With all the hype that has come from the media preview of the Galactic Starcruiser, I wanted to ask my fellow Star Wars fans from around the world what they thought of what’s been revealed. Here are their responses, along with posts from the first week of visitors to the experience:
Ryan Stämpfl from Australia
The Galactic Starcruiser experience looks incredible and I’m thrilled for friends who have been able to take part in the recent tour – I just wish it was affordable for more people and more flexible
For the same cost you could stay for longer at a Disney resort and enjoy visiting multiple parks and have a more family friendly vacation that would cater to more varied interests, it’s a big ask to go stay on the Galactic Starcruiser the whole time with a family member who may not be a Star Wars fan/as much of one.
Ric Peralta from the United States
It looks like an incredible experience staying at the Starcruiser, but if it is designed to be like a cruise ship experience it should be priced more in line with other Disney cruises. The price is so prohibitive that only the ultra wealthy will get a chance to experience it. I’ll also add I’m a little disappointed that some of the amazing experiences originally planned for SWGE were held back and only delivered for the hotel.
First Day Review: Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (note: we paid for this experience)
The Starcruiser is theatrical immersion at its best. The cast is incredible and the ship feels elegant and new. Don’t believe the noise. So far, this is phenomenal #GalacticStarcruiser pic.twitter.com/6Su3TBb2Te
— David Vaughn (@DavidVaughn) March 2, 2022
David Manderville from the United States
As a lifelong fan of Star Wars (since 1977) the combination of Batuu at Disney Hollywood Studios and the Galactic Starcruiser are the culmination of dreams we had as kids. That being said, the cost to experience the cruise sets me one step back yet again. I simply cannot justify that price point for a two-day experience. That and the lack of certain generic hotel amenities (pool/spa, or a free-flowing self-guided experience) have me putting this on the back burner as something to try maybe one day if I win the lottery or if they have an open house coupon day. My plan is to live the experience vicariously through friends who were fortunate enough to have been invited.
Paul Naylor from the United Kingdom
Personally, I knew before I saw the videos released that I wouldn’t be remotely interested in going on this overpriced two-day ‘experience’. It feels more Jason of Star Command than Star Wars. It appears to be aimed at 7-10 year olds. They generally don’t have $6,000 to burn and – despite what Disney believes – that age group is not the core Star Wars fanbase. Most fans are 20s+. A more grown up themed adventure would be appropriate – enlisted into Empire or Rebellion, developing into an immersive paint ball/laser tag affair. The accommodation looks okay, but it shouldn’t be the focus – nothing thrilling from what I’ve seen. All looked very pedestrian.
Kevin Schwoebel from the United States
Why on Earth do they have to put a three and three-quarter Astromech droid on sale exclusively in the Starcruiser? Also, why do they consistently have to make my life so hard? My collecting life, that is.
Father Roderick from the Netherlands
I’ve seen some of the visitor’s videos and I’ve read some early reviews. I really like their efforts to create an immersive environment, but I don’t think it’s for me. Some thoughts:
It feels very much like a sea cruise type of environment, with cramped rooms and a lot of people around you constantly. As an introvert, I really don’t like to be among many people I do not know for an extended period of time. (That’s why I would never like to go on a cruise!)
As an interactive, immersive experience, you HAVE to participate constantly to get the most out of the two day stay. I can’t be ‘on’ all the time. The pressure of only having two days to experience everything doesn’t allow for much downtime without feeling you wasted your money.
I liked the overall design of the environment, but some of the characters looked like mediocre cosplayers. The blue skinned officer in white uniform with the ridiculously big hat and Chewbacca looked unconvincing and would take me out of the story immediately.
The lightsaber fight between Rey and Kylo on that balcony stage felt a bit like what you’d see in line waiting for one of the rides in an amusement park. I understand that it’s the only way to integrate elements like that, but it would require an effort to suspend disbelief in situations like that. Great for kids though.
There seems to be a lot of emphasis on dining and on partying as forms of entertainment, but it all felt ‘too much’.
Finally, the price of the experience is insane. You can fly an entire family from the US to Paris or Rome and stay for a week for what you pay for two days on the Galactic Starcruiser. Maybe some people are willing to cough up that much money, but I prefer to hang out with my cosplaying Star Wars friends at conventions or festivals instead. If they’d offer a 2 hour version of this, I might be willing to consider it, but two days? It’s not for me. I can think of so many better things I could do with the amount of money they charge for the Galactic Starcruiser experience.. But I think they know through market research that there is a small demographic that is willing to pay these prices and provide enough return on investment. They clearly don’t see this as something that any family should be able to experience.
Got off the #GalacticStarcruiser inaugural voyage this morning, what a ride! I loved it even more than I thought I would, totally worth it for me! What a great experience all around. pic.twitter.com/YA0216zb6Z
— Kendalactic (@GalacticCurator) March 4, 2022
Carl Bayliss from the United Kingdom
It looks like a Disney cruise, but way more expensive and less to do for the money. Plus one day is “on Batuu” so you’re not even on/in the “ship”. And for an immersive experience , the other guests were also in “normal clothes” so taking you out of the Star Warsyness. But above all it’s out of the price reach of most fans so they’ll never get to go.
Adam Bray from the United States
I think the Galactic Starcruiser looks fun overall. I support Disney’s pursuit of building new experiences for Star Wars fans and charging whatever they think fans are willing to pay. Will I pay to stay at their exclusive Star Wars hotel? Definitely not. As a writer—even a writer of official Star Wars content—I couldn’t begin to afford a weekend at that price. It’s too much. For the same price, I could travel anywhere in the world I want and have a lengthy vacation adventure there. Also, when I choose among more costly experiences, I am not drawn to cookie-cutter activities that everyone else is doing. I want to do things that are unique and have a custom experience all to myself. So spending two nights in a scripted setting like the Galactic Starcruiser isn’t worth the relative expense to me.
Kate from the United States
I am deeply intrigued by the Galactic Starcruiser. It seems like an extraordinary adventure for Star Wars super fans but at the same time, that massive amount of money could be put toward a much longer and substantial vacation.
I know minds are already made up and this isn't going to change anyone's foregone conclusions, but here's my review of the good, bad & ugly of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser: https://t.co/XcGTuGa4iM pic.twitter.com/wKNvfoOkG5
— Tom Bricker (@Tom_Bricker) March 7, 2022
Matt Booker from the United Kingdom
The rooms looked cramped and too real world. For the cost price I’d expect a lot more for my money, so pass. Let the rich ‘n’ famous with money to burn enjoy it as long as they can afford it.
Mike Hammond from the United States
The Galactic Starcruiser looks like something we would like to do, but not at that cost. We and many other Star Wars fans cannot afford $5,000 for just a two-day experience, no matter how immersive the experience is. Until the cost is a bit more reasonable, in my opinion, there will not be many normal Star Wars fans or even super fans, like my wife Patty, signing up for this experience.
Based on all these reactions, many of my friends will not be making a reservation to board the Galactic Starcruiser any time soon until the cost and timing is more balanced.
What’s your opinion, and will you be making a reservation at Galactic Starcruiser? Let us know by emailing news@fanthatracks.com or commenting on our social media feeds.
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