Star Wars Celebration offered fans a first look at upcoming Disney Parks innovations, and IGN got exclusive insights from Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna about the Mandalorian & Grogu-themed revamp coming to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, along with details about the charming BDX droids arriving at Disney Parks worldwide.
Beyond announcing these thrilling new experiences, Kalama and Serna shared their creative process for bringing Disney magic to life, allowing guests to step into beloved stories through unforgettable moments.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Gets Mandalorian Makeover
The biggest reveal at Star Wars Celebration confirmed engineers will interact with Grogu during the Mandalorian-themed update launching with the film on May 22, 2026. While following a separate storyline from the movie, this revamp positions each crew member alongside Mando and Grogu, with engineers getting special Grogu interaction privileges and navigation choices.
Concept Art: Mandalorian Mission for Smugglers Run
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"Engineers will enjoy conversations with Grogu during the mission," Kalama explained. "When Mando temporarily leaves the Razor Crest, Grogu might playfully interfere with controls, creating fun interactive moments."
At a critical mission point, engineers must quickly choose between bounty destinations including Bespin, Death Star wreckage above Endor, and Coruscant. Hondo Ohnaka's discovery of a pirate-Imperial deal on Tatooine kicks off a galaxy-spanning chase where guests help Mando track targets.
BDX Droids Coming to Disney Parks Worldwide
These adorable droids will debut at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney after appearing in The Mandalorian & Grogu film. Designed to enhance guest immersion, each color variant boasts unique personality traits.
Innovating Disney Park Experiences
The team discussed pushing technological boundaries to create more intimate character interactions. Serna noted: "We're exploring how to bring advanced animatronics beyond attractions into park streets. The goal is using technology in surprising yet invisible ways to maintain immersion."
Kalama emphasized their focus on emotional storytelling: "Unlike industrial robotics, we must infuse personality and character into every movement to create meaningful guest experiences."
Childhood Inspirations Shaping Tomorrow's Magic
Both imagineers reflected on the Disney attractions that inspired their careers. For Serna, Peter Pan's Flight sparked initial wonder, while Star Tours "changed my perception of what theme parks could achieve." Kalama recalled being "completely transported" by Star Tours as a young sci-fi fan.
These childhood experiences now guide their creative philosophy: "If it would thrill 10-year-old me," Serna said, "it will delight guests of any age."
Signature Projects and Attention to Detail
Serna highlighted Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga, an innovative projection show at Galaxy's Edge that enhances fireworks nights and provides entertainment during non-firework evenings through storytelling and droid characters.
