Star Wars Celebration offered an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks, and IGN had the opportunity to speak with Walt Disney Imagineering’s Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment’s Michael Serna about the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, the charming new BDX droids coming to Disney Parks worldwide, and the creative vision behind bringing these immersive experiences to life.
As part of the announcement, guests will soon step even deeper into the galaxy far, far away through innovative updates and character interactions designed to create lasting memories—blending storytelling, technology, and emotional connection in true Disney fashion.
The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
One of the most anticipated reveals from Star Wars Celebration is the Mandalorian & Grogu-themed enhancement coming to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run on May 22, 2026—launching alongside the film. This reimagined experience will place guests directly alongside Mando and Grogu in a fresh, high-stakes adventure that, while following a different storyline from the movie, captures the spirit of their journey across the galaxy.
The highlight? Engineers on the crew will now have the chance to interact with Grogu during the mission. As Kalama shared, “Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu. So, we think it's going to be a ton of fun. 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. We love the idea of these fun little vignettes and moments where you're sort of on the comm with Grogu.”
Beyond the charm of caring for the galaxy’s most beloved foundling, the experience introduces a dynamic, choose-your-own-adventure element. At a pivotal moment in the ride, guests must make a rapid decision on which bounty to pursue—determining their destination in real time. Choices include iconic locations like Bespin, the wreckage of the Death Star above Endor, and the newly confirmed planet Coruscant.
The overarching story sees Hondo Ohnaka catching wind of a secret deal between ex-Imperial officers and pirates on Tatooine, setting off a thrilling chase across the galaxy. Guests will team up with Mando and Grogu to track down the targets and claim the bounty, delivering a fast-paced, galaxy-spanning adventure full of surprises.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission Concept Art for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
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The BDX Droids Are Coming to Disney Parks Worldwide
Spreading joy one beep and boop at a time, the adorable BDX droids are officially expanding their reach across the globe. These interactive, personality-driven droids will soon appear at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney Resort—bringing a new level of charm and engagement to park guests.
Originally developed as a unique creation for Disney Parks, the BDX droids have since made appearances in games and other media, including The Mandalorian & Grogu. But their roots remain in the parks, where the goal was to craft a fresh way to bring characters to life beyond traditional costumed performers or animatronics.
“The goal of the BDX Droids was to look at how we bring characters to life in our parks in different ways,” Kalama explained. “This is technology merging with entertainment and a backstory we created specifically for the parks. We’ve evolved that story as we’ve expanded to locations around the world.”
Each BDX droid features a distinct personality tied to its color, giving guests the chance to form real emotional connections—just like with R2-D2 or BB-8. “They have a lot of fun childlike qualities and do all sorts of cute things that people would do,” Serna added. “We realized we needed to give each one a personality. It made them more engaging and gave us flexibility to grow the world. We think you’ll start to favor certain colors based on who they are.”
These droids represent a new frontier in character interaction, where robotics and storytelling blend seamlessly. Serna emphasized how advancements in animatronics are inspiring new possibilities: “We see those amazing animatronics in attractions like Frozen, and we’re thinking: how do we bring that magic out onto the street? You’re going to see more of these up-close, unexpected experiences where technology feels invisible but emotionally powerful.”
Kalama added, “Using technology in both unexpected and invisible ways is key. Our job is to create suspension of disbelief. Robotics isn’t just about movement—it’s about emotion, character, and making you feel something. That’s the real challenge, and that’s what makes our work so unique.”
From Peter Pan to Star Tours: Inspiration Behind the Magic
For Kalama and Serna, their passion for Disney Parks began long before they joined the team. Their childhood memories of iconic attractions continue to shape how they design experiences today.
“As a little kid, riding Peter Pan was the most exciting thing for me,” Serna recalled. “Flying in that vehicle—it blew my mind. I had no idea how it worked. I just thought, ‘Oh my God, we’re flying!’ Then, as I got older and became a huge Star Wars fan, Star Tours changed my life. It showed me that theme parks could put me inside a story I loved. Back then, there was no new Star Wars content—so to be in a new adventure myself? Unbelievable.”
He continued, “When we do our jobs well, we invite the entire family to feel truly transported. It’s not about what I want—it’s about what 10-year-old Michael wanted. If he’d love it, chances are, you will too.”
Kalama shared a similar spark: “I only visited the park once as a kid, when I was eight. I was obsessed with science fiction and refused to leave Tomorrowland. My first real memory? Star Tours. The suspension of disbelief was incredible—I knew I was on a star speeder, traveling through space. That sense of magic, of leaving reality behind, is powerful for kids and adults alike. That’s what we strive for.”
Now, they’re helping shape the next generation of that magic.
Serna played a key role in creating Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga, a nighttime projection show at Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. What began as a simple observation—guests watching fireworks in silence—turned into a fully immersive experience.
“We saw an opportunity,” Serna said. “Why not create a Star Wars-themed show using the spires of Batuu as projection surfaces? We developed a storyteller character, a companion droid, and a narrative that lets guests experience the Skywalker saga in a new way—even on nights without fireworks. It’s something we’ve never done before in a theme park.”
For Kalama, the magic lies in the details most guests will never notice—but will absolutely feel.
“I hope our attention to detail is invisible,” he said. “But I’m proud of it. We’ve had serious debates about the type of screw head on a panel because Phillips screws don’t exist in the Star Wars universe. Or the texture and look of receipt paper from a shop printer. These tiny choices add up. They make the world feel authentic. When everything feels real, even subconsciously, that’s when the immersion is complete.”
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