Praise, Thanks and Tears for the Galactic Starcruiser Reservation Team

Below is the email I wrote to the amazing Galactic Starcruiser Reservation Team after it became clear I was not going to get one last cruise aboard the Halcyon. I fear these amazing individuals, who I spent so much time chatting with, never received this missive, so if you happen to know any of them, please do forward this along. They are the unsung heroes of the Galactic Starcruiser experience, especially for all of us who called non-stop in the final few weeks hoping to snag a cabin after that mythical cancellation that sadly never happened. Ta’bu e tay!

Dear Galactic Starcruiser Reservation Team,

I write this from my hotel room in Disney Pop Century after the final voyage of the Galactic Starcruiser has departed. As background, I chose to drive down from New York City to Orlando this past weekend on the off chance I might secure passage with some kind soul who already had a cabin, or score my own by calling the Galactic Starcruiser line just as someone canceled.

Now when I booked my first voyage for September 6, I went through a friend of mine who is a Disney Travel Agent, so she could get the commission. As a result I was unaware of just how amazing the reservation team is. My second voyage on September 10 was very last minute. I happened to be in the right place at the right time on the day someone nabbed a cabin. Again, limited contact with your wonderful team.

After my second voyage, I was determined to have one last trip aboard the Halcyon and commenced calling as frequently as possible to make this a reality. And call frequently I did! To my surprise, the reservations team grew from strangers, to friends, to family. In a span of two and a half weeks, I discovered this amazing team, who had to tell hundreds of callers that there was no availability every single day, was not only friendly, upbeat, and sympathetic in the face of dire odds, but encouraging and empathetic because they knew first-hand how extraordinary and emotional the experience was.

We commiserated over our shared experiences, laughed about our common obsessions, and got misty eyed over the poignant moments aboard the Halcyon. I shared personal details with people I had never met, because they are that personable, that caring, and amazing human beings.

As the final voyages drew to a close, I found myself calling from my hotel room, first to find passage, then to talk with these extraordinary people one more time, and finally to share the sadness that their jobs at Galactic Starcruiser, the best jobs many of them had ever had, were coming to close.

This is the best team of people I’ve ever interacted with as a consumer, day in and day out. These are, well words fail me, that’s how brilliant they are, and I find myself literally unable to call tonight because I fear I will break down in tears on the phone, an unintelligible sobbing mess in response to any of them merely answering the phone. All the feels.

Allow me to share individual praise to so many folks who I felt like I went on a voyage with for the past two and a half weeks:

• Pierre, who is one of the loveliest people I have ever chatted with.
• Mayette, who was kind enough to direct me to a dinner location at Hollywood Studios during a driving rainstorm when I kept losing my way.
• Jadeane, who encouraged me to start an Instagram for my character — in character — as seen here: https://www.instagram.com/jynsyko/
• Marnie, who shares my love of Mustangs!

• Tony, who is the only person I have ever met who knows more about X-Men comics than I do!
• Grant, who was equally kind enough to redirect me back to my hotel room when I turned the wrong way multiple times coming off the Skyliner.
• Rupert, who taught me to grasp how the booking and reservation system worked for the Starcruiser.
• Netta, who kept encouraging us when we were ready to give — nothing yet!
• Nell, who was always a joy to talk to and brightened my spirits after every call.
• Kevin, who kept me laughing when I felt like giving up.
• Myles, who was always so lovely and supportive and caring during all our calls.
• Austin, who was always such a sweetheart!
• Wanda, who always laughed at my jokes!
• Samantha Nicole, who always took the briefest of pauses before saying her name!
• And Ardis, who I didn’t realize I did go on voyage with, on 9/10!

There are so many amazing folks I’ve spoken with, it all blurs together, so forgive me getting the above details wrong or for leaving anyone out!

Seriously, this is an amazing team. And it breaks my heart that their time together is coming to a close. Believe me when I say I don’t usually write such long, emotional emails. But the Galactic Starcruiser teams have received two of those in short order — and I haven’t even started my love letter to the imagineers who conceived of this masterclass in immersive experience.

Much love to everyone and may the stars light your way!

Jen DiGiacomo/Jyn Syko