March 8th was a BIG day in the world of Disney news!
SXSW (South by Southwest) is a HUGE event that happens every year, and Disney usually attends the conference to announce some of the exciting things they’ve got coming — especially when it comes to new technology! Sure enough, Disney made some MASSIVE announcements this year, but if you missed the news drops, don’t worry — we’re recapping it all here!
New Storyline on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
We’ve been hearing for months now that changes would be coming to the missions on Smuggler’s Run, and now we have an official date on when those changes are taking place!
The new film The Mandalorian and Grogu will hit theaters on Memorial Day Weekend 2026, and Disney announced that the new mission, featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu, will arrive at the attraction on May 22nd, 2026.
NEWS: CHANGES Announced For Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run in Disney World
New Concept Art for Magic Kingdom’s Cars Attraction!
Disney previously announced last year that Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island would be going away to make room for a new Cars-themed land in Magic Kingdom, and now we’ve got some more concept art for the upcoming land!
Additionally, Disney shared a video showing off some of the FUN road testing for the upcoming attraction. We spotted hills, curves, and lots of bumpy terrain for a thrilling off-road adventure!
Here’s a peek at a model ride vehicle for the attraction, too! Disney called this a “3D sketch,” so it’s still a work in progress.
Don’t forget — Cars Land will take the place of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom. We’ll continue to update you on all the latest news as construction begins.
BREAKING: Disney Imagineering Shares Behind-the-Scenes Look at NEW Cars Attraction
Droids are on the Way!
While BDX droids made their debut in Disneyland last year, they’re also on their way to Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris later this year! Oh, and you’ll be able to see them at home, too, since these droids are making their on-screen debut in The Mandalorian and Grogu.
What’s really special about these animatronics is that they can teach each other how to navigate the terrain by using reinforcement learning, something that’s really never been done before for Disney. We can’t wait to see these guys roaming around Galaxy’s Edge in the near future.
FINALLY! Disney Makes HUGE Announcement for Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios
The Monsters, Inc. Coaster is REALLY Like No Other!
We got an INCREDIBLE first look at the movement and ride design for the new door coaster coming to Monsters, Inc. land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yes, we’re VERY excited!
This is the first-ever vertical lift attraction seen in Disney World and will be Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster. We can’t wait to hear more about this as we get closer and closer to the day we can experience it ourselves.
NEW DETAILS Revealed for Disney’s Suspended Coaster in Monsters, Inc. Land
Roberty Downey Jr. and Stark Flight Lab AND New Meet and Greets
Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man himself, popped in to talk about the new Stark Flight Lab attraction coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
This attraction looks INCREDIBLE! That ride technology is next level. There’s a literal ROBOT ARM moving people around. Read more about this new ride at the link below!
BREAKING: NEW LOOK at Disney’s Iron Man Stark Flight Lab Ride Coming SOON to Avengers Campus
Disney also announced that you’ll be able to meet Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm, and H.E.R.B.I.E from the Fantastic Four this summer in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland after the new film Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for the parks and what other updates Disney will share with us throughout the year, so stay tuned to AllEars!
CONFIRMED: BRAND NEW Oswald the Lucky Rabbit TV Series in the Works for Disney+
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
How do you feel about these new announcements? Tell us in the comments!
Not impressed with any of this.
Disney is deleting the Rivers of America, the steamboat and Tom Sawyer’s Island for ONE attraction? Seriously?
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THESE NEW ATTRACTIONS & SHOWS.