Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a one-of-a-kind resort experience set in a galaxy far, far away, is set to launch on March 1st. We couldn’t be more thrilled!
There has never been anything like the Galactic Starcruiser in any of the Disney Parks. The entire resort is designed to make you feel like you’ve taken your first step into a larger world, right into the beloved Star Wars universe.
Aboard the Starcruiser, also known by its official name Halcyon, you’ll interact with brand new characters, learn how to wield a lightsaber and how to keep the cruiser running from the bridge, sample exotic new food and beverages, and sleep soundly in a suite decorated from floor to ceiling to look like the quarters aboard a real spaceship. There’s even a “window” that looks out on the passing galaxy!
In this article, we’ll go over all the highlights and experience you can look forward to during your voyage aboard the Halcyon. Later, we’ll discuss what we’re most excited about. There’s more to the Galactic Starcruiser experience than simply good food and a good time!
Highlights And Experiences You Can Expect Aboard The Galactic Starcruiser
Story Moments
First, let’s talk about Story Moments, an element that is integral to the immersive atmosphere of the Starcruiser.
Throughout your 2-night stay aboard the Halcyon, you’ll come across opportunities to interact with various characters and embark on a special quest or adventure. The power of choice is in your hands. If a smuggler character approaches you with a request to help them plan a heist, you can agree or say, “No, thanks.” If a spy asks you to help them hide a stowaway on the Halcyon to help the Resistance, you can say, “Count me in!” or channel Owen Lars and not get involved.
According to the sample itinerary on the Galactic Starcruiser website, you’ll encounter at least two or three Story Moments during your stay. We think they’re an impressive way to enrich the resort experience because they make you feel like you’re the hero (or villain) of your very own Star Wars story.
Lightsaber Training
For guests 7 years or older, the Lightsaber Training area is the best place to go to feel like a real Jedi (or Sith). You’ll feel just like Luke Skywalker did in A New Hope when you face your own remote training device. By the end of the training session, you’ll feel more equipped than ever to face whatever challenges or adventures await you on the rest of the voyage.
Bridge Training
Have you ever dreamed of sitting on the bridge of a Star Wars ship and pushing all those cool-looking buttons and switches? Of course, you have!
At the Galactic Starcruiser, you can opt into the Bridge Training experience, where the crew members will show you how to work the navigation, power, defense, and other systems aboard the Halcyon. According to the Galactic Starcruiser website, “These skills may even come in handy should critical situations arise later in your voyage!” Does that mean that the crew of the Halcyon will call upon guests to help them navigate a treacherous bit of hyperspace or some other calamity? We don’t know, but the possibility is exciting!
Sublight Lounge
There’s no doubt that one of the most fun parts of Star Wars are the lounges and cantinas that the characters visit throughout the films. There’s the bar in Attack of the Clones, the Mos Eisley Cantina in A New Hope, and the casino on Canto Bight in The Last Jedi.
The Galactic Starcruiser has its own space for dining and entertainment, and it’s called the Sublight Lounge. The dining experience promises to be just as immersive as everything else aboard the Halcyon. You can try delicious dishes and beverages inspired by the Star Wars galaxy and mingle with your fellow passengers. For the adults, there is a selection of alcoholic drinks available for an extra cost. Follow up the delectable delights by enjoying some live entertainment, or a lively round of holo-Sabacc with other guests and cast members as your opponents.
Fully Decorated Suites
One of the most exciting elements of the Galactic Starcruiser, at least for us, is the fully decorated suites. Everything in the suite is Star Wars-inspired, from the floor to the ceiling, to the beds (yes, there’s more than one) and bedding. There are even the dispensers for soap and lotion in the bathroom. You’ll also find a “viewport” that looks out at the galaxy as the Halcyon “passes” it by.
Starcruiser Shopping
If you embark on your adventure and find that you want your wardrobe to match your surroundings, you can pay a visit to the store. Here, you’ll find clothing designed to look like they came straight out of the movies. And, most importantly, Coruscant Shift sabacc decks!
Planet Excursion To Batuu
An immersive Star Wars experience at Disney World would not be complete without a trip to Batuu! During your stay, you’ll be able to take a transport to Galaxy’s Edge for a onetime visit to Black Spire Outpost. Here, you can go on the Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run rides, enjoy more Story Moments, and see how your choices influence the rest of your voyage.
