Resort Thread STAR WARS: GALACTIC STARCRUISER Official Information & Questions Thread

[Marthasor]

I’m glad you told me this! I was debating booking next year but our son will be six and it would break his heart to be left out. Strange since I seem to recall the lightsaber/jedi academy experience they used to do on the stage near star tours was not limited to 7 and up.

It was ages 4-12 years old. I find this strange as well. Given the cost of this experience, you would think they would try to cast as wide a net as possible to families that would consider doing it. I, personally, wouldn't consider it for my family if my child could not fully participate or if, like DCL, they didn't have something specific and age-appropriate for younger children.

 

[MomOTwins]

It was ages 4-12 years old. I find this strange as well. Given the cost of this experience, you would think they would try to cast as wide a net as possible to families that would consider doing it. I, personally, wouldn't consider it for my family if my child could not fully participate or if, like DCL, they didn't have something specific and age-appropriate for younger children.

Thanks for reminding me. I miss that jedi training--my twins LOVED it and always wanted to repeat it when my youngest was old enough to know what star wars is. Seems like it would have been pretty easy for them to repurpose it as an alternative event for the younger kids on the starcruiser, but in general it seems they are pretty prescriptive in what you do on the starcruiser and not giving a lot of flexibility about where you go and when. I was hoping it'd be more like Disney cruise line where they have a schedule of activities throughout the day--some suitable for all ages, some geared towards toddlers/kids/teens of a particular age group, and some limited to adults--and you can pick/choose which ones to go to.

I feel like that is going to have to change if they want this to to have ongoing appeal and repeat potential. Otherwise it will feel like "groundhog day" to do the starcruiser more than once.

 

[V.B.]

Reading through these comments one thing that struck me is that $1000/night at the monorail resorts has become normalized and we are assessing the value of galactic cruiser based on that highly inflated rate. It’s so out of whack.

I think galactic cruiser will probably be a fun and unique experience for those who don’t mind dropping a few grand for some entertainment and diversion. But anyone saving up for a once in a lifetime “blow your socks off” type adventure will be disappointed.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Maybe it’s better than it looks in those promo vids.

Yes, the $1000 a night has been normalized, that's a good point. Agreed, it also will most likely a unique and fun experience. But, when the Hotel was announced, Chapek really did make it sound like it would be a 'once in a lifetime' experience, he even said it would be a unique, individual story for each person there.
I think when you pay $1000 a night for the Poly, etc, they are five star type Hotels (and that is what people are used to) The promo videos that have been pulled certainly didn't look or feel like a 5 star place, it's immersive, sure, but the feel was maybe more along a midrange type Hotel (if that makes sense).
I agree with you, it will be interesting to see how this plays out, because it really doesn't look like it will blow your mind (well, the price point most certainly will...lol)!

 

[old lady]

Will they be selling cookies shaped as characters and the Death Star? Or, nuggets ?

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Our youngest will be six too and I didn’t know this. Given how cheap it looks I can’t see any reason for this. Are they worried younger kids might damage something? Doesn’t look like there is anything valuable they could damage other than the saber itself, and they could just give younger kids a cheaper “training” version. For what this costs and given how few SW “mini games” seem to be included for the price, at a minimum they should have designed this to include younger kids.

ETA: I might actually call about this. If my kid breaks the saber, I’ll pay to replace it, but no way are we spending this much just to leave him out.

 

[Marthasor]

Our youngest will be six too and I didn’t know this. Given how cheap it looks I can’t see any reason for this. Are they worried younger kids might damage something? Doesn’t look like there is anything valuable they could damage other than the saber itself, and they could just give younger kids a cheaper “training” version. For what this costs and given how few SW “mini games” seem to be included for the price, at a minimum they should have designed this to include younger kids.

ETA: I might actually call about this. If my kid breaks the saber, I’ll pay to replace it, but no way are we spending this much just to leave him out.

What I find interesting is the age restriction is only mentioned for light saber training in the "highlights" section of the website - when you look at the sample itinerary, it mentions no other age restrictions (and not even the age restriction for saber training), so who knows if other activities are restricted as well. You would hope they would release this type of info so guests could decide if plunking down multiple thousands of dollars for a two-night stay is "worth it" for them and their younger children. Disney isn't known for budging on their age restrictions, so I wouldn't count on any exceptions on published age minimums.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Was at WDW last week and rode ROTR a few times. I'm going to stop reading this thread because it had me being hyper critical of every bridge/ship component through the whole thing! Lol.

As far as real Starcruiser planning talk, I was just spending some time re-reading/re-watching the content on Disney's Starcruiser web page. It's long, but that video of the Imagineers talking about the experience was helpful for me to re-watch just to sort of get my mind right with how Disney views the experience.

I was also reminded that on the "Prepare for Launch" page it notes: "30 days before your voyage begins, please sign into the Play Disney Parks app and check Star Wars: Datapad for your adventure itinerary details." So this time next month we'll know if any of that has any interesting information.

 

[Pooh's World]

This looks dumb. The Harry Potter Hogwarts Hotel will be much better

 

[bimmerfan]

having seen the rooms the bridge and the lightsaber training its cheap generic and certainly not worth the money

Correction, its not worth the money for YOU. For many, the money is immaterial. If the time is worth it is more important to some.

 

[CarolynFH]

Was at WDW last week and rode ROTR a few times. I'm going to stop reading this thread because it had me being hyper critical of every bridge/ship component through the whole thing! Lol.

As far as real Starcruiser planning talk, I was just spending some time re-reading/re-watching the content on Disney's Starcruiser web page. It's long, but that video of the Imagineers talking about the experience was helpful for me to re-watch just to sort of get my mind right with how Disney views the experience.

