Disney Just Announced When You’ll Fly the Millennium Falcon with The Mandalorian and Grogu—And It’s Sooner Than You Think

Star Wars fans, mark your calendars. Disney has officially announced that starting May 22, 2026, you’ll be able to team up with The Mandalorian and Grogu on an entirely new mission aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

According to Disney Parks Blog, this isn’t just a minor update—it’s a complete overhaul of how the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction works. For the first time ever, guests will control the ship’s destination and embark on a brand-new storyline featuring two of the most beloved characters from the Star Wars universe.

What’s Changing

The new experience puts you in the cockpit alongside Mando and Grogu for a high-stakes bounty mission. Here’s the setup: Hondo Ohnaka has caught wind of a deal going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a bounty to be collected, so you’ll “borrow” the Falcon and track them down across the galaxy.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Unlike the current version of Smugglers Run, which takes you to the same destination every time, the updated attraction lets your crew choose where to fly. You might find yourself navigating the Cloud City of Bespin, exploring the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor, or visiting the newly announced destination of Coruscant—the bustling city-planet at the heart of the Star Wars galaxy.

Disney is building this new experience on Unreal Engine 5 by Epic Games, using the same technology that Industrial Light and Magic employs on The Mandalorian series. Translation: expect stunning visuals that blur the line between theme park attraction and cinematic experience.

Enhanced Gameplay

The update also introduces expanded gameplay for the engineer positions. If you’re assigned to one of the two engineer seats in the cockpit, you’ll now be able to communicate directly with Grogu during the mission. Disney hasn’t revealed exactly what that interaction will look like, but given Grogu’s popularity and the character’s Force abilities, it’s safe to assume this will be a highlight for many guests.

The pilot and gunner roles remain, but with new destinations and storylines, even these familiar positions will feel fresh.

Why This Matters

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opened in 2019 as one of the flagship attractions at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. While the ride has remained popular, some guests have noted that the experience can feel repetitive after multiple rides—you’re essentially running the same smuggling mission to Corellia every time.

This update addresses that criticism head-on by introducing variable destinations and a new narrative. Combined with the debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu theatrical film (which also releases in May 2026), Disney is clearly positioning this as a major moment for Star Wars fans.

The timing is strategic. The Mandalorian series concluded its run, but the characters have remained wildly popular. By bringing Mando and Grogu into the parks in a significant way—not just as meet-and-greet characters, but as central figures in a major attraction—Disney is keeping the momentum going and giving fans a reason to return to Galaxy’s Edge.

What to Expect When You Visit

When the update launches on May 22, 2026, you’ll board the Falcon just as you do now, but the pre-show and queue experience may include new elements to set up the Mandalorian storyline. Once you’re in the cockpit and the mission begins, expect to see Mando and Grogu appear on the viewscreens, guiding you through the bounty hunt.

The multiple destination options mean that no two rides will necessarily be identical. If you’re flying with friends or family, you might visit Tatooine on one mission and end up at Coruscant on the next. This replayability factor could significantly increase the attraction’s appeal, especially for annual passholders and repeat visitors.

Disney hasn’t announced whether the original Corellia mission will remain as an option or if it’s being completely replaced. Given the investment in new technology and storylines, it seems likely that the Mandalorian mission will become the primary (or only) experience—at least initially.

The Bottom Line

This is exactly the kind of update that keeps Disney parks feeling current and relevant. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was groundbreaking when it opened, but theme park attractions need to evolve to stay fresh. By integrating popular characters from The Mandalorian series and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Disney is ensuring that Smugglers Run remains a must-do attraction for years to come.

If you’re planning a Disney parks trip in 2026, late May or beyond would be the time to go if flying with Mando and Grogu is on your bucket list. With the theatrical film releasing around the same time, expect Galaxy’s Edge to be busier than usual—but for Star Wars fans, the wait will be worth it.

The Falcon is waiting. Will you answer the call?