"Star Wars Comes to Life: Disney's Imagineering and Live Entertainment at Celebration"

Star Wars Celebration provided an exciting glimpse into the future of Disney Parks experiences, and IGN had the privilege of speaking with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama and Disney Live Entertainment's Michael Serna. They shared insights about the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, the introduction of the adorable BDX droids to Disney Parks worldwide, and more. Kalama and Serna also discussed the creative processes behind bringing Disney Magic to life, allowing guests to immerse themselves in their favorite stories and characters in unforgettable ways.

The Mandalorian and Grogu-Themed Update to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run Will Let Engineers Take Care of Grogu

A major highlight from Star Wars Celebration was the announcement of a The Mandalorian and Grogu-themed update for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, set to launch alongside the film on May 22, 2026. While the attraction's storyline will diverge from the film's plot, guests will join forces with Mando and Grogu on their mission. The Engineer role, in particular, offers a unique experience, allowing guests to interact with Grogu and make pivotal decisions about their journey across the galaxy.

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

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Kalama shared, "Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu. 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 there being these fun little vignettes and moments where you're sort of on the comm with Grogu."

Adding an interactive element, Kalama explained that there will be a critical moment where guests must make a quick decision about which bounty to pursue, determining the destinations they will visit, including Bespin, the Death Star wreckage above Endor, and Coruscant. The new story revolves around Hondo Ohnaka uncovering a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a thrilling chase across the galaxy, with guests teaming up with Mando and Grogu to claim a bounty.

The BDX Droids Will Be Traveling From Disney Parks Around the World Right Into Your Heart

The beloved BDX Droids, which have captured the hearts of Star Wars fans, are set to make their way to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney. These droids, also featured in The Mandalorian & Grogu, have been in development to enhance the immersive experiences at Disney Parks, allowing guests to connect more deeply with the stories they love.

Image Credit: Disney

Kalama highlighted the goal of the BDX Droids: "The goal was to look at how we bring characters to life in our parks in different ways, merging technology with entertainment and creating a backstory specifically for the parks. They've appeared in games and other places, but we created an original story for them."

Serna added, "They have lot of fun childlike qualities and do all sorts of cute things that people would do. We needed to identify each one with a personality, making them more engaging and allowing us to expand their world. Just like R2-D2, guests will connect with the unique personalities of each color of the BDX droids."

Kalama and Serna discussed how advancements in animatronics and robotics are shaping the future of Disney Park experiences, bringing characters closer to guests in unexpected ways. Serna noted, "The technology behind the animatronics influences how we look at robotics and character experiences, inspiring us to bring them out of attractions and onto the streets."

Kalama emphasized the importance of technology in creating immersive experiences: "Using technology in both unexpected and invisible ways is crucial to our approach. We create a sense of suspension and disbelief, bringing characters to life with emotion and personality, which is a unique challenge compared to other uses of robotics."

From Peter Pan and Star Tours to Creating the Future

Kalama and Serna, like many Disney fans, were inspired by their childhood experiences at Disney Parks. Serna shared his love for Peter Pan and Star Tours, saying, "Riding Peter Pan as a kid was exciting, but Star Tours changed my life. It represented something new and immersive from the Star Wars universe. Our goal is to invite guests of all ages to feel truly transported into a fantasy."

Kalama reminisced about his first visit to Tomorrowland and the impact of Star Tours: "The suspension of disbelief was incredible; I fully believed I was on a star speeder traveling through the galaxy. This sense of magic and disassociation from reality is powerful for both kids and adults."

Serna's pride in his work is evident in the creation of Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga at Disneyland, a projection show at Galaxy's Edge. He explained, "We transformed the daily fireworks into a Star Wars experience, creating a performative piece with a storyteller and droid. On nights without fireworks, Shadows of Memory uses the spires for projections, offering an immersive storytelling experience."

Image Credit: Disney

Kalama emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that goes into creating authentic and immersive environments: "We have serious conversations about the type of screw head to use because Phillips doesn't exist in the Star Wars timeline. These small details add up to make the space feel truly immersive."