End Of Voyage Gala Celebration
The last night of your voyage, you’ll want to dress in your very finest clothing for the end-of-voyage gala celebration! Bask in the glow of the galaxy and the warm feeling of living and breathing nothing but Star Wars for one final evening.
Top 5 Things At The Galactic Starcruiser We’re Excited About
Now it’s time to break all this information down and let you know what we think will be the most fun, most rewarding parts of the Galactic Starcruiser experience.
Interactive Characters In Screen Accurate Costumes And Makeup
What sets Galactic Starcruiser apart from Galaxy’s Edge and other Disney World attractions is the cast members. The characters are all interactive, and they are all dressed in screen accurate costumes. Not only that, but many of the characters are aliens and decked out in realistic looking makeup and prosthetics. It’s exciting to see such attention to detail up close, and it makes the Halcyon voyage feel that much more real.
One Hundred Percent Story Immersion
Between the cast members in full costume, makeup, and prosthetics, the droids rolling around the ship, and the Story Moments, we’re looking forward to complete, one hundred percent story immersion.
The whole point of Galactic Starcruiser, as we see it, is to make guests feel like they stepped into a Star Wars movie. To succeed in suspending everyone’s disbelief, it follows that every detail must look and feel and sound exactly like Star Wars.
Based on everything we’ve seen, including the suites, the dining rooms, the characters, and the activities, it sounds like the Imagineers have the immersion part of it down. It will be fascinating to experience that in person.
Being Surrounded By Fellow Star Wars Fans
As Star Wars fans, there is nothing we love more than being surrounded by other Star Wars fans.
If you’ve ever attended Star Wars Celebration, then you know what we’re talking about. Hundreds if not thousands of people dressed like their favorite characters, conversing about their favorite movies, shows, scenes, books, and video games, and screaming for new trailers: these are the things that bring us together.
Online, especially on social media platforms, Star Wars fans are notorious for bickering and debating. But when we’re all together, it feels like we’re one big family. We expect the same atmosphere aboard the Halcyon.
Star Wars-Inspired Food And Drinks
Galaxy’s Edge first introduced the concept of a completely Star Wars-inspired menu, with blue milk and everything. Now Galactic Starcruiser is taking the Batuu cue and serving up delicious dishes and drinks that look like they were prepared in Dexter’s Diner or Aunt Beru’s kitchen. We’re looking forward to trying out the starcruiser’s exotic cuisine and seeing how it stacks up against Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Ronto Roasters, and Oga’s Cantina in Black Spire Outpost.
Trip To Galaxy’s Edge
We love that the Galactic Starcruiser voyage includes an excursion to the Galaxy’s Edge theme park. Batuu is one of our personal favorite places to visit at Disney World (probably because we’re huge Star Wars nerds, but I digress). The Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run rides are buckets of fun; Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, the Creature Stall, First Order Cargo, Resistance Supply, and Market Stalls always carry some fascinating toy or souvenir that we just can’t resist; and who can say no to making your own droid at the Droid Depot or crafting your own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop?
If you’re going to book a stay on the Halcyon, we recommend taking along some extra credits to experience all the wonderful charms of Galaxy’s Edge.
Costume Policy At Galactic Starcruiser
You may or may not know that Disney World has some strict rules about dressing up in costumes in the parks, at least for adults. Guests over the age of 14 are not allowed to wear costumes of their favorite characters. This is to prevent any confusion and make sure that other guests don’t mistake them for cast members.
In Galactic Starcruiser, however, the rules are a little more flexible. According to the Starcruiser’s costume policies, all guests may wear a costume of their favorite Star Wars character. However, they must not pose with other guests for pictures or sign autographs.
Furthermore, we’d like to stress again that this is a family-friendly resort. If you show up in your Princess Leia bikini or your shirtless Malakili the rancor keeper cosplay, you will be turned away. Use good judgement, and wear clothes that are respectful and modest.
A couple other points regarding the costume policy are that you should not carry any props with you that could be mistaken for a real weapon. This means no blasters, knives, swords, or staffs. You can, however, bring in a lightsaber.
Learn more about our experience dressing in full costumes here: https://hyperspaceprops.com/can-you-where-a-full-costume-with-face-paint-on-the-galactic-starcruiser-halcyon-and-galaxys-edge-batuu/
What Are You Excited For About Galactic Starcruiser?
What adventures aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser are you most excited for? Sound off in the comments below!
