There's a $5,000 'Star Wars' drink on Disney's new cruise ship — but its contents are a mystery
Editor’s note: TPG writer Summer Hull sailed on Disney Wish on a free trip provided by Disney Cruise Line. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line.
Like Boba Fett searching the galaxy for fugitives with huge bounties on their heads, once I caught wind of a rumored $5,000 "Star Wars"-themed drink on the new Disney Wish cruise ship, I went on the hunt. I've experienced the $5,000-per-stay "Star Wars" hotel, so I had to know if there was truth to this smokey liquid rumor.
I deduced the most likely spot for the drink was at the "Star Wars"-themed bar on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship. I quickly learned that the Hyperspace Lounge was unquestionably the hottest spot on Disney Wish.
I waited 90 minutes to get in last night and see if I could find signs of a $5,000 cocktail.
And if it were real — would it be made of space dust? Would it come with gems from another world that you get to keep?
I was one of the lucky ones that eventually got inside the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge a few strokes before midnight. Was there a $5,000 drink on the menu? Here's what I found.
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The $5,000 'Star Wars' drink on Disney Wish
Just before the space bar made another jump through hyperspace, I bellied up to the bar, ordered a normally priced drink and asked the bartender if the lounge's menu actually contained a $5,000 drink. With a sly smile, he confirmed the rumor was true.
Indeed, if you keep scrolling down the menu past the cocktails and zero-proof drinks, there it is. The Kaiburr Crystal rings up at a cool $5,000.
Its description is frustratingly vague, as the menu merely says it's "the galaxy's rarest and [most] valuable cocktail." That's not much to go on when you're about to spend more on a drink than on an entire Disney cruise in an inside cabin.
I would need some serious Jedi mind tricks to uncover just what was inside — or came with — the otherwise nondescript drink.
Related: A first look at photos aboard the Disney Wish
It's not just a drink — it's an experience
While I know that the Kaiburr Crystal is an actual drink (or maybe three?), I wasn't able to use any Jedi skills to learn what the drinks actually contain — though I was told they are "amazing."
What I did learn is that the pricy cocktail is "not just a drink." A Hyperspace bartender told me emphatically and excitedly that it is an experience. A wild (and expensive) experience.
I heard something about codes or puzzles involved to open the box the drink is served in. I spotted what might be the magical drink box in the corner — and even saw Disney Imagineers testing the box with some smoke the day before, while the bar was still closed.
But it's not just a smoke and box presentation. I also heard rumors that actual Stormtroopers might be involved when the drink is ordered.
While that was the end of what I could glean about the $5,000 drink on Disney Wish from my time at Hyperspace Lounge, I got a strong impression that there's more to the drink experience than the whispers I managed to hear.
In the meantime, I thoroughly enjoyed the $15 - $20 cocktails on the menu (some of which also include smoke).
Bottom line
The $5,000 "Star Wars" drink on Disney Wish is real.
What exactly it's made of — and, more importantly, what happens if you order it — is still a bit of a Mustafarian mystery. Word is that no one has actually ordered it yet, but I'll have my datapad, er phone, ready to capture what space chaos ensues if someone does take the leap and plunk down a credit card ready to earn a ton of "space credits" on the purchase.
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- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees