Travel advisor sales are in hyperdrive for Disney's Galactic Starcruiser

The Force is strong with travel advisors when it comes to selling Disney's new Star Wars-themed hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

The Walt Disney World Resort hotel, which will open in Orlando on March 1, is selling well, and it already has theme park fans wondering if its concept -- almost like a land-based version of a cruise -- will catch on with other popular franchises and parks. 

Disney unveiled plans for Galactic Starcruiser in 2017. Billed by Disney as an "experience" instead of a hotel, guests will follow an itinerary over their two-night stay, including a theme park visit.

"I think it's a genius idea," said Sue Pisaturo, president of Small World Vacations (No. 51 on Travel Weekly's 2021 Power List) in Washington Township, N.J. "How wonderful to give families a place to come together and get lost in this alternate reality. I think it's the next step for entertainment and vacationing."

Galactic Starcruiser will be located near Disney's Hollywood Studios, home to its Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land. It has been designed to look and feel like a spaceship, dubbed the Halcyon. Guests will be transported to the "ship" via a launch pod for their experience to begin.

Once guests "board," they will spend the next two days following their itinerary, including meals and activities. 

According to a sample itinerary, guests will be occupied for most of their time on the Halcyon. They will have choices to make that will make their stay unique. For instance, they might opt to join a smuggling ring or hide a stowaway to aid the Resistance. Entertainment includes riding the blockbuster attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, lightsaber training and live music.

The best way to describe it is a "cruise-type booking," said Lisa Federico, president of Academy Travel in Manahawkin, N.J. 

Clients, and advisors, are booking. Federico herself spent six hours on hold to book her family, and a number of clients are gifting stays to Star Wars-loving family members for Christmas. Weekends have been the top request. Some clients have even booked more than one date in 2022.

"I feel this will be an immediate hit," she said. "And once the first visitors start posting on social media, it will go crazy from there on out. I also think many people will go more than once, will bring back family and friends, ultimately spreading the Force. People are loving the idea of an immersive experience that allows them to be part of their own Star Wars adventure."

Beci Mahnken agreed. The CEO of MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel of Issaquah, Wash., said Star Wars fans immediately booked when reservations opened in October.

Bookings have slowed since, but Mahnken believes as soon as posts start hitting social media again, more guests will consider adding a stay at Galactic Starcruiser to their Disney World vacation.

In the first few weeks bookings were open, Glass Slipper Concierge in San Antonio booked more than 70 families for the hotel, president and founder Cara Goldsbury said. Suites sold out "in a matter of weeks," and only standard cabins are currently available through September (the latest dates for which reservations are available at the moment).