Batuu changed overnight. When Disneyland Park opened its gates on Wednesday, April 29, half of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge had traveled back in time. Now the characters, music, shops, and dialogue that greeted Southern California Disney Park guests reflected a galaxy far, far away that fans of the original trilogy know by heart.
Characters From a Different Era
The most immediate sign of the timeline shift was who showed up for work. With half of Batuu now set during the Galactic Civil War era of the original trilogy, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader made their first regular daytime appearances in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge on Wednesday.
X (formerly Twitter) user @LaughingPlace captured Princess Leia's first trip through the land outside of special events:
Our first time seeing Leia in the daylight. #GalaxysEdge #Disneyland
Our first time seeing Leia in the daylight. #GalaxysEdge #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/XP84MQavbF
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) April 29, 2026
The outlet also caught Darth Vader's debut in the land:
Darth Vader makes his first daytime appearance in #GalaxysEdge. #Disneyland
Darth Vader makes his first daytime appearance in #GalaxysEdge. #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/XzhdZnIoxg
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) April 29, 2026
Imperial stormtroopers were also patrolling Batuu with updated dialogue:
Imperial stormtroopers patrolling Batuu without Vader so far this morning. They’ve got all-new dialogue! #GalaxysEdge #Disneyland
Imperial stormtroopers patrolling Batuu without Vader so far this morning. They’ve got all-new dialogue! #GalaxysEdge #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/iFpx3321zc
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) April 29, 2026
Fans of the sequel era have nothing to worry about. Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, Grogu, and Rey are all staying, continuing to appear in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge alongside characters who span both timelines, like Chewbacca and R2-D2.
The Sounds of the Original Trilogy
Beyond the characters, the background music throughout Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge received a significant overhaul, incorporating pieces from John Williams' iconic original trilogy scores. “Main Title” now plays at the land's entrances, “Cantina Band” sets the mood near Oga's Cantina, and tracks like “Han Solo and the Princess” weave through Batuu throughout the day.
@ScottGustin captured the new music on video on Wednesday:
The Galaxy’s Edge timeline expansion debuts today at Disneyland, along with the iconic music of John Williams. Sound up. 🔊
The Galaxy’s Edge timeline expansion debuts today at Disneyland, along with the iconic music of John Williams. Sound up. 🔊pic.twitter.com/09MLUi60iG https://t.co/6gLA50pg7Q
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 29, 2026
Shops Rewritten in Time
Several retail locations throughout the land were updated to reflect the era shift. First Order Cargo became Black Spire Surplus, described by Disney Parks Blog as “a military salvage operation offering artifacts from across the history of the galaxy, including Imperial and Rebel items from the Galactic Civil War.”
On opening day, some First Order merchandise was still on shelves during what Disneyland Resort called a transitional period. A Disney representative confirmed to @LaughingPlace that the changeover is ongoing:
A Disney representative has reached out to let us know that Batuu is still transitioning, and this First Order / Kylo Ren merch won’t be here forever.
A Disney representative has reached out to let us know that Batuu is still transitioning, and this First Order / Kylo Ren merch won’t be here forever.
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) April 29, 2026
Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities is also being updated with older curiosities and artifacts suited to an earlier point in the Star Wars timeline, and Droid Depot has been handed over to an earlier generation of the Mubo family.
What's Still to Come
The timeline expansion is just the beginning of a busy stretch for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park. Limited-time food, beverages, and merchandise for May the Fourth are on the way, and on May 22, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut a new mission storyline tied to The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), releasing in theaters the same day.
Did you visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Park on Wednesday? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
