Star Wars: Galactic Starship (resort experience) News

[MickeyMinnieMom]

As proven with avatar...box office receipts track movie goers, not "fans"

Those are two different things...box office receipts is kinda red herring these days.

It's likely to decline significantly for the next movie

I guess my point is it's more than only hard core fans that see the films or buy the kids the toys, etc. I could see "casual fans" with kids ad $$ to spend still doing this. Not repeatedly, but perhaps once.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Agreed.

I don't think non-resort guests will be allowed at the resort.

Or at the very least not allowed in certain parts of it.

I fully agree - but wonder if they might have different programs - like some are a 2 day / 2 night thing, others are just one night - and then maybe they could do something that is just a meal/afternoon there - some people might love to experience this but can't do $1,000 night

Maybe they start with just the one experience but after a few years change it up

 

[TygerHawks]

It's likely to decline significantly for the next movie

I doubt that, they tend to stay pretty consistent. Even releases of the re-releases that are griped about saw good turnout. Now, not sure about the Han Solo movie, but I bet The Last Jedi comes very close the The Force Awakens.

 

[amberpi]

Perhaps $550/night would be too low.

It's such an interesting project. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around WDW doing something so extremely niche that they would put it at $1000/night. In that price range, wouldn't it be more one and done? Would it last at least 10 years?

But its SW, so maybe the net is already so wide they could go $1000/PP/PN and have a 20 year wait list.

Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

I can't wait to see either. I think this MAY be Disney's way of finally acknowledging that they are losing SW fan money and trying to go after it. The sci fi nerd annual spend is crazy. I don't think a couple grand for a 3/2 night total immersion thing seems outrageous. I'd LOVE for it to be cheaper, because WDW will be taking this nerd's money, how much? Don't know yet.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think it would be inverted from what you are suggesting. The illusion is busted if I pull in front of the "Star Wars Resort" in the magical express, car, uber or bicycle. I don't think, as a guest, you should ever see the building from the outside... again, because I'm not supposed to be in a building.

I would arrange it such that all of the "flight crew" are dropped off at a "training facility" separate from the resort. Your bags are taken here (like magical express) and you "check in."

Everyone is then taken to Galaxy's Edge where you are given a brief tour and you board your "shuttle" to the starship on which you live for two nights (effectively just one full day on the ship) to go through the role play. After your voyage, you would again take a shuttle down to Galaxy's edge to enjoy your last day of immersion.

Though partly depends on where the hotel is located - could it be situated so that it has it's own entrance into Galaxy's Edge and is low enough / themed so that you really don't notice a hotel from when you are inside the park?

Good thought about Magical Express - would guests have their own special transportation from the airport? They now have the MinnieVans - maybe they create R2-SUVs that are super themed and you are picked up by CMs in character that bring you to the hotel

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I guess my point is it's more than only hard core fans that see the films or buy the kids the toys, etc. I could see "casual fans" with kids ad $$ to spend still doing this. Not repeatedly, but perhaps once.

Right...but a hotel for $1000 a night to dress up is only for hardcore fans.

There's this myth that disney believes and the DIS supports: that $100 million dollar net worth people are dying to go there...

...not even close. It's not a rich mans playground nor ever will be. Disney parks are still a "middle income" enterprise.

If the cost of this for 2-3 days is equal or more than the cost for the whole compound for a week...mom and dad are out. Even if little Dylan or hunter (or some trendy name) really wants it.

And they are the ones That buy the tickets and the toys and the sheets.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Right...but a hotel for $1000 a night to dress up is only for hardcore fans.

There's this myth that disney believes and the DIS supports: that $100 million dollar net worth people are dying to go there...

...not even close. It's not a rich mans playground nor ever will be. Disney parks are still a "middle income" enterprise.

If the cost of this for 2-3 days is equal or more than the cost for the whole compound for a week...mom and dad are out. Even if little Dylan or hunter (or some trendy name) really wants it.

And they are the ones That buy the tickets and the toys and the sheets.

I would say MOSTLY TRUE... but I know plenty of people who have $$$$ to spend on leisure and would do this for the one-time experience if their kids were at all into it. Those people DO exist... not the bulk of the market for this, but they exist for sure.

And I think people are overplaying the DRESSING UP part -- no way that's a REQUIREMENT.

ETA: Take a look a the average incomes of some of the wealthiest counties in this country. The max incomes in those districts are crazy. Many of them have kids and are happy to indulge. Trust me. There are still people floating far above the struggles that much of the country is facing. Who does the VIP tours? Get some of those folks.

 

[cvjpirate]

A day?

No i think that's high...but per weekend it's too low

I do not think you will see a per night rate for this. This will be priced like a cruise would be price, it 3 night cruise is x, 4 night is y and 7 night is z.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Though partly depends on where the hotel is located - could it be situated so that it has it's own entrance into Galaxy's Edge and is low enough / themed so that you really don't notice a hotel from when you are inside the park?

Good thought about Magical Express - would guests have their own special transportation from the airport? They now have the MinnieVans - maybe they create R2-SUVs that are super themed and you are picked up by CMs in character that bring you to the hotel

My prediction is southside of the park where the soon to be abandoned world drive studios entrance is...just a guess.

Direct transport would be a must...except with tsa the bags issue is still there and they'd basically HAVE to use magical express.

 

[TygerHawks]

Right...but a hotel for $1000 a night to dress up is only for hardcore fans.

There's this myth that disney believes and the DIS supports: that $100 million dollar net worth people are dying to go there...

