Here are Five Ways To Fully Immerse Yourself in the Galactic Starcruiser Experience
If you’ve been following along with MickeyBlog you’ll know that the first guests are starting to visit the NEW Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Every experience aboard the Halcyon has been carefully designed to create a compelling narrative. During your voyage, choices you make including interacting with characters, crew and other passengers will have a direct impact on your personal story.
You may find yourself making an important delivery, taking part in a heist, or helping to hide an ally! To help you make the most out of your trip to a galaxy far, far away- here are five ways to fully immerse yourselves in the Star Wars magic.
1. Half the Fun is in the Details:
While you’re onboard the Halcyon, there’s a party going on. The ship is celebrating its 275th anniversary. So you can imagine that it has a rich history. Built n Corellia, we’re told that the ship was built in the same shipyards as the Millennium Falcon. The design features clean, elegant lines that harken back to Leia Organa’s personal ship (Tantive IV.)
Over its lifetime, the Halcyon changed hands many times and was used for a myriad of different purposes. Its been the home of covert diplomatic missions, Imperial engagements and Hutt-sponsored casino cruises.
To give the Halcyon an authentically Star Wars fell, Imagineers created a new place that guests hadn’t seen before, similar to what they did with Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Imagineers worked closely with Lucasfilm to find out what the “Star Wars” essence is.
Accommodations onboard the Galactic Starcruiser are unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Passenger cabins feature a viewport into space that changes during your journey. If you pay attention you’ll notice planets, ships, stars and other galactic sights float by.
Inside the starcruiser you’ll find 100 cabins and suites each creating an atmosphere of comfort, exclusivity and style.
Each Standard Cabin features furnishings and fixtures designed to ensure comfort while traversing the galaxy. Amenities include a pullout table and a TV with entertainment from your home planet.
There are also One-bedroom Galaxy Class Suites. These special rooms include a living space with an integrated seating area as well as the comforts of the Standard Cabins. There is also the addition of a double-vanity bathroom, bar area and two windows with views into space.
Finally, there are also the Two-bedroom Grand Captains Suites. These feature all of the comforts of the cabins listed above with an integrated seating area, main suite with double-vanity bathroom, a second bathroom with a single vanity, bar area and three windows with views into space! We’re told there are also fun surprises in this room but we don’t want to give too much away!
While in your rooms, guests can interact with D3-O9, the ship’s rather opinionated Logistics Droid via a vidscreen where you can have real-time conversations regarding your time aboard the Halcyon.
Also, don’t be afraid to explore. Half the fun of your adventure aboard the Galactic Starcruiser is finding hidden spaces, uncovering secrets and stumbling upon clandestine meetings.
There’s the Lightsaber Training Pod where guests can be trained in the ancient art of wielding a lightsaber, to the Engineering Room which serves as the ship’s control center, there is so much to see, do and explore.
2. Choose Your Allegiance
During your 2-night journey, you’ll encounter a wide-array of characters. Some may be Resistance heroes while others emissaries of the First Order. There’s also members of the ship’s crew and others simply trying to make their own way in the galaxy. Be sure to interact with characters. Not only will you make new friends but you may even learn information that will be useful to you during your travels. This could include directing you to certain parts of the ship, leading you to special missions and more.
Best of all, these moments build upon one another during your voyage and unlock real-time dynamic storytelling driven by an eclectic cast of characters both familiar and new.
As you get to meet the Halcyon’s crew members, we think you’ll agree that you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated or loyal crew in the galaxy. One of the characters you’ll meet is Pantoran Captain Keevan who leads each voyage and is known to remain cool under pressure.
Keevan’s right hand is her cruise director Lenka Mok who is in charge of onboard entertainment. She strives to make sure that every voyage is memorable.
Also be on the lookout for SK-62O who is Mok’s assistant cruise director making sure that things run smoothly and on time.
Another favorite is Sammie the mechanic who is eager to prove himself with a long list of tasks that always seem to get done.
You may have also heard of the Twi’lek singer Gaya. She is a galactic superstar known for her distinctive music. On your first evening aboard, Gaya treats passengers to an exclusive performance in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. She is managed by the smooth-talking Raithe Kole. It’s Kole’s job to ensure Gaya gets everything she wants.
Ouannii provides accompaniment for Gaya’s performances and speaks Huttese (the same language as Jabba the Hutt.) Quannii is known for her charming personality.
Oh, and be on the lookout for Sandro Alimander. We’re told he’s a big fan of Gaya’s and also on board during your voyage!
In Rogue One you may remember how the Empire destroyed the Jedi temple on Jedha which was under the protection of the Guardians of the Whills. Their survivors were scattered throughout the galaxy yet they still remained skills in the ways of the Force. Descendants of the group, known as the Saja found a safe haven aboard the Halcyon. As a matter of fact, you’ll find them at the training pods teaching the ancient art of the lightsaber.
Also be on the lookout for familiar faces from the films such as Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO, Rey and even Kylo Ren. There’s also new characters, one of our favorite is the ambitious and intimidating First Order Lt. Harman Croy who takes a special interest in the starcruiser.
You’ll also encounter First Order Col. Gray Talis who answers directly to General Hux and is intent on ridding the galaxy of Resistance fighters.
First Order stormtroopers also have a formidable presence aboard the starcruiser where they are tasked with investigating rumors of Resistance fighters embedded among crew and passenger.
