The Future of World-building at Disney panel at SXSW provided an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks, with a wealth of announcements and reveals that are sure to thrill fans. From new missions featuring beloved characters to innovative ride technologies, Disney is set to enhance its park experiences in remarkable ways.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the discussion, emphasizing the value of collaboration between their teams to create immersive and thrilling new experiences for guests at Disney Parks.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Will Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission at the Launch of The Mandalorian & Grogu Film
One of the highlights was the announcement that The Mandalorian and Grogu will feature in a new mission aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This new experience is set to launch in sync with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu film on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, the creator of The Mandalorian, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, provided insights into this new storyline. They showcased concept art featuring iconic locations like a Jawa's Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest flying towards Cloud City on Bespin, and even a glimpse of the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission Concept Art for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
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"This isn’t going to retell what happens in the movie – it’s more like participating in something that’s happening just off-camera from what you see in the film," Favreau explained. The authenticity of the experience is further enhanced as scenes for this new story were captured directly from the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu film.
Additionally, the beloved BDX droids, previously seen at Disneyland, will expand their presence to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. A new variant, an Anzellan named Otto, will occasionally appear on a BDX in need of a tune-up, adding a delightful twist to the droid encounters. These droids will also feature in The Mandalorian & Grogu, further connecting the film and park experiences.
Here's a Sneak Peek at the Load Area and Lift Off of the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World
Another exciting announcement was the upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney World's Hollywood Studios, featuring the park's first-ever suspended roller coaster with a vertical lift. This new attraction aims to give guests the exhilarating experience of soaring through Monsters, Inc.'s door vault. Disney provided a first look at the load area, setting the stage for what promises to be an immersive adventure.
Pixar and Imagineering Reveal a New Type of Ride Vehicle Had to Be Made for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction
Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen shared insights into the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom, which will feature a new type of ride vehicle designed to create an emotional experience for guests. "Our primary goal is creating an emotional experience for our guests," Hundgen stated. This new ride, set in a thrilling rally race through the mountains rather than Radiator Springs, required Imagineers to venture to the Arizona desert for real-world data. They collaborated with a motocross company to build a dirt track for testing and development. "We’re using a customized production vehicle with sensors all over it, taking it for test drives on our dirt track to gather data on how the vehicle responds to different terrain," Hundgen added. Each vehicle will have its own personality, name, and number, adding a unique touch to the experience.
Robert Downey Jr. Stops by Disney's SXSW Panel to Help Share More About the New Avengers Campus Attractions
Disneyland's Avengers Campus is set to introduce two new attractions, with Avengers Infinity Defense allowing guests to team up with the Avengers against King Thanos across multiple worlds. However, the highlight was Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance to discuss Stark Flight Lab, where he will reprise his role as Tony Stark. Guests will enter Tony's workshop to experience his latest tech innovations. "The curiosity, the passion, the inventiveness, the occasional flair for the dramatic, most of all a drive to put something good out into the world to make life better, at the minimum more fun by a mile," Downey Jr. described the essence of Stark Enterprises.
The ride itself will feature "gyro-kinetic pods" and a giant robot arm inspired by Tony Stark's DUM-E, enabling high-speed maneuvers reminiscent of Iron Man and other Avengers. "Transferring from a track to a robot arm and then back again – nothing like this has ever been done before in a theme park, and we’re so excited about it," explained Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering. The focus on showcasing the technology as part of the story, using dancers and motion capture to bring the robotic arm to life, promises a unique and engaging experience.
