Tips for organizing an unforgettable Disney 'Star Wars' adventure without breaking the bank at $6,000

It's clear that Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser offers the ultimate experience in space travel, lightsaber duels, and mastering the Force.

This unique blend of a "Star Wars" hotel and an immersive two-night theatrical experience comes with a steep price tag, starting at about $5,299 for a family of three. Recently, TPG's Director of Travel Content, Summer Hull, spent $6,875 for her family's two-night stay on the Starcruiser.

To discover if the hefty price was justified, you'll want to check out her full review, but it's clear that it's a significant investment.

If you're not keen on spending that much for a two-night adventure (no matter how incredible it may be), there's another comprehensive option to enjoy the "Star Wars" experience at Disney World for nearly half the price of the Galactic Starcruiser.

We've created a comprehensive "Star Wars" plan — detailing accommodations, dining options, parks to explore, and must-do activities — all at a fraction of the cost of the Galactic Starcruiser. May the Force (and a few thousand extra dollars) be on your side.

Trip Overview

To ensure a fair comparison, we'll use a family of four as our example — consisting of two adults and two kids under 10 — as featured by TPG for the Starcruiser. However, instead of the brief (under 48 hours) stay on the Starcruiser, our "Star Wars" getaway will last three days and four nights, including two days at Disney parks.

The total cost covers lodging, park tickets, meals, and a few memorable souvenirs, all for under $4,000.

As you can see, we're already making better choices from the get-go.

Lodging Options

Beyond the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, there are no Disney World hotels designed specifically around the "Star Wars" theme. For that experience, you'll need to venture off-site to various vacation rental communities close to the park.

To attract families, many of these rentals feature themed kids' bedrooms. We discovered one on Vrbo that includes "spaceship" loft beds adorned with "Star Wars" bedding, viewport windows, and a slide that functions as an escape hatch during playtime. Kids can transform the space under the beds into their Rebel hideout—unless you assert your authority and send them to the main bedroom to indulge your own "Star Wars" fantasies.

Situated approximately 10 miles from Disney World in Kissimmee's Reunion Resort and Golf Club, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom house accommodates up to eight guests. It features a private pool, a theater room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious living area. You'll also enjoy resort amenities such as free theme park transportation, swimming pools, sports courts, an on-site water park, a fitness center, an arcade, and a café.

The property has a minimum stay of four nights, but with an average nightly rate of around $235 in September, a family of four could enjoy a total cost of $1,748, including all taxes and fees.

We also found a few more affordable options. One is about 12 miles from Disney World in Solterra Resort, while another is just 4 miles away in Windsor Hills Resort. Both feature "Star Wars" themes and similar resort amenities, but come at a lower price and have more flexible minimum stay policies.

Tickets

For this trip, plan to spend two days at Disney World exploring all the incredible "Star Wars" and space-themed attractions.

Two-day Park Hopper tickets begin at $144 per day, resulting in a starting total of $287.33 for adults and $277.59 for children ages 3 to 9. Including the Genie+ and Memory Maker add-ons (to skip lines and download all your vacation photos), the total ticket cost will exceed $1,500 for September dates. If you prefer not to park-hop daily, you can reduce this cost.

You can often save a bit more by purchasing tickets through discount sites like Get Away Today and Undercover Tourist. The savings might be modest, but they could cover the cost of a few Ronto Wraps at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Once you buy your tickets, you'll need to secure Park Pass reservations for the parks you plan to visit during your trip. For this itinerary, you'll want to reserve one day at Hollywood Studios and one at Epcot. We'll explain why shortly.

Dining

The cuisine aboard the Starcruiser is abundant and varied (how about some blue shrimp?), and all meals are included in your stay (excluding alcoholic drinks). We made an effort to highlight the best of "space food" available in the parks to emulate the experience on the Starcruiser.

This includes futuristic beverages and exotic treats at Galaxy's Edge, as well as lunch at Epcot's Space 220, which offers a beautiful view of outer space, just like the Starcruiser. To keep expenses low, let's estimate you'll spend $100 on groceries for quick breakfasts at your vacation rental before heading to the parks each day.

It's unlikely you'll gain access to Oga's Cantina in Galaxy's Edge or Space 220 without a reservation, so be sure to secure reservations for both as soon as your booking window opens.

