It looks like Walt Disney World is moving forward with transforming the former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser into an office space for Walt Disney Imagineering. Recent aerial photos show that work is underway at the site, and a permit filed late last month supports the rumor that significant work is taking place at the former Starcruiser building. Here’s what we know.
Work Underway at Former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
New aerial photos from Bioreconstruct show new activity at the former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser immersive theater hotel. The new aerial photos pair nicely with a permit that was filed late last month, which would suggest that an interior overhaul is taking place. We’ll start with the permit, and then move on to the aerial photo evidence.
A permit filed on August 27th lists prominent Walt Disney World contractor Balfour Beatty as the contractor for the project. While the permit only lists “General Construction” as the scope of work, we can infer that the work will be substantial anytime Balfour Beatty is attached to a permit.
Balfour Beatty is the general contractor of note for large projects at Walt Disney World such as the transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Pandora – The World of Avatar, Gran Destino Tower, Disney Lakeshore Lodge, multiple hotel refurbishment projects, and the upcoming Tropical Americas land – to name a few.
In general, anytime Balfour Beatty is attached to a permit, you know they aren’t just replacing a light bulb.
Beyond that, new aerial photos show that construction activity is underway at the former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser immersive theater hotel. As you can see in the aerial photos below, there are new signs of construction/demolition, such as a number of new dumpsters, portable toilets, and a new site access gate.
If we had to guess, the new dumpsters would indicate that there is some gutting work going on inside as part of the transformation.
Walt Disney World has not returned multiple requests for comment.
It’s more than a bit ironic that Imagineering is being forced to work out a space that was some of their best work that Disney allowed to fail. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was an ambitious, seamlessly immersive experience that pushed the boundaries of what was possible within the themed entertainment space. Unfortunately, Disney gave up on the concept, with Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro saying that it was a difficult concept to explain to the public.
We first flagged concerns in June 2022, just a few months after the experience debuted. By late 2022, we published an article noting that something would have to change to keep the Starcruiser afloat. By May 2023, Walt Disney World announced that it would be closing the Galactic Starcruiser.
Shortly after the closure announcement, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro teased future plans for the Starcruiser. He said, “no hints yet, but something will happen“. As recently as April 2024, D’Amaro said that Disney was working on new experiences following the lessons of the failed Starcruiser.
Earlier this year, a rumor started swirling that the Starcruiser venue would be utilized by Walt Disney Imagineering teams working on upcoming projects for the Walt Disney World theme parks. This certainly isn’t what D’Amaro had in mind when he said that “something will happen” with the Starcruiser.
Now, new evidence appears to show that construction is underway. The new work is likely for the rumored use of the space as Walt Disney Imagineering offices.
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!
What a lame thing to do!
It was doomed from the beginning. They charged way too much money for the experience. Only the rich could truly afford it. Then it sat empty/vacant for months and months. At least make it a star wars dining experience. It would have been wildly popular. There are soooo little for boys/guys in the character dining experience. And they could have just simply rented out the rooms like a themed hotel. Price it somewhere between a moderate and a deluxe. I don’t get it. What a shame! What a waste! Where’s the imagination?? Ugh!
This makes no sense. Disney should turn the property into a conventional Star Wars hotel by adding additional wings with conventional guest rooms, a pool area, retail, and restaurants. The original rooms could be premium.
Does the WDW Management really think that a refurbished hotel, turned office building, will lure any “Imagineers” when the proposed Lake Nona Complex was not well received by the California Imagineers. Expand the Galaxy’s Edge into the parking lot, adding to the land behind it. Include the hotel (ditching the hotel theme). Add a 3D Shooting Gallery to defend the ship from space pirates. There is so much they can add to the Star Wars experience in the area.