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A New Chapter for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
When Disney first introduced the "Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge" section of the park at both Disneyland and Disney World in 2019, fans were undoubtedly excited. This immersive area allowed guests to step into the Star Wars universe in a completely new way, with rides, attractions, food, scenery, and characters that brought the galaxy far, far away to life.
However, for many Star Wars fans, there were some elements missing from this part of the park. But it seems like those gaps are now being addressed, at least at one location.
What is ‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’?
The "Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge" section first opened at Disneyland Park in California on May 31, 2019, followed by its debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida on August 29, 2019. This themed area was designed to fully immerse guests in the Star Wars universe.
Set in a trading post called Black Spire Outpost on a remote planet named Batuu, the area serves as a haven for smugglers, rogues, and adventurers on the edge of the Outer Rim. While "Galaxy’s Edge" has a distinct Star Wars feel, Batuu itself had never appeared in any Star Wars media before it was brought to life in the Disney parks. The concept was to give guests a new, uncharted location in the Star Wars galaxy where they could create a fresh, immersive story rather than just visiting familiar places.
Until now, "Galaxy’s Edge" has been set during the sequel trilogy of Star Wars, with only a few exceptions in the form of limited-time character appearances. However, this is about to change—specifically at one Disney park.
All Eras of ‘Star Wars’
On Wednesday, Disney officially announced that "Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge" at Disneyland in California will soon "expand" to include all eras of Star Wars, not just the sequel trilogy.
“New storylines will be brought to life on Batuu, spanning multiple eras of the planet’s rich history. These updates will enable you to experience the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and First Order,” Disney stated in a press release.
The change will not officially go into effect on April 29, 2026, but guests can expect to see some visual changes before then as Disney prepares for the transformation.
It’s important to note that this change will be limited to Disneyland in California. The "Galaxy’s Edge" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, will remain unchanged.
What’s Changing?
While "Galaxy’s Edge" will maintain the same overall feel, aesthetic, locations, and landmarks, there will be several changes to the design and experience.
New Characters:
One of the most significant changes will be the introduction of new characters from all eras of Star Wars. This includes iconic figures such as Darth Vader, Han Solo, and Princess Leia.
New Music:
Guests will now hear themes from John Williams’ iconic score, drawn from the first six films, throughout the park. This includes the "Cantina Theme," which will now play at Oga’s for the first time, and the “Main Title” and Force Theme, which will greet guests as they enter.
Store Changes:
To ensure continuity, some of the stores will be slightly modified to better fit with the original trilogy.
Asa Kalama, vice president executive for creative and interactive experiences at Walt Disney Imagineering, hopes that these changes will make the land feel more immersive than ever.
“We’ve spent a lot of time agonizing over every last detail,” he said.