If you were trying to celebrate May the 4th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year, you may have run into a pretty big surprise — especially if your plans involved a trip to Batuu.
Yesterday’s Star Wars Day festivities brought record-breaking crowds to the park, and by early evening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge hit capacity. That’s right — guests were physically turned away at the land’s entrances unless they had one very specific thing: a reservation at Oga’s Cantina.
Let’s break down what went down in this galaxy not-so-far away.
Guests Were Blocked From Entering Galaxy’s Edge
By around 6PM, guests began sharing on social media that Galaxy’s Edge had officially reached capacity. Cast Members and security were stationed at each entrance point, only allowing guests with a confirmed Oga’s Cantina reservation to pass through.
Hollywood Studios was open until 10PM, but Galaxy’s Edge was essentially closed to most guests for hours — a move that left many surprised and, understandably, disappointed.
Wait Times Were Sky-High
Before the closure, both Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance saw some seriously long wait times as crowds surged. In the afternoon, things became so congested in the Black Spire Outpost that free-roaming characters and mobile order pickups were tough to navigate.
It was a busy, high-energy day all around — but not everyone who wanted to be part of it got the chance.
What You Missed Inside Before the Lockout
Even though the land eventually closed to most guests, Galaxy’s Edge (and the rest of the park) still offered plenty of themed fun throughout the day:
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Limited-edition food and drinks like the Cold Brew Black Caf and classic Ronto Wraps were flying off counters
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Exclusive Star Wars merch — from lightsabers to collectible sippers and popcorn buckets — caused long lines at Tatooine Traders and market stalls
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Characters galore! From Rey to Kylo Ren and even Mando and Grogu, character sightings kept guests on their toes
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Special May the 4th photo ops gave fans the chance to strike a lightsaber pose in front of galactic backdrops
It may not have been an “After Dark” ticketed event, but Hollywood Studios definitely delivered on themed experiences throughout the day.
Oga’s Cantina Was Your Golden Ticket
Once the land hit capacity, the only way in was to show proof of a dining reservation at Oga’s Cantina. Guests with reservations were escorted into Galaxy’s Edge by Cast Members, while others were gently redirected to other parts of the park.
Though capacity closures are rare, especially at Galaxy’s Edge, this move wasn’t entirely unprecedented — just unexpected.
No official statement was made by Disney, and the land quietly reopened later in the evening as crowds began to thin.
Don’t Worry — Star Wars Fun Isn’t Over Yet!
If you missed May the 4th at Hollywood Studios, there’s still some time to catch more galactic goodies — especially if you’re on the West Coast.
At Disneyland, Season of the Force continues through May 11, featuring:
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The return of Hyperspace Mountain
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Fire of the Rising Moons fireworks show
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Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga projection show
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Meet-and-greets with Luke Skywalker
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And, of course, even more themed snacks and collectibles
And if you’re visiting Disney World in the coming weeks, keep an eye out — some limited-edition treats and drinks are still available at Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs… but we’re hearing some of the May the 4th exclusives may already be sold out.
So, What Can You Learn From This?
If there’s one takeaway from this year’s May the 4th, it’s this: make your reservations early and be prepared for crowd control measures, especially on high-demand days. And if Galaxy’s Edge is your top priority? An Oga’s Cantina reservation might just be your new secret weapon.
May the snacks — and the Force — be with you.
