Credit: DisneyWhat first sounded like one new mission tied to Din Djarin and Grogu has evolved into something much bigger. Disney added multiple storylines, upgraded interactive features, and several new reasons to keep riding again and again.
For years, Smugglers Run has divided fans. Some guests loved the teamwork aspect of piloting the Millennium Falcon, while others felt certain positions were far less exciting. Now, though, Disney may have finally fixed one of the attraction’s biggest complaints.
How Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Works
When Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opened in 2019 alongside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney promoted it as one of the park’s most immersive attractions. Instead of simply sitting in a ride vehicle, guests become the crew of the Millennium Falcon itself.
Each cockpit includes six riders split into different jobs. Two guests operate as pilots, controlling the Falcon during the mission. Two become gunners, blasting targets and enemies. The final pair serves as engineers, repairing the ship and managing technical systems.
That setup makes every ride feel a little different. Strong pilots can make the mission feel smooth, while weaker pilots can send the Falcon crashing into walls and obstacles throughout the adventure.
Still, longtime fans often joked that engineers got the short end of the deal compared to pilots and gunners.
Disney clearly listened.
Mando and Grogu Completely Change the Ride
The biggest addition to Smugglers Run is the arrival of Din Djarin and Grogu themselves. Since The Mandalorian debuted on Disney+ in 2019, the duo has become one of the most popular pairings in modern Star Wars. Fans have wanted more ways to interact with Disney characters in the parks, and Disney is finally delivering.
Instead of adding a single updated storyline, Disney expanded the attraction with multiple new mission paths and destinations tied to The Mandalorian & Grogu. That significantly increases the ride’s replay value.
Before this overhaul, many guests rode Smugglers Run once and moved on. Now, though, anyone hoping to experience every version of the attraction may need multiple rides during the same trip. If someone only has one day at Hollywood Studios, there’s a good chance they’ll want to keep circling back.
The timing also feels intentional. With The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026) arriving in theaters this weekend, Disney is clearly using Galaxy’s Edge to build excitement around the movie while giving fans something fresh inside the park.
The Engineer Position Just Became the Best Role
As exciting as the new missions sound, early reactions suggest the biggest upgrade involves the engineer role.
For years, engineers were often seen as the least exciting role in Smugglers Run. That may no longer be true. In fact, many preview reactions suggest engineers now have the most entertaining experience on the ride.
Disney added what fans are already calling a “Grogu cam” to the engineer station. Engineers can interact with Grogu through comms systems and additional screens throughout the mission. They also help choose locations the Falcon visits during the ride.
That completely changes how the role feels.
Instead of only reacting to ship damage, engineers now spend much of the mission watching Grogu interact with Mando and react to the adventure around him. There are several small moments where Grogu gets scared, flies out of his seat, or grabs onto Mando during tense scenes.
Apparently, there’s so much happening beside the engineer controls that some guests may struggle to focus on the main ride screens at all.
Every rider gets to see Grogu during the mission, but engineers receive the most direct interaction with him. That instantly transforms the role from the least popular seat into arguably the best.
Hollywood Studios Has Even More Changes Coming
The Smugglers Run overhaul is only one piece of a much larger transformation happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer.
Disney officially opened the new Walt Disney Studios Lot area ahead of the May 26 debut of Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! The updated courtyard already features animated character details, including appearances from Thumper from Bambi (1942) and Pua from Moana (2016).
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! officially opens May 26 and follows Mickey and Minnie as they search for Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto before a big party.
Later this summer, Disney will also open the Once Upon a Studio Theater, which screens the Emmy Award-winning Once Upon a Studio short film with enhanced in-theater effects.
The biggest addition, still on the way, is The Magic of Disney Animation, opening later this summer in the former Star Wars Launch Bay building. The experience will feature character encounters, an Alice in Wonderland playground inspired by Mary Blair artwork, and Olaf Draws!, an animation class hosted by an audio-animatronic Olaf.
Disney still hasn’t announced an official opening date, but the project is quickly becoming one of the park’s most anticipated additions.
A New Chapter for Hollywood Studios
Between the Smugglers Run overhaul, the arrival of Mando and Grogu, and the growing number of new entertainment offerings opening across the park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is entering a very different era.
What stands out most is Disney’s growing focus on replayability and interaction. Smugglers Run no longer feels like a one-and-done attraction. Between the multiple storylines, upgraded engineer role, and Grogu interactions, the ride now feels completely refreshed.
And for an attraction many fans once viewed as second-tier inside Galaxy’s Edge, that’s a massive turnaround.
