Everything Happening at Disneyland Resort Right Now (And Why You Need to Plan Your Summer 2026 Trip ASAP)
If you follow Disneyland news even a little, you already know this week has been A LOT. Between a massive new Star Wars® experience launching tomorrow, a brand-new summer lineup built specifically for kids, construction walls going up for a ride I am personally over-the-moon about, and a viral celebrity moment that had the whole internet talking... there is so much to unpack.
I have been deep in research mode so you do not have to be. Whether you are planning a summer trip or just trying to keep up with what is going on at the resort, here is your complete guide to everything happening at Disneyland® Resort right now.
And yes, I will tell you what all of this means for your family's visit.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Are Taking Over Galaxy's Edge (Starting May 22!)
Let's start with the biggest news: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a brand-new mission tied to the upcoming Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu film, and it officially launches May 22. That is also the film's theatrical opening day, which is not a coincidence.
This is not just a cosmetic overlay. Disney has completely rethemed the mission narrative. For the first time, the crew actually gets to choose their destination, with possible adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor, or the city-planet Coruscant. The Engineer role (historically the least popular seat on the ship) now lets guests communicate with Grogu during the mission. As someone who has been on Smugglers Run more times than I can count, that is a genuinely fun change that makes every seat feel worthwhile.
Hondo Ohnaka's pre-show has also been updated with new dialogue reflecting the expanded timeline. If you have not ridden this one in a while, now is absolutely the time.
New Food and Novelties in Galaxy's Edge (Live Now!)
The new Mandalorian and Grogu-themed food and drinks actually rolled out at Disneyland® Park on May 21, one full day before Walt Disney World®. Here is a peek at what you can find:
At Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo:
Bounty Bun with Spiced Beef and Pork (with tomato chutney, golden aioli, and sauteed blue onions)
Adelphi Cheesy Noodles with Fried Chicken Tip-Yip
Youngling Cheesy Noodles with Fried Chicken Tip-Yip (kids meal, and hello, perfect for little ones!)
Sweet Treats:
Grogu Cookies: white chocolate-dipped macaron cookies filled with pineapple cream. Kinsley, these have your name all over them.
Drinks and Collectibles:
The Mandalorian and Grogu Jetpack Sipper
A BDX Droid Bucket (limit two per transaction, so grab them fast)
If your family is heading to the park this week, mobile order early. These items will be popular.
The "Curious Child" After-Hours Projection Show
Starting May 22, a brand-new post-show projection tag called The Curious Child will follow the existing Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga light show on the spires of Batuu. The Grogu segment is scheduled at 8:45 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. It sounds absolutely magical, and it is included with park admission with no upcharge needed.
Free Magic Shot Photos!
New PhotoPass Magic Shots tied to the film are now available across Galaxy's Edge, Tomorrowland, and select other locations. One of the standouts is a fun "Rotta the Hutt" pose inspired by a character in the film. These are included with any Memory Maker or PhotoPass purchase, so snap away.
Magic Key Holders: Grab Your Free Poster!
If you hold a Magic Key pass, head to the Star Wars Trading Post in Downtown Disney District through May 22 (or while supplies last) to pick up a complimentary, fully illustrated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction poster featuring Mando and Grogu. You do not need a park ticket, just your Magic Key. Limit one per pass holder.
"Kids Rule Summer" Is Here and It Is a Big Deal for Families
On May 20, Disney officially announced the resort-wide Kids Rule Summer celebration, which kicks off May 22 and runs through Labor Day weekend. As someone who specializes in family travel and also happens to be a mom who thinks about this stuff constantly when planning our trip to Disneyland with toddlers and young kids, I genuinely love what they put together this year.
Here are all 12 named offerings, and what they mean for your family:
Star Wars®: Galaxy's Edge Experiences
1. Smugglers Run: A New Mission (May 22) Already covered above, but worth repeating: this is one of the most significant experience changes at the park this summer.
2. "The Curious Child" Projection Tag (May 22) The new Grogu segment following Shadows of Memory. Perfect for an evening in Batuu.
