I called this back on a CoasterRadio Coastradamus prediction show, though I admit it was a pretty safe prediction even then. I think we all had a feeling that it may be unsustainable. I am a bit surprised, however, that they didn't just repurpose it into a more traditional themed hotel and drop the rates. Maybe that's still in the cards, who knows.
With 100 rooms–and tiny, windowless ones at that–it probably wouldn’t make sense to retrofit the hotel without expanding it and making some major changes. In the end, writing off the loss may be the way to go. Disney swung for the fences (maybe took its moonshot would be a more apt metaphor) here, and it didn't fly.
I really hope at some point we get a neutral post-mortem of Galactic Starcruiser from the inside sources.
It had so much potential as a concept, but right from the offset had a bunch of hurdles to provide the experience. All these interactive experiences are *very* labor intensive, and not just any labor, but improv actor intensive, so expensive and requiring a particular kind of talent. And if you want to have small groups of people interacting with staff on adventures, you've committed to a lot of money.
I was never entirely sure the venn diagram of people who want to spend that much money and want to interact this much was enough to keep the idea going. I know there are big spenders out there for both Disney and Star Wars, but my Live Role Playing game experience reminds me that a lot of people *don't* want interactive as much as a passive entertainment experience.
All that said, what I *was* sure is that all the marketing was underwhelming and Disney never got around or countered the initial media buzz that it was massively overpriced.
*Every* person that I've read about so far said it was a pretty amazing experience, so perhaps they *did* get the right audience in the door, so again, you wonder why the marketing couldn't keep people coming in. Was it the economy? If so, why not ride it out until now when things are springing back.
I was pretty shocked they didn't want to retool this and at least grind it out for a year or two more; seems like an early towel throw, and I think it's a big loss for the concept of these live experiences as a whole.
Agreed that a lot of the cost corresponds to the many live actors (who, as I indicated in the article, were uniformly wonderful) and the small number of guests for each cruise. In order to make it work financially, Disney had to charge each guest a lot of $. I'm not sure I agree that the marketing was underwhelming; there was plenty of buzz about it. It's just that, as you said, much of the buzz focused on the high cost.
The fact that the company didn't want to keep it going could be an indication of where Disney thinks the economy may be heading. It seems they are seeing weaker demand across the parks, hotels, and other divisions in general. That doesn't bode well for a high-ticket experience like the Starcruiser.
Well, there’s still time Boaz. For non-1%ers, it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It depends how much you love Star Wars. For true fans, it delivers.
I called this back on a CoasterRadio Coastradamus prediction show, though I admit it was a pretty safe prediction even then. I think we all had a feeling that it may be unsustainable. I am a bit surprised, however, that they didn't just repurpose it into a more traditional themed hotel and drop the rates. Maybe that's still in the cards, who knows.
With 100 rooms–and tiny, windowless ones at that–it probably wouldn’t make sense to retrofit the hotel without expanding it and making some major changes. In the end, writing off the loss may be the way to go. Disney swung for the fences (maybe took its moonshot would be a more apt metaphor) here, and it didn't fly.
I wonder if the focus was more Luke, Han, Leah, original trilogy era, if things would’ve been different. Then tie it into what Filoni is doing.
Maybe. But I think ardent fans, which is the target audience, embrace all eras.
I really hope at some point we get a neutral post-mortem of Galactic Starcruiser from the inside sources.
It had so much potential as a concept, but right from the offset had a bunch of hurdles to provide the experience. All these interactive experiences are *very* labor intensive, and not just any labor, but improv actor intensive, so expensive and requiring a particular kind of talent. And if you want to have small groups of people interacting with staff on adventures, you've committed to a lot of money.
I was never entirely sure the venn diagram of people who want to spend that much money and want to interact this much was enough to keep the idea going. I know there are big spenders out there for both Disney and Star Wars, but my Live Role Playing game experience reminds me that a lot of people *don't* want interactive as much as a passive entertainment experience.
All that said, what I *was* sure is that all the marketing was underwhelming and Disney never got around or countered the initial media buzz that it was massively overpriced.
*Every* person that I've read about so far said it was a pretty amazing experience, so perhaps they *did* get the right audience in the door, so again, you wonder why the marketing couldn't keep people coming in. Was it the economy? If so, why not ride it out until now when things are springing back.
I was pretty shocked they didn't want to retool this and at least grind it out for a year or two more; seems like an early towel throw, and I think it's a big loss for the concept of these live experiences as a whole.
Agreed that a lot of the cost corresponds to the many live actors (who, as I indicated in the article, were uniformly wonderful) and the small number of guests for each cruise. In order to make it work financially, Disney had to charge each guest a lot of $. I'm not sure I agree that the marketing was underwhelming; there was plenty of buzz about it. It's just that, as you said, much of the buzz focused on the high cost.
The fact that the company didn't want to keep it going could be an indication of where Disney thinks the economy may be heading. It seems they are seeing weaker demand across the parks, hotels, and other divisions in general. That doesn't bode well for a high-ticket experience like the Starcruiser.
You don't need to be a professional bean counter to know that $6,000 for a 2 night stay would be a tough sell.
Maybe. But Star Wars is a mighty popular franchise with lots and lots of true believers.
I was hoping to the make it to hotel but looks like it might not be in the cards. Probably better for my budget anyway!
Well, there’s still time Boaz. For non-1%ers, it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It depends how much you love Star Wars. For true fans, it delivers.