- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is expanding beyond a single era at Disneyland
- Characters such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo will become permanent fixtures starting April 29, 2026.
- The update deepens immersion and includes a new soundscape featuring the iconic work of John Williams.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been almost 7 years since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. These themed lands marked the first time you could basically set foot in the Star Wars universe.
In the years since then, Galaxy’s Edge on the East Coast and West Coast has evolved: we’ve seen more lightsabers, err, scrap metal, come to the fore, and new visitors like Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, the adorable BDX droids, as well as The Mandalorian and Grogu arrive from time to time.
Now, however, Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is updating its story. While both lands since their release have focused on the most recent trio of films, allowing Rey and Kylo Ren to roam, the West Coast version goes back in time a bit and I simply couldn’t be more excited.
Disneyland has confirmed that starting April 29, 2026 (103 days left if we count) Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker will be permanent fixtures at Galaxy’s Edge. Indeed, Batuu, the formal name of the Galaxy’s Edge location, will contain multiple timelines or parts of the Star Wars universe.
Perhaps most importantly, you’ll finally get to have a moment as a park guest with Han and Leia in front of the Millennium Falcon, with Chewbacca nearby as well. Darth Vader, along with Imperial Stormtroopers, will be on Batuu searching for Luke Skywalker, who will wander through the outpost.
Luke, Leia and Han will be closer to the shops and the Millennium Falcon, while Darth Vader and the Imperial Stormtroopers will take over the former First Order area. R2-D2, The Mandalorian with Grogu and Ahsoka Tano will also be roaming around.
Rey will remain near the Resistance section of the terrain, home to one of the most impressive attractions: Rise of the Resistance. It’s a personal favorite and combines multiple travel systems into one. Seriously, watch the tour on Disney+ (and check out the offer below for a cheap subscription if you’re not currently signed up).
To increase immersion and coincide with the new venues you’ll begin to see at Galaxy’s Edge, the Disneyland team, along with members of Walt Disney Imagineering, will be updating props throughout the land and updating surface graphics. I’m looking forward to seeing this, but even more exciting is a new soundscape.
Galaxy’s Edge is already packed with hidden-in-sight speakers to immerse you in Batuu. Many park visitors, myself included, instinctively look up when they hear a ship passing by, blaster shots, or other environmental effects.
Complementing Vader will certainly be the Imperial March at points, but Disneyland doesn’t mess around when it comes to authenticity.
Six scores from the Star Wars films, composed by John Williams, will be used as you enter Batuu and wander the land. Passing through the main tunnel towards Galaxy’s Edge, the strength theme and instantly recognizable Main title will play, along with signals such as the emperor, Han Solo and the princessand Desert and Robot Auction.
Oga’s Cantina, a staple bar and restaurant since Galaxy’s Edge opened, is changing its theme slightly. Since it will take place during the Galactic Civil War and will be founded by Oga Claw, it makes sense that the canteen band It will be played frequently there.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrive at the Millennium Falcon in May
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The formal start date for this redesign is April 29, 2026, although you may see improvements and accessory changes before then. Disney Experiences has also confirmed that Rise of the Resistance will remain unchanged, while the new ride experience for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is still on track to debut on May 22, 2026.
That update is a major technical task for Walt Disney Imagineering, which has deepened its partnership with Epic Games, as the attractions system uses Unreal Engine for real-time rendering. It basically powers all the displays in the Falcon’s cockpit and with the update will be upgraded to Unreal Engine 5.
The ride will be themed around The Mandalorian and Grogu, and the timing of May 22, 2026 is no coincidence: The movie The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters that same day.
The updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut at both Disneyland and Disney World in May 2026, but only Galaxy’s Edge on the West Coast will welcome Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo (finally!) and Luke Skywalker starting April 29, 2026. That’ll probably make the Disney World faithful a little jealous, at least for now.
And if you’re headed to Galaxy’s Edge in either park, I recommend trying the Batuu Bounty Hunters experience. It’s free through the Disney Play app on iOS and Android and uses augmented reality with MagicBand+ as you explore the terrain. I’ll be curious to see if he’ll get updates on Disneyland in April or broader Mandalorian tie-ins for May 2026.
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