Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Expand Timeline, Bringing Darth Vader to Disneyland

Bright suns, Batuu! In an exciting galactic development, Disneyland Park announced that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will undergo a major storyline expansion this spring. For the first time, characters from the original Star Wars trilogy – including Darth Vader himself – will roam Batuu’s streets, officially marking a break from the land’s strict timeline set during the sequel era. This timeline jump means Disneyland guests can soon encounter heroes and villains from A New Hope through Return of the Jedi amidst the Black Spire Outpost.

Concept art depicts Darth Vader, flanked by Imperial stormtroopers, patrolling Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park. Starting April 29, 2026, visitors may come face-to-mask with the Dark Lord of the Sith as the land’s era expands. Beginning April 29, 2026, Galaxy’s Edge will no longer be frozen in time between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Instead, Disneyland’s immersive Star Wars land will span multiple eras, rolling back decades to encompass the Galactic Civil War period. Batuu will transform into a crossroads of iconic Star Wars moments: on any given day, guests might see Darth Vader striding through the market, stormtroopers in classic Imperial armor on patrol, or even catch a glimpse of the Millennium Falcon’s famous pilot duo reunited.

According to the official announcement on StarWars.com, the decision to expand the land’s timeframe came from a desire to keep Galaxy’s Edge evolving with new stories and characters. “We’ve always seen Galaxy’s Edge as a platform for storytelling… a land that would continue to live and grow,” explains Asa Kalama, Walt Disney Imagineering’s creative executive for the project. That growth will bring Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo into the fold. Imagine walking past Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and spotting Han and Chewbacca making repairs on the Falcon, or seeing Leia Organa on a diplomatic mission through the marketplace. These fan-favorite characters will be sporting all-new looks crafted just for Batuu, ensuring they appear as if they’ve stepped right out of the original films into the rugged outpost.

The land itself is getting a few tweaks to accommodate the expanded story. Disney Live Entertainment and Imagineering are updating background music and atmospheric details — John Williams’ classic Star Wars themes will soon be heard swirling through the air in Black Spire Outpost, amplifying those nostalgic vibes. Even static props are getting attention: the TIE Echelon parked in the First Order area (a starfighter introduced with Kylo Ren) has long been an Imperial-era ship design, so it will finally play a role in Vader’s storyline as his transport on Batuu. Cast members (Batuuan villagers and First Order officers alike) are being retrained to incorporate the new characters into their interactive narratives with guests.

Guest Impact: For Disneyland guests, this change is monumental. It means more characters to meet – from snapping a holo-pic with Darth Vader (if you dare) to possibly trading quips with Han Solo in the queue for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The atmosphere in Galaxy’s Edge will feel fresh and even more alive, especially for longtime Star Wars fans who grew up with the original trilogy. Practical considerations: with Vader’s arrival, expect impromptu performances or even mini “showdowns” drawing crowds in the First Order courtyard. There may be new limited-time souvenirs or foods tied to the classic characters (blue milk cross-promoting with blue butter cookies of Alderaan perhaps?). Importantly, Disneyland’s approach differs from Walt Disney World’s – at least for now, this timeline expansion is exclusive to Anaheim, making it a unique draw for West Coast visitors. Whether you’re Rebel scum or Imperial loyal, come spring 2026 “the Force will be with you” in entirely new ways on Batuu.

Until next time, keep believing in magic. — Behind the Wish