Disney reveals Mandalorian and Grogu are coming to Smugglers Run; Universal Legacy Store opens today at CityWalk; Epic Universe powers Comcast's strongest quarter in years.
Park Pulse Daily · Friday, Apr 24, 2026
Friday, April 24, 2026
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Mando and Grogu Are Coming to Smugglers Run — Guests Will Choose Their Own Path
Walt Disney Imagineering has revealed a major update to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — a new Mandalorian-themed mission that lets guests choose their own path and interact with Grogu, launching at both coasts.
Disney has officially pulled back the curtain on the Mandalorian and Grogu update coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. A freshly revealed attraction poster confirms the new mission, which will feature interactive encounters with Grogu and a branching guest-choice mechanic — giving crews more agency over how their mission unfolds. The update is headed to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, making it one of the broadest simultaneous attraction refreshes in Galaxy's Edge history. Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the new mission.
Attractions Magazine → Chip and Co →
V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days 2026 Full Lineup Revealed — New Lounge, Character Greets
Disney World has unveiled the complete 2026 V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days lineup running May 1–July 31: a new passholder lounge, exclusive character meet & greets, and a full slate of perks for Annual Pass holders this summer.
EPCOT Construction Permits Signal Early Food & Wine Festival 2026 Prep
It may only be April, but freshly filed construction permits at EPCOT suggest Walt Disney World is already laying groundwork for the 2026 International Food and Wine Festival later this year.
Universal Legacy Store Opens at CityWalk — Retro Merch, Jaws Collection, Photo Ops
The Universal Legacy Store officially opens today at CityWalk Orlando, replacing the now-closed Epic Universe Preview Center with retro merchandise, a Jaws-inspired collection, a redesigned logo identity, and classic photo opportunities.
Chip and Co → Attractions Magazine →
Epic Universe Drives Universal's Best Quarter in Years; Comcast Eyes Global Expansion
Comcast's Q1 2026 results show Universal's theme parks posting big increases in revenue and earnings — driven in large part by Epic Universe — as the company hints at future global park expansion plans.
Attractions Magazine → Theme Park Insider →
Sloth World Update: Code Violations Cited, Website Pulled, Social Media Goes Dark
The Sloth World saga continues: the planned International Drive attraction has now been cited for code violations following an inspector visit, and has simultaneously taken down its website and wiped its social media presence. The back-to-back moves come days after a wildlife inspection report revealed 31 sloths died at the facility before it ever opened — raising serious questions about whether the attraction will proceed at all.
Attractions Magazine (violations) → Attractions Magazine (shutdown) →
🎡 This Week in the Parks
A New Mission at Smugglers Run. And Universal just had its best quarter in years.
Disney dropped a major Star Wars announcement — Mando and Grogu are joining Smugglers Run with a choose-your-path mission at both coasts. Meanwhile, Comcast's Q1 numbers confirm what everyone suspected: Epic Universe has changed Universal's trajectory. The Legacy Store opens today at CityWalk. And the V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days lineup is fully live — the perks kick off May 1.
Disney: Smugglers Run Refresh Universal: Legacy Store Opens Disney: Passholders May 1
☀️ 7-Day Outlook · Orlando Area
Gorgeous Friday to kick off the weekend — slight afternoon storm chance Saturday. Upper 80s hold through early next week. Source: National Weather Service
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Disney Cruise Line Doubling San Diego Sailings Under New Port Agreement
Disney Cruise Line and the Port of San Diego have signed a new agreement that will significantly increase DCL's West Coast sailings out of San Diego over the coming years.
May the 4th Food, Drinks & Novelties Fully Revealed for Walt Disney World
Disney has released the full May the 4th food-and-beverage guide for Walt Disney World — covering themed bites, drinks, and collectible novelties available May 4 across the resort.
Disney Teases Exclusive Annual Passholder Character Meet & Greet This Summer
As part of the V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days rollout, Disney has teased an exclusive character meet & greet experience available only to Annual Passholders during the May 1–July 31 event window.
Universal · Passholders
7 New Perks Announced for Universal Orlando Annual Passholders
Universal Orlando has announced seven new Annual Passholder perks — the latest additions to the resort's AP benefits program as it ramps up for the summer season.
"Walt Disney Imagineering will add the Mandalorian and Grogu to an existing attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge on both coasts."
On the Smugglers Run Mandalorian update — Attractions Magazine
📅 Upcoming Events · Florida Parks
Seven Seas Food Festival 5K
SeaWorld Orlando's annual 5K run closes out the Seven Seas Food Festival weekend.
V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days Begins
Walt Disney World Annual Passholder summer perks kick off — new lounge, exclusive character greets. Thru Jul 31.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens
Magic Kingdom's iconic mine train returns from its extended refurbishment.
Star Wars Day at Disney Parks
May the 4th — Galaxy's Edge and Hollywood Studios celebrate with themed food, merchandise, and special events.
Viva La Música at SeaWorld Orlando
Latin music festival returns for two weekends — May 9–10 and May 16–17.
Electric Ocean + Ignite Drone Show Opens
SeaWorld's summer nighttime spectacular returns with an all-new drone show. Thru Aug 30.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Opens
The reimagined Hollywood Studios coaster debuts on Memorial Day weekend.
EPCOT closes unusually early on July 1 — plan your Fourth of July week accordingly.
Fourth of July Celebrations at All Parks
Independence Day fireworks and events across Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld.
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parkpulsedaily.com Attractions Magazine · Chip and Co · AllEars · WDWNT · Theme Park Insider · NWS · Apr 24, 2026
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