Galaxy’s Edge Time Shift: Classic Star Wars Icons to Join Disneyland’s Batuu

Published on 1/14/26 by Craig Smith

Image credit: Disney

Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is poised for its most ambitious narrative update since the land’s 2019 debut. Beginning April 29, 2026, Disneyland Park will expand the Galaxy’s Edge timeline beyond its long-held focus on the sequel trilogy era to incorporate characters, storylines, and music from earlier chapters of the Star Wars saga.

For years, Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu existed within a narrow slice of the Star Wars timeline, primarily anchored between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, with only occasional incursions from The Mandalorian era. That approach allowed the land to maintain narrative cohesion but limited the presence of many original trilogy heroes and villains. Starting next spring, that constraint dissolves.

Guests visiting Galaxy’s Edge will now encounter such iconic figures as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa amid the rocky spires of Batuu, interacting with the immersive environment in new ways. Darth Vader’s ominous search for Luke will bring Imperial forces into the outpost, while Han and Leia are expected to be found near familiar landmarks like the Millennium Falcon.

The expansion also introduces dynamic audio enhancements, featuring beloved themes from composer John Williams’ original film scores woven throughout the land’s soundscape. Existing elements tied to the sequel era – including the Resistance Camp and appearances by characters like Rey – will remain part of the experience, effectively stitching multiple Star Wars epochs into a single, rich timeline.

This update marks a significant evolution in Disneyland’s storytelling approach for Galaxy’s Edge, offering fans a broader, more inclusive journey through the galaxy far, far away.