Interestingly enough, Walt Disney World Resort’s newest Resort Hotel experience, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is offering a normal character dining experience similar to what we all used to know and love prior to the COVID-19 pandemic closures. So, does this mean Disney can drop the whole “modified character dining” experience and return to pre-COVID ways?
When Walt Disney World Resort closed due to the pandemic, we had NO idea the massive impact the closure would make on entertainment, including character dining. When character dining started to return, Disney quickly noted the dining experience was now a “modified character dining” offering. No autographs, hugs, or high-fives, and characters remain at a safe distance from the Guests. Well, this precaution doesn’t apply to the new Starcruiser.
Remember how with Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, there was a portion of the evening where the performers would interact with Guests on the stage floor. The dinner show was one of two options on Disney property, including Spirit of Aloha at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Both dinner shows were interactive with Guests but have yet to return.
Now, Halcyon Starcruiser has a special evening entertainment dining option with a singing superstar named Gaya. She and other characters walk through the dining tables to interact with Guests and put on an outstanding evening of entertainment such as shown in the video below:
We can’t help but wonder if modified character dining doesn’t apply to the Starcruiser, why is Disney waiting to return fan-favorites to the rest of its Resort property?
Could we soon sing along with Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue? Could Chef Mickey characters finally approach a child at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? And could Pooh, Tigger, and friends bounce their way around Magic Kingdom Park’s Crystal Palace?
The current list of modified character dining experiences is lengthy and we’re thankful to at least have some dining options with characters while enjoying a Disney vacation. But we’re also extremely ready to see a return of that interaction much like what is currently happening onboard the Star Wars Hotel.