Josh D’Amaro Breaks Down ‘Galactic Starcruiser’ Debacle

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Walt Disney World Resort is known for providing cutting-edge, top-of-the-line rides, entertainment, food, and accommodations. The Resort’s innovation in hospitality is one of the reasons that Guests return year after year to spend their valuable vacation time. However, sometimes Disney misses the mark and misjudges what their customer base really wants.

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel may be one of the biggest missteps the Disney Parks have seen in the past few decades. Josh D’Amaro, the Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, has addressed the Galactic Starcruiser’s failings and the impact that its closing will have on the company financially.

Last week, many fans were saddened, but not completely surprised, to hear that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would be completing its final voyage on September 30, 2023. The much-anticipated hotel was a boutique experience for Guests who wanted a premium, immersive Star Wars adventure. The project is wildly inventive, and it is truly an entirely new experience for fans to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe.

The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser was an intimate experience where a small number of Guests would embark on a two-night voyage aboard the starship Halcyon. During their travels, Guests would get to interact with various characters from the Star Wars universe, take part in lightsaber training, and enjoy various other activities.

Unfortunately, the Starcruiser did not perform as well as Disney had hoped. Most Guests were turned away by the shocking $2,500 per night price point. After less than two years, the Starcruiser will be retiring earlier than hoped.

Josh D'Amaro

May 22, 2023, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro did a Q&A at the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference. During his interview, D’Amaro addresses the closing of the Starcruiser, which he referred to as “a pretty stunning asset.”

D’Amaro explained that Disney is very proud of how the Starcruiser turned out and is honored that Guests gave it such incredibly high ratings. Unfortunately, the Starcruiser did not perform as well as hoped, which left Disney with no choice but to “sunset” the experience.

D’Amaro goes on to explain how this with financially affect the company saying;

“I will not, I don’t think we’ve talked about this before, but in both Q3 and Q4, as we accelerate depreciation on that Starcruiser, we should expect about $100-$150 million in accelerated depreciation.”

While it isn’t totally clear if he means $100-$150 million per quarter or total, that is a large number for Disney to lose. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be a massive asset to loose, and it’s failings may mean we wont see anther experience like it for a while.

a Tropical Storm May Be Headed for Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Uncategorized

If you’ve visited Walt Disney World Resort, especially more than once, then you know that Florida has two settings: sunshine and rain.

In fact, rain and thunderstorms are so common in the Sunshine State that Floridians can even smell when a storm is coming (source: the author is a native Floridian, and she can tell you whether the clouds are worth worrying about with just a sniff).

But the National Hurricane Center is currently sniffing out something bigger than your average Central Florida storm. According to the National Hurricane Center, a tropical storm could be forming.

Although a tropical storm may sound like a fancy way of saying ‘thunderstorm,’ it’s worth noting that the two are incredibly different. Tropical storms form when the winds reach 39 miles per hour or higher, making them much more dangerous and challenging to navigate than a thunderstorm (which is already difficult to navigate through).

Hollywood Studios Rain Ponchos

This year’s hurricane season begins on June 1, and yet a potential storm has already been spotted on the horizon.

According to a report by the Orlando Sentinel, the National Hurricane Center has begun tracking something “in the Atlantic east of Florida with a small chance of forming into a tropical depression.”

Rainy Day

Reportedly, the system that has been spotted has a 10% chance of turning into a tropical storm within the next couple of days. However, it’s no secret that a tropical storm can quickly develop into a hurricane, heading straight for Central Florida.

If this storm develops further, it could easily disrupt many Guests’ plans for visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

Judge Puts a Wrench in DeSantis’ Plans Against Disney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

An important update has arrived regarding the ongoing legal battle between Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company.

