The Star Wars Trading Post at Disney Springs, a popular shop among Star Wars fans visiting Walt Disney World Resort, has closed, reportedly to make room for a holiday-themed Santa Claus meet-and-greet experience this winter.
This closure leaves the Star Wars Galactic Outpost on the West Side as the only dedicated Star Wars store in Disney Springs, where guests can continue to find merchandise inspired by the iconic galaxy far, far away.
Additionally, Disney Springs’ holiday Santa meet-and-greet is rumored to use a virtual queue system again, already in place for attractions like EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Gideon’s Bakehouse, to manage demand.
Guests seeking Star Wars memorabilia are now being directed to explore Once Upon a Toy at Disney Springs or head over to Hollywood Studios’ immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Located within the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, this area offers guests a more thematic experience in the Star Wars universe. However, this location change highlights a broader series of recent transformations within the Walt Disney World Resort.
This comes not long after the abrupt end of Disney’s ambitious Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which provided an immersive two-day, two-night experience designed to make guests feel like they were traveling through space. The Galactic Starcruiser shut down after just over a year, citing low booking numbers and signaling a broader shift in how Disney manages high-concept, high-investment experiences.
Beyond thematic changes, price adjustments across Disney World are proving to be equally transformative. Recently, Disney raised the price of Annual Passes across the board, with the Incredi-Pass now priced at $1,549—$100 more than before.
These increases also affect Disney’s well-loved dining experiences, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, Chef Mickey’s, and Tusker House. Many Disney-goers are finding themselves stretched by these price increases, which could potentially restrict access for some guests to the Disney magic.
And the price hikes don’t stop there. Disney’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass, a fast-track option providing access to every attraction’s Lightning Lane for up to $400 per person per day, is slated for an October 30 launch. Initially, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass will only be available to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and select other hotels. This pass expands on the Disney Genie+ replacement program and offers a top-tier option for visitors looking to maximize their time in the parks, albeit at a steep price.
While Disney has long been committed to offering top-tier experiences, the significant price increases are sparking conversations about the future accessibility of Disney theme parks. With inflation affecting families’ disposable incomes, there’s a growing question: Will Disney remain within reach for all, or will its magic be reserved for those willing to invest at bigger levels?
This holiday season, the new Santa Claus meet-and-greet at Disney Springs will give fans a nostalgic holiday experience, at least.
Will the seasonal holiday cheer help offset the impact of these closures? Let Disney Dining know what you think in the comments!
