Disney Unveils World-Building Future at SXSW

Disney's SXSW "Future of World-Building" panel unveiled exciting updates for Disney Parks. Highlights included The Mandalorian and Grogu joining a new mission on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the development of a revolutionary, emotionally responsive ride vehicle for Magic Kingdom's Cars land, and a sneak peek at the load area and lift-off for the new Monsters, Inc. attraction.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the presentation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts driving these innovative park experiences.

Here are the key announcements:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be central to a new Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run mission, launching alongside *The Mandalorian & Grogu* movie on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, alongside Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, revealed concept art showcasing locations like a Jawa Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Razor Crest near Cloud City, and even the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor. Favreau clarified this new story complements, rather than retells, the film's narrative.

Scenes were captured directly from *The Mandalorian & Grogu*'s set, ensuring authenticity. Additionally, the popular Disneyland BDX droids are expanding to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new Anzellan droid, Otto, joining the lineup.

The BDX droids will also appear in *The Mandalorian & Grogu*.

Monsters, Inc. Attraction Sneak Peek

A first look at the load area and lift-off sequence for the new Monsters, Inc. roller coaster at Disney World's Hollywood Studios was shared. This attraction, Disney's first suspended coaster with a vertical lift, promises a thrilling journey through the Monsters, Inc. door vault.

Innovative Ride Vehicle for Magic Kingdom's Cars Land

Pixar's Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen detailed the creation of a new ride vehicle for the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. Emphasizing an emotional guest experience, the team designed a vehicle for a thrilling rally race through the mountains, requiring extensive real-world testing in the Arizona desert and on a custom-built dirt track. Each vehicle will have a unique personality, name, and number.

Robert Downey Jr. on Avengers Campus Attractions

Robert Downey Jr. joined the panel to discuss Avengers Campus' new attractions. He highlighted the Stark Flight Lab, where guests will experience Tony Stark's latest inventions using gyro-kinetic pods and a giant robotic arm inspired by DUM-E. The attraction's technology is a central element of the experience.