Disney's SXSW "Future of World-Building" panel unveiled exciting developments across its parks. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman highlighted collaborative efforts driving these innovations. Key announcements included:
The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run
A new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu will launch on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at Disneyland and Walt Disney World on May 22, 2026, coinciding with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu film. Concept art showcased iconic locations like Tatooine's Jawa Sandcrawler, the Millennium Falcon and Razor Crest near Bespin's Cloud City, and even the second Death Star wreckage above Endor. Jon Favreau (creator of The Mandalorian), and Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama emphasized this new story unfolds parallel to, not as a retelling of, the film. Scenes were captured directly on the Mandalorian & Grogu set for authenticity. Additionally, the popular BDX droids, including a new Anzellan variant named Otto, will expand to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, also appearing in The Mandalorian & Grogu.
Monsters, Inc. Attraction: Load Area and Lift-Off Revealed
A sneak peek at the load area and vertical lift of the new Monsters, Inc. roller coaster at Disney World's Hollywood Studios was shared. This marks Disney Parks' first suspended coaster with a vertical lift, promising a unique experience soaring through the Monsters, Inc. door vault.
Magic Kingdom's Cars Attraction: A New Kind of Ride Vehicle
Pixar's Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen detailed the innovative ride vehicle for the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. To create an "emotional experience," Imagineers designed a completely new vehicle type, undergoing extensive testing in the Arizona desert and on a custom-built dirt track to perfect its response to varied terrain. Each vehicle will possess a unique personality, name, and number.
Avengers Campus: Stark Flight Lab with Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. joined the panel to discuss Avengers Campus' Stark Flight Lab. This attraction, set within Tony Stark's workshop, will feature "gyro-kinetic pods" manipulated by a giant robotic arm, inspired by DUM-E, for high-speed maneuvers. The technology itself is a central element of the story.
