More Darth Vader! Disneyland pivots to classic characters at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Your morning catch up: Disneyland’s Star Wars park to feature more original characters, another person is shot and killed by ICE during Minneapolis immigration crackdown and more big stories.
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The last time I hosted my out-of-town family at Disneyland was in 2023.
That year, two young cousins and their parents were excited to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which had opened a couple of years earlier.
My cousins grew up on Star Wars films (their parents had some familiarity) and knew who they wanted to see: Darth Vader, Yoda, Chewbacca and Luke Skywalker.
So they were surprised to notice that the two biggest rides, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, centered around what they considered to be lesser Star Wars characters.
Instead of Darth Vader, universally regarded as one of the most famous villains in film, Kylo Ren was much more visible, as was Episode One bad guy Darth Maul walking around for photos throughout the Black Spire Outpost. There was more Rey, the heroine, from recent Star Wars films and less Han Solo.
My relatives snapped their photos, rode the attractions and still enjoyed their time. But to them, the trip is one remembered as being slightly incomplete.
Apparently, someone at Disneyland agrees that more Vader is better.
The park recently confirmed a shift in philosophy, and the land will no longer “be primarily set in the time period of the recent ‘Star Wars’ sequels,” according to my colleague Todd Martens.
Martens noted the park soon will include more of Darth Vader and the other classic characters on which the franchise was built.
Let’s take a look at some of his reporting.
What the changes will look like
Modern villain Ren, played in the movies by Adam Driver, will be out, at least as a walk-around character, while so-called “classic” characters such as Vader, Solo, Luke Skywalker, Solo and Princess Leia Organa will head into the fictional galactic town of Black Spire Outpost.
The changes, for now, are specific to Disneyland and not planned for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
A different vision for the park
The adjustment also marks a significant tweak from the intent of the land, which was designed as an active, play-focused area that broke free from traditional theme park trappings — character meet-and-greets, passive rides and Mickey-shaped balloons.
Instead of music, guests heard radio broadcasts and chatter, as the goal was to make Black Spire Outpost feel rugged and lived-in.
It was to be a place of living theater, where events unfolded in real time. That tone will now shift, and while the in-land radio broadcasts won’t go away, Disneyland will soon pipe in composer John Williams’ “Star Wars” orchestrations throughout the area as well.
The changes are set to fully take effect April 29, although Disney has stated some tweaks may roll out earlier.
What is Disney saying
A reworking of the land to incorporate the franchise’s classic (and arguably more popular) characters feels in some part an acknowledgment that park visitors likely crave familiarity over ongoing narratives designed to play make-believe. Or at least it’s an acknowledgment that such a direction is easier to maintain.
“Since the very inception of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we really always imagined it as a platform for storytelling,” said Asa Kalama, a creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s arm devoted to theme park experiences, at the media briefing. “That’s part of the reason we designed this neutral Wild West space town because it allowed it to be a framework in which we could project different stories.”
Kalama pointed to next year being the 50th anniversary of the initial “Star Wars” movie, since renamed “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope,” and this May’s theatrical release “The Mandalorian & Grogu” as to why this is an opportune time to shift the direction of the land. To coincide with the release of the latter, the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction will receive a new mission May 22, meaning the land’s two rides will soon be set in different “Star Wars” time frames.
There’s much more to absorb from Martens’ article. Check out the full version here.
The week’s biggest stories
ICE shooting in Minnesota
- Man is shot and killed by ICE during Minneapolis immigration crackdown.
- Video: Federal officers shot and killed another person in Minneapolis amid immigration crackdown.
- Timberwolves-Warriors game in Minneapolis postponed after another fatal shooting.
Rams battle Seattle for trip to Super Bowl
- NFL conference championship picks: Rams should prevail over Seahawks.
- After four heartbreakers, Davante Adams wants to make his Super Bowl dream a reality.
- Rams know special teams vs. Seahawks could make or break their Super Bowl hopes.
Crime, court and policing
- Lawsuit targeting St. John Bosco High coach Jason Negro mostly misfires, judge rules.
- California’s fight with a Santa Barbara County offshore oil firm escalates with state’s lawsuit against Trump administration.
- Man shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies near Michael’s store in West Hills.
- Police run over man amid gunfight on California roadway; officer injured, suspect dead.
- Feds arrest fugitive Olympic snowboarder accused of becoming drug lord in Mexico.
Glendale firefighter arrested for killing wife
- Glendale firefighter read his wife’s diary moments before she was killed, family attorney says.
- Friends, students honor ‘Miss Mayra,’ elementary schoolteacher slain by husband, in North Hollywood.
Sundance Film Festival and entertainment news
- Photos: Chris Pine, Jenny Slate, Domhnall Gleeson, Midori Francis and more visit our 2026 Sundance studio.
- Studio chief James Gunn finally shares a look at Jason Momoa as Lobo in new ‘Supergirl’ clip.
- Artist Harry Styles has been busy living. Now there’s a new single, album and 30 tour dates in N.Y.C.
What else is going on
- Extraordinary warmth leaves mountains less snowy across the West.
- California’s favorite lovebird eagles Jackie and Shadow welcome first egg of the year.
- More than 10,000 flights canceled as major winter storm bears down on much of U.S.
- L.A. homeless services fraud suspect spent millions on designer clothing and luxury vacations, authorities charge.
- U.S. is canceling almost $30 billion in Biden-era energy loans.
- GOP rails against Newsom’s late date for special election to fill Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s seat.
Must reads
Twenty-four starving wild horses were evacuated from deep snow near Mammoth Lakes, though one died and three were euthanized. The incident has stirred up heated debate about what’s best for their herd.
Other meaty reads
- Demanding Pikachu — at gunpoint: As thieves nab precious Pokemon cards, collectors are in despair.
- These L.A. chefs and restaurants are 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists.
- Opinion: Why Minneapolis marks a line in the sand for U.S. citizens.
- Opinion: “Sinners” is the story of our moment, from a past chapter of “divide and conquer.”
For your downtime
Going out
- Sunday Funday: Director Bryan Fuller shares his ideal weekend, including breakfast at Eagle Rock’s Relentless Brewing & Spirits.
- Trying a new drink: China’s boba behemoth Mixue lands in Hollywood.
- Blast from the past: Children’s Fairyland inspired Disneyland, Bob Baker Marionettes — and tickets are $19.
- Literary classic: Joan Didion made her mark on L.A. Here are 10 places she knew and loved.
Staying in
- Healthy choice: Your green juice is missing this prized Mexican ingredient.
- Championship on the line: Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks: How to watch, start time, odds and prediction.
- Television Review: ‘The Beauty,’ on Hulu and FX, takes on beauty standards with lots of body horror.
- Television Review: ‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!’ chronicles the comedic genius of a living legend on HBO.
- 🥗 Here’s a recipe for easy sauteed greens that go with everything.
- ✏️ Get our free daily crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search and jigsaw games.
L.A. Affairs
Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage.
I appeared in my future partner’s suggested profiles on Instagram. Little did I know, I would be on an adventure filled with questions, lies and good times.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
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