying new bars and sit-down restaurants. (I’m sure these previews encourage future stays!)
Unfortunately, the Halcyon can’t be previewed. Without committing to the cost, no guest can even peek inside the lobby, let alone try a sample of food.
I’d propose allowing any Walt Disney World on-site resort guest to make dining reservations for this hotel (even for a bar/lounge.) Keeping the list semi-exclusive would cut down on competition while making it possible for more people overall to experience the Starcruiser.
Even with those limitations, ADRs would still be hard to get, making them more desirable. (This would be especially true of the Crown of Corellia Dining Room.) But opening up reservations to other onsite Disney guests would still be an act of goodwill.
This could lead to more bookings, or at least, more guests spending money on food and drinks. Disney has everything to gain.
Wish #3: Treat Role-Playing Experiences like Excursions
Understandably the Galactic Starcruiser is so expensive because the hotel is staffed as a 24/7 experience full of ad hoc adventures. This is groundbreaking, but it’s also why the operating costs are through the roof.
If this hotel could be transformed into a “regular” hotel and allow outside guests to come in for food and drinks, why not take it further? Let’s consider making the role-playing elements an excursion that can be booked in half or full-day increments by both hotel and non-hotel guests.
Not only would this make the hotel more accessible, but it could be phenomenal advertising. Non-hotel guests may leave determined to book a Starcruiser voyage.
Also, Starcruiser hotel guests (who love Star Wars but don’t love audience participation), can opt-in and out as needed. I imagine these excursions would either be complimentary or steeply discounted for these folks.
Either way, it could lower costs and spread the interstellar magic across Disney World.
Wish List #4: Offer Better Discounts
As I pointed out earlier, discounts have been offered, but with restrictive caveats. Most discounts aren’t truly discounts at all or are only applicable to a small fraction of people.
Disney has some options here. First, they could offer one-night stays or day trips for guests on a tighter budget.
Secondly, they could offer a simple, percentage-off-the-top discount for guests booking at certain times of the year. (Money-savvy travelers would eat this up.)
Thirdly, they could simply walk back the price and rebrand it under Bob Iger’s plans for ‘Significant Transformation’.
At a time when the Disney Company and Guest morale is in a shaky spot, noticeable discounts could do much more than save the Starcruiser. It could win back some serious loyalty points.
None of these changes can be implemented with magic. At the end of the day. It will take careful strategy, planning, and maybe even a little humility to save the infamous Star Wars hotel.
That being said, I really hope they do. I’m dying to see it.
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Feature Photo Credit: Disney