Disney To Remove Current Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, New Launch Confirmed

Disney has dropped news that will change the Star Wars-themed land as guests know it.

Nearly seven years after opening its gates to the Outer Rim, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is preparing for its most sweeping evolution yet. Disney has confirmed that the land, once firmly rooted in the sequel trilogy era, is about to expand its narrative scope in ways that fundamentally reshape Batuu’s place in the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge remains one of the most complex and immersive expansions Disney has ever built, spanning both Disneyland Park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Instead of recreating familiar film locations, Imagineers crafted Batuu, a distant planet on the galaxy’s edge, centered around the trading hub of Black Spire Outpost.

From the moment guests cross into the land, everyday reality fades behind jagged rock formations, weathered spacecraft, and alien storefronts. The environment is designed to feel active and unpredictable, with Resistance fighters operating in the shadows and First Order forces looming overhead.

Two major attractions anchor the experience. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run places guests inside Han Solo’s legendary ship, assigning each rider a role that affects how the mission plays out. That attraction will receive a major update in late May, bringing Mando and “Baby Yoda” into the story alongside the release of Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026).

Across the outpost, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance delivers a large-scale, story-driven experience that blends multiple ride systems with live-action performance, casting guests as recruits caught between the Resistance and the First Order.

Galaxy’s Edge extends far beyond rides. Visitors can grab drinks at Oga’s Cantina, explore galactic food stalls, or take part in hands-on experiences like building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop or assembling a custom droid. The land’s strength has always been its attention to detail, ensuring Batuu feels like a living place rather than a backdrop.

That sense of immersion is about to deepen even further.

“Beginning April 29, 2026, visitors will be invited to immerse themselves in different points of the Star Wars saga inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park as they never have before,” Disney Parks Blog announced this week, “with characters and storylines that capture the heart of what draws guests to this galaxy far, far away.”

The biggest headline comes from the characters joining the land. For the first time, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia will appear in Galaxy’s Edge simultaneously. The latter trio, portrayed by Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher, helped define the franchise nearly five decades ago. Disney has outlined how guests can encounter them beginning April 29:

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 will also linger around his prized ship, tempted by the local cantina.

Importantly, these additions won’t replace existing characters. Rey, the Mandalorian, and Ahsoka will continue to appear throughout Batuu, creating a blended presence of heroes from across different eras of the saga. Notably, there is no mention of Kylo Ren appearing outside of his role in Rise of the Resistance.

This shift officially moves Galaxy’s Edge away from its original sequel-era framework, turning Black Spire Outpost into a flexible setting that can host stories from across Star Wars history. While some longtime fans may debate how this affects continuity, the change opens the door to broader storytelling and more recognizable faces for casual visitors.

Audio throughout the land will also reflect this wider scope. Guests will hear John Williams’ music drawn from the first six films, including the “Main Title,” Force Theme, and familiar cues like “Han Solo and the Princess,” “The Desert and the Robot Auction,” and “The Emperor.” Oga’s Cantina will continue featuring the classic “Cantina Band,” reinforcing the land’s connection to the era of the Galactic Civil War.

Retail and interactive experiences are being refreshed as well. First Order Cargo will give way to Black Spire Surplus, “a military salvage operation offering artifacts from across the history of the galaxy,” while Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will rotate in new rare items tied to Batuu’s earlier stories.

Droid Depot will highlight an earlier generation of the Mubo family experimenting with BB-style droids, and Savi’s Workshop will remain a central location as Luke Skywalker searches for a deeper understanding of the Force.

Nighttime entertainment, such as “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” and select performances of “Fire of the Rising Moons,” will continue. Some elements will arrive gradually, with the full transformation launching on April 29, 2026.

How do you feel about all these changes coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Let us know in the comments down below!