Disney has revealed extra particulars concerning the new mission that includes Mandalorian and Grogu for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars Land at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This shares idea artwork & information concerning the 4 new locations, how the engineer may have a very powerful job within the galaxy because the Child Yoda Babysitter, and the whole lot we all know concerning the adjustments to what appears like a very redone journey sequence.
This information was introduced through the Disney Experiences Panel at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan. Becoming a member of host Ashley Eckstein on stage have been Asa Kalama and Anisha Deshmane from Walt Disney Imagineering, in addition to Michael Serna from Disney Stay Leisure and Matt Martin from Lucasfilm. This revolved round how Star Wars involves life at Disney theme parks all over the world, with WDI and different artistic minds providing a glimpse at Star Wars tasks and sights.
The Star Wars Celebration panel constructed on the announcement of a brand new Mandalorian and Grogu mission for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run initially introduced eventually 12 months’s D23 Expo in Anaheim. Simply final month at SXSW, Jon Favreau, director and producer of the upcoming Star Wars movie, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” who was joined onstage by Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama to speak about what’s coming quickly to Batuu. They revealed throughout SXSW that Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run would have three new locations: Tatooine, Bespin and Endor. In the present day in Tokyo (technically tomorrow), Imagineers revealed one other location: the town planet, Coruscant.
Beginning Could 22, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will permit visitors to regulate the long-lasting ship like by no means earlier than. For the primary time ever, the crew might be in command of their very own vacation spot, resulting in potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Loss of life Star round Endor, or the just-announced bustling city-planet, Coruscant. One other new gameplay addition permits the engineer positions to look after and talk with Grogu through the mission.
This ‘select your individual vacation spot’ replace debuts on the identical day as Lucasfilm’s upcoming title, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Nevertheless, the storyline of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will comply with a distinct path than the upcoming movie.
On this new journey storyline, Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal happening on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a beneficiant bounty for his or her seize, so that you’ll borrow the long-lasting ship and staff up with Mando and Grogu to trace them down and discover the galaxy. That means that the mission will depart Batuu certain for Tatooine, and the crew will select from one among three locations–Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant–from there.
In keeping with Imagineering, none of this may be attainable with out its partnership with Industrial Mild and Magic (ILM). With their assist, you’re in command of your individual future on the attraction. This know-how is all constructed on Unreal Engine 5 by Epic Video games that are the identical instruments ILM makes use of on the Disney+ present, The Mandalorian.
Right here’s a take a look at a number of the new Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run scenes in Bespin, Endor, Tatooine, and Coruscant:
Beforehand, the large unanswered query was whether or not the “new story” that includes the Mandalorian and Grogu could be all-new gameplay and a mission constructed from the bottom up, or simply recycled belongings and a quick scene for the sake of selling.
It’s nonetheless attainable this might be a Star Excursions-style change, with a brand new section with Mandalorian and Child Yoda spliced into the present story. It’s additionally attainable that an all-new mission might be developed, however it’ll someway be worse. In any case, it is a interactive attraction that visitors of all ages and backgrounds want to have the ability to decide up rapidly and play with out a prolonged tutorial or studying curve.
Whereas pessimism isn’t a foul thought given Disney’s current observe document, it’s positive sounding like it is a fairly formidable overhaul to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. That Imagineering is basically taking visitor suggestions and the largest complaints concerning the gameplay loop and attraction expertise, and fixing these faults.
Personally, I feel there’s a fairly excessive chance of this being a significant improve over the previous Smugglers Run mission. Having a ‘select your vacation spot’ factor has shades of Star Excursions or Horizons (IYKYK) and fan consensus is that engineer is much and away the weakest function. So Imagineering is making the visible expertise extra akin to Star Excursions and enhancing the engineer function so it doesn’t really feel such as you get “caught” with it in the event you’re fortunate. That’s addressing two of essentially the most obtrusive shortcomings of the attraction!
Because the Grogu & Mandalorian mission was introduced, we’ve been optimistic and excited concerning the updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Our perspective has been that this virtually assuredly going to enhance the attraction, doubtlessly by a substantial quantity. With every new replace, I’m extra optimistic concerning the route of this journey reimagining (has it risen to the extent that we are able to now name it that?!).
Readers have been far much less enthusiastic. Each time Smugglers Run comes up, followers bemoan how boring it’s while you’re in any function however pilot–particularly engineer, or if children are pilot. I disagree with the final half. If something, I feel the present expertise is so boring that the factor that makes it most fascinating is a very horrible pilot that simply smashes you round into the whole lot.
I’m not even kidding–except for my first time as pilot, all of my favourite ride-throughs have been sitting within the again with children charting our course. Each time I’m assigned the pilot function and there’s a child within the crew, I ask their mother and father in the event that they’d like to modify with me. (To not go on an excessive amount of of a tangent, however I discover it odd what number of Disney Adults are anti-children. They’re getting extra out of the expertise than you! In case you can droop disbelief in a pretend mission on a pretend spaceship, certainly you are able to do the identical with that mission not going flawlessly and the pretend spaceship crashing into stuff.)
In any case, most different visitors don’t appear to agree with me. And it’s true that engineer is essentially the most boring function in a boring mission, even whether it is extra enjoyable when issues are going off the rails and you may simply sit again and watch the trainwreck (err…spaceship-wreck?) unfold.
I additionally agree that the trainwreck needs to be extra enjoyable to observe unfold. The visuals of the mission needs to be sufficiently compelling to observe passively, with out ever even touching the controls. Hopefully that’s what these new locations add, giving the journey shades of Star Excursions that may be gratifying with out the gameplay.
Accordingly, having a brand new mission that really seems to be participating and an engineer function that isn’t an afterthought are each good issues. It will be “unlucky” to make the gameplay loop really enjoyable and gratifying, and have the hole between pilot and engineer develop even additional, defeating my “argument” above and making engineer actually really feel like lacking out on all of the enjoyable.
Increasing the engineer function to permit them to work together with and look after Grogu, or having better management over the mission as an entire, is a brilliant change. My guess is that the function nonetheless received’t be as sturdy as pilot or gunner, however there are lots of people who would fortunately leap on the alternative to babysit Child Yoda. It’ll be fascinating to see how that is built-in into the expertise–presumably by way of a display screen feed of Grogu, and maybe with the flexibility to feed him and produce other cute interactions.
