Okay, I love Star Wars. And I love almost ALL things Star Wars, including those things that not all fans love, like The Last Jedi and The Acolyte.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland
I also LOVE Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. But I just have to come right out and make a confession: when I finally managed to get one of those hard-to-get reservations at Oga’s Cantina, I was NOT impressed. Yep, all that hype…but then when I finally got inside this themed bar, it just didn’t do much for me. Now let me tell you why…
Having never managed to get that elusive Oga’s Cantina reservation on any of my Disney World trips, I finally managed to score an 8:30 PM reservation at Oga’s in Disneyland. Okay, so they’re basically the same (although the one in Disneyland has a few more food items on the menu). I was so excited because I’d been trying to get in there FOREVER. Finally, though, I had made it. So I checked into my reservation…
Oga’s Cantina at Disneyland
…and walked into a tiny little bar that was almost all standing room only. Fortunately, we did get a table, but we had to sit with strangers. That’s no big deal, but for some, that could be off-putting. I was with friends, but if I had been alone, that would be awkward.
Oga’s Cantina
Now, the server who waited on us was in character and was salty like you’d expect a cantina server to be who’s been dealing with scum all day long. In fact, he was the highlight of the evening. BUT…the cantina itself. It’s sorta’ Star Wars-themed. Like it looks like something from a galaxy far, far away, but the level of detail one would usually expect from Disney Imagineering just wasn’t there for me. It was kinda’….well…plain. Plus the entertainment is just a DJ R-3X animatronic spinning tunes. That’s it…
DJ R-3X spinning tunes
Why was I so disappointed by seeing DJ R-3X? Because when I think Star Wars cantina, I think of THESE guys. What’s a cantina without a proper cantina band? Imagine if Disney had actually sprung a bit more on the animatronics budget and created a cantina band! This place would be SO much more hopping.
©Disney
Then there are the drinks. They have cool spacey names, but they are all pre-mixed. There’s no actual bartender mixing up the drinks. I have some dietary restrictions, so a lot of the drinks were off limits to me. So I ended up ordering the blue milk with the Bantha cookie. Yes, I know it doesn’t look blue in the photo, but the lighting is all “atmospheric” inside the bar. But the cookie is…well, it’s disappointing. That is the world’s saddest cookie.
What’s up with that sad cookie?
It’s like the entire concept of the bar was an afterthought, although my best guess is that Disney had big plans for Oga’s, but then decided to save the good stuff for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser…well, we know how that turned out, right? But it seems like many of the ideas that Disney originally had for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge never happened.
Are there no chairs in Batuu?
So, yes, this Star Wars fan thinks Oga’s Cantina is overrated, especially considering how hard it is to get a reservation. I’d rather just grab a Ronto Wrap and a Cold Brew Black Caf and sit under the Millennium Falcon to get that true Batuu immersion feeling.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
Forget Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I’m Going To Go ‘Star Wars’ Glamping
Want MORE Details About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge?
Click HERE for All the News About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Including Our REVIEWS!
See How to Build Your Own Droid at Droid Depot
Dream of Building Your Own Custom Lightsaber? See How to Do It!
Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance!
Get Full Details About Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
See More About Oga’s Cantina and Check Out Our Reviews!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news right in your inbox! Click Here to Subscribe!
Have you been to Oga’s Cantina? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Regret being influenced to secure a reservation for this place. Wasn’t worth the hype, not for me. Felt rushed, and not a great spot if you’re with kids. Felt like precious park time wasted.
Haven’t you learned that Disney overhypes everything? I’m OK with that and I’ve learned to “wait and see”. They always scare me with all the WARNINGS for rides. Sometimes, I think I shouldn’t do the ride. And then…that wasn’t so bad. Have you ever seen anything like Oga’s in the REAL WORLD? NO. So there you go. Only in WDW. Good enough for me.
Omg, I could have given the same review a few years ago!! We didn’t even last 10 minutes!! We hated it! Not cool enough and way too many people for a small space!! We weren’t impressed and we had the same problem with getting a reservation. We have never done it again. Better places to go!
We are so over the Cantina. Unlike your experience, the last three trips had servers that were not friendly and who seemed to have one goal; turn over the table as quickly as possible.
We had to stand in the corner on one visit; bad overall experience.
It’s ok – i’m a big SW fan too and still haven’t made it to the one in HS for similar reasons. Would be curious if you visit the one on the east coast and feel the same way?
