Disney Prepares to Shut Down Popular Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Attraction for Extended Re-Theming to Original Trilogy

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Disneyland is moving away from the idea of basing attractions on the most recent Star Wars sequels, a design approach used when Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, and Oga’s Cantina is a key part of this shift.

According to several Disneyland planning resources, Oga’s Cantina is scheduled to close starting January 20, 2026, and won’t reopen until at least late February, and possibly into early March. Unlike typical, short-term closures for maintenance, Disneyland hasn’t announced a clear reopening date, leading many to believe this closure is more significant and long-lasting.

Once we get confirmation about the menu update, we’re pretty confident these changes will be finalized for Hollywood Studios in Florida. It’s unlikely they would maintain two separate experiences with different menus and training for an extended time.

Disney is making it clear that Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is evolving. Starting April 29, 2026, the land will broaden its story to include characters and music from the original Star Wars trilogy. Expect to see Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo, and hear iconic music composed by John Williams throughout the area. Disney is particularly highlighting Oga’s Cantina, where the famous “Cantina Band” will play, and is reimagining the venue as a newly opened establishment during the Galactic Civil War era.

Goodbye, Sequel Trilogy.

That last point is the key. Disney isn’t just adding a temporary theme or a brief appearance. They’re fundamentally changing the established backstory of the cantina, which usually happens when they’re making lasting changes to the area. A long closure and extensive re-theming suggest this isn’t a short-term trend – it’s a permanent update.

Oga’s isn’t just popular; it’s designed to maximize revenue per square foot.

Disney intentionally keeps visits short, around 45 minutes per group, to ensure a constant flow of customers. They also limit guests to two drinks each, but this is balanced by quick service and rapidly turning over tables—Disney aims to encourage quick purchases and make space for new customers. Prices for popular drinks, typically between $18.50 and $20.50, further support this approach.

Disneyland Park generates a lot of revenue because of a few key factors: consistently high visitor numbers, regular guest turnover ensuring space for new visitors, and relatively high prices for its offerings.

Disney doesn’t share how many people visit Oga’s Cantina each day, so any figures you see are just guesses. However, we can make reasonable estimates based on Disney’s prices and how the cantina runs.

Known anchors:

  • 45-minute limit per party

  • Cocktail prices ~$18.50–$20.50

  • The venue is typically open long hours (reporting cites mornings into late night)

Scenario math (illustrative):

  • Plan for each guest to spend around $30 to $45 on average. This could include one or two drinks costing about $18.50 or more, plus occasional snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, or souvenirs. The actual amount will vary depending on the group.

  • Oga’s typically serves between 1,500 and 3,500 customers each day. This large variation likely reflects its small size, quick customer turnover, and popularity.

That produces daily gross revenue of roughly:

  • Low: 1,500 × $30 = $45,000/day

  • Mid: 2,500 × $38 ≈ $95,000/day

  • High: 3,500 × $45 = $157,500/day

Next, consider that a period of inactivity on the calendar – roughly from January 20th to late February/early March – is impacting potential revenue. This downtime, lasting about 5 to 6 weeks, could result in a loss of gross revenue between $1.5 million and over $6 million, depending on how much work is actually being done and spent.

That revenue figure only includes direct registrations. It doesn’t include the added benefit of Oga’s Cantina being a popular destination that encourages guests to spend more time in Galaxy’s Edge, which usually leads to increased spending on souvenirs and food nearby.

Disney could easily make minor changes to the land – like switching characters, updating dialogue and music, or swapping out small decorations – if they just wanted to make it feel a little less strict with its focus on the sequel films. However, the fact that the closure is lasting for weeks indicates they’re doing much more than that. They’re likely fixing inconsistencies in the storyline, changing props and graphics, updating the sound and special effects, and possibly even redesigning the area to better fit with characters like Vader, Luke, Leia, and Han who appear nearby. Disney has confirmed they’ll be adding new props and graphics and expanding the time period the land represents.

Basically, closing a popular and profitable bar like Oga’s Cantina for an extended period suggests Disney is aiming for a long-term, fundamental change in the Galaxy’s Edge experience, rather than just a short-term promotion or event.

When Galaxy’s Edge first opened, the plan was to create a very specific, timeline-focused experience, guided by Kathleen Kennedy and Rian Johnson. Now, Disney is taking a different approach. They’re positioning Galaxy’s Edge as a versatile Star Wars setting that celebrates the entire saga created by George Lucas, allowing different eras – including the original trilogy – to coexist. The recent changes to Oga’s Cantina, to make it feel more like the Galactic Civil War era, suggest Disney realizes the land is more successful as a broad, multi-era Star Wars area than a location strictly tied to the sequel trilogy.

If Disney is willing to lose millions of dollars in bar sales to achieve this, it strongly suggests they believe the change is going to last a long time.

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2026-01-21 15:58