3. Youngling Saber Building Expo: A Loth-Cat Crew Experience (May 22) This one stopped me in my tracks when I read it. Disneyland® Park is introducing the first-ever complimentary lightsaber-building experience inside what is normally Savi's Workshop, which typically costs $249.99. The free version is designed for guests ages 3 to 9, accompanied by a supervising adult. The lightsaber itself is not included in the complimentary experience but will be available for purchase at the end. No other Disney park has announced an equivalent, which makes Disneyland the only place to do this for free. More details (including pricing for the saber purchase) drop May 22.
4. BDX Droids Return (May 22) The adorable BDX Droids, who went on a whole world tour and appear in The Mandalorian and Grogu film, are back at Black Spire Station in what Disney is calling "a whole new way." I cannot wait to see what this looks like.
In-Park Experiences
5. Mickey's Park Rangers Scavenger Hunt Pick up an activity book in Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Bayou Country, and Frontierland. Stamp each section and redeem for a keepsake sticker. This is such a sweet, low-pressure activity for little ones between bigger rides, and it is free with park admission.
6. Stitch's Beach Party Blast at Tomorrowland Terrace An interactive summer party experience at Tomorrowland Terrace. Great for kids who are more excited by Stitch than Mando (both are valid).
7. Disney Friends Dance Party (Disney California Adventure® Park) New evening entertainment at the Disney Theater at DCA, running alongside the daytime Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show in the same venue. A dedicated character dance party is always a hit with the toddler-and-under crowd.
8. Summer Vibes Concerts in the Park Live music at Paradise Garden Bandstand at DCA with Top 40, Jazz, Caribbean, and Zydeco acts on select days. This later folds into Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes running June 19 through July 19.
Resort Hotel and Downtown Disney Extras
9. Bubbles Experience at Downtown Disney District (July 10 to August 16) Bubbles fill the air around the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and lawn at select times in the afternoons and evenings, with a dedicated photo opportunity. This one is going to be a hit with little kids and honestly with everyone.
10. Dug's Dance Party! at Pixar Place Hotel (Friday evenings, June through August) An outdoor rooftop lawn dance party with Dug from Up. I am very here for this. The pool parties at all three resort hotels also launch July 2 through Labor Day, running twice weekly with pool squad Cast Members™ and possible character appearances.
11. Outdoor Movie Nights Select nights June through September at Pixar Place Hotel and Disneyland Hotel. Details on specific films and dates to come.
Rides and Attractions
12. Soarin' Across America (Debuts July 2) Soarin' Around the World closes June 30, goes dark July 1, and reopens July 2 as Soarin' Across America, a limited-time overlay celebrating America's 250th anniversary with landscapes and cityscapes from across the country. Soarin' is one of my personal favorites, and a USA-focused version for the 250th feels really special.
Bonus: A Walk in Walt's Footsteps Guided Tour Returns August 14 This beloved tour, which includes rare access to Walt Disney's private apartment above the Fire House on Main Street, U.S.A., is back in a reimagined two-hour format at $170 per person (snack box included). It had been paused during the 70th Anniversary Celebration. If you are a Disney history lover, this one is bucket list material.
The 70th Anniversary Celebration Is in Its Final Chapter
Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration officially ends August 9, 2026, and the Finale Merchandise Collection launched May 18 to mark the occasion. The collection leans into a deep purple ombre look with Swarovski crystal accents. Think Spirit Jerseys, ear headbands with crystals, a shoulder bag, and several trading pins featuring Mickey and Minnie in their 70th attire with Sleeping Beauty Castle.
A few things worth knowing as a shopper:
This merchandise is park-exclusive (no shopDisney drop has been confirmed).
Earlier 70th collections are now 30 to 50% off, which is a great opportunity if you missed something earlier in the year.
These Finale pieces will sell fast. If you want one, go early and do not wait until July.
The Coco Attraction Is Really Happening and Construction Has Begun
If you visited Disney California Adventure® Park this week, you may have noticed something new. Coco-themed construction walls went up overnight near Pixar Pier, next to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta toward the Incredicoaster track. The walls feature marigolds, Miguel, and Dante, which is unmistakably Coco.
This is the first major visible construction milestone for the Coco dark ride, originally announced at the D23 Disney Experiences Showcase in August 2024. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro described it as a boat ride through the Land of the Dead featuring "the latest Audio-Animatronics technology" with figures that will "appear in ways you'll have to see to believe." No official name or opening date has been announced yet, but walls going up signals real progress.
As someone who considers Coco one of Pixar's very best films, I am going to be watching this one closely.
