Disney just dropped the official new poster for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — and if you’re a fan of The Mandalorian, this one’s for you. The updated attraction gets a full storyline overhaul featuring Mando and Grogu, and it launches on May 22, 2026, at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. That’s the same day The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film opens in cinemas worldwide.
This is exactly the kind of update Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has needed. The new Mando and Grogu storyline for Smugglers Run 2026 gives the attraction a narrative boost that ties it directly into one of the most beloved corners of the Star Wars universe.
What’s Changing in the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Mando and Grogu Update
The new storyline kicks off with Hondo Ohnaka, who’s picked up word of a deal going down between ex-Imperial officers and pirates — on Tatooine. He tasks your crew with borrowing the Millennium Falcon to help Mando and Grogu intercept the mission.
The update launches simultaneously at Walt Disney World and Disneyland on May 22, 2026 — the same day The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in theaters. Disney clearly planned this timing on purpose, and it’s smart. Guests walking out of the film and into Galaxy’s Edge to fly the Falcon in a Mando-themed mission is exactly the kind of synergy that makes theme parks special.
Why This Update Matters for Guests
The original Smugglers Run mission was fun, but it lacked a deep connection to specific Star Wars characters most guests care about. Hondo Ohnaka is a great framing device, but you were essentially just… flying the Falcon on a generic smuggling run. There wasn’t much emotional stakes.
Adding Mando and Grogu changes that. These are characters with enormous fan attachment. The idea that you’re flying the Millennium Falcon to help Din Djarin and Grogu on a mission against ex-Imperial officers gives you a reason to care about the outcome. That’s the piece the original experience was missing.
The poster itself looks sharp — the kind of vintage Star Wars theatrical art style that fans go wild for. It’s a signal that Disney is putting real creative attention into this update, not just swapping out a few lines of dialogue.
What Stays the Same
The physical experience of the ride doesn’t change. You’re still piloting the Millennium Falcon in one of three roles — pilot, gunner, or engineer — and your crew’s performance still affects the outcome of the mission. The queue through the Falcon’s interior remains, and the pre-show setup with Hondo is still part of the experience.
What changes is the mission itself — the story, the characters you’re helping, and the stakes you’re flying into. That’s the part that matters most for repeat riders who’ve done the old version a dozen times.
When and Where to Experience It
The update goes live on May 22, 2026 at:
- Walt Disney World – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios
- Disneyland – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park
Both parks get the update simultaneously. If you’re planning a trip around the Mandalorian and Grogu film opening, May 22 is the date to aim for. You could catch the film in the morning and ride the updated Smugglers Run in the afternoon — or vice versa.
How to Make the Most of the New Mission
A few tips for getting the best experience out of the updated ride:
Ride early in the day. Smugglers Run consistently has shorter waits in the first hour after park opening. The update will draw attention, especially around the film launch, so getting there early beats fighting a 90-minute standby line.
Bring your best pilot. The pilot seats control whether the mission succeeds or fails — in a real, mechanical way that affects the ride experience. Put your most engaged riders there.
Watch the pre-show carefully. With a new storyline, the pre-show briefing is where the new Mando and Grogu setup will be established. Don’t let your group get distracted — the context matters for what comes next.
The Bottom Line
The new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Mando and Grogu update launching May 22, 2026 is the refresh this attraction has deserved. Tying the ride directly to Din Djarin and Grogu gives guests characters to care about and a mission that feels personal — not just a generic space heist. The simultaneous launch with the theatrical film is a masterstroke of cross-platform storytelling.
If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios or Disneyland around the May 22 launch window, put Smugglers Run at the top of your list. This is exactly the kind of Star Wars experience Galaxy’s Edge was built to deliver.
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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop
I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!
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