The gunner function will virtually actually enhance with the Mando mission replace. As we’ve mentioned earlier than, the present asteroid discipline delay scene is the very best gameplay loop in Smugglers Run–and that’s not even a part of the primary mission. Even the pilot function might be upgraded with higher environments.
The gameplay might even be easier and higher, simply providing the satisfaction of seeing cool settings and acquainted characters, blowing stuff up, and beating the dangerous guys. I don’t assume it must be extra complicated or difficult to be good. It may be easier and extra satisfying. They’re not mutually unique.
In our view, Smugglers Run is a narrative of squandered potential. There’s a cause why Imagineering is revisiting this journey roughly 5 years after it opened, far earlier than comparable screen-based sights like Avatar Flight of Passage.
Smugglers Run is arguably the third-best Star Wars journey. Or, acknowledged otherwise, the worst. Rise of the Resistance is the clear #1. And each time I do Star Excursions, I’m reminded of how good it’s. I’ve actually loved the entire additions over time, which hold it related and contemporary.
I like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and assume it’s a greater total expertise from begin to end, however the journey portion of Star Excursions blows it away. Think about how nice Smugglers Run might be if it mixed the settings of Star Excursions with the interactivity and full bundle of the Millennium Falcon?!
As a substitute, Smugglers Run is the Star Wars equal of working for UPS. I do know some hardcore followers benefit from the coaxium story, however the fetch quest gameplay is simply not very compelling for the majority of visitors. And as a passive attraction for individuals who aren’t into the gameplay, the plot and visuals are much less participating than even the unique Star Excursions. It’s simply too area of interest and tedious.
Level being, Smugglers Run has a lot unrealized potential. The whole bundle of the attraction across the gameplay is incredible and there’s lots to be mentioned for the want achievement of stepping contained in the Millennium Falcon cockpit, pulling the lever to leap to lightspeed, and many others. However then there’s the mission itself, which falls flat.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run might be a ten/10 attraction–top-of-the-line on each coasts–and a extra compelling mission would get it there. Suffice to say, the addition of Mandalorian and Grogu together with the 4 new locations and an elevated engineer function might be a whole sport changer for the attraction.
Now that we all know when the brand new mission will debut in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the large unanswered query is what else will change with the attraction?
Let’s begin with Hondo Ohnaka or Ohnaka Transport Options, his smuggling operation that ‘borrows’ the Millennium Falcon. Hondo has a wry humorousness, is a lovable scoundrel, and the Audio Animatronics of Hondo within the pre-show is really spectacular. It appears more and more possible that his dialogue will change, however we wouldn’t count on any bodily adjustments to the determine or pre-show scene.
It’s exhausting to see how Hondo’s current dialogue might be weaved right into a mission with Mandalorian and Grogu, so it’s secure to imagine the script might be rewritten. However swapping out the AA and surroundings within the pre-show would possible be approach too costly, ballooning the funds and timeline. I assume they might throw a helmet on Hondo and provides him new threads to make the AA seem like Mando, however I doubt that.
Who is aware of, although. Change this scene to 1 with Audio Animatronics of Mandalorian and Grogu and Smugglers Run might have wait instances rivaling Rise of the Resistance. Simply take a look at the crowds for the walk-around characters, now think about Child Yoda as essentially the most lovable AA ever. I doubt it will occur, although, on condition that Hondo continues to be going to be a part of the attraction in some capability.
Past that, it’s unclear whether or not the brand new Mandalorian mission will necessitate a closure or be finished in a single day just like the added scenes in Star Excursions. As a extra elaborate attraction, my hope is that Smugglers Run will go down for not less than a number of weeks for minor adjustments to make the queue and pre-show mesh with the mission.
My guess is that this won’t be the case. That as a substitute, the brand new mission might be framed in such a approach that no pre-show dialogue wants to vary, not to mention any bodily options of the ship. I might see a number of easter eggs being added to the queue pulled from the Disney+ collection or the film simply to offer followers one thing to search for and speak about, however I wouldn’t rely on that.
Once more, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run continues to be new (by Disney requirements) and the attraction has ‘good bones.’ In order a lot as I would wish to see a complete reimagining, there’s additionally a way of “don’t repair what isn’t damaged.” On this case, the one factor right here that wants altering is the gameplay/mission, and that factor can in all probability be swapped out in a single day.
Relating to a closure, there’s additionally the query of timing for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios model. As mentioned in When Will Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Shut?, there’s the consideration of not having a number of headliners down on the identical time. With RnRC now trying prefer it is likely to be reimagined sooner quite than later, this in all probability isn’t a significant concern at this level.
In the end, all of this Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge information is incredible. It actually appears like Imagineering is setting the desk to lastly ‘break the foundations’ and quit on the sacred timeline in Batuu. My hope is that there’s nonetheless extra to return, and we’re basically getting a smooth relaunch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2026.
It’s nice that Imagineering had the chance to take a giant swing with Galaxy’s Edge, however ~6 years later, it nonetheless hasn’t fairly lived as much as its promise. It appears like that’s beginning to change, first with the introduction of the walk-around Mandalorian and Child Yoda characters, and now this plus the BDX Duckling Droids and (hopefully) Luke Skywalker and extra.
Imagineering getting the change to reimagine Batuu right into a vibrant canvas for adventures that comport extra intently with visitor expectations could be an enormous win. The land might really feel alive and thrilling, even when it turns into much less coherent from a storytelling perspective. It’s solely a matter of time. Informal guests hear “Star Wars land” and count on to have the ability to see Darth Vader, Yoda, C-3PO, and different characters they love. A smooth reboot of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might be precisely the shot within the arm that’s wanted. It may be the marketable addition that’s wanted on each coasts in 2026, with no new sights on faucet. That’s, until this new mission goes to this point that it counts as a reimagined journey!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the expanded engineer function? Excited to be Child Yoda’s babysitter or select from 4 new locations? Are you excited to see the Mandalorian and Child Yoda in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beginning on Could 22, 2026? Do you hope the brand new mission is definitely thrilling? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Disney has revealed extra particulars concerning the new mission that includes Mandalorian and Grogu for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars Land at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This shares idea artwork & information concerning the 4 new locations, how the engineer may have a very powerful job within the galaxy because the Child Yoda Babysitter, and the whole lot we all know concerning the adjustments to what appears like a very redone journey sequence.
