Fans hoping for a return to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Disney’s ambitious $1 billion “Star Wars” hotel experience that debuted on March 1, 2022, and closed by September, may be disappointed as there are no signs of its revival.
Sources close to Disney report that the building previously hosting this immersive adventure, located near Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, is being repurposed into offices for Walt Disney Imagineering. This division is responsible for creating innovative theme park attractions, retail spaces, and cruise ship experiences.
The new offices will serve as a hub for various expansion projects at the expansive Walt Disney World resort. Upcoming attractions include a Latin America area in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, themed around “Encanto” and Indiana Jones; new lands based on “Cars” and Disney Villains at the Magic Kingdom; and the much-anticipated “Monsters, Inc.” land, featuring a door chase coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The introduction of the “Monsters, Inc.” coaster has sparked controversy due to its requirement to remove Jim Henson’s cherished Muppet*Vision 3D.
TheWrap previously reported rumors that the former hotel could be transformed into a multi-hour dinner theater experience utilizing the hotel lobby, bridge, bar, and restaurant, with the gift shop remaining operational. However, it has been confirmed that the building will not be open to guests.
One reason for this decision may be the logistical challenges of transporting guests to the Starcruiser building, situated in a backstage area of the park. During its operation, themed shuttles transported guests to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios for exclusive experiences in the “Star Wars”-themed Galaxy’s Edge. These shuttles had limited capacity, complicating any plans for a more inclusive dining experience.
Reportedly, several playtests have been conducted in the old Starcruiser building with cast members standing in for paying guests, but these tests are aimed at a potential dining experience within the theme park, not within the Starcruiser itself.
Initially, Oga’s Cantina, the “Star Wars”-themed bar in Galaxy’s Edge, was part of a larger dinner theater concept. Early concept art suggested this vision, which later transitioned to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser project. Now, the idea of reviving that dinner theater concept is being reconsidered.
Though the Starcruiser experience only lasted just over a year, it left a lasting impression on those who participated and those who followed video essayist Jenny Nicholson’s extensive critique, which has garnered over 11 million views on YouTube.
Some fans hoped the experience would return in some form, possibly tied to current “Star Wars” projects. However, the ongoing conversion to office space appears to put a definitive end to the project for the foreseeable future.
Disney has also taken a tax write-down on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which restricts the use of that building for a specified time. Given that most of the mentioned projects are just beginning, it could take years before new attractions open.
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