3. Exchange Secret Communications
Be sure to have the Play Disney Parks mobile app installed on your phone before your starcruiser visit. By accessing the Star Wars Datapad function you’ll find a plethora of functions that will help guide your experience.
There’s an Events function that updates your itinerary continuously throughout your 2-night stay. It’s constantly evolving with new invitations and secret meetings as your meet characters and complete different on-board missions.
From bridge training to sabacc lessons, you’ll find new adventures ’round every corner!
Using the Datapad’s Comms function, you can receive and send information that relates to missions and adventures which can impact how stories unfold during your voyage. One awesome example is that Cruise Director Lenka Mok might send you a message entrusting you to help her with a covert assignment.
Need help on knowing what to do next to complete a mission? The Datapad’s Map function provides schematics for both the starcruiser and Black Spire Outpost. You can use these maps to navigate as your missions progress.
The Tools function activates whenever a new job calls for a specific skill set. This includes planet-side excursions on Black Spire Outpost.
Lastly, a Profile function shows your affiliation as you continue through the storyline.
Also be sure to have your Datapad at the ready when you visit Black Spire Outpost where you will unlock new levels of interactivity across Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The adventures that begin on the starcruiser play out in new and exciting ways once you are at Black Spire outpost.
Oh, and while we’re on the subject of Batuu, you’ll be transported directly to the planet’s surface and you’ll disembark through an exclusive entrance at Docking Bay 3. When you arrive you’ll receive messages in your Star Wars: Datapad sent by characters you met while onboard the ship. You’ll be tasked with engaging in special missions on Batuu.
You’ll want to pay close attention to your Datapad to help your new friends or perhaps even betray or mislead them. The choice is yours. As you complete tasks whether that be slicing systems or learning Aurebesh, your role in the larger story builds and evolves. This will impact how your adventure unfolds when your head back to the Halcyon for the second night of your stay!
During your Batuu visit, starcruiser guests are also given exclusive (one time entry) to both signature attractions in Galaxy’s Edge – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. You don’t have to wait in line and can instead breeze through the Lightning Lane entrance.
As you adventure you’ll discover new context to the stories told in both of these attractions, learn more about the characters involved and the ramifications of the missions they undertake. Galactic Starcruiser and Galaxy’s Edge were designed to integrate from their inception.
During your visit to Black Spire Outpost, lunch at Docking Bay 7 is included. You can also request a reservation at Oga’s Cantina, Savi’s Workshop and the Droid Depot. However, the last three aren’t included in the cost of your package.
4. Sample Exclusive Food and Beverage Options that are Out-Of-This-World
The Halcyon starcruiser boasts a robust and imaginative dining program created specifically for this 2-night experience. You’ll enjoy menus brimming with familiar tastes but with unexpected colors and textures.
Each meal is served in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room which is located on Deck 4 of the ship. There’s so much to love about this dynamic and welcoming supper club. During the day you’ll find breakfast and lunch buffets and at night a lavish multi-course table service experience.
There’s even a dinner show! The first night’s dinner centers around a live performance from Gaya, the Twi’lek musical superstar with a big personality and even bigger voice. You’re sure to be captivated as she works the room singing some of her intergalactic hits.
The Crown of Corellia transforms with lighting and movement during your dining experiences. Gaya is accompanied by Rodian musician Ouannii who together inspire the room to get up and dance. But as we mentioned above, her set isn’t all fun and games. Listen carefully and you may find that her dinner time performance sheds some light on some of the goings-on around the ship.
On the second night, guests will enjoy a dinner featuring a “Taste Around the Galaxy.” Each course is inspired by a different planet and highlights include smoking cheese and bread (inspired by the molten planet of Mustafar, blue shrimp from the dense jungles of Felucia, and beef and seafood native to the Wookiee home world of Kashyyk.
Those looking for a nightcap are encouraged to head to the Sublight Lounge, located just off the main atrium where you can socialize and enjoy casual refreshments including ales, signature cocktails and wines from across the galaxy as well as complimentary snacks.
Some of our favorite beverages at the Sublight Lounge include the Hoth Icebreaker and the Mooja Twist. Trust us when we say that each of the drinks here has a distinct flavor and personality.
Also, you never know who might float into the Sublight Lounge including Gaya. There’s also a working holotable for sabacc but just remember…no cheating!
5. Dress the Part
Onboard the Halcyon, you’ll find a shop that carries extensive merchandise designed to enhance your role-playing experience. The Chandrillia Collection features a wide assortment of apparel and accessories.
You’ll find robes, tunics and other authentic fashion inspired by Star Wars characters like Padme Amidala, Leia Organa, and Alderaanian officials. There’s also headwear that can transform you into a Twi’lek or a Togruta. Premium garments and accessories featuring the shop’s logo are also available.
For those wanting to get outfitted before your voyage, we recommend a stop at shopDisney.com up to 60 days prior to their reservation check-in date and up to 30 days after their check-out date. The email address used to sign into shopDisney must be linked to your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser reservation to pick out these exclusive items.
Other awesome items you’ll find available for purchase onboard include a remote-controlled SK droid, light-up model of the Halcyon and a Legacy Lightsaber Training Hilt and Reflective Shield.
When you are ready to embark on your Galactic Starcruiser adventure simply fill out our form below. I’ll be in touch with your FREE, no-obligation quote.
Readers are also encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Walt Disney World news and updates!’
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