I was also reminded that on the "Prepare for Launch" page it notes: "30 days before your voyage begins, please sign into the Play Disney Parks app and check Star Wars: Datapad for your adventure itinerary details." So this time next month we'll know if any of that has any interesting information.

I’m interested to find out whether they will be customizing experiences based on ages of the guests. For instance, it would be reasonable to have light saber training sessions for families with younger kids and separate sessions for adults only.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

What I find interesting is the age restriction is only mentioned for light saber training in the "highlights" section of the website - when you look at the sample itinerary, it mentions no other age restrictions (and not even the age restriction for saber training), so who knows if other activities are restricted as well. You would hope they would release this type of info so guests could decide if plunking down multiple thousands of dollars for a two-night stay is "worth it" for them and their younger children. Disney isn't known for budging on their age restrictions, so I wouldn't count on any exceptions on published age minimums.

Honestly, if that's the case we'll cancel then, or push it by a year. Unlike regular trips to WDW, where my youngest knows he might not be tall enough for X ride but he'll be able to ride it next time, I don't anticipate that we'll want to do this experience more than once, and I only booked it for this year in anticipation of the interactive elements being diluted after the first year. But who knows, at this rate it might even be cheaper next year if the whole thing isn't a complete failure altogether. I was so excited when I saw the concept art but that video with the guy from Goldbergs was Big Yikes. It looked less Star Wars, more 1960's Starship Enterprise.

 

[DuncanMacLeod]

I spent a week trying to get reservations for the Starcruiser and have it booked for May 14th. After trying to go spoiler free my curiosity got the best of me and I have discovered the few promos Disney released (and then retracted) and have been watching some commentary videos about it. I worry there is an anti-disney element that will just try to cut down this new experience but what I have seen with my own eyes in those promo videos makes be very worried. Curious as to what everyone else is seeing, hearing and thinking. Thank you.

 

[Eastern]

I wouldn't start worrying until penalty phase for final payment happens. If you can cancel without penalty after reviews start coming in, I would just wait and see.

 

[DuncanMacLeod]

I wouldn't start worrying until penalty phase for final payment happens. If you can cancel without penalty after reviews start coming in, I would just wait and see.

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately my final payment is due 2 weeks before it opens.

 

[V.B.]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately my final payment is due 2 weeks before it opens.

You could cancel and then after reading the reviews from people who do go once it opens change your mind and re-book. There seem to be a lot of open dates to choose from now too (you could still end up going in May).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I’m interested to find out whether they will be customizing experiences based on ages of the guests. For instance, it would be reasonable to have light saber training sessions for families with younger kids and separate sessions for adults only.

I occasionally re-read the FAQ's on Disney's website just to see if anything new is posted. I wonder how much "customized to suit your party" there will really be, or if that's more generic website marketing copy.

Q.

Will young children enjoy a Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyage?
A.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages are filled with fun experiences for young children—and your whole family. Your itinerary will be customized to suit your party, and your choices will determine what happens during the voyage.
While most activities and experiences are great for all ages, some do have minimum age requirements. For example, Guest must be 7 years of age or older to participate in the lightsaber training activity.

 

[CarolynFH]

I occasionally re-read the FAQ's on Disney's website just to see if anything new is posted. I wonder how much "customized to suit your party" there will really be, or if that's more generic website marketing copy.

Q.

Will young children enjoy a Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyage?
A.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages are filled with fun experiences for young children—and your whole family. Your itinerary will be customized to suit your party, and your choices will determine what happens during the voyage.
While most activities and experiences are great for all ages, some do have minimum age requirements. For example, Guest must be 7 years of age or older to participate in the lightsaber training activity.

Yep, it remains to be seen how much customization is possible. OTOH, they do okay on DCL, developing activities for different age groups, don’t they? It’s not like they have no models to follow. And how many times have we been reminded that it’s basically a land-based cruise?

 

[SkyGuy]

I spent a week trying to get reservations for the Starcruiser and have it booked for May 14th. After trying to go spoiler free my curiosity got the best of me and I have discovered the few promos Disney released (and then retracted) and have been watching some commentary videos about it. I worry there is an anti-disney element that will just try to cut down this new experience but what I have seen with my own eyes in those promo videos makes be very worried. Curious as to what everyone else is seeing, hearing and thinking. Thank you.

If you want to wait for the first reviews, May and June have availability (so do March and April) and you can take your pick of July - September.

 

[bookbabe626]

Gave in and moved our trip from April to September. Means final payment is now June, which gives us lots of time to see actual reviews from the first few months.

 

[DarthEsquire]

Happy New Year fellow galactic travelers.

A couple days ago I came up on the 60 day reservation point before my reservation so I called the star cruiser to add the lightsaber build for the excursion to Batuu. During the call the representative also asked if I wanted to add the cantina to my itinerary. Both were then added by the star cruiser team and the process was pretty easy and I had good choices of times for the excursion day. The reservation does list in MDE as "Batuu Excursion: Savi's Workshop" and "Batuu Excusrion- Oga's Cantina" so it does seem they may have some designated spots to allocate during the excursion times (which are during normal park hours).

The representative also told me about some play testing they had done with their children at the hotel in some of the storyline experiences and that she believed guests will be very happy with the product and will see where all the money is going (I realize it is a Disney employee, but I was glad they were not trying to manage/lower expectations). The representative also said to expect more information and for the star cruiser to reach out a couple weeks before the voyage. It sounded to me like it would be a direct communication, but I know it could also just be the itinerary added to the Disney Parks app.