Disney World’s former Star Wars hotel is getting office signs

Imagineering filed a signage permit for the old Galactic Starcruiser, which is becoming offices. Plus, a new backstage building at Magic Kingdom and permits at Caribbean Beach.

The Star Wars hotel that closed after about 19 months is about to get a new set of signs, and they won’t say Halcyon.

Walt Disney Imagineering filed a construction permit on Thursday, Oct. 22, for signage at the former Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser building, WDW News Today reported. Disney is turning the building into offices.

It’s one of several signs that Disney World is running short on workspace as its biggest projects in years ramp up. Here’s what’s happening.

What does the new Galactic Starcruiser permit cover?

Signs. The Notice of Commencement lets sign company Design Communications “install signage” at 201 South Studio Drive, the Starcruiser’s address, WDWNT reported. The permit expires in one year.

Design Communications has done signage work at Disney World before, most recently at Alien Swirling Saucers in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, according to WDWNT.

The permit doesn’t say what the signs will look like or say.

What is happening to the Star Wars hotel?

It’s becoming Imagineering offices. TheWrap first reported the plan on Jan. 30, 2025, and Disney confirmed it to Attractions Magazine.

Since then, Imagineering has filed several permits for the building. A contract with builder Balfour Beatty was extended in August, and a “general construction” permit followed in September, WDWNT reported.

The building sits just outside Hollywood Studios, which makes it handy for the work going on across Disney World, Attractions Magazine noted.

Back in June 2023, Josh D’Amaro, who ran Disney’s parks at the time, said there were “no hints yet” about the building’s future, according to Attractions Magazine. “But something will happen,” he added.

Why did Galactic Starcruiser close?

It was expensive and didn’t sell well enough. The immersive two-night experience opened March 1, 2022, and cost more than $4,000 for a stay, according to Attractions Magazine.

Disney announced the closing in May 2023, and the last guests left on Sept. 30, 2023. Reports later said it never turned a profit, WDWNT noted.

Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek has blamed Bob Iger for shutting it down, as PNP reported Sept. 29.

What is the new building behind Magic Kingdom?

A multi-story support building. Aerial photos show steel framing several stories tall rising backstage, behind Pirates of the Caribbean and next to a parade warehouse west of Adventureland, BlogMickey reported in September.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s records call it the “MK Park 3 Support Building,” according to BlogMickey. Park 3 covers Adventureland, Frontierland and the park’s west side.

That’s the same part of Magic Kingdom getting Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land. Disney hasn’t said what the building is for. One fan account that tracks Disney construction describes a new five-story backstage building at Magic Kingdom as offices.

Is Disney building more Imagineering offices?

Yes. The South Florida Water Management District approved a permit for two new Imagineering office buildings at the old STOLport site near Magic Kingdom, WDWNT reported in December 2025.

The project, called “Project K,” covers about 12.5 acres off World Drive. That spot has long held temporary Imagineering trailers, and the new buildings will be more permanent, according to WDWNT.

What is Disney planning at Caribbean Beach Resort?

Nobody knows yet. Disney filed three general construction permits for Old Port Royale, the resort’s main building, on Oct. 23, WDWNT reported.

All three hire Harisson Contracting and run through November 2027. They don’t describe the work.

Old Port Royale was fully renovated in 2018. Disney has also filed permits this year for a pool water tank and roof replacements at the resort, WDWNT noted.

Will the Skyliner close at Caribbean Beach?

Briefly, next year. The Disney Skyliner, which stops at Caribbean Beach, closes for refurbishment from Jan. 24 to 30, 2027, with free buses running instead, WDWNT reported. PNP covered the closure dates Sept. 4.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• WDW News Today (Oct. 22 and 24, 2026; Dec. 1, 2025), the Starcruiser signage permit, the Old Port Royale permits and the STOLport offices

• Attractions Magazine, Mateo Osorio (Jan. 30, 2025), the office plan and the Starcruiser’s history

• BlogMickey (Sept. 21, 2026), the Magic Kingdom support building

• Pirates & Princesses (Sept. 4 and 29, 2026), the Skyliner closure and Chapek’s comments

• Theme Park Review on YouTube (Feb. 25, 2022), the Starcruiser walkthrough

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.