Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is undergoing some major changes beginning in April 2026, including an expanded timeline and the addition of a John Williams soundtrack.

Big changes are on the horizon for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, and they’re some of the most significant updates the land has seen since it opened. From a newly clarified timeline within the Star Wars universe to iconic music finally making its way into Batuu, these updates signal a shift toward a more familiar, film-forward experience for fans.

Here’s what’s changing, and what it could mean for the future of Galaxy’s Edge on both coasts.

New Timeline Arriving at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

When Galaxy’s Edge first debuted, it was firmly set in a very specific moment in Star Wars history: between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. That tight placement meant characters, story elements, and even background details were locked into the sequel trilogy era. Now, Disneyland is loosening those narrative constraints.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Disney has announced that Galaxy’s Edge will move away from a single fixed point in the Star Wars timeline, allowing the land to exist more fluidly across different eras of the saga. This opens the door for broader storytelling possibilities, whether that means subtle environmental changes, new character appearances, or experiences that feel less bound to one chapter of the franchise.

For longtime fans, this is a notable shift. It suggests that Batuu can evolve alongside the Star Wars universe, rather than remaining frozen in a moment that’s now several films behind us. The timeline expansion for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland officially begins April 29, 2026.

Where to Find Expanded Characters

Beginning April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland will welcome an expanded roster of legendary characters spanning multiple Star Wars eras, bringing the Galactic Civil War, New Republic, and Age of the Resistance together on Batuu.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Cue The Imperial March: Darth Vader will arrive on Batuu as part of his search for Luke Skywalker, joined by Imperial Stormtroopers patrolling Black Spire Outpost. As the Empire closes in, guests may notice subtle signs of the Force woven into the land.

Meanwhile, heroes of the Rebellion reunite among the rocky spires. Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Chewbacca will all appear throughout the outpost:

• Luke Skywalker will roam Batuu in search of knowledge tied to the Force, lightsaber lore, and kyber crystals.
• Leia Organa may be spotted near the Millennium Falcon, recruiting travelers to help protect Luke from Imperial forces.
• Han Solo will linger near his prized ship, occasionally tempted by a visit to the local cantina.

These characters join familiar faces already found in Galaxy’s Edge. Guests can continue to encounter Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and the ever-rolling R2-D2 near the marketplace and throughout the land.

Photo by David Bellamy

The forested Resistance Camp area will remain inspired by the Age of the Resistance, where Rey continues her fight against the First Order, culminating in the immersive battle aboard Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Enhancements to Local Establishments and Shops

As Batuu’s story expands across multiple eras, guests will notice thoughtful updates to shops and locations throughout Galaxy’s Edge—designed to reflect the passage of time while preserving the land’s immersive detail.

Photo by Dom Tabon

• First Order Cargo will transform into Black Spire Surplus, a military salvage operation featuring artifacts from across galactic history, including Imperial and Rebel items from the Galactic Civil War.
• Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will showcase a rotating collection of rare artifacts, with its inventory shifting to reflect different moments in the galaxy’s past.
• An earlier generation of the Mubo family will operate Droid Depot, where guests will see the early development of BB-style droids—while still being able to build and purchase their own custom droid companion.
• At Savi’s Workshop, Luke Skywalker’s search for knowledge of the Force may lead him to cross paths with Savi. Guests will continue to have the opportunity to build their own lightsabers under the guidance of Savi’s Gatherers.

These changes allow retail spaces to evolve narratively while keeping guest-favorite experiences fully intact.

Attractions, Entertainment, and Food

Even as Batuu’s timeline expands, guests will still be able to enjoy the signature attractions, entertainment, and food offerings that define Galaxy’s Edge.

Photo by Danny Shuster

You’ll continue to:

• Pilot the Millennium Falcon on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, with Hondo Ohnaka leading the mission
• Take part in the climactic Resistance battle aboard Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Sample iconic flavors like blue milk and ronto wraps

At night, Batuu’s spires will serve as a dramatic canvas for special entertainment. Guests can watch “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga,” a projection show celebrating the legendary Skywalker story. On select evenings, “Fire of the Rising Moons” offers a unique view of Disneyland fireworks, accompanied by Star Wars music and storytelling from across the galaxy.

While some enhancements may appear gradually in the months leading up to April 29, 2026, these updates collectively mark a major evolution for Galaxy’s Edge, one that honors its original design while celebrating more of the Star Wars stories fans know and love.

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

One of the most transformative enhancements coming to Galaxy’s Edge is the addition of music from legendary composer John Williams.

Photo by Danny Shuster

As guests explore Batuu’s towering petrified spires and winding passageways, beloved musical themes from the first six Star Wars films will now play throughout the land. Passing through the tunnels into Galaxy’s Edge, guests will hear the iconic “Main Title” and the Force Theme, immediately pulling them into a galaxy far, far away.

Photo by Cliff Wang

Additional musical motifs woven into the soundscape include selections from:

• Han Solo and the Princess
• The Desert and the Robot Auction
• The Emperor

And inside Oga’s Cantina, the lively and familiar “Cantina Band” will play, fitting perfectly with the era of the Galactic Civil War, when proprietor Oga Garra has only recently opened her now-popular watering hole for intergalactic travelers

Hyperspace Mountain and Additions to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

As of April 28, 2026, Hyperspace Mountain has also returned to Tomorrowland in Disneyland park for a limited time. Plus, beginning May 22, a new mission debuts at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in celebration of the release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The new mission could lead to potential new adventures on Bespin, Coruscant, or the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor.

Will Changes Be Coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World?

Naturally, the big question is whether these updates will extend to Walt Disney World.

At this time, Disney has only confirmed these changes for Disneyland’s version of Galaxy’s Edge. However, history suggests that major creative shifts, especially ones tied to storytelling and music, often make their way east eventually.

That said, Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge has its own operational rhythms and guest demographics, and Disney sometimes treats the two lands as similar but not identical experiences. It’s possible we’ll see these updates roll out in phases, or with slight variations, rather than as a one-to-one copy.

For now, Walt Disney World guests will need to wait and see.