Disneyland has made a major change at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, and it brings the focus back to the franchise’s roots. Nearly seven years after the land opened in 2019, Darth Vader has officially arrived, marking a clear shift away from the sequel-era setting tied to Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Darth Vader debuted on April 28, 2026 during the Disneyland After Dark Star Wars Nite event. He began regular appearances on April 29. According to The LA Times, Vader now joins classic characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, all pulled from the original trilogy that built the franchise.
When Galaxy’s Edge first opened, Disney pushed newer characters such as Rey, Kylo Ren, and BB-8. The land was designed as a role-playing environment set between the sequel films. That concept is now thankfully being scaled back. The park has started to rework the setting so it aligns more closely with the original trilogy timeline. Music and atmosphere have also changed. Guests now hear classic Star Wars themes instead of custom tracks. Merchandise has shifted to more familiar branding. The goal appears to be a broader appeal, rather than locking visitors into a narrow story tied to newer films that divided fans.
This update also lines up with business reality. Galaxy’s Edge launched alongside Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, so Disney had reason to promote its newest characters at the time. Years later, the company is leaning into what has always worked best. The original trilogy remains the strongest draw, and this move reflects that. And the timing is not accidental. Star Wars will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027, with a planned re-release of the original film. Disney appears to be preparing now by refreshing the park experience without building new rides.
Newer content is still part of the mix. Characters from The Mandalorian and Grogu, set a few years after the original trilogy, are expected to appear and fit naturally into the updated setting. Ahsoka Tano, from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the Disney+ series Ahsoka, is also featured ahead of that show’s second season. Rey remains available near the Rise of the Resistance attraction, keeping the sequel era present in a smaller role.
The change signals a broader shift in strategy. Disney is no longer treating the sequel trilogy as the center of the Star Wars universe inside its parks. Instead, it is embracing the characters and stories that built the brand in the first place, a move many fans have been calling for since Galaxy’s Edge first opened.
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