Star Wars Experiences Come to Life with Disney's Imagineering and Live Entertainment at Celebration

At Star Wars Celebration, IGN had the privilege of speaking with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna about the exciting future of Disney Parks experiences. They shared insights into the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run and the introduction of the adorable BDX droids across Disney Parks worldwide. These developments promise to deepen the immersion and engagement for fans, bringing their beloved stories and characters to life in new, memorable ways.

The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Will Let Engineers Take Care of Grogu

A highlight from Star Wars Celebration was the announcement that Engineers will soon have the chance to care for Grogu aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. Scheduled to launch alongside the film on May 22, 2026, this update will integrate a new storyline that diverges from the film but includes Mando and Grogu as part of the crew. The Engineer's role is particularly exciting, offering unique interactions with Grogu and the ability to choose destinations across the galaxy.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission Concept Art for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run

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Kalama shared, "Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu. So, we think it's going to be a ton of fun. There may be times when Mando has to deboard the Razor Crest and Grogu, left to his own devices, might get a little happy on the control panel." This update introduces fun, interactive moments where players can engage directly with Grogu, enhancing the adventure's appeal.

The update also features a choose-your-own-adventure element, where players face a critical moment requiring a quick decision on which bounty to pursue. This choice will lead guests to iconic locations like Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, and the newly announced Coruscant. The narrative revolves around Hondo Ohnaka's discovery of a deal on Tatooine, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase across the galaxy alongside Mando and Grogu.

The BDX Droids Will Be Traveling From Disney Parks Around the World Right Into Your Heart

The beloved BDX Droids, featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu, are set to charm guests at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney. Developed to enhance park experiences, these droids aim to deepen guests' connection to the Star Wars universe through innovative storytelling and technology.

Kalama explained, "The goal of the BDX Droids was to look at how we bring characters to life in our parks in different ways, and this is really technology merging with this piece of entertainment and a backstory we created specifically for the parks." Serna added, "They have a lot of fun childlike qualities and do all sorts of cute things that people would do. So, we realized we kind of needed to identify each one of them with a personality."

The BDX Droids are part of Disney's broader strategy to evolve park experiences through technology, creating more immersive and personal interactions with characters. Serna noted, "The technology behind the animatronics is influencing how we're looking at robotics and character experiences and these up close experiences that continue to inspire us."

From Peter Pan and Star Tours to Creating the Future

Both Kalama and Serna shared personal stories of how Disney Parks inspired their careers. Serna reminisced about the magic of flying on Peter Pan and the transformative experience of Star Tours, which ignited his passion for theme park storytelling. He emphasized the importance of creating experiences that transport guests of all ages into fantasy worlds.

Kalama echoed this sentiment, recalling his childhood obsession with Tomorrowland and the profound impact of Star Tours. He stressed the significance of detail in creating authentic and immersive environments, saying, "I think something that I hope is invisible to our fans, but something that they appreciate, is that there is just an obsessive level of attention to detail that we put into everything."

Serna highlighted his work on Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga at Disneyland, a projection show at Galaxy's Edge that transforms nightly fireworks into a Star Wars storytelling experience. This project exemplifies Disney's commitment to using technology in innovative ways to enhance guest experiences, even on nights without fireworks.

These insights from Kalama and Serna reveal a deep passion for storytelling and a dedication to creating magical, immersive experiences that resonate with guests across generations. As they continue to craft the future of Disney Parks, their work promises to keep the spirit of adventure and wonder alive for all who visit.