Punch it, Chewie! Let’s take a deep dive into one of Disney’s most innovative attractions that puts YOU in control of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.
The Basics: What You Need to Know
- Area: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Opening Date: August 29, 2019
- Attraction Type: Interactive Motion Simulator
- Vehicle Type: Millennium Falcon Cockpit
- Duration: 4:30 minutes
- Height Requirement: 38 inches (97 cm)
- Lightning Lane: Available
- Single Rider: Available
- Ride Positions: 2 Pilots, 2 Gunners, 2 Engineers
Since its opening in August 2019, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has been giving Star Wars fans the chance to live out their dream of piloting the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy! This groundbreaking attraction combines cutting-edge technology with interactive storytelling to create one of Disney’s most innovative experiences.
The centerpiece of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this attraction represents Disney’s most ambitious attempt at creating a truly interactive ride experience. While Star Tours gave us our first taste of Star Wars flight simulation back in 1989, Smugglers Run takes things to an entirely new level by putting guests in complete control of their mission’s outcome. No two flights are exactly the same – your choices and actions directly impact how your mission unfolds.
What makes this attraction particularly special is how it breaks the traditional theme park ride mold. Instead of passively experiencing a predetermined story, you’re an active participant in a mission that can succeed brilliantly or fail spectacularly – and both outcomes are equally entertaining!
1. A Queue That Tells a Story
The queue experience is a masterpiece of storytelling in itself. As you wind through the line, you’ll see cargo containers and repair equipment that help explain how smuggler Hondo Ohnaka came to “borrow” the Falcon from Chewbacca. The attention to detail is incredible, with every element contributing to the narrative.
2. The Incredible Hondo Animatronic
The Hondo Ohnaka audio-animatronic in the pre-show is one of Disney’s most sophisticated figures to date. The character contains over 50 individual functions (movements) and can perform multiple synchronized behaviors simultaneously. When the figure occasionally needs maintenance, Hondo appears on the pre-show screens instead – cleverly acknowledging the “technical difficulties” in his communication!
3. The Engineering Behind the Magic
The ride system uses seven separate Falcon cockpit simulators mounted on four massive turntables that rotate periodically. This innovative design means that even if one cockpit needs maintenance, the others can keep running – a brilliant example of Disney’s commitment to minimizing downtime.
4. Your Performance Matters
The ride tracks how well you perform your assigned role. The damage you cause to the Falcon affects the hallway you walk through after your flight – notice how the lights and steam effects change based on how beat up your ship gets! Originally, your performance would even affect how characters in Galaxy’s Edge interacted with you.
5. Hidden Star Wars History
Throughout the queue and attraction, you’ll find numerous references to Star Wars lore. The cargo containers feature serial numbers that correspond to significant dates in Star Wars history – like container “52577” representing May 25, 1977, the release date of the original Star Wars film.
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6. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
The highest scores come from effective team coordination. The pilots need to work together (one controls vertical movement, the other horizontal), while engineers and gunners need to time their actions with the pilots’ maneuvers. Communication is key to mission success!
7. Real-Time Rendering Technology
Unlike traditional attractions that use pre-recorded footage, Smugglers Run renders its visuals in real-time using the Unreal Engine, powered by eight NVIDIA Quadro P6000 GPUs. This allows for truly interactive gameplay where every decision affects what you see on screen.
8. Mission Variations
The attraction occasionally runs different versions of the mission, including a slightly easier “training mode” that’s sometimes used during slower periods or for new crew members learning the controls.
9. The Mandalorian’s Coming
Disney recently announced that a new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu will be added to the attraction in 2026. This marks the first major update to the ride’s storyline since its opening and shows Disney’s commitment to keeping the experience fresh.
10. The Best Position for First-Timers
While all positions are fun, first-time riders might want to request the gunner role. It offers a good balance of interaction and ease-of-use, letting you enjoy the experience without the pressure of piloting the ship.
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Tips for Your Flight
- The right pilot controls vertical movement (arguably the trickier position)
- Engineers should watch for flashing buttons rather than hitting everything
- Gunners can switch between automatic and manual modes (manual scores higher!)
- Single riders almost always get assigned to engineer positions
- Try riding during off-peak hours for shorter wait times
Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or just love interactive attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run offers something special. As Hondo would say, “Good business is good fun!” – and this attraction delivers plenty of both!