The Galactic Star cruiser should have been a dinner show experience similar to Medieval times. That would have put it in the price point if a lot more guests, and made it more accessible.
Ironically, Galaxy's Edge was originally supposed to have a dinner show restaurant, but it got cut for budget reasons, along with the third ride and a lot of the characters and interactivity.
Disney unknowingly started competing with themselves when they built Star cruiser. The price point made families choose whether they wanted to spend a week at Disney World or a weekend at Star Cruiser. Wanting to do both in the same vacation would double your vacation costs. Disney forgot who their fan base is, and created an experience that was out of reach for most Disney fans.
Good point! If they were smart, they would have built this somewhere like Texas where there isn’t currently a Disney themed experience, and people want to be indoors anyway due to the heat.
i pointed this out to my wife, we could go to the GSC for 3 days or we could go to Disney land for like 15 days, which one sounds like a better use of money
@@agentmaine8126I know allot of wealthy people that spend $6k frequently at casinos (some of which look like warehouses), and some never leave home and spend it on the stock market! My point is, if people have the money to spend it, they will on anything anywhere or joyfully give it to anyone wherever. There's no limit to how wealthy people will spend their money, and yes, Galactic Starcruiser was aimed for those people
@@harmonvlog clearly you didn't make them enough revenue to keep it open. You went twice but they wanted Daily attendence plus spending, my friend went and he said it was like just being locked up Ina. Warehouse with cool rooms but not all that fun after a while
If it was OT centered it would have had a better shot. Most fans (not all) are not interested in the Disney Sequel timeline. The cost was too prohibitive to the vast majority of consumers.
@@ttintagel I’d suggest going to rotten tomatoes and looking at the audience score for the sequel trilogy compared to the original trilogy. The fans that could afford to go to this place or all of the original trilogy age like myself, I wouldn’t waste $6000 on rain Kylo for any reason.
I think it could have been more successful if they somehow managed to also include an option for those that don’t want to participate. If you have a 4 person family and 2 want to go and 2 have no desire, especially given the cost, it is not a family vacation. An opt out option, maybe even access to the deluxe resort pools, and the option to go do your own thing for family members not into it would make the prices slightly more palatable - in my case let them do their thing while maybe go to a spa or hit up Epcot or Disney Springs. 🤷🏻♀️
What with the cosplay, immersive experience, and running storyline that you have to be certain places to follow, this sounds a lot like your typical Renaissance Faire. The difference being that you don't pay five thousand dollars to spend two days at a Ren Faire.
Don't discount the cost. For us we live in western canada, so it would be 8 thousand cdn to go some where for two nights? never going to happen no matter how much I love star wars. Then we would want to stay and do the parks so add on another 5 grand cdn. No, just no.
I think it was a huge mistake to put the star cruiser in Florida because it has to compete with Disney World. If they had put it near a different major metro area + tourist draw area - like San Francisco or New York - then it might have a chance to draw high net worth travelers looking for add on experiences in those areas - and to draw high net worth people from Silicon Valley /SF or NY for local weekend experiences. When people are in Orlando they are there for WDW parks and hotels - and yes the Star Cruiser has to compete with the Parks there. There are tons of high net worth options at WDW. I think even some basic surveys and research would have discovered that Star Cruiser can’t beat WDW parks and hotels.
I still think Star Wars laser tag at Disney theme parks would be a massive hit. Think Battlefront in real life. Imagine getting to play laser tag, maybe even in costume, on the Death Star or other iconic Star Wars locations…
Besides the experience were guest given a role or character to play or was it more in the style of an role more NPC (Non playable character), because if that is the case that would play into the playability and people not willing or wanting to participate in the experience. I also think the market for the concept was very specific maybe too specific and the cost too high for the casual fan to want to play.
@15:45 I agree DVC C33 @14:10 Disney could change it to marvel ? The Nonna Project changed doesn’t surprise me since they changed Epcot to the golf ball instead of the original Nonno Project Walt want with the offices!
The Lake Nona campus was never going to happen after Chapek left. Disney waited until now to announce it to try to bury the Galactic Star Cruiser disaster as much as they could.
I really hope disney does not scrap it for parts. You said it: Star Wars is for All ! I`d rather see them refurbish the hotel. Give it back to the people and try to break even on the investment, don`t just write it off as a mistake. They could easily turn this into a simple Star Wars themed hotel with extra magic hours at an affordable price. Remove the actors, add more rooms, do what they need to. But in theory a Star Wars hotel should be easy money for disney. They would be crazy not to turn this into something profitable with a quick refurbishment and rename.
