Disney Starts Whopping 50% Discount For Troubled Starcruiser

It seems the Force is not with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

Since its launch back in March 2022, the ambitious Star Wars hotel at Walt Disney World has received mostly positive reviews from Guests who have experienced the immersive voyage first-hand and mixed opinions from those who have not taken the trip. The big price tag is one such complaint for many fans of C3P0, R2D2, Chewbacca, and Han Solo.

But after a string of canceled dates and experience cutbacks, a huge new discount may be signaling that the Disney Resort Hotel is running out of steam.

Credit: Disney

The eagerly-awaited Galactic Starcruiser hotel takes Guests on a (simulated) two-night voyage through a galaxy far, far away. While aboard, Guests are fully immersed in the Star Wars story, as each decision they make shapes the outcome of their journey.

Characters like Chewbacca, Rey, and Kylo Ren are all part of the “trip”, while Guests also go on a port excursion to Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Galaxy’s Edge.

The cost of the immersive experience, however, has always been an issue for many fans of the George Lucas franchise, with prices starting at roughly $4,800 for two Guests on a two-night voyage. This is a hefty price to pay for a two-night experience at the Star Wars hotel (a similar price to a week on a Disney Cruise Line trip) – and it shows in recent emptier stays.

Well, it seems the Walt Disney World Resort is trying to fill some gaps with a new 50% discount for Cast Members, a discount that still leaves the Halcyon pricey – especially for Cast Members and their union fighting for a wage increase.

Credit: Disney

This 50% discount is the largest known Disney discount to date for the Halcyon. In January, Disney revealed a “deal” giving Guests up to $700 off Deluxe Resort Hotels if they booked a Galactic Starcruiser voyage. At the end of 2022, the hotel’s first discount was offered of 30% off original Points Chart values on select 2-night Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser adventures for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members.

We analyzed in January that voyages beginning on the following dates had been canceled and were no longer available according to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser calendar: July 4, 12, 18, August 1, 7, 15, 27, September 4, and 12.

There was no exact reason given by Disney for the Starcruiser cancellations, but it appeared that these voyages were canceled due to low occupancy (especially due to the mass availability for the upcoming year).

Disney typically offers Cast Members discounts on Disney Cruise Line vacations to fill space, and as we can imagine, the Walt Disney World Resort would prefer to operate full Halcyon cruises and cancel those with fewer Guests.

Credit: Disney

The 50% discount for Disney employees is for select dates (3/22, 3/24, 4/19, 4/23. 4/25, 4/27, 5/7, 5/11, 6/10, and 6/22) and the sample rates start at $2,490 for 2 adults. Disney Cast Members can find all the details on the Hub.

The Halcyon only has 100 Guest rooms, including 94 Standard Cabins that sleep up to 5, four Galaxy Class Suites that sleep up to 4, and two Grand Captain Suites that sleep up to 8. The two-night adventure at Walt Disney World starts at $6,000 for a family of four and includes interactive entertainment, food and beverages, admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, valet parking, and an exclusive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser MagicBand.