For anyone that knows me in real life, you know there are two things I love more than anything else in the world: food and Disney. So when I had the opportunity of a lifetime to get advance reservation tickets to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. And boy, was I impressed. Everything was carefully crafted to the last detail — and that includes the foods. Here’s what I thought:
First off: Is the Cantina worth it?
If you’ve read up on Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll know that one of the featured locations is the Cantina, where a live DJ spins galactic jams and you can order alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions that only a bartender on Mos Eisley could think of. This also happens to be the only place in the park where you can order alcoholic beverages. Even with the advance reservations, there was a line at least a half-mile long to get into the Cantina, and by the time we got there, reservations were not accepted, so we didn’t get to try any of the food or drinks inside.
HOWEVER, if you’re really nice and ask a cast member, they may be willing to let you go inside and tour the packed Cantina. Unless you specifically want the experience of ordering alcohol in the park, don’t waste your time and just try to peek inside instead. The bar is very crowded and the non-alcoholic offerings at other stands are just as interesting (and some are the same).
The non-alcoholic drinks are good…but pretty similar
I had the opportunity to try quite a few different “mocktails” around Galaxy’s Edge. Most of them are either iced tea or juice-based, with lemonade and exotic fruit flavoring added. All of them are pretty good, albeit a little sweet for my taste. Most of the drinks have a similar flavor profile: tart, fruity, sweet, and refreshing — perfect for the blistering heat that Southern California is notoriously known for.
The big drink that’s on everyone’s minds, however, is the blue milk. It actually comes in two flavors, blue and green, and if you ask a cast member what the difference is, they’ll jokingly say, “One is blue and the other is green.” In reality, the blue and green milk are both the same base of coconut and rice milk (no dairy!). The blue milk has dragonfruit flavoring added, while the green milk has an orange blossom flavor. Both of them are more like a smoothie in consistency than actual milk.
The serving size is a bit small, but what it lacks in size, it packs in flavor. Neither particularly tastes like the fruit that they’re emulating, but that doesn’t make them any less delicious. I preferred the green milk, while others I’ve talked to prefer the blue. The TRUE hack that a cast member taught me, though, is drinking one sip of one, and then another sip of the other for an unforgettable, unique flavor.
What about the snacks at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?
Unfortunately, quick bites around Galaxy’s Edge are currently few and far between. There are a few drink carts here and there, but there aren’t a lot of snacks to munch on as you walk. Currently, the main area to grab a snack is Kat Saka’s Kettle, where you can get some Outpost Popcorn Mix. One common theme I noticed throughout Galaxy’s Edge is the food scene is heavily sweet-skewed. This snack was no different.
The popcorn is a take on kettle corn with a fruity/spicy twist. The purple kernels have a fruit flavor that vaguely reminded me of Trix cereal, while the red kernels are not quite hot, but have a slight twinge of spice to them. Even though the description says that it’s a “sweet and spicy” mix, I didn’t find it to be spicy at all, and you could definitely share this with little ones or people with a low spice tolerance. The other quick bites location is Ronto Roasters, where you can get what basically is a hot dog in a pita wrap. I didn’t have a chance to try those, but they looked pretty good from spying on other people’s purchases.
Is there a place to get a full meal at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?
Why yes, there is! Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo doesn’t require any reservations, and is similar in style to other casual sit-down restaurants in Disneyland. I found that the food offerings were simultaneously trying to cater to foodies with unique flavors while also remaining accessible to less adventurous palates in the park.
I had the Endorian Fried Tip-yip, which basically was a rectangular chicken finger on top of a mashed potato and vegetable mix, with a gravy on the side. While I was expecting something more “intergalactic” if you will, it was a solid meal. The chicken was perfectly moist on the inside, but crispy on the outside. The mash and vegetables weren’t glue-y or lumpy, and had the perfect amount of salt. But the REAL star of the dish was the gravy. There was a freshness to it that I couldn’t place my finger on, unlike a typical gravy that bogs down the dish. It mixed perfectly with both the potatoes and the chicken in a way that was simultaneously comforting, yet exciting and new.
It’s also worth mentioning that the food comes served in reusable cast-iron plates, and the utensil you are given to eat with is a heavy spork. I love that Disney is slowly making a move towards more sustainable options at their parks, and I think it’s great that they’re really making an effort at Galaxy’s Edge.
My overall review?
Overall, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a foodie’s paradise while still remaining accessible. Disney has made some great strides in the effort to bring delicious and unique food to all of their park restaurants, and this is no exception. Beware, however, of the prices. If you are on a budget, eating at Galaxy’s Edge is at least 25% more expensive than other places around the park. Sodas, for example, cost a dollar more and are significantly smaller (probably because they are custom-made for Galaxy’s Edge). Also, if you have the Disneyland app, take advantage of Mobile Ordering as much as you can to skip the lines for Docking Bay 7, the Milk Stand, and Ronto Roasters. Otherwise, I would say eat, drink, and be merry at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Have you tried any of the foods at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Drop me a note in the comments with your thoughts!