Galactic Starcruiser Rides Again! D’Amaro Teases New Hollywood Studios Attraction to Replace Defunct ‘Star Wars’ Hotel

It’s been a big couple of weeks for updates on Walt Disney World expansion plans. Disney filed permits to start working on its Animal Kingdom expansion, which will include a new South/Central American-themed land, including Encanto, and replacing Dinosaur with Indiana Jones Adventure.

Related: Disney Finally Moving Forward With Its Magic Kingdom Expansion

Disney World followed that up with announcements about a future expansion of the Magic Kingdom. Currently being called “Beyond Big Thunder,” Disney plans the most significant expansion ever of the Magic Kingdom. However, no details about what will be heading to the new land have been released.

And finally, Disney World announced that Test Track at EPCOT will close for a year-long refurbishment project to completely reimagine the attraction.

And that about covers it. Walt Disney World hit every theme park with some big news. Oh, wait. That left Disney’s Hollywood Studios out in the cold. The smallest of the four Disney parks is the one that needs more space the most, and Disney World offers nothing new.

But fear not, Hollywood Studios fans. Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro has you covered. On Sunday, D’Amaro did a wide-ranging interview with CNBC. He laid out plans for Disney World and showed off some of Disney Imagineering’s newest toys. But he also addressed the future of Hollywood Studios and one of Disney’s biggest blunders.

Related: Disney World Has A Hollywood Studios Problem That Only Expansion Can Solve

Disney World has the space to expand Hollywood Studios, and it comes in the form of the now-closed Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel. The Galactic Starcruiser has been closed since last September, and the interactive Star Wars experience is said to have cost Disney more than $250 million.

Despite the massive failure, D’Amaro still believes that Galactic Starcruiser was a good experience for Disney Imagineers and that guests enjoyed spending time in the Star Wars universe.

D’Amaro said: 

They (Walt Disney Imagineering) continue to push the envelope of storytelling and creativity. This is something that had never been done before. It was difficult to even explain to the public, and I think it was incredibly brave for us to move into this space. … And this, to me, says Imagineering is still at its best today.

But with that open space now available for the imaginations at Walt Disney Imagineering, D’Amaro teased a new attraction that could rise from the ashes of the former Star Wars experience. He also believes that despite the massive price tag for the Walt Disney Company, Galactic Starcruiser provided them with valuable learning experiences.

D’Amaro said: 

Those learnings are being employed on the next experiences, which we haven’t even announced yet.

So, despite what some guests may think, there seems to be a plan for every Disney park at the Walt Disney World Resort. All we need to know is what’s coming to that space.

What will Disney World put in the former Star Wars hotel? Let us know in the comments.