Since Galaxy’s Edge opened, the Falcon’s cockpit has been home to laughter, friendly arguments over who gets to pilot, and the unmistakable thrill of dropping into hyperspace.
The ride’s original mission—fueled by Hondo Ohnaka’s frantic schemes—quickly became one of the most replayable Star Wars experiences Disney has ever created. Whether you were a first-timer or someone who could practically run the controls blindfolded, it offered a rush that felt timeless.
That’s why the latest news from Disney is hitting fans in a very real way. After months of quiet upgrades and whispers about something big coming, the company has confirmed that the longstanding version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is officially coming to an end. The ride isn’t disappearing, but the classic storyline is being retired to pave the way for a new experience tied to The Mandalorian.
The Original Mission Is Being Retired, Not Reworked
According to Disney, the attraction’s entire cockpit system has been modernized with next-generation hardware that renders all visuals in real time. This change allows Imagineering to pull digital assets directly from Lucasfilm’s production pipeline—meaning the environments, ships, and characters you’ll see soon are the same ones used in the shows. That level of detail wasn’t possible with the older set-up, and it’s a big reason the original mission can’t simply be updated or adjusted.
The outgoing storyline was built for a different technological era. Now that the ride runs on an advanced engine, the team needed to rebuild the experience from scratch. That’s why this shift marks a true ending rather than a refresher.
A New Era With Mando and Grogu
The upcoming mission introduces a completely fresh story. Guests will join Mando and Grogu as they chase down a high-stakes target across multiple worlds. Pilots will have added control over the Falcon, gunners will see increased precision, and engineers will gain new responsibilities—including direct interactions with Grogu during pivotal moments.
The goal, according to Disney, is to make each role feel more responsive and more connected to what’s happening around the cockpit. The new visuals also take advantage of the upgraded hardware, offering a level of realism that mirrors the shows’ production style.
The Countdown Begins
The new mission officially launches on May 22, 2026 at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, meaning the Hondo storyline will retire simultaneously on both coasts. Fans now have a limited window to catch the original version before it disappears forever.
For many, this marks the end of an era. For others, it’s an exciting opportunity to see the Falcon take flight in a way that finally reflects the modern Star Wars universe. Either way, Disney’s decision officially closes the door on one of Galaxy’s Edge’s earliest adventures—and opens a new one built around two of the most popular characters the franchise has today.
