Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is Disney World’s Star Wars hotel. But to call it a hotel wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Yes, it’s a place where you check in, sleep for a couple of nights, and check out. However, Galactic Starcruiser is much more than just a place to stay. It is an immersive interactive experience that takes place over two nights aboard an intergalactic starship. Part video game, part escape room, and part interactive theater, this experience invites you to go on your own Star Wars adventure.
Starcruiser is basically a cruise ship that both takes you to space and also doesn’t actually move.
Here’s our complete guide on what to expect, what to do, and how to make the most of your time in Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat to expect at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a 2-night experience. Guests arrive in the afternoon on the first day of their vacation, and will return to Earth on the morning of day 3. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect from a trip on the Galactic Starcruiser.
Welcome aboard the Halcyon
The outside of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel is pretty unassuming. It’s a big cement box, with a large “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” logo out front. But don’t be fooled by the drab exterior. At this terminal, Guests drop off their luggage, valet their cars (included in admission), and check in. This is where you will receive your databand, which is an exclusive Magic Band that will help you interact with different elements of the starship.
Next, your simulated “journey into space” begins. Guests board a transport pod that shuttles them to the Halcyon (pronounced Hal-see-uhn). After a brief ride and orientation video on the shuttle, you enter the starship’s grand atrium. In the Star Wars universe, the Halcyon is a luxury starcruiser operated by Candrila Star Line. From Disney:
The Halcyon starcruiser is the jewel of the Chandrila Star Line. Onboard the 100-cabin Corellian MPO-1400 model starcruiser, you’ll voyage to the far reaches of the galaxy in legendary comfort and style. Recently refurbished and reoutfitted, the starcruiser combines modern conveniences with the romance of the age of exploration.
A choose-your-own adventure
Once aboard the Halcyon, what you do from there is up to you. You can take a tour of the ship, play Sabacc with other guests, or talk to the many characters who inhabit the ship. While the entire vacation itinerary is packed with activities, how much you do really depends on how interested you are in certain activities. However, Galactic Starcruiser is a bit of a choose-your-own adventure, and certain activities will unlock rooms and story moments. So if you skipped talking to a certain character or going on a mission, you might miss that part of the ship. It really is an active vacation where the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
What to do during your stay
- Participate in Activities: From Lightsaber Training to Bridge Training to Sabacc lessons, there are a starship-load of things to do aboard the Halcyon. Your Datapad (aka your phone) will highlight some of the scheduled activities aboard the ship in your itinerary, but there are plenty of spontaneous opportunities that will arise during your stay.
- Go on missions: You may be familiar with the Star Wars: Datapad experience from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This is taken to the next level on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. In the Play Disney Parks app, you’ll find the Datapad experience. In here, you’ll get messages from characters aboard the ship giving you missions. Some of these are triggered by your actions on the ship. Try to use your Databand to get access to a locked door, and you might get a message from a character who can help you unlock it. This is where the meat of the choose-your-own adventure choices make a difference. Helping out a First Order officer or aiding a Resistance sympathizer set you down different story paths.
- Eat and Drink Intergalactic Fare: The Sublight Lounge is like a more upscale version of Oga’s Cantina. This is a great place to get drinks, eat snacks, and relax between running missions. The Crown of Corellia Dining Room is where you will get breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Shop in the Chandrilla Collection: This gift shop aboard the Halcyon has some exclusive in-universe Star Wars merchandise.
- Excursion to Batuu: On day 2 of your trip, you will take a shuttle to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. Starcruiser guests will have Lightning Lane access to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for no additional fee. In fact, what you do while in Batuu ties into the storyline aboard the Halcyon. You will continue to receive missions via the Datapad. Lunch at Docking Bay 7 is also included.
The Grand Finale
While each guest’s story will play out differently, the overall story of the Halcyon will always end the same. On the evening of the 2nd day, there’s a climactic showdown between good and evil in the Atrium. Once that plays out, guests can watch simulated fireworks out the simulated space windows.
Check-in / Check-out
Guests can arrive between 1-4 pm on the first day of their Starcruiser adventure. Checkout is in the morning of day 3. Disney’s sample itinerary places the “Launch Pod to Terminal” at 9:30 am to 10 AM, but this time could vary by guest.
What’s Included in Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Galactic Starcruiser vacation packages include:
- Two night stay in your cabin
- Entertainment and activities
- Food and drinks while aboard (excluding alcohol or specialty beverages)
- Starcruiser Databand
- Valet parking
- Admission to Hollywood Studios for your excursion to Batuu on Day 2
- One quick service meal per person at Docking Bay 7 (or other Quick Service Location at Hollywood Studios)
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Pricing
The starting price for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is $4809 for two guests. For a family of four, the starting price is almost $6000.
The pricing depends on your party size, and how many adults and children you have. These are the sample prices for the least busy seasons for a standard cabin. Prices go up from here.
