Disney World’s ‘Star Wars’ Hotel Remains ‘Priority’ Investment After Some Ride Construction Paused

“Star Wars” fans are in luck as Walt Disney World still plans to move forward with its hotel inspired by the movie franchise, despite the limitations of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the Bank of America Virtual 2020 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference on Thursday, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Christine McCarthy said the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel is still a “priority” for the entertainment company.

“We’ve really prioritized some of our investment spending. The ones that we’re really focused on are things like the 'Star Wars' hotel that we’ve discussed publicly that will be in Walt Disney World. That’s a priority,” she said.

The plan to continue its investment in the immersive “Star Wars” hotel within the confines of its Orlando, Florida, property comes as Disney has recently put some of its newest park projects on hold as a result of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is anticipated to open in 2021. The price of the hotel’s rooms has not yet been released.

On the topic of park accommodations, McCarthy also said Thursday that Disney has plans to open slightly more than 50% of its resorts by the end of September.

“We’re not going to be opening up things if we don’t have sufficient demand. But by the end of this fiscal year, we expect to have a little over 50% of our hotels, resorts opened, and that also includes hotels that are being utilized currently with the NBA for housing,” she said.

Disney World in Orlando reopened in July to limited capacity and plenty of restrictions, which has put its annual pass holders in a precarious situation as they try to maximize the cost of their $1,295 membership while still adhering to the new park policies.

Frustration among some park guests may continue as Disney recently confirmed it was halting construction on several upcoming rides. A revamp of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth attraction and a new "Mary Poppins" ride have been put on the backburner as the uncertainty and instability of the pandemic continues, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Disney will, however, continues to focus its attention on Disneyland’s Avengers Campus and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in California, the news outlet said.