Disney World’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opens in March of 2022, and a lot of information has already been shared about the experience.

We’ve gotten the chance to hear about some of the food coming to the hotel, the lightsaber training experience, the rooms, and more. But, just how will it feel as you first step aboard the Halcyon (the ship where you’ll be staying) and the transport that will take you there? Well, now we’ve got more details on just that!

Boarding the Ship

Earlier today, StarWars.com shared some NEW details about the Star Wars hotel experience after having gotten to play test it recently. According to StarWars.com, the terminal to the Halcyon on earth is a pretty “non-descript earthy bunker,” something we’ve noticed as we’ve checked on construction updates of this space.

According to IGN, after you enter this main, slate grey building, you’ll drop off your luggage and then follow hallways “designed to look like a concrete launch facility.” Then, you enter the launch pod.

The Launch Pod will transport you from earth to your ship. StarWars.com shares that the launch pod features a viewport in the ceiling that will show you “hurtling toward the sky, beyond the clouds, and to the stars where the Halcyon starcruiser awaits its next group of passengers.” This reminds us a bit of the space elevator situation we recently saw at Space 220.

Nerdist says that the launch pod can “hold a couple of travel parties.”

Once you reach the Halcyon, you’ll be inside of a central atrium that is said to be quite impressive! That atrium connects to the main bridge area on one side (which is where you’ll get to test things related to the ship’s navigation and defense systems). There is also a hologram in one corner that emits the ship’s logo. As you look out of the main viewport, you’ll see the planet below and then the stars in motion as the ship starts its trip.

According to Nerdist, “Large holographic columns flank either side of the atrium; they showed the Chandrila Star Line logo while we toured. The atrium is adjacent to the bridge, which we briefly stepped into…Ship-wide announcements will call out notable landmarks as they pass (we did not experience this in action).”

Off of another side of the atrium is the Sublight Lounge. And on the other side of the atrium, you’ll find the gift shop — The Chandrila Collection.

In the atrium, IGN notes that you’ll hear a “soft machine hum simulating the sound of the starship engines.” There are also windows showing stars, planets, and more. And you’ll hear various beeps as computers and droids do their work. The experience seems truly immersive from a visual and auditory perspective.

Bloomberg notes that there are details everywhere for Star Wars fans to enjoy, including “bathroom signs printed entirely in Aurebesh—with no English translations.” Bloomberg also shares that one of the activities you’ll be able to do while on the Halcyon is actually model ship building.

Opening Ceremony

IGN also shares that a special ceremony will kick things off on the cruise. According to IGN, “to start off the cruise, guests will be greeted by an opening ceremony of sorts where they’re welcomed to the ship by the crew and are introduced to a few of the characters.”

Character Interactions

Speaking of characters and interaction, it seems like there will be quite a LOT to check out. IGN shared that in the atrium they saw a musician playing their instrument, a man in a purple coat, and even an alien in a purple dress who only spoke her specific alien language.

IGN notes that “The Galactic Starcruiser is filled with all sorts of characters you can interact with—some who will walk up to you with a question, some who sit waiting to be approached, and others who will call attention to themselves and it’ll be your choice to either go see what the fuss is about or continue to sit back and enjoy your space cocktail.”

Both IGN and StarWars.com then described a situation that took place in the atrium surrounding a very famous Star Wars character — Chewbacca! IGN shares that they spoke with one crew character, named Sammie, who shared that a famous member of the Resistance was aboard and needed help.

Then, a whole situation ensued where Chewbacca appeared in a balcony above and needed a distraction from the First Order officers to get away. Some guests created a “human wall” to help block Chewbacca from the First Order’s view while others created a distraction, allowing Chewie to escape!

This was just one quest that unfolded and one way in which the quest unfolded. Had guests made other choices, things could have turned out differently. According to IGN, your choices could lead to different situations, including a different quest in Galaxy’s Edge or access to “secret” areas on the Halcyon. IGN also shared that it seems no 2 guests will have the same story experience.

