Star Wars Celebration provided an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks experiences, 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 introduction of the adorable BDX droids, and more. These new attractions promise to bring beloved Star Wars stories to life in Disney Parks around the world, offering immersive experiences that will create lasting memories for fans.
The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Will Let Engineers Take Care of Grogu
A major highlight from Star Wars Celebration was the announcement that engineers will soon have the chance to care for Grogu aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. This update, set to launch alongside the film on May 22, 2026, will allow each crew member to team up with Mando and Grogu. The engineer's role is particularly exciting, as they will interact with Grogu and make critical decisions about the mission's destination.
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. "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."
The update introduces a choose-your-own-adventure element, where at a critical moment, players must quickly decide which bounty to pursue, determining their destination. Choices include Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, and Coruscant. This new storyline involves Hondo Ohnaka discovering a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, leading to a high-stakes chase across the galaxy with Mando and Grogu.
The BDX Droids Will Be Traveling From Disney Parks Around the World Right Into Your Heart
The charming BDX Droids, adored by Star Wars fans, will soon be making appearances at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney. These droids, which will also feature in The Mandalorian & Grogu, have been developed to enhance guest immersion in beloved stories at Disney Parks.
Image Credit: Disney
"The goal of the BDX Droids was to look at how we bring characters to life in our parks in different ways," Kalama stated. "They've appeared in games and other places, but we created an original story just for us and evolved that as we've moved on to sites all over the world."
Serna added, "They have lot of fun childlike qualities and do all sorts of cute things that people would do. We needed to identify each one of them with a personality, which made it much more interesting to engage with them and allowed us flexibility to expand that world. In the same way we love R2-D2 and other droids, you'll become connected to certain colors of the BDX droids, each representing a unique personality."
The BDX Droids are part of Disney's ongoing efforts to evolve park experiences, leveraging advanced animatronics and robotics to create engaging, close-up interactions that continue to inspire and delight guests.
From Peter Pan and Star Tours to Creating the Future
Like many of us, Kalama and Serna were inspired by Disney Parks and iconic attractions, which fueled their desire to contribute to future experiences. Our conversation delved into their childhood memories and how these shape their approach to crafting new attractions.
"As a little kid, riding Peter Pan was most exciting for me," Serna reminisced. "To fly in this vehicle... it blew my mind. And then, as I got older and became a huge Star Wars fan, Star Tours changed my life. It showed me what theme parks can do. Peter Pan was an amazing story, but it was from the past. Star Tours, however, was a new adventure within the Star Wars universe. It made me feel like I was part of the story."
"I only had the opportunity to visit the park once before becoming a cast member," Kalama shared. "I was obsessed with science fiction and refused to leave Tomorrowland. My vivid memory was Star Tours. The suspension of disbelief was incredible; I fully believed I was on a star speeder, traveling through the galaxy. This sense of magic and fantasy is crucial, not just for kids, but for adults too."
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 experience with a Star Wars narrative, even on nights without fireworks.
Image Credit: Disney
"We worked closely with Lucasfilm to create a fireworks-type show in Galaxy's Edge," Serna explained. "We introduced a character as our storyteller, a droid as part of the experience, and a performative piece around it. Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga uses the spires as a projection space to create an immersive experience where a storyteller shares Anakin Skywalker's tale in a new way."
Kalama emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that goes into creating an authentic and immersive experience. "We have serious conversations about the type of screw head to use because Phillips doesn't exist in the Star Wars timeline, or the receipt paper from purchases," he said. "These small details might seem insignificant alone, but together, they make the space feel truly authentic and immersive."