What Is Currently Closed (And What Just Reopened)
Before you plan your visit, here is the operational picture for this week:
Currently closed for refurbishment:
Pirates of the Caribbean® (closed since May 4, no reopening date announced)
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (closed since April 13)
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings (closed since April 27)
Fantasmic!® (dark May 18 through 21, but it returns May 22!)
Just reopened:
Blue Bayou Restaurant® reopened May 21 with what Disney is calling a "modified dining experience," meaning obstructed views and some construction noise from the adjacent Pirates refurbishment. If Blue Bayou is on your list for the atmosphere, I would personally wait until Pirates reopens and things settle down. If you love the food and do not mind the trade-off, go for it, but set expectations accordingly.
The Pedro Pascal Moment Everyone Is Talking About
Okay, I have to address this because it was genuinely everywhere this week. On May 17, Disney and Lucasfilm's official Star Wars social accounts posted a video of Pedro Pascal in full Mandalorian beskar armor boarding Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and removing his helmet for a group of guests. The footage went massively viral.
Then The Hollywood Reporter revealed on May 18 that the "guests" in the video were actually invited Star Wars bloggers, influencers, and fan creators, not random tourists. The reactions were reportedly genuine (they really were fans), but the framing of the video implied a spontaneous surprise.
Pascal also joined Sigourney Weaver, Jon Favreau, and Lucasfilm's Dave Filoni to watch Shadows of Memory alongside actual park guests that same day, which was genuinely sweet. And for what it is worth, this kind of influencer event is extremely common in theme park marketing. The optics of presenting it as an organic guest moment, though, created a lot of conversation.
What does this mean for you? Nothing operationally. But it is a good reminder that the high-energy viral moments you see from Disney's social accounts are almost always curated events. The actual guest experience is wonderful in its own way. Trust me, as someone who has been there twice for the World of Color Dessert Party alone, it just looks a little different than a polished video.
Deals and Tickets Worth Knowing
A few things to keep on your radar:
California Resident 3-Day Park Hopper ticket deal ($83/day) expired May 21. If you missed it, keep an eye out. Disney typically runs similar deals throughout the summer.
Kids' Summer Ticket: children ages 3 to 9 from $50/day, valid May 22 through September 7. This is one of the best value plays for families visiting this summer.
Resort Hotel Discounts: up to 25% off 4+ night summer stays, and up to 15% off Sunday through Thursday stays at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa® and Disneyland® Hotel.
My Take: Is This Summer Worth It for Families?
Absolutely, with a few caveats.
The Kids Rule Summer lineup is genuinely impressive. The free Youngling Saber experience alone is a significant offering for families with young children. Add in Mickey's Park Rangers, the Bubbles Experience, Dug's Dance Party, pool parties, and outdoor movie nights, and Disney has built a legitimate summer case for guests ages 3 through 9.
The Mandalorian and Grogu rollout is clearly the anchor of the season. If you have any Star Wars fans in your family (or if you, like me, just love the Grogu content), the new Smugglers Run mission and The Curious Child projection show are worth a special trip.
My recommendations for summer planning:
Book sooner rather than later. Hotel availability for July and August around holiday weekends is tightening, and the Kids' Summer Ticket pricing ($50/day for children 3 to 9) is genuinely limited-time.
Plan your Galaxy's Edge evening around The Curious Child at 8:45 or 10:15 p.m. It layers beautifully with a full day in Batuu.
Skip Blue Bayou for now unless you are set on it. The modified experience is not the signature ambience you are paying for, so it is worth waiting until Pirates reopens.
Grab the Magic Key Mando/Grogu poster at Downtown Disney if you have a pass. It does not cost you a park ticket and it is a genuinely lovely piece of art.
Watch for Coco construction progress. No ride dates yet, but walls are up, and this one is going to be incredible for Coco fans of all ages.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Summer 2026 at Disneyland® Resort is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in years, and I would love to help your family experience it in the best possible way. From dining reservations and Lightning Lane strategies to hotel recommendations and day-by-day itineraries built around your kids' ages and nap schedules, I handle every detail so you can be fully present for the magic.
As a travel advisor specializing in Disney destinations and family travel, I plan every detail so you can be fully present for the magic.
Contact me to start planning your summer Disneyland trip today.
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