Is Disney's New 'Star Wars'-Inspired Hotel Turning Into A Flop?

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I hope it does well enough for Universal to consider a Hogwarts "hotel experience" with classes, houses, and dining in the Great Hall. I grew up with SW, but Potter lends itself to this concept much more readily.

I don't think it's allowed under there licencing deal with Warner Brothers and J.K. Rowling.

 

[zackiedawg]

Personally, not being a Star Wars fan, I can't opine on whether the true fans will want to do this experience, and continue to after they've done it once...but I do think the biggest miss is having the entire stay be indoors on the 'ship'. I know you can take the shuttle down to Galaxy's Edge, but the entire time spent looking at video screens and staying indoors - despite the little simulated walled outdoor area, is going to be the biggest turn-off for many. I can say this even as a person who has cruised a lot - a cruise ship still had plentiful outdoor decks and stops at islands every day or two. I think what would have made this experience much more appealing for a broader group of people would have been to theme the hotel as a stay on another planet. Have the 'ship' part be when you arrive, board a transportation ship, which brings you to the resort on this other planet. That way, the resort could have been extensively themed with outdoor spaces, gardens, pools, walking paths, etc all themed as if on another planet - similar to Galaxy's Edge. Guests could freely wander around outdoors or in, still staying on the Star Wars theme...the stay could be more enjoyable as you could still go outside, enjoy the pool, outdoor bars, breathe fresh air. And the ability to go outdoors on the grounds of the resort planet could allow you to control just how much role-play immersion you experience. Enjoying it, want to get into it more, head inside and participate...want a break, go take a walk around the planet, read a book, etc. That would also allow Disney to book it more like another high-end resort - with stays from 1 day to weeks or more. And would even open the resort up to visitors to check it out without staying there - take the 'shuttle' to the planet to wander around, try the restaurants or bars, maybe get a little taste of the role-play - keep some areas exclusive only to those paying to stay, but let others get a little taste and maybe tempt them to try it someday. Even someone like me who doesn't like Star Wars at all might consider such a resort for one stay, just to try something different. But the indoor, all-virtual, locked in aspect would keep me disinterested no matter what the theme.

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

I think only time will tell. I was excited about it, but from the videos I have seen, it isn't what I had expected. I would still like to give it a go sometime, but not at the current price tag. We are just starting to get into big travel again, and if they implement discounts, rooms will start to fill.

 

[starlite_]

Personally, not being a Star Wars fan, I can't opine on whether the true fans will want to do this experience, and continue to after they've done it once...but I do think the biggest miss is having the entire stay be indoors on the 'ship'. I know you can take the shuttle down to Galaxy's Edge, but the entire time spent looking at video screens and staying indoors - despite the little simulated walled outdoor area, is going to be the biggest turn-off for many. I can say this even as a person who has cruised a lot - a cruise ship still had plentiful outdoor decks and stops at islands every day or two. I think what would have made this experience much more appealing for a broader group of people would have been to theme the hotel as a stay on another planet. Have the 'ship' part be when you arrive, board a transportation ship, which brings you to the resort on this other planet. That way, the resort could have been extensively themed with outdoor spaces, gardens, pools, walking paths, etc all themed as if on another planet - similar to Galaxy's Edge. Guests could freely wander around outdoors or in, still staying on the Star Wars theme...the stay could be more enjoyable as you could still go outside, enjoy the pool, outdoor bars, breathe fresh air. And the ability to go outdoors on the grounds of the resort planet could allow you to control just how much role-play immersion you experience. Enjoying it, want to get into it more, head inside and participate...want a break, go take a walk around the planet, read a book, etc. That would also allow Disney to book it more like another high-end resort - with stays from 1 day to weeks or more. And would even open the resort up to visitors to check it out without staying there - take the 'shuttle' to the planet to wander around, try the restaurants or bars, maybe get a little taste of the role-play - keep some areas exclusive only to those paying to stay, but let others get a little taste and maybe tempt them to try it someday. Even someone like me who doesn't like Star Wars at all might consider such a resort for one stay, just to try something different. But the indoor, all-virtual, locked in aspect would keep me disinterested no matter what the theme.

Guests aren't locked in, they can leave whenever they want.

 

[zackiedawg]

Guests aren't locked in, they can leave whenever they want.

I know nobody is 'locked' in for good - but there's still not really a way to stay in the story and stay immersive yet also be outdoors...I think if it had been themed as a stay on a planet rather than a ship, it could have had full interactivity and immersion without limiting the entire experience to being indoors and viewing video screens. Just my personal opinion/preference.