- 2 Guests Per Cabin: $1209 per guest per night, or $4809 total
- 3 Guests Per Cabin (2 adults, 1 child): $889 per guest per night, or $5299 total
- 4 Guests Per Cabin (3 adults, 1 child): $749 per guest per night, or $5999 total
Galactic Starcruiser Cabins and Rooms
Disney World’s Star Wars hotel features 100 cabins and suites. There are three room types.
Standard Cabin
- Sleeps up to 5 guests.
- Features a queen bed, 2 bunk beds, and a wall pull-down bed.
- Each bunk beds is big enough to fit one adult up to 6’5”.
- Amenities include mini fridge, hair dryer, safe, phone, interactive TV, and H2O bath products
Galaxy Class Suite
- Sleeps up to 4 guests
- One bedroom suite with living space.
- Includes a double vanity bathroom, bar area, and 2 windows.
- Features a queen bed and 2 wall pull-down beds.
- Amenities include mini fridge, hair dryer, safe, phone, interactive TV, and H2O bath products
Grand Captain Suite
- Sleeps up to 8 guests
- Two bedroom suite with living space.
- Includes a double vanity bathroom, a second bathroom, bar area, and 3 windows.
- Features 2 queen beds, 2 bunk beds, and 2 wall pull-down beds.
- Amenities include mini fridge, hair dryer, safe, phone, interactive TV, and H2O bath products
Dining aboard the Halcyon
The Crown of Corellia Dining Room
Breakfast and Lunch: The main dining room features a breakfast and lunch buffet. Breakfast includes coffee, juice, and even blue milk. Lunch includes sandwiches, soups, flatbreads, and salads.
Dinner Services: During dinner, there is table service with live entertainment. There are two seatings for dinner each night with assigned seating. The second night’s dinner is “The Taste Around the Galaxy,” showcasing cuisines from iconic Star Wars locations. This is where you can find the infamous blue shrimp.
Sunlight Lounge
The Sublight Lounge serves as a great meeting spot during your adventure. Sip on cosmic concoctions at this bar and lounge, or enjoy a game of holo-sabacc.
Who is Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for?
This is a huge question, as this is not designed to be a vacation for everyone. The price point means that you really need to be one of the following types of people:
- Diehard Star Wars fans: This is your chance to spend two days fully immersed in the Star Wars galaxy. For many, this is a lifelong dream.
- People who love escape rooms and games: Galactic Starcruiser shares a lot of DNA with escape rooms and video games. If you love the thrill of solving a puzzle to unlock a secret door, this vacation is full of those types of moments.
- Fans of immersive, interactive theater: Part of the joy of the Starcruiser are the characters that you will meet inside the Halcyon. Guests interact with actors portraying a cast of characters ranging from fan favorites to original characters. If you’re the type of person who loves to role play and dive into the story, this might be right up your alley. If the terms “audience participation” make you break out into a cold sweat, this might not be for you.
- Anyone who values one-of-a-kind experiences and has plenty of disposable income: There is nothing else quite like Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. If you’re the type of person who values unique experiences over anything else, then the novelty might be enough for you to get value out of this trip.
Frequently Asked Questions about Galactic Starcruiser
Why is Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser so expensive?
There’s no getting around it: Galactic Starcruiser is a pricy proposition. When you compare it to other hotels, the price is astronomical. But comparing it to other hotels is like comparing apples to intergalactic oranges. A better comparison is to a cruise, where the experience, activities, entertainment, and dining are all part of the price of your stay.
On top of that, this is immersive storytelling on a level that really hasn’t been done anywhere else. Disney has pushed the bar with this experience, and that has pushed up the price as well.
Can I stay longer than two nights?
No. Galactic Starcruiser is only a 2-night experience.
Does it really take me to space?
No. Space is entirely simulated through screens. You’ll be in Florida (and on land) the entire time)
Is food included?
Yes, but alcohol and other specialty items cost extra.
What if I arrive early?
Check in is at 1, but if you need to arrive earlier than that, don’t worry. The valet will take your car and luggage, and you will be taken via bus to Disney Springs. Once it is time to check in, just take the bus back to Galactic Starcruiser.
Can I see natural sunlight during my stay?
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser has no real windows. Every window gives you a view of space to fully sell the immersion. However, there are a couple of opportunities to get fresh air and sunlight during your stay:
- There is a “Climate Simulator” on the ship, which is basically an open air room with a view of the Orlando sky. This is where you can grab some fresh air while aboard.
- On day 2 of your trip, you’ll go to Hollywood Studios for a few hours. You can get plenty of outside time while in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Is there a pool?
No. This is more of a “wield a lightsaber and go on an adventure” and not a “sip Mai Tais by the pool” type of vacation.
Do I need to buy theme park tickets?
