Disney's SXSW Panel Unveils World-Building Future

The SXSW panel on "The Future of World-building at Disney" was packed with thrilling updates and sneak peeks into the future of Disney Parks. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the discussion, highlighting the synergy between their teams to craft unforgettable experiences. Here's a roundup of the most exciting announcements and reveals:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Will Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission at the Launch of The Mandalorian & Grogu Film

Disney confirmed that The Mandalorian and Grogu will star in a new mission aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, debuting alongside The Mandalorian & Grogu movie on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, provided insights into this new narrative, showcasing concept art featuring iconic locations like a Jawa's Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest heading toward Cloud City on Bespin, and a glimpse at 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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Favreau emphasized that this mission won't retell the movie's plot but will instead immerse guests in a parallel event occurring just off-screen. The scenes for this new story were captured on the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu, promising an authentic experience. Additionally, BDX droids, previously seen at Disneyland, will soon appear at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new Anzellan variant named Otto occasionally needing a tune-up.

Image Credit: Disney

The BDX droids will also feature in The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, adding to the excitement.

Here's a Sneak Peak at the Load Area and Lift Off of the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World

Monsters, Inc. Land is coming to Disney World's Hollywood Studios, featuring a groundbreaking themed roller coaster—the park's first suspended coaster and the first with a vertical lift. This attraction promises a thrilling ride through Monsters, Inc.'s door vault, and Disney shared an exclusive first look at the load area, setting the stage for what's to come.

Pixar and Imagineering Reveal a New Type of Ride Vehicle Had to Be Made for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction

Pixar's Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen revealed details about the upcoming Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. The goal is to create an emotional experience, necessitating the invention of a new type of ride vehicle designed to convey feelings. To achieve this, the team conducted research in the Arizona desert, driving off-road vehicles over rocky terrain. The new ride will take guests on a thrilling rally race through the mountains rather than Radiator Springs. Working with a motocross company, they developed a dirt track to test a customized production vehicle equipped with sensors to gather data on different terrains. Each vehicle will have its own personality, name, and number, enhancing the immersive experience.

Image Credit: Disney

Robert Downey Jr. Stops by Disney's SXSW Panel to Help Share More About the New Avengers Campus Attractions

Image Credit: Disney

Disneyland's Avengers Campus is set to expand with two new attractions. The first, Avengers Infinity Defense, will see guests teaming up with the Avengers to battle King Thanos across multiple worlds. The spotlight, however, was on the second attraction, Stark Flight Lab, where Robert Downey Jr. returned as Tony Stark to share new details. This ride will take guests into Tony's workshop, showcasing new tech through "gyro-kinetic pods" and a giant robot arm inspired by Tony Stark's robot, DUM-E. The attraction promises high-speed maneuvers and a unique blend of technology and storytelling, with the tech itself being a central part of the narrative.

Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering Bruce Vaughn highlighted the innovative approach, stating that transferring from a track to a robot arm and back is unprecedented in theme parks. The use of dancers and motion capture technology ensures the robots feel as real as possible, making the tech an integral part of the experience.