Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge Expands to the Original Trilogy Era on April 29, 2026

Starting April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland will expand beyond the sequel-era storyline to include the Galactic Civil War and New Republic eras — bringing Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo to Batuu for the first time. John Williams' classic film scores will play throughout the land, and shops like First Order Cargo will transform into Black Spire Surplus as Black Spire Outpost rolls back in time several decades.

The most significant reimagining of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge since the land opened in 2019 is coming to Disneyland park on April 29, 2026 — and for the first time, Batuu's timeline is unlocking to welcome the heroes and villains of the original Star Wars trilogy.

Disneyland Resort has confirmed that Black Spire Outpost will roll back several decades to encompass the Galactic Civil War and New Republic eras, joining the existing Age of the Resistance storyline already playing out on the Outer Rim. That means Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo will appear inside Galaxy's Edge for the very first time, alongside the composed film scores of legendary composer John Williams.

A Timeline Unlocked on Batuu

Batuu has always been pitched as a frontier planet with centuries of history on the edge of the galaxy, but since opening day the land has been anchored firmly in the sequel-trilogy era — roughly the time of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. That has long been a sticking point for fans who wanted to see classic-trilogy icons like Vader and Luke on the ground at the parks. Disney is now addressing that directly.

"New storylines will be brought to life on Batuu, spanning multiple eras of the planet's rich history," Disney Parks said in its announcement, adding that the updates will "enable you to experience the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and First Order." Black Spire Outpost itself will roll back in time several decades, with new props, graphics, and era-appropriate details threaded throughout the land.

The Iconic Saga Heroes Arriving at Black Spire Outpost

The character roster expansion is easily the biggest headline. Cue "The Imperial March" — Darth Vader's search for Luke Skywalker will bring him to Batuu, with Imperial Stormtroopers at his side. As the Sith Lord hunts the elusive Jedi, fans may find hints of the Force scattered around the outpost.

Leia Organa and Han Solo will be reunited with Luke and Chewbacca among the towering spires. Leia is expected to linger near the Millennium Falcon, recruiting travelers and locals to help keep Luke safe, while Han will be spotted by his prized freighter — tempted, of course, by the nearby cantina.

Luke Skywalker himself will roam the outpost seeking knowledge of the Force and artifacts tied to lightsaber building and kyber crystals — a storyline that dovetails neatly with Savi's Workshop, where guests build their own lightsabers under the guidance of Savi's Gatherers.

These saga-defining characters will join the familiar faces already wandering the land. Ahsoka Tano and The Mandalorian and Grogu continue to appear near the marketplace, while the beloved astromech R2-D2 keeps rolling through the outpost.

The Age of the Resistance isn't going anywhere either. The forested area on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost will still represent the sequel-era storyline, with Rey stationed at the Resistance Camp and guests able to join the climactic battle with the First Order aboard Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

John Williams' Scores Will Play Across the Land

One of the most fan-requested additions is finally arriving: music from the original Star Wars films will play throughout the land. Until now, Galaxy's Edge has leaned on an in-world diegetic soundscape without John Williams' famous themes — a deliberate choice by Imagineers to preserve the feeling of being in an unfamiliar corner of the galaxy. That's changing with the timeline expansion.

Passing through the tunnels into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the iconic "Main Title" and Force Theme will beckon guests to a galaxy far, far away. Other motifs woven into the soundscape include "Han Solo and the Princess," "The Desert and the Robot Auction," and "The Emperor." The selections pull from the first six films of the Skywalker saga.

And, fittingly, the lively "Cantina Band" will play inside Oga's Cantina. In the reframed Galactic Civil War timeline, proprietor Oga Garra has only recently opened the watering hole — but it's already becoming a popular spot for intergalactic travelers.

Shops and Establishments Get an Era-Appropriate Overhaul

As Batuu's history expands, so does its retail lineup. Several Galaxy's Edge mainstays are being reworked to fit the earlier timeline:

• First Order Cargo → Black Spire Surplus: The former First Order outpost will become a military salvage operation offering artifacts from across the galaxy, including Imperial and Rebel items from the Galactic Civil War.
• Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities: As antiquities shops often do, Dok-Ondar's will display a new array of one-of-a-kind items reflecting the shifted timeline.
• Droid Depot: An earlier generation of the Mubo family will run the shop, prototyping the now-iconic BB-series droid. Guests will still be able to build and purchase their own droid companion.
• Savi's Workshop: Luke Skywalker's quest for Force knowledge pulls him toward Savi's, where guests can continue to build their own lightsabers under the Gatherers' guidance.

Attractions, Entertainment, and Food Still On the Menu

The timeline reshuffle doesn't come at the expense of Galaxy's Edge favorites. Guests can still take the controls of Han's freighter aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and sample Batuu staples like blue milk and ronto wraps. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance also remains the land's E-ticket anchor.

Evening entertainment remains a highlight, too. "Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga" turns the spires of Batuu into a nightly projection-show canvas for the legendary Skywalker story, and on select evenings "Fire of the Rising Moons" showcases a unique view of the Disneyland park fireworks accompanied by iconic music and tales from across the galaxy.

What This Means for Disney Fans

This is easily the most meaningful content update to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge since it opened at Disneyland Resort in 2019. For years, fans have debated the land's decision to avoid the iconic Skywalker-era characters in favor of an original Batuu storyline — and while the in-universe purity had its defenders, the absence of Darth Vader and Luke from the most elaborate Star Wars land ever built was always a hard sell for casual guests. April 29, 2026 closes that gap.

If you're planning a Disneyland trip this spring or summer, this is the update to circle on your calendar. Disney has noted that some enhancements may start appearing in the weeks leading up to the April 29 debut, so early April visitors may catch previews of Black Spire Surplus, the new John Williams score selections, or even early character encounters. For the full transformation, though, the official rollout is the date to target. No word yet on whether the timeline expansion will eventually come to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World — but given the scale of this overhaul, Florida fans will almost certainly be watching Anaheim very closely.

A park reservation and valid ticket for the same park on the same date are required to enter Disneyland park. Parks, attractions, services, and offerings are subject to change without notice. For the latest updates, visit Disneyland.com.