The story of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser has officially reached its conclusion. Walt Disney World Resort has filed a new construction permit for the property, confirming that the ambitious immersive hotel that opened in March 2022 and closed in September 2023 will never again welcome guests.
Disney first teased the Halcyon, a luxury Star Wars hotel, in the late 2010s. At D23 Expo 2019, then-head of Disney Parks and Resorts Bob Chapek announced the resort, promising fans an unparalleled immersive adventure. Originally set to debut in 2021, the opening was delayed until March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When it finally launched, the Galactic Starcruiser captivated many Lucasfilm fans. Sailings sold out quickly despite a price tag of over $5,000 per cabin for just two nights. The hotel offered a fully themed Star Wars role-playing experience, allowing guests to live out a personalized adventure in a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Despite early enthusiasm, the hotel struggled to maintain long-term appeal. The high cost discouraged repeat visits, even among dedicated Star Wars fans. In May 2023, Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that Galactic Starcruiser would close in September, ending an 18-month experiment that cost millions to develop and operate.
Fans had speculated that Disney might convert the building into a traditional hotel or themed dining experience. However, its unique design—including tiny, windowless cabins, limited capacity, and a tucked-away location backstage near Disney’s Hollywood Studios—made this unlikely.
Earlier this year, the property began its transition into secondary offices for Walt Disney Imagineering. On August 27, Walt Disney World Resort filed a construction permit listing Balfour Beatty Construction as the contractor for “General Construction” at 201 S. Studio Drive, the site of the former Star Wars hotel. The company has worked on several other major Disney Park projects, such as the ongoing transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Details about the ongoing renovations remain scarce, but it appears highly unlikely that Walt Disney World Resort guests will ever enter the towering Halcyon structure again.
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