Shuttered ‘Star Wars’ Themed Disney Hotel Reportedly Being Converted To Office Space

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a “Star Wars”-themed hotel and immersive experience at Disney World, is reportedly being turned into an office building after closing following only 18 months of operation.

The highly anticipated concept experience opened on March 1, 2022, and closed the following September due to lack of bookings. The Wrap talked to an insider who said the building will now house employees who are part of Walt Disney Imagineering, a section of the company responsible for theme park attractions, retail locations, and cruise ships.

Originally, Galactic Starcruiser was billed as a two-night immersive experience, with many fans referring to it as the “Star Wars hotel.”  Starcruiser guests became part of the storyline and took part in themed meals, bars, entertainment, games, and interactive missions. They stayed in fully decked out cabins that looked like they were positioned in outer space.

A one-night stay cost $1,200 per night per guest, according to Parade, a price tag which even hardcore fans were reluctant to pay.

Before it closed, a Disney parks enthusiast named Jenny Nicholson made a four hour long YouTube video about why the hotel flopped, citing price as a major concern. She also took issue with the planned itinerary, which was always two days and two nights, leaving guests no options for making their own choices. She noted how other themed Disney spaces were a lot different and comparatively cheaper. Her video was massively popular, attracting 11 million views on the platform.

Nicholson complained, among other things, that she spent more than $6,000 for a two-person stay and had a tiny room. She also mentioned being seated behind a pole during a dinner show, which left her unable to see the alien singer Gaya.

This update on the building comes after fan speculation that the existing structure, which was built to resemble a ship from the films, would be reimagined as a restaurant or some other type of less expensive fan experience. But the source said that after testing that idea, it was found to be too difficult to access from other areas of the theme park, making the idea a nonstarter.

Disney took a tax writedown on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, The Wrap noted in August 2023. This meant they couldn’t use the building for anything for a period of time. The outlet said their sources put the cost of Galactic Starcruiser at more than $1 billion, but Disney claimed that figure was much lower.