Not for Day 2 of your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser vacation. Admission into Hollywood Studios is included on that day only. If you want to visit the theme parks before or after you are done with your trip on the Halcyon, you will need admission for that.
Is it possible to do everything at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser in one trip?
No. While guests will be able to all participate in the big activities like dining in the Crown of Corellia or Lightsaber Training, each Starcruiser experience will be unique. Because of the choose-your-own-adventure nature of the missions, it is impossible to do everything and interact with every character. For example, if you decide to help out the Resistance, that will prevent you from receiving some missions for the First Order. Don’t worry about trying to do everything. Instead, focus on enjoying your experience to the fullest.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Tips
- The price per person goes down as your group gets bigger. The more people you have in your group, the more reasonable the per-person price is. If you have a big group of friends, this could be a good vacation for everyone to go in on together, especially if you can get a group of 8 for the Grand Captain Suite. Yes, the sleeping quarters will be tight, but who needs sleep when you’re saving the galaxy?
- Arrive in character and pack your best Star Wars styles. If you’re traveling to space, you’ll want to look the part. shopDisney has a whole lineup of Galactic Starcruiser exclusive clothes. You could order these ahead of time so you can arrive at the terminal in your galactic finest. However, there are also other ways to dress in a Star Wars style without buying the official merch. Long flowy gowns, tunics, capes, and vests are all great ideas for your Starcruiser cosplay.
- Download the Play Disney Parks app ahead of time. A lot of the interactivity of the ship relies on the Star Wars Datapad inside the Play Disney Parks app. Download it ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about
- Set aside an extra budget for souvenirs and drinks. The resort is all-inclusive, to a point. Alcoholic beverages are an extra charge, and there is plenty of enticing souvenirs in the gift shop. When budgeting your vacation, keep this in mind.
- Don’t overpack. Rooms are on the small side, evoking more of a cruise ship than a Florida hotel. Keep your bags to a minimum to save space in your room.
- Pick a path. Do you want to help the Resistance? Or would you rather hang out with some Stormtroopers? Maybe Han Solo is your all-time favorite and you’d rather engage in some smuggling. Seek out the characters that best align with your interests and try to go on as many missions as you can on those tracks. That way you can craft your experience most to what you’d like doing.
- Bring a phone charger. The Play Disney Parks app can be a battery killer. Don’t miss mission-critical messages by keeping your phone charged. Here are a couple of chargers we recommend for bringing to Disney World, as they are also awesome to have in the theme parks.
Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux
$49.99This power bank is the ideal blend of portability and charging capability. This can charge two devices simultaneously, offers fast charging, and the large 10,000 mAh capacity will offer multiple charges for a phone. The form factor is smaller than the size of a phone, which is pretty impressive for a power bank with such large capacity.
iWALK Portable Charger (9000mAh)
$29.99If you have an iPhone and you want as small of a battery as possible, this charger is hard to beat. The 9000 mAh capacity is great for a battery this size, and the built in lightning cable keeps things super compact.
Apple MagSafe Charger
$99.99If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, this is the ultimate compact choice for an extra battery. The MagSafe Charger uses magnets to attach to the back of your phone and wirelessly charges your phone - no cables required. If you have a MagSafe compatible case, this battery will stick on the back and charge through your case as well. This convenience comes at a premium, as it's the priciest external battery we would recommend.
USB-C .8 Foot Cable – 3 Pack
$8.99If your phone has a USB-C charger, this pack of cables is great for using with an external power bank. No need to manage 3-foot cables getting tangled up in your bag or not fitting in your pocket.
Lightning Cable – 6 Inch – 5 Pack
$8.99If you have an iPhone and your external battery doesn't have a cable built in, this Lightning Cable pack is a must have. The 6 inch size is perfect for plugging into a power bank and charging your iPhone in your bag.
Micro USB – 7 Inch 5 Pack
$7.98If your phone uses Micro USB for charging, this 5 pack of cables is a great option for charging via an external battery.
How to plan an out-of-this-Galaxy adventure.
Does Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser sound like your dream vacation? Get in touch with our friends at Vacationeer. They can help you plan your trip aboard the Halcyon, as well as help you book the rest of your Disney World vacation. They’re Disney World experts, so they’ll have plenty of advice on how to best tackle both Galactic Starcruiser and Disney’s theme parks.
Let us know your thoughts.
Have any tips you want to share or thoughts about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser? Let us know in the comments below!
More from Guide2WDW
November 10, 2023
12 Merry Tips for Disney World During the Holidays (Video)
Make merry memories at Disney World…
James Grosch
James is a lifelong Disney Parks fan. While at the parks, he loves finding new details, learning more about Disney World history, and taking pictures. His favorite WDW attractions include Rise of the Resistance, Spaceship Earth, and Tower of Terror.
James is a filmmaker and writer based in Atlanta, GA.