I’m just sad my favorite drink was morning only before being removed entirely. I miss you, Moogan Tea…
I couldn’t agree more! Although my experience has been at the WDW location. It’s just overrated. You spend all day on your feet to go into this lounge to have to stand a a table or the bar with strangers. The margarita I had was good but I would’ve paid $3 bucks less and had a place to sit at EPCOT. While I thought the theme was ok – it’s the same on both sides of the bar. This was just a cheap way to squeeze $$ out of Star Wars fans. I personally don’t think the entire land lived up to the hype or the expectations of the fans.
I completely agree. It took multiple try’s to snag a reservation and I was so excited. It was very disappointing, No band, no characters and no food. I’m a huge Star Wars fan but will not return to this bar. Thank you for all your great reviews and information. I always check in with your site for latest Disney and Universal updates. Keep up the great work.
I couldn’t agree with you more. We were just at Oga’s in Disney world last week. I had a reservation but were to too far away to check in. Once at the front, I was told it would be 30 minutes MORE to get a table since I had people who needed to sit. And once we got there we shared a table, which I was unaware of and unimpressed. The drinks weren’t wowing and the food was awful. Wished you could simply walk in to see the bar and leave. My son wanted to see the bar since the wasn’t with us on the last trip. Save your money and time. Not worth the hassle and unfriendly cast members.
We’ve been to Oga’s (WDW only), and we agree with you. The first visit was pretty good (we love DJ Rex, although yes, the original cantina band would have been the best). It inspired us to try to visit more on future trips. We’ve even had trips where we visited every day we were at HS. But increasingly, yes, not only did we get only the standing tables (ever), we were packed around them with strangers. It was strange, definitely offputting, and the servers at WDW are great, but not in character. They generally don’t even know the general Batuu lore. We love Star Wars too, but now, even one visit to Oga’s per trip isn’t a must-do for us. We think Oga’s itself is pretty great, but being smashed in 6 or more to a standing table with strangers is worse than missing out. I only recommend Oga’s to the biggest extroverts who I know will have FOMO over the drinks. Everyone else, I tell them to give it a pass, especially if they’re likely to get stuck at a standing table (potentially with strangers).
Agree! Oga’s is too small, too rushed, and too overrated!! Food choices are terrible as well!
Not as hard to get reservation as it once was a Disneyland so that indicates that it isn’t living up to hype. Agree with review and comments. Reservation seems to guarantee table but unless group large, it’s sometimes awkward sitting with strangers. Probably more fun with group large enough to fill table. It isn’t what was expected from drinks, food or atmosphere. Sad they weren’t more creative, especially for $$
I agree! I have never even tried to eat there based on the menu alone!
We were able to get reservations for the 3 of us (2 adults and 1 9 yo child) and had to stand at the bar after waiting about 30 minutes to actually get inside. We ordered the “rations” and some of the mocktails. We finished our order and stood around for probably another 5 minutes before we left. For the time and money, we could have gotten a snack and grabbed something from the Milk Stand. It’s another Disney one and down.
We like Oga’s, but having gone so many times, both in Disneyland and WDW, we have gotten over our initial disappointment and have learned to love it for what is. Sure, it should be bigger. And why the heck don’t they have Star Wars aliens walking around! (although last week we did see Storm Troopers inside 🙂 ) Regardless, we have met SO many wonderful people standing at those too closely packed tables. The best experience is with the chemists pouring your drinks if you are lucky enough to get “stood” at the bar. They can be so fun to interact with. We were once taking a selfie and a chemist asked for out phone. Yeah, we got a nice picture of us, but then she took off with the phone and proceeded to take selfies with her and other chemists working the bar. Even other guests got in on the fun. Great memories! Remember that Cast Compliment button in your app, everyone!
Oh, and Disneyland’s Oga’s has the better food. That Garlic-Cheese Five Blossom Bread with the spicy cheese sauce!!
I agree,it is hard to get a reservation, actually it is hard to get an reservation honered! Been there twice before, and tough to get into! I had a reservation at Halloween , Got there with my girlfriend, a guy got up ahead of me, with no reservation, and was told it would be a 30 minute wait.I came up next with the on-time reservation, and was told the same thing. So we cancelled!! It really is over rated !!
Going to Disney in April, Olga’s is not on the agenda!
I completely agree, it is not worth it. We have been there a few times and I’m not interested in going back. Our servers were nice enough but not entertaining at all. It really did seem like they just wanted to turn the tables over. And even with a party of 8 we still had to sit with strangers! Good grief!