At a Glance
- Original Trilogy heroes Luke, Leia, Han and villain Darth Vader debut at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge on April 29
- The land drops its sequel-trilogy lock-in and will span every Star Wars era, from the Galactic Civil War to the New Republic
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adds a Mandalorian-Grogu story overlay on May 22
- Why it matters: Fans can now meet classic characters and ride an updated attraction without booking a trip to Florida
Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is breaking its timeline shackles. Starting April 29, guests will encounter Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader in their younger Original Trilogy forms, a move that ends one of the themed land’s most debated creative choices.
When the 14-acre expansion opened in summer 2019, Disney locked the setting between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. The idea was total immersion: visitors could fight for the Resistance or flee the First Order while remaining “in story.” That strict canon placement, however, meant classic characters were off-limits; in that timeline Luke was gone, Leia aged, and Han dead.
The rethink is sweeping. Disney’s site now promises “new storylines spanning multiple eras of Batuu’s rich history,” allowing guests to experience the Galactic Civil War, New Republic, and Resistance/First Order periods in the same visit.
Characters and Music
- Luke, Leia, Han, and Darth Vader will roam the land in their iconic looks
- John Williams’ classic scores, including pieces like “The Imperial March,” will play throughout the area alongside the land’s original suite
- Current favorites-The Mandalorian, Grogu, Ahsoka Tano, and Rey-remain part of the lineup
Shops and Experiences
Retail and interactive offerings are receiving era-blending updates:
- Droid Depot welcomes a new droid family for guests to build and purchase
- Savi’s Workshop, the lightsaber-building experience, now features Luke as a thematic guide
- Additional merchandise tied to multiple timelines will appear throughout Black Spire Outpost
First Ride Change
On May 22, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run becomes the land’s first attraction to receive a narrative overlay. Riders will fly the Falcon alongside The Mandalorian and Grogu, replacing the current smuggling run that debuted in 2019. The physical ride system and pre-show areas remain unchanged; the story inside the cockpit and on the cabin screens is what shifts.
Park-Exclusive Strategy
These updates are, for now, exclusive to Disneyland in California. A Disney spokesperson told News Of Fort Worth: “This change is only coming to Disneyland at this time. By evolving the experience at Disneyland while keeping Walt Disney World’s offering as is, guests can immerse themselves in different stories within the Star Wars galaxy.”
That setup creates a two-coast choice: Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios keeps the sequel-era immersion, while Disneyland becomes the multi-era destination.
Timeline Shift
Opening day timeline restrictions had grown increasingly awkward as Disney+ series, books, and comics introduced Batuu characters and events across the entire franchise chronology. Fans regularly asked for Original Trilogy presence, and Disney executives signaled last year that flexibility was coming. The April rollout fulfills that pledge without requiring a new land or major construction.
What Stays the Same
- Rise of the Resistance, the land’s E-ticket dark ride, keeps its Resistance-versus-First-Order plot
- Food and beverage locations-Docking Bay 7, Oga’s Cantana, Ronto Roasters-retain existing menus and theming
- The overall architecture and ambient Batuu language audio remain intact
Visitor Impact
Annual passholders and day guests gain immediate photo opportunities and character interactions that were previously impossible. Tour plans will likely reorder to accommodate new meet-and-greet lines, especially for Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The May ride overlay also gives Disneyland a fresh marketing hook during the traditionally busy late-spring period.
Disney has not announced end dates for either the character appearances or the Smugglers Run overlay, leaving room for the updates to become permanent fixtures. No up-charge fees or reservations are required for the characters; the ride overlay is included with regular park admission and boarding groups.
Key Takeaways
- April 29 brings the biggest narrative expansion since Galaxy’s Edge opened
- Original Trilogy icons finally walk Batuu, ending a five-year timeline lock
- A ride refresh and shop tweaks add new merchandise without construction walls
- Disneyland now offers every era, while Walt Disney World keeps its sequel focus