1. Too much cost. 2. Same experience every time pretty much. 3. Limited your options. Its not like you could leave and go to the parks whenever you want. 4. No pool. 5. No windows. 6. Some people just arent that into roleplaying. The average person likes visiting the worlds they like, they dont necessarily enjoy being a character within the story. 7. Disney shouldve just made a line of hotels. Imagine: -Naboo. Imagine a relaxing hotel themed to the Spanish inspired world with pools and a beautiful lake. -Tatooine. A desert themed resort with comfortable rooms, a Pod Race themed game, Jabba's Palace show, and the Mos Eisley Cantina. -Cloud City. I have no ideas for this really but its pretty iconic and doable. -I had to include one from the Sequels and they couldve just done a Galaxy's Edge world themed hotel extension. But no, we got whatever this was lol
Always love your show! I want to present a counter argument to your closing statement though. You said 'Disney needs to give us more product and great show and make things better than they've ever been. If Disney does that we will show up.' That's kind of what they did with Galactic Star Cruiser, and no one showed up. The only things we KNOW people will show up for are the super safe/zero risk things. This means more IP based stuff, more ride clones, more Frozen merch, etc. which is not really what we want. It's tough as a business person to continue to barrel forward on cap ex when you've been burned so bad recently (Star Cruiser, Harmonious, etc.). We want to think that any money spent in Disney Parks always makes sense, but its not always the case. Disney has taken several roundhouses to the face and we want them to get back up and keep swinging. Well, there's a good chance they will get smacked again and end up on the canvas without the ability to get up if the hit is hard enough. And at some point a business can only take on so much risk at once.
Galaxy Edge and the Star Wars hotel should have been based on the original trilogy. The issues were not only the cost. It’s that many Star Wars fans have no desire to pay thousands for what’s basically dinner theater with Rey and Kylo Ren.
The immersive role play concept would have worked better under Adventurers by Disney as modular pop up events. They could have had an Endor experience in the Redwoods or a Tatooine experience in the desert. If successful it could have been expanded to other IP like Brave in Scotland for example. I feel like that was a missed opportunity and better way to cater to guests with money to burn.
Agree it would of worked better away from Disney World. Maybe it could of worked in Las Vegas as a pop up hotel for a short time or as occasional special Star Wars cruises. The concept was never going to work long term right next to the Theme parks.
As others have said...there's still money to be made and a brand to sell with the kitchen/dining/bar areas. Convert it into a 'Medieval Times' type dinner show and make the tickets available to the general public. They can get a 'Star Wars' experience WITHOUT the parks. Betcha tickets will be sold out 'forever'... The rooms will be 'mothballed' or used as on-property lodging for Disney management.
that place was a money sink since the beginning, the cost was too high and the price for just a couple of nights was very high was well, not so many ppl would spend that money just for a 2 days show
I still don't understand how they green lit something so risky as the hotel considering how alienated the original fan base was at the time and the insane price point. At that point the dumpster fire was already gigantic SW universe wise. But you wouldn't see them dare base it off the original Star Wars character beloved by the fans as that would prove the whole new series being a major mistake for the leadership and politics perspective. Maybe this is a billion dollar lesson.
My prediction - Galatic starcruiser will be reworked - and will reopen as a hotel - and separate lunch and dinner shows. They will have add-on experiences, but the role-play main room shows will be eliminated. They will also add a pool.
For the role playing though you can’t compare them. For one thing you had to explain the good morning good evening and that’s a perfect example. People don’t even know what that is. And the Falcon ride just isn’t good. The idea of piloting the Falcon is great but the execution isn’t. It’s also not what people are prepared for entering the park. They want to go to the park. People going to the Starcruiser are prepared for exactly that. There were easily easily enough people who would want to do that but people who would to and could afford it, not so much. And I would also think going down to one day voyages would be cheaper and also cut down costs without quality.
