A new Star Wars novel is headed to bookstores this summer, but in true Disney fashion, it comes with a cheesy corporate cross-branding sales pitch for their theme park hotel.
The book, “Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel,” is written by Beth Revis and tells the story of the wedding and honeymoon of Han Solo and Princess Leia. This book, however, acts as a promotional tool for a Disney World resort. The book is set, among other places, aboard the Halcyon starcruiser, the same one featured at the Galactic Starcruiser resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
The Galactic Starcruiser hotel is a newly-opened Star Wars-themed resort for visitors to the Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, which opened in 2019. The hotel is a fully immersive experience made to appear as if guests are aboard the Halcyon starcruiser for a trip across space. Guests and resort staff take on the persona of a new character in the Star Wars universe during their entire stay, which costs over $1200 a night per adult.
To make the Halcyon canon in the Star Wars universe, Disney has now included it in Revis’ novel, as if doing so will make it more appealing to fans. Disney had previously added references to the Black Spire Outpost (at the Galaxy’s Edge attraction) to Star Wars books and comics, as well as in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Here’s how StarWars.com described the book, including the plug for the Galactic Starcruiser resort.
Set just after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the story begins on the forest moon of Endor, where Han proposes in the elation of the rebel victory against the Empire. After a ceremony at the site of the victory celebration at the end of the film, the newlyweds depart for a honeymoon aboard the Halcyon starcruiser, the luxury vessel at the heart of the new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience at Disney World Resort. In their most desperate hour, with the war still raging but the Empire nearing its last gasp, the couple must outwit the Imperial remnants clinging to power.
Plugging Disney theme parks through cross-branding is a Disney tradition – the “Wonderful World of Disney” television show often served as a promotional piece during the early years of Disneyland and Disney World. After Disney bought ABC, it was common for their family comedies like “Full House” and “Modern Family” to feature an episode where the characters visit Disney theme parks. The episodes were more infomercials than actual comedy.
Fans find the idea of using a Star Wars book to plug an expensive hotel distasteful. Here are some responses by fans on Twitter.
Some wondered if Disney really thought the implications through.
We personally take issue with the fact that the book wants us to believe Han and Leia would go on a honeymoon while the last remnants of the Empire were still wreaking havoc. But Disney won’t let that detail stop them from promoting their expensive hotel.
The book releases on August 16 and is available for pre-order by clicking here.
Be sure to post this on social media!