Star Wars Celebration offered an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks experiences, and IGN had the privilege of speaking with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna. They shared insights on the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the introduction of the charming BDX droids to Disney Parks worldwide, and much more.
Kalama and Serna also provided a behind-the-scenes look at how they bring Disney magic to life, crafting immersive experiences that resonate with fans and create lasting memories with their favorite stories and characters.
The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run Will Let Engineers Take Care of Grogu
A major highlight from Star Wars Celebration was the announcement that engineers will soon have the chance to care for Grogu aboard the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. This update, set to launch alongside a new film on May 22, 2026, will integrate Mando and Grogu into the attraction's storyline, which will diverge from the movie's plot.
Engineers will have a unique role, interacting directly with Grogu and making pivotal decisions about the mission's destination. "Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu," Kalama explained. "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." These interactions promise fun and engaging vignettes for guests.
The mission will include a choose-your-own-adventure element, where players must quickly decide which bounty to pursue, leading to destinations such as Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, and the newly-announced location of Coruscant. This new narrative will revolve around Hondo Ohnaka's discovery of a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a thrilling chase across the galaxy alongside Mando and Grogu.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission Concept Art for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
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The BDX Droids Will Be Traveling From Disney Parks Around the World Right Into Your Heart
The adorable BDX droids, beloved by Star Wars fans globally, are set to make their way to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney. These droids, featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu, are the result of extensive development aimed at enhancing guest experiences and deepening their immersion in beloved stories.
"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," Kalama stated. 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 exemplify Disney's commitment to evolving park experiences through technology and storytelling. Kalama and Serna discussed how advancements in animatronics and robotics are shaping new character interactions and immersive experiences, promising even more magical moments for guests worldwide.
From Peter Pan and Star Tours to Creating the Future
Kalama and Serna, like many Disney enthusiasts, were inspired by their childhood experiences at Disney Parks. Serna reminisced about the magic of flying on Peter Pan and the transformative impact of Star Tours, which fueled his passion for theme park storytelling. "As a little kid, riding Peter Pan was most exciting for me," Serna said. "To fly in this vehicle... I think it really blew my mind."
Kalama shared similar sentiments, particularly about Star Tours. "I literally refused to leave Tomorrowland," he recalled, emphasizing how the attraction's ability to transport guests into the Star Wars universe left a lasting impression.
Both leaders are now dedicated to creating new experiences that will captivate future generations. Serna highlighted his work on Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge, a projection show that enhances the nightly fireworks with a Star Wars narrative, even on non-fireworks nights.
Kalama emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that goes into every aspect of the parks, from the type of screws used to the authenticity of receipts, ensuring an immersive and believable environment for guests.
Together, Kalama and Serna are shaping the future of Disney Parks, driven by a passion to create magical experiences that resonate with fans of all ages, much like the iconic attractions that inspired them as children.
