According to The Wrap, multiple sources, including one close to the company, report that the former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser building near Disney's Hollywood Studios is being converted into office space for Walt Disney Imagineering. The facility, once home to Disney's most ambitious themed entertainment experience, will now serve as a base for the creative division behind theme park attractions, retail locations, and cruise ships.
This report follows comments made by Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro in a 2023 interview with The Points Guy. When asked about the future of the Galactic Starcruiser building, D'Amaro said, "No hints yet, but something will happen." He acknowledged that while the project pushed creativity and storytelling to new heights, "It didn't work commercially. And so, when we realized that, you just make a call and move on." It appeared at that point that D'Amaro was suggesting a guest-facing use of the building, but that plan appears to have now changed.
The Rise and Fall of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened on March 1, 2022, as a two-day, two-night immersive experience priced at approximately $5,200 per voyage. The experience initially saw strong sales, but bookings quickly slowed, prompting Disney to adjust operations to cut costs and boost occupancy. In May 2023, Disney announced the closure of the hotel, with the final voyage taking place from September 28-30, 2023.
As soon as Disney resumed bookings for the final trips, demand surged, and the remaining voyages sold out within hours. At the time, Disney assured booked guests that the company would work to accommodate those affected by canceled reservations. Cast Members working at the Starcruiser were also given the opportunity to transition to new roles at Walt Disney World.
WDI Expands as Disney Begins Major New Projects
The move to convert the Galactic Starcruiser into Imagineering office space comes as Walt Disney World is preparing to launch several major projects, including:
- A Monsters, Inc.-themed expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- A Cars-themed area replacing Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom
- The Tropical Americas expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, replacing DinoLand U.S.A.
With these large-scale projects on the horizon, Imagineering’s presence in Central Florida is expanding. WDI currently operates offices inside EPCOT and at the former STOLport (Short Takeoff and Landing Airport) site near Magic Kingdom.
A Shift in Purpose
With the building now expected to become Imagineering office space, it appears Disney has no immediate plans to repurpose the facility for another guest experience.
Disney has not officially confirmed The Wrap's report, but the decision to convert the Starcruiser building into office space suggests that any hopes of a new guest-facing experience in the facility, which included day excursions from Batuu, have been put to rest—at least for now.
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