Currently, reservations can be made 60 days prior to your visit, starting at 5:45 a.m. ET. If you don’t secure the desired date or time immediately, keep checking in the days leading up to your trip. Changes and cancellations are common, which may free up the reservation you need.

The Disney planning resource WDW Prep School has created an easy method for estimating your average food expenses at Disney World. If you plan for two snacks, one quick-service meal, and one table-service meal each day, you're looking at around $291 for three days. Including a 20% gratuity, the total comes to approximately $349.20.

Itinerary

This is the exciting part! We’ve already figured out most of the costs, so now it’s time to plan your ideal "Star Wars" adventure. If you embark on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, your days will be filled with character encounters, secret missions, and performances from some of the galaxy's best entertainers.

You can experience similar adventures within Disney World's theme parks and at Disney Springs, while also allowing time to take advantage of your resort's amenities. Rev up your engines with this three-day sample itinerary:

Day 1: Hollywood Studios

You’ve come for "Star Wars," and we’re ready to deliver. Your first day will be dedicated to Hollywood Studios, specifically the immersive Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, a place so captivating that many guests have been moved to tears upon their first sight of it.

There are two attractions in this land – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Guests on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser get to experience both during an outing on the second day of their adventure, and you can too.

Genie+ grants you skip-the-line access to pilot the Millennium Falcon, but for hyper-speed entry on Rise of the Resistance, a separate purchase is necessary. Prices fluctuate daily, generally around $15 per person. This adds $60 to your family's total, though you can also choose to wait in the standby line at no extra cost.

Be sure to refuel between rides.

On the Galactic Starcruiser, you can enjoy dishes like Bantha Beef Tenderloin and Tip Yip Chicken (rest assured, it’s the same beef and chicken we have here on Earth). Similar treats can be found at Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo in Galaxy's Edge. For lunch or dinner, they offer Batuuan Beef Stir Fry and two varieties of Tip Yip Chicken (one with a spicy kick and the other milder).

Just like the endless flow of beer and cocktails at most all-inclusive resorts, complimentary blue and green milks are available on tap aboard the Galactic Starcruiser. These tropical "Star Wars" drinks are also sold at the Milk Stand in Galaxy's Edge, where you'll pay by the glass on Batuu but can enjoy the same experience.

If you managed to secure a reservation at Oga's Cantina, be sure to jot down your reservation time so you don't miss it. Kids will adore the popping pearls in the Carbon Freeze, and our top pick for adults is the Fuzzy Tauntaun. Just a heads up—the foam on top can give your mouth a fun, tingly sensation.

The remainder of your time in Galaxy's Edge can be spent wandering the area and mingling with the "locals." The Galactic Starcruiser experience is enhanced by how deeply you engage in the role-playing elements, and while your time may be limited for the storyline, you can still embrace the character vibe at Galaxy's Edge.

If you spot Rey, Chewbacca, or other characters like Vi Moradi in the area, strike up a conversation and see if there are any openings in the Rebellion. Alternatively, if you lean toward the dark side, approach Kylo Ren or his stormtroopers to explore how you might sabotage the good guys. They typically engage in some playful banter and will happily pose for a photo before getting back to their duties—whether protecting or trying to conquer the galaxy.

Before your visit, download the Play Disney Parks app to access the Datapad function. This feature essentially turns your phone into a Datapad, allowing you to interact with droids, decrypt transmissions, and scan cargo crates to earn digital rewards. These "missions" enhance your immersion and let you step into the "Star Wars" universe, just like you would aboard the Galactic Starcruiser.

While you're in Hollywood Studios, make sure to visit Star Tours (located near the Grand Avenue entrance to Galaxy's Edge), the original "Star Wars" ride from Disney. Although it may not be as cutting-edge or smooth as the newer attractions in Galaxy's Edge, it's a beloved classic and still incredibly entertaining.

Plus, the wait times here are typically much shorter than those found in Galaxy's Edge.

On the Galactic Starcruiser, you can hone your lightsaber skills in a simulated training session. While such an experience isn't available at Hollywood Studios, you can still craft your own lightsaber for a surprisingly low cost.

As you exit through the Star Tours gift shop, Tatooine Traders, you'll find a spot where kids can create their own custom lightsabers. With a variety of blade colors available, they can even design a dual-blade lightsaber like Darth Maul’s. Single-blade sabers are priced at $30 plus tax, while dual-blade options cost $45 plus tax.

