Disneyland adds Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and more to Galaxy’s Edge
Category: DisneylandCategory: Travel
Disneyland has been in a bit of a quandary when it comes to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The story in the land is a different timeline than the original movies with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader, yet these are beloved characters from the franchise. So, to honor the legacy of these characters and add to the enjoyment of the land for true die-hard Star Wars fans, the legendary characters will be coming to the park beginning April 29, 2026.
Now, this is a bit of a tricky situation, considering the stories playing out in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are not from the time of Luke, Leia, Han, etc. So to keep guests immersed in the different timelines of the franchise, the new characters, aka the ones from the original films that launched the Star Wars phenomenon, will be relegated to specific locations so as not to confuse guests.
Younger guests are probably more aware of the newer characters, specifically Grogu and the Mandelorian. But older guests – you know who you are – who were brought up with the original saga and characters, might not be as well versed in the later stories. So adding the original characters to the land is a great idea for those guests.
And the music by John Williams from the original films transport guests into the legend and history of the franchise.
Disneyland is not removing the fan favorites: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Fire of the Rising Moons, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. They are simply adding the characters and flavor of the original six films.
The characters of Grogu, the Mandelorian, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and others have been greeting guests in Batuu all along. Now, in other areas of the land, guests will come across Leia, Luke, Darth Vader, and Han Solo.
Simply put, the original trilogy that has become part of Hollywood history will now be added to Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land. This means guests will be able to immerse themselves in multiple timelines, which should boost the enjoyment of fans of the original Star Wars as well as the later stories.
So, welcome Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. Disneyland is now your land too (to add to Walt’s opening day remarks). And, may the force be with you.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
Image: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort