Four things worth knowing if you're planning a Disneyland trip with young kids in the next few weeks. Mando and Grogu are taking over Millennium Falcon on May 22 (a big deal if your kid is into Star Wars), Hyperspace Mountain is back for a limited run, Pirates is still closed with no firm reopen date, and Mother's Day weekend at the parks has a few traps worth knowing about.
🚨 Trip-Planning Impact
Mando and Grogu storyline launches May 22 on Smugglers Run. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a brand-new mission centered on The Mandalorian and Grogu, timed to the new Star Wars film opening the same weekend. If your kid is 4+ and loves Grogu, this is genuinely worth planning a trip around. Smugglers Run is one of the few Galaxy's Edge attractions that works for young kids — short, in-vehicle, no big drops. Expect long Lightning Lane demand through Memorial Day weekend. Book LL the moment you walk through the gate.
Hyperspace Mountain is back, but only for a limited time starting April 28. Space Mountain has been overlaid with the Hyperspace Mountain Star Wars treatment. For families: it's still Space Mountain underneath — dark, fast, with drops. Skip with anyone under 6 or anyone scared of dark coasters. The 44" height requirement hasn't changed.
Pirates of the Caribbean is still closed, no firm reopen date. Multiple sources now suggest Pirates won't reopen until late June at earliest based on the scope of construction permits Disney filed. Blue Bayou reopens May 21 with a "modified experience" (read: you'll hear construction noise and the boats won't be passing through). If Pirates was your kids' must-do, push your trip.
🎢 Ride Status This Week
| Ride | Status | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run | New Mando/Grogu storyline May 22 | Book LL immediately — will sell out |
| Hyperspace Mountain | ✅ Reopened April 28 (limited run) | Still a real coaster — skip with kids under 6 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | Closed, likely through June | Plan as if it's closed |
| Blue Bayou Restaurant | Reopens May 21 (modified experience) | Skip until Pirates is back |
| Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters | Closed, no reopen date | Toy Story 5 drops June 19 — watch for surprise reopen |
| Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island | Closed through May 7 | Should be back now — verify in the app |
🍿 Food Worth Knowing — Mother's Day Edition
Mother's Day weekend (May 9-10) brings character dining specials. Plaza Inn has a Minnie character brunch May 9-10. Storytellers Cafe runs a special brunch and dinner buffet May 10. Reality check: most reservations are gone. If you didn't book, set up dining alerts in the Disneyland app and refresh aggressively the morning of — cancellations do happen. If you strike out, walk-up to Carnation Cafe on Main Street is your best fallback for a sit-down meal that still feels special without the character chaos.
If you're going Mother's Day weekend, the smart move is breakfast outside the park (hotel room or Downtown Disney) and arrive at rope drop. Skip the character dining entirely. The wait times saved are worth more than the character interaction for a kid under 5 who doesn't fully process the experience anyway.
💰 Deals & Tickets
The California Resident Park Hopper deal ends May 21 — last call if you live in California. After May 21, the Kids' Summer Ticket Offer takes over, with kids 3-9 visiting for as low as $50/day between May 22 and September 7. Get Away Today is running this offer at a discount with their own savings layered on top, plus interest-free payment plans.
Heads up on hotels: Disneyland Resort hotels have a 25% off promo on 3+ night stays, but you have to book by May 7 for stays through May 21. If you're reading this after May 7, that deal is gone — but similar promos typically refresh quarterly.
👀 What We're Watching
Soarin' Across America launches July 2. Soarin' Around the World is getting a U.S.-only re-theme for America's 250th anniversary. If you're visiting in July or later, this is a free upgrade — same ride, new film. Worth noting for the over-stimulated 4-year-old crowd: the new film may feel less visually overwhelming than the global version.
Avengers Campus expansion construction continues. Walkway between Avengers Campus and Cars Land is still closed. Plan one Avengers Campus visit per day max and route through Performance Corridor or Hollywood Land.
Nighttime show times shift May 8. Most Disneyland nighttime shows moved by 5-15 minutes. Check the app the morning of — don't promise the kids a specific show time based on an outdated guide.
Planning a Disneyland trip in the next few months? Start with our hour-by-hour itineraries and our Lightning Lane & rope drop guide — both updated for current ride closures and the new Mando/Grogu launch.