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.
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.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.