The real problem is it's a generic space story. It's not Star Wars the majority of people who are fans of Star Wars care about or are familiar with. If they had based it on the original trilogy the cost wouldn't be an issue at all. Hell I would have signed up. They would have MINTED money. I'm not paying a premium for lore I have zero connection with nor care about. They quickly sold out to the minority who at least tolerate Disney Star Wars - and now here we are. Kathleen Kennedy must have an awful lot of very incriminating stuff on a lot of people to still have her job at this point. The reviews of Indy 5 are brutal - if it is half the bomb it looks like it's going to be and she still manages to survive then it's the only thing that makes sense - she has to have kompromat on all the right people; nothing else makes sense. The only potential good from this stuff cratering so hard - maybe the activist investors will finally get enough leverage to force Igor and his band of ESG clowns out once and for all. Not holding my breath, but would love to see it.
Hmmm....but I don't want to be a loser on my vacation either. They have to weigh the risks and benefits I guess. I wonder if they will come back to some variation of the concept though. Maybe with fewer actors.
It's not the roleplay that is the problem - immersive theatre that does the same thing is hugely popular all across the world. But the setting just didn't appeal to the middle aged Star Wars fans who have $5000 to drop on a two night stay.
David, the problem was it was based on Disney SW and not George Lucas SW. People with money want Luke, Han and Leia. I definitely did not want Kylo and Rey. Yuck.
Just think all those millions wasted that could have gone to basic maintenance and upgrades to existing attractions. 3 to 4 major attractions down all at once is becoming the norm at Disneyland which is a shame.
The price was not the problem. The problem was setting it in the failed sequel trilogy. My parents generation (that grew up with the OG) lost all interest not being able to see Vader, Luke, Leia. They have the most disposable income. That generation didn’t want any of the sequel trilogy after Episode 7. So Disney is asking Millennials and Gen Z to foot the bill. Not going to happen.
Think we could have had a Mary Poppins corner for those barges. Why not just a regular Art of Animation style hotel but Star Wars'y Why not a meet yoda puppet experience inside the little dagobah glen. Why not walk about R2 D2's Where's Luke? Where's Leia? Why did they do Star Wars SO WRONG?
It closed because it was based around the Garbage Disney tried to pass of as “Star Wars “. Disney took over this iconic franchise and destroyed it. How does Kathleen Kennedy still hold a job?
I went to Star Wars galactic starcruizer on March of 2022. The food was excellent. The story and experience was great 😌 😊 👍. But,it was so expensive and highly overpriced. But what about the land Star Wars galaxy’s edge too?
In my opinion the experience should have been different months different movie characters from the movie’s people like and maybe a theater for star wars movies and could have even had a ride like star tours in it
Starcruiser was sadly a niche product that they didn't sell very well. And the worst part is that Disney wont try anything as creative as that again for a long time to come and probably other companies too, seeing the failure and not willing to take the risk.
Too expensive and nothing relatable. Most people don’t like the sequel trilogy they like the original and the prequel. If they made this attraction with more things that were relatable to Star Wars fans they would have had a shot. You gotta give people a reason to visit.
I just got back from the starcruiser. I think you are wrong on so many levels. the majority of the people on the ship we there multiple times. the replayability is endless. one guy it was his 6th voyage. I would go back in a heartbeat. Yes it was expensive, but totally worth every penny.
Most of Galaxies Edge looks like generic sci-if. Most guests have not watched the sequel trilogy multiple times. Most kids today don’t care about the Star Wars sequel trilogy. My son is 9 yrs old. I took him to see all the sequel trilogy films. He has never asked to watch those films again. The characters just didn’t connect with audiences (especially kids) the way Vader, Luke. Han and Leia did.
Why do they have to strip the hotel for parts? Couldn’t they just turn it into a deluxe hotel without the show? It has an exclusive gate to Hollywood Studios and Galaxy’s Edge, impressive theming, etc all without the actors. If they just staffed it with traditional hotel employees in Star Wars regalia, they could charge Animal Kingdom Lodge-level pricing and recoup costs overtime. It could just be ‘a Star Wars hotel’ instead of an experience. I know the room design isn’t fit to house most families with more than 2 adults and a child, but it seems better than scrapping it to me.
It wasn’t only the price, it was the fact that it was some random characters, most we didn’t know. That theme could have belonged to any sci-fi movie. It just didn’t scream the Star Wars we’re all familiar with.
I think that pretty much sums up most of the Disney-era Star Wars... it just doesn't feel "familiar." The Resistance vs. First Order scenario was probably the biggest mistake Disney has made with Star Wars. It doesn't feel like Star Wars, it feels like a big-budget rip-off with the Star Wars name...
