FAQ: Your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser questions answered

With a new experience like the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, there are bound to be lots of questions. It’s a first-of-its-kind two-night immersive-theater Star Wars experience at Walt Disney World. Also known as the Star Wars hotel, guests are pretending to stay on the Halcyon, a “275-year old vessel.” (Spoiler Warning: There are spoilers in some of the Frequently Asked Questions)

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser entrance

What is an immersive theater experience?

From the moment you arrive and enter the building, all of the cast members will be playing characters that are on the Halcyon Starcruiser in space. Everything you see and do will also fit that storyline. Don’t ask a cast member when you get to go to Hollywood Studios. They will tell you they have never heard of it. You can talk to most of the characters and use your Datapad to go on missions and help or hinder the First Order or Resistance. You’re expected to play along during your whole stay. 

What’s included? What things will cost me extra?

Everything is included except merchandise from the stores, alcoholic and specialty drinks, and, if you’d like, tips for the valet and room attendant. All other gratuities, food, and drinks are included. In fact, you can ask for extra food at dinner, and they offer unlimited Green Milk, Blue Milk, lattes, and cappuccinos. 

Do I need to tip anyone?

All tips are included except for the valet and room attendants. 

How much does it cost?

The starting prices are between $1,500 per person to $2,400 per person total. A family of four would be $6,000. A couple would be $4,800. There is a Facebook group of people looking share cabins with others to get the price down. So yes, one person could stay for as little as $1,500 if they find three friends, or strangers, to room with.

Where can I see videos of the experience?

We have a YouTube Playlist full of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser videos. Here’s our full overall report:

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Full 3 Day Experience, Shows, Food, Characters, Room Tour & Finale
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser characters

Which characters will I see on board, and can I meet them and take my photo with them?

The main characters you’ll first meet on the voyage are the ship captain, a singer, a guitarist, the singer’s manager and musician, the ship cruise director, the ship mechanic, a couple of Lightsaber trainers, and a First Order officer. The ones you know are Chewbacca, Rey, and Kylo Ren. You’ll be able to take your photo with most of them, but Rey may be hard to get and you won’t be able to meet Kylo Ren. 

What are the rooms like?

They’re larger than most cruise ship cabins but smaller than most luxury hotel rooms. There’s no real windows out, but you can see out into “space.” Most standard cabins have a queen bed, twin beds, and a slightly smaller pull-down bed. There are a couple of stools, a really small desk space, a hair dryer AKA Thermal Blower, a safe, and a small refrigerator. The shower is large. The toilet has a separate door, and there’s room under the bed for your suitcases. 

Is there a coffee pot in the room?

No. But you can get coffee in the morning at the restaurant or the lunge, where they have large coffee containers set up and grab & go items to eat.

When I close the shade to the window looking out into space, how dark does the room get?

Very! If you turn out all the lights in your cabin except the viewport, it’s still pretty light in the room because the lights around the Viewport also stay on. But once you push the button to close the shade, those lights all go off and it’s completely dark in the room except for a couple of buttons that light up near the door. For that reason, it’s easy to sleep in. Set the alarm your phone (there are no alarm clocks in the rooms), so you don’t miss anything.

What kind of food do they have? Can I get regular food if I don’t like what they’re offering?

It’s space food! Well, it’s mostly foods you know but cut weird, colored weird, and or paired weird. But don’t worry, it all tastes delicious. It’s high quality food. Yes, if you have allergies, or just don’t like what you are served, you may ask for something different. The chefs are happy to tell you all the ingredients. 

How big is the hotel?

It’s not huge. There are four floors, but two only have cabins on them. So there are only two floors with public spaces. The atrium is large, but not as large as the Grand Floridian, for example. It’s only two stories tall and the upper floor is only for the actors. 

Where is the Starcruiser hotel?

It’s right behind Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You drive partially backstage to get to it.

Do they offer self parking?

No. You have to valet if you have a car.

Can we come in full costume? Does the hotel have different rules than the theme parks?

