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

Disney's SXSW "Future of World-Building" panel unveiled exciting developments across its parks. Highlights included the integration of The Mandalorian and Grogu into a new Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run mission, the creation of innovative, emotionally responsive ride vehicles for the Magic Kingdom's Cars attraction, and a sneak peek at the load area and lift-off sequence for the new Monsters, Inc. experience.

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 are the key announcements:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run

The Mandalorian and Grogu will feature in a new Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run mission launching alongside *The Mandalorian & Grogu* movie on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, alongside Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, shared concept art showcasing 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 isn't a movie retelling, but a parallel adventure.

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

Scenes were captured directly from *The Mandalorian & Grogu*'s set, ensuring authenticity. The popular BDX droids from Disneyland will expand to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new Anzellan droid, Otto, joining the lineup.

These 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 suspended roller coaster—a first for Disney Parks—with a vertical lift. A sneak peek at the load area was revealed, hinting at the immersive experience to come.

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

Pixar's Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen discussed the development of the new Cars attraction at Magic Kingdom. Hundgen emphasized the creation of a novel ride vehicle designed to evoke specific emotions. Research involved off-road vehicle testing in the Arizona desert and building a dirt track for data collection, resulting in a customized vehicle with sensors to translate emotional intent into engineering.

Each vehicle will have a unique personality, name, and number.

Avengers Campus: Robert Downey Jr. and 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 described the experience as embodying the Stark Enterprises mission statement: innovation and fun. Guests will ride in gyro-kinetic pods manipulated by a giant robotic arm, inspired by DUM-E, performing high-speed maneuvers.

Walt Disney Imagineering's Bruce Vaughn highlighted the unique integration of technology as a central storytelling element.