- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is expanding beyond a single era at Disneyland
- Characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo will become permanent fixtures starting April 29, 2026
- The update deepens immersion and includes a new soundscape featuring John Williams’ iconic work
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been nearly 7-years since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. These themed lands marked the first time you could essentially step foot into the Star Wars universe.
In the years since, Galaxy’s Edge on the East Coast and West Coast has evolved – we’ve seen more lightsabers, err, scrap metal, come to the forefront, and new visitors like Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, the adorable BDX droids, as well as The Mandalorian and Grogu arrive from time to time.
Now, though, Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is updating its story. While both lands since launch have focused on the most recent trio of films – allowing Rey and Kylo Ren to roam – the West Coast version is going back in time a bit, and I simply couldn’t be more excited.
Disneyland has confirmed that starting on April 29, 2026 – that’s 103 days away if you’re counting – Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker will all be permanent fixtures at Galaxy’s Edge. Effectively, Batuu – the formal location name for Galaxy’s Edge – will contain multiple timelines or parts of the Star Wars universe.
Maybe most importantly, you’ll finally be able to have a moment as a park guest with Han and Leia in front of the Millennium Falcon, with Chewbacca nearby as well. Darth Vader, alongside Imperial Stormtroopers, will be on Batuu looking for Luke Skywalker, who’ll be roaming the outpost.
Luke, Leia, and Han will be closer to shops and the Millennium Falcon, while Darth Vader and the Imperial Stormtroopers will take over the former First Order area. R2-D2, The Mandalorian with Grogu, and Ahsoka Tano will also be roaming.
Rey will remain near the Resistance section of the land, home to one of the most impressive rides – Rise of the Resistance. It’s a personal favorite and one that merges multiple ride systems into one – seriously, watch the ride-through on Disney+ (and check out the deal below for a cheap subscription if you’re not currently signed up).
To increase immersion and match the new locals you’ll begin seeing in Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland’s team – along with members of Walt Disney Imagineering – will update props throughout the land and refresh surface graphics. I’m keen to see this, but even more exciting is a new soundscape.
Galaxy’s Edge is already packed with speakers hidden in plain sight to immerse you in Batuu. Many park goers, myself included, instinctively look up when hearing a ship whip by, blaster fire, or other environmental effects.
Complementing Vader will undoubtedly be the Imperial March at points, but Disneyland isn’t messing around when it comes to authenticity.
Six scores from the Star Wars films, composed by John Williams, will be used as you enter Batuu and wander throughout the land. As you pass through the main tunnel into Galaxy’s Edge, the Force Theme and instantly recognizable Main Title will play, alongside cues like The Emperor, Han Solo and the Princess, and The Desert and the Robot Auction.
Oga’s Cantina – a staple bar and eatery since Galaxy’s Edge opened – is being slightly rethemed. Since it will be set during the Galactic Civil War and founded by Oga Garra, it makes sense that the Cantina Band will be frequently played there.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrive at the Millenium Falcon in May
Image 1 of 4
The formal start date for this redesign is April 29, 2026, though you may see enhancements and prop changes ahead of that. Disney Experiences has also confirmed that Rise of the Resistance will remain unchanged, while the new ride experience for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is still on track to debut on May 22, 2026.
That update is a major technical undertaking for Walt Disney Imagineering, which has deepened its partnership with Epic Games, as the ride system uses Unreal Engine for real-time rendering. Essentially, it powers all the screens in the Falcon’s cockpit, and with the update, it’ll be upgraded to Unreal Engine 5.
The ride will be themed to The Mandalorian and Grogu, and the May 22, 2026 timing isn’t coincidental – the film The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters that same day.
The updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut at both Disneyland and Disney World in May 2026, but only Galaxy’s Edge on the West Coast will receive Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo (finally!), and Luke Skywalker beginning April 29, 2026. That’ll likely make Disney World faithful a bit jealous – at least for now.
And if you’re heading to Galaxy’s Edge at either park, I’d highly recommend checking out the Batuu Bounty Hunters experience. It’s free via the Disney Play app on iOS and Android and uses augmented reality with MagicBand+ as you explore the land. I’ll be curious to see whether it gets updates at Disneyland in April or broader Mandalorian tie-ins by May 2026.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V6QstDhv8uL4TrCqbpLXGm-2120-80.jpg
Source link
jacob.krol@futurenet.com (Jacob Krol)