New Characters

When it comes to characters, StarWars.com recently shared a look at some of the NEW crew members you’ll get to meet while on board the Halcyon. There’s Captain Riyola Keevan (a Pantoran who is a “strong and decisive leader who genuinely loves the Halcyon…and when the First Order comes calling, she will do whatever it takes to protect her passengers.”

There’s also Cruise Director Lenka Mok. She is “in charge of onboard entertainment, ensuring each voyage is an adventure.”

There’s also SK-62O, Mok’s astromech and assistant cruise director. According to StarWars.com guests will quickly realize that “he’s among the first members of the ship’s crew to reveal a more nuanced story. It seems Mok’s devoted droid companion is hiding a secret.”

Next, there’s D3-09, who you’ll see on holoscreens. Her role is running the ship’s logistics, and she’s “not shy about sharing her wealth of knowledge.”

There’s also Sammie, who is from Corellia and is “more of a stowaway than a real mechanic.” He also speaks Shyriiwook, which might just come in handy if you happen to spot a Wookiee on the ship!

Finally, there’s Lt. Harman Croy, who works for the First Order. He is reportedly suspicious of any resistance activity and will “stop at nothing to complete his investigation and hold Keevan and everyone else in his sights responsible for the civil disobedience.”

Itineraries

Similar to a cruise, guests will have an itinerary. At first glance, it might seem rather ordinary, but IGN notes that ” it’s not long before you get a bad feeling about whatever activity you’re doing and a ho-hum day turns into an exciting adventure.”

The Bridge

In the Bridge, guests will get the chance to learn how to operate the ship’s defenses and more. But, your ordinary training might turn into an exciting adventure. IGN shares that during their time in the Bridge, the First Order turned their “relaxing afternoon of lazily pushing buttons into an intense struggle to survive that involved making daring hyperspace jumps, navigating an asteroid field, and putting those weapon systems to good use.”

IGN shared that it felt like they were all players in an elaborate video game, as well as an “interactive theater where dramatic story beats played out both on the comm screens and with actors on the floor with us.”

Engineering Deck

There are lots of spaces to explore on the Halcyon, including the Engineering rooms. These are located in the “bowels” of the ship, according to StarWars.com, and are where guests will need to travel to “manage the engineering systems in an effort to prevent Lt. Croy from taking control.”

The room has lights, levers, and buttons and is dimly lit. The room is filled with a “a series of puzzles just waiting to be solved.” As guests move around the room to solve these puzzles, they may hear the thrum of the engines, see a puff of smoke, or catch lights turning from red to white as they hit the right sequence.

There’s also a coolant room, where guests will learn how to work together to tackle certain switches, but some are at a “distance too far for any human to reach.” StarWars.com then explains that “a young Jedi appears” and they then work together to “throw the massive switches, resulting in a satisfying hiss, to keep things flowing. You can always trust a Jedi.” Of course, this is just one scenario that occurred, and things could happen differently on upcoming trips.

More

According to StarWars.com, there are 100 passenger cabins, accessible from 4 decks that are designated for guests. The remainder of the decks are for “crew members only.” But, you might just be able to get a peek at some special spaces if you “talk your way into a special mission as a new Resistance recruit.” StarWars.com also notes that there will be between 100 and 500 passengers onboard, noting that the “immersion calls for contained chaos and a sense of community as individuals live out their own stories making decisions that impact the experience as a whole.”

If it’s a party you’re after, it seems the hotel will have that too. According to Nerdist, “Walt Disney Imagineering executive producer and creative director Ann Morrow Johnson” said that on the second day, after the Galaxy’s Edge excursion, guests will “come back on board, have more activities, dinner, and then a big party at the end of night two where we’re going to party like it’s 1999.”

We can’t wait to learn more about the Star Wars hotel. There’s a lot of new information being shared today, so be sure to lookout for more posts from us.

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