Star Wars Celebration showcased the future of Disney Parks, with IGN interviewing Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna. They discussed the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the charming BDX droids arriving at Disney Parks, and more.

Kalama and Serna shared insights on crafting immersive Disney magic, bringing beloved stories and characters to life for unforgettable guest experiences.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Update Enhances Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run

Star Wars Celebration revealed that the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run will feature a The Mandalorian and Grogu-themed update, launching alongside the film on May 22, 2026, allowing engineers to interact with Grogu.

While the attraction’s storyline diverges from the movie, it places guests on a team with Mando and Grogu. Engineers will enjoy unique interactions with Grogu and choose destinations in the Star Wars galaxy.

Concept Art for The Mandalorian and Grogu Mission on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run

"Engineers will communicate with Grogu during the mission," Kalama explained. "When Mando leaves the Razor Crest, Grogu might playfully interact with the control panel, creating fun moments for guests."

Kalama highlighted the choose-your-own-adventure feature, noting a critical moment where guests make a quick decision about which bounty to pursue, determining the mission’s destination.

The adventure takes guests to Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, or the newly introduced Coruscant. The story involves Hondo Ohnaka uncovering a deal on Tatooine, leading to a thrilling galaxy-wide chase with Mando and Grogu to secure a bounty.

BDX Droids to Charm Guests at Disney Parks Worldwide

The beloved BDX Droids, featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu, will soon appear at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney, delighting Star Wars fans.

Developed to enhance park experiences, these droids immerse guests in the Star Wars universe with unique stories created for the parks.

"We designed the BDX Droids to bring characters to life in new ways, blending technology with storytelling," Kalama said. "Their story originated in the parks, evolving across global locations."

"Each droid has a unique personality, reflected in their colors and playful behaviors," Serna added. "Like R2-D2, they’re designed to form emotional connections with guests."

Disney’s teams are advancing park experiences, with Kalama and Serna emphasizing innovative technology to create memorable interactions.

"Animatronics inspire us to bring characters out of attractions and into the parks," Serna said. "We’re using robotics to create unexpected, immersive moments for guests."

"We focus on using technology invisibly to evoke emotion and personality," Kalama added. "It’s about creating a sense of wonder, distinct from typical robotics challenges."

From Childhood Favorites to Shaping Disney’s Future

Disney’s creators, like Kalama and Serna, draw inspiration from their childhood love for park attractions, aiming to craft experiences that captivate new generations.

Reflecting on their influences, they shared how past attractions shaped their creative approach.

"Peter Pan’s Flight amazed me as a kid," Serna recalled. "Later, Star Tours transformed my view of theme parks, immersing me in a Star Wars adventure during a time with little new content."

"Star Tours was my defining experience," Kalama said. "As a child obsessed with science fiction, I was fully transported into a galaxy far away, inspiring my work to create that magic for others."

Now, Kalama and Serna are shaping Disney Parks’ future, drawing from these formative moments.

Serna contributed to Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga at Disneyland, a Galaxy’s Edge projection show enhancing fireworks with a Star Wars narrative.

"We saw guests watching fireworks in silence at Batuu and created a storytelling experience," Serna explained. "We worked with Lucasfilm to craft a droid-led narrative, using the spires for an immersive projection show."

Kalama emphasized the meticulous details that enhance authenticity.

"We obsess over details, like the type of screw heads or receipt paper used in the parks," Kalama said. "These small touches create an authentic, immersive environment for guests."