Credit: Inside the MagicAn official new Star Wars attraction is launching next year. But not at Disney Parks.
Disney Parks are home to the most immersive Star Wars experiences in the world. While longstanding attractions such as Star Tours — The Adventures Continue predate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the themed land is now considered the hub of the faraway galaxy, whether at Disneyland or Disney World.
Disney Parks Star Wars Experiences
Galaxy’s Edge is home to two signature attractions: the six-seat motion simulator Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the multi-stage trackless dark ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Scattered throughout the remote trading outpost of Batuu, you’ll also find themed eateries, outlets, characters, and other interactive experiences.
Disney and Lucasfilm previously attempted something different with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, an immersive and interactive two-night live-in experience aboard the “Halcyon”, located near Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, after 18 months of operation, the attraction was shuttered. Next year, another new Star Wars experience outside Disney Parks will arrive.
A New Kind of Faraway Galaxy Attraction
Revealed at San Diego Comic-Con, the upcoming attraction Star Wars: The Experience – A Journey Through the Galaxy is “the largest and most comprehensive behind-the-scenes traveling exhibition to date,” according to StarWars.com.
It’s set to open at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on February 13, 2027 as part of the Star Wars 50th anniversary celebration, ahead of a five-year tour of North America.
If you haven’t already guessed from the name, A Journey Through the Galaxy follows the entire legacy of Star Wars, from the making of A New Hope to the latest films and other notable projects, charting the franchise’s evolution from its early days to becoming a global phenomenon.
The venue itself describes the experience as “an officially licensed Star Wars™ exhibition, making its exclusive world premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in February 2027.”
It also states that the exhibition spans “18,000 square feet of visually rich, interconnected galleries with immersive interactive elements,” revealing “how the galaxy was imagined, built, expanded, and shared with the world through iconic moments, characters, and settings from across the saga.”
Guests can expect to explore immersive environments from Queen Amidala’s Throne Room as seen in the prequel trilogy to “Carbon Freeze Capture”, a photo opportunity that includes a full-scale Han Solo in carbonite.
Iconic costumes and props, from Darth Vader’s mask from the original trilogy to a speeder bike used in the Disney+ series Andor, will also be on display. You’ll even find creatures from across the faraway galaxy such as Grogu from The Mandalorian (2019) and The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), and droids including C-3PO and R2-D2, who appear throughout several Star Wars films.
Beyond showcasing iconic props and costumes, the exhibition also charts the evolution of the Star Wars franchise over the past five decades.
From George Lucas’ original 1977 film to modern Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian and Andor, guests will follow the saga’s journey across film, streaming, animation, publishing, games, and theme park experiences.
“Lucasfilm has always been at the forefront of merging cutting edge technology and limitless storytelling,” says Lynwen Brennan, Co-President of Lucasfilm, per StarWars.com.
“In collaboration with The Franklin Institute, we are creating an experience that reflects that very spirit of curiosity and creativity. As we mark the incredible milestone of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, we wanted to develop something truly extraordinary — a space that honors both the visionary pioneers who built this galaxy, and the remarkable fan community at its heart. ‘Star Wars: The Experience’ is a testament to five decades of innovative storytelling, and we are excited for visitors to immerse themselves in the Star Wars legacy through this new exhibition.”
Tickets for A Journey Through the Galaxy go on sale in November. The exhibition will run from February 13 to September 6, 2027. The exhibition will then launch a five-year North American tour.
While Galaxy’s Edge and other Disney Parks attractions allow fans to step inside the Star Wars universe, A Journey Through the Galaxy offers a look behind the curtain, celebrating the artistry, filmmaking techniques, visual effects, creature design, costume work, and technological innovations that brought the galaxy far, far away to life.
Are you excited for A Journey Through the Galaxy? Let us know whether you’d visit the new attraction in the comments!
