Florida - At the 2024 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney announced an exciting new addition to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Set to debut in 2026, this new mission will feature characters from the hit series The Mandalorian, specifically focusing on Mando (Din Djarin) and Grogu (commonly known as “Baby Yoda”). The announcement coincides with the release of the The Mandalorian and Grogu movie in 2026, further integrating these popular characters into the immersive world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened at Disneyland in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida in 2019, is a meticulously themed 14-acre land that transports visitors to the remote planet of Batuu, specifically the Black Spire Outpost. The land is designed to be a fully immersive experience, allowing guests to step into the Star Wars universe. Key attractions in Galaxy’s Edge include Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, both of which have been praised for their innovative use of technology and storytelling.
The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride places guests in the cockpit of the iconic spaceship, allowing them to take on various roles—pilot, gunner, or engineer—during a smuggling mission led by the character Hondo Ohnaka. With the new mission featuring Mando and Grogu, the ride will offer a fresh narrative that marks a significant expansion of the attraction’s storyline, tapping into the widespread popularity of “The Mandalorian” series, which debuted on Disney+ in 2019.
The series, set in the Star Wars universe, has become a cultural phenomenon, and the integration of its characters into the Smugglers Run ride reflects Disney’s strategy to continually update its attractions with contemporary content that resonates with audiences.
During the D23 presentation, Dave Filoni, a key creative force behind “The Mandalorian” and other Star Wars projects, joined Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro on stage to discuss the upcoming addition.
Filoni highlighted the use of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine in the creation of virtual sets for “The Mandalorian,” noting that this technology will also be employed to bring the new mission to life within the attraction. The collaboration between Lucasfilm and Epic Games is expected to enhance the immersive experience of the ride, allowing guests to embark on thrilling and dangerous missions flying alongside Mando and Grogu.
The updated Smugglers Run experience is anticipated to launch in conjunction with the “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie in 2026, further deepening the connection between the film and theme park experiences.
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