Star Wars Celebration provided an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks experiences, and IGN had the opportunity to engage with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna. They shared insights on the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the adorable BDX droids set to enhance Disney Parks, and much more. Both Kalama and Serna offered a fascinating look at how they bring the magic of Disney to life, allowing guests to experience beloved stories and characters in unforgettable ways.
The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
One of the standout announcements from Star Wars Celebration was the introduction of a The Mandalorian and Grogu-themed update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, set to launch alongside a new film on May 22, 2026. This update will allow Engineers to take care of Grogu on the attraction, integrating him into the ride's narrative. While the storyline will diverge from the film, it will immerse each crew member in a mission alongside Mando and Grogu. Notably, the Engineer role will offer unique interactions with Grogu, including choosing the destination in the galaxy far, far away.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission Concept Art for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
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"Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu," Kalama explained. "It's going to be a lot of fun. There may be moments when Mando needs to leave the Razor Crest, leaving Grogu to his own devices, possibly causing some playful chaos on the control panel. We love the idea of these fun little vignettes where you're on the comm with Grogu."
In addition, the update includes a choose-your-own-adventure element, where players must make quick decisions on which bounty to pursue, leading to different destinations such as Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, and the newly announced location, Coruscant. This new narrative revolves around Hondo Ohnaka discovering a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase across the galaxy. Guests will team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and claim a bounty in this dynamic adventure.
The BDX Droids Will Be Traveling From Disney Parks Around the World Right Into Your Heart
The charming BDX Droids, beloved by Star Wars fans worldwide, are set to appear at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney. These droids, also featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu, are designed to enhance the immersive experience at Disney Parks.
"The goal of the BDX Droids was to explore new ways to bring characters to life in our parks, merging technology with entertainment and a unique backstory created specifically for the parks," Kalama said. "While they've appeared in games and other media, we crafted an original story for our parks and have evolved it as we introduced them worldwide."
"These droids exhibit childlike qualities and engage in playful behaviors, which allow us to assign them distinct personalities," Serna added. "This approach makes them more relatable and allows for continuous expansion of their world. Much like R2-D2, guests will form connections with the BDX droids, each color representing a unique personality."
The integration of BDX Droids is part of Disney's broader effort to evolve park experiences. Kalama and Serna discussed how they're using technology to enhance guest interactions, drawing inspiration from animatronics in attractions like Frozen to bring characters to life in new and unexpected ways throughout the parks.
From Peter Pan and Star Tours to Creating the Future
Kalama and Serna, like many Disney enthusiasts, were inspired by their childhood experiences at Disney Parks. They shared their personal stories of how attractions like Peter Pan and Star Tours influenced their career paths and their approach to creating new experiences that would inspire future generations.
"As a child, riding Peter Pan was thrilling for me," Serna recalled. "The feeling of flying was mind-blowing. Later, as a Star Wars fan, Star Tours transformed my understanding of what theme parks could offer. It was a new adventure that felt like stepping into a Star Wars story myself. Our goal is to transport guests of all ages into a fantasy world, and that's what drives our work."
"My first park visit was when I was eight, and I was so captivated by science fiction that I wouldn't leave Tomorrowland," Kalama added. "Star Tours was my favorite, the suspension of disbelief was incredible. It's crucial for us to create experiences that are magical for both children and adults, inviting them into a complete fantasy."
Both Kalama and Serna are now instrumental in shaping the future of Disney Parks. Serna highlighted his work on Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga at Disneyland, a projection show at Galaxy's Edge that enhances the nightly fireworks with a Star Wars narrative.
"We saw an opportunity to create a Star Wars-themed fireworks show," Serna explained. "We collaborated with Lucasfilm to develop a character as our storyteller and created a performative piece that's immersive even on nights without fireworks. Shadows of Memory uses the spires as a projection space to tell the story of Anakin Skywalker in a new and engaging way."
Kalama emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that goes into creating an authentic and immersive environment. "We have serious discussions about even the smallest details, like the type of screw head to use, because authenticity matters," he said. "These small touches might go unnoticed individually, but together, they create a truly immersive experience for our guests."
