Nearly 70 years ago, Walt Disney changed the theme park game with the opening of Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. With Disneyland, Walt created a place that both adults and children could enjoy. Today, that Disney magic has extended to theme parks across the globe. Guests can experience Walt’s vision at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
The people behind everything you see at the parks and Resorts are created by Disney Imagineers. Imagineers work incredibly hard to make sure each experience is exciting and memorable. Unfortunately, not every creation is a winner. Case in point — the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser.
The Galactic Starcruiser was a 2-night, fully immersive Star Wars experience that opened in March 2022. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the Starcruiser before it even opened because of the cost. For just two adults to visit, the Starcruiser was almost $5,000. Many wondered who could afford it, and who could afford to do it more than once.
In May 2023, Disney announced that the Galactic Starcruiser would be closing, less than two years after it opened.
The Galactic Starcruiser took guests on its last voyage on September 28. The abject failure of the Starcruiser had one X (formerly known as Twitter) user asking what other experiences guests consider a Disney failure.
Name a bigger Disney flop that is NOT Galactic Starcruiser! ?
Name a bigger Disney flop that is NOT Galactic Starcruiser! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/zc7M5939zk
— Disney Clips Guy (@disneytipsguy) October 4, 2023
That X user — Disney Clips Guy — felt that it was the NBA Experience, which was located in Disney Springs. The NBA Experience opened in 2019, replacing DisneyQuest. The Experience was forced to close in 2020 because of the pandemic. And, in 2021, Disney announced that the NBA Experience would not reopen, as it was not very popular with guests.
Related: Kite Tails Cut Short Due to Rough Landings and Overturned Jet Skis
Commenters were quick to chime in with experiences they were less than impressed with when visiting Disney. For one commenter, that experience was Kite Tails, a short-lived show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
Made me laugh though pic.twitter.com/B3Y5WUW5Vi
— Joe Meyers (@chestnutbrown11) October 4, 2023
Kite Tails opened in October 2021 as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and closed in September 2022. The show was frequently criticized for its kites that would crash into the water and face-plant into the stands.
Another commenter brought up another 50th Anniversary event that was not incredibly popular among fans. That was Disney Enchantment, the nightly fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. Disney Enchantment replaced the incredibly popular show, Happily Ever After.
Some people took a more sarcastic turn, citing both former CEO Bob Chapek and current CEO Bob Iger.
Bob Iger Part Deux
Facts!!
— Disney Clips Guy (@disneytipsguy) October 4, 2023
Bob Iger was CEO of the Walt Disney Company for 15 years, before stepping away in February 2020. Bob Chapek then took over for what he later called, “three years of hell.” Chapek was fired in November 2023, and Iger returned to the role. Since his return, Iger has struggled to gain favorability among fans. It is something he is not used to, considering he was very popular before he left.
Related: Disney Employees “Freaking Out” as Bob Iger Considers Dismantling Company
Despite a lot of people agreeing that the NBA Experience was not a good choice for Disney, there were some who defended the attraction. They commented that those who loved sports actually liked going to Disney Springs to enjoy it.
What do you think Disney’s biggest experience failure is? Let us know in the comments!
