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10 Tips For Disney’s Galactic Starcruiser

By Susan Weston / January 2, 2023 / Leave a Comment

You are considering a trip aboard Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser or maybe you already booked your trip. I have several tips to make your experience aboard the Halcyon even better. Also check out my list of most common asked questions about the Galactic Starcruiser.

1. Book During the Week to Save Money

Rates are cheaper on the weekdays compared to the weekends. You can save hundreds of dollars this way.

2. Don’t Sleep in Before Your Excursion to Batuu

You and your group might feel that you are having more fun on the ship, but there are a lot of missions you still need to complete on Batuu. I especially recommend getting to the park early if you want to make a droid or a lightsaber and do not have a reservation. My friends were able to get walk-up reservations because they were there right when they opened. Plus, you want time to eat, go to Oga’s Cantina, and ride Millennium Falcon and Rise of the Resistance.

3. Bring a Power Bank

Your entire adventure revolves around your datapad, aka your cell phone. Your itinerary, essential communications regarding your missions, and the ability to hack into areas are all on the data pad. Your battery will die quickly between that and all the photos you will take. There are plenty of charging points throughout the ship, but you want to avoid being tied to a plug when you get a transmission that Chewbacca needs help in the engine room immediately. The front desk has extra if you need one.

4. Dress Up

You paid for an immersive experience, so dress up. You can become a resistance member, a secret Sith, or a stormtrooper. Would you ever see a human wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt walking through Mos Eisley Cantina?

Plus, my favorite part was walking around Galaxy’s Edge in full costume. As Halcyon guests, we did not have to follow Disney’s strict costume rules. I dressed as a Twi-lek with a full headpiece and had so much fun interacting with other tourists.

5. Play Along

Along with dressing up, you need to play along. The experience is supposed to be immersive. Get a backstory. Who are you? What planet are you from? Why are you on the Halcyon? You are paying a lot for the experience of being inside your own Star Wars story. Embrace it.

6. Book a Private PhotoPass Session

This tip is questionable. When my group went on Disney’s Galactic Starcruiser, the Photo Pass session was only $99. Now the price has increased to $399. I find that to be a little ridiculous but I do think it is worth sharing.

You don’t want to spend all your time taking photos. Plus, I doubt other guests will appreciate taking time out of their experience to take photos for you. You can hire a professional photographer for a 30 minute session aboard the ship.

The photos came out awesome and were more creative than we would ever have taken on our own. I just don’t know if I would pay $399.

Tip: Book during the week when prices are lower.

7. Bring an Eye Mask

The coolest part of the guest rooms aboard the Galactic Starcruiser is the window looking out into space. Bright lights surround the window, and the only way to turn off the lights is to close the shades of the window. It would have been awesome to turn the lights off and look out into space while going to bed. If some of your party want to keep the window open, I recommend an eye mask.

Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

8. You Can’t Buy Star Wars Souvenirs

Disney does not want to ruin the illusion for guests on the Starcruiser and Galaxy’s Edge. Therefore you will not find any Disney Star Wars branded merchandise on the ship or Batuu. You can find merchandise advertising the Chandrilla Cruise line and rare kyber crystals at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, but nothing that says “Disney’s Galactic Starcruiser.

This is until you leave the ship on your last day. There will be a stand selling Galactic Starcruiser shirts, hoodies, and other Disney-branded souvenirs.

9. Don’t Arrive Too Early on Day 1

We arrived at 1130 and were able to board around 1230. We were excited to get on and explore the ship. Although the lounge and restaurant were open, there wasn’t much else to do until later in the afternoon. So I recommend arriving a little later if it means a less stressful morning for your family.

10. Take Part in All the Events

You only have two days, and this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Go to Oga’s Cantina. Make a droid. Play Sabacc. Join the Fashion Show. Sample the fantastic cocktails and late-night food in the lounge. And most of all, have a blast.

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I Went To Outer Space on Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

By Susan Weston / December 5, 2022 / Leave a Comment

Ever since Disney announced the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, there have been questions regarding exactly what it is and if it is worth the crazy price tag. I recently went on the Galactic Starcruiser known as the Halycon and want to answer the most common questions.

What is the Galactic Starcruiser?

Well… It is not a hotel. The Galactic Starcruiser opened in Walt Disney World last year. It is described as a “Star Wars-themed 2-night live-action/role-playing choose your own adventure experience aboard a simulated cruise in outer space within the Star Wars galaxy.”

Imagine yourself inside your favorite Star Wars movie. You have been working hard on your home planet of Tatooine and need a vacation. You book a cruise through the outer rim on the Halcyon cruiseliner. Aboard the cruise, you meet travelers from all over the galaxy—a Twi’lek from Ryloth, a smuggler from Tatooine, and a Togruta working on his music career. You are playing Sabacc when the first order walks in and arrests a man suspected of being for the resistance. Your cruise ship docks at Batuu, where you spend the day exploring the markets of the Black Spire Output and seeing the infamous Millenium Falcon that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. Then you return to Halcyon to help Chewbacca hide from Kylo Ren.

Seriously, that all happened to me. You spend two days in this fantasy world, never leaving the bubble. Along the way, you can help the first order, join the resistance, or go on a mission that has you enter a secret room on the ship.

Meeting passengers from all over the Galaxy

How much is the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?

$7,091

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your cruise to outer space includes parking, a one-day park ticket, food, a two-night stay aboard the Halcyon, meeting all your favorite Star Wars characters, dinner shows, and the chance to play your childhood fantasy. Alcohol, except for one drink in Batuu, is not included.

Dinner on Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — Crown of Corellia Dining Room

Breakfast on Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — Crown of Corellia Dining Room

Is there a way to make the Starcruiser more affordable?

