What You Could Buy at Disney Instead of the New Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

There has been a lot of talk about the new Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience. Many fans want to know if the experience justifies the excessive cost of a 2-night stay. While the question of whether it’s “worth it” is subjective, let’s dive in deeper and see what other purchases and experiences you could get for the same cost as a Starcruiser vacation.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

For the purposes of this article, we will be comparing costs to the current pricing on the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser website which currently covers the period from August 20, 2022, through September 17, 2022. Comparable options will be given for both a 2-guests stay and a 4-guests stay. 

Staying at the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel is not a normal hotel experience. There are some additional benefits that are included in your package:

• 2-night stay in a cabin or suite 
• Ongoing, immersive and interactive entertainment, where choices determine your experience*
• Food and beverages on the starcruiser (excluding alcoholic and specialty beverages) and a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or other select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for your planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Valet parking
• Exclusive Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser MagicBand

Pricing for a 2-night stay aboard the Galactic Starcruiser is as follows:

Now that we have covered what you get on the Starcruiser for $4,809-$5,999, let’s see what you could get for the same price elsewhere in Disney.

Tickets

While staying at the Galactic Starcruiser does get you admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at no extra charge, you are limited to a much shorter period of time to experience the park rather than if you were to book a 1-day park pass.

One of the biggest costs when planning a Walt Disney World vacation is theme park tickets. One way Disney tries to encourage guests to stay longer on their vacation is by lowering the cost per day the more days you purchase.

Example: If you purchase a 1-day/1-park-per-day ticket on August 20th, 2022 you will pay $139 plus tax. However, if you purchase a 10-day/1-park-per-day ticket beginning on August 20, 2022, you will average a cost of only $55/per day.

Base Ticket Prices

Below are prices for a base ticket allowing guests entry into 1 park-per-day. 

• 2-day 1 Park-Per-Day Pass- 2 adults: $509.32 4 adults: $1,018.64 2 adults, 2 kids: $997.90
• 5-day 1 Park-Per-Day Pass- 2 adults: $999.68 4 adults: $1,999.36 2 adults, 2 kids: $1,958.50
• 10-day 1 Park-Per-Day Pass- 2 adults: $1,162.04 4 adults: $2,324.08. 2 adults, 2 kids: $2,275.52

Now, simply comparing ticket costs, we are not even halfway to the full price of the 2-night voyage and could have up to 10 full days of theme park fun.

Park Hopper Ticket Prices

If we wanted to add on the Park Hopper option, the prices would be as follows:

2-day Park Hopper Pass – 2 adults: $669.08 4 adults: $1,338.16 2 adults, 2 kids: $1,317.40

5-day Park Hopper Pass – 2 adults: $1,180.72 4 adults: $2,361.44 2 adults, 2 kids: $2,320.58

10-day Park Hopper Pass- 2 adults: $1,343.10 4 adults: $2,686.20 2 adults, 2 kids – $2,637.62

Park Hopper Plus Ticket Prices

To bump up the perks even more let’s see the total prices with a Park Hopper Plus option.

This ticket category allows entry into multiple parks per-day and includes additional access to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course and Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course (subject to availability).

• 2-day Park Hopper Plus Pass- 2 adults: $711.68 4 adults: $1,423.36 2 adults, 2 kids: $1,402.60
• 5-day Park Hopper Plus Pass -2 adults: $1,223.32 4 adults: $2,446.64 2 adults, 2 kids: $2,405.78
• 10-day Park Hopper Plus Pass 2 adults: $1,385.70 4 adults: $2,771.40 2 adults, 2 kids: $2,722.82

Resort Stays

The next big purchase when planning a Walt Disney World Vacation is a resort reservation. Disney resort pricing varies greatly depending on the time of year you visit, the number of people in your party, and the category of resort you choose. 

For this comparison, we will look at stays beginning August 20, 2022, for 2 and 4 guests in each resort category. Rather than listing every resort, we will showcase the most expensive and least expensive resort available for a 2-night (the same amount of time as the Starcruiser), 5-night and 10-night stay.

We will try to compare the same resorts for each different length of stay, however, if a resort is not available for a certain length of stay, we will sub it with the next closest resort price.

Also, In order to compare room values as closely as possible to the small-sized Galactic Starcruiser cabins, we will be focusing on standard view rooms, or the lowest-priced room available. All pricing will be the total cost for the entire length of stay listed and will include sales tax. 

Value Resorts

Disney’s All-Stars Music, Sports & Movies Resorts:

• 2-night stay: 2 guests-$367.75 4 guests- $435.85 
• 5-night stay: 2 guests- $803.59 4 guests- $973.84
• 10-night stay: 2 guests- $1,614.00 4 guests- $1,954.50

Art of Animation Little Mermaid Standard room: 

• 2-night stay: 2 guests- $531.01 4 guests- $598.51
• 5-night stay: 2 guests- $1,191.40 4 guests- $1,360.15
• 10-night stay: 2 guests- $2,418.80 4 guests- $2,756.30

Moderate Resorts

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort:

• 2-night stay: 2 guests- $642.38 4 guests- $754.88
• 5-night stay: 2 guests- $1,506.38 4 guests-$1,787.63
• 10-night stay: 2 guests- $3,040.88 4 guests- $3,179.26

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort:

• 2-night stay: 2 guests- $670.50 4 guests- $783.00
• 5-night stay: 2 guests- $1,581.75 4 guests- $3,006.02
• 10-night stay: 2 guests- $3,179.26 4 guests- $3,741.76

Deluxe Resorts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort:

• 2-night stay: 2 guests- $975.38 4 guests- $1,132.88
• 5-night stay: 2 guests- $2,362.52 4 guests- $2,756.27
• 10-night stay: 2 guests- $4,775.66 4 guests- $5,563.16

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

• 2-night stay: 2 guests- $1,570.51 4 guests- $1,728.01
• 5-night stay: 2 guests- $3,841.90 4 guests- $4,235.65
• 10-night stay: 2 guests- $7,740.05 4 guests- $8,527.55

Magical Extras

There are so many different magical extras you can add onto your Disney vacation. Some are inexpensive and some are a bit pricy. Below are just a sample of the special events, tours or add-ons you can purchase to enhance your vacation at a variety of price points.

