Disney may have ways to recycle Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
The end is here for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Walt Disney World’s immersive two-night experience. Its final bookings wrapped up Sept. 30.
After the announcement in May about Starcruiser’s fate, national media outlets took a run at what went wrong, using language such as “horrendously expensive” (Forbes), “warehouse-like building” (SFGATE), “slickly marketed dinner theater” (Collider) and “dangerous omen for Disney” (MovieWeb).
Disney execs have taken it in stride publicly, calling it an underachiever and a learning experience. In June, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Park, Experiences and Products, assured that “something” would go into the structure, but no details have emerged.
Still, there are Galactic Starcruiser elements that could find homes on Disney properties somewhere on Earth.
Lightsaber love
A leisure activity of sorts aboard the Halcyon, the name of the Starcruiser’s ship, was learning to use a lightsaber. Participants wielded the weapons to anticipate, then divert, beams of light from a wall. There was teamwork, observation and shields involved. And it fulfilled yearnings by grown-ups who were prohibited from the Jedi Training Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
It doesn’t quite stand on its own, but perhaps on a cruise ship or a DisneyQuest-esque setting would work. (The ‘90s are back, right?)
Crew beginnings
A slew of distinctive characters populated Starcruiser, from ship officers to intergalactic superstar singers. The day trips to Batuu, home planet of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge indicate that Starcruiser and the scifi side of Hollywood Studios are, as they say, in the same universe. So couldn’t Twi’lek chanteuse Gaya pop into a cantina with ease?
Intergalactic edibles
Many Disney activities feature food components – think character breakfasts, fireworks dessert parties, Epcot festivals – that there should be a home for the unusual edibles developed by Disney chefs for the Halcyon’s Crown of Corellia Dining Room. There were about 70 dishes designed for Starcruiser in the two years leading up to its launch.
The idea was familiar-looking food, but not quite what you might sit down to on your home planet. Could blue shrimp be the new blue milk of the theme parks?
Puzzle people
One of challenges – literally and figuratively – of Starcruiser were hands-on puzzles in unusual locations, such as the engine room of the ship. They required problem-solving skills, teamwork and perhaps subterfuge.
Intergalactic escape room, anyone? The “Star Wars” franchise has dipped into virtual-reality offerings that could help up the game too. And once again I’m thinking about DisneyQuest. (Are we going to call the project ahead of its time now?)
Hot L Halcyon
Basically, everyone’s an armchair Imagineer when it comes to the Starcruiser building. Make it a “Star Wars” hotel but with a pool! Make it a star wars hotel but with a “Mandalorian” theme! Make it a hotel with a “Wall-E” theme! (?!) Make it a “Star Wars” day spa! Make it Disney College Program housing! Expand Galaxy’s Edge to incorporate it somehow!
History tells us that Disney doesn’t freak out about a building sitting there empty. The structure can barely be seen by the public. It’s not like it’s Eyesore on I-4 Encore and a public distraction that might remind folks of corporate imperfection.
In other words, we might have to be patient. Force yourself.
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