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 Mandalorian and Grogu joining Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run in a new mission, a revolutionary ride vehicle for Magic Kingdom's upcoming *Cars* attraction, and a sneak peek at the Monsters, Inc. attraction's load area and lift-off sequence.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman emphasized the collaborative efforts driving these innovative experiences.

Here's a breakdown of the major announcements:

The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Smuggler's Run

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be integrated into 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 that this isn't a movie retelling, but rather a parallel narrative.

The new story incorporates footage captured directly from *The Mandalorian & Grogu*'s set. Additionally, 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 ranks.

Monsters, Inc. Attraction Sneak Peek

Disney World's Hollywood Studios' upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land will feature a suspended coaster—a first for Disney Parks—with a vertical lift. The panel offered a first look at the load area, setting the stage for the attraction's unique experience.

Revolutionary Ride Vehicle for Magic Kingdom's *Cars* Attraction

Pixar's Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen detailed the innovative ride vehicle for Magic Kingdom's new *Cars* land. To achieve an "emotional experience," they developed a completely new type of vehicle, undergoing extensive real-world testing in the Arizona desert and on a custom-built dirt track. Each vehicle will have a unique personality, name, and number.

Robert Downey Jr. on Avengers Campus' Stark Flight Lab

Robert Downey Jr. joined the panel to discuss Avengers Campus' Stark Flight Lab, highlighting the attraction's innovative technology. Guests will experience high-speed maneuvers in gyro-kinetic pods, manipulated by a giant robotic arm inspired by DUM-E. The robotic arm's movements were developed using dancers and motion capture technology.