I agree with this. We had an amazing time, so much fun, and were planning to go back, but I was disappointed in the lack of true connection to the storyline. I also felt that they should have just made it a little easier/more transparent about what you had to do to get invited to the secret events. Instead of forcing so many awkward interactions with cast members, just say, “here are the potential assignments you can complete; you’ll find them on your app. The more tasks you complete, the more events you’ll see,” for example. I figured that out quickly, but other family members were frustrated that they weren’t getting invited to all of the events.
If the cruise to you to a reconstruction Luke's old homestead of Tatooine and say cloud city or Echo base from Empire now that would be worth paying for. But the sequel setting with sequel characters?. Yea no thanks.
Very true. The first few ads made the place look very bad, to the point Disney actually pulled down the first ad. Plus the wealthy tend to be older which means less likely to be interested in the sequel era.
Imagine Universal Studios announcing a Harry Potter experience, charging $6000 to enter, then giving it a generic European theming and throwing in a couple of Fantastic Beasts characters. That's what Disney did.
The price was insane for the average person. Despite them hosting sooooo many influencers to try and push it and hype it up. In fact that was a huge turn off. I feel like everyone knew this was going to happen. So expensive and kinda lame for the price.
Honestly, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. I remember when folks on social media caught wind of the price tag for a 2-night stay. I'm a die hard Star Wars fan, but can think of about 500 better ways to spend that kind of money.
Destined to fail from the beginning. Great concept indeed, great experience indeed, great value or return experience, absolutely not. They really messed up by advertising it for everyone while really excluding 98% of their fans. All that waste of money could have gone to rebuilding Tomorrowland at both US parks which we've all been screaming for over the years!
It was too expensive AND it was too niche. I don't think everyone wanted to be "in the story" and cosplay and have every minute of their stay on a schedule. It was expensive and it wasn't even a full two days.
For me, the experience would make me somewhat extremely claustrophobic because you can’t go outside, except for the climate simulator, and the price was absolutely ridiculous
Exactly! This was my big issue with it, as well as the insane cost. I wasn't about to drop 6+ grand to be locked in a hotel with no windows for 3 days/2 nights!
Not being able to go outside wasn't the problem...making the rooms look like prison rooms that you see in Andor, was the problem, plus the cheap plastic looking ATARI BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Chucky Cheese expensive birthday party inside...that...was the problem
You are 10,000% dead-on-the-money regarding the psychology of guest participation. Absolutely right. MOST people do not want to "be responsible for their own entertainment." It's the same reason why so many people cringe away from audience participation in theater. Not only is it often awkward, but it cancels out the "surrender" necessary in good storytelling. Anyway, I think your insights are correct.
ANd that is why Pirates and Mansion, more than 50 years later, still gets guest lining up for them. But, there are a lot of people, mainly the under 30 crowd that do like the immersive participation experience. Half their lives have been spent not just “watching” but participating in everything.
@@FunAtDisney No question about it. But, given how the modern American economy makes it nearly impossible that under-30's have the money to meet the Galactic Cruiser price points, perhaps Disney could be said to have litrally priced out the very demographic that would be attracted to this experience. I'm just speculating, of course. I don't have the credentials, internal numbers, or market research to know for sure.
@@Davaldod I agree, but my older daughter and her boyfriend went, both at the time 29. They have good jobs but since we all live in the Orange County (Calif) area with all the California taxes, prices, etc. it’s hard for them to save for a house. But it was worth it for them to go and something they will always remember. I think if you a re into it, on anything it maybe, folks will find a way to at least go once. And there is where I agree with you and David. Spending $5-$6K once for a couple day “event” is usually a one-time deal.
@@FunAtDisney I certainly get it when it comes to CA house prices. I live in L.A. and home prices are sheer lunacy (although, to be clear, I absolutely love CA and wouldn't live anywhere else). As for the Galactic Cruiser pricing, of course you're right. Everyone has a different calculus as to what's worth spending and what's not. Everyone has different tastes and interests. One person may spend thousands on a safari to Mt. Kilimanjaro, pitching tents and camping in the bush. But another person would rather lounge for a week at a resort being brought umbrella drinks. I suppose all we can say for sure at this point is that Disney did the math and decided that Galactic Cruiser was more of a burden than an asset.
