Skip to content

Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel now has opening timeline

July 30, 2021
5 min read
Mock-Up Cabin for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel now has opening timeline
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

There's good news today for those who want to experience a 'galaxy far, far away.'

We're now one big step closer to being able to experience the immersive world of Star Wars. One of the most-anticipated additions to its Disney World Resort — Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. just released a new teaser video loaded with details -- including a spring 2022 opening timeframe.

This is in line with rumored opening dates that have circulated based on job postings for cast members and construction permits filed in recent months.

Want more travel news delivered to your inbox daily? Sign up for the TPG newsletter.

The full video linked on the official Disney Parks Blog features Disney Imagineers talking through the creative process and some of the complexities behind building what is set to be the most immersive experience in existence for guests.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a project more than five and a half years the making, and Scott Trowbridge, portfolio creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, said the storyline for the Starcruiser experience was developed alongside the storylines for other touchpoints and attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

"We're inviting guests to step into a galaxy far, far away and live out a Star Wars story over two days and two nights," said Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer and creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering.

That's right — while the story begins when you walk through the terminal and are transported to the bridge of the Starship Halcyon, you won't be spending the full experience onboard the ship.

(Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

Guests will be able to take special transport to the planet of Batuu (aka Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge inside Hollywood Studios) to explore and continue the story throughout the park. Guests will have the chance to 'fly' aboard the Millennium Falcon in the Smuggler's Run attraction and try and evade the First Order on Rise of the Resistance.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Both of those attractions play a part of the larger story that unfolds over the course of the experience.

Related: Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World

In the recently released video, Disney Imagineers also discussed how guests will have an opportunity to not only watch the story as it happens around them but will be able to truly step into roles and play a part in the story. Who you talk to, the missions you take on, the choices you make while aboard the ship and while on Batuu will shape your own unique experience in this epic story that will be told.

Do you want to be a fighter pilot that helps the resistance throughout your stay? You can come in full cosplay gear (as long as it meets Disney costume guidelines, of course) and live out that story.

Do you want to train as a Jedi? Grab your lightsaber and learn how you can tap into the Force.

(Image courtesy of Disney.)

Alternatively, you can also take a step back to simply watch the story as it happens around you while still getting a truly immersive and breathtaking experience that is unique to your journey onboard.

The goal was to create a dynamic experience that everyone can enjoy — regardless of their knowledge level inside the Star Wars galaxy.

"There's something for people who have loved the older movies or who are really into the TV shows or the novels or the graphic novels, those types of things. There's just a lot of different ways to access the content," said Anisha Deshmane, assistant producer at Walt Disney Imagineering.

Based on the discussion, it sounds like guests might also have access to exclusive deals for souvenirs or special experiences as a member of the Starcruiser passenger manifest.

Related: Everything we know about the Star Wars hotel

(Image courtesy of Disney/Lucasfilm)

Could we see a May 4, 2022, official opening date for the Galactic Starcruiser? It's certainly possible that the opening will coincide with the unofficial May-the-Fourth Star Wars holiday, but there's no confirmation on the exact date beyond 'spring'.

But regardless of the exact opening date, it's clear that this experience will be unlike anything in this galaxy. Disney is taking the term "immersive" to a whole new level, inviting guests not only to experience the story first-hand but also play a unique role in a larger canon story that exists beyond the confines of the resort and the park gates.

"I think that's one of the things that's so special about Star Wars, right, is that there is that depth and breadth of storytelling within the galaxy far, far away," said Johnson. "It allows us to generate this completely new storyline that is specifically so that our guests can live out their stories within this piece of canon. But it really does touch and connect to movies, tv shows ... the land, and it all kind of interweaves with the history of the planets that we know and love."

Featured image by David Roark, photographer
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

2 - 10X miles

Intro offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles

Annual Fee

$395

Recommended Credit

740-850
Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase
5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • Intro Offer

    LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles
  • Annual Fee

    $395
  • Recommended Credit

    740-850
    Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month