Star Wars Celebration offered an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks experiences, and IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna. They shared details on the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the adorable BDX droids set to charm guests at Disney Parks worldwide, and more. Kalama and Serna also provided insights into how they bring the magic of Disney to life, creating unforgettable experiences that immerse guests in their favorite stories and characters.
The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
A major highlight from Star Wars Celebration was the announcement that Engineers aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run will soon be able to care for Grogu when the The Mandalorian and Grogu-themed update launches on May 22, 2026. Although the attraction's storyline diverges from the film, it will feature guests teaming up with Mando and Grogu. The Engineer role promises a unique experience, allowing guests to interact with Grogu and make pivotal decisions about their destination in the galaxy.
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 where you're on the comm with Grogu."
The update introduces a choose-your-own-adventure element where players face a critical moment and must decide which bounty to pursue, leading them to destinations such as Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, and the newly-announced Coruscant. This is all part of a new narrative where Hondo Ohnaka overhears a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a high-stakes galactic chase. Guests will join forces with Mando and Grogu to track them down and claim a bounty.
The BDX Droids Will Be Traveling From Disney Parks Around the World Right Into Your Heart
The beloved BDX Droids, adored by Star Wars fans worldwide, are set to roll into Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney. These droids, also featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu, have been developed to enhance guest experiences by immersing them deeper into beloved stories.
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 said. "This is really technology merging with entertainment and a backstory we created specifically for the parks. They've appeared in games and other places, but we created an original story just for us, evolving it as we've moved on to sites all over the world."
"They have fun childlike qualities and do all sorts of cute things," Serna added. "We've identified each one with a personality, making them more engaging and allowing us to expand that world. Just like R2-D2, we believe guests will become connected to certain colors of the BDX droids, each representing a unique personality."
The introduction of BDX Droids exemplifies Disney's ongoing efforts to evolve park experiences, with Kalama and Serna discussing how they're leveraging technology to create even more memorable interactions.
"The technology behind the animatronics is influencing how we're looking at robotics and character experiences," Serna noted. "We see those amazing animatronics in attractions like Frozen, and we think about bringing those out of an attraction and onto a street. You'll see more of these kinds of things in our parks worldwide, using technology in unexpected ways when they're so close to you."
"Using technology in both unexpected and invisible ways is crucial," Kalama added. "We're in the business of creating suspension of disbelief, and often robotics is the only way to bring a character to life. Our challenge is to bring character, emotion, and personality to life, which is different from just getting a robot to balance. How do you make it evoke emotion?"
From Peter Pan and Star Tours to Creating the Future
Kalama and Serna, like many at Disney, were inspired by their childhood experiences at Disney Parks. Serna reminisced about the thrill of flying on Peter Pan and the transformative impact of Star Tours, which brought his favorite Star Wars stories to life.
"As a little kid, riding Peter Pan was most exciting for me," Serna said. "To fly in this vehicle... it blew my mind. I had no idea how it worked. I just thought, 'Oh my God, we're flying!' And then, as I got older and became a huge Star Wars fan, Star Tours changed my life. It represented something from the Star Wars films in a way that made me feel part of the story."
Kalama shared his own fascination with Tomorrowland and Star Tours, emphasizing the power of immersive experiences for guests of all ages.
"I was obsessed with all things science fiction," Kalama said. "The first time I encountered other lands was as an adult. But Star Tours was the attraction for me. The suspension of disbelief was incredible, and I fully believed I was on a star speeder traveling through the galaxy. That sense of magic and disassociation with reality is powerful for kids and adults alike."
Now, Kalama and Serna are instrumental in crafting the future of Disney Parks experiences. Serna discussed his role in bringing Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga to life at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge, a projection show that enhances the nightly fireworks with a Star Wars narrative.
Image Credit: Disney
"It was a two-year process of looking at something that was happening daily, which was fireworks," Serna explained. "People would sit in Batuu and watch the fireworks in silence. We saw an opportunity to create something in the world of Star Wars. We worked with Lucasfilm to create a fireworks show, introducing a storyteller and a droid to enhance the experience. Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga uses the spires as a projection space, creating an immersive experience that tells Anakin Skywalker's tale in a new way."
Kalama highlighted the meticulous attention to detail that goes into every aspect of the parks, emphasizing how these details contribute to an authentic and immersive environment.
"There is an obsessive level of attention to detail that we put into everything," Kalama said. "We have serious conversations about the type of screw head to use on a panel wall because Phillips doesn't exist in the Star Wars timeline, or the receipt paper from printers. These small details might not seem important on their own, but together, they make the space feel truly authentic and immersive."
