Star Tours debuted at Disneyland in 1987 as the first attraction based on a non-Disney franchise. Twenty-five years later, Star Wars did become part of Disney’s portfolio, leading to the immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened at the Anaheim, California, theme park in 2019, and the annual Star Wars-themed Season of the Force, which has been held at Disneyland since 2015.
Expanding on “Star Wars Day,” celebrated on May 4 (as in, “May the 4th be with you”), the springtime Season of the Force — this year, celebrated from March 28 through May 11 — includes themed food and beverages, special merchandise and Hyperspace Mountain. The limited-time overlay of Disneyland’s Space Mountain indoor coaster puts riders in the middle of an epic dogfight between Imperial TIE Fighters and Rebel X-Wings (vehicles from the Star Wars universe), all accompanied by John Williams’ iconic score.
Of course, clients can also ride Star Tours (reimagined in 2011 as Star Tours - The Adventures Continue), Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance around Disneyland.
Limited-time Season of the Force menu items inspired by stories from the Star Wars franchise include new culinary creations such as the fried “Falumpaset” cheese skewer and non-alcoholic “Keshian” spiced milk tea at Ronto Rosters in Galaxy’s Edge. Returning favorites include the fried chicken baos at Docking Bay 7 in Galaxy’s Edge, Pi-Co punch at Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland and the Wookiee cookie at the Grand Californian Great Hall Cart.
On the opening day of Season of the Force, Luke Skywalker was surrounded by fans who were thrilled to meet the legendary Jedi Knight.
Credit: 2025 Samantha Davis-FriedmanNew Character Appearances
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This year during Season of the Force, Luke Skywalker is meeting Disneyland guests for the first time, a welcome exception to the extremely specific timeline usually set for Galaxy’s Edge, which is limited to the period between the “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” films.
Although characters from new Disney+ shows have appeared in Galaxy’s Edge, including The Mandalorian, Grogu (or baby Yoda), Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand, many Star Wars fans believe Galaxy’s Edge should follow the format set by Avengers Campus, where superheroes and villains from all timelines appear together — and specifically, they wanted to see Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and Darth Vader. On the opening day of Season of the Force, they got their wish — and as Luke Skywalker walked through Galaxy's Edge, he was surrounded by fans who were thrilled to meet the legendary Jedi Knight.
“Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” presents the legendary story of the Skywalkers on the land’s landmark Black Spires.
Credit: 2025 Samantha Davis-FriedmanNighttime Shows
“Fire of the Rising Moons,” featuring John Williams’ music, was introduced in Galaxy's Edge for Season of the Force in 2024 to accompany Disneyland’s fireworks, and was continued throughout the year. On March 28, 2025, an all-new projection show called “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” debuted in Galaxy’s Edge, presenting “the legendary story of the Skywalkers” on the land's landmark black spires behind the Millennium Falcon (the new show will also continue beyond the seasonal event).
“It’s a very emotional story, something we all know very well … so, we hope seeing it presented this way is something new,” said Michael Serna, executive creative director for Disney Live Entertainment. “It reignites nostalgia, but also new emotions and feelings — and we’ve hidden a lot of surprises in our show that I think people are going to be excited to see.”
The two shows can be seen back-to-back from the Black Spire Spaceport (where the Millennium Falcon is docked); “Fire of the Rising Moons” can also be viewed from the TIE Echelon docking platform and the speeder garage.
Clients who visit the Disneyland Resort during Season of the Force can also attend Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite.
Credit: 20255 Disneyland ResortDisneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite
Clients who visit the Disneyland Resort during Season of the Force can also attend Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite on April 8, 10, 22, 24 and 29 and May 1 and 6 (tickets are sold out for May 4).
During the event, clients can not only take advantage of shorter wait times for Star Wars-inspired attractions, but they can also pose for unique photo ops; join a galactic dance party on Main Street, USA; attend a demonstration of lightsaber skills from an elite instructor; join the Fans of the Force Costume Cavalcade; and witness a sea of illuminated lightsabers for “A Gathering of the Resistance with Rey” in Galaxy’s Edge.
The separately ticketed after-hours events take place in Disneyland Park from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; however, ticketholders can enter as early as 3 p.m. No theme park ticket or reservation is required unless clients plan to visit Disneyland Park earlier than 3 p.m. or plan to visit California Adventure Park on that day.