@@Davaldod I think you are right about it being a burden. I also think they did not look at a long-term logistical view of how this would go. It was a bold idea and they should be applauded for that. I think it could still work by, as David said, they change up the stories, bring the original characters in and so on. And of course get the price down - but then if they lowered the price, how much of the cast and experience would they have to cut back? It’s a tough choice. As Mu original comment said, it would have better to build a fully themed Star Wars hotel and then have an all-day extra cost experience where all this could have been done for those who wanted it. If you ever saw some of the RU-vidrs who went on that first “cruise” (invited by Disney) if was all compressed into about 6 hours or so for the media - That would have been perfect. Price it at about $300 0r a bit more per person and it would have been a sustainable hit!
Can’t wait for Kevin from Defunctland to make a Galactic Starcruiser episode. People will think it’s all a wild story years from now like Beastly Kingdom
I'm the kind of person who WOULD'VE interacted, and even then, it came down to cost. If I'm going to Florida from California, I'm going for much more than two days. It always cost me a lot just to get there and stay. I thought, hey, eventually, if it drops in price, I can incorporate the Starcruiser into a longer vacation. But we ordinary types never had the chance.
In fact, at least four of my kids would be willing to interact, and the other two would go along with their siblings. And then there's at least one of my daughters-in-law who would be willing to do the interaction. But the more family I have that would've gone with us, the less possible it becomes that we could've afforded it.
@@gissneric I’m an introvert and don’t like interacting, but I made myself do it for my son’s sake. It turned out that the interactions were actually less important than completing missions that came through the app. Those were like scavenger hunts/ exploring and discovering things on the ship, and were soooo fun. I had the best time.
I think one of the major reasons that the interactive portions of Galaxy's Edge have not worked out so well is that they simply chose the wrong vehicle for it. If instead of saying bright suns they had said May the force be with you more people would know what that meant and might reply. The same thing with the galactic starcruiser. I hate to say it but if this were Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and Han Solo a lot more people would be interested in it probably not at this price point but if they were to reduce it some I think they would have a lot more traffic.
They should've either had a regular hotel that was Star Wars themed or else a scaled down version of the interactive stuff where it only lasts a few hours. Combining the two and having it be so crazy expensive can't work long term.
The worst part is that behind the scenes all the interactive stuff was apparently supposed to be involved in the original galaxies edge theme park only to cut that out not only as an incentive for people to pay the way more expensive themed hotel but also because she said cost in the actual theme park did you get it out on schedule?.
About 8 months after it opened sales quickly fell off. It was a one and done too expensive. They shorted them from 3 nights to 2 nights due to lack of demand. They began cancelling ones that were not filling up offering 50% off discounts. They gave CM and DVC big discounts to try to fill the 100 rooms. It just wasn’t selling. That’s it.
Yeah, the demand just wasn't there. If Universal opened an interactive Hogwarts hotel... it would never close and people would never leave the hotel and they would keep coming back over and over.
I don’t recall it ever being 3 nights? Maybe I am wrong but every RU-vidr that went, and we watched a lot, it was only two nights. Arrival day 1 at 1pm, full day of activities, Batuu, dinner show and then the Kyle-Rey battle on day 2, then just a simple breakfast on day 3 before you leave. Perhaps they were initially planning to have a 3-night cruise at one time before it opened but never did.
Demand actually fell off before it opened. Until Disney released promotional spots for it people booked their stay on it solely based on hype alone. And when the ad spots debuted during the Superbowl two years ago, people cancelled in droves and demanded their money back because the Star Cruiser looked like an over priced laughably cheap knock off of what Disney promised us.
You're right, Disney can't just convert it into a "regular" SW themed hotel without dumping a LOT of money into the property. None of the rooms have windows. There are no amenities (food court/swimming pool/exercise room). There is no bus stop for transportation around the WDW resort. The outside of the building is a bare slab. The rooms are small. There is a main dining room and a small bar and a gift shop. As WDW info said today, Disney COULD convert the existing Dining room/rework the story into a Hoop-Dee-Doo type dinner show, where you pay $70 a ticket for an all you can eat meal and have a character story unfold in front of you during your meal. Close off the hotel rooms and just leave the atrium, gift shop, and dining room open.
I would definitely stay there for a couple of nights, even without a window or balcony. The lack of pool, yeah that would be nice and wouldn't be too difficult for them to put in. Bus routes can be changed and I think the response would be huge getting people in there. Plus it has direct access to the park which is pretty amazing.
@@vwellons It only has direct access to Galaxy's Edge and even that is only via shuttle bus, there is no stepping out of the hotel and then stepping right in to any one of the parks.
