Why is the Galactic Starcruiser closing?

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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It just failed to generate enough interest. The sticker shock lasted longer than the novelty value. I'll take my lumps, putting out a video ahead of its debut detailing the five reasons why Galactic Starcruiser will succeed. It lasted just 19 months.

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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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Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will permanently close in Fall 2023, and with that, they will write off up to $300 million. This covers a new interview with Josh D'Amaro about the tax implications, plus more commentary about the decision, the timing of the closure, and more.

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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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Limited capacity was a big part of the problem, says Robert Niles, creator of Theme Park Insider. “The math never worked for the Starcruiser. Not at the high cost per guest to run it and the number of rooms available. Disney does blockbusters, not boutique.”

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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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Your starcruiser voyage includes a 2-night stay in a cabin or suite with cosmic views of planets, stars, and other ships traveling through the galaxy. Standard Cabins can comfortably sleep 4 to 5 passengers, Galaxy Class Suites sleep 4 passengers, and Grand Captain's Suites sleep up to 8.

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

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The company said that its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Walt Disney World in Florida, which costs nearly $5,000 per couple for a two-night stay, will take its final voyage Sept. 28. Travel better with news, tips and guides that make you feel like a local wherever you go.

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– Walt Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is beginning its final voyage Thursday before closing permanently. Walt Disney World announced back in May that the immersive Star Wars hotel experience would be closing after nearly two years in operation.

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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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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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FILE - Los Angeles Times columnist Todd Martens sits in one of the bunk beds inside a room in the Disney World Galactic Starcruiser on March 1, 2022. Less than a year after opening to great fanfare, Disney World's $5,000-a-stay Star Wars hotel is slashing rates in an attempt to increase bookings.

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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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