The Future of World-Building at Disney Panel From SXSW: Everything Announced

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

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the discussion, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between their teams in creating immersive park experiences.

Here's a summary of the key announcements:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be featured in a new story mission for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, launching alongside *The Mandalorian & Grogu* movie on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, creator of *The Mandalorian*, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, shared 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 emphasized this new story will be a unique experience, not a retelling of the film's plot.

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

Monsters, Inc. Attraction Sneak Peek

The upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney World's Hollywood Studios, featuring Disney Parks' first suspended coaster with a vertical lift, received a sneak peek. An Instagram video showcased the load area, setting the stage for the attraction's immersive experience.

Innovative Ride Vehicles for Magic Kingdom's Cars Attraction

Pixar's Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen detailed the development of a new type of ride vehicle for the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. The vehicle is designed to evoke emotion, requiring innovative engineering. Research included off-road testing in the Arizona desert and the construction of a custom dirt track for data collection. 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 upcoming Stark Flight Lab, emphasizing its alignment with the Stark Enterprises mission statement. Guests will experience high-speed maneuvers in gyro-kinetic pods, manipulated by a giant robotic arm inspired by DUM-E.