How much did it cost to make Galactic Starcruiser?

The Starcruiser would take five more years to open, launching in March 2022 with a startling price tag starting at nearly $5,000 per couple for a two-night experience. Experts say the project represented an investment of hundreds of millions — and possibly close to $1 billion — for Disney.



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Disney has not commented on just how much Galactic Starcruiser took to construct, although the Washington Post estimated a cost of close to $1 billion. Now, the company can add another $250,000,000 to that total, according to Disney's interim CFO Kevin Lansberry on the August 9 earnings call.

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Disney Parks made a surprising announcement in May: its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience in Orlando, Florida, will close in September after just ~18 months. During the Walt Disney Company's Q3 earnings call, the company revealed that the closure would result in a $250m loss.

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And while it received glowing reviews from guests, ultimately it performed below Disney's expectations, according to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro. “It didn't perform exactly like we wanted it to perform, so we decided that we were going to sunset this in September,” D'Amaro said.

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But the Starcruiser was also said to be immensely costly to operate, primarily because it employed a cast of about a dozen core actors who had to perform and interact with guests in full-day shifts. The Galactic Starcruiser features about a dozen core actors who interact with guests throughout the two-day experience.

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What if you need to leave in the middle of your stay? Passengers are able to leave the Galactic Starcruiser at any point throughout their stay.

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Despite all of the careful thought, planning and effort that was poured into creating such a fascinating experience, Galactic Starcruiser was not the financial success Disney was hoping for. And more than a few travel experts ultimately attributed the property's failure to the steep $1200 per-night cost of admission.

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Alcoholic drinks on board the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser are not included in the vacation package and must be paid for separately. Some non-alcoholic drinks are included (like soda and coffee), but alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks require additional payment.

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One of the reasons a stay at the Galactic Starcruiser is so expensive is that it's more like a cruise experience rather than a hotel. Most meals and activities onboard are included in the price.

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On May 18, when Disney announced that it was shutting down its ambitious Star Wars-themed Galactic Starcruiser hotel in Orlando at the end of September, just 19 months after opening, company executives did not immediately elaborate on what went wrong, framing the closure as merely “a business decision.”

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– Disney announced earlier this year that the company would be closing its Star Wars-themed “Galactic Starcruiser” hotel, with its final voyage scheduled from Sept. 28-30.

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Between the steep prices, the lack of typical hotel amenities, and the reliance on modern characters in the franchise, the hotel was a tough sell for many guests. Despite the shortcomings, however, Harmon said he had to give credit where credit is due.

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– Disney announced earlier this year that the company would be closing its Star Wars-themed “Galactic Starcruiser” hotel, with its final voyage scheduled from Sept. 28-30.

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Yes. All passengers are welcome to bring their own food and beverage (including alcohol) with them onboard the Starcruiser.

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For the comfort of all Guests, Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser are smoke free.

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Aboard the Starcruiser Costumes that may distract from the experience of other Guests are not permitted. All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but they may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.

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