 

[BrianL]

I know nobody is 'locked' in for good - but there's still not really a way to stay in the story and stay immersive yet also be outdoors...I think if it had been themed as a stay on a planet rather than a ship, it could have had full interactivity and immersion without limiting the entire experience to being indoors and viewing video screens. Just my personal opinion/preference.

Yeah, but I also think that's why the experience is kept to only two nights. It's really just one full day and there is an excursion to Galaxy's Edge too. I don't think that will be too long for most people.

 

[starlite_]

I know nobody is 'locked' in for good - but there's still not really a way to stay in the story and stay immersive yet also be outdoors...I think if it had been themed as a stay on a planet rather than a ship, it could have had full interactivity and immersion without limiting the entire experience to being indoors and viewing video screens. Just my personal opinion/preference.

Yeah, but I also think that's why the experience is kept to only two nights. It's really just one full day and there is an excursion to Galaxy's Edge too. I don't think that will be too long for most people.

Agree, if it was a 5 day stay then I would see the problem and would 100% agree that it would need more outdoor activities to shake it up, but it is only 2 nights (day and a half with Batuu trip included) and as it is it does have an outdoor resting area that is themed with the force experience thingy, and the "stay on the planet part", well that is literally the Batuu/Galaxy's Edge visit. If there were lots of outdoor parts to the story in the Florida sun it would be miserable imo. Not saying you have to love what they did or even want to do it, but "there is no outdoors" is not really a fair assessment imo.

 

[DarthEsquire]

I have been on the Star Cruiser and enjoyed it. I have seen many comments (on these boards and other sources) about how they don't want a two day long adventure or just wanted a hotel that is heavily Star Wars themed but didn't have the immersion (or they want optional immersion). Any person can opt out of the immersion, but I think they will be disappointed that it is not a luxury hotel because of the price. I am not a relaxer on vacation though. I like theme parks so I can stay busy or I go to sporting events so they keep me busy. Next year my "vacation" will be a fantasy sports camp for adults where I have to wake up at 630am every day (I am not a morning person) and play baseball all day being coached by former players. My nightmare vacation is a beach or place where people sit and relax, or go sightseeing. That is not the way a lot of people are wired, but some of us are. In my view 75% of the price is for the experience, storyline, and characters. Granted, I was on an early voyage with a ton of other Star Wars "nerds"

I also was very nervous going in about the heavy LARP aspect as I read about other role play experiences I did not think I would enjoy. I was afraid my "character" would not be developed enough or would be overwhelmed by the people who are ultra intense about activities like this. While there is some of that, the cast does a great job keeping everyone involved to the extent they want to be involved.

If you enjoy it, two days will make you feel exhausted, but still like you missed out on some things. The price will keep people from constantly repeating voyages (I know that is the case for me) but I do want to do it again and am trying to plan how to make that happen. I recommend finding other people to split the cost with who are basically only interested in using the room as a base for changing clothes and sleeping. I was out past 1am in the lobby each night talking to people (other guests or Disney employees).

Additionally, I have seen a lot of comments the past few years about how Disney has lost it's magic. Every cast member I encountered at the Star Cruiser was focused on the guest experience and trying to make it magical. This included the actors and those who were in traditional hotel roles.

The main criticism I would give would be the set up of the rooms in that they were not designed to be relaxed in. There are not really chairs and it is a small space. I am fine with that though because I wanted to spend my time doing the activities either on the ship or on Batuu. If a person goes expecting a relaxing stay of lounging in the room, the lack of luxury amenities will probably disappoint them. One of the best things about a lot of Disney hotels is there is something for everyone in that if half the people want to be on the go and the other half want to go to a spa or resort hop those are options. That is not the group this hotel is designed for. I also wish the Batuu trip had been at night, but I get why it is not.

I think this hotel may be a game changer as an additional vacation experience. Some people have already mentioned Harry Potter and the Avengers and I think either would work. I could also see an experience with Pixar or the Disney Princesses or different Star Wars hotel timelines in different spaces. They could build a hotel around Fantasmic or for an overnight trip to the park.

May the Force be with You

 

[BrianL]

I have been on the Star Cruiser and enjoyed it. I have seen many comments (on these boards and other sources) about how they don't want a two day long adventure or just wanted a hotel that is heavily Star Wars themed but didn't have the immersion (or they want optional immersion). Any person can opt out of the immersion, but I think they will be disappointed that it is not a luxury hotel because of the price. I am not a relaxer on vacation though. I like theme parks so I can stay busy or I go to sporting events so they keep me busy. Next year my "vacation" will be a fantasy sports camp for adults where I have to wake up at 630am every day (I am not a morning person) and play baseball all day being coached by former players. My nightmare vacation is a beach or place where people sit and relax, or go sightseeing. That is not the way a lot of people are wired, but some of us are. In my view 75% of the price is for the experience, storyline, and characters. Granted, I was on an early voyage with a ton of other Star Wars "nerds"

I also was very nervous going in about the heavy LARP aspect as I read about other role play experiences I did not think I would enjoy. I was afraid my "character" would not be developed enough or would be overwhelmed by the people who are ultra intense about activities like this. While there is some of that, the cast does a great job keeping everyone involved to the extent they want to be involved.

