Credit: DisneyHollywood Studios especially feels like it is entering a new era. The park has quietly become the center of many of Disney’s newest announcements, and several highly anticipated additions are about to debut almost simultaneously. For Star Wars fans, though, one upcoming change stands out above the rest.
In just days, a major new experience will officially arrive inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
Galaxy’s Edge Continues To Evolve at Hollywood Studios
When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios back in 2019, the land completely changed the park. Instead of simply building another themed area, Disney created an immersive environment that made guests feel as if they had actually stepped onto another planet.
Black Spire Outpost on Batuu quickly became one of the most detailed lands Disney had ever built. Guests could pilot the Millennium Falcon, build custom lightsabers, interact with roaming characters, and dine inside themed locations like Oga’s Cantina and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.
The land also introduced one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions ever, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Even years after opening, the attraction continues drawing some of the highest wait times anywhere in Walt Disney World.
But while Rise of the Resistance often gets most of the attention, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has remained one of the core experiences inside Galaxy’s Edge. The attraction gives guests the chance to control the iconic ship themselves while taking on missions for Hondo Ohnaka.
Now, Disney is preparing to significantly expand that story experience in a way that longtime Star Wars fans have been hoping to see for years.
The Characters Star Wars Fan Have Been Waiting For
Disney has officially confirmed that a brand-new mission featuring Din Djarin and Grogu will debut inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run on May 22.
The update arrives alongside the theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), creating one of the biggest crossovers Disney has attempted between its theme parks and theatrical storytelling.
While Disney has not revealed every detail about the new mission yet, the company has confirmed guests will join Mando and Grogu during an all-new adventure aboard the Millennium Falcon. The update will become part of the attraction experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
That is a major development for Galaxy’s Edge because Smugglers Run has remained mostly unchanged since opening day. Unlike Star Tours, which constantly rotates destinations and storylines, Smugglers Run has largely featured the same mission structure for years.
Adding Mandalorian content instantly refreshes the attraction and gives repeat visitors a reason to experience it again.
It also makes perfect sense from a fan perspective. Grogu has become one of the most recognizable Star Wars characters Disney owns right now, and The Mandalorian helped reignite excitement around the franchise following a divisive period for some theatrical projects.
Disney clearly understands the popularity surrounding those characters, and bringing them directly into Galaxy’s Edge could easily become one of the biggest attraction updates of the summer.
The timing matters too. Summer crowds are about to surge across Walt Disney World, and Disney appears to be strategically stacking new offerings throughout May to encourage more visits.
Disney World’s Massive Month of New Experiences
The Galaxy’s Edge update is only one piece of a much larger rollout happening across Walt Disney World this month.
Also joining Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is preparing for its transformation into Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. While the official opening is still ahead, excitement continues building around the attraction’s future as Disney leans further into the Muppets franchise at the park.
Hollywood Studios is also getting Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, a brand-new stage show aimed at younger guests and families. The offering continues Disney’s push to expand entertainment options beyond thrill rides and major headliner attractions.
Another major change is coming with the arrival of the Walt Disney Studios Courtyard, which replaces Animation Courtyard as part of a broader refresh happening around that section of the park. Disney has slowly been modernizing Hollywood Studios for years, and this update feels like another major step in that ongoing transformation.
Meanwhile, EPCOT is preparing for the temporary return of Soarin’ Across America beginning May 26. The fan-favorite original version of the attraction will replace Soarin’ Around the World for a limited time as part of Disney’s America 250 celebration plans.
Many longtime Disney fans have wanted the original version back for years, especially because of its practical scenery transitions and nostalgic connection to EPCOT’s earlier eras.
Animal Kingdom is also joining the busy month with Bluey’s Wild World arriving as part of Disney’s summer entertainment push. The addition reflects Disney’s growing focus on family-friendly experiences and recognizable entertainment brands that appeal to younger audiences.
When you step back and look at everything together, it becomes clear Disney is aggressively building momentum heading into the summer travel season.
Star Wars Fans Have a Big Reason To Visit Soon
For many guests, Galaxy’s Edge already feels like a must-visit land at Walt Disney World. But adding Mandalorian and Grogu content to Smugglers Run could give the area fresh energy right as summer vacations begin ramping up.
The update also shows Disney is continuing to invest in Star Wars experiences despite years of online debate surrounding the franchise’s future. Galaxy’s Edge remains one of the most ambitious lands Disney has ever created, and adding new storylines helps keep the experience from feeling stagnant for returning visitors.
And honestly, this may only be the beginning.
Disney has spent the last several years experimenting with ways to make its attractions feel more dynamic and repeatable. If the Mandalorian mission proves successful, it would not be surprising to eventually see even more rotating adventures added to Smugglers Run down the line.
For now, though, Star Wars fans only have a short wait left before the next major chapter officially arrives at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
