Photo: Disney
TheStar WarsGalactic Star Cruiser hotel is being repurposed more than a year after it made its last voyage.
The ambitious project, which was part hotel and part interactive role playing experience, opened in March 2022. However, after park-goer criticisms about the hefty price tag (starting at $4,800) and reports visitor interest in the two-day stay wasn’t what Disney had hoped,the company announced in May 2023 that it would closethat September.
Now, PEOPLE confirms the elaborate, purpose-built structure located just behind Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios park is reportedly being repurposed for a less thrill-filled use: office space for Walt Disney Imagineering.
The property will be a new creative hub for the Disney Imagineers working on a number of the resort’s most highly anticipated projects, including the new Tropical Americas land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom, the new Villains land and Frontierland expansion at Magic Kingdom, and the new Monsters Inc. land at Hollywood Studios, according tothe Wrap.
Disney
The Galactic Starcruiser faced a number of challenges during its limited run. Perhaps the greatest being the price and perceived value: TheNew York Timesreported at the time Disney announced it would close that the starting cost was more than $4,800 for two people and around $6,000 for a family of four.
Transportation may have been a contributing factor in the decision to not have the building be accessible to guests going forward.
While office space sounds dull on the surface, the projects being worked on there are some of the most intriguing coming to Disney World in the next several years.
At theDisney Experiences showcase at D23 in August, it was revealedthat a newIndiana Jones-themed ride andEncanto-themed ride will arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027.
Billy Crystalappeared onstage at the convention to announce that aMonsters Inc.land will be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There, a ride that travels through the door factory from the film will mark the first-ever suspended coaster for a Disney park.
Disney/Pixar
A long-rumored Villains Land is coming to Magic Kingdom featuringThe Little Mermaid’s Ursula,Snow White’s Evil Queen,Aladdin’s Jafar and many more.
Plus, newCars-themed attractions will soon be replacing Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America ferry boat at Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.
source: people.com