Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World to permanently close

May 18, 2023 in "Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser"

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Posted: Thursday May 18, 2023 3:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

After being in operation for just over a year, Walt Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will make its final voyage on September 28, 2023 and will then permanently close.

Then Disney CEO Bob Chapek at Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

In announcing the closure, Disney told news outlets, "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we've learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans."

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser overview

Disney is contacting guests booked on the cancelled Starcruiser voyages and says it hopes to relocate Cast Members to other roles at Walt Disney World.

The official Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser website has been updated with a message confirming the the closure.

The final voyage for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will take place September 28-30, 2023. We are so proud of all of the Cast Members and Imagineers who brought Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to life and look forward to delivering an excellent experience for Guests during the remaining voyages over the coming months. Thank you to our Guests and fans for making this experience so special.

For Guests who previously booked a voyage on or after September 30, 2023, we will be contacting you soon to discuss your options and modify your plans. As we prioritize these Guests, at this time, new bookings are temporarily paused and will reopen on May 26, 2023.

Carrying a lofty price tag of around $5200 for the two-day, two-night experience, Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser launched on March 1 2022. After stronger-than-expected initial sales, Starcruiser bookings quickly stalled, forcing Disney to look to save costs and boost reservations.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser overview

Most recently, Disney began canceling voyages in the summer that had very few bookings, moving guests to other dates with a 50% discount for the inconvenience. Disney also offered various discounts, including Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club deals.

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ChrisMFeb 07, 2024

"From a haulcraft?!"

TrojanUSCFeb 02, 2024

Not to mention it works at MK because the park is basically on the second floor. Studios has no such elevation so they couldn't really create a tunnel.

UNCgolfJan 31, 2024

That seems like it would be very expensive (especially since it would have to go through a canal) and they'd be better off just actually developing the whole area leading to it. Not that I think they have any plans to add it to the park.

fgmntJan 31, 2024

and were the building to be substantially retrofitted into a new use, it would also require a capital investment that will depreciate at its own prescribed pace.

flynnibusJan 31, 2024

No - they changed their deprecation schedule for the assets. Basically pulling the deprecation forward for tax advantages now.

LilofanJan 31, 2024

WDW summer temps and humidity is day and night compared to beautiful summer time temps at DLR.

Magicart87Jan 31, 2024

In Orlando?

fgmntJan 31, 2024

IJA in Disneyland also works that way, but that is a <5 minute walk to a headline attraction. We are talking about easily 20 minutes for a healthy single adult.

ChrisFLJan 31, 2024

What about something like the tunnel to get to Space Mountain under the berm, just a lot longer

fgmntJan 30, 2024

The only way I see SWGS benefitting DHS is if they move whoever is left in the offices of Animation building (but does not really need to be within 5 minute walking distance of guest areas) out there into the staterooms. If that happens they might expand the park and open up the two dead ends before the heat death of the universe. Maybe.