Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run New Locations Coming in 2026: What You Need to Know

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Hey Disney Vacationers! Big Star Wars news just dropped—and if you’re like me, someone who’s piloted the Millennium Falcon more times than you can count and still grins like a kid every time Hondo starts talking—you’re going to love this. At the April 19, 2025, Disney Experiences panel during Star Wars Celebration, Disney confirmed what we’ve all been hoping for: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting new mission locations in 2026.

And not just one. Four. That’s right—four new places to fly the Falcon, an updated role for the Engineer, and new interactions with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Let’s break it all down so you know what’s coming, what to expect, and how to plan your next Star Wars mission like a pro.

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New Locations for Smugglers Run in 2026

Starting May 22, 2026, at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, guests will get to pick their destination aboard the Millennium Falcon. This is huge.

Here are the four new mission locations confirmed:

• Tatooine – Classic desert action where the bounty hunt begins
• Bespin – The floating city in the clouds
• Endor – Fly through the wreckage of the second Death Star
• Coruscant – A brand-new reveal, featuring the city-covered capital planet

If you’ve been on Star Tours recently, you know how random missions work. But here’s the twist: Smugglers Run won’t be random. You and your crew will choose where to go.

It’s like turning this attraction into a Star Wars choose-your-own-adventure ride. That’s a game-changer. We don’t know yet if the selection will be made by majority vote in the cockpit, or if the Cast Member outside will lock in the destination before you board. But however it works, it’s a step toward deeper control and replay value. Expect guests to ride again and again to try every location.

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New Storyline: Hunt the Bounty with Mando and Grogu

This isn’t just a new planet with the same old plot. The 2026 version brings a brand-new storyline featuring Hondo Ohnaka, The Mandalorian, and Grogu—but it’s not tied directly to the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu movie.

Here’s the setup:
Hondo hears about a shady deal going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates. There’s a generous bounty on the line. So naturally, he’s ready to profit—and he needs your help.

You’ll be tasked with helping Mando and Grogu track down the crew and claim the reward. And depending on the path you choose, you’ll explore different corners of the galaxy. Expect different visuals, mission challenges, and maybe even multiple outcomes.

This is exactly what Smugglers Run needed—a fresh story with characters fans care about.

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Engineer Role Gets a Big Upgrade

Let’s be honest: no one wants to be the Engineer. It’s the spot you settle for when you’re last to board or when you’re riding solo.

But that’s about to change.

Starting in 2026, the Engineer role gets a major upgrade. For the first time, Engineers will be able to interact directly with Grogu. Disney hasn’t revealed exactly what that means yet—but it’s enough to flip the script on who wants which seat.

Suddenly, playing Engineer isn’t a backup plan. It’s a ticket to an exclusive moment with Grogu.

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Strategy Shift: Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Single Rider Insights

With all these updates, you can expect wait times and Lightning Lane demand to change—especially with Grogu now involved.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Lightning Lane Multi-Pass: If this attraction stays in the top-tier category, it might jump up your priority list. Fans will want to see every location, and demand will spike when the update launches.
• Single Rider Strategy: Right now, Smugglers Run’s single rider line is one of the best-kept secrets at Disney World. It’s rarely more than 10 minutes. Why? Because no one wants to be the Engineer.
  But when that position lets you bond with Grogu? That’s going to change.
  Expect this line to be more like Test Track after the update—still faster than standby, but no longer a walk-on.

If you’ve used Single Rider to skip the crowd, you might need to adjust your plan when the update goes live.

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Timeline and Planning Tips

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to prep for launch day:

• Release Date: May 22, 2026
• Location: Walt Disney World (Hollywood Studios) and Disneyland (Galaxy’s Edge)
• Lightning Lane Access: Expected to remain, possibly more competitive
• Single Rider Line: Will likely stay, but become more popular
• Replay Value: Four missions to experience

If you’re planning a summer 2026 trip, especially during Memorial Day weekend, expect this to be one of the most talked-about attractions in the park.

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Final Thoughts

This is exactly the kind of update Star Wars fans have been waiting for. More choice, more story, more Grogu—and finally a reason to be excited about every seat in the Falcon.

Personally, I’ve flown this ride dozens of times. I’ve seen people cheer when they got Pilot, groan when they got Engineer, and hit every button like their life depended on it. This update changes that. It puts everyone in the action and gives the ride true re-ride value, like Star Tours, but with more control.

So yes, I’m hyped. And you should be too.

As we get closer to May 2026, I’ll keep you in the loop with everything new on Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run new locations, ride tips, Lightning Lane strategy, and more.

Until then—keep that hyperdrive in check.

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