How Galaxy’s Edge Could Benefit from the Closing of Galactic Starcruiser
During the pandemic, then-CEO Bob Chapek made several cost-cutting decisions that ultimately impacted Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
While the resort proved unimaginably successful during its first year in operation, the project unraveled as quickly and completely as any I’ve ever tracked.
Now, Disney must sift through the wreckage of the failed Star Wars Hotel project and assess the long-term damage.
In a companion article, I’ll evaluate all the reasons why this unique boutique hotel failed. However, I keep circling back to an unexpected benefit.
Here’s how Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge could benefit from Galactic Starcruiser’s demise.
An Expert’s Thoughts on Galaxy’s Edge and Galactic Starcruiser
During a recent conversation with former Imagineer Ryan Harmon of Zeitgeist Design + Production, he introduced some Star Wars thoughts into the conversation.
We were conversing about the implementation of technology at the parks. Harmon offered the following comments:
“I think when they introduced Galaxy’s Edge, it should have been about the legacy Star Wars stories and characters.
“The song should be playing. It should fulfill all your dreams of the Star Wars experience. And it didn’t.
“It was, you know, we’re going to place this in this time and this future in between this film and this film. So sorry, you don’t get Grogu, but you also don’t get Darth Vader. Because Grogu’s not alive and Darth Vader’s dead.
“It’s like, well, nobody wants that. So, Galaxy’s Edge has suffered. It was not the hit they hoped it would be.
“The time to get on the Millennium Falcon ride is usually the short wait because it’s Star Tours with bad button placement.
“You know, in the hotel, as great a concept as it is to sleep over and immerse yourself in the story and play a role.
“And that could lend itself to so many great things. I want to go and see Darth Vader and see Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and Jabba the Hutt.
“I couldn’t care less about Rey, and I don’t know Kylo Ren. They’ve now introduced the Mandalorian and Grogu to Galaxy’s Edge.
“Even though they fought against that for a long time, they wouldn’t even sell the doll in the land. So, the people spoke, and Disney listened.
“Why is Disney not leading?”
I’ve thought about these comments a lot over the past few days. An expert in theme park design saw all the flaws and could name them reflexively.
Bob Chapek’s Zero Sum Approach
The Walt Disney Company hasn’t minded throwing former CEO Bob Chapek under the bus whenever it’s convenient.
Still, Chapek led the vaunted Disney Parks division from February 2015 until his ultimate promotion in 2020.
So, we’re not scapegoating Chapek unfairly here inasmuch as pointing out the mistakes he made along the way.
Chapek notoriously prioritized higher-paying guests as a method for increasing profit margins.
While Scott Trowbridge worked as the lead designer on the project, all decisions funneled through Chapek. And he had dollar signs in his eyes.
Chapek announced several potential amenities at Galaxy’s Edge that later transitioned to Galactic Starcruiser.
For example, original plans suggested that Crown of Corellia Dining Room would reside on Batuu. Some paperwork suggested a setting behind Oga’s Cantina.
Chapek later switched this Table Service restaurant into an exclusive dining option at Galactic Starcruiser, one with an expensive Captain’s Table upgrade.
The intergalactic dinner show would have fit perfectly at Star Wars Land.
Chapek’s math indicated otherwise, a calculation that appears questionable now.
This decision exemplifies Chapek’s logic. The Disney executive believed that he could spike revenue dramatically by putting more must-dos at the Star Wars Hotel.
We’ve since learned the flaw with that logic, as Disney eventually ran out of customers willing to pay the high prices for Galactic Starcruiser.
Chapek sacrificed some of the overall theme park customer experience in the failed hope of luring enough affluent Star Wars fans.
I’m still trying to crack the math on Disney’s hotel closure calculations, but recent reports suggest that the company hasn’t given up hope.
Imagineers visited the resort last week and are contemplating new experiences in the space.
Still, even if anything Star Wars remains, a re-theme is certain. And that leaves those experiences available to transition back to Galaxy’s Edge.
How Galaxy’s Edge Could Benefit from Galactic Starcruiser’s Demise
The cruise itinerary introduced several new characters while adding a few favorites like Rey, Kylo Ren, and Chewbacca.
None of them proved as appealing as the first original character at Galaxy’s Edge, Vi Moradi. But people liked them well enough.
Since Disney has already done the legwork in creating backstories for all these people, Hollywood Studios could seemingly use them now.
After all, Disney owns the costumes and has trained several cast members for the roles.
Even if those folks aren’t willing to continue, theme park interactions would work differently anyway.
At most, we’d be talking about a new show or other stage presentation. Disney hosts those daily and could introduce these characters in such a manner.
Fans would feel as if they’re gaining an integral part of the Galactic Starcruiser experience for the price of Hollywood Studios admission, not $1,200 a night.
Similarly, Disney could find reasons to create more outdoor presentations. That was part of the initial plan, but Chapek intervened.
The then-Parks Chairman chose not to offer a significant number of these performances, fearing they would accentuate expected overcrowding issues.
While Galaxy’s Edge remains wildly popular today, overcrowding is rarely a concern.
This themed land is notably ready for such shows, too. The next time you’re at Galaxy’s Edge, look up and study various rafters and balconies.
Disney built them as load-bearing to withstand such performances. Then, many of the shows never gained the green light.
Galaxy’s Edge remains vibrant to this day, but it’s capable of more. Chapek limited the interactions specifically to shuffle more guests through the space.
He’d happily turn these guests upside down and shake all their money out of their wallets if he could, too. That was his leadership style.
More Benefits
Disney saved some of its Galaxy’s Edge space for a connection area to Galactic Starcruiser.
Also, Imagineers haven’t built out the area fully as of yet. There’s more usable space here.
So, some of the ideas that Chapek previously shot down are viable again.
For example, that Crown of Corellia dinner show could feasibly come back to Galaxy’s Edge. At a minimum, Disney could create something similar here.
Galaxy’s Edge currently lacks a nice sit-down restaurant. Again, that’s a Chapek move to prevent guests from overextending their welcome.
Disney selected Quick Service restaurants plus the one hangout spot, Oga’s Cantina.
Chapek aimed for guests to grab and go for their meals, rarely spending more than 30 minutes at a table.
New Parks Chairman D’Amaro seems to care more about the user experience.
A Table Service restaurant with a performance by Gaya (or someone else in the Star Wars universe) should prove quite popular…and thrill customers.
Finally, we have the harshest cut from Galaxy’s Edge. Prior to launch, Disney proclaimed Batuu would tell a story in a profound new way.
Guests would live out their Star Wars adventure at Galaxy’s Edge. They could choose sides between The First Order and The Resistance.
Then, they could earn credits and build their reputation. While the Play Disney Parks app and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run do this some, it’s not what was promised.
Disney saved that for Galactic Starcruiser. I believe the time is right to bring back the previously promised character interactivity on Batuu.
Friends, I’ve made it clear that I think Galaxy’s Edge is already spectacular.
However, I sincerely believe it could get better in the wake of Galactic Starcruiser’s demise.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney