Is Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience worth the cost? Here's what you get.
There's no denying that Walt Disney World's new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience will be expensive when it debuts next March.
Starting prices for the all-inclusive, two-night adventure top $4,800 for two guests sharing a cabin during nonpeak dates. The price tag is just shy of $6,000 for four people.
That's a lot of money, but is it worth it?
USA TODAY was recently invited to sneak a peek at the Galactic Starcruiser, which is still under construction, and it turns out the answer depends on who's going.
Here's how the latest offering for Star Wars fans stacks up against other experiences at Walt Disney World.
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What's included in the price of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?
2-nights' accommodations
4 meals and refreshments aboard the Galactic Starcruiser
1 quick-service meal at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Ongoing interactive entertainment in an immersive theater environment
Admission to Hollywood Studios for a Galaxy's Edge excursion
Valet parking
1 exclusive databand (MagicBand) per guest
Total: $5,999 for three adults and one child (kids age 10 and up count as adults)
What else could you get at Disney World, instead?
2-nights' accommodations: $2,390
4 meals and refreshments: $729
1 quick-service meal at Disney's Hollywood Studios: $63
2 days park admission without park hopper: $894
Valet parking: $66
4 Star Wars-themed MagicBands: $140
Total: $4,282 for 3 adults and 1 child
Because the Star War: Galactic Starcruiser is a first-of-its-kind experience, there's no way to compare apples to apples, but the following is as close as it gets for a family of four at Disney World.
Based on the level of theming throughout the Galactic Starcruiser and the intimate nature of the stay (there are only 100 cabins), the accommodations come closest to a standard room with a theme park view at the crown jewel of Disney World's deluxe resorts, the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. During the same window as the Starcruiser's sample dates (most weeknights from Aug. 20 through Sept. 17, 2022), two nights add up to $2,390, excluding taxes and fees.
The two dinners aboard the Galactic Starcruiser are most comparable to character meals or high-end sit-down meals at the parks. Dinner for three adults and one child at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom costs $223 before taxes. Dinner for the same party at Epcot's Space 220 totals $266. That's $489 for two dinners.
The two breakfasts on board the Galactic Starcruiser are buffets like 'Ohana at the Polynesian Village Resort, which costs $89 for a family of four, and Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which totals $104 for the family of four. That's $193 for both breakfasts.
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Light refreshments would cost at least as much as four Dole Whips, which total $20, and four Mickey Pretzels with cheese, which top $27 all together. That's another $47. Add that to the two breakfasts and two dinners, and it totals $729.
The quick-service lunch at Hollywood Studios' Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is worth upwards of $63 for three adults and one child with drinks, depending on what guests order.
While the Galactic Starcruiser experience only includes one day's admission to Hollywood Studios, guests get another day of entertainment and activities on board. Even though it's not the same, the closest equivalent is a second day at the parks. Two days of standard admission without the park hopper option cost just over $894 for three adults and one child during the same window as the Galactic Starcruiser's sample prices.
Two nights of valet parking at a Disney resort add up to $66.
Star Wars-themed MagicBands range from $30 for a child's slap bracelet to $40 on Shop Disney. Two of each would total $140. Disney resort guests can, however, get discounts on select MagicBands when purchased with a stay.
All together, that's a lot, but it's still more than a $1,700 less than the price of a two-night Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience.
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Is it worth it?
For lifelong Star Wars fans who can afford it, the Galactic Starcruiser is worth the splurge because the chance to become part of Star Wars story is priceless. The fully immersive experience is unlike anything elsewhere.
"We're building something for people who love Stars and people who love the people who love Star Wars," said Wendy Anderson, executive creative director of Disney Live Entertainment.
People who are not fans of Star Wars can still enjoy themselves, but the hefty price tag may not be worth it if there isn't at least one big fan in their party.
It's definitely not worth it for anyone who would face financial hardship for experience. Even two days in a galaxy far, far away aren't not worth going into debt for.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is expensive. Is it worth it?