Darth Vader and Original Trilogy Favorites Are Coming to Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Disneyland is making a huge change to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Starting April 29, 2026, the park is shifting the timeline of the land to feature characters and stories from the original film trilogy. The question we have is, will this change be coming to Walt Disney World? This is all happening right as the new Star Wars Movie The Mandalorian and Grogu, is released on May 16th, along with new missions coming to Smugglers Run!
For years, the land was strictly set between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. That meant you’d only see newer characters like Rey or Kylo Ren. Now, Disney is rolling back the clock several decades to the era of Return of the Jedi.
The biggest draw of this update is the lineup of classic characters. Visitors will soon see Darth Vader: The Sith Lord will patrol the streets near the TIE Echelon ship, flanked by Imperial stormtroopers. Luke Skywalker: The Jedi hero will be appearing in the land for the first time. Han Solo and Princess Leia: The duo will have brand-new looks designed specifically for this era on the planet Batuu.
Even though the timeline is shifting back, Disney says current favorites like Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, and Grogu will still be around. Since R2-D2 is in almost every movie, he’ll keep roaming the area as usual.
It’s not just about the characters. The land itself is getting a bit of a makeover to fit the “vintage” feel.
The shop formerly known as First Order Cargo is being renamed Black Spire Surplus. It will sell gear from both the Rebellion and the Empire. According to the new backstory, the shop is run by two retired clone troopers who ended up on opposite sides of the war but stayed friends.
Other spots like Savi’s Workshop (where you build lightsabers) and Droid Depot will also get small updates to match the new timeframe.
One of the most noticeable changes will be the music. Previously, the land used original ambient sounds. Now, Disney is piping in John Williams’ classic film scores. You’ll hear the “Force Theme” while walking past the Millennium Falcon, and DJ R-3X will finally play the “Cantina Band” song inside Oga’s Cantina.
Disney Imagineers say they always viewed Galaxy’s Edge as a place that could grow and change. By opening up the timeline, they can bring in the characters that most fans grew up with. To explain why everyone is suddenly on the planet Batuu at the same time, Marvel and Lucasfilm are releasing a new comic book that bridges the story gaps.