Yes, you can wear full costumes on the Starcruiser. In fact, they’re encouraged.  When you visit Batuu as part of your stay, you must follow the theme park’s rules. No full face masks are allowed, nor sharp objects, or anything that looks like a real weapon. Full face paint is allowed on the ship, but not on Batuu. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser guests dressed as aliens

Do I have to dress up?

No. You’re encouraged to dress in clothing that looks like it’s from the world of Star Wars, but you can wear your regular everyday clothes if your like. If you’re not dressing in Star Wars universe clothing, dress for dinner like you would in any other fancy restaurant. 

Can I visit Oga’s Cantina while on Batuu?

Yes, if you make a reservation ahead of time. Starcruiser guests are guaranteed reservations at Oga’s, Droid Depot, and Savi’s Workshop if they want them and make them ahead of time.

Does your whole family have to do the same activities and make the same choices?

No. Each person makes their own choices when it comes to the missions in their Datapads.

Is the whole experience indoors? Is there a way to get some fresh air?

You can’t open a window in space! Yes, it’s all indoors with a couple of exceptions. You get to visit Galaxy’s Edge on day two, and there’s a Climate Simulator room on the ship which simulates the climate on Batuu. Ok, it’s actually an outdoor room with tall walls so you can see the sky and get some fresh air if you need it. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Climate Simulator

Will I get claustrophobic in the room with no actual windows out?

Probably not. We had one person with us who broke out in hives while staying in an indoor cabin on a cruise ship once. She was fine in the Starcruiser cabin with the simulated windows into space.

Will I get motion sickness from the movement of the ship?

Unlike sea vessels, this spaceship doesn’t have any movement at all. There are no floors that move, etc. The Shuttle Pod you arrive in has minimal movement and feels like an elevator (because it is). The transport to Batuu moves around a lot, as your actually sitting in the back of a truck with no windows. But it’s only about a seven minute ride each way.

Do they have any shows on board? What is the entertainment like?

Sort of. Some things like the singer at dinner the first night are billed as Shows. Other things are billed as things you’d find on a cruise like the Captains Reception. But you don’t want to miss these events each night because something always goes wrong. It’s all part of the story. 

Can I pretend to be anyone I want to be? Can I be a Star Trek character?

Yes, but it’s not encouraged. If you’re a character from a franchise other than Star Wars, like Star Trek or the Wizarding World, none of the characters or crew will recognize you.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser gift shop

Is there a gift shop on the ship? Do they offer exclusive merchandise?

Yes and yes. The gift shop on the ship is fully in the story and offers merchandise with the ship name and logo on them, as well as some clothing that would fit into the story. They even sell an exclusive Lightsaber. I’m fact, all of the merchandise in the store is exclusive to the Starcruiser and not available anywhere else, with one exception. You can purchase some of the clothing on ShopDisney ahead of your trip if you have one booked.  There’s also a small gift shop by valet at the hotel entrance. It sells merchandise that doesn’t fit in with the story such as things that say Star Wars on them. Those items are exclusive to that store for now, but may end up in other Disney park stores or on ShopDisney.

Can I buy a toothbrush or other toiletries if I forget mine?

Yes. They aren’t on display in the ship gift shop, unless you ask to see them.

Are there things for all ages?

Yes, there are a few things just for kids, but almost everything else is made for both kids and adults to enjoy. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser welcoming crew

Do I have to do all the activities?

Nope. You can just observe and never even touch your Dayapad or talk to any characters if you want, but where’s the fun in that?

Where can I park my ECV or scooter during my voyage?

Each room hallway has a place for them to park and be charged. 

How is the air purification system in the building?

The air-conditioning system is no different than any other Walt Disney World hotel.

Can I stay more than two nights?

No. They story is set with a start and ending over two days and nights. You could book back to back stays, but you’d be seeing the same exact story play out again. 

Can I visit the hotel to dine or shop without staying there?

No visitors are allowed. 

Will I really be going to space?

No. You won’t really be going anywhere except from the hotel behind Hollywood Studios to Hollywood Studios and back. 

Do I have to play along in the story?

No, but you will have more fun if you do. 

How many rooms are in the hotel? 

There are 100 rooms and suites. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser dining room

Do I have to sit with strangers during meals?

