Season of the Force has become an annual tradition at Disneyland Resort and it continues on into 2025. This year promises a few new additions as well as a few of the old classics. Running from March 28th to May 11th, the event brings more Star Wars characters and entertainment to Disneyland. This year, that includes Luke Skywalker in Galaxy’s Edge for the first time ever! In this post, we’ll share the Season of the Force details before adding in a little bit of our own commentary.

Season of the Force New and Returning Experiences

In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new nightly projection show “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga” will debut on March 28, taking guests on a storytelling adventure across the galaxy.

Stunning projection effects transform the spires of Batuu near the Millennium Falcon evoking memories of some of the greatest moments in galactic history as an iconic musical score, comprised of familiar themes heard throughout the films of the Skywalker saga, draws the audience into the legendary story of the Skywalkers.

Joining other familiar encounters in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, for the first time, a shadowy visitor will appear on Batuu for a limited time. Wearing what seem to be Jedi robes, there are rumors it might be the legendary Luke Skywalker!

Continuing in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on select nights, “Fire of the Rising Moons” is a nighttime experience that showcases a different view of the stunning Disneyland park fireworks display, with musical accompaniment. 

During this special gathering, villagers and visitors come together to celebrate their freedom and to honor the heroes and legends of the galaxy who came before them. As the skies over Batuu light up in bursts of color, imaginations are ignited with the iconic music associated with tales from across the galaxy.

Including selections from composer John Williams’ Star Wars film scores, “Fire of the Rising Moons” can be experienced from multiple areas in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including the Black Spire Spaceport, the TIE Echelon docking platform and the speeder garage. MagicBand+ also adds to the ceremony’s atmosphere with colorful lights and ambient vibrations.

Season of the Force Ride Overlays and Epic Adventures

Space Mountain will transform into a high-speed Star Wars adventure when Hyperspace Mountain returns to Tomorrowland for a limited time through May 11. Fend off crossfire from swarms of Rebel X-wing starfighters and Imperial TIE fighters amidst an intergalactic onslaught!

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue in Tomorrowland features characters and locations from some of your favorite Disney+ series — “Ahsoka,” “Andor,” and “The Mandalorian.” You can experience one of more than 250 storyline variations aboard the attraction, including a visit to the planet Seatos from the Ahsoka series. Urgent transmissions from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, Din Djarin and Grogu may also be part of your next Starspeeder flight.

All year long and during Season of the Force, you are invited to live out your own Star Wars story in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission, join the Resistance in a climactic battle against the First Order at Stars Wars: Rise of the Resistance, encounter familiar faces and explore a remote outpost where adventure awaits.

Star Wars Merchandise at Season of the Force

In preparation for your adventure, consider gearing up with all-new gear and everyday favorites available at various locations throughout Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and the Downtown Disney District for a limited time!

• For the first time ever, Disneyland park will offer Star Wars plush for Create Your Own Headbands, including Yoda, R2-D2, an Ewok, Darth Vader and a stormtrooper. Available at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, World of Disney, The Mad Hatter and The Star Trader (New) 
• Gear up with a new retro collection created in collaboration with Her Universe by Ashley Eckstein. Available at The Star Trader in Tomorrowland with one-week exclusivity, then also at Star Wars Trading Post (New) 
• The Boba Fett Sports Jersey. Available at The Star Trader, Star Wars Trading Post, and World of Disney
• The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Resistance Duos Collection will be available at Resistance Supply in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Item featured in image: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Resistance Duos Adult Tee

Among the new merchandise releases will be a Hyperspace Mountain t-shirt available only at Disneyland park for a limited time. Locations include The Star Trader and Spaceport in Tomorrowland and Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers will debut a brand-new storyline called “Reclaimed and Reforged” for a limited time beginning May 4. Guests will be able to build their own Lightsabers from scraps that have been scavenged by different pirates throughout the galaxy and made their way to Batuu. Purchase is required and advanced reservations are highly encouraged for this experience.

Droid Depot is stocked with parts, chips and more to assemble your own droid, including a BB-series, C-series or R-series unit, giving you the tools to build your own droid. Purchase is required. Incoming transmission: Droid Depot will welcome walkups from around the galaxy anytime, no reservations required.

More than 50 new merchandise items will debut during Season of the Force! Stay tuned for more details.

Food, Drink and Novelty Vessels

Be sure to fuel up as you traverse the galaxy! Delicious eats will be offered throughout the Disneyland Resort. Clockwise from the top:

• Pi-Co Punch: Pineapple juice, coconut milk and lime juice, garnished with pineapple chunks and lotus root (Non-alcoholic​). Available at Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland (New) 
• Wookiee Cookie: Available at Grand Californian Great Hall Cart through May 6
• Toydaria Swirl: Green milk with chile-lime seasoning and mango jellies (Non-alcoholic​). Available at the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Fried Chicken Baos: Two crispy chicken baos, sweet chili sauce, scallion salad, and cucumber coins. Available at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

• Droid Parts Premium Vessel: Includes butter popcorn with Crait Red Salt. Now available at Kat Saka’s Kettle in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge while supplies last. Limit 10 per person, per transaction

• Darth Vader Premium Mug: Includes choice of fountain beverage, DASANI bottled water, coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate at time of purchase. Now available at Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland while supplies last. Limit ten (10) per person, per transaction

Commentary

The biggest piece of news here is that Luke Skywalker will be coming to Galaxy’s Edge. We, and the rest of the internet, have been banging the drum on how Galaxy’s Edge should ‘break the rules’ and include classic Star Wars characters. It appears that we are now crossing that bridge. This is a great move for a few different reasons, most notably that Luke Skywalker is a far more recognizable character than anyone in the more recent trilogy.

Galaxy’s Edge meet & greets are fantastic as a whole. I love that the characters roam around and are a part of the planet. Adding the most iconic character in the franchise (although Darth Vader might have an argument) is a no-brainer. I appreciate the story and trying to stay on theme, but adding in Luke will not limit anyone’s enjoyment or appreciation for Galaxy’s Edge. If anything, it will enhance the area.

Dressing him in the black Jedi robe is an interesting choice and could be where I start to show my waning Star Wars knowledge. Once upon a time, I was a big fan but my interest has fallen off in recent years. I think the black robe looks cool, especially standing next to R2. They’re hiding his face at the moment so we could get the older version of Luke theoretically. That might cause more internet arguments than excitement. All in all though, good move!

Everything else about Season of the Force is cool, but doesn’t move the needle much for me personally. I think the projection show is probably the most exciting bit of news. Getting guests back to Galaxy’s Edge at night has proven to be a tough task. We’ll see if this addition will add interest to the beautifully lit land.

If you’re a big Star Wars fan then Season of the Force may be enough to pull you in. For instance, if you’re already planning a trip to Disneyland but have decided on the time of year then this is a good reason to book for April or early May. Along with Food & Wine Festival at California Adventure, it’s a festive time. Now that Luke is being added, a nighttime show is coming and the cannons are working in Rise of the Resistance, Galaxy’s Edge is moving at lightspeed.

Are you excited for Season of the Force? Let us know, along with any other questions you might have, in the comments below. Planning a trip to Disneyland? Check out our Planning Guide here. Looking for discount tickets? You can find them here. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!