PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   Ever since Star Wars first came into existence, fans have wondered how they’d fare in that galaxy far, far away. From video games and role-playing titles to stacks of fanfiction, there have always been ways to immerse oneself in the franchise. But no experience compares to Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars-themed land at Disney Parks. Where else can you spot a napping Loth cat, sip blue milk, or buy a Coke branded in Aurebesh?

For a time, you could fully dive into the Star Wars universe via the Galactic Starcruiser—an “immersive” hotel stay that claimed to let guests “live their Star Wars story.” But what was supposed to be a game-changer for fans turned into one of Disney’s most notorious flops, and it’s now being completely erased from the park.

Galaxy’s Edge is going through a transition. The land was originally rooted in the sequel trilogy, with its two themed rides—Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run—both set during those three films. But the sequel era is now over, and Galaxy’s Edge is shifting to a more generic vibe, with renovations and rebranding that allow characters from past eras, like Luke, Leia, and Han, to wander the area.

Oga’s Cantina, the themed restaurant in Galaxy’s Edge, recently reopened after renovations, but not all changes were focused on this rebrand. WDWNewsToday reports that the Cantina’s Galactic Starcruiser Easter egg has been removed. The Cantina features a notice board with messages in Aurebesh that fans can decode: one example reads, “Flight Crews Wanted, No training necessary, fair pay, great experience. Discretion a must. Inquire at Ohnaka Transport Solutions in the spaceport,” which references Smuggler’s Run.

But one key message is now missing. Originally, a notice said: “Mechanic Wanted! Experience with Chandrilan class 1 starships required. Ability to speak Shyriiwook a plus. Contact Captain R. Keevan of the Halcyon, CSL.” This was a nod to the Galactic Starcruiser, as the ship’s name was the Halcyon, and fans had the chance to meet and interact with Captain Keevan “onboard.”

The Galactic Starcruiser was announced in 2017, opened in 2022, and closed in late 2023. While it got glowing reviews from an early press visit, the guest experience turned out to be quite different. In a now-infamous video essay by YouTuber Jenny Nicholson, she described the disappointment of windowless “luxury” cabins, a pole blocking her view of the dinner floor show, and the story’s tie-in app that never really worked. The experience never seemed to justify its exorbitant cost. Now, it looks like Disney will act as if the whole thing never happened.