All the Changes Coming to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland

Ever since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened in 2019 at Disneyland, fans have been impressed with the level of detail and overall immersion. Disney Imagineers went above and beyond creating unique experiences that feel like natural extensions of the existing Star Wars universe.

Indeed, in Batuu, also known as the Black Spire Outpost, guests truly feel as if they’ve been transported into another world. However, the nature of the immersion of Galaxy’s Edge has also had its warranted criticisms and hopes for something more.

Thankfully, for the first time, Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland (not Walt Disney World) will make some significant changes and overall improvements to the land, sure to please both casual and diehard fans alike.

One of the biggest criticisms of Galaxy’s Edge has been its strict adherence to a specific timeline in the Star Wars canon. Indeed, the attractions, characters, and land itself are meant to be set in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy era. Specifically, it’s set between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.

This limits what guests can see or do, frustrating fans who want to meet other characters or experience aspects of earlier films.

Starting April 28, 2026, Batuu’s timeline will broaden to include the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, meaning the original Star Wars Trilogy will join the Galaxy’s Edge timeline.

Previously, guests could only see and interact with characters from a certain period, namely Rey, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, First Order Stormtroopers, BB8, R2D2, and Vi Moradi. The latter is a character created specifically for Batuu. Over time, they added a few more, including The Mandalorian, Grogu, Boba Fett, Ahsoka Tano, and Fennec Shand, all of which were featured in the new Star Wars shows on Disney+.

As much as guests enjoy these characters, many remained disappointed that the most famous and beloved characters were never seen. Disney obviously took note because soon Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Darth Vader will roam through specific areas of the land.

Luke Skywalker will roam throughout Batuu and, according to the Disney Parks Blog, “seek knowledge of the Force and artifacts related to lightsaber building and kyber crystals.” Guests will see Leia near the Millennium Falcon, where she will “recruit travelers and locals to help keep Luke safe.”

Han Solo will also hang around the Millennium Falcon, as well as Oga’s Cantina, often with his co-pilot Chewbacca. Lastly, Darth Vader will replace Kylo Ren as the land’s main villain. He will roam Batuu with Stormtroopers, especially near his TIE echelon ship, in search of Luke.

These character additions will change the layout and map to Galaxy’s Edge as other characters like Rey and the Mandalorian will continue to appear. The sequel trilogy characters will be relocated to the forest area in the outskirts of Galaxy’s Edge near Rise of the Resistance, while the original trilogy will take up the majority of Black Spire Outpost.

A significant aspect of Galaxy’s Edge that has been absent since the beginning has been music. Instead, the land featured ambient soundscapes akin to a real outpost. While some applauded the choice, many found it lacking since Williams’ iconic scores are synonymous with the films.

Now, numerous Star Wars themes will play throughout the land, such as “Main Theme,” “Force Theme,” “Han Solo and the Princess,” “The Imperial March,” and more.

This change will bring new energy and vitality to the land, as the quiet ambiance made it feel lifeless at times. The lack of music may have been more realistic, but fans want to feel as if they’ve stepped into the films, music included. After all, there is no Star Wars without John Williams. Likewise, it also adds to the cohesive synergy with the rest of Disneyland, which features music in every other land.

Although not every guest cared or asked for changes to Galaxy’s Edge, it has been a long time coming for countless others. Adding the original trilogy’s characters will improve the former restrictions and limitations, breathing much-needed life into the land.

Likewise, while many fans enjoy The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, and characters like Rey and Kylo Ren, few would disagree that their appeal and popularity pale in comparison to George Lucas’s original films with Luke, Leia, Han, and Darth Vader. Recently, only Disney Visa cardholders could meet Darth Vader inside Launch Bay in Tomorrowland. Also, while other characters have made appearances, they’ve been brief: Han and Leia during 2025’s After Hours event, Star Wars Nite, and Luke for a limited time during “Season of the Force” in 2025.

Notably, the two attractions-Rise and the Resistance and Smugglers Run- will remain the same. Still, the additions (which will also include things like added props and merchandise to shops) will make long-time fans happy and only improve an already exceptional experience.

While these changes to Galaxy’s Edge will significantly affect the land in a positive way, it also presents the question: are they enough? For now, I’d say these changes will be enough to satisfy those who’ve hoped for more since the beginning.

However, should Disney also continue to make changes and additions to Galaxy’s Edge in order to keep things fresh and exciting, and include more of the Star Wars canon?

For now, they’ve found a way to include the original trilogy that keeps in line with the land’s immersive qualities. Giving each character particular goals and tasks, rather than standard meet and greets, creates a twofold improvement: it gives the fans what they want but in a way consistent with what they’ve previously experienced.

In the future, Disney would be wise to find ways of incorporating the characters from the prequel trilogy, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala. The latter two were only previously seen at Star Wars Nite, but not in Galaxy’s Edge, and in conflicting timeline costumes. Additionally, at some point, guests should hear two of the finest Williams Star Wars themes, “Duel of the Fates” and “Across the Stars,” beyond the fireworks shows.

Whether there is adequate space to expand the land to create a third attraction remains to be seen. Personally, I’d always hoped for a Star Wars-themed land to include more of the film’s lush landscapes, such as Endor or Naboo. Regardless, these changes are the first significant and pivotal step in making Batuu even better, expanding into the far reaches of the galaxy.