Walt Disney World (DIS) is closing its themed hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which put guests into a fully immersive Star Wars experience.
With so many Star Wars fans around the world, Disney was gambling that this resort would be be a huge success. However, after opening just over a year ago on March 1, 2022, Disney announced that it would be closing the attraction down, and its final day of operation will be Sept. 30.
“Do. Or do not. There is not try,” according to Yoda and Disney ‘did’ and now it will no longer ‘do’ the Star Wars themed resort.
As the Galactic Starcruiser winds down, Disney is working with guests who have travel arrangements to help remedy how the closure will affect travelers. Disney paused new reservations until May 26 to use its available time and space to help accommodate anyone who had prior travel plans. Since the premium Star Wars experience was limited to only 100 rooms, even with the high price of over $5,000 for a two-night stay wasn’t enough to continue to support the venture. Earlier this year, rumors on forums and blogs suggested the hotel was having problems with a low occupancy rate, Variety reported.
While many Disney fans and Star Wars fans will pay premium price for experiences, the Star Wars resort proved the there is a price that is too high. While some customers are able to pay it, many are not.
“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 experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans,” Disney said in a statement.
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A New Day, a New Beginning at Disney
As with all Disney projects, resorts, and attractions, there is a constant life cycle, and while some cycles are shorter than others, the creativity never stops. New details are emerging about Disneyland’s new Pixar Place Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., which will be a short walk from Downtown Disney and the two Disneyland Resort parks. The hotel is currently Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, which opened in 1984 and now is being transformed into the first Pixar themed hotel in the United States. The Pixar Place Hotel is expected to open this winter.
Changes are always happening at Disney resorts, parks and attractions, and this new addition to Disneyland will have a contemporary setting, which is vastly different from the former Paradise Pier Hotel, which featured, a feeling of the old fashion days of luxury, according to Inside the Magic.
Details about the Pixar Place Hotel are emerging, and one detail is that the Pixar Lamp will greet guests in the lobby. A mobile hanging in the lobby atrium will be filled with colorful characters as guests are welcomed inside. The guests will be able to enjoy an all-new water play area that is inspired by “Finding Nemo.” A play court for families that will have guests enjoying interactive play with friends like “La Luna,” “Bao”, “For the Birds,” and “Burrow,” according to Blog Mickey.
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While the 15-story Paradise Pier Hotel’s remodel is well underway, and the soon to be newly renovated resort would not be complete without a new restaurant. The Great Maple will open this fall and will serve as a Southern California Modern American eatery that dishes up breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Some of the signature dishes will be Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Maple Bacon Doughnuts, the Cajun Shrimp and Cheddar Biscuits Benedict, and the Soda Pop-Braised Baby Back Ribs.
The restaurant will also include a full bar and provides food and service at the pool. Service by the pool won’t be the only perk of staying the Pixar Place Hotel. Guests will enjoy early park entry to Disneyland to check out select attractions and have special entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.
Many of the details about the hotel may still evolve over the next couple of months, but the concept will remain a colorful, fun filled presentation of Pixar’s films.
