Credit: Subhash Roy, FlickrDisney World is preparing fans for the attraction’s replacement.
Walt Disney World continues to operate as a constantly evolving destination, one designed to keep guests returning year after year. While recent years have brought criticism surrounding accessibility and rising costs, its position as the most visited theme park resort in the world remains unshaken. Ongoing expansion and updates appear to be more than enough to maintain guest demand—and their willingness to spend.
Looking ahead, the next decade will bring sweeping changes across the resort. Major additions include Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park, and Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These large-scale projects represent just a portion of what’s in development, signaling a significant transformation across all four parks.
Beyond these headline-grabbing expansions, Walt Disney World is also continuing to refresh and reimagine existing offerings. Attractions, entertainment, and theming elements are regularly updated to keep the experience feeling current. One notable example is the upcoming addition of The Muppets to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, highlighting Disney’s strategy of blending nostalgia with new creative direction.
At the same time, the resort remains committed to integrating its latest film and television properties into the parks through overlays and updates to existing attractions.
One of the most notable updates is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, located within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction already offers guests the opportunity to step aboard the iconic Millennium Falcon and take part in a high-stakes mission led by Hondo Ohnaka. Each cockpit accommodates six guests, who are assigned roles as pilots, gunners, or engineers—positions that directly influence how the mission unfolds.
From the moment guests enter the queue, the experience is designed to fully immerse them in the Star Wars universe, complete with detailed environments and preshow elements that build anticipation. Once inside the cockpit, the attraction combines motion simulation, interactive gameplay, and narrative storytelling, creating a dynamic experience that encourages repeat rides, as outcomes can vary depending on each crew’s performance.
Disney has now confirmed that Smugglers Run will soon introduce even more customization, allowing guests to choose their own adventure within the attraction. Previously, the company also revealed that characters from The Mandalorian—specifically Din Djarin and Grogu—will be incorporated into the experience, further tying the ride to one of Lucasfilm’s most popular recent franchises.
“We’re so excited that these updates debut on the same day as Lucasfilm’s upcoming title, The Mandalorian and Grogu; however, the attraction’s storyline will follow a different path,” Disney Parks Blog shared.
“In this new thrilling storyline, Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a generous bounty for their capture, so you’ll borrow the iconic ship and team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and explore the galaxy.”
Now, with just under a month to go until the change takes effect at Disney World, the resort has officially made an announcement on its social accounts. In its Instagram story, Disney World has begun a countdown to April 23, 2026, seemingly confirming that a major reveal is coming soon. The post reads: “New Mission. New Stories. This Is The Way.”
“This is the way” is the key slogan of The Mandalorian franchise, so it’s clear that this mysterious countdown is directly related to the upcoming reissue of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This new version of the attraction is set to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 22, 2026, marking another step in Walt Disney World’s ongoing effort to blend classic experiences with new storytelling elements.
And just four days after Smugglers Run gets its update, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will relaunch its other e-ticket attraction, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. The Muppets overlay replaces the longstanding Aerosmith theme, bringing the fan-favorite characters to a major roller coaster for the first time at the Disney theme parks.
It’s clear that the final weeks of May will be increasingly busy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios even as the park continues its major construction project at the former Grand Avenue location. In the coming years, Disney will officially bring Monstropolis to Hollywood Studios from the beloved Disney Pixar animated franchise Monsters, Inc.
Disney confirmed at D23 Expo 2024 that the coaster will involve the iconic door sequence from the end of the first movie, but will take place after the events of the film.
“The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley,” former Disney Experiences chairman (and now Disney CEO) Josh D’Amaro told the crowd two years ago. “You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.”
There is a great sense of evolution in the air at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it’s evident that by the end of the decade, the destination will look very different.
How do you feel about the upcoming attraction changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
