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.
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- 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.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.