Is Disney's New 'Star Wars'-Inspired Hotel Turning Into A Flop?

[Alicefan]

I checked the WDW site today. There are hotel rooms available through all of August and September. There are park reservations available throughout that 60 day period. I wonder if that means Walt Disney World is a flop...

But think about it, there's only 100 rooms onboard right? That's hardly anything as it is. I think they're going to run out of nerds. I kid. I kid. lol

 

[BrianL]

Except the huge fans don't typically like the new star wars.

It's more like a small yet extremely vocal block of the hardcore fandom doesn't like them, just as they didn't like the prequels, or anything that doesn't fit their exact, specific vision of Star Wars. Most fans are fine with it.

 

[Scalemaster34]

It's more like a small yet extremely vocal block of the hardcore fandom doesn't like them, just as they didn't like the prequels, or anything that doesn't fit their exact, specific vision of Star Wars. Most fans are fine with it.

I agree... just folks making noise on the Internet. And right now Disney seems to be a good "target", so piling on is great fun.

Only time will tell if the Star Cruiser is a sucess or a flop... but I suspect worst case is some "seasons" they might have to offer some 25% discounts to select groups (AP, DVC, FL RES.... ), likly wouldn't make it to general public. But I wouldn't count on that happening, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years we say... remember when it was only $4,0000.

Also wouldn't be surprised if there aren't some other fully immersive (and exclusive to those willing to pay) experiences on the drawing boards... with four more Avatar movies coming and a similar heavily themed area of AK. Maybe not a space cruiser, but a research station on Pandora? Not nearly the fan base, but could be an interesting experience with cool vestiges of Pandora. Options are endless, if they find there is in fact a sustainable market.... for these types of "premium" experiences.

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

Give it two years and it will be changed into a Deluxe hotel aimed at families without kids. It's small, but I can't imagine Disney wouldn't at least try to make some money off of it as a resort.

Between COVID, staff shortages, inflation, and Disney misreading the tea leaves on exactly how many ridiculously wealthy nerds want to cosplay for two days... I don't see this "taking off".

 

[nancipants]

It will be a horrible flop, just like Galaxy's Edge was.

(That was sarcasm, btw. When GE opened there were tons of gloom and doom posts about how it was a failure. And now, both rides still have super long lines and experiences/Oga's don't have trouble filling reservations.)

 

[BrianL]

I know a lot of people don't see the appeal of the role-playing - heck, I don't either - but one thing that many STar Wars fans fail to consider, is that like the movies, it holds massive appeal for kids! That's right, kids like Star Wars too. The experience wasn't really designed for the hardcore nerd fans, but moreso for young families - well, young families with a higher disposable income, but you get the point. The fans so often forget that at it's core, Star Wars is for 8 year olds - or , as I often say, the 8-year old in all of us. It's okay that not everything they make with the Star Wars name appeals to every fan.

 

[J-Dog]

In the end, people can speculate all day long, based on their individual idea of what Disney's "success" is, and probably little bit based on their particular Star Wars and/or Disney bias (i.e. "I think that Starcruiser is a failure because I'm mad at Disney for implementing Genie+")

But until Disney releases hard data on their financial goals vs. the profit/loss (which I don't see them releasing that data any time soon), then it's just guessing.

 

[Stitch#001]

I am curious in reading reviews of people actually staying there. I wonder now that they have spent the money do they think it was worth it.

I am a star wars fan. But for the price point and some other things that do not sit right with me, I do not feel that it would be worth it.

I am a wait and see if this really works.

 

[Alicefan]

It's more like a small yet extremely vocal block of the hardcore fandom doesn't like them, just as they didn't like the prequels, or anything that doesn't fit their exact, specific vision of Star Wars. Most fans are fine with it.

But on the other hand, it's pretty much the hardcore fans that would do the dishing out of money to do this thing, not the average fan.

 

[Alicefan]

I agree... just folks making noise on the Internet. And right now Disney seems to be a good "target", so piling on is great fun.

Only time will tell if the Star Cruiser is a sucess or a flop... but I suspect worst case is some "seasons" they might have to offer some 25% discounts to select groups (AP, DVC, FL RES.... ), likly wouldn't make it to general public. But I wouldn't count on that happening, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years we say... remember when it was only $4,0000.

Also wouldn't be surprised if there aren't some other fully immersive (and exclusive to those willing to pay) experiences on the drawing boards... with four more Avatar movies coming and a similar heavily themed area of AK. Maybe not a space cruiser, but a research station on Pandora? Not nearly the fan base, but could be an interesting experience with cool vestiges of Pandora. Options are endless, if they find there is in fact a sustainable market.... for these types of "premium" experiences.

The only other fandom that I can imagine being successful and probably far more than Star Wars, is Harry Potter over at Universal. I think they have a much larger fanbase that would be willing to fork over thousands for a Hogwarts experience. I'm one of them lol. HP fans just seem a bit more fanatical IMO, and the entire thing is pretty much based on transporting you into that world and making you a part of it. They are really missing the boat on a cash cow if they aren't working on this for the new park.

 

[Alicefan]

Give it two years and it will be changed into a Deluxe hotel aimed at families without kids. It's small, but I can't imagine Disney wouldn't at least try to make some money off of it as a resort.

Between COVID, staff shortages, inflation, and Disney misreading the tea leaves on exactly how many ridiculously wealthy nerds want to cosplay for two days... I don't see this "taking off".

LOL you're so right! And Disney of course will act like this was their plan all along. Like they're doing something extra special for YOU, the poor unfortunate souls. It can't be anything too similar to what they have going on now because said rich nerds will want their money back and rumbles would break out....like in Weird Al's "Eat it".