If you follow Florida politics, it has been impossible to ignore the absolute mayhem that is the situation with the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It all started when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed legislation that would affect the powers of special districts like the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The district was initially created by Walt Disney himself in the 1960s to give his company control over the development of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney is the largest taxpayer and explorer in the state of Florida, making it a sizeable threat to the Governor. Nevertheless, DeSantis has continued to fight back against Disney, thus drawing national attention to Orlando politics.

Ron DeSantis

While Disney fans and central Floridians have been aware of the squabble for a while, the situation became a national headline after it was announced that the Walt Disney Company would be seeing Ron DeSantis. The whole world has tuned in to see what will come of this high-profile lawsuit, which has elevated stakes due to the fact that DeSantis is a possible candidate for the Republican Party in the coming election.

Last week, DeSantis shocked the public when he filed a motion to disqualify the Judge assigned to the lawsuit. The Judge in question is Mark E. Walker, and DeSantis wants him removed because his “impartiality in this matter might reasonably be questioned.”

Just yesterday, a proposed briefing schedule and “forthcoming motions to dismiss” were revealed. Now, the judge has said that the court “will take no action.”

Bob Iger The Walt Disney Company CEO BuzzFeed Deal

This decision is because the Judge had determined that no further action could be made until it was figured out what would come from DeSantis’ wish to disqualify the judge. Judge Walker explained that “This court will take no action, scheduling or otherwise, in this case until it rules on the ending motion for disqualification.”

It will be fascinating to see what comes of this case once it is revealed if the Judge will be dismissed or now.

Guest Fractures Leg in Disney World, Multiple Injuries Reported

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

A new report shares details regarding several incidents that happened at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

A trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is supposed to be filled with magic and fun, with exciting adventures hiding around every corner. From Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, Guests will find dozens of amazing rides, attractions, roller coasters, dark rides, and live entertainment offerings at Walt Disney World.

Guests can also explore two amazing theme parks as well as Disney Springs, Disney World’s massive shopping and dining center.

However, like any theme park, accidents are bound to happen, even at “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

According to a new report, several Guests experience health concerns while visiting Walt Disney World in the first few months of 2023.

Florida’s biggest theme parks, which include places like the Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Resorts as well as SeaWorld and LEGOLAND, are required to self-report Guests’ injuries when they are hurt on rides and attractions and hospitalized for at least 24 hours after their injury.

Between January 5, and March 29, a total of four different Guests reported various health concerns after experiencing attractions at the Resort.

In January, a Guest experienced a cardiac event while riding Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom.

Redd takes over the pirates' auction

In February, a 72-year-old Guest with a pre-existing condition had a stroke-like symptom after riding Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Later in February, a Guest felt disoriented after riding Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In March, a 67-year-old Guest fell and fractured their leg after disembarking The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.

Disneyland Paris Cast Members Go on Strike, Parks May Be Unable to Open

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Cast Members associated with a local union are set to strike this summer, publicly demonstrating their desire for better pay.

The Disneyland Paris Resort has seen its fair share of controversies recently. Earlier this year, an entire parade was canceled due to Cast Members going on strike at the Resort. Now, Cast Members are once again set to go on strike.

This was recently confirmed by DLP Report on Twitter:

The strike will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and will involve all Cast Members associated with UNSA. The strike could affect the Resort’s opening operations, though only time will tell what this means for the Resort.

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland have faced similar issues regarding Cast Members wanting higher pay and better working conditions. Cast Members at Walt Disney World recently reached an agreement for higher wages, much like the Universal Orlando Resort did earlier this year.

The Disneyland Paris is located in Chessy, France, and is comprised of two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. At Disneyland Park, Guests will find classic theme park rides and attractions. At Walt Disney Studios, Guests will find more intense and intellectual property (IP)-based adventures.

The most recent addition to the European Resort can be found at this Park in the form of Avengers Campus. This Marvel-focused area allows Guests to get up close and personal with their favorite Marvel characters like Iron Man, Black Widow, Spider-Man, and Thor.

Avengers Campus can also be found at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and has proven to be popular among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).