What to Expect When You Join Mando and Grogu To Take the Helm of the Millennium Falcon

Starting May 22, 2026, Disney is bridging the gap between the theme park and the silver screen. In a first-of-its-kind simultaneous launch, the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut at both Disneyland and Disney World on the exact same day that The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film hits theaters.

Disney recently released a new ride poster for the attraction: Here is everything you need to know about the new mission coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The update moves away from the traditional coaxium heist, introducing a high-stakes storyline featuring the galaxy’s most famous duo. The mission is set in motion by the ever-opportunistic Hondo Ohnaka, who has caught wind of a shady deal on Tatooine involving ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates.

With Mando and Grogu on the hunt, guests use the Falcon to join the chase. Expect the mission to feel more integrated into the current Star Wars timeline, trading the industrial grit of the original ride for the cinematic flair of the “Mando-verse.”

In a massive shift for the attraction’s mechanics, the crew in the cockpit finally gets to choose where they are going. For the first time, guests can set a course for three iconic locations from Star Wars history:

• Bespin: Navigate the orange-hued skies and high-rise structures of Cloud City.
• Endor: Fly through the debris field of the wreckage of the second Death Star.
• Coruscant: Dive into the dense, neon-lit urban canyons of the galactic capital.

The most impressive change is under the hood. To match the visual quality of the Disney+ series, every cockpit has been outfitted with upgraded hardware. The ride’s visuals are now rendered in real-time using Unreal Engine 5—the same revolutionary technology used to create the digital “Volume” sets for The Mandalorian.

This means the space battles and planetary descents will look more realistic than ever, with lighting and textures that mimic the look of the feature film.

While Pilots and Gunners still have their hands full, the Engineer role is getting a much-needed boost in interactivity. A new gameplay feature will allow Engineers to communicate directly with Grogu during the mission. Whether he’s “helping” with the controls or simply causing mischief in the ship’s vents, your interaction with the Child will be a central part of the experience.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – The Mandalorian Update officially opens May 22, 2026.