...not even close. It's not a rich mans playground nor ever will be. Disney parks are still a "middle income" enterprise.

If the cost of this for 2-3 days is equal or more than the cost for the whole compound for a week...mom and dad are out. Even if little Dylan or hunter (or some trendy name) really wants it.

And they are the ones That buy the tickets and the toys and the sheets.

And that is why we brought in the convention crowd. The money spent on those. The money spent by cosplayers. And this isn't dozens of people, but hundreds in quite a few cities in every state not to mention world wide. Which includes the thousands in the Star Wars costume groups. Disney wouldn't be doing this if there wasn't a market.

 

[nkosiek]

I have on friend who has already told me he's going to spend every vacation dollar on this. That said, what are the long term spends going to be like (and I mean 45 years later will there be people trying to do this like people still love going to the Poly)? Will this be repeatable? Will the scenarios change, etc? Will SW fans be willing to forgo comic-con and Celebration (which is much more accessible than this tiny boutique will be) to instead spend 2 nights here due to cost?

If this is such a hit, does Disney start planning a 5th gate around it? If any IP in the world could probably be a dedicated gate, it's this.

As for location, what about the other side of the road where the conveyor belt is taking dirt/rubble? There's a GIANT freakin' hole over there and lots of construction vehicles that are moving stuff around other than that rubble coming across the street.

 

[Dfan79]

I would be surprised if there wasn't a themed indoor pool.

I'm not sure if they have the space for it, but that would be a nice addition. But that would probably take away from the storybased thing they are going with.

"After you put SPF 70 on sir you need to help me negotiate a treaty with the Galactic Senate near the water slide."

Sounds like perhaps you are not the target market...

Yep, that's true my pockets aren't that deep. I always hoped they'd make a Star Wars value resort, but the dollar signs are appearing in all of the Exec's eyes. I can already hear them reaching into people's pockets.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney wouldn't be doing this if there wasn't a market.

The trick will be getting the pricing right... Actually, where they set their price will tell us a lot about what THEY THINK the market for this is!

 

[dlavender]

Right...but a hotel for $1000 a night to dress up is only for hardcore fans.

There's this myth that disney believes and the DIS supports: that $100 million dollar net worth people are dying to go there...

...not even close. It's not a rich mans playground nor ever will be. Disney parks are still a "middle income" enterprise.

If the cost of this for 2-3 days is equal or more than the cost for the whole compound for a week...mom and dad are out. Even if little Dylan or hunter (or some trendy name) really wants it.

And they are the ones That buy the tickets and the toys and the sheets.

That's where my thoughts are right now.

Sure, there will be some willing to shell out $1000/night, but are there enough of them to do it 365 nights year round?

Conventions are planned, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure some of the appeal is everyone gathering together at once.

Will they consistently spread out and keep it booked in January/February?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That's where my thoughts are right now.

Sure, there will be some willing to shell out $1000/night, but are there enough of them to do it 365 nights year round?

Conventions are planned, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure some of the appeal is everyone gathering together at once.

Will they consistently spread out and keep it booked in January/February?

It's not a case of "OR" -- it's "AND". Hard core cosplayers and convention-goers, AND some folks with $$$ to spend on anything unique if their kids like it... some of the folks who book VIP tours, perhaps.

Market segments.

 

[dlavender]

It's not a case of "OR" -- it's "AND". Hard core cosplayers and convention-goers, AND some folks with $$$ to spend on anything unique if their kids like it... some of the folks who book VIP tours, perhaps.

Market segments.

You might be right.

And if the resort is small enough, it wont take that many to fill it.

Can't wait to see price points.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It's not a case of "OR" -- it's "AND". Hard core cosplayers and convention-goers, AND some folks with $$$ to spend on anything unique if their kids like it... some of the folks who book VIP tours, perhaps.

Market segments.

I'm not saying your wrong...but you completely went "ole'" with a 100 legitimate question/point?

Conventioneers are not 365 day a year travelers to a compound for families.

Of course the Star Wars nuts will be there...they're delivering extra pizzas as we speak and cutting their daily product ration in half...but the real devil in details is the long term...and that gets us somewhere beyond the range of conventioneers.

I'm also curious why they aren't doing this in Anaheim?...since they have that redevelopment deal with Anaheim/Orange County in place...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm not sure if they have the space for it, but that would be a nice addition. But that would probably take away from the storybased thing they are going with.

"After you put SPF 70 on sir you need to help me negotiate a treaty with the Galactic Senate near the water slide."



Yep, that's true my pockets aren't that deep. I always hoped they'd make a Star Wars value resort, but the dollar signs are appearing in all of the Exec's eyes. I can already hear them reaching into people's pockets.

There's some good ones in here

 

[dlavender]

"After you put SPF 70 on sir you need to help me negotiate a treaty with the Galactic Senate near the water slide."

R2D2 and BB8 will be wheeling around applying it for you, duh.....

 

[amberpi]

My prediction is southside of the park where the soon to be abandoned world drive studios entrance is...just a guess.

Direct transport would be a must...except with tsa the bags issue is still there and they'd basically HAVE to use magical express.

What about if a guest was coming direct from onsite? I'm envisioning an entrance ala GC that opens into a reserved part of GE for the hotel... or that's a nerd's wish.

I think it's going to be over toward the Swan. I don't do ME - too much waiting, too long, like to make a quick stop sometimes for wine, etc. - they'll give people another way in.