• Cirque Du Soleil Drawn to Life -$185 per person (best seat location)
• Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Fireworks Dessert Party – Ages 10+ – $107.04 Ages 3-9 – $64.78
• Capture Your Moment 20-minute photo sessions- $79.00
• Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – $129.00 per person
• Keys to the Kingdom Tour: $114.00 per person
• Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise: $99.00 for adults and $69.00 for children ages 3 to 9

• H2O Glow nights $75.00 for adults and $70.00 for kids
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: $116.09 for adults and $105.44 for kids 
• Horseback Riding and Carriage Rides: $55.00
• Specialty Fireworks Cruises $399.00 for up to 10 guests
• Lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop: $219.99 per person
• Wild Africa Trek $199.00
• Senses Spa Treatment – Just the Two of Us Spa Package (2 hours): $260 per person (Includes: Massage for Two and The Grand Pedicure for Two)

Build Your Experience

Now that we’ve looked at various pricing for big expenses such as theme park tickets, resort stays and magical extras, let’s use these prices and build a few packages to see what you could get instead of staying at the Galactic Starcruiser.

2-Adults Packages

Starting off our comparison will be a 2-night vacation which is the same length of time as the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser experience. As a low-budget option, 2 adults could stay at All-Star Sports with a 2-day Park Hopper Pass for a grand total of $1,036.83. 

If they really wanted to splurge, a 2-night stay at the Grand Floridian with a 2-day Park Hopper Pass would only cost $2,239.59. That is over $2500.00 less than 2 nights on the Starcruiser with plenty of room for dining costs to be added in.

If those two guests wanted to use that extra cushion of money to get them to the cost of the Starcruiser, here is everything they could purchase in addition to the Grand Floridian stay and Park Hoppers:

• Just the Two of Us Spa Package (includes massage and grand pedicure): $520.00
• Cirque Du Soleil Drawn to Life: $370.00
• Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Fireworks Dessert Party: $214.08
• Capture Your Moment 20-minute photo sessions: $79.00
• Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: $258.00
• Keys to the Kingdom Tour: $228.00
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: $232.18
• (2) Lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop: $439.98

Package Total: $4,580.83

With all of these experiences included, there is still a remaining balance of $228.17 that could be used on dining options around the parks. Below are more package examples for different party sizes and add-ons.

4-Adults Packages

• 5 night stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:$2,756.27
• 5-day Park Hopper Passes: $2,361.44
• H2O Glow nights $300.00
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party $464.36 
• Horseback Riding or Carriage Rides: $55.00
• Specialty Fireworks Cruise: $399.00

Package Total= $5,973.99

Or

• 10-night stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort: $3,741.76
• 10-day 1-Park-Per-Day Base Tickets: $2,324.08
• Keys to the Kingdom Tour: $456.00

Package Total=5,959.34

2-Adults, 2-Kids Packages

• 10-night stay at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: $3,179.26
• 10-day 1-Park-Per-Day Base Tickets: $2,275.52
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: $464.36 
• Capture Your Moment 20-minute photo session: $79.00

Package Total= $5998.14

Or 

• 5 night stay at Disney’s All-Stars Resorts: $973.84
• 5-day Park Hopper Plus Passes: $2,405.78
• (2) Lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop: $439.98
• Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise: $336.00
• H2O Glow nights $290.00
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party $443.06 
• Horseback Riding or Carriage Rides: $55.00
• Capture Your Moment 20-minute photo session: $79.00

Package Total= 4,852.41

If you are looking for a way to splurge on a truly upgraded stay check out how long you could stay at a Polynesian Bungalow instead of the Starcruiser!

These are just a few examples of how much you can get for the same price or less than a 2-night stay at Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Hotel. 

Is Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser “Worth” the Cost?

When the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser opened, the most common question people wanted to know was “is it worth the cost?” The answer won’t be the same for everyone. Personally, I would rather take a long vacation with tons of magical add-ons than spend two days inside trying to cram 4 people into a tiny cabin. 

If you are a die-hard Star Wars fan, there might be nothing mentioned in the above experiences that would compare to your ability to live out your dreams in the Star Wars universe for a couple of days.

If you are traveling with family who may enjoy the Star Wars films but they aren’t a make-it or break-it part of their vacation experience, then being able to put that same amount of money into other experiences or extending your stay may be better suited for you. 

To be fair, even the price comparisons above are a bit like comparing apples to oranges. The experience aboard the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser is unlike anything else at Disney. That said, each person has to individually assess their wants and needs on their Disney vacation to determine if a Galactic Starcruiser stay is truly “worth” it to them. Here are 5 things to know about the Galactic Starcruiser experience.

Rather than me telling you whether or not a stay at the Galactic Starcruiser is “worth it” or not, you can play around with the above-listed prices and see what else your family could do in Disney World for the same cost, or less, as the Starcruiser experience. Once you build your perfect vacation, you can then decide what would be the best use for your hard-earned money.

What do you think about this comparison list? Would you still consider a stay aboard the Galactic Starcruiser or would you build the Disney vacation of your dreams with other experiences? Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook!