Beginning 29th April 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park will undergo one of its most significant changes since opening in 2019. The land, originally set strictly between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, is expanding its narrative to include multiple eras of the Star Wars saga.
This shift fundamentally reshapes the guest experience, particularly when it comes to character encounters. Instead of being limited to sequel-era figures, visitors will now meet characters spanning the original trilogy, sequel trilogy, and newer Disney+ series.
A Galaxy No Longer Bound by One Timeline
The updated concept allows Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost to act as a crossroads of Star Wars history. Guests can encounter heroes and villains from different time periods coexisting within the same land.
This means classic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker now appear alongside newer figures such as The Mandalorian and Ahsoka Tano.
Meet-and-Greets Near the Millennium Falcon
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of original trilogy characters around the Falcon area:
- Han Solo
- Chewbacca
- Princess Leia
- R2-D2
These characters gather near the iconic ship, creating a nostalgic hub for fans of the original films. Leia appears in a redesigned outfit inspired by The Empire Strikes Back, while Han and Chewbacca interact as if freshly reunited.
Roaming Heroes of the Original Trilogy
Elsewhere in the land, guests may encounter:
- Luke Skywalker – wandering in search of Force knowledge, often near Savi’s Workshop
- Darth Vader – patrolling with Stormtroopers, replacing previous First Order presence
These additions bring a more dynamic “light vs dark” presence to Batuu, something fans had long requested.
Returning Characters from Existing Storylines
The timeline expansion doesn’t remove the characters introduced since 2019. Instead, they continue to appear in their established locations:
- Rey – still found near Rise of the Resistance, maintaining the sequel-era storyline
- The Mandalorian and Grogu – roaming near the marketplace
- Ahsoka Tano – continuing appearances in Batuu
- R2-D2 – freely moving throughout the land
This layered approach allows multiple stories to unfold simultaneously rather than replacing one era with another.
A More Immersive and Flexible Experience
The timeline shift is more than just a character update. It represents a philosophical change in how Galaxy’s Edge tells stories. Instead of a fixed point in canon, the land now embraces the full Star Wars saga, allowing guests to create their own connections across generations of characters.
The result is a richer meet-and-greet lineup than ever before, combining nostalgia with modern storytelling. Whether guests want to stand beside Darth Vader, chat with Rey, or spot the Mandalorian and Grogu, Batuu now offers a broader, more inclusive slice of a galaxy far, far away.