Disney World’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is shutting off its hyperdrive and is closing permanently. The final voyage will take place in late September.
The experience blends elements of the company’s resorts, cruise lines and theme parks into a 48-hour adventure in space. First teased during Disney’s D23 Expo in 2019, the Galactic Starcruiser, located near the company’s Orlando, Florida-based Disney World Resort opened in March 2022.
To many fan’s dismay, Disney Parks posted on their site today the following message:
“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.”
The voyage is pricey, around $1,200 per person per day, with family packages approaching $6,000 for the excursion. The two-day jaunt includes a hotel room, all food and drink except alcoholic and specialty beverages, a day trip to the Hollywood Studios park, a Magic Band and valet service at drop-off.
The pandemic likely made the Galactic Starcruiser a tougher sell for the virus-wary given the prospect of being confined in an enclosed area for a prolonged period of time. That coupled with the exorbitant cost made the space vacation cost prohibitive for most families. Kudos to Disney for pursuing the concept albeit a very expensive experiment.