This information was introduced through the Disney Experiences Panel at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan. Becoming a member of host Ashley Eckstein on stage have been Asa Kalama and Anisha Deshmane from Walt Disney Imagineering, in addition to Michael Serna from Disney Stay Leisure and Matt Martin from Lucasfilm. This revolved round how Star Wars involves life at Disney theme parks all over the world, with WDI and different artistic minds providing a glimpse at Star Wars tasks and sights.
The Star Wars Celebration panel constructed on the announcement of a brand new Mandalorian and Grogu mission for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run initially introduced eventually 12 months’s D23 Expo in Anaheim. Simply final month at SXSW, Jon Favreau, director and producer of the upcoming Star Wars movie, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” who was joined onstage by Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama to speak about what’s coming quickly to Batuu. They revealed throughout SXSW that Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run would have three new locations: Tatooine, Bespin and Endor. In the present day in Tokyo (technically tomorrow), Imagineers revealed one other location: the town planet, Coruscant.
Beginning Could 22, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will permit visitors to regulate the long-lasting ship like by no means earlier than. For the primary time ever, the crew might be in command of their very own vacation spot, resulting in potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Loss of life Star round Endor, or the just-announced bustling city-planet, Coruscant. One other new gameplay addition permits the engineer positions to look after and talk with Grogu through the mission.
This ‘select your individual vacation spot’ replace debuts on the identical day as Lucasfilm’s upcoming title, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Nevertheless, the storyline of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will comply with a distinct path than the upcoming movie.
On this new journey storyline, Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal happening on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a beneficiant bounty for his or her seize, so that you’ll borrow the long-lasting ship and staff up with Mando and Grogu to trace them down and discover the galaxy. That means that the mission will depart Batuu certain for Tatooine, and the crew will select from one among three locations–Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant–from there.
In keeping with Imagineering, none of this may be attainable with out its partnership with Industrial Mild and Magic (ILM). With their assist, you’re in command of your individual future on the attraction. This know-how is all constructed on Unreal Engine 5 by Epic Video games that are the identical instruments ILM makes use of on the Disney+ present, The Mandalorian.
Right here’s a take a look at a number of the new Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run scenes in Bespin, Endor, Tatooine, and Coruscant:
Beforehand, the large unanswered query was whether or not the “new story” that includes the Mandalorian and Grogu could be all-new gameplay and a mission constructed from the bottom up, or simply recycled belongings and a quick scene for the sake of selling.
It’s nonetheless attainable this might be a Star Excursions-style change, with a brand new section with Mandalorian and Child Yoda spliced into the present story. It’s additionally attainable that an all-new mission might be developed, however it’ll someway be worse. In any case, it is a interactive attraction that visitors of all ages and backgrounds want to have the ability to decide up rapidly and play with out a prolonged tutorial or studying curve.
Whereas pessimism isn’t a foul thought given Disney’s current observe document, it’s positive sounding like it is a fairly formidable overhaul to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. That Imagineering is basically taking visitor suggestions and the largest complaints concerning the gameplay loop and attraction expertise, and fixing these faults.
Personally, I feel there’s a fairly excessive chance of this being a significant improve over the previous Smugglers Run mission. Having a ‘select your vacation spot’ factor has shades of Star Excursions or Horizons (IYKYK) and fan consensus is that engineer is much and away the weakest function. So Imagineering is making the visible expertise extra akin to Star Excursions and enhancing the engineer function so it doesn’t really feel such as you get “caught” with it in the event you’re fortunate. That’s addressing two of essentially the most obtrusive shortcomings of the attraction!
Because the Grogu & Mandalorian mission was introduced, we’ve been optimistic and excited concerning the updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Our perspective has been that this virtually assuredly going to enhance the attraction, doubtlessly by a substantial quantity. With every new replace, I’m extra optimistic concerning the route of this journey reimagining (has it risen to the extent that we are able to now name it that?!).
Readers have been far much less enthusiastic. Each time Smugglers Run comes up, followers bemoan how boring it’s while you’re in any function however pilot–particularly engineer, or if children are pilot. I disagree with the final half. If something, I feel the present expertise is so boring that the factor that makes it most fascinating is a very horrible pilot that simply smashes you round into the whole lot.
I’m not even kidding–except for my first time as pilot, all of my favourite ride-throughs have been sitting within the again with children charting our course. Each time I’m assigned the pilot function and there’s a child within the crew, I ask their mother and father in the event that they’d like to modify with me. (To not go on an excessive amount of of a tangent, however I discover it odd what number of Disney Adults are anti-children. They’re getting extra out of the expertise than you! In case you can droop disbelief in a pretend mission on a pretend spaceship, certainly you are able to do the identical with that mission not going flawlessly and the pretend spaceship crashing into stuff.)
In any case, most different visitors don’t appear to agree with me. And it’s true that engineer is essentially the most boring function in a boring mission, even whether it is extra enjoyable when issues are going off the rails and you may simply sit again and watch the trainwreck (err…spaceship-wreck?) unfold.
I additionally agree that the trainwreck needs to be extra enjoyable to observe unfold. The visuals of the mission needs to be sufficiently compelling to observe passively, with out ever even touching the controls. Hopefully that’s what these new locations add, giving the journey shades of Star Excursions that may be gratifying with out the gameplay.
Accordingly, having a brand new mission that really seems to be participating and an engineer function that isn’t an afterthought are each good issues. It will be “unlucky” to make the gameplay loop really enjoyable and gratifying, and have the hole between pilot and engineer develop even additional, defeating my “argument” above and making engineer actually really feel like lacking out on all of the enjoyable.
Increasing the engineer function to permit them to work together with and look after Grogu, or having better management over the mission as an entire, is a brilliant change. My guess is that the function nonetheless received’t be as sturdy as pilot or gunner, however there are lots of people who would fortunately leap on the alternative to babysit Child Yoda. It’ll be fascinating to see how that is built-in into the expertise–presumably by way of a display screen feed of Grogu, and maybe with the flexibility to feed him and produce other cute interactions.
