Following the Star Wars Land information that was discussed at the Star Wars Celebration in Florida this year, guests at Walt Disney World were surveyed regarding a possible addition to the Disney Parks repertoire of pricey resort hotel experiences.
In a summary published by WDW News Today (@WDWNT), a luxury resort based on the Star Wars Universe was leaked primarily through a survey preformed by a third party, hinting at a development in the near future.
Essentially, guests will be paying around $1000 per person to engage upon a three day luxury experience that centers around extreme theming and an overarching story-line for the length of the guests’ stay. In this $1000 surcharge, guests are given three days at this Star Wars hotel, free buffet breakfast and lunch, with dinner being a specialty dining experience equivalent to most table service dining options at the Disney Parks, as well as a one day ticket to Hollywood Studios (administered on the second day of the stay).
Arguably the most interesting part of this development is the guest centered theming that the hotel seems to offer. Just like the reputation system that will be introduced in Star Wars Land (read Star Wars Land — The Next Step in Disney Immersion for more), this hotel will place each guest into the Star Wars story in a way that could only be done by means such as this.
In the hotel, guests will find themselves as part of the Star Wars Universe. For example, an on-board cantina will be the centerpiece of the starship, with robot butler droids servicing those in the hotel. Shows similar to those in the park or on Disney Cruises will be open for those in the hotel, as well as interactive experiences that play into the story including pilot training, lightsaber training, and exploring the main deck of the starship.
Think of it as a similar experience to those in Disney Cruise ships, where the hotel itself contains enough activities to the extent where guests are expected to stay in the hotel rather than go to the parks (excluding the day that they are required to). Characters walking around the starship will provide as meet-and-greet opportunities, and the pool/garden area should provide as a time waster between important events.
Similar to the experience in Star Wars Land, guest’s actions will have an effect on the activities they do on their stay. Essentially, a story will unfold during the length of a guest’s stay, and individuals can participate in story moments or “live character encounters”. This may include watching a main character describe your group’s mission, or possibly watching a group of young padawans train for a future in the Jedi council. Guests can either participate in this story, or watch it go along in the background while still maintaining a presence in the Star Wars universe. During the guest’s trips to Hollywood Studios, they can continue their story in the park and expand the experience that the hotel attempts to deliver.
Immersion will be an important part of this experience, and provides as the next iteration of what the Disney brand can do. The Star Wars universe has been one that garners immense attention, and is a guaranteed success, especially with children. The price tag of $1,000 is a good bit, especially for the fact that guests are only given one day at the parks (let alone only Hollywood Studios), but if the experience can deliver the Disney quality that has come to be expected from WDI, I couldn’t imagine a future in which this isn’t an immediate success.
Ryan Dorman is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times.