Go with friends.

It is a lot of money for one family to spend on a two-day trip, but I split the cost with four friends. The rooms are small, but we easily fit the four of us. There was a pulldown bed, bunk beds, and a queen bed.

With four friends, I only paid $1,772. Yes. You can pick your jaw off the floor again. Consider that a Disney World vacation at another deluxe resort can cost even more.

Tip: Book during the week when prices are lower.

I love Disney and Star Wars but want to avoid being stuck in space with screaming children for two days.

I agree. Most of the children on the Star Cruiser were past the crying, nap-needing phase.

Disney recommends that children be old enough to use a cell phone since all the missions, cruise activities, and private transmissions are on your data pad (aka your phone).

Several events, such as lightsaber training, are only available to guests seven or over.

Tip: They will provide phones if your children do not have their own, but they only have a limited number, so call ahead.

Playing Sabacc on Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — Enjoying a game of Sabacc on the Halcyon

How immersive is this Star Wars experience?

100%. You are on a cruise in the outer rim and will meet people from all over the galaxy. The windows in your room look out into space. Everyone from your waiter to your room attendant is a part of the experience and will never break character. Our waiter told us about his wife and kids on his home planet and how he ended up working on the Halcyon.

What about your visit to Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge? Will it break the illusion?

On the day of your “excursion,” you will board a transport vehicle and get transported down to the planet of Battu. When they open the door of the transport vehicle, you are already within the walls of Galaxy’s Edge. There is a separate entrance where you never see the outside world.

Yes, there are tourists in Battu, but they were visiting just like us. We had pins that told cast members we were part of the Halcyon, so they played along.

Oga's Cantina in Batuu Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — Drinks at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge

Private entrance to Batuu when on Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — Drinks at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge

Do I need to be a Star Wars fan?

There is nothing throughout the experience that you need to know about the Star Wars Franchise. Anyone can cruise through outer space and participate in missions.

I was never a Star Wars geek, but I love movies that intertwine, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I loved the idea of being inside the Star Wars Universe, and I love dressing up in costumes.

That being said, there is something about meeting Chewbacca, traveling on the ship where Han and Leya had their honeymoon, and talking to a Twi’lek about growing up on Ryloth that only a Star Wars fan can appreciate.

Tip: Need a crash course into the Star Wars Galaxy. Check out this guide to locations and vocabulary referenced on the Starcruiser.

Was it worth it?

Yes.

But only if you participate. Dress up. Have a backstory. Go on the missions. It is not a hotel. It’s an experience. It is only worth it if you can go in 100%.

I began a crash course in Star Wars. I watched every movie, cartoon, and tv show before I went on the ship. I was going to be prepared for the amount of money I was paying.

Ready to Book

6 Essential Road Trip Planning Apps of 2021

By Susan Weston / May 23, 2021 / Leave a Comment

Download these apps to help plan your ultimate summer road trip.

1. GasBuddy

I want to save money wherever I can when I travel, and I love any tool that helps with this goal. Gas prices can add up quickly during a road trip. GasBuddy allows people to search for the lowest fuel prices in the area. It also helps calculate the estimated fuel charges for your road trip before you even get in the car.

Additionally, there is a free option to save up to $0.25/gallon. You need to connect your checking account, and they will mail you a card to swipe at the pump for a discount. For $9.99/month, you can save up to $0.40/gallon and get roadside assistance. Available for Android and iOS.

2. HipCamp

I wish I knew about HipCamp years ago. The user interface resembles Airbnbs, but it is only for booking campsites, cabins, RV parks, public parks, and more. Landowners can advertise their private land as camp sites, much like homeowners can rent out their homes. HipCamp appears to be geared towards “glamping,” and many rentals are more expensive than your typical campsite, but there are cheaper options.

Since HipCamp mainly focuses on private landowners, it is a great alternative during the pandemic when many state campsites are closed. Get $10 in HipCamp credit by signing up with this link. Available for Android and iOS.

3. My Maps (by Google Maps)

Remember having to write down directions on PAPER to drive anywhere? Sadly, I bet many of you don’t. Trust me. It was a tough time.

You can use Google Maps for more than trying to beat the estimated time of arrival when driving. My Maps gives you the ability to create a custom map with your own landmarks, routes, and even the ability to add shapes and drawings. The best part is you can share the map with other people and give them the ability to add to the map if you want.

For example, I used My Maps to plan my Route 66 road trip. I added layers for accommodations and attractions. I shared it with my boyfriend, who was able to add attractions he was interested in, too. We used this map to navigate our whole trip. For an in-depth tutorial on how to make a custom map, check out this article. (Apple does not make a specific My Maps app, but the feature is available on the Google Maps app.)

4. Road Side America

Do you want to see the largest rocking chair or the tallest totem pole? Roadside America is a database of “Offbeat Tourist Attractions.” Anyone can add an attraction or update an existing one. The website is free to use. An app is available for iOS starting at $2.99, allowing you to download the maps to your phone. Personally, I check the website when I plan my road trip and then add the stops to my custom google map.

5. Flush

This is probably the most important road trip app on this list. Flush will locate any restroom in your area. It also gives you information on which ones provide accessibility access, charge a fee for usage, or require a key. Did you find a bathroom not on the list? Add it to Flush’s database. Available for Android and iOS.

6. TripIt

TripIt is my favorite road trip planning app. I hate searching through my email to find my car rental reservation number? Or the contact information for my Airbnb? TripIt helps me stay organized for any vacation. I can manually input reservations, but the best feature is TripIt will scan your emails and automatically import any travel-related information to its website. The entire trip itinerary is available in one place with minimal effort. TripIt also makes it easy to share/edit travel plans with your whole group. Available for Android and iOS.

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