The future of Disney Parks is getting clearer, as new announcements were unveiled at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman took the stage for The Future of World-Building at Disney panel, alongside legendary creators and Imagineers. From new Star Wars adventures to immersive Pixar lands and thrilling Marvel attractions, here’s everything Disney fans have to look forward to in the coming years.
Jump to Lightspeed with a New Mandalorian Adventure
A long-awaited update is coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) and Grogu make their way into the parks. First announced at D23, this new adventure will debut on May 22, 2026, alongside The Mandalorian & Grogu movie.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be updated with an all-new mission that ties directly into the upcoming film, allowing guests to step into an unseen part of the Star Wars universe. Imagineers worked closely with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to ensure the story seamlessly integrates into the larger galaxy. Fans may even get the chance to visit new locations like Cloud City while flying aboard the Falcon.
Additionally, BDX droids, first introduced at Disneyland, will soon be roaming across multiple parks worldwide—including Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. These droids will even make an appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, blurring the lines between the parks and film universe.
Another new addition? Otto the Anzellan, an expert droid mechanic (similar to Babu Frik), will soon be tinkering with droids at Galaxy’s Edge.
Welcome to Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
One of the biggest announcements at SXSW was additional details about the Monsters, Inc. expansion coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This addition will bring the streets of Monstropolis to life, complete with an innovative new suspended roller coaster based on the Monsters, Inc. door vault chase from the film.
Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, joined Imagineer Michael Hundgen on stage to share new details about this attraction, which will feature Disney’s first-ever vertical lift. The ride will simulate the thrilling experience of zooming through the door vault, with guests ascending into the air before being launched into the chaotic chase sequence.
Docter expressed his excitement for the project, calling it a “dream come true” for Pixar and Imagineering.
A Cars-Themed Expansion is Racing to Magic Kingdom
Over at Magic Kingdom, Lightning McQueen and friends are revving up for their brand-new Cars-themed attraction. Unlike Radiator Springs Racers, this experience will focus on off-road rally racing, taking guests beyond Radiator Springs and into rugged new terrain.
Imagineers are developing a first-of-its-kind ride vehicle to bring the experience to life. Inspired by real off-road racing, Disney has partnered with motocross experts to test vehicle physics on a custom-built dirt track. The goal? To create a ride that feels as exhilarating as a real rally race, complete with uneven terrain, high-speed turns, and sudden drops.
Docter also revealed that each ride vehicle will have a unique personality, name, and number, further immersing guests in the world of Cars.
Two New Marvel Attractions Coming to Avengers Campus
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are in for a treat, as two brand-new attractions are in the works for Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
1️⃣ Avengers Infinity Defense – A high-energy attraction where guests will team up with Marvel heroes to battle King Thanos across multiple dimensions.
2️⃣ Stark Flight Lab – A groundbreaking experience that puts guests inside Tony Stark’s latest invention, testing out high-speed flight maneuvers alongside Iron Man and other Avengers.
The biggest surprise of the panel? Robert Downey Jr. himself made a special appearance, joking that “Imagineering is basically the Area 51 of fun” while praising the creativity behind Stark Flight Lab.
This ride will feature gyro-kinetic pods, a unique ride system where guests start on a track before being hoisted into the air by a giant robotic arm, simulating the feeling of soaring like Iron Man. Imagineers promise that this attraction blends storytelling and technology in a way that’s never been done before.
Which new attraction or land are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to DVC Fan for more Disney Parks news and updates!
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March 8, 2025That wasn’t really anything new besides the Star Wars info and that was t really exciting.