Disney continues to make bad decision after bad decision. I love Disney and always have (classic Disney, Walt Disney’s Disney) but it is getting harder and harder to support them. Star cruiser was destined to fail, it was so outrageously insipid to think people would pay for that.
This was a GOOD business decision. And the lake Nona move was misguided to begin with.. then Lil fascist Gov. Of Fla. gave em all the reason they need to cancel. Another great move.
@@Jay-wk9xj People on the Internet love to call people fascist. It used to mean something. Now it's just what you call someone who votes for another political party.
This is why I have plans to seize Disney in a hostile takeover and bring back the Disney of Walt's time by ushering the Make Disney Great Again era. "What would Walt do?" will be the guiding mantra again like it was after his death.
Great analysis. Imagine spending all the money to travel to and stay in Florida and most of the time you are kept indoors in spaces not unlike a prison. There is time set aside to visit Galaxy's Edge but one can do that without staying at the hotel.
Let's say even a family could afford the $6,000 to go to the galactic starcruiser this year. Next year they're probably not going back to Disneyland or Disneyworld, they're probably going to go camping cuz it's what they can afford to do after spending $6,000
I'm surprised that they built a hotel for this experience and not have a themed cruise instead. That way, you could have generic SW themed activities, plus you could do the role play for those who wanted a more immersive experience. Plus, going to different ports would work with the theme of roaming the "galaxy." At 5-7 days, it would be worth the price.
Wow! There is some truly excellent analysis here. You made points that I have not heard argues anywhere before. You are 100% right about the Adventures By Disney being something that no one is ever upset about…but this price tag was just mercilessly pilloried in the press. One thing I will add to this is that when you pay $100k or whatever for AbD trips, I am sure you get World-class everything. But Starcruiser looked cheap. Four Seasons or Ritz hotels charge a fortune but everything inside looks expensive. You would be angry if a Holiday Inn Express charged as much as a Four Seasons…and Starcruiser looked like a very cheaply made and thrown-together Holiday Inn version of what could have been amazing if they spent more money to really make it look spectacular. The other thing that no one at Disney will admit is that they made a huge mistake in not having this be Luke Leia and Han with Vader as the villain. They keep trying to force the Disney sequels on people. But those movies do not have the same emotional resonance.
Yes. I agree really excellent analysis. I have never been on AbD disney trips, but looking at some of the itineraries, I don't think you get world class hotels. A lot of itineraries are in national parks where that type of luxury accommodation does not exist. Most people could probably book a similar or better itinerary at a fraction of the cost. What you probably do get is a full time tour guide. Looking at AoD US itineraries, they probably only make sense for people from overseas who might have trouble driving in the US or speaking English. I took a 'luxury' vacation with a company that had vacations similar to AbD. There definitely were not any luxury accommodations. The benefit was primarily having a full time tour guide so you never had to order your own taxi or struggle to try to decipher a foreign menu.
I think the audience that would love to role play in the universe (myself included) were priced out. Sounded amazing, but the price wasn’t favorable. Got to see you walking into the parks today! Woohoo!
Love your videos! I was at Hollywood Studios Wednesday. I’m a Star Wars fan but could not fathom dropping so much money on the GSC. I had a great interaction on Rise of the Resistance with the First Order. I had a Porg on my shoulder and he said, “I see you brought lunch.” I said they are delicious roasted and he asked if I’ve tried “Pulled Porg.” I said I have not and he recommended it. That’s the type of interaction we need more of in the parks. It doesn’t take much to give someone a magic moment. I also got to see Mando and Din Grogu and might have teared up a bit. 😂
It was too expensive, but you also couldn’t book online. You had to call. If you’re at all worried it’ll be too expensive, it’s incredibly awkward to call to find out the actual pricing. Dissuades folks who might’ve been willing to consider trying to budget for it if they knew the actual price.
I agree with it being a one and done. After seeing the experience on youtube I was not interested. I'd hate to essentially be locked into an experience. I revisit the Grand Californian every year because there is so much to do around the hotel and you build your own experience. I also love lounging by the pool. The starcruiser seemed exhausting!
