🍹 Where to get a drink at Disneyland
Tiki bar, Off-world cantina, or Bayou?
Imagine yourself in the middle of a hot, noisy, crowded theme park.
Now imagine a cool and atmospheric oasis just steps away. You order a refreshing cocktail. Or maybe a beer or a glass of wine. And just sit and soak it in.
This isn’t just a fantasy of the imagination. This is Disneyland. For real.
For more than 60 years, Disneyland was as dry as the Sahara. But no more. These days the Disneyland parks are home to some of the most unusual drinking establishments in the world.
From craft beers, to California wines, to outrageous cocktails and mocktails, Disney now offers a wonderful array of refreshers in both of the Anaheim theme parks.
Kids are welcome in almost every establishment, and the locations are just as delightful as the drinks. So let’s explore five of my favorite places to get a drink at Disneyland.
5 places to get a drink at Disneyland Resort
Oga’s Cantina
Disneyland (and Disney World too!) - Galaxy’s Edge
Every Star Wars fan needs to see Oga’s Cantina. You will truly feel as if you’ve walked into Han Solo’s favorite drinking hole.
Oga’s features out-of-this-world drinks, including lots of non-alcoholic options.
This place is popular and may not show up when you search for a reservation. Never fear, there is almost always space for walk-up guests who are willing to get on a waitlist. You can either go directly to the Oga’s entrance to ask about the list, or use the Disneyland app.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Disneyland Hotel (also at Disney World, at the Polynesian Resort)
It’s like if there was a bar inside the Enchanted Tiki Room!
Trader Sam’s is everything you could ask for in a tiki bar. The decor is completely over-the-top, including singing tikis, a volcano that erupts every time someone orders the Krakatoa Punch, and of course there are flaming cocktails served in kitschy mugs.
In California, Trader Sam’s is part of the pool bar at the Disneyland Hotel. Sure you can get the drinks outside on the patio, but the real show is inside the tiny bar, which is definitely worth the wait. This is another great time to use the virtual dining waitlist option on the Disneyland app.
Kids can go in the tiki bar until 8pm, and there are plenty of non-alcoholic options too. This is also a great place to eat. Try the panko-crusted long beans and the Wagyu Hawaiian cheeseburger.
Pym Tasting Lab
Disney’s California Adventure - Avenger’s Campus
Featuring craft beers and creative cocktails, Pym Tasting Lab is a great place to take a break at California Adventure. The covered patio is right in the middle of Avengers Campus.
You can grab some food from the Pym Test Kitchen next door and enjoy a cold beverage while watching all the action in this dynamic land.
Curious? Here’s my post all about Avenger’s Campus.
Here’s the Pym Tasting Lab menu
Blue Bayou Restaurant
Disneyland - Inside Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square
For me, Blue Bayou is always top of the list when I visit Disneyland. This full-service restaurant is actually inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction!
The setting is nighttime on the Bayou, and it is truly a tranquil oasis in the middle of a very busy theme park. You’ll watch the Pirates boats glide by and listen to crickets sing, all while enjoying a relaxing meal.
Besides substantial fare, Blue Bayou has a decent wines-by-the-glass menu, Louisiana-inspired cocktails, and several fun mocktails too. It’s a splurge, but really a wonderful way to fully immerse in the escapism of Disneyland.
🔥 Blue Bayou Hot Tip
It seems almost impossible to get an advance dining reservation at Blue Bayou. But you can get on the same-day walk-up list. Besides using the tip I talked about last time, here’s a hack that has worked for us.
Blue Bayou opens at 11:00am, but cast members are at the doors beginning around 10. There are several tables open for walk-ups beginning at 11, and you can get on that list as soon as the cast members open those doors.
If you can be in front of Blue Bayou when the cast members arrive, you can be first on that walk-up list and get a table for 11:00. This works if you have a group of 4 or fewer.
Even if you don’t catch them right away, you can get on that walk-up list for later in the day (on a busy day you should probably try to get on the list by noon - it definitely fills up). Use the Disneyland app to monitor the list, or even better, go to the Blue Bayou and talk to the cast members directly.
If you can’t get in using walk-up on Day 1, ask that cast member for any tips they can offer. That’s exactly how I learned about this hack. Good luck!
Sonoma Terrace
Disney’s California Adventure - Performance Corridor
What would a Califormia-themed park be if there was no wine?
Sonoma Terrace is a quick-service patio that serves a large variety of wines by the glass, plus on-tap craft beers. Bring your plate over the bridge from San Fransokyo and enjoy a decent beverage in a relatively quiet space.
Located along California Adventure’s main parade route, Sonoma Terrace is a great people-watching spot too.
Here’s the Sonoma Terrace menu
How to use the Disneyland app to get on the walk-up list for Oga’s Cantina, Trader Sam’s, and Blue Bayou
Disney's super-easy dining hack
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