Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and More Original Trilogy Characters Coming to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland

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Disney has announced big changes coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. Soon, guests will be able to encounter iconic characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo as the land expands its story to include more of the Star Wars timeline.

Galaxy’s Edge is getting its biggest update since it first opened! Starting April 29, 2026, the land at Disneyland will expand its storytelling beyond the time of the Resistance. Batuu will now feature characters and stories from different eras of the Star Wars universe, including the original trilogy.

Galaxy’s Edge Expands Beyond a Single Timeline

When Galaxy’s Edge opened, Disney and Lucasfilm chose to base the land’s story within a specific, limited timeframe in the Star Wars universe – between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Although the goal was to create a deeply engaging and story-focused experience, many fans were disappointed that popular, well-known characters from the franchise weren’t present.

That limitation is now being lifted…at least in one park.

Galaxy’s Edge is expanding its story to include events from the Galactic Civil War and the New Republic periods, in addition to its current themes. Instead of just seeing characters in shows or at scheduled meet-and-greets, guests will now encounter familiar faces from the original Star Wars trilogy naturally throughout the land.

Disney aims to keep guests fully engaged in the Star Wars experience at Batuu while also making sure stories from different eras can all take place there.

Darth Vader Arrives on Batuu

The biggest new attraction is Darth Vader! He’ll be appearing throughout Galaxy’s Edge as part of an ongoing story about his hunt for Luke Skywalker. Vader won’t be standing in one spot – he’ll be moving around Black Spire Outpost with Imperial Stormtroopers, making appearances as guests explore.

Disney isn’t treating Darth Vader like a simple meet-and-greet character. Instead, they’re making his appearances feel important and connected to the ongoing story of the Star Wars land.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I’m really excited to hear more about Luke’s journey in this new story. Apparently, he’s going to be depicted as someone who’s really focused on learning – digging deep into the mysteries of the Force, kyber crystals, and everything the Jedi used to know. It sounds like his way of moving around this outpost will be very different from Vader’s – much more subtle and less about intimidation, which is a cool contrast I think.

Leia, Han, and Familiar Faces Join the Roster

Additional Original Trilogy characters will also be introduced as part of the expansion:

  • Leia Organa will be stationed close to the Millennium Falcon, where she’ll gather support and monitor Luke Skywalker’s activities.

  • As a huge Star Wars fan, I’m really excited to see Han Solo back in action! Apparently, we’ll be seeing a lot of him around the Millennium Falcon and hanging out at Oga’s Cantina, which is perfect. He’s definitely playing the part of the charming rogue again – always looking for a quick buck but inevitably getting pulled into some kind of adventure. It’s classic Han!

New characters are being added to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, joining favorites like Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, Grogu, Rey, and R2-D2. Disney hopes this will make the land feel like a vibrant meeting place for characters from all eras of the Star Wars saga.

Atmosphere, Music, and Environmental Updates

The changes aren’t just about how the characters look. Disney is also working to create a more immersive environment that reflects the story’s wider history.

The land of Galaxy’s Edge at Disney parks is getting a musical upgrade! Familiar and beloved music from John Williams’ scores in the first six Star Wars movies will now be played throughout the land, replacing the more subtle background sounds that were there before. You’ll hear classic themes like the Star Wars Main Title, the Force Theme, and music from Han and Princess Leia as you explore. However, Oga’s Cantina will still feature its signature Cantina Band music.

Several shops are getting new looks and offerings. First Order Cargo will become Black Spire Surplus, selling both Imperial and Rebel items, and Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will regularly feature different historical collections. Droid Depot will focus on an older generation of droid builders, but Savi’s Workshop will remain largely the same.

What About Walt Disney World?

Disney hasn’t said they’re making any changes right now to Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios in Florida. However, they admit the land’s design is very similar to the one at Disneyland. Because of this, many people think the Florida version might get updates similar to those at Disneyland if the new changes prove popular.

This announcement marks a significant change in direction for Galaxy’s Edge. After facing criticism that the land didn’t feel connected enough to the overall Star Wars story, Disney is now fully embracing the most famous period and villain from the franchise – something they wouldn’t have considered when the land first opened.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I’m so excited! We’ve been hoping for this for ages, and it’s finally happening – Darth Vader is coming to Galaxy’s Edge! It’s not just a quick appearance tied to a specific event, either. It feels like Disney is really leaning into making the land even more immersive, and this could be just the beginning. I’m not sure if this is a big shift in how they do things, or just the first of many changes, but one thing’s for sure: seeing Darth Vader there isn’t just a dream anymore!

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2026-01-14 22:58