Opening in March 2022, Disney Parks’ Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was an unparalleled immersive theme park experience. It welcomed guests aboard a Star Wars starship, the Halcyon, for a two-night “cruise” into the galaxy far, far away. Galactic Starcruiser was an entirely in-story Star Wars experience, in which guests played a part. You could rub elbows with Rey, a Twi’lek pop star, a Rodian musician, and other Star Wars characters. But Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will take its final voyage in September 2023.
In a statement, Disney Parks said:
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.
Galactic Starcruiser, which Nerdist experienced before its official opening, was a bold venture into a new kind of theme park storytelling. However, it was also a very expensive one—prohibitively so for some Star Wars fans. A cabin for two guests started at $4,800. We don’t know if the price tag factored into the experience’s closure, but it’s hard to imagine that the cost didn’t play a part here. Ultimately, we can imagine multiple factors figuring into this decision.
We learned from Disney that this was a business decision and that they took a risk with Starcruiser; this doesn’t mean they will stop taking risks. The Themed Entertainment Association recognized Galactic Starcruiser with a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement. I also know many guests who loved their time aboard the Halcyon. I wish more people could have experienced how unique it was, flaws and all.
Bookings are temporarily closed while Disney reaches out to guests with voyages after the closure date so those guests can modify plans. Bookings will reopen on May 26. As for what will come of the building Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser resides in, Disney does not yet have plans. They will reassign cast members as much as they can.
