Galactic Starcruiser future

The Orlando Sentinel ran another puff piece about Disney's failed Star Wars resort. It doesn't really say anything we didn't already know, but includes the speculation about what to do with it, or the assets associated with the experience.

While I think the economics of it were possibly not tenable (the actors were, in fact, all Equity, and there were a lot of them, having to ad lib much of their work), I think the real failure was how it was marketed and sold by Disney. I've talked to enough people that have done it to believe that it really was fantastic, even if you were only a casual Star Wars fan. People got too hung up on the building and the rooms, instead of what you got to see and do. I've been told it was like going to see a play, only there is no proscenium, and the stage is all things and you're on it the whole time. You can watch the story, or get involved with it. That sounds pretty great to me, and I regret not getting a chance to do it.

I do wonder if it could work as a single day experience. In other words, you "board" in the morning, do the things, and then "disembark" at 10 or something.

I still think the slider (callback) between cost and ability/interest in spending money on the experience was too far to the expensive side. I can only imagine the cost to staff it and you need to keep the cost high to keep the overall experience premium. But it was priced in a way where you really had to think about it and be a Star Wars fanatic to want to fork up the cash. It also didn't seem to be repeatable, so it's not like it was going to be a big hit for yearly returns like a standard WDW vacation.

I agree that if they want to retool and try again, a "day pass" style experience stands a much better chance.

Well that's the weird thing, one group of friends (they're younger Millennials, no kids, work in tech and finance) have done it three times. The other couples I've met didn't repeat it, but they're awfully into it. The one thing in common is that none of them have kids, which is also interesting.

Tech and finance, and no kids. Easy to spend money on lots of fun stuff in that situation. Why wouldn’t I do it more than once if it was a great experience?

Out of curiosity, what would you say their interest in Star Wars is?

Dual income, no kids (DINKs) will tend to have more disposable income than will single people or people with kids. Makes sense they would tend to be more easily able to afford experiences like Galactic Starcruiser.

And from what I have read about it, sounds like the experience would have been repeatable. Was interactive so different people would result in different experiences. Cast could steer different voyages in at least somewhat different directions. Could be as repeatable to me as much as people I know who take multiple week long trips to WDW each year. Though ultimately, GS was something I would have no interest in at any price. Just not type of trip I want.

And I am sure there were some people who did GS for purposes of letting friends/family know they can spend that much money on a short trip. Less likely those people would have been repeat customers unless they are looking to let friends/family know they can spend that much multiple times for short trips. LOL

Yes, the "finale" is the same, but how you get there is totally a choose your own adventure.

Shades:

Out of curiosity, what would you say their interest in Star Wars is?

I dunno, but any expansive IP that so richly describes another reality will have big fans. Comic fandom was a thing long before the MCU, and seeing a ton of different stories tie together is pretty cool. I was into it briefly as a teenager, and when X-Men encountered Avengers, that was amazing.

While criticism of the Star Wars universe is often fair, especially as they try to reconcile different visions and story lines, you know when you're looking at Star Wars. Even when it's new, it's familiar.

Alternatively, could they operate it as a more ordinary hotel? No Equity actors, no storylines, but staff trained to act as if everyone is orbiting Endor or whatever. And maybe some scaled-down, upcharge activities during the day like lightsaber training, etc. The problem, of course, is that the number of rooms is tiny to support all the fixed costs of running a separate property.

From the little I have seen and heard, a single-day experience is very likely.

It could also be repurposed as an extreme upcharge attraction from within Galaxy's Edge, utilizing the same bus transport systems and essentially serving as part of the Studios.

One theory is that was a creative success but commercial failure. Sounds like they will mine the positive guest feedback to extract what resonated most and find a retooled way to bring large portions of it back in some form with better economics.

That's a great way of putting it. I think you'd be hard pressed to find people who were "into it" suggest that it was anything less. We don't normally think of something like this as art, but I think it was. It was theater and film on a very atypical set and stage.

Jeff:

I've been told it was like going to see a play, only there is no proscenium, and the stage is all things and you're on it the whole time. You can watch the story, or get involved with it.

You just described Sleep No More in New York City. A totally immersive play that happens around you and you can participate or watch during the 3 hour production. It is in an old hotel/warehouse and you have something like 5 floors to explore. This is what I keep saying Star Cruiser should turn into, along with it being a Star Wars themed hotel at the same time.

The hotel angle was the wrong thing to sell. Actual cruise ships are essentially hotels at sea, but they're not selling the rooms, they're selling all of the things you do. I spend an hour or two per day in my room on a cruise.

I think having a hotel with a theme like Star Wars can still sell if they operate it like a normal hotel that just happens to have an "experience" add-on for those who want it. At that point, with a few additional changes, the hotel would just be another hotel on property that would likely be filled all the time. I do think having an immersive experience like I mentioned above would be better suited for Disney Springs so maybe move the show there, but the hotel can still be functional and give them return.

Jeff:

I spend an hour or two per day in my room on a cruise.

Wow, you must be really sleep deprived. 😜

PhantomTails:

Wow, you must be really sleep deprived.

I see someone has never been on Disney's famed Cocaine Cruise.

Just convert it into Frozen: Elsa and Anna’s magic castle. Profit!!!

Are we combining Frozen and cocaine? Because I am here for it.

They could copy the plot from the Battlestar Galactica miniseries and make it a day long experience.

As long as they throw in some beats and bears, too.