Disneyland Introduces Major Updates to Latest Theme Park This Month

Disney is shifting the story rules for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park. The land will start including characters and elements from the original Star Wars trilogy on April 29, 2026.

Timeline expansion and new character lineup

When Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, it reflected the sequel trilogy era. Imagineers originally kept characters and décor tied to that specific timeframe.

That policy ends at Disneyland on April 29, 2026. Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo will appear permanently in the land. Their looks will draw from the original films released between 1977 and 1983.

How characters will appear

These iconic figures will move through the land and interact with guests. They will not form static meet-and-greet lines.

Existing Galaxy’s Edge characters will remain. That roster includes Rey, Chewbacca, R2-D2, The Mandalorian, Grogu, Ahsoka, and various Stormtroopers.

Who is leaving or relocating

Kylo Ren will no longer be based inside Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. He will instead appear at Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland.

Vi Moradi, a character created for Batuu, will stop appearing in Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland from April 29. Darth Vader will no longer meet guests in Launch Bay.

John Williams music added to the land

Disney will start playing John Williams’ Star Wars themes throughout Galaxy’s Edge on April 29, 2026. Previously, the land relied mainly on ambient planet sounds.

Music will still accompany the two major attractions and nighttime shows. The new ambient soundtrack aims to weave the franchise score into the guest experience.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run revised

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will receive a new story on May 22, 2026. The update introduces Din Djarin and Grogu into the mission narrative.

Hondo Ohnaka remains part of the plot. Guests will join Mando and Grogu to intercept ex-Imperial officers and pirates dealing on Tatooine.

Ride choices and tech upgrades

After departing Batuu and visiting Tatooine, riders will pick a destination. Options include Bespin, Endor with Death Star wreckage, or Coruscant.

Engineer riders will get to communicate with Grogu. Imagineering will also upgrade the ride’s real-time rendering for sharper visuals.

The Smugglers Run refresh opens the same day as the new theatrical release featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. Disney has not announced a formal downtime for the change.

Visual storytelling and land details

Props, signage, and storefronts near Black Spire Outpost will shift to match the original trilogy era. For example, a shop formerly tied to the First Order will be rebranded.

Those adjustments aim to provide contextual clues that support whichever era a character represents. Most of these visual changes will be in place by April 29, 2026.

Event timing and previews

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite returns on April 28, April 30, May 4, and May 6, 2026. The April 28 event occurs the night before the official timeline expansion.

Guests at the April 28 party could see early appearances or music previews. Disney has not publicly confirmed any soft-launch during the after-hours events.

Differences at Walt Disney World

The Hollywood Studios version of Galaxy’s Edge in Florida will remain largely within the sequel trilogy. It will still receive the Smugglers Run update on May 22, 2026.

Kylo Ren and Vi Moradi will continue in Florida. Darth Vader will keep meeting guests outside Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Why this matters

The broader timeline gives more eras of Star Wars presence in one land. The changes broaden appeal for fans of different movie eras.

Filmogaz.com will follow these updates and provide planning details for visitors. Disneyland Introduces Major Updates to Latest Theme Park This Month reflects a significant creative shift at Batuu.

• Galaxy’s Edge original opening: 2019.
• Timeline expansion launch at Disneyland: April 29, 2026.
• Smugglers Run new storyline launch: May 22, 2026.
• Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite dates: April 28, April 30, May 4, May 6, 2026.