Also, remember the Disney Institute? Disney Quest? La Nouba? Pleasure Island - Adventurer's Club - Manquins... Original EPCOT - never realized. River Country. Discovery Island. NBA Experience. BUILT THINGS - now gone. Alien Encounter.
it's not that it was just too pricey. it simply was not worth the cost. if it was worth the cost, enough wealthy people will book and rebook. but the product was not worth it to do it again and again. much better things to do with 6k. Plus, where was the star wars? Who were the characters? Was Darth Vader or Skywalker there? The product, which was for a limited crowd, failed to hook that crowd.
Because the demand Curve looked like the head of a pin. The number of customers who could afford such a holiday was exhausted in six months . I could have told you that for free.
Influencers that received totally free or highly discounted trips were really the only "great reviews" they got. Seems like all full paying guests had some negative follow ups. Still believe Disney dropped the ball by pushing their Star Wars narrative and not giving what they knew Trilogy fans really wanted.
I think it was 2 things (that David hits on here). 1. It was too expensive. 2. Most people don’t want to work that hard at being entertained: there was a joke headline from the fake news site the onion about a stage performance “oh no they’re coming into the audience”.. I know some people enjoy live action role playing, but I think most people just want to passively enjoy entertainment. I might be projecting but I’m one of those people who don’t want to work that hard to be entertained, and I couldn’t afford it anyway. If it was a Star Wars hotel themed in the way the Polynesian is (which is to say more passive and a tenth of the price but still pricey, I’d be way more tempted.
The Lake Nona project was shut down not only because of a fight with Florida. It was unpopular from it's announcement. 200 imagineers did sell their homes and had already relocated but the problem is bigger than Disney now. Because the state keeps making draconian laws that they just drove off a huge part of the work force down there. So, I imagine with the scarcity of workers that the cost to build was about to go through the roof to where even a 1 billion dollar tax break might not be worth it.
I agree David. You nailed the GSC problems and what it would have taken to fix the problem. They eliminated 95% of their target audience with the price. I was very excited for this, and would have found a way to pay for it, but when I saw the price it immediately sidelined it. When I saw Adam the Woo's videos on this I was once again excited, but the price I just couldn't get over.
The Imagineers that I have talked to have no interest in returning after the absolutely horrible way they were treated by the Chapek team. He nuked those bridges.
My guess is, since they cancelled the lake Nona Campus, WDI is going to move into the Star cruiser. If they don't do that, they should make Batuu East an expanded world that includes the hotel as a reimagined attraction. It would be a total shame if we lose characters like Oanni and Gaya the Galactic Superstar --- i love those two characters especially and hope to see them on Batuu!
I agree with you that they should keep the characters in the park. Universal has Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees putting on a show in Diagon Alley so everyone can enjoy it.
There's no amount of "entertainment" or joy that can justify $6000 You're out of your mind if we could "overcome" the price. 6 FREAKING THOUSAND DOLLARS. Naw I'm good. Mark Hamill could fight Darth Vader and I still think $6000 is too much
Hopefully this means they can now bring a show to Galaxy's Edge. Forget the Interactive stuff, just do something like they did on Star Wars night but less cheesy and with some more effects and wireworks n stuff.
Like you said David, Star Wars is for everyone. It’s generations upon generations. It needed to definitely have a better price point. The rooms needed to look more appealing. Would have been better to me if they would have had shows like they put on in Tomorrowland with the characters - think it was called the Jedi training- and the crowds knew before the main characters come out what to expect and how to participate. On a much larger scale though. Plus having the characters fans know from the movies and shows. I’ve never been. Only seen footage from RU-vidrs. Thanks for the update David. Have a wonderful day 😀
I'm cheering on this failure. It's 💯% deserved That's not to say the employees or designers didn't do everything they could to make this work. It just wasn't going to work with the insane price and it's based on the wrong Star Wars Era. Even if it was Original Trilogy based it had maybe 2 years of Full occupancy before the inevitable decline. Too Much Money!
They rather close it up then go with Lucas characters and parading Chewie around isn't enough. Price point, I get, yet there is no emotional attachment to batu or anything Disney star wars. 4 generations of fans and they go with their undesired characters and plot. And that honorific lightsaber pick up... lmao really!?
David, Galactic Starcruiser was always a bad idea and price is 90% of the reason. Some dumb kluck at Disney totally went off the rails with something that 90+ percent of Disney guests couldn't afford, and if they could would likely not do it twice.
I’m with you.. imaganeering needs to stay in California. I hope Some of those people come back. Sad about the Galactic Star Cruiser.. I was trying to plan to go next year. Thanks for the breakdown.