For our estimation, we'll use the higher figure – approximately $96 for two lightsabers.

This is significantly cheaper than the lightsabers you can create in Galaxy's Edge, which cost around $200 each. However, that experience is quite immersive, almost on par with what you’d encounter on the Starcruiser, though it lasts only a few minutes instead of a couple of days.

Day 2: Disney Springs and your resort

There's no reason to book a "Star Wars" vacation rental if you're not planning to enjoy it. Take a leisurely morning to let the kids play in their "Star Wars" themed room while you recharge from your first day at Disney. In the afternoon, cool off at the pool or water park before heading to Disney Springs in the evening when the heat is less intense.

Disney Springs offers a variety of quick-service dining options, although, sadly, none of them are space-themed. However, you can explore two "Star Wars" shops where you can browse for costumes and souvenirs.

The Star Wars Galactic Outpost can be found on the West Side of Disney Springs, close to the AMC Theatres, while the Star Wars Trading Post is situated in the Disney Springs Marketplace near the Rainforest Cafe.

Make sure you don't stay out too late, as there's another exciting Disney day waiting for you.

Day 3: Epcot and Hollywood Studios

You might be surprised, but your last day at Disney will kick off at Epcot. While you won’t encounter any stormtroopers here, this park offers not one, not two, but three chances to venture into outer space.

Utilize Genie+ to secure a Lightning Lane reservation for Epcot's thrilling space flight simulator, Mission: Space. This attraction offers two missions: the intense Orange Mission (with a minimum height requirement of 44 inches) is not recommended for those prone to motion sickness, while the Green Mission is a more family-friendly option.

As you exit the attraction—or even if you skip it—you'll find the Advanced Training Lab, an interactive play zone complete with a space-themed playground and video games. Kids will have a "blast" playing astronaut, and parents will appreciate the refreshing cool air in this indoor environment.

Right next to Mission: Space, you can enjoy a meal 220 miles in the sky at Space 220. If you managed to snag a lunch reservation, you're in for breathtaking views and delicious food. You'll ascend in a space elevator to reach the station, much like boarding the Starcruiser. Reservations are also offered for the prix fixe menu or the lounge, where you can order drinks and light bites.

Although the food might not be as closely tied to the space theme as what you'd find on the Galactic Starcruiser or in Galaxy's Edge, let's be honest—the main draw of Space 220 is its spectacular views.

Although not every dish is out of this world, you'll find some delightful space-inspired beverages featuring pop rocks and whimsical "cloud" cotton candy, reminiscent of those available on the Starcruiser.

To cap off your Disney "Star Wars" adventure, a nighttime excursion to Galaxy's Edge is a must.

If you missed the evening atmosphere on your first day, take the Skyliner over to Hollywood Studios for a final journey to a galaxy far, far away. The crowds tend to thin out at night, allowing you to appreciate the unique experiences that come alive after dark—something you won't encounter while aboard the Starcruiser.

Vibrant lights illuminate the ships and stunning rock formations, while the gentle sounds of alien insects create an enchanting atmosphere, complemented by the roar of spaceships flying overhead. If your kids crafted their own lightsabers, be sure to bring them along to see how they shine in the dark.

With the lighter evening crowds, there's a good chance you can enjoy a second ride on one or both of the "Star Wars" attractions before returning to Earth (and reality).

Overall expenses

Now, let's break down the costs and discover how much we managed to save on this extended "Star Wars"-themed getaway compared to reserving a stay on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

• Accommodation costs: $1,748.
• Entry tickets: $1,500.
• Individual Lightning Lane access: $60.
• Grocery expenses: $100.
• Dining costs: $349.20.
• Souvenirs: $96.

Total expenses: $3,853.20.

While this is still a significant amount, it pales in comparison to the nearly $7,000 cost for a two-night stay on the Starcruiser — and that’s before factoring in drinks.

Final thoughts

Nothing in our galaxy or in a galaxy far, far away can truly replicate the experience of being aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. It's in a league of its own, but that league may be beyond your vacation budget.

Fortunately, Disney offers "Star Wars" experiences for every type of traveler, regardless of budget or origin planet. So whether you stick to this plan or forge your own path, there are countless ways to embark on a journey to a galaxy that’s not too far away.