The SXSW panel "The Future of World-building at Disney" unveiled thrilling insights into the future of Disney Parks. Exciting updates include The Mandalorian and Grogu joining a new mission on the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the development of a next-generation ride vehicle with emotional resonance for the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom, and a first look at the load area and liftoff sequence for the new Monsters, Inc. ride.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the discussion, highlighting their teams' collaborative efforts to create immersive new experiences for Disney Parks guests.
A wealth of information was shared, and we've compiled all the major announcements and reveals right here!
The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission Coinciding with The Mandalorian & Grogu Film Release
While it was previously known that The Mandalorian and Grogu would feature in a new story for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Disney confirmed the experience will debut on May 22, 2026, aligning with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu movie.
The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau and Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama shared additional details about the upcoming story and revealed concept art showcasing locations sure to delight fans. The images below feature a Jawa Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest soaring toward Cloud City on Bespin, and even a glimpse of the second Death Star wreckage above Endor.
Concept Art for The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
3 Images
“This experience won't retell the movie's plot—it's more like participating in an event happening just off-screen from the film's action,” Favreau explained.
Imagineers filmed scenes for this new story directly on the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu, promising an authentic feel when the attraction launches.
Additionally, it was announced that the popular BDX droids seen at Disneyland will soon arrive at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. A new variant will also appear, featuring an Anzellan mechanic named Otto who will occasionally be seen performing tune-ups on a BDX unit.
As if that wasn't enough BDX news, the team also revealed these droids will make an appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu film.
First Look at the Load Area and Liftoff for the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World
Monsters, Inc. Land is coming soon to Disney's Hollywood Studios, featuring a highly anticipated new roller coaster. This attraction will be Disney Parks' first-ever suspended coaster and its first to incorporate a vertical lift.
The ride aims to recreate the magical experience of soaring through Monsters, Inc.'s iconic door vault. Disney offered a first glimpse of the load area, which effectively sets the stage for the adventure ahead.
While many details about this new attraction and its surrounding land remain under wraps, this sneak peek is an exciting preview of what's to come.
Pixar and Imagineering Unveil a Custom-Built Ride Vehicle for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction
Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen shared new insights into the upcoming Cars attraction, part of a new Cars-themed land currently under development at Magic Kingdom.
“Our main objective is to craft an emotional journey for our guests,” Hundgen stated. “For this Cars attraction, we had to invent a completely new type of ride vehicle. These aren't mass-produced, as the vehicle must do more than simply transport riders. We needed to design a car that genuinely conveys a feeling when you're inside it.”
The team gathered real-world data by taking an off-road vehicle through the rocky terrain of the Arizona desert. This new ride isn't set in Radiator Springs but is a thrilling rally race through mountain landscapes, so the sensation had to be perfect.
They subsequently partnered with a motocross company to construct a custom dirt track for testing, using this environment to refine the eventual ride vehicle design.
"We're utilizing a customized production vehicle,” Hundgen continued. “It's equipped with sensors all over, and we're driving it on our test track to gather data on how it responds to various surfaces. This is where we translate the desired feeling into tangible engineering."
These vehicles will also receive a touch of Disney and Pixar magic, as each car will possess its own unique personality, name, and number.
Robert Downey Jr. Appears at Disney's SXSW Panel to Detail New Avengers Campus Attractions
Disneyland's Avengers Campus is expanding with two new attractions. One, named Avengers Infinity Defense, will have guests teaming up with Avengers to battle King Thanos across multiple worlds. However, the second attraction stole the spotlight at the panel when Robert Downey Jr. made a surprise appearance to share new information.
It was previously announced that Downey Jr. would reprise his role as Tony Stark for Stark Flight Lab, an attraction that invites guests into Tony's workshop to experience his latest technological innovations.
Downey Jr. described these new experiences as "the living embodiment of the Stark Enterprises mission statement."
“The curiosity, the passion, the inventiveness, the occasional flair for the dramatic, and above all, a drive to contribute something positive to the world, to make life better—or at the very least, a whole lot more fun,” Downey added. “It’s the privilege of a lifetime to be invited to participate.”
During the ride, guests will be seated in "gyro-kinetic pods" and eventually be lifted by a giant robotic arm, performing high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man and other Avengers.
"Transitioning from a track to a robot arm and back again—this has never been done before in a theme park, and we're incredibly excited about it,” explained Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Typically, we conceal the technology to keep the focus on the story. Here, the technology IS the story, so we're showcasing it front and center.”
To make the technology a central character, Imagineering focused heavily on the robotic arm, drawing significant inspiration from Tony Stark's robotic assistant, DUM-E. The team worked with dancers and utilized motion capture to imbue these robots with lifelike, expressive movements.
