TheQuartering [5/19/2023]
Disney World will shutter the squad-bay doors on its immersive Star Wars-themed luxury hotel in late September — less than two years after its opening.
The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday that the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” two-night hotel will embark on its “final voyage” Sept. 28-30.
“We are so proud of all of the Cast Members and Imagineers who brought Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to life,” Disney said. “Thank you to our Guests and fans for making this experience so special.”
The vacation experience based at Orlando’s Walt Disney World debuted in March 2022.
The company did not specify why one of its most “creative projects ever” was closing, but acknowledged it set a “new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment,” the company said in a statement to CNBC.
“This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” the statement read.
Disney chief executive Bob Iger announced in February that the company would reduce costs by $5.5 billion as it works to make its streaming TV business profitable.
Fans of the Star Wars franchise and Disney have complained about the prices at the 100-room hotel, which makes up less than 0.5% of Disney’s room inventory in the area, according to Reuters.
The average nightly cost per person is $1,209, or $4,809 for two guests.
A party of four — three adults and one child — wanting to experience the two-night adventure will spend $5,999.
The two-day vacation package contains a day trip to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Magic Band, valet service and “ongoing, immersive and interactive entertainment.”
Disney, who announced the hotel in 2019, reportedly spent around $2 billion to construct its Star Wars theme parks in Florida and California.