Credit: DisneyDisney fans are used to big announcements coming from Imagineering presentations or splashy expo stages. This time, however, the conversation started with something quieter — but arguably far more revealing. Disney’s soon-to-be CEO, Josh D’Amaro, recently made some weighty comments about a fan-favorite Star Wars attraction, and the implications are hard to ignore.
During a discussion about park experiences and guest satisfaction, D’Amaro suggested that not every popular ride automatically earns top priority status anymore. In fact, one major Star Wars experience appears to have slipped down Disney’s internal ranking of essential attractions. That doesn’t mean the ride is going anywhere, but it does signal that leadership sees room for improvement — and possibly major updates ahead.
For longtime fans of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the remarks felt significant. Disney rarely publicly acknowledges when an attraction isn’t fully meeting expectations. Yet D’Amaro’s candid tone hinted that changes may already be in motion as Disney looks to refine what counts as a truly unforgettable experience.
A Leadership Shift Arrives March 18, 2026
These comments carry extra weight because of timing. Josh D’Amaro will officially assume the role of CEO of The Walt Disney Company on March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger. After years leading Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, D’Amaro now prepares to guide the entire company during one of its most transformative eras.
His tenure overseeing the parks earned him a reputation for balancing guest satisfaction with long-term strategy. He has frequently emphasized listening to fan feedback while still advancing innovation. As CEO, those philosophies will influence not just theme parks but Disney’s broader entertainment ecosystem.
Because of that upcoming transition, every statement he makes about park experiences now feels like a preview of Disney’s future direction. When D’Amaro discusses ride quality or guest engagement, fans and analysts alike treat it as more than casual commentary. It becomes a roadmap.
And in this case, that roadmap appears to include rethinking how one Star Wars attraction fits into Disney’s lineup.
Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Since opening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has represented Disney’s most ambitious attempt at immersive storytelling. Rather than building a traditional-themed land, Disney created an environment that makes guests feel as though they have stepped directly into the Star Wars universe.
Visitors can build custom lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop, assemble their own droids at Droid Depot, and interact with roaming characters ranging from Resistance fighters to First Order officers. The land thrives on participation, encouraging guests to become part of the story rather than simply observe it.
Two headline attractions anchor the experience. Rise of the Resistance delivers a cinematic adventure blending multiple ride systems into one massive narrative journey. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, meanwhile, allows guests to pilot the most famous ship in the galaxy themselves.
It’s that second attraction — Smugglers Run — that recently found itself at the center of D’Amaro’s candid assessment.
A Ride With Untapped Potential
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run remains one of the most technically impressive interactive rides Disney has ever created. Guests enter the cockpit in groups of six and take on assigned roles: pilot, gunner, or engineer. Together, they attempt to complete a mission while steering, firing, and repairing the ship in real time.
The attraction often maintains lengthy wait times, suggesting strong demand. For many visitors, simply sitting in the Falcon’s cockpit delivers a dream-come-true moment.
But according to D’Amaro, popularity doesn’t automatically equal perfection. Reflecting on guest feedback, he offered a blunt summary: “Guests like it, but they don’t love it.”
That distinction matters deeply to Disney leadership. A ride guests enjoy may succeed operationally, but Disney aims for experiences that become emotional favorites — attractions people plan entire trips around.
The difference between “like” and “love,” in Disney’s eyes, is enormous.
Why Role Assignment Changes Everything
One of the core challenges with Smugglers Run is that guests experience the attraction differently depending on their assigned role. Pilots control the ship’s movement, making split-second decisions that directly affect the outcome of the mission. The position feels active, chaotic, and thrilling.
Gunners and engineers, however, often have a more limited impact. While they press buttons and respond to prompts, their actions don’t always feel as consequential. For many riders, especially repeat visitors, this imbalance becomes noticeable.
D’Amaro acknowledged that reality directly. The ride is undeniably fun — but mainly if you’re a pilot. Guests placed in other roles sometimes feel like passengers rather than participants. If someone repeatedly avoids the pilot seat, the attraction can start to feel skippable on future visits.
That perception appears to be exactly what Disney wants to fix.
A “Delicate Brand” Built on Emotional Connection
In a recent interview, D’Amaro described Disney as “a delicate brand,” emphasizing that guest expectations remain incredibly high. Visitors don’t just want rides they like; they want experiences that create lasting emotional connections.
From his perspective, Disney must design attractions that every guest can love, regardless of where they sit or how often they ride. That philosophy pushes the company beyond technical innovation toward emotional consistency.
If even part of the audience walks away feeling less engaged, Disney sees that as an opportunity — not a failure, but a signal to evolve.
This mindset explains why leadership openly critiques an attraction that still draws crowds. Disney isn’t measuring success solely by wait times. It’s measuring how deeply experiences resonate.
Changes Already on the Horizon
Fortunately for fans, improvements are already underway. Beginning May 22, Smugglers Run will introduce a brand-new mission featuring Din Djarin and Grogu, bringing characters from The Mandalorian directly into the attraction’s storyline.
The update aims to refresh repeatability while strengthening narrative engagement. More importantly, Disney plans to enhance gameplay elements for non-pilot roles.
Engineers, in particular, will gain expanded responsibilities, including opportunities to communicate with Grogu during the mission. These interactions should make the role feel more active and meaningful, helping every seat in the cockpit contribute to the adventure.
The goal is ambitious but straightforward: ensure that no matter where a guest sits, the experience feels essential rather than secondary.
What This Says About Disney’s Future
D’Amaro’s comments reveal something larger than a single ride adjustment. They show a company willing to critically evaluate even its newest and most technologically advanced attractions in pursuit of something better.
Disney isn’t satisfied with rides that guests merely enjoy once. Leadership wants experiences that inspire return visits, emotional investment, and lasting memories.
By openly acknowledging Smugglers Run’s shortcomings while simultaneously investing in improvements, Disney signals a broader strategy moving forward. Attractions must evolve alongside guest expectations, especially in lands as beloved as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
As Josh D’Amaro prepares to take over as CEO, his willingness to push beloved experiences toward higher standards suggests a future focused on refinement rather than complacency. The message is clear: Disney doesn’t want rides that feel mediocre or optional. It wants adventures every guest truly connects with — experiences they don’t just like, but genuinely love and can’t wait to experience again.