The gunner function will virtually actually enhance with the Mando mission replace. As we’ve mentioned earlier than, the present asteroid discipline delay scene is the very best gameplay loop in Smugglers Run–and that’s not even a part of the primary mission. Even the pilot function might be upgraded with higher environments.
The gameplay might even be easier and higher, simply providing the satisfaction of seeing cool settings and acquainted characters, blowing stuff up, and beating the dangerous guys. I don’t assume it must be extra complicated or difficult to be good. It may be easier and extra satisfying. They’re not mutually unique.
In our view, Smugglers Run is a narrative of squandered potential. There’s a cause why Imagineering is revisiting this journey roughly 5 years after it opened, far earlier than comparable screen-based sights like Avatar Flight of Passage.
Smugglers Run is arguably the third-best Star Wars journey. Or, acknowledged otherwise, the worst. Rise of the Resistance is the clear #1. And each time I do Star Excursions, I’m reminded of how good it’s. I’ve actually loved the entire additions over time, which hold it related and contemporary.
I like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and assume it’s a greater total expertise from begin to end, however the journey portion of Star Excursions blows it away. Think about how nice Smugglers Run might be if it mixed the settings of Star Excursions with the interactivity and full bundle of the Millennium Falcon?!
As a substitute, Smugglers Run is the Star Wars equal of working for UPS. I do know some hardcore followers benefit from the coaxium story, however the fetch quest gameplay is simply not very compelling for the majority of visitors. And as a passive attraction for individuals who aren’t into the gameplay, the plot and visuals are much less participating than even the unique Star Excursions. It’s simply too area of interest and tedious.
Level being, Smugglers Run has a lot unrealized potential. The whole bundle of the attraction across the gameplay is incredible and there’s lots to be mentioned for the want achievement of stepping contained in the Millennium Falcon cockpit, pulling the lever to leap to lightspeed, and many others. However then there’s the mission itself, which falls flat.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run might be a ten/10 attraction–top-of-the-line on each coasts–and a extra compelling mission would get it there. Suffice to say, the addition of Mandalorian and Grogu together with the 4 new locations and an elevated engineer function might be a whole sport changer for the attraction.
Now that we all know when the brand new mission will debut in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the large unanswered query is what else will change with the attraction?
Let’s begin with Hondo Ohnaka or Ohnaka Transport Options, his smuggling operation that ‘borrows’ the Millennium Falcon. Hondo has a wry humorousness, is a lovable scoundrel, and the Audio Animatronics of Hondo within the pre-show is really spectacular. It appears more and more possible that his dialogue will change, however we wouldn’t count on any bodily adjustments to the determine or pre-show scene.
It’s exhausting to see how Hondo’s current dialogue might be weaved right into a mission with Mandalorian and Grogu, so it’s secure to imagine the script might be rewritten. However swapping out the AA and surroundings within the pre-show would possible be approach too costly, ballooning the funds and timeline. I assume they might throw a helmet on Hondo and provides him new threads to make the AA seem like Mando, however I doubt that.
Who is aware of, although. Change this scene to 1 with Audio Animatronics of Mandalorian and Grogu and Smugglers Run might have wait instances rivaling Rise of the Resistance. Simply take a look at the crowds for the walk-around characters, now think about Child Yoda as essentially the most lovable AA ever. I doubt it will occur, although, on condition that Hondo continues to be going to be a part of the attraction in some capability.
Past that, it’s unclear whether or not the brand new Mandalorian mission will necessitate a closure or be finished in a single day just like the added scenes in Star Excursions. As a extra elaborate attraction, my hope is that Smugglers Run will go down for not less than a number of weeks for minor adjustments to make the queue and pre-show mesh with the mission.
My guess is that this won’t be the case. That as a substitute, the brand new mission might be framed in such a approach that no pre-show dialogue wants to vary, not to mention any bodily options of the ship. I might see a number of easter eggs being added to the queue pulled from the Disney+ collection or the film simply to offer followers one thing to search for and speak about, however I wouldn’t rely on that.
Once more, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run continues to be new (by Disney requirements) and the attraction has ‘good bones.’ In order a lot as I would wish to see a complete reimagining, there’s additionally a way of “don’t repair what isn’t damaged.” On this case, the one factor right here that wants altering is the gameplay/mission, and that factor can in all probability be swapped out in a single day.
Relating to a closure, there’s additionally the query of timing for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios model. As mentioned in When Will Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Shut?, there’s the consideration of not having a number of headliners down on the identical time. With RnRC now trying prefer it is likely to be reimagined sooner quite than later, this in all probability isn’t a significant concern at this level.
In the end, all of this Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge information is incredible. It actually appears like Imagineering is setting the desk to lastly ‘break the foundations’ and quit on the sacred timeline in Batuu. My hope is that there’s nonetheless extra to return, and we’re basically getting a smooth relaunch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2026.
It’s nice that Imagineering had the chance to take a giant swing with Galaxy’s Edge, however ~6 years later, it nonetheless hasn’t fairly lived as much as its promise. It appears like that’s beginning to change, first with the introduction of the walk-around Mandalorian and Child Yoda characters, and now this plus the BDX Duckling Droids and (hopefully) Luke Skywalker and extra.
Imagineering getting the change to reimagine Batuu right into a vibrant canvas for adventures that comport extra intently with visitor expectations could be an enormous win. The land might really feel alive and thrilling, even when it turns into much less coherent from a storytelling perspective. It’s solely a matter of time. Informal guests hear “Star Wars land” and count on to have the ability to see Darth Vader, Yoda, C-3PO, and different characters they love. A smooth reboot of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might be precisely the shot within the arm that’s wanted. It may be the marketable addition that’s wanted on each coasts in 2026, with no new sights on faucet. That’s, until this new mission goes to this point that it counts as a reimagined journey!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the expanded engineer function? Excited to be Child Yoda’s babysitter or select from 4 new locations? Are you excited to see the Mandalorian and Child Yoda in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beginning on Could 22, 2026? Do you hope the brand new mission is definitely thrilling? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Disney has revealed extra particulars concerning the new mission that includes Mandalorian and Grogu for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars Land at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This shares idea artwork & information concerning the 4 new locations, how the engineer may have a very powerful job within the galaxy because the Child Yoda Babysitter, and the whole lot we all know concerning the adjustments to what appears like a very redone journey sequence.
