The SXSW panel on "The Future of World-building at Disney" was brimming with thrilling updates and tantalizing previews of what's to come at Disney Parks. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman kicked off the event, shedding light on their collaborative efforts to bring innovative new experiences to life across Disney Parks.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Will Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission at the Launch of The Mandalorian & Grogu Film
Exciting news for Star Wars aficionados: The Mandalorian and Grogu are set to embark on a new adventure within Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This unique experience is scheduled to launch concurrently with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu film on May 22, 2026.
Jon Favreau, the creative force behind The Mandalorian, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, delved into the details of this new narrative. They unveiled captivating concept art featuring iconic locations from the Star Wars universe, including a Jawa's Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest soaring towards Cloud City on Bespin, and an intriguing glimpse at the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor. These images are sure to thrill fans of the saga.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission Concept Art for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
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Favreau emphasized that the new mission won't merely retell the movie's plot but will offer an immersive experience parallel to the film's events. To ensure authenticity, Imagineers captured scenes directly from the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu. Additionally, the beloved BDX droids currently seen at Disneyland are set to expand their presence to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, including a new Anzellan variant named Otto, who will occasionally appear on a BDX in need of a tune-up.
The panel also confirmed that these droids will make an appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu film, adding to the excitement.
Here's a Sneak Peek at the Load Area and Lift Off of the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World
Monsters, Inc. Land is on its way to Disney World's Hollywood Studios, promising an exhilarating new themed roller coaster. This attraction will be the first of its kind at Disney Parks, featuring a suspended coaster with a vertical lift. Disney offered a sneak peek at the load area, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable journey through Monsters, Inc.'s door vault.
Pixar and Imagineering Reveal a New Type of Ride Vehicle Had to Be Made for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction
Pete Docter, Pixar's Chief Creative Officer, and Imagineer Michael Hundgen provided insights into the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. Their goal is to craft an emotional experience, necessitating the creation of a new type of ride vehicle that goes beyond mere transportation to evoke genuine feelings.
To achieve this, the team ventured into the Arizona desert to gather real-world data by riding off-road vehicles over rocky terrain. The new ride, set outside Radiator Springs, will immerse guests in a thrilling rally race through the mountains. They collaborated with a motocross company to build a dirt track for testing and refining the ride vehicle's design.
"We’re using a customized production vehicle with sensors to gather data on different terrains," Hundgen explained. "This is how we transform the feeling we want into real-world engineering." The vehicles will also embody Disney and Pixar magic, each with its own unique personality, name, and number.
Robert Downey Jr. Stops by Disney's SXSW Panel to Help Share More About the New Avengers Campus Attractions
Avengers Campus at Disneyland is gearing up for two new attractions. One, Avengers Infinity Defense, will have guests teaming up with the Avengers to combat King Thanos across multiple worlds. However, the spotlight was on the second attraction, Stark Flight Lab, where Robert Downey Jr. made a special appearance to share more details.
Returning as Tony Stark, Downey Jr. expressed his excitement about the new experiences, describing them as "the living embodiment of the Stark Enterprises mission statement." The ride will feature guests in "gyro-kinetic pods" that will be maneuvered by a giant robot arm, inspired by Iron Man and other Avengers.
"Transferring from a track to a robot arm and then back again – nothing like this has ever been done before in a theme park," said Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering. "Here, the tech IS the story, so we’re putting it front and center." The attraction's focus on the robotic arm draws inspiration from Tony Stark's DUM-E, with Imagineering employing dancers and motion capture to bring these robots to life.
