Prepare to board the Halcyon: Your Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser vacation awaits

Visiting Galaxy’s Edge will be just one part of the Star Wars journey at Walt Disney World. The Halcyon will be the ultimate Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser vacation experience.

During the D23 Expo, Disney announced that the Halcyon is the official name of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser vacation experience. Offering guests a journey on a Halcyon, this Walt Disney World Resort location will be far from a “regular” hotel. It will be your chance to vacation in a galaxy far, far away.

Naming this vacation experience Halcyon is quite interesting. According to Merriam-Webster, the word means “characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity.” While the word is often used in reference to the past, this word is typically used to describe a luxury or affluence. Given Disney’s goal to always provide the best, guests should expect the ultimate experience.

Much has been said about the Galaxy’s Edge immersive Star Wars experiences in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Star Wars fans have jumped at the chance to walk into that unique experience. It is more than just jumping on a theme park ride, it brings you into the Star Wars world.

Adding this Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser vacation experience, Disney gives Star Wars fans an opportunity to leave the real world behind and embrace their fandom. While all the details about this Star Wars hotel have yet to be revealed, the first announcements offer a small glimpse at what fans can expect.

First, this vacation experience is new for Disney. As the hotel takes shape by Hollywood Studios, it doesn’t appear like other Walt Disney Resort properties. Instead of large-scale buildings, this space looks more intimate.

Even looking back at some of the previously released renderings, this hotel/experience may not have real windows. Based on the idea guests are on a starcruiser, the windows can’t look out onto a parking lot view or the Walt Disney World gondolas.

Building on that idea of being on a starcruiser, the guests will have to embrace the whole experience once they check into the hotel. While every amenity will be available (it is a Disney hotel), it should not be the typical “hotel” experience.

In the D23 Expo announcement, Disney stated that “you’ll interact with characters and become an active participant in immersive stories that unfold over the course of an unforgettable galactic journey.” This type of journey is what makes fans jump at the opportunity to be part of the experience. They are living out being a character in their favorite franchise. It is more than wearing an outfit or eating a dish. They are part of the adventure.

The most curious fact coming out of this announcement is that each journey is just a two-night adventure. The majority of Disney guests stay on-site for more than two days. It begs the question, why only two nights?

There could be many reasons why two nights are the only options. Due to the immersive nature of the experience, more than two nights could be too much. Also, with the expected amount of people wanting to stay at this property, the limited time frame allows more guests to experience it.

With the two-night time frame, it will be interesting to see if Disney allows multiple, consecutive two-night stays. Additionally, would the extra nights follow the same story or would your story build on previous experiences?

Personally, if the experiences built on each other, that scenario seems more enticing. If a guest is an active participant in the experience, she should draw her knowledge from previous visits, just like on any vacation.

One of the draws of staying in the Halcyon will be its direct access to Galaxy’s Edge. While Disney didn’t reveal how the Starcruiser will connect to Galaxy’s Edge, it is known that it will have its own entrance. Maybe that special entrance comes with some additional perks.

While excitement grows over each new detail, the biggest piece of information has yet to be shared: the cost of this epic adventure. Although many Star Wars fans will want to take this journey, they may not be able to afford it. Additionally, it could be extremely difficult to get a reservation when they become available.

Would you want to book a Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser vacation on Halcyon? What do you think the experience will be like?