This information was introduced through the Disney Experiences Panel at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan. Becoming a member of host Ashley Eckstein on stage have been Asa Kalama and Anisha Deshmane from Walt Disney Imagineering, in addition to Michael Serna from Disney Stay Leisure and Matt Martin from Lucasfilm. This revolved round how Star Wars involves life at Disney theme parks all over the world, with WDI and different artistic minds providing a glimpse at Star Wars tasks and sights.
The Star Wars Celebration panel constructed on the announcement of a brand new Mandalorian and Grogu mission for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run initially introduced eventually 12 months’s D23 Expo in Anaheim. Simply final month at SXSW, Jon Favreau, director and producer of the upcoming Star Wars movie, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” who was joined onstage by Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama to speak about what’s coming quickly to Batuu. They revealed throughout SXSW that Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run would have three new locations: Tatooine, Bespin and Endor. In the present day in Tokyo (technically tomorrow), Imagineers revealed one other location: the town planet, Coruscant.
Beginning Could 22, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will permit visitors to regulate the long-lasting ship like by no means earlier than. For the primary time ever, the crew might be in command of their very own vacation spot, resulting in potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Loss of life Star round Endor, or the just-announced bustling city-planet, Coruscant. One other new gameplay addition permits the engineer positions to look after and talk with Grogu through the mission.
This ‘select your individual vacation spot’ replace debuts on the identical day as Lucasfilm’s upcoming title, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Nevertheless, the storyline of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will comply with a distinct path than the upcoming movie.
On this new journey storyline, Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal happening on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a beneficiant bounty for his or her seize, so that you’ll borrow the long-lasting ship and staff up with Mando and Grogu to trace them down and discover the galaxy. That means that the mission will depart Batuu certain for Tatooine, and the crew will select from one among three locations–Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant–from there.
In keeping with Imagineering, none of this may be attainable with out its partnership with Industrial Mild and Magic (ILM). With their assist, you’re in command of your individual future on the attraction. This know-how is all constructed on Unreal Engine 5 by Epic Video games that are the identical instruments ILM makes use of on the Disney+ present, The Mandalorian.
Right here’s a take a look at a number of the new Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run scenes in Bespin, Endor, Tatooine, and Coruscant:
Beforehand, the large unanswered query was whether or not the “new story” that includes the Mandalorian and Grogu could be all-new gameplay and a mission constructed from the bottom up, or simply recycled belongings and a quick scene for the sake of selling.
It’s nonetheless attainable this might be a Star Excursions-style change, with a brand new section with Mandalorian and Child Yoda spliced into the present story. It’s additionally attainable that an all-new mission might be developed, however it’ll someway be worse. In any case, it is a interactive attraction that visitors of all ages and backgrounds want to have the ability to decide up rapidly and play with out a prolonged tutorial or studying curve.
Whereas pessimism isn’t a foul thought given Disney’s current observe document, it’s positive sounding like it is a fairly formidable overhaul to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. That Imagineering is basically taking visitor suggestions and the largest complaints concerning the gameplay loop and attraction expertise, and fixing these faults.
Personally, I feel there’s a fairly excessive chance of this being a significant improve over the previous Smugglers Run mission. Having a ‘select your vacation spot’ factor has shades of Star Excursions or Horizons (IYKYK) and fan consensus is that engineer is much and away the weakest function. So Imagineering is making the visible expertise extra akin to Star Excursions and enhancing the engineer function so it doesn’t really feel such as you get “caught” with it in the event you’re fortunate. That’s addressing two of essentially the most obtrusive shortcomings of the attraction!
Because the Grogu & Mandalorian mission was introduced, we’ve been optimistic and excited concerning the updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Our perspective has been that this virtually assuredly going to enhance the attraction, doubtlessly by a substantial quantity. With every new replace, I’m extra optimistic concerning the route of this journey reimagining (has it risen to the extent that we are able to now name it that?!).
Readers have been far much less enthusiastic. Each time Smugglers Run comes up, followers bemoan how boring it’s while you’re in any function however pilot–particularly engineer, or if children are pilot. I disagree with the final half. If something, I feel the present expertise is so boring that the factor that makes it most fascinating is a very horrible pilot that simply smashes you round into the whole lot.
I’m not even kidding–except for my first time as pilot, all of my favourite ride-throughs have been sitting within the again with children charting our course. Each time I’m assigned the pilot function and there’s a child within the crew, I ask their mother and father in the event that they’d like to modify with me. (To not go on an excessive amount of of a tangent, however I discover it odd what number of Disney Adults are anti-children. They’re getting extra out of the expertise than you! In case you can droop disbelief in a pretend mission on a pretend spaceship, certainly you are able to do the identical with that mission not going flawlessly and the pretend spaceship crashing into stuff.)
In any case, most different visitors don’t appear to agree with me. And it’s true that engineer is essentially the most boring function in a boring mission, even whether it is extra enjoyable when issues are going off the rails and you may simply sit again and watch the trainwreck (err…spaceship-wreck?) unfold.
I additionally agree that the trainwreck needs to be extra enjoyable to observe unfold. The visuals of the mission needs to be sufficiently compelling to observe passively, with out ever even touching the controls. Hopefully that’s what these new locations add, giving the journey shades of Star Excursions that may be gratifying with out the gameplay.
Accordingly, having a brand new mission that really seems to be participating and an engineer function that isn’t an afterthought are each good issues. It will be “unlucky” to make the gameplay loop really enjoyable and gratifying, and have the hole between pilot and engineer develop even additional, defeating my “argument” above and making engineer actually really feel like lacking out on all of the enjoyable.
Increasing the engineer function to permit them to work together with and look after Grogu, or having better management over the mission as an entire, is a brilliant change. My guess is that the function nonetheless received’t be as sturdy as pilot or gunner, however there are lots of people who would fortunately leap on the alternative to babysit Child Yoda. It’ll be fascinating to see how that is built-in into the expertise–presumably by way of a display screen feed of Grogu, and maybe with the flexibility to feed him and produce other cute interactions.
