The Star Wars hotel (Also known as the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser), which is a new type of hotel experience, is now available at Disney World.

And although it sounds AWESOME, you’re going to need to think about this Disney experience completely differently from how you think about regular Disney hotels when it comes to planning your Disney World vacation!

We have stayed at the Galactic Starcruiser a few times and we have some thoughts to share on the experience.

The biggest is that this is NOT a hotel. It’s an all-inclusive, cruise-ship-like, lock-down experience. And on top of that, it’s also a bit of a game.

You don’t leave the Galactic Starcruiser all that often except for when you have a little off-world excursion to Hollywood Studios. So it’s not like you’re crashing for the night and popping over to (if at all) to pop over to Beaches and Cream for a sundae or to hope on Frozen Ever After in EPCOT. Once you’re in, you’re pretty much IN for good.

And when onboard, the Galactic Starcruiser is like a cross between an escape room, a choose-your-own-adventure book, and a murder-mystery dinner…but you’re doing them all at once with no answer key.

You’re meeting characters like Sammie the mechanic and Captain Keevan – and they’re meeting you, learning your name and your allegiances. Those characters are then giving you missions around the ship and even in Batuu for when you embark on your the Hollywood Studios part of the experience. Deciding what characters you help or betray, what missions you complete or skip has a big impact on the way the story plays out for you. Doesn’t sound like your typical hotel, right?!

What Is A Stay On The Starcruiser Like?

Here’s a run-down of the experience. Guests board the Halcyon ship to embark on a cruise-like excursion for 2 days and 2 nights through space, complete with a “port” stop at the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu.

After guests check-in at a Galactic Starcruiser Terminal…

… They are sent out to connect with the ship via a launch pod.

Once on board, guests are able to participate in dining experiences…

… Interact with characters, crew, and fellow passengers…

… Learn how to wield a lightsaber…

… Visit and operate the Halcyon’s bridge…

… And relax in their cabins, where every window has a view of space (just like the rest of the ship!).

To top that all off, guests can participate in their own Star Wars story, where their choices during their voyage are intricately tracked…AND affect the outcome of their adventure. Which even means that there are a few secret hiding places and meetings aboard the Halcyon.

So as you can see — that’s a LOT to do in two days. And that means your activities are highly regulated, not leaving too much time for external pursuits. Guests also spend upwards of $5k for this short experience. So staying at the hotel and being a part of the story is really what guests pay for.

The expanse of activities onboard the Halcyon might make it sound like the hotel is massive. However, the size of this hotel is actually pretty boutique. The hotel only has “100 well appointed cabins,” according to Disney.

That means the Starcruiser offers a much more intimate feel — smaller building, fewer people, more intense experience. 

At times, you may find that your specific story on the Halcyon is interwoven with those of the others on your “cruise.” If you’re not there doing the things you’re supposed to be doing, it may mess with their stories as well.

So How Does Your Disney World Planning Need To Change To Accommodate A Stay On The Starcruiser?

So for those planning a trip to Disney World that will include a visit to the Galactic Starcruiser, consider this kind of a “land and sea” type holiday (with the halcyon being your “at sea” portion). If you’re planning on a week at Disney World, book the Galactic Starcruiser for two nights, planning on doing nothing else but Star Wars-related activities both on the ship and at Black Spire Outpost, for those days. After all, most of your food, drinks, activities and experiences are included in your cost.

Read MORE about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser here

Then plan to move over to a different (cheaper) Disney World resort hotel for your park days at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (other than Galaxy’s Edge), and EPCOT.

While this is a different type of hotel experience in Disney World, we can say that for a true Star Wars fanatic, the experience itself will likely be one that will last a lifetime.

Looking to book at trip to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser? Our friends at Small World Vacations have you covered!