6 Years Later, Disney Is Fixing One of the Biggest Flaws of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Nearly six years after the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney is preparing for a major transformation.

The land, which transported parkgoers to the remote planet Batuu, will undergo its first significant overhaul with the introduction of a new storyline for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the much-anticipated ride that has sparked both excitement and frustration since its debut.

Ongoing Issues With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

When The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, it seemed inevitable that Star Wars would eventually make its way into Disney’s theme parks. That vision became a reality in 2019 when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge officially opened its doors to the public.

Located in both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the immersive land allowed guests to finally step into a galaxy far, far away, offering them the chance to experience the Star Wars universe firsthand. Set on the planet Batuu, a place never before seen in Star Wars canon, the land offered two major attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Guests could also explore themed shops, dine on alien-inspired food (shoutout to the Ronto Wrap), and interact with characters, blurring the line between reality and the world of Star Wars.

Despite the ambitious and detailed design, Galaxy’s Edge has faced its share of criticism. For many fans, the most noticeable flaw was the lack of iconic characters and locations from the original Star Wars trilogy. While Batuu was a beautifully crafted setting, it was unfamiliar to many who had hoped for a more direct connection to the Star Wars films they grew up with.

This absence of familiar faces and places — such as Darth Vader and Princess Leia — led to accusations that the land felt disconnected from the broader Star Wars universe. Furthermore, the high price tags on custom lightsabers, droids, and themed food didn’t help, leading to complaints that the experience was catering more to high-end spenders than the average theme park guest.

Changes Heading To Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, one of the flagship attractions at Galaxy’s Edge, sparked its own set of mixed reactions.

The opportunity to pilot Han Solo’s legendary ship was undeniably exciting, drawing massive crowds to the ride. However, once aboard the Falcon, some guests found themselves disappointed.

While the ride’s interactive elements allowed for a fully immersive experience, many felt that the gameplay-heavy approach detracted from the cinematic Star Wars adventure they were expecting. Instead of simply experiencing the thrill of the Falcon’s cockpit, guests were thrust into a role-playing scenario where they had to actively participate in missions, such as piloting, shooting, or engineering.

Though some enjoyed the hands-on interaction, others found themselves frustrated by the randomized missions and the roles they were assigned, particularly the less-glamorous tasks like being an engineer, which they felt diminished the ride’s potential.

Recognizing these issues, Disney has committed to making significant updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run to address the growing concerns.

At the 2024 D23 Expo, Disney unveiled plans to add a new storyline to the ride, featuring Din Djarin, AKA The Mandalorian, and his iconic companion, Grogu, AKA Baby Yoda. This announcement was met with applause, as it signals a shift toward incorporating fan-favorite characters and stories into the Galaxy’s Edge experience, something many had long hoped for.

New Updates

During a session at SXSW, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Co-Chairman Alan Bergman confirmed that the updated version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut on May 22, 2026 — the same day The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) hits theaters.

This release will coincide with the latest season of The Mandalorian and aims to attract a new generation of Star Wars fans to the land while revitalizing the existing fan base. The addition of The Mandalorian and Grogu to the ride offers a fresh narrative perspective and creates an opportunity to tap into the immense popularity of these characters, who have become cultural icons in recent years.

In an even bigger revelation, Disney confirmed that the ride’s revamped version will also take guests to some of the most beloved locations from the original Star Wars trilogy. This change directly addresses one of the most common complaints about Galaxy’s Edge: the absence of iconic locations and characters.

Concept art showed familiar worlds such as Endor, Tatooine, and Cloud City on Bespin, signaling a much-needed shift toward a more recognizable Star Wars universe. This shift represents a long-awaited return to the roots of Star Wars, allowing guests to journey through the classic locations fans have longed to experience in a theme park setting.

While these changes are expected to bring a new level of excitement to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Galaxy’s Edge as a whole, there are still questions about how these updates will be received by both new and returning guests. Will the new storyline featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu inject the land with renewed energy, or will it struggle to live up to the high expectations set by previous Star Wars attractions? And with the inclusion of more iconic Star Wars locations, how will Batuu’s original identity fit into this larger, more familiar universe?

As Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge prepares for this significant overhaul, anticipation is building. Fans of The Mandalorian will finally be able to interact with some of their favorite characters in a new way, while those who have longed for a more traditional Star Wars experience will be able to visit some of the saga’s most iconic locations.

With these updates, Disney hopes to finally deliver the immersive, all-encompassing Star Wars experience that fans have been waiting for. And when the new version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opens in 2026, it will be fascinating to see if it lives up to the heightened expectations set by the changes — and if it can fully capture the spirit of Star Wars in a way that resonates with visitors across the galaxy.

Are you excited for the new version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?