The gunner function will virtually actually enhance with the Mando mission replace. As we’ve mentioned earlier than, the present asteroid discipline delay scene is the very best gameplay loop in Smugglers Run–and that’s not even a part of the primary mission. Even the pilot function might be upgraded with higher environments.
The gameplay might even be easier and higher, simply providing the satisfaction of seeing cool settings and acquainted characters, blowing stuff up, and beating the dangerous guys. I don’t assume it must be extra complicated or difficult to be good. It may be easier and extra satisfying. They’re not mutually unique.
In our view, Smugglers Run is a narrative of squandered potential. There’s a cause why Imagineering is revisiting this journey roughly 5 years after it opened, far earlier than comparable screen-based sights like Avatar Flight of Passage.
Smugglers Run is arguably the third-best Star Wars journey. Or, acknowledged otherwise, the worst. Rise of the Resistance is the clear #1. And each time I do Star Excursions, I’m reminded of how good it’s. I’ve actually loved the entire additions over time, which hold it related and contemporary.
I like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and assume it’s a greater total expertise from begin to end, however the journey portion of Star Excursions blows it away. Think about how nice Smugglers Run might be if it mixed the settings of Star Excursions with the interactivity and full bundle of the Millennium Falcon?!
As a substitute, Smugglers Run is the Star Wars equal of working for UPS. I do know some hardcore followers benefit from the coaxium story, however the fetch quest gameplay is simply not very compelling for the majority of visitors. And as a passive attraction for individuals who aren’t into the gameplay, the plot and visuals are much less participating than even the unique Star Excursions. It’s simply too area of interest and tedious.
Level being, Smugglers Run has a lot unrealized potential. The whole bundle of the attraction across the gameplay is incredible and there’s lots to be mentioned for the want achievement of stepping contained in the Millennium Falcon cockpit, pulling the lever to leap to lightspeed, and many others. However then there’s the mission itself, which falls flat.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run might be a ten/10 attraction–top-of-the-line on each coasts–and a extra compelling mission would get it there. Suffice to say, the addition of Mandalorian and Grogu together with the 4 new locations and an elevated engineer function might be a whole sport changer for the attraction.
Now that we all know when the brand new mission will debut in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the large unanswered query is what else will change with the attraction?
Let’s begin with Hondo Ohnaka or Ohnaka Transport Options, his smuggling operation that ‘borrows’ the Millennium Falcon. Hondo has a wry humorousness, is a lovable scoundrel, and the Audio Animatronics of Hondo within the pre-show is really spectacular. It appears more and more possible that his dialogue will change, however we wouldn’t count on any bodily adjustments to the determine or pre-show scene.
It’s exhausting to see how Hondo’s current dialogue might be weaved right into a mission with Mandalorian and Grogu, so it’s secure to imagine the script might be rewritten. However swapping out the AA and surroundings within the pre-show would possible be approach too costly, ballooning the funds and timeline. I assume they might throw a helmet on Hondo and provides him new threads to make the AA seem like Mando, however I doubt that.
Who is aware of, although. Change this scene to 1 with Audio Animatronics of Mandalorian and Grogu and Smugglers Run might have wait instances rivaling Rise of the Resistance. Simply take a look at the crowds for the walk-around characters, now think about Child Yoda as essentially the most lovable AA ever. I doubt it will occur, although, on condition that Hondo continues to be going to be a part of the attraction in some capability.
Past that, it’s unclear whether or not the brand new Mandalorian mission will necessitate a closure or be finished in a single day just like the added scenes in Star Excursions. As a extra elaborate attraction, my hope is that Smugglers Run will go down for not less than a number of weeks for minor adjustments to make the queue and pre-show mesh with the mission.
My guess is that this won’t be the case. That as a substitute, the brand new mission might be framed in such a approach that no pre-show dialogue wants to vary, not to mention any bodily options of the ship. I might see a number of easter eggs being added to the queue pulled from the Disney+ collection or the film simply to offer followers one thing to search for and speak about, however I wouldn’t rely on that.
Once more, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run continues to be new (by Disney requirements) and the attraction has ‘good bones.’ In order a lot as I would wish to see a complete reimagining, there’s additionally a way of “don’t repair what isn’t damaged.” On this case, the one factor right here that wants altering is the gameplay/mission, and that factor can in all probability be swapped out in a single day.
Relating to a closure, there’s additionally the query of timing for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios model. As mentioned in When Will Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Shut?, there’s the consideration of not having a number of headliners down on the identical time. With RnRC now trying prefer it is likely to be reimagined sooner quite than later, this in all probability isn’t a significant concern at this level.
In the end, all of this Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge information is incredible. It actually appears like Imagineering is setting the desk to lastly ‘break the foundations’ and quit on the sacred timeline in Batuu. My hope is that there’s nonetheless extra to return, and we’re basically getting a smooth relaunch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2026.
It’s nice that Imagineering had the chance to take a giant swing with Galaxy’s Edge, however ~6 years later, it nonetheless hasn’t fairly lived as much as its promise. It appears like that’s beginning to change, first with the introduction of the walk-around Mandalorian and Child Yoda characters, and now this plus the BDX Duckling Droids and (hopefully) Luke Skywalker and extra.
Imagineering getting the change to reimagine Batuu right into a vibrant canvas for adventures that comport extra intently with visitor expectations could be an enormous win. The land might really feel alive and thrilling, even when it turns into much less coherent from a storytelling perspective. It’s solely a matter of time. Informal guests hear “Star Wars land” and count on to have the ability to see Darth Vader, Yoda, C-3PO, and different characters they love. A smooth reboot of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might be precisely the shot within the arm that’s wanted. It may be the marketable addition that’s wanted on each coasts in 2026, with no new sights on faucet. That’s, until this new mission goes to this point that it counts as a reimagined journey!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the expanded engineer function? Excited to be Child Yoda’s babysitter or select from 4 new locations? Are you excited to see the Mandalorian and Child Yoda in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beginning on Could 22, 2026? Do you hope the brand new mission is definitely thrilling? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Disney has revealed extra particulars concerning the new mission that includes Mandalorian and Grogu for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars Land at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This shares idea artwork & information concerning the 4 new locations, how the engineer may have a very powerful job within the galaxy because the Child Yoda Babysitter, and the whole lot we all know concerning the adjustments to what appears like a very redone journey sequence.
