Disney Unveils Future World-Building Plans at SXSW

Disney's SXSW "Future of World-Building" panel unveiled exciting updates for Disney Parks. Josh D'Amaro and Alan Bergman highlighted collaborative efforts between Disney Experiences and Disney Entertainment, promising innovative park experiences. Here are the key announcements:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run

The Mandalorian and Grogu will feature in a new mission for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, launching May 22, 2026, alongside The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. Jon Favreau, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, shared concept art showcasing locations like Tatooine's Jawa Sandcrawler, the Millennium Falcon and Razor Crest near Bespin's Cloud City, and even the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor. Favreau emphasized this new story isn't a movie retelling, but rather a parallel experience. Scenes were filmed on The Mandalorian & Grogu set for authenticity. Additionally, the popular BDX droids from Disneyland will expand to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new Anzellan droid, Otto, joining the crew. The BDX droids will also appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Monsters, Inc. Attraction: Load Area and Lift-Off Revealed

Disney shared a first look at the load area and vertical lift for the new Monsters, Inc. roller coaster coming to Disney World's Hollywood Studios. This marks Disney Park's first suspended coaster and first with a vertical lift, promising a thrilling journey 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 development of a revolutionary ride vehicle for the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom's new Cars Land. The ride, a thrilling mountain rally race, necessitated a new type of vehicle designed to evoke specific emotions. Research included off-road testing in Arizona and building a dirt track for data collection. Each vehicle will have a unique personality, name, and number.

Avengers Campus: Robert Downey Jr. and Stark Flight Lab

Robert Downey Jr. joined the panel to discuss Avengers Campus' Stark Flight Lab, an attraction placing guests in Tony Stark's workshop. Downey described the experience as embodying the Stark Enterprises mission statement, emphasizing innovation and fun. Guests will ride in gyro-kinetic pods, manipulated by a giant robotic arm inspired by DUM-E, performing high-speed maneuvers. Imagineering highlighted the unique integration of technology as a central storytelling element.