The state of Disney’s controversial Star Wars-themed hotel

Okay, I’ve been reading about this insane Star Wars-themed hotel — the Galactic Starcruiser — for the last couple of years now, and it looks like it is finally supposed to open on March 1 at Hollywood Studios in Florida. And those who want to visit the galaxy far, far away will be paying a hefty price for the privilege.

The hype behind this hotel is real. It’s being billed as an experience that will immerse visitors into the world of Star Wars. You’ll be surrounded by characters from the franchise, be looking out through windows into “space,” and get to indulge in cuisine from all across the galaxy.

But while this all sounds amazing and incredible, fans have some qualms, particularly with its price. Let’s look into it.

Star Wars-themed hotel faces controversy

I say “controversy” because fans balked in early December when Disney revealed in a video how much a stay on the Galactic Starcruiser would cost: you can only stay for two nights at rates starting at $4,800. The video was eventually removed because of the fan backlash over the prices and the hotel’s design.

According to Insider, this resulted in many folks canceling their reservations. The publication spoke to three different people who either canceled their trip or were thinking about it. One man, Mike Raudio, cancelled his plans after booking a trip for himself, his wife, and their two kids for almost $7,000. When the hotel design was released, he lost interest because it didn’t exactly have a Star Wars vibe, but more like a “we’re supposed to be in space” vibe.

“There’s a lot Disney hasn’t shown to anybody yet — that’s the mystery,” Raudio said. “But when everything they show you doesn’t meet your expectations, at some point I had to ask: do I really want to do this?”

Not everyone is feeling like Raudio. Insider spoke with eight people who can’t imagine missing it, regardless of the cost or the decor. “It seems like the perfect way to immerse yourself, get into your ‘Star Wars’ feels, get into character, and then go back to your adult life,” said Chris Chappel of North Carolina.

I can’t argue there, even if the price tag is insane.

It’s now canon: Han and Leia stayed on the Galactic Starcruiser for their honeymoon

For their part, Disney is doing what it can to lure people to the hotel. One interesting tactic is writing it into the canon of the universe.

Per ComicBook.com, the novel Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel will explore what Han Solo and Leia Organa get up to on their honeymoon. Naturally, they stayed on the Halcyon starcruiser, which is the central location in the Galactic Starcruiser experience.

Basically, if you want to stay where Han and Leia stayed, you can…for a steep price.

Many Star Wars fans are keeping the faith because the Disney parks have never let them down (they’re right there) and they know that it will be worth every cent.

We’ll have to see how things go on March 1, but I have a sneaking suspicion the Galactic Starcruiser is going to have no trouble securing guests for the maiden voyage.

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