This information was introduced through the Disney Experiences Panel at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan. Becoming a member of host Ashley Eckstein on stage have been Asa Kalama and Anisha Deshmane from Walt Disney Imagineering, in addition to Michael Serna from Disney Stay Leisure and Matt Martin from Lucasfilm. This revolved round how Star Wars involves life at Disney theme parks all over the world, with WDI and different artistic minds providing a glimpse at Star Wars tasks and sights.
The Star Wars Celebration panel constructed on the announcement of a brand new Mandalorian and Grogu mission for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run initially introduced eventually 12 months’s D23 Expo in Anaheim. Simply final month at SXSW, Jon Favreau, director and producer of the upcoming Star Wars movie, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” who was joined onstage by Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama to speak about what’s coming quickly to Batuu. They revealed throughout SXSW that Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run would have three new locations: Tatooine, Bespin and Endor. In the present day in Tokyo (technically tomorrow), Imagineers revealed one other location: the town planet, Coruscant.
Beginning Could 22, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will permit visitors to regulate the long-lasting ship like by no means earlier than. For the primary time ever, the crew might be in command of their very own vacation spot, resulting in potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Loss of life Star round Endor, or the just-announced bustling city-planet, Coruscant. One other new gameplay addition permits the engineer positions to look after and talk with Grogu through the mission.
This ‘select your individual vacation spot’ replace debuts on the identical day as Lucasfilm’s upcoming title, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Nevertheless, the storyline of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will comply with a distinct path than the upcoming movie.
On this new journey storyline, Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal happening on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a beneficiant bounty for his or her seize, so that you’ll borrow the long-lasting ship and staff up with Mando and Grogu to trace them down and discover the galaxy. That means that the mission will depart Batuu certain for Tatooine, and the crew will select from one among three locations–Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant–from there.
In keeping with Imagineering, none of this may be attainable with out its partnership with Industrial Mild and Magic (ILM). With their assist, you’re in command of your individual future on the attraction. This know-how is all constructed on Unreal Engine 5 by Epic Video games that are the identical instruments ILM makes use of on the Disney+ present, The Mandalorian.
Right here’s a take a look at a number of the new Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run scenes in Bespin, Endor, Tatooine, and Coruscant:
Beforehand, the large unanswered query was whether or not the “new story” that includes the Mandalorian and Grogu could be all-new gameplay and a mission constructed from the bottom up, or simply recycled belongings and a quick scene for the sake of selling.
It’s nonetheless attainable this might be a Star Excursions-style change, with a brand new section with Mandalorian and Child Yoda spliced into the present story. It’s additionally attainable that an all-new mission might be developed, however it’ll someway be worse. In any case, it is a interactive attraction that visitors of all ages and backgrounds want to have the ability to decide up rapidly and play with out a prolonged tutorial or studying curve.
Whereas pessimism isn’t a foul thought given Disney’s current observe document, it’s positive sounding like it is a fairly formidable overhaul to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. That Imagineering is basically taking visitor suggestions and the largest complaints concerning the gameplay loop and attraction expertise, and fixing these faults.
Personally, I feel there’s a fairly excessive chance of this being a significant improve over the previous Smugglers Run mission. Having a ‘select your vacation spot’ factor has shades of Star Excursions or Horizons (IYKYK) and fan consensus is that engineer is much and away the weakest function. So Imagineering is making the visible expertise extra akin to Star Excursions and enhancing the engineer function so it doesn’t really feel such as you get “caught” with it in the event you’re fortunate. That’s addressing two of essentially the most obtrusive shortcomings of the attraction!
Because the Grogu & Mandalorian mission was introduced, we’ve been optimistic and excited concerning the updates to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Our perspective has been that this virtually assuredly going to enhance the attraction, doubtlessly by a substantial quantity. With every new replace, I’m extra optimistic concerning the route of this journey reimagining (has it risen to the extent that we are able to now name it that?!).
Readers have been far much less enthusiastic. Each time Smugglers Run comes up, followers bemoan how boring it’s while you’re in any function however pilot–particularly engineer, or if children are pilot. I disagree with the final half. If something, I feel the present expertise is so boring that the factor that makes it most fascinating is a very horrible pilot that simply smashes you round into the whole lot.
I’m not even kidding–except for my first time as pilot, all of my favourite ride-throughs have been sitting within the again with children charting our course. Each time I’m assigned the pilot function and there’s a child within the crew, I ask their mother and father in the event that they’d like to modify with me. (To not go on an excessive amount of of a tangent, however I discover it odd what number of Disney Adults are anti-children. They’re getting extra out of the expertise than you! In case you can droop disbelief in a pretend mission on a pretend spaceship, certainly you are able to do the identical with that mission not going flawlessly and the pretend spaceship crashing into stuff.)
In any case, most different visitors don’t appear to agree with me. And it’s true that engineer is essentially the most boring function in a boring mission, even whether it is extra enjoyable when issues are going off the rails and you may simply sit again and watch the trainwreck (err…spaceship-wreck?) unfold.
I additionally agree that the trainwreck needs to be extra enjoyable to observe unfold. The visuals of the mission needs to be sufficiently compelling to observe passively, with out ever even touching the controls. Hopefully that’s what these new locations add, giving the journey shades of Star Excursions that may be gratifying with out the gameplay.
Accordingly, having a brand new mission that really seems to be participating and an engineer function that isn’t an afterthought are each good issues. It will be “unlucky” to make the gameplay loop really enjoyable and gratifying, and have the hole between pilot and engineer develop even additional, defeating my “argument” above and making engineer actually really feel like lacking out on all of the enjoyable.
Increasing the engineer function to permit them to work together with and look after Grogu, or having better management over the mission as an entire, is a brilliant change. My guess is that the function nonetheless received’t be as sturdy as pilot or gunner, however there are lots of people who would fortunately leap on the alternative to babysit Child Yoda. It’ll be fascinating to see how that is built-in into the expertise–presumably by way of a display screen feed of Grogu, and maybe with the flexibility to feed him and produce other cute interactions.
