The Top 10 Things I Loved From Star Wars Nites 2026 & Season of the Force

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As a huge Star Wars fan, I have to say this year’s Star Wars Nites and Season of the Force at Disneyland were incredible – possibly my favorite yet! Galaxy’s Edge felt totally revamped with some really cool new details and backstory. And honestly, the exclusive merchandise and food were just the icing on the cake. It’s always amazing to see Disneyland completely transform to celebrate the Star Wars universe.

What really stood out to me about Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge is how they’re now exploring the entire Star Wars universe, not just the sequel trilogy. They’re moving beyond a single timeframe, and 2026 will bring major additions and connections to the new Mandalorian & Grogu film.

This year’s Star Wars Nites event was fantastic – shorter wait times for rides, amazing costumes, and stunning visual displays all contributed to a truly memorable experience. Here are my top 10 favorite moments from the event and the continuing Season of the Force throughout the rest of the month.

Disney’s New Overhaul For Galaxy’s Edge (Original Trilogy Characters And Exciting New Changes)

The most significant improvement this year was definitely Disney’s update to Galaxy’s Edge. It now includes connections to different periods in the Star Wars universe, and I thought these additions were a great improvement.

Guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can now meet characters from all three trilogies! Near the Millennium Falcon, you might encounter Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader with stormtroopers. In the central areas of Batuu, look for heroes from the New Republic era, including Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, and Din Djarin with Grogu. And near the Rise of the Resistance attraction, you can still meet sequel trilogy favorites like Rey Skywalker and Chewbacca.

The shops have been updated with great new details and backstory. The former First Order Outpost is now called Black Spire Surplus, and it’s run by two former Clone War soldiers, Farmer and Stacks. They used to fight on opposing sides, but later made peace, which is why the shop now displays both Rebel and Imperial symbols. Dok-Ondar’s shop also has some fun hidden items, including a protest flag from season 2 of the show Andor.

Even the famous Hondo Ohnaka animatronic in the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run line has new things to say! His updated dialogue hints at the ride’s upcoming transformation to include characters and themes from The Mandalorian & Grogu, which will happen later this month.

Iconic Star Wars Music – A Major Galaxy’s Edge First

Galaxy’s Edge at Disney parks has a refreshed soundtrack as of late April. When the land first opened, it focused on creating an immersive atmosphere with subtle background music. Now, guests will hear familiar and beloved scores by John Williams from the Star Wars films. This update adds a new level of excitement and nostalgia, making Galaxy’s Edge feel more connected to the larger Star Wars story.

Shadows of Memory – Disney’s New Star Wars Projection Show

“Shadows of Memory” is back after its successful debut in 2025, and it’s still one of the most exciting nighttime shows at Disneyland. This epic show uses impressive special effects to retell the story of the first six Star Wars movies, all projected onto the rocks behind the Millennium Falcon.

Special Star Wars Character Appearances

A major draw of Star Wars Nites is always the chance to see lots of unique characters, and this year’s event didn’t disappoint. Guests spotted Chopper near Small World and the Matterhorn, and Batuu featured small Anzellan droid mechanics inside a new ship that will appear in the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu. Queen Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker were also making appearances in the park’s Naboo area, close to the Disney castle.

Okay, as a huge Star Wars fan, I have to say seeing Darth Maul himself doing lightsaber demos in Tomorrowland was incredible! And it got even better – Sam Witwer, who played Maul, actually showed up alongside the character during one of the nights. It really made the April 28th Star Wars Nite a super special experience for everyone there.

Darth Vader’s Midnight Debut

Okay, so last night at Star Wars Nites was incredible, but a definite highlight for me was when Darth Vader actually came out of the TIE Echelon ship in Galaxy’s Edge – right at midnight! It was such a cool moment seeing him step out, flanked by Stormtroopers, clearly on the hunt for Luke and anyone else fighting with the Rebellion. Seriously, a really awesome sight to behold.

What’s really exciting about this year’s event is that the villain traditionally appeared in Tomorrowland, but for the first time, Darth Vader was moved into Galaxy’s Edge, replacing Kylo Ren and his troops – and it’s likely this will be the setup for future events too.

Exclusive Star Wars Photo Opportunities

This year’s photo spots were fantastic! Guests could take pictures with new backgrounds inspired by planets, like at Adelphi Base. There were also fun opportunities to pose on the thrones of Bo-Katan Kryze and Boba Fett, or next to a huge Mythosaur skull with Din Djarin and Grogu. Don’t miss the chance to snap a photo with Jabba the Hutt and Emperor Palpatine’s thrones too!

Special Star Wars Food (Like Banth-gogi)

This year’s food at the event was really impressive! Restaurants throughout Disneyland served up special dishes and drinks inspired by Star Wars, including creative treats like lightsaber churros, Sorgan Coolers, and even Porg Belly Burgers.

Honestly, the Banth-Gogi was the absolute highlight for me. It was this amazing sandwich with tender bulgogi beef tucked into a soft pretzel bun, and this incredible cheesy garlic spread… I’m still craving it! You know how theme park food can look good but not really deliver? This was different. It was genuinely delicious, and I’d happily eat it any day if they sold it outside of Disneyland or during Star Wars Nites.

Shorter Wait Times For Star Wars Rides (And More)

A major benefit of Star Wars Nites is that fewer people are in the park, which means you’ll spend much less time waiting in line for popular rides and attractions.

During the event, popular rides like Rise of the Resistance, Smuggler’s Run, Hyperspace Mountain (the updated Star Wars version of Space Mountain), and Star Tours will have shorter wait times, making it easier to ride them multiple times. You’ll also find shorter lines at other attractions, including Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Jungle Cruise, The Matterhorn, and many more.

Disneyland Gets A Full Star Wars Re-Theme At Night

What’s really amazing about this event is how Disneyland completely changes its look when Star Wars Nites start – it’s not just limited to Galaxy’s Edge. Main Street and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle get incredible light projections showing the battle between the light and dark sides, and even Space Mountain and Small World are decorated with a new Star Wars theme.

This year, Small World received a makeover with visuals inspired by the New Republic airbase, Adelphi Base, from the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. This base will also play a big role in the new Mandalorian & Grogu movie. Guests could find Din Djarin and Grogu posing for pictures near a Mythosaur skull.

The Coolest Star Wars Cosplayers

Honestly, one of the best things about Star Wars Nites for me is always the fans. It’s amazing to see everyone come dressed up – the creativity and passion are just incredible! You see lightsabers everywhere, plus robes, headpieces, amazing makeup, and all sorts of costumes. It’s just a blast. Last year, I even saw someone who’d built a replica of one of the ride vehicles from Rise of the Resistance—completely out of cardboard, with a little astromech droid piloting it! It was unbelievable.

Custom Mandalorian armor was a huge hit this year, with many cosplayers creating incredibly realistic pieces. A particularly funny sight was seeing a Mandalorian relaxing in a spinning teacup ride! It’s the dedication of Star Wars fans and talented cosplayers that truly makes events like Star Wars Nites and Season of the Force so special each year.

Disneyland is celebrating the Season of the Force until the end of May. Popular Star Wars Nites events are planned to come back in 2027, likely during late April and early May on certain nights.

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2026-05-13 01:41