Nearly six years after its grand debut, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to undergo its most significant transformation since opening at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Backlash Against Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
When The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, it seemed inevitable that Star Wars would eventually find its way into Disney’s theme parks. In 2019, that vision became a reality with the launch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Set on Batuu, a location that had never before appeared in Star Wars canon, the land offered an entirely new adventure for parkgoers. With two major attractions — Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — along with themed dining, shopping, and interactive experiences, Galaxy’s Edge promised to immerse visitors in the Star Wars universe in unprecedented ways.
The land’s design blurred the line between fantasy and reality, placing visitors directly in the world of Star Wars. From the moment they stepped foot in Batuu, guests could engage with story-driven characters, explore hidden details, and participate in immersive adventures that brought the magic of Star Wars to life. However, despite its ambitious execution, the land did not escape criticism.
A Lack of Classic ‘Star Wars’ Locations
One of the most common complaints was the absence of iconic characters and locations from the original Star Wars trilogy. Batuu, while well-crafted, was a new location in the Star Wars universe, which left some visitors feeling disconnected from the broader Star Wars mythology. Fans were disappointed by the lack of familiar figures like Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker, who have become synonymous with the franchise.
In addition, the land’s high prices for custom lightsabers, droids, and themed food further fueled discontent, with some parkgoers feeling that the experience was tailored more for deep-pocketed visitors than the average park attendee.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, one of Galaxy’s Edge’s most anticipated rides, also received mixed feedback. The chance to pilot Han Solo’s iconic ship created immense excitement, drawing massive crowds to the ride. Yet, the experience fell short for some guests, who criticized the ride’s heavy reliance on interactive gameplay.
Rather than simply enjoying the thrill of piloting the Falcon, riders were thrust into a role-playing scenario with crew roles — pilot, gunner, and engineer — that some found frustrating. Randomized missions and assigned roles, such as being the engineer, diminished the sense of cinematic immersion that many visitors had hoped for. Instead of feeling like a Star Wars adventure, the ride felt more like a video game, which left a segment of guests dissatisfied.
Updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Disney, clearly attentive to this feedback, is preparing to revamp Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. At the 2024 D23 Expo, Disney revealed that a new storyline will be added to the attraction, featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu — a major shift that could prove transformative for the experience.
Details about the refresh have continued to unfold, with a session at SXSW confirming that the updated ride will debut on May 22, 2026, simultaneously with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) in theaters. The new version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will mark the first major refresh of Galaxy’s Edge since it opened, offering fans of the Star Wars series an exciting reason to return. The inclusion of The Mandalorian and Grogu, beloved characters who have captured the cultural zeitgeist, is expected to bring fresh energy to the land.
In an even more significant development, Disney revealed that the revamped Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will finally allow guests to visit some of the most iconic locations from the original Star Wars trilogy. This is a direct response to a frequent criticism of Galaxy’s Edge — its lack of familiar settings from the classic films.
Concept art has teased some of the most beloved destinations from the Star Wars universe, including Endor, Tatooine, and Cloud City on Bespin. These new locations signal a major shift in Galaxy’s Edge’s storytelling, returning to the roots of the Star Wars saga and offering guests a more recognizable and nostalgic experience.
For fans, this update represents a long-awaited return to the heart of Star Wars and a shift toward more familiar territory. While Batuu will remain at the core of the land’s design, the introduction of iconic Star Wars locations and characters is expected to enhance the overall experience. The Mandalorian storyline, which has become a cultural phenomenon, adds another layer of excitement, making the ride a must-see for both new and long-time Star Wars fans.
The changes to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the broader Galaxy’s Edge experience have sparked excitement among fans eager to see how the land evolves. Disney’s decision to incorporate fan-favorite characters and settings while still maintaining Batuu’s identity reflects an attempt to balance nostalgia with originality.
The result could be a reinvigorated Star Wars experience, one that satisfies the desires of Star Wars purists while introducing fresh storylines for a new generation of fans.
There are very few ‘mixed messages’ from Star Wars fans, new worlds and characters always welcome as long as they are in the tradition of George’s world. Yes, Skywalkers are a central theme however they are so because of the storytelling of a great western movie series set in space, with traditional good vs evil and characters the audience cares about. How hard is this to understand – not very. It must break George’s heart to see what Ms Kennedy and her woke gang did to his universe. Let’s kill off Luke and Leia and Han – the heroes of the central story, not only that let’s make them inept and dysfunctional as we do so. Let’s have a non jedi beat the crap out of Obi-Wan for an agenda, not a story. The Mandalorian was a success because it told a story someone cared about- in a world juxtaposed to right after New Hope. As a lifelong ( 70 years) Disney fan it’s sad to see what they did to this illustrious franchise. Thankfully Uni got Harry Potter otherwise Kennedy would have killed off Harry and Ron and Hermoine – from fictional lore also.