Star Wars Celebration Europe is in full swing over in London, and Disney Parks fans will be treated to a live stream of the Parks Panel tomorrow. Here are the details:
Sunday, April 9
Disney Parks: Where Star Wars Comes to Life, Celebration Stage and Livestream
11:00 AM ET – 12:00 PM ET
Join some of the creative minds from Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm for a special look at how Disney brings Star Wars to life in its parks and beyond. Discover more about immersive experiences from a galaxy far, far away, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and more. Disney and Star Wars fans alike will be treated to the insights only these creators can provide.
Guest speakers for the panel will be:
Scott Trowbridge – Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
Scott Trowbridge partners with Lucasfilm on Star Wars content across Disney parks, resorts, cruise ships and additional immersive experiences, as well as new project development. He led design and development of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World Resort.
Ann Morrow Johnson – Executive Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering
Ann Morrow Johnson oversees Blue Sky for Walt Disney Imagineering, the process through which emerging trends and innovations are identified and considered in the development of Disney experiences. She was executive producer and creative director for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, the immersive, two-night vacation adventure at Walt Disney World Resort.
Asa Kalama – Executive Creative & Interactive Experiences
Asa Kalama oversees the development of immersive rides and interactive attractions, as well as new experiences designed to entertain guests beyond the Disney theme parks. He led the team behind the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction and the land-wide interactive program for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Matt Martin – Sr. Creative Executive
Matt is a huge Star Wars fan who has a job doing Star Wars-y things as part of the Lucas Franchise Content & Strategy team with a focus on Disney Parks, ILMxLAB, publishing, games and animation. He played Greedo in a video once and now wavers on the subject of who shot first.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Immersive Hotel
While we’ll recap the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience below, you can find in-depth, day-by-day reports in the following articles!
Guests will arrive at the hotel like any other hotel, but it’s billed as something unlike anything else built by Disney. The adventure begins when you arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World and check-in for your two-night experience. Valet is included in the price of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
Once you’ve checked into the hotel, you’ll board a launch pod where you’ll blast off into space and rendezvous with the Halcyon, the ship you’ll spend the next 2-nights aboard. Through windows above, you’ll see yourself leave the real world behind as you jump to hyperspace and draw closer and closer to the Halcyon.
Here’s concept art of the experience compared to a photo of the actual guest experience in the launch pod.
During your journey, you will sleep aboard a ship known throughout the galaxy for its glamour and style—crewed by the incomparable interplanetary travel group, Chandrila Star Line.
Chandrila Star Line is renowned throughout the galaxy for its fleet of comfortable and stylish starcruisers, top-tier service, delicious cuisine and exotic destinations—from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim and beyond. Chandrila Star Line’s legendary Purgill-class starcruisers were some of the first commercial vessels to offer hyperdrive travel, and their spirit of adventure continues to this day.
Rest assured that in these times of galactic conflict, Chandrila Star Line operates with the utmost care, and encounters with either the First Order or the Resistance are rare. While itineraries do occasionally experience some disruptions due to the unrest in certain parts of the galaxy, Chandrila Star Line starcruisers are well equipped with the latest shield and turbolaser technology to defend themselves in the unlikely event of dire circumstances—which are never an issue. Well, almost never.
The Halcyon starcruiser is the jewel of the Chandrila Star Line. Onboard the 100-cabin Corellian MPO-1400 model starcruiser, you’ll voyage to the far reaches of the galaxy in legendary comfort and style. Recently refurbished and reoutfitted, the starcruiser combines modern conveniences with the romance of the age of exploration.
When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon and the airlock opens, you will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin your journey through a galaxy far, far away. Again, here’s a comparison of the concept art versus the actual product.
A visit aboard the Halcyon becomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, including navigation and defense – skills that may come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.
Other areas within the ship include the Engineering Room, where guests can sneak into a crew-only area of the ship and discover the inner workings.
Guests can also complete lightsaber training! Wielding a lightsaber while facing off against a training remote, where you may discover your own connection with the Force.
Of course, it’s not going to all be action. There will be time to head to The Sublight Lounge – an inviting retreat for passengers of all ages.
Guests will also be able to experience luxurious meals – included with your stay in the main restaurant. At night, guests might even be treated to an otherworldly dinner show.
Every window in the Halcyon – including those in each cabin – has a view of the galaxy beyond, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progresses from place to place.
The starcruiser features 100 well-appointed cabins and suites, each one radiating an atmosphere of elegance, style, comfort, and exclusivity. Your Star Wars story continues even in your cabin or suite. You’ll be amazed by the attention to detail!
Each Standard Cabin is fitted with furnishings and fixtures designed to ensure comfort while traveling throughout the galaxy—including a pullout table and a TV with entertainment from your home planet—and a window with a view out into space.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
I’ll cringe when they mention Launch Bay, because that attraction should not exist in a post Galaxy’s Edge world and doesn’t fit the “Animation” Courtyard name, Josh D’Amaro will have to eventually find a replacement for this(Owl House, Monsters Inc, etc.)