This afternoon, the Disney Parks Blog dropped a bombshell when it released details for "Oga's Cantina" It all started off normal enough, the blog post contained the typical Disney embellishment for the Cantina which is set to open in 2019.
No self-respecting remote outpost on the edge of the galaxy would call itself a smuggler’s planet without a cantina, and Black Spire Outpost is no exception. Today, I’m pleased to share more details for Oga’s Cantina, which will be serving pilots, bounty hunters, smugglers, locals and galactic travelers alike, when it opens in 2019.
Fair enough, it doesn't sound any worse than the characters trying to get into Lamplight Lounge on a Holiday weekend without a reservation. But what comes next was the Disney internet fan community equivilant of yelling "fire" in a crowded showing of "Frozen Live At The Hyperion"
Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop!
Say What..?
The "famous concoctions" for adults sure makes it sound like Oga's Cantina is getting ready to usher in a whole new era for Disneyland. Could it be that Disneyland is getting ready to join Florida's magic Kingdom in serving adult, alcoholic beverages...? For the entirety of its 63 year history, the only place to grab an alcoholic drink at the Anaheim Disney property has been at the various hotels beginning in the 1960's and California Adventure and Downtown Disney beginning in 2001. The only place to ever sell alcohol in Disneyland has been the exclusive, members only Club 33 located above New Orleans Square which was designed by, but never used by Walt Disney. Club 33 began operations in May of 1967, some 6 months after the passing of Walt Disney. In fact, Walt famously turned down opportunities to sell alcoholic beverages in the park. In fact in comments made to journalist Pete Martin for the Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1956, when asked about how Disneyland was so different from other amusement parks Walt responded "No liquor, no beer, nothing. Because that brings in a rowdy element. That brings people that we don't want and I feel they don't need it. I feel when I go down to the park I don't need a drink. I work around that place all day and I don't have one. After I come out of a heavy day at the studio sometimes I want a drink to relax".
We're certainly no teetotalers here at the Vacationland Theme Park Podcast, and we have been known to have our fair share of adult beverages here and at WDW (we've practiaclly made drinking around the world an olympic sport) but we can't help but wonder what this mean for the future of Walt's original vision for Disneyland...? Well, it certainly means that Bob Iger's recent comments about having to let go of some of the sacred traditions of the past is holding true. And with Bob Chapek in charge of the parks, who knows what could be next.