If you enjoy it, two days will make you feel exhausted, but still like you missed out on some things. The price will keep people from constantly repeating voyages (I know that is the case for me) but I do want to do it again and am trying to plan how to make that happen. I recommend finding other people to split the cost with who are basically only interested in using the room as a base for changing clothes and sleeping. I was out past 1am in the lobby each night talking to people (other guests or Disney employees).

Additionally, I have seen a lot of comments the past few years about how Disney has lost it's magic. Every cast member I encountered at the Star Cruiser was focused on the guest experience and trying to make it magical. This included the actors and those who were in traditional hotel roles.

The main criticism I would give would be the set up of the rooms in that they were not designed to be relaxed in. There are not really chairs and it is a small space. I am fine with that though because I wanted to spend my time doing the activities either on the ship or on Batuu. If a person goes expecting a relaxing stay of lounging in the room, the lack of luxury amenities will probably disappoint them. One of the best things about a lot of Disney hotels is there is something for everyone in that if half the people want to be on the go and the other half want to go to a spa or resort hop those are options. That is not the group this hotel is designed for. I also wish the Batuu trip had been at night, but I get why it is not.

I think this hotel may be a game changer as an additional vacation experience. Some people have already mentioned Harry Potter and the Avengers and I think either would work. I could also see an experience with Pixar or the Disney Princesses or different Star Wars hotel timelines in different spaces. They could build a hotel around Fantasmic or for an overnight trip to the park.

May the Force be with You

Thanks, for the great insights form someone who has actually been through the experience!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'm also trying to plan on how to do it again. as noted, it costs too much for many repeated visits. That may have been the idea, at least for now.

I did not miss a pool or room amenities at all. Was barely in the room.

 

[J-Dog]

Personally, not being a Star Wars fan, I can't opine on whether the true fans will want to do this experience, and continue to after they've done it once...but I do think the biggest miss is having the entire stay be indoors on the 'ship'. I know you can take the shuttle down to Galaxy's Edge, but the entire time spent looking at video screens and staying indoors - despite the little simulated walled outdoor area, is going to be the biggest turn-off for many. I can say this even as a person who has cruised a lot - a cruise ship still had plentiful outdoor decks and stops at islands every day or two. I think what would have made this experience much more appealing for a broader group of people would have been to theme the hotel as a stay on another planet. Have the 'ship' part be when you arrive, board a transportation ship, which brings you to the resort on this other planet. That way, the resort could have been extensively themed with outdoor spaces, gardens, pools, walking paths, etc all themed as if on another planet - similar to Galaxy's Edge. Guests could freely wander around outdoors or in, still staying on the Star Wars theme...the stay could be more enjoyable as you could still go outside, enjoy the pool, outdoor bars, breathe fresh air. And the ability to go outdoors on the grounds of the resort planet could allow you to control just how much role-play immersion you experience. Enjoying it, want to get into it more, head inside and participate...want a break, go take a walk around the planet, read a book, etc. That would also allow Disney to book it more like another high-end resort - with stays from 1 day to weeks or more. And would even open the resort up to visitors to check it out without staying there - take the 'shuttle' to the planet to wander around, try the restaurants or bars, maybe get a little taste of the role-play - keep some areas exclusive only to those paying to stay, but let others get a little taste and maybe tempt them to try it someday. Even someone like me who doesn't like Star Wars at all might consider such a resort for one stay, just to try something different. But the indoor, all-virtual, locked in aspect would keep me disinterested no matter what the theme.

I absolutely agree with you. This is the main reason for Starcruiser being a "Never" for me.

I disagree with the PP comment, at least for myself, that it would take 5 days stuck indoors for this to be a problem. 2 days stuck inside would be more than enough for me to drive me bonkers. Maybe it's a personal-environment-thing; I live in a rural area and am outdoors constantly, maybe someone from the city who is indoors most of their lives would not see it as big of a problem.

 

[_19disnA]

I think it is too soon to tell if this will continue to attract guests or not. Many in the 'money is no object' crowd will likely want to be among the first to try anything new Disney has to offer. Whether enough of those people will book RETURN visits @ $6,000 for a 2 day adventure is anyone's guess at this point. I believe the hotel also only has about 100 rooms, so it isn't like Disney was ever planning for this to be a huge draw.

