The excitement at SXSW's The Future of World-building at Disney Panel was palpable as Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman shared thrilling updates on the future of Disney Parks. From new missions aboard the Millennium Falcon to innovative ride vehicles and the debut of new attractions, the panel left fans eager for what's to come.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Will Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission at the Launch of The Mandalorian & Grogu Film

The much-anticipated integration of The Mandalorian and Grogu into Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will coincide with the premiere of The Mandalorian & Grogu film on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, unveiled concept art showcasing iconic locations like Tatooine's Jawa Sandcrawler, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest near Cloud City on Bespin, and a glimpse at the second Death Star wreckage above Endor.

Favreau emphasized that this new experience will not retell the movie's plot but rather immerse guests in a parallel narrative happening off-screen. To ensure authenticity, Imagineers captured scenes directly from the film's set. Additionally, the beloved BDX droids from Disneyland are set to appear at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new Anzellan variant named Otto making occasional appearances for maintenance.

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

Here's a Sneak Peek at the Load Area and Lift Off of the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World

The upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney World's Hollywood Studios will feature a groundbreaking themed roller coaster, marking the park's first-ever suspended coaster with a vertical lift. Disney offered a tantalizing first look at the load area, designed to set the stage for an immersive journey through the door vault of Monsters, Inc.

Pixar and Imagineering Reveal a New Type of Ride Vehicle Had to Be Made for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction

Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen unveiled exciting details about the new Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. The focus is on creating an emotional experience, necessitating the invention of a unique ride vehicle. To achieve this, the team ventured to the Arizona desert to gather real-world data on off-road vehicles, aiming to replicate the thrill of a rally race through the mountains.

Collaborating with a motocross company, they constructed a dirt track to test a customized production vehicle equipped with sensors. This vehicle is designed to convey specific feelings to riders, and each car will have its own personality, name, and number, adding a touch of Disney and Pixar magic.

Robert Downey Jr. Stops by Disney's SXSW Panel to Help Share More About the New Avengers Campus Attractions

Avengers Campus at Disneyland is set to introduce two new attractions, including Avengers Infinity Defense, where guests will battle King Thanos across multiple worlds. The highlight of the panel was Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance, sharing insights into Stark Flight Lab, where guests will delve into Tony Stark's workshop and experience his latest tech innovations.

Downey Jr. described these new experiences as embodying the Stark Enterprises mission of curiosity, passion, and inventiveness. Guests will ride in "gyro-kinetic pods" and be maneuvered by a giant robot arm, inspired by Iron Man and other Avengers. This unique technology, which transitions from a track to a robot arm, is a first for theme parks and emphasizes the story through the tech itself.

Imagineering has worked with dancers and motion capture to bring realism to the robotic arm, drawing inspiration from Tony Stark's robotic assistant, DUM-E.