Breakfast and lunch are buffets and you can sit wherever you’d like in the restaurant. You will be seated at dinner at the same table both nights. Disney says you may be seated with other guests, but during our trip, most groups had their own tables. 

What are the drink prices like?

The non-alcoholic specialty drinks are $7-$8. The cocktails range from $15 to $23 each. Beers are $13.50, and wines are $11 to $30.

Are pets allowed?

Only service dogs are allowed. Emotional support, comfort, or companion animals are not permitted. If you need to relieve your dog, you’ll need to take them down the Launch Pod, back to the hotel entrance and go outside. 

Is there a place I can smoke?

If you’d like to smoke, you’ll need to take the Launch Pod, back to the hotel entrance and go outside. 

Are the Viewports different for each side of ship you are on? 

Yes. What you see outside your cabin is different from what the cabin across the hall sees.

Are there any autism warnings for different activities? Does it get really loud?

I never noticed it getting really loud anyplace. But yes, they do have sensory guides, but you’ll need to ask for them to see them. And be warned, some of them are spoilers for the story. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser suite

What if we have more luggage than we can fit in our room? 

The cast members will help you to the best of their ability. They should be able to help you store some of it. On the last day of your visit, you can set your luggage out in the hall by 9 a.m. and it will be ready for you when you get your car from the valet.

Can you visit other areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios while visiting Batuu?

Yes. You can freely go wherever you’d like while visiting Batuu as long as you are back for the last 4 p.m. shuttle back to the Starcruiser.

Can I just stay on the Starcruiser and not go to Batuu?

Yes. You don’t have to go at all, and there is a lunch buffet available on the ship. But you’ll be missing out on some Datapad missions and Lightning Lane access to Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run.

Can I come and go whenever I’d like?

Yes. If you want to get your car or call an Uber or Lyft to take you to McDonalds or anywhere else, you’re free to do so. 

Can I use my DVC points to rent a room?

Yes.

Is the story canon in the Star Wars universe?

Yes. We confirmed it with Matt Martin from Lucasfilm Franchise Content & Strategy.

How immersive is it?

Totally. During our cruise, none of the staff broke character and we saw no signs of the outside world. We didn’t spot any Hidden Mickeys, except the one we made out of the rocks in the Climate Simulator. 

Is there a swimming pool?

No. You can leave your Baby Yoda swimsuit at home. 

Do they offer room service?

Nope. But food is always available. If the dining room isn’t open, you can get food in the bar or at the grab and go area in the atrium. 

What time do I arrive and leave? Do you have to be out of your room by a certain time?

Check in runs from 1 to 4 p.m. On the last day, you must leave by 10 to 10:30 a.m. That’s also when the breakfast buffet ends. You don’t have to be out of your cabin by a certain time. 

Do they have maid service?

Yes, there are buttons near your sliding cabin door for getting your room cleaned and one for do not disturb.

How is the cell connection in space? What about Wi-Fi?

One of us has AT&T and had full bars and one of us has Verizon and had no bars. But the wifi worked great for all. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser crowds

How crowded was it? Do I need to worry about catching something?

With only 100 rooms, it won’t get really crowded overall, but the atrium does get packed each evening for the main activities. Some of the characters also get close to you when you’re talking to them. So yes, if you’re worried about getting Covid or a cold, you may want to wear a mask. Most guests and crew didn’t during our voyage. Only one of our group of three wore a mask and none of us got sick.

Do they offer refillable mugs?

No. But the buffets have to go cups if you want to take some soda or Blue Milk with you to your room. There’s also a dispenser for room temperature water, cold water and sparkling water in the atrium.

Is it worth the price?

This is subjective of course. Our opinion is that it is if you’re a big Star Wars fan. you’ll want to do it at least once. And once is all you really need to do it unless they change the main storyline. It’s worth $1,500 if you can get three roommates to help split the cost. The couple price of $4,800 is pushing it. The family price of $6,000 for four people is just too much. So watch for any future specials or find some roommates who as into Star Wars as you are.

Be sure to also read our full lengthy review and visit our YouTube Playlist for all our Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser videos.

MouseFanTravel

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One Comment