What are the pandemic-era prospects for the new slate of experiential hotels?

In news to absolutely no one, the tourism industry is hurting. We just did the math and TSA traveler numbers show a drop so far this month of more than 20 percent compared to the same period in 2019 (you know, the before times). Seems maybe not the best period in which to launch plush, pricey experiential hotels, right? Well, unless you have the deep pockets of, say, Disney or Jimmy Buffett. The "trailer" for Disney's Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser ("much more than a hotel," per their FAQs) dropped last week. The multi-channel entertainment company certainly seemed to have taken a no-holds-barred approach to building out the two-night experience. The house of mouse bills it as "part live immersive theater, part themed environment, part culinary extravaganza, part real-life role-playing game." If the offerings live up to their descriptions, this might be some unmissable XP for Star Wars fans. Well, those that have $6K+ (no alcohol included!) to drop on a two-night adventure. We're talking lightsaber lessons, a "smugglers run" on the Millennium Falcon, the opportunity to hide a stowaway working for the Resistance, command bridge training — it appears to be a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure situation. Oh, and each of...