What a busy week of Disney theme park news this turned out to be! If you’ve been anticipating updates for Disney’s recently announced rides and attractions, you’re in luck.
We’re actually going to backtrack just a little to last weekend for the lead stories in this latest Disney theme park news round. Last Saturday, March 8, had some major announcements from Disney’s panel at South by Southwest (SXSW), so let’s dive right in and catch up what’s new!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run To Be Updated With Mandalorian Storyline
One of the biggest new revelations at the SXSW panel was the news that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will get a huge update! A new storyline is coming to the attraction at Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park featuring Din Djarin, a.k.a. The Mandalorian.
This new update will premiere Memorial Day Weekend in 2026, the same weekend as when The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in movie theaters. There was one additional bit of Star Wars news shared at the presentation — the BDX Droids we’ve seen at Disneyland in the past will make appearances at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney Resort later this year.
READ MORE: EVERY ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DISNEY’S SXSW PANEL
New Details Revealed For Upcoming Disney World and Disneyland Attractions
Disney’s SXSW panel included several updates for other upcoming attractions at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. These attractions were initially announced at last summer’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, including Stark Flight Lab, one of two new rides coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
Robert Downey Jr. himself came out at the presentation to share new details about the ride, which will feature brand-new technology in the ride system.
Technology and innovation was front-and-center at the SXSW panel. We also heard about the “door coaster” which will be part of Monstropolis, a Monsters Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The coaster will not only be Disney’s first suspended coaster, but it will also be the first time a vertical lift is included in a Disney attraction.
Disney also unveiled new concept renderings and some behind-the-scenes research that’s going into a new Cars attraction coming to Magic Kingdom. This “off road rally race” appears to be a combination of Test Track and DINOSAUR, or Radiator Springs Racers and Indiana Jones Adventure for my fellow Disneyland fans.
At this time, we don’t know any official word on an opening timeline for these attractions. Work is clearly underway, with the ground broken in Disney California Adventure for the Avengers Campus expansion. Work is expected to begin on Monstropolis this summer after the closure of Grand Avenue and Muppets Courtyard.
READ MORE: TIMELINE OF CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY WORLD AND DISNEYLAND
Disney World Lowers Annual Pass Down Payment, Increases Monthly Payment
If you were thinking of buying a Disney World Annual Pass, then you definitely want to take notes on this next news story. This week, theme park journalist Scott Gustin reported that the down payment for Disney World’s passes is actually going down — and monthly payment amounts are going up. Previously, all passes could be purchased with a $205 down payment. All four payments now only require a $99 down payment.
Here is the breakdown of the new monthly prices by pass type:
- Disney Pixie Dust Pass: Price increase from $25 to $34 per month after $99 down payment.
- Disney Pirate Pass: Price increase from $57 to $66 per month after $99 down payment.
- Disney Sorcerer Pass: Price increase from $79 to $88 per month after $99 down payment.
- Disney Incredi-Pass: Price increase from $121 to $130 per month after $99 down payment.
Note that at this time the total sticker price for the Annual Pass is not changing. These new prices only impact the down payment and subsequent monthly payments. If you already have an Annual Pass, your monthly payments will not change — this is only for new purchases.
Also keep in mind that if you are not a Florida resident or a Disney Vacation Club member, you do not have the option to finance an Annual Pass and must pay in full at the time of purchase (with your only option being the Incredi-Pass. DVC Members may also purchase the Disney Sorcerer Pass).
READ MORE: HOW TO SAVE ON YOUR 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION
New Poster and Concept Art Revealed From Disney Starlight Nighttime Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom
Summer will be here before we know it, and that means a new nighttime parade will debut at Walt Disney World! Guests can check out nightly performances of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom starting this summer — an exact opening night has yet to be announced. This week, Disney unveiled the official poster for the parade:
We also got to see new concept art for the Coco float that will be featured in the parade.
Disney World has several other entertainment offerings debuting this summer, including two new stage shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s shaping up to be a very exciting summer!
READ MORE: MAGIC KINGDOM IS CHANGING IN BIG WAYS IN THE COMING YEARS
Easter Foodie Guide Released For Disney World and Disneyland
We’re a little over one month away from Easter, which means signs of spring will soon appear at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Disney released a Foodie Guide for all things Easter this week, including when we can expect to see those fan-favorite Easter Egg displays in the Disney World resort hotel lobbies.
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts as well as Disney’s Contemporary Resort will have Easter Egg displays in their lobby from April 1 through 20. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa will have its iconic Easter Egg display available to guests starting this Tuesday, March 18, through April 20.
Over in Disneyland Resort, Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel will offer Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates Springtime from April 3 through May 9.Â
Goofy and friends will appear in garden-inspired outfits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