The gunner function will virtually actually enhance with the Mando mission replace. As we’ve mentioned earlier than, the present asteroid discipline delay scene is the very best gameplay loop in Smugglers Run–and that’s not even a part of the primary mission. Even the pilot function might be upgraded with higher environments.
The gameplay might even be easier and higher, simply providing the satisfaction of seeing cool settings and acquainted characters, blowing stuff up, and beating the dangerous guys. I don’t assume it must be extra complicated or difficult to be good. It may be easier and extra satisfying. They’re not mutually unique.
In our view, Smugglers Run is a narrative of squandered potential. There’s a cause why Imagineering is revisiting this journey roughly 5 years after it opened, far earlier than comparable screen-based sights like Avatar Flight of Passage.
Smugglers Run is arguably the third-best Star Wars journey. Or, acknowledged otherwise, the worst. Rise of the Resistance is the clear #1. And each time I do Star Excursions, I’m reminded of how good it’s. I’ve actually loved the entire additions over time, which hold it related and contemporary.
I like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and assume it’s a greater total expertise from begin to end, however the journey portion of Star Excursions blows it away. Think about how nice Smugglers Run might be if it mixed the settings of Star Excursions with the interactivity and full bundle of the Millennium Falcon?!
As a substitute, Smugglers Run is the Star Wars equal of working for UPS. I do know some hardcore followers benefit from the coaxium story, however the fetch quest gameplay is simply not very compelling for the majority of visitors. And as a passive attraction for individuals who aren’t into the gameplay, the plot and visuals are much less participating than even the unique Star Excursions. It’s simply too area of interest and tedious.
Level being, Smugglers Run has a lot unrealized potential. The whole bundle of the attraction across the gameplay is incredible and there’s lots to be mentioned for the want achievement of stepping contained in the Millennium Falcon cockpit, pulling the lever to leap to lightspeed, and many others. However then there’s the mission itself, which falls flat.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run might be a ten/10 attraction–top-of-the-line on each coasts–and a extra compelling mission would get it there. Suffice to say, the addition of Mandalorian and Grogu together with the 4 new locations and an elevated engineer function might be a whole sport changer for the attraction.
Now that we all know when the brand new mission will debut in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the large unanswered query is what else will change with the attraction?
Let’s begin with Hondo Ohnaka or Ohnaka Transport Options, his smuggling operation that ‘borrows’ the Millennium Falcon. Hondo has a wry humorousness, is a lovable scoundrel, and the Audio Animatronics of Hondo within the pre-show is really spectacular. It appears more and more possible that his dialogue will change, however we wouldn’t count on any bodily adjustments to the determine or pre-show scene.
It’s exhausting to see how Hondo’s current dialogue might be weaved right into a mission with Mandalorian and Grogu, so it’s secure to imagine the script might be rewritten. However swapping out the AA and surroundings within the pre-show would possible be approach too costly, ballooning the funds and timeline. I assume they might throw a helmet on Hondo and provides him new threads to make the AA seem like Mando, however I doubt that.
Who is aware of, although. Change this scene to 1 with Audio Animatronics of Mandalorian and Grogu and Smugglers Run might have wait instances rivaling Rise of the Resistance. Simply take a look at the crowds for the walk-around characters, now think about Child Yoda as essentially the most lovable AA ever. I doubt it will occur, although, on condition that Hondo continues to be going to be a part of the attraction in some capability.
Past that, it’s unclear whether or not the brand new Mandalorian mission will necessitate a closure or be finished in a single day just like the added scenes in Star Excursions. As a extra elaborate attraction, my hope is that Smugglers Run will go down for not less than a number of weeks for minor adjustments to make the queue and pre-show mesh with the mission.
My guess is that this won’t be the case. That as a substitute, the brand new mission might be framed in such a approach that no pre-show dialogue wants to vary, not to mention any bodily options of the ship. I might see a number of easter eggs being added to the queue pulled from the Disney+ collection or the film simply to offer followers one thing to search for and speak about, however I wouldn’t rely on that.
Once more, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run continues to be new (by Disney requirements) and the attraction has ‘good bones.’ In order a lot as I would wish to see a complete reimagining, there’s additionally a way of “don’t repair what isn’t damaged.” On this case, the one factor right here that wants altering is the gameplay/mission, and that factor can in all probability be swapped out in a single day.
Relating to a closure, there’s additionally the query of timing for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios model. As mentioned in When Will Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Shut?, there’s the consideration of not having a number of headliners down on the identical time. With RnRC now trying prefer it is likely to be reimagined sooner quite than later, this in all probability isn’t a significant concern at this level.
In the end, all of this Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge information is incredible. It actually appears like Imagineering is setting the desk to lastly ‘break the foundations’ and quit on the sacred timeline in Batuu. My hope is that there’s nonetheless extra to return, and we’re basically getting a smooth relaunch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2026.
It’s nice that Imagineering had the chance to take a giant swing with Galaxy’s Edge, however ~6 years later, it nonetheless hasn’t fairly lived as much as its promise. It appears like that’s beginning to change, first with the introduction of the walk-around Mandalorian and Child Yoda characters, and now this plus the BDX Duckling Droids and (hopefully) Luke Skywalker and extra.
Imagineering getting the change to reimagine Batuu right into a vibrant canvas for adventures that comport extra intently with visitor expectations could be an enormous win. The land might really feel alive and thrilling, even when it turns into much less coherent from a storytelling perspective. It’s solely a matter of time. Informal guests hear “Star Wars land” and count on to have the ability to see Darth Vader, Yoda, C-3PO, and different characters they love. A smooth reboot of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might be precisely the shot within the arm that’s wanted. It may be the marketable addition that’s wanted on each coasts in 2026, with no new sights on faucet. That’s, until this new mission goes to this point that it counts as a reimagined journey!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the expanded engineer function? Excited to be Child Yoda’s babysitter or select from 4 new locations? Are you excited to see the Mandalorian and Child Yoda in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beginning on Could 22, 2026? Do you hope the brand new mission is definitely thrilling? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
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