Galaxy’s Edge was never missing Star Wars; it was missing your Star Wars.
Galaxy’s Edge has been one of the most impressive themed lands Disney has ever built. The scale is unreal, the details are obsessive, and the immersion is unmatched. Yet, for a lot of fans, something always felt off.
You could stand next to the Millennium Falcon, hear engines roar, and walk through a living Star Wars outpost, but you could not see Darth Vader. You could not bump into Han Solo. Luke Skywalker existed only as a memory. Galaxy’s Edge was locked to a particular moment in the Star Wars timeline, and if that was not your era, the magic did not always fully click.
That is about to change.
Disneyland has officially confirmed that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will expand its timeline to include the Original Trilogy era, opening the door for classic characters, familiar music, and a version of Star Wars that many fans grew up with.
What is actually changing at Galaxy’s Edge
When Galaxy’s Edge first opened, it was firmly set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Everything from character appearances to background storytelling was designed to live inside that narrow slice of canon.
The new update breaks that rule.
Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland in California now operates across multiple eras, including the Original Trilogy. Guests can encounter iconic characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca within Black Spire Outpost.
This does not mean the land is being redesigned from scratch. Batuu is still Batuu. The difference is that its story is no longer frozen in time.
Why this matters more than it sounds
This change is not just about character meet and greets.
Galaxy’s Edge has always been an incredible place to walk through, but it could feel emotionally distant if you did not connect with the sequel era. For many fans, Star Wars is the Original Trilogy. That is the music, the characters, and the tone that made them fall in love with the galaxy in the first place.
By expanding the timeline, Disney is finally letting Galaxy’s Edge meet fans where they are, instead of asking fans to meet the land where it wants to be.
What guests will notice right away
One of the most immediate changes is sound.
Classic John Williams themes from the Original Trilogy will now be part of the land’s background music. That alone changes the emotional temperature of the place. Hearing familiar motifs while standing under Batuu’s spires hits differently than newer tracks.
Character interactions will also feel more dynamic. Instead of a single ongoing conflict, the land now represents a broader galactic history. This allows for more flexible storytelling and more spontaneous moments that do not feel constrained by strict canon rules.
Smugglers Run is getting a boost, too
Alongside the timeline expansion, Millennium Falcon : Smugglers Run is receiving updates that lean into this broader approach. New crew interactions and enhancements inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu are being added, helping the ride feel less static for repeat visitors.
The Falcon finally feels like a ship with a long, complicated past, not just a set piece from one moment in time.
The key details at a glance
| Feature | What’s changing |
| Timeline | Expands to include Original Trilogy |
| Characters | Vader, Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca |
| Music | Classic Original Trilogy themes |
| Attractions | Smugglers Run enhancements |
| Location | Disneyland only |
An important Disneyland only distinction
Right now, this timeline expansion applies only to Disneyland in California. Walt Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge in Florida is not receiving the same update, at least for now.
Disney has been very clear about this distinction, and it is likely tied to crowd flow, park structure, and long-term planning differences between the two resorts.
For fans, that means Disneyland just became the definitive Galaxy’s Edge experience.
Why Disney is doing this now
This move feels like Disney listening.
Galaxy’s Edge was groundbreaking, but feedback over the years consistently pointed to one issue. It felt restrictive. Guests wanted freedom, familiarity, and a stronger emotional connection.
Breaking the timeline rules allows Imagineering to evolve the land without tearing it apart. It keeps the immersive design intact while opening the door to more stories, more characters, and more reasons to come back.
What this means for Star Wars fans
Galaxy’s Edge is no longer just a snapshot of one era. It is becoming a celebration of the saga as a whole.
For longtime fans, this update turns a visually stunning land into something that finally feels like home. For new fans, it adds depth and variety that keeps the experience fresh.
Galaxy’s Edge is still Batuu. It is just Batuu with history now.