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Star Wars Celebration offered early glimpses into Disney Parks' future innovations, showcasing upcoming experiences featuring The Mandalorian and adorable BDX droids. Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna shared exclusive insights with IGN about these immersive enhancements.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Update Transforms Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
One major announcement revealed engineers will get special interactions with Grogu during the updated Smuggler's Run experience launching alongside the film on May 22, 2026. While following a storyline distinct from the movie, the attraction places guests alongside Mando and Grogu on thrilling bounty hunting missions.
The engineer position promises the most engaging experience, allowing guests to:
- Directly interact with Grogu during the mission
- Choose between exciting galactic destinations
- Experience special vignettes when Mando temporarily leaves
Customizable Galactic Adventures
At critical moments, players must quickly decide which bounty to pursue, determining whether they'll visit:
- Bespin's cloud city
- The Death Star wreckage above Endor
- The newly revealed Coruscant location
The fresh narrative involves Hondo Ohnaka discovering a secret deal between ex-Imperials and pirates on Tatooine, sparking a galaxy-wide chase where guests help Mando capture these bounties.
Charming BDX Droids Headed Worldwide
These irresistibly cute droids will soon appear across Disney Parks globally, including:
- Walt Disney World
- Disneyland Resort
- Disneyland Paris
- Tokyo Disney Resort
Each colored BDX droid features distinct personalities and behaviors designed to create emotional connections similar to beloved characters like R2-D2.
Creating Magical Park Experiences
Kalama and Serna discussed Disney's evolving approach to immersive storytelling:
- Pushing technological boundaries while keeping magic feel effortless
- Developing authentic emotional connections through robotics
- Expanding character interactions beyond traditional attractions
The executives revealed how childhood Disney experiences shaped their creative philosophy:
Serna's Inspirations:
- Peter Pan's Flight sparked childhood wonder
- Star Tours revolutionized his perception of themed experiences
Kalama's Memories:
- Star Tours created unmatched suspension of disbelief
- Tomorrowland captured his imagination completely
Innovative Park Creations
Serna highlighted Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga - an innovative projection show transforming Galaxy's Edge fireworks nights into immersive storytelling experiences.
Kalama emphasized Disney's obsessive attention to authentic details, like designing timeline-appropriate screw heads and receipt paper to maintain complete immersion throughout Star Wars lands.
