Starting April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park will expand its timeline to include characters and moments from across the full Star Wars saga. Disney confirmed the update on the Disney Parks Blog.
What Is Changing at Galaxy’s Edge
The land will move beyond its current sequel-era setting to welcome characters from the original trilogy and prequel era. According to Disney, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker will all begin making appearances in Black Spire Outpost on Batuu. The land’s background music will also shift to include selections from John Williams’ Star Wars film scores.
This is a significant shift for Galaxy’s Edge, which has been locked into the sequel trilogy timeline since it opened in 2019. According to Disney, the updates will span multiple eras including the Galactic Civil War and New Republic alongside the existing Age of the Resistance. Rey and the Resistance will continue operating from the Resistance Camp, while Ahsoka Tano, the Mandalorian, Grogu, and R2-D2 will all remain in the land. Darth Vader will arrive with Imperial Stormtroopers, while Leia Organa and Han Solo will be stationed near the Millennium Falcon and Luke Skywalker will roam Black Spire Outpost.
Early Access Through Star Wars Nite
Guests attending Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite on April 28 will be the first to experience the expanded timeline, one day before it officially launches during regular park hours on April 29. The remaining Star Wars Nite dates, April 30, May 4, and May 6, will also feature the new character lineup and updated atmosphere.
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite is a separately ticketed event running from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Disneyland park. Tickets went on sale in early February 2026 and three of the four dates are already sold out. As of early April, only the April 28 date still has availability at $174 per ticket.
Why This Matters
Galaxy’s Edge has always been one of the most immersive theme park lands ever built, but its narrow timeline was a consistent point of fan feedback. Adding original trilogy characters like Vader, Luke, and Leia does not just expand the character roster. It fundamentally changes the storytelling possibilities inside the land and gives guests who grew up with the original films a reason to engage with Batuu in a way that was not available before.
The timing also lines up with the upcoming theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, arriving in theaters May 22, 2026, and the new Mandalorian-themed mission launching at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run on the same date. Disney appears to be building a full Star Wars moment at Disneyland heading into summer 2026.
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Source: Disney Parks Blog
