Disney has announced it is closing Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, and is cancelling its planned campus in Lake Nona, central Florida.
The immersive two-night hotel experience is closing later this year. It will remain open through 30 September, with the final event starting on 28 September.
The ambitious attraction opened in March 2022. It offers a cruise-style itinerary where visitors become the hero of their own Star Wars adventure on the luxurious Halcyon starcruiser.
The all-inclusive voyage, which received a Thea Award, costs approximately $1,200 per person, per day.
Galactic Starcruiser to close
“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment,” Disney said in a statement.
“This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.”
In addition to closing the Galactic Stacruiser, Disney is cancelling plans to build a campus in Lake Nona. The company will no longer be asking more than 2,000 California-based employees to relocate to central Florida.
In an internal memo (via CNBC), Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s parks, experiences and products division, attributed the decision to “changing business conditions” and the return of Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Florida relocation cancelled
“This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one,” D’Amaro said. “It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion.”
The development in Lake Nona, announced in 2021, was set to host employees from Disney‘s parks, experiences and products segment.
The cancellation comes amid an escalating feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who targeted the company’s special district after it opposed the governor’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
In his memo, D’Amaro said the company still plans to invest $17 billion in Florida over the next 10 years.
Images: Disney
