Frustrated Guest Calls Out Oga’s Cantina for Refusing Service to International Visitors
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are not only known for their immersive rides and magical atmospheres, but also for their evolving stance on alcohol. The introduction of alcohol into Disney parks was a big step, considering Walt Disney’s initial reluctance to allow it.
However, over the years, drinking in the parks has become an increasingly popular activity for guests, with parks now offering a range of specialty alcoholic beverages.
Related: VIDEO: How One Guest’s ‘Drinking Around the World’ Adventure Left Them in a Wheelchair
One of the most popular spots for adult beverages is Oga’s Cantina in Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which has become a hotspot for guests looking to enjoy a fun, themed drink while immersing themselves in the Star Wars universe.
However, not every experience at the Cantina has been smooth sailing for all guests—one visitor shared their frustration online after being refused service due to issues with their identification.
The guest, who later deleted their Reddit post, described their experience at Oga’s Cantina after they were denied a drink because the bartender wouldn’t accept a photo of their Canadian passport, only the original passport.
Related: “Quit Being Selfish,” Fans Slam Adults for Drinking at Disneyland After Security Incident
According to the guest’s post, they provided a photo of their passport and their provincial ID, but the bartender insisted that they had to present the actual passport in order to make the purchase.
The guest, clearly frustrated with the situation, turned to Reddit to vent their frustration, calling out the bar for what they perceived to be a ridiculous level of scrutiny. The guest shared their thoughts on the situation:
“The bar must be as important as an airport with the level of scrutiny they give you.”
While the guest was upset, the situation sparked a wave of commentary from other Disney fans, many of whom pointed out that the refusal was not due to Disney’s internal policies but rather California state law.
In the state of California, which is known for its strict alcohol policies, the regulations around alcohol identification are particularly rigid, especially when it comes to out-of-country IDs.
Many Reddit users were quick to explain to the guest that the issue was not exclusive to Disney’s practices but was rather the law that Disney had to follow in order to serve alcohol to guests.
The Disneyland Resort website also states that international visitors must provide their “original passports” as proof of age if they are planning to purchase alcoholic beverages. Neither foreign driver’s licenses nor photo copies of passports are acceptable, which is where the guest’s frustration stemmed from.
As one Reddit user put it:
It’s not Disney, it’s California law. Unfortunately, many Canadian tourists don’t know these laws, but DLR cannot be faulted for following California law.
Related: Disney Once Again Expands Alcohol Offerings With New Adult Beverages
The original poster’s frustration was evident, and they seemed to think that the policy was overly strict, commenting that they felt like they were in an airport rather than at a fun, relaxing bar. However, as many commenters pointed out, the policy is in place for security reasons and to prevent identity fraud, which can be easier with copies of IDs or photos.
Despite these explanations, the guest’s post was eventually deleted. It seems that the combination of the frustration of being denied a drink and the harsh feedback they received led them to retract the original message. It’s worth noting that while Disney parks have made efforts to incorporate alcohol into the experience, these strict identification policies have continued to trip up international guests.
Related: More Expensive Than Ever: Disneyland Quietly Raises Prices on Over 1,200 Food Items
For those who are not familiar with the California law, the Disneyland Resort FAQ section clearly outlines the ID requirements for guests from outside the United States. It specifies that:
Original passports are the only form of identification acceptable for Guests from outside the United States; non-United States driver’s licenses, ID cards, temporary ID cards and copies of ID cards are not acceptable.
This requirement is enforced across all Disney parks in California, not just Disneyland.
While some might find it a bit frustrating to have to carry around a passport, there are options to safely store it. Many guests have shared tips and tricks online for protecting their passport, such as using travel wallets or pouches that can be worn underneath clothing to keep it safe.
California’s law is clear, but it does leave international visitors in a bit of a bind, especially when they might be unaware of these policies before arriving. The guest’s experience, while frustrating, is not unique—many visitors from outside the U.S. have had similar experiences when they were unaware of the rules.
Do you think Disney should relax these alcohol ID requirements for international guests? Or do you believe that California’s strict laws should always take precedence over guest frustration? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
