Disney World Confirms Update for Smugglers Run Replacement in Florida

Walt Disney World is once again looking ahead, signaling yet another shift as it prepares guests for a major attraction update tied to one of its most popular lands.

The Central Florida resort has long positioned itself as a destination that’s constantly changing. Even with ongoing conversations about pricing and accessibility, the parks continue to draw massive crowds year after year. With new experiences on the horizon and updates rolling out across all four parks, Disney shows no signs of slowing down.

Several large-scale expansions are already in development. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tropical Americas is on the way, while Magic Kingdom is preparing for both Piston Peak National Park and a Villains-themed land. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Monstropolis is set to bring the world of Monsters, Inc. to life in an entirely new way.

Alongside these future projects, Disney is also refreshing existing attractions to keep things feeling new. One of the most talked-about updates is the transformation of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which will soon feature The Muppets. The change marks a major departure from its longtime Aerosmith theme and introduces the beloved characters to a high-speed thrill ride. Meanwhile, another update is already generating excitement inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, one of the land’s signature attractions, is about to receive a new storyline. The ride currently allows guests to step inside the Millennium Falcon and take on roles as pilots, gunners, or engineers during a mission led by Hondo Ohnaka. With its interactive gameplay and multiple outcomes, it has remained a popular repeat experience since opening.

From its detailed queue to its immersive cockpit, Smugglers Run places guests directly into the Star Wars universe. Now, Disney is expanding that experience even further.

The company has confirmed that the attraction will soon allow guests to choose their own adventure, adding a new level of personalization. On top of that, characters from The Mandalorian—Din Djarin and Grogu—will be introduced into the storyline.

“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.”

With the update approaching, Walt Disney World has started building anticipation online. A recent Instagram story from the resort features a countdown to April 23, 2026, along with the message: “New Mission. New Stories. This Is The Way.”

Fans of The Mandalorian will immediately recognize the phrase, making it clear the teaser is tied to the upcoming Smugglers Run update. The refreshed version of the attraction is scheduled to debut on May 22, 2026, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The timing is especially notable, as it comes just days before another major change at the same park. On May 26, 2026, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will officially reopen with its new Muppets theme, replacing Aerosmith after decades. With both updates arriving within the same week, late May is shaping up to be a significant moment for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The park is also in the middle of a larger transformation. Construction continues in the former Grand Avenue area as Disney works toward bringing Monstropolis to life. During D23 Expo 2024, Disney shared new details about the upcoming land, including its headline attraction inspired by the door vault sequence from 2001’s Monsters, Inc.

“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.”

With new lands, updated attractions, and major reimaginings on the way, Walt Disney World is clearly entering another period of change. By the end of the decade, the resort could look very different from what guests see today.

How do you feel about the upcoming attraction changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year? Let us know in the comments down below!