If the live action experience doesn't change over time, then I can also see the issue of those who have already been there not interested in returning to do the same things over and over. For many it will probably be a 'one and done' type of experience. How many new Star Wars fans they continue to attract is anyone's guess at this point since the hotel hasn't been open that long.

 

[New Mouse]

That article you cited is extremely light on anything resembling data. Literally not a single revenue or booking percentage number is given in the article. The fact that any random Joe Blow can go on the WDW website and see that availability still exists certainly doesn't mean that it's a "flop".

That said, I love Star Wars, but the thought of 2 days stuck indoors in a claustrophobic "spaceship", surrounded by other people that I can barely get away from sounds horrible to me....

Disney doesn't release data. The fact that there's availability with it being so new means it wasn't as successful as they had hoped. Does that mean it's a flop? Let's see how long before they make their first change on the experience or price.

 

[Pooh's World]

This reminds me of the Titanic when we poor people are all trapped in steerage while the rich elite 1% are up in the first class area.

 

[J-Dog]

Disney doesn't release data. The fact that there's availability with it being so new means it wasn't as successful as they had hoped. Does that mean it's a flop? Let's see how long before they make their first change on the experience or price.

But you don't necessarily know that. As you said, Disney doesn't release data. Of course, they want it fully booked at all times, but that doesn't mean that's their realistic projections.

When movies are made, they obviously want that movie to be huge blockbuster, but most movies have a realistic target revenue based on expense, popularity, etc. Whether or not the movie is a "flop" is based on a target revenue, not whether its the next Avatar or not.

We don't know, but Disney probably has realistic expectations for percentage of booking, and that doesn't necessarily mean that it has to be fully booked all the time (i.e. even in off-peak times) - no one but the Disney execs know if they are happy with the rate of booking or not.

 

[maverik85]

I don't think it's allowed under there licencing deal with Warner Brothers and J.K. Rowling.

I'm not sure so much that it's not allowed but they would have to sign off on it and it would probably extremely hard for them to create an authentic/non-hotel experience that actually works as accommodations for travelers and being consistent with what is in the books/movies. JK Rowling would likely not approve of standard hotel hallways for the rooms nor a check in desk, shop, etc. anywhere within the castle. If they could make it work it would be amazing but I don't see it happening. But could see themed hotels to other properties but not sure they'd ever go as far as what Galactic Starcruiser is, but never say never. Just not sure what other property they have that it would work for either.

 

[OppR2nist]

Red flag! This is the same poster who thinks Disney is going broke because the stock price is down. Tread carefully.

 

[xipotec]

Inevitably, they will lower the price when the super-fans are broke…..
But they will also get rid of alot of the cosplay elements also…

It cannot continue at the current price….anyone who thinks it can does not understand basic pop culture society…

No way this place will even be able to get people at regular hotel rates in 10 years….

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

This reminds me of the Titanic when we poor people are all trapped in steerage while the rich elite 1% are up in the first class area.

This post doesn't make sense to me. Everyone on the fake cruise is in first class. There is no steerage at StarCruiser and therefore no one dies on StarCruiser when it fake falls apart in the galaxy.

I've said this before on other threads. StarCruiser is not my idea of a good time. I do not like the idea of an itinerary based vacation. Plus, it appears to be a murder-mystery style hotel and experience over several days. I must be a bad Star Wars fan because it doesn't interest me at all. I too think the experience is expensive. But, honestly, I don't know why it would be an inexpensive vacation given the fact that Disney is expensive vacation in general (StarCruiser or otherwise) and this particular hotel's staff and labor costs are going to be higher given that there are fewer guests and the staff (at least some) are paid actors.

 

[Leight19]

This post doesn't make sense to me. Everyone on the fake cruise is in first class. There is no steerage at StarCruiser and therefore no one dies on StarCruiser when it fake falls apart in the galaxy.

I've said this before on other threads. StarCruiser is not my idea of a good time. I do not like the idea of an itinerary based vacation. Plus, it appears to be a murder-mystery style hotel and experience over several days. I must be a bad Star Wars fan because it doesn't interest me at all. I too think the experience is expensive. But, honestly, I don't know why it would be an inexpensive vacation given the fact that Disney is expensive vacation in general (StarCruiser or otherwise) and this particular hotel's staff and labor costs are going to be higher given that there are fewer guests and the staff (at least some) are paid actors.

I’m not the original poster you replied to but my interpretation of the first class comment was more on the galaxies edge side and how stuff was promised for galaxies edge got held back just for the hotel which is priced out of reach/interest of many.