Okay, I need to talk about this because it is genuinely one of the biggest pieces of Disneyland news in years. Starting April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is expanding its timeline — and that means Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo are all coming to Batuu.
Let that sink in for a second. Since Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, the land has been locked into the sequel trilogy era. It was set during the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order, which meant the only major characters you’d run into were Rey, Kylo Ren, and Chewbacca. A lot of fans — myself included — always wished we could see the classic trilogy characters roaming around Black Spire Outpost. Well, the wait is finally over.
What’s Changing at Galaxy’s Edge
Disney is rolling back the timeline on Batuu to include the Galactic Civil War and New Republic eras alongside the existing Age of the Resistance. That means you’ll experience multiple Star Wars timelines in one visit.
Here’s where you’ll find the new characters:
- Darth Vader arrives on Batuu searching for Luke Skywalker, flanked by Imperial Stormtroopers. Yes, you’re going to hear “The Imperial March” in person. I already have chills.
- Luke Skywalker will roam the outpost seeking knowledge about the Force, lightsabers, and kyber crystals.
- Leia Organa will be spotted near the Millennium Falcon, recruiting travelers to help keep Luke safe.
- Han Solo will linger around his beloved ship — and will apparently be tempted by Oga’s Cantina. Classic Han.
And don’t worry — Rey, Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, Grogu, and R2-D2 aren’t going anywhere. The Resistance camp area on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost will continue to represent the sequel era, and Rise of the Resistance obviously stays as-is.
John Williams Scores Throughout the Land
This might be the detail I’m most excited about. John Williams’ iconic film scores will now play throughout Galaxy’s Edge, pulling themes from the first six films. Walking through the tunnels into the land, you’ll hear the Main Title and the Force Theme. As you wander through, expect motifs from “Han Solo and the Princess,” “The Emperor,” and more.
And yes, “Cantina Band” will be playing from within Oga’s Cantina. This is going to make the entire atmosphere feel so much more immersive.
Shop and Experience Updates
Several locations throughout the land are getting refreshed to reflect the expanded timeline:
- First Order Cargo transforms into Black Spire Surplus, a military salvage shop selling artifacts from the Galactic Civil War era — including Imperial and Rebel items.
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will display a different array of items reflecting the earlier time period.
- Droid Depot will feature an earlier generation of the Mubo family prototyping BB-style droids. You can still build your own.
- Savi’s Workshop continues operating, with Luke Skywalker himself taking interest in meeting Savi.
Why This Is Such a Big Deal
Look, I’ve loved Galaxy’s Edge since day one — the level of immersion and detail is unmatched. But confining the land to only the sequel era always felt limiting. The original trilogy characters are what most fans grew up with, and being able to encounter Darth Vader walking through Black Spire Outpost with Stormtroopers is the kind of experience people have dreamed about.
Disney says you may start seeing some of these enhancements appear over the next couple of months before the official April 29 debut. I’ll be keeping a close eye on any early changes and will update you as things roll out.
This is going to be an incredible year for Star Wars fans at Disneyland. Between this, the ongoing “Shadows of Memory” projection show, and “Fire of the Rising Moons” fireworks — Batuu has never been more worth visiting.
Are you excited about the timeline expansion? Which classic character are you most looking forward to seeing on Batuu? Let me know in the comments!
