Ever wanted to visit the world of Star Wars?
Fans attending Disney’s D23 expo over the weekend were eager to hear more about the Star Wars-themed attractions coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World (which are now known to be called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge). What came as a surprise was the news that Walt Disney World is also introducing a Star Wars-themed hotel and resort. And this isn’t just any kind of lodging, either. The resort will be an immersive experience, complete with narratives and costumes for guests so they truly feel like they’re inside a giant spaceship within the Star Wars Galaxy.
Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, confirmed on Saturday:
It’s unlike anything that exists today. From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the Galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.
The windows of your rooms at this resort will even look out upon a simulation of deep space passing by instead of the real world outside on Earth. That sounds like it could be disorienting, especially if you do go out, but maybe you won’t ever want to leave anyway. In addition to the cool rooms, the resort appears to have bars tended by droids and other fun amenities. It’s unclear, though, how such an immersive package will relate to guests staying at Walt Disney World with the intention of leaving the resort and visiting the theme parks, including the Galaxy’s Edge stuff at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
While there is nothing like this, Chapek is correct, it does sound like something out of a sci-fi novel or movie or series — say, Westworld but with Star Wars characters and experiences rather than the Old West theme. There are also places that offer relatively minimal narrative experiences, such as the Overlook Film Festival’s interactive horror theatrics that go on while guests attend screenings and more. This Star Wars resort doesn’t promise to be a game in the way those ideas do, though surely role-players and cosplayers will feel right at home there.
Check out some concept art for the resort below and see larger images at the official Disney Parks Blog.
The NEW Star Wars resort hotel looks unbelievable! WOW. pic.twitter.com/dwHb3wMatG
— Star Wars Stuff (@starwarstuff) July 15, 2017
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