Just how immersive is the upcoming Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience going to be? The Disney Imagineers working behind the scenes on the Orlando hotel/ride/lifestyle came out recently with their first full push regarding explaining to guests what they will step into should they book “passage” on the Galactic Starcruiser. They also revealed how much it’s going to cost visitors, and that’s a whole ‘nother conversation. But hilariously, the good folks at Walt Disney World Theme Parks apparently felt the need to go one step further and confirm to interested parties that, no, the “ship” does not actually bring you to space.
For that, you have to contact Sir Richard Branson or Jeff Bezos.
There’s a Frequently Asked Questions section for the upcoming Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience, which is expected to open in Orlando in 2022. And in that FAQ section, Disney Theme Parks actually addresses the concern of whether or not the Starcruiser takes visitors to a galaxy far, far away. Have no fear, traveler. You never leave the safe haven of Florida, physically. But Star Wars hopes that the resort whisks you away, mentally and emotionally, through various activities. Still, as they explain:
While your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyage is not an actual trip into space, passengers will experience the sensation of voyaging on a starcruiser through space in a galaxy far, far away -- just like you have seen in Star Wars movies and shows. After arriving at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Terminal, registered Guests will board a launch pod and rendezvous with the waiting Halcyon starcruiser. Once onboard the Halcyon starcruiser, you will see passing ships, planets, stars and other breathtaking galactic sights float past realistic windows that look out into space -- including windows in every passenger cabin and suite. On the second day of the voyage, you’ll board a transport from the starcruiser for a trip down to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, where you’ll continue your adventure on the exotic planet. During your 2-night adventure, you will feel like you’ve travelled throughout the Star Wars galaxy. It’s all one seamless story -- your Star Wars story!
It sounds like a lot is being done to capture the reality of space travel while guests are on the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, and I’m sure that once you are on board the actual ship, it will actually feel as if you are traveling through the stars, venturing to far off planets on your specific Star Wars adventure. Having been to Galaxy’s Edge in Orlando, I can tell you that once you step onto Batuu (the park area dedicated to Star Wars), it’s fairly easy to allow yourself to forget that you are in Orlando at a theme park. While not 100% immersive, the park commits fully to the world it has built, and I’m sure the Galactic Starcruiser will take even the Galaxy’s Edge experience to another level.
How involved will you want to be in this adventure? Part of me feels like I’d prefer to be a casual observer in a Star Wars adventure, but at the prices they are asking, I guess I’d have to shed my inhibitions and plunge fully into the Star Wars world. Without leaving planet Earth, of course.
