The Future of World-Building at Disney Panel From SXSW: Everything Announced

SXSW's "The Future of World-Building at Disney" panel unveiled exciting developments for Disney Parks. Highlights included The Mandalorian and Grogu joining a new mission on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the creation of a revolutionary, emotionally responsive ride vehicle for Magic Kingdom's Cars attraction, and a sneak peek at the load area and lift-off sequence for the new Monsters, Inc. attraction.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the presentation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts driving these innovative park experiences.

Here's a summary of the major announcements:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be integrated into a new Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run storyline, launching simultaneously with The Mandalorian & Grogu movie on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, alongside Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, showcased concept art depicting locations like a Jawa Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Razor Crest near Cloud City, and even the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor. Favreau clarified this new experience isn't a movie retelling, but rather a parallel narrative. Scenes were filmed on the Mandalorian & Grogu set, ensuring authenticity. Additionally, the popular BDX droids, currently at Disneyland, will expand to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new Anzellan droid, Otto, joining the lineup. The BDX droids will also appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Monsters, Inc. Attraction: Load Area and Lift-Off

Disney World's Hollywood Studios' upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land will feature a groundbreaking suspended coaster—the first of its kind in a Disney Park—with a vertical lift. A first look at the load area was shared, promising an immersive experience. Further details on the attraction and land remain forthcoming.

Magic Kingdom's Cars Attraction: A New Kind of Ride Vehicle

Pixar's Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen revealed the development of a unique ride vehicle for Magic Kingdom's new Cars attraction. The vehicle, designed to evoke emotion, is unlike anything previously built, requiring extensive research and testing, including off-road trials in Arizona and the creation of a custom dirt track. Each vehicle will have a distinct personality, name, and number.

Avengers Campus: Stark Flight Lab

Robert Downey Jr. joined the panel to discuss Avengers Campus' Stark Flight Lab, an attraction placing guests in Tony Stark's workshop. Downey Jr. described the experience as embodying the Stark Enterprises mission statement, emphasizing innovation and fun. Guests will ride in gyro-kinetic pods manipulated by a giant robotic arm, inspired by DUM-E, performing high-speed maneuvers. The attraction's technology, inspired by DUM-E, will be a central element of the experience.