Disney's SXSW Panel Unveils World-Building Future

The Future of World-building at Disney Panel during SXSW was packed with exciting updates and tantalizing glimpses into the future of Disney Parks. Among the highlights, fans learned about the integration of The Mandalorian and Grogu into a new mission aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the development of a new type of ride vehicle for Magic Kingdom's upcoming Cars attraction, and a sneak peek at the load area and lift off of the new Monsters, Inc. attraction at Disney World.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman led the panel, discussing the collaborative efforts between their teams to create thrilling new experiences at Disney Parks.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Will Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission at the Launch of The Mandalorian & Grogu Film

The new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at Walt Disney World and Disneyland is set to debut alongside the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu movie on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, shared insights into the new storyline and unveiled concept art featuring iconic locations such as a Jawa's Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest flying towards Cloud City on Bespin, and a visit to the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor.

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

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Favreau clarified that the new mission won't simply retell the movie's events but rather offer an experience akin to participating in events occurring just off-camera. To ensure authenticity, Imagineers captured scenes directly from the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Additionally, BDX droids, previously seen at Disneyland, are set to expand to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, with a new variant featuring an Anzellan named Otto, similar to Babu Frik, appearing on a BDX in need of a tune-up. These droids will also make an appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu film.

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Here's a Sneak Peek at the Load Area and Lift Off of the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World

Monsters, Inc. Land, coming soon to Disney World's Hollywood Studios, will feature a new themed roller coaster—the park's first-ever suspended coaster and the first with a vertical lift. Disney offered a first look at the load area, which promises to set the stage for the thrilling experience of soaring through Monsters, Inc.'s door vault. While more details about the attraction and its surrounding land are yet to be revealed, this preview has generated significant excitement.

Pixar and Imagineering Reveal a New Type of Ride Vehicle Had to Be Made for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction

Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen provided new insights into the upcoming Cars attraction set within the new Cars-themed land at Magic Kingdom. Hundgen emphasized their focus on creating an emotional experience, stating, "For this *Cars* attraction, we need to invent a new type of ride vehicle. No one builds these in a factory because it has to do so much more than just carrying you from one place to another. We have to create a car that conveys a feeling when you ride in it."

To develop this unique ride vehicle, the team conducted research by riding off-road vehicles in the Arizona desert. The new attraction will feature a thrilling rally race through the mountains rather than being set in Radiator Springs. They collaborated with a motocross company to build a dirt track for testing and development. Hundgen explained, "We’re using a customized production vehicle. It has sensors all over it, and we’re taking it for test drives on our dirt track to gather data on how the vehicle responds to different terrain. This is where we turn that feeling we want into real-world engineering."

Each vehicle will also have its own personality, name, and number, adding a touch of Disney and Pixar magic to the experience.

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Robert Downey Jr. Stops by Disney's SXSW Panel to Help Share More About the New Avengers Campus Attractions

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Disneyland's Avengers Campus is set to introduce two new attractions. The first, Avengers Infinity Defense, will see guests teaming up with the Avengers to battle King Thanos across multiple worlds. However, the spotlight was on the second attraction, Stark Flight Lab, where Robert Downey Jr. himself shared new details. Returning as Tony Stark, Downey Jr. described these new experiences as "the living embodiment of the Stark Enterprises mission statement," emphasizing curiosity, passion, inventiveness, and the drive to enhance life and fun.

The Stark Flight Lab will feature guests sitting in "gyro-kinetic pods" and being maneuvered by a giant robot arm inspired by Iron Man and other Avengers. Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Imagineering Bruce Vaughn highlighted the innovative aspect of this ride, saying, "Transferring from a track to a robot arm and then back again – nothing like this has ever been done before in a theme park, and we’re so excited about it. Usually, we hide all the tech behind the scenes so you can focus on the story. Here, the tech IS the story, so we’re putting it front and center."

The robotic arm, drawing inspiration from Tony Stark's DUM-E, will be brought to life with the help of dancers and motion capture technology, ensuring a realistic and engaging experience for guests.