Darth Vader is coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, and he isn’t the only new character and change coming to the land. Disney has announced that the timeline for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be expanded at Disneyland. With this, there will be more characters, classic Star Wars music, and other changes coming to the land. The changes will take effect at Galaxy’s Edge starting on April 29, 2026.

Expanded Timeline

Starting on April 29, 2026, guests visiting a galaxy far, far away at Disneyland will be able to experience the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, along with the Age of the Resistance and First Order.

The change will see Black Spire Outpost expanding its timeline by several decades. Disney is working on bringing new characters from across the Star Wars timeline. New props and graphics will also be available in certain areas. On top of that, guests will hear the iconic music from Star Wars film scores heard throughout the land. Expect other changes asthis expansion takes place. Disney shares that each era will come to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with. This will lead to the stories be masterfully woven together across time and space in one location.

Star Wars Characters

There will be even more Star Wars characters to be found throughout the land when this change takes place. They will come from all of the different eras and be found in different places in the land. This will help with the story continuity for each character. After all, as much as Kylo Ren wanted to meet his grandfather, Darth Vader, it didn’t ever happen. Previously, the land was also considered an extension of canon, so these things have to be thought through carefully. Disney shared the following about the characters coming to Batuu:

Darth Vader’s search for Luke Skywalker will bring him to Batuu. This Sith Lord will be joined by Imperial Stormtroopers, and as they seek the elusive Jedi, they may find hints of the Force around the outpost.

Leia Organa and Han Solo will be reunited with Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca amid the rocky spires.

• Luke Skywalker will roam the outpost seeking knowledge of the Force and artifacts related to lightsaber building, kyber crystals, and more.
• Leia Organa may be spotted near the Millennium Falcon, where she’ll recruit travelers and locals to help keep Luke safe.
• Han Solo also will linger around his prized ship, tempted by the local cantina.

These characters will be joining the characters that can currently be found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Here is where they will be found, according to Disney:

Encounter Ahsoka Tano and The Mandalorian and Grogu near the marketplace.

The beloved starship mechanic and fighter pilot’s assistant, R2-D2, will also continue to roll through the land.

The forested area on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost will continue to represent a time inspired by the Age of the Resistance. You may find Rey around this Resistance camp, and if you’re bold enough, become a hero yourself in a climactic battle with the First Order aboard Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

For those who are seeking out Kylo Ren, visit the Disney Visa character experience in Tomorrowland.

John Williams Music Coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

The iconic Star Wars music of legendary maestro John Williams will also be heard when guests visit the land. Guests who visit Batuu will find themselves immersed even morein the Star Wars galaxy as they hear themes from the first six Star Wars films that John Williams composed.

As guests pass through the tunnels of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they will hear themes like the Main Title and the Force Theme drawing them into a galaxy far, far away. Throughout the land, there will be other motifs heard that include classic tracks like Han Solo and the Princess, The Desert and the Robot Auction, The Emperor, and more.

When visiting Oga’s Cantina, the Cantina Band will be heard. This comes as the establishmentis foundin theera of the Galactic Civil War. Proprietor Oga Garra has only recently opened this watering hole that is already becominga popular spot for intergalactic travelers.

Shop and Local Establishment Enhancements

With the expansion of the timeline and the new storylines that come with that, there will also be some updates coming to the buildings and shops found on Batuu. The ones that have been announced by Disney so far include the following:

• The First Order Cargo will be transformed into Black Spire Surplus. This is a military salvage operation that offers artifacts from across the history of the galaxy. Shoppers will find both Imperial and Rebel items from the Galactic Civil War.
• Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will be displaying a different array of one-of-a-kind items from its past. As is often the case with antiquities shops, the curiosities and artifacts change with the times.
• The Droid Depot will now be operated by an earlier generation of the Mubo family. They will be prototyping the BB style of droid. There will also still be the opportunity to purchase and create a companion droid at this shop.
• Luke Skywalker is continuing his search for information on lightsabers and the Force and will be interested in meeting with Savi. Guests will still have the opportunity to purchase and build a lightsaber under the guidance of Savi’s Gatherers.

Star Wars Attractions, Entertainment, and Food

While a lot of things will be changing at the end of April at Black Spire Outpost, many favorite things will remain. Guests will still be able to fly on the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or enjoy some of their favorite food and beverages from across the galaxy, including blue milk and ronto wraps.

In the evenings, the land will come to life with Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga, and on select nights, Fire of the Rising Moons will give a galactic view of Disneyland’s fireworks that is accompanied by special effects and Star Wars music.

In the coming months leading up to the official change on April 29, 2026, guests may discover changes happening in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as it moves towards this new expanded timeline. These are not the first changes that have come to the land since it opened. New characters have been added, new menu items offered, and soon Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be giving guests new missions that they get to experience with Djin Djarin and Grogu!

What do you think of these changes coming to Galaxy’s Edge? Are you excited to experience them? What are you most excited about? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!