Report: Former Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser to Become Walt Disney Imagineering Offices

22 days ago in "Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser"

Posted: Thursday January 30, 2025 1:!6pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

According to The Wrap, multiple sources, including one close to the company, report that the former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser building near Disney's Hollywood Studios is being converted into office space for Walt Disney Imagineering. The facility, once home to Disney's most ambitious themed entertainment experience, will now serve as a base for the creative division behind theme park attractions, retail locations, and cruise ships.

This report follows comments made by Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro in a 2023 interview with The Points Guy. When asked about the future of the Galactic Starcruiser building, D'Amaro said, "No hints yet, but something will happen." He acknowledged that while the project pushed creativity and storytelling to new heights, "It didn't work commercially. And so, when we realized that, you just make a call and move on." It appeared at that point that D'Amaro was suggesting a guest-facing use of the building, but that plan appears to have now changed.

The Rise and Fall of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened on March 1, 2022, as a two-day, two-night immersive experience priced at approximately $5,200 per voyage. The experience initially saw strong sales, but bookings quickly slowed, prompting Disney to adjust operations to cut costs and boost occupancy. In May 2023, Disney announced the closure of the hotel, with the final voyage taking place from September 28-30, 2023.

As soon as Disney resumed bookings for the final trips, demand surged, and the remaining voyages sold out within hours. At the time, Disney assured booked guests that the company would work to accommodate those affected by canceled reservations. Cast Members working at the Starcruiser were also given the opportunity to transition to new roles at Walt Disney World.

WDI Expands as Disney Begins Major New Projects

The move to convert the Galactic Starcruiser into Imagineering office space comes as Walt Disney World is preparing to launch several major projects, including:

  • A Monsters, Inc.-themed expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • A Cars-themed area replacing Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom
  • The Tropical Americas expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, replacing DinoLand U.S.A.

With these large-scale projects on the horizon, Imagineering’s presence in Central Florida is expanding. WDI currently operates offices inside EPCOT and at the former STOLport (Short Takeoff and Landing Airport) site near Magic Kingdom.

A Shift in Purpose

With the building now expected to become Imagineering office space, it appears Disney has no immediate plans to repurpose the facility for another guest experience.

Disney has not officially confirmed The Wrap's report, but the decision to convert the Starcruiser building into office space suggests that any hopes of a new guest-facing experience in the facility, which included day excursions from Batuu, have been put to rest—at least for now.

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    John park hopper18 days ago

    At least it will be used for something and not just abandoned like a lot of other things

    donaldtoo19 days ago

    No worries, I’ve just read a lot of Disney biographies…!!! :)

    Agent H19 days ago

    Okay so I was getting Burbank and the Hyperion mixed up sorry

    donaldtoo19 days ago

    Yes, the Hyperion studio opened in 1926, and the Burbank location was completed in early 1940, based largely on the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. There was also the original Kingswell Ave location, established in 1923, of course.

    Agent H19 days ago

    Just so we’re clear Burbank was the studio they got after Snow White was a big success right? I thought it was but your post made me doubt that

    flynnibus19 days ago

    even tho WDI/WED was on the burbank campus at first.. I'm pretty sure I remember reading from Gurr or someone that they were basically "out back" and separated off since they were no longer working on the studio stuff and focused on Walt's crazy ideas. Tho I don't remember if they got any nicer spaces after the park was successful... but before they left for glendale.

    donaldtoo19 days ago

    Uhhh, no actually. The Hyperion studio was fine for the time at first, but eventually became a hodgepodge of buildings, was too crowded and had no A/C. The Burbank campus was laid out beautifully, had windows strategically placed, and A/C and other humidity control, in regard to ink and paint. And, I’m fully aware when WED was founded, but thanks for tryin’ to “school” me…!!! ;)

    Agent H19 days ago

    Yeah and everyone hated them at the time and just so you know this predates WED by a decade

    donaldtoo19 days ago

    The two early 20th Century ones below where leaps and bounds above the school yard portables…hopefully, even a small tornado never rolls through… :cautious:

    donaldtoo19 days ago

    I think we may have found the problem… Here’s your new digs. Stay creative, y’all…!!!!! 👍🤪:hilarious:

    FiestaFunKid19 days ago

    I think I'd opt for Glendale

    danlb_200019 days ago

    Here are the Imagineering offices at the Stolport which have been there for many years.

    donaldtoo19 days ago

    Are you sure about that…?! 🤔 These days, I’m not… :cyclops:

    JoeCamel19 days ago

    But I'm sure a company this talented could install natural looking lights in all the spaces just look what they were able to simulate on the Sunset Safari. Nothing but the best for the Imagineers. How is that Nona move working out?