 

[GoingSince1990]

Give it two years and it will be changed into a Deluxe hotel aimed at families without kids. It's small, but I can't imagine Disney wouldn't at least try to make some money off of it as a resort.

Between COVID, staff shortages, inflation, and Disney misreading the tea leaves on exactly how many ridiculously wealthy nerds want to cosplay for two days... I don't see this "taking off".

A Star Wars Deluxe hotel without the two days of role-playing could have been great. No pretense that you are on board a spaceship, but large comfortable rooms with Star Wars motifs, an amazing pool with a slide leading down from a model Death Star into the water, a great restaurant with SW character meals, and privileged access to SWGE before any other guests? That is somewhere I would have been very interested in staying in. The problem is, what they have built would be very hard to convert into such a concept. Sadly, I am starting to imagine the inevitable plethora of the "Ten Reasons Disney's Star Wars Hotel Concept Failed" type of articles.

 

[umichigan10]

A question for those on both sides of the debate:

However popular or unpopular the hotel is currently, would it have been better to have made this a standalone type experience away from Disney World, in fact completely disassociated with anything theme park related. Now it could've still gone in Orlando or perhaps in a nearby warm state? Perhaps built in a wooded/mountainy locale where the surroundings could've added an Endor type excursion thereby appeasing OT fans a little more than they have (and let's be real...OT was what made this all happen what would be so horrible about ingratiating themselves to that huge segment of fans). I personally feel like the whole $6000 argument would almost become non existent in a situation like this because to me it feels very much like BECAUSE it is part of a theme park that people have this feeling of "Why would I spend $6000 to roleplay basically at HS for 2 nights". Whereas you make this a standalone destination (plus a little bit more than they're currently offering) and people would flock to it. Just my 2 cents.

I think you make some good points, but I feel TWDC is very wary to make any “experience” away from their parks. They tried with ESPN zone, Disney quest, etc and they were complete failures. This thing is in a whole different stratosphere of experience, which I think made them double down on making sure it was near one of their already existing properties

 

[juxtapose]

I think it looks cool, and my kids would LOVE It. However, I can in no way justify the cost. It'd have to be about 1/2, maybe 2/3, of what it is for us to consider it. We're all still bummed they didn't just do a deluxe resort with awesome Star Wars theming, that is was more our thing, when I'm at WDW I want to actually be in the parks most the time.

 

[jjb1974]

They are really missing the boat on a cash cow if they aren't working on this for the new park.

I'm not 100% convinced that Universal didn't contemplate this and decline to pursue it.

Also, there is PLENTY of division in Harry Potter world, Star Wars doesn't have a monopoly on fans turning their guns on changes to the "universe."

Rowling seems predetermined to do her best to crap where she eats, these days, so to speak.

 

[dclpluto]

At the prices they charge they probably could have only quarter of the rooms booked and still make $$$$.

 

[Scalemaster34]

At the prices they charge they probably could have only quarter of the rooms booked and still make $$$$.

Yeah anyone thinking that 100% booking is a requirement of sucess in mistaken. And I expect that there is a big gap between listed prices of today and what would be acceptable as a discounted sailing for some of their select groups - DVC, Passholders, Military (if discounts are needed in some seasons). Operationally I have no question that this thing will be sailing for years to come, and turning a profit. Will it be the sucess that would lauch a fleet of these across the globe? That remains to be seen.

 

[kwhite1022]

I still am trying to figure out who this is going to appeal to long term. I get that right now its the "new" thing, and some will spend the money just to say that they did. Long term though, this is NOT a luxury hotel.....heck my room in Vegas had far better amenities and I didn't have to spend 1000s. My hubby who is a big star wars fan, wont go unless they made it for 12+ ( which I get probably will never happen) as he does not want to spent this kind of money to deal with little kids having Disney melt downs. He also is the one who would want the full role play experience, and feels this is role play light, when you have people just going along to check it out. I agree a themed hotel with great amenities feels like it would have been a better choice.

 

[Leigh L]

I am curious in reading reviews of people actually staying there. I wonder now that they have spent the money do they think it was worth it.

I am a star wars fan. But for the price point and some other things that do not sit right with me, I do not feel that it would be worth it.

I am a wait and see if this really works.

I kinda feel the same way.

DH and I were pretty excited as we're huge SW fans - we were kids when the originals came out, and we like (most) of the new stuff too. A SW-themed hotel with some experiences sounded awesome. But then we read about the complete immersion and missions, etc., but the biggest thing was the price tag. Cannot justify spending that kind of money for 2 days.

 

[brevebelle]

A Star Wars Deluxe hotel without the two days of role-playing could have been great. No pretense that you are on board a spaceship, but large comfortable rooms with Star Wars motifs, an amazing pool with a slide leading down from a model Death Star into the water, a great restaurant with SW character meals, and privileged access to SWGE before any other guests? That is somewhere I would have been very interested in staying in. The problem is, what they have built would be very hard to convert into such a concept. Sadly, I am starting to imagine the inevitable plethora of the "Ten Reasons Disney's Star Wars Hotel Concept Failed" type of articles.

This is what DH and I were hoping for. When we saw the initial designs of the rooms, we were kind of excited. And then the itinerary leaked, and we watched that video with the kid from "The Goldbergs," and our excitement quickly waned. Everything felt sorta.. kitschy.

What I really wanted was a SW version of Disneyland Paris' Hotel New York with the Avengers theming. The photos I've seen look upscale and luxurious, and I would gladly spend ridiculous amounts of money to stay there if/when we ever get around to visiting DL Paris.