This is the busiest week of news we've had in a while, and it all funnels into one date: Friday, May 22. That's when Mando and Grogu launch on Smugglers Run, Kids' Summer Tickets kick in, and the start of Memorial Day weekend hits the parks. If you're visiting between now and June, the next four days will reshape your plan.
🚨 Trip-Planning Impact
Mando and Grogu launches Friday on Smugglers Run. The new mission goes live May 22 timed to the new Star Wars movie opening that same weekend. New twist: the Engineer seat — historically the most boring of the three roles — now lets you communicate with Grogu. If you've got a 4-8 year old who'll fight for a "good seat," this is the move. There's also a new pre-show with Hondo Ohnaka. Lightning Lane demand will be brutal opening weekend. Book LL the second you tap in at the gate, or this becomes a 90-minute standby.
Crowds are spiking now through Memorial Day. Two things are colliding: California Resident ticket holders are racing to use their last days before the deal expires May 21, and Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) is the unofficial summer kickoff. Expect heavy crowds May 19-25. If you have flexibility, the week of May 26-30 will be noticeably calmer once the SoCal locals burn out and school's still in session in most states.
Soarin' Across America is already flying. It launched May 14 — earlier than the previously announced July 2 date. Same ride mechanics as Soarin' Around the World, new U.S.-only film for America's 250th anniversary. Good news for parents of younger kids: the slower pacing and recognizable American landmarks (Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, etc.) play better with 3-5 year olds than the sensory-overload world version did.
🎢 Ride Status This Week
| Ride | Status | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run | New Mando/Grogu mission launches May 22 | Book LL immediately at park open |
| Soarin' Across America | ✅ Now open (launched May 14) | Friendlier pace for younger kids than world version |
| Hyperspace Mountain | Open (limited run) | Real coaster — skip with kids under 6 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | Still closed, likely through late June | Plan as if it's closed |
| Blue Bayou Restaurant | Reopens May 21 (modified experience) | Skip — you'll hear construction noise |
| Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters | Closed, no reopen date | Toy Story 5 drops June 19 — watch for reopen |
🌟 New This Week: Original Trilogy Characters in Galaxy's Edge
Disney just made a permanent change to Galaxy's Edge — Luke, Leia, Han, and Vader now roam the land. If you've been holding off on Galaxy's Edge because your kid only knows the original characters from the older movies, this changes the calculation. Plan a late-afternoon Galaxy's Edge visit for character spotting, since that's when the original trilogy roster tends to appear.
🍿 Food Worth Knowing
New summer treats and popcorn buckets dropped this week — most are adult collector items, but the new Star Wars-themed snacks at Docking Bay 7 and Ronto Roasters are genuinely kid-friendly. Ronto Wraps remain the best lunch in Galaxy's Edge for picky eaters who'll eat "a sandwich but not really" — it's a sausage in pita with slaw, familiar enough to work.
💰 Deals & Tickets
Kids' Summer Tickets go live May 22 — kids 3-9 visit for $50/day between May 22 and September 7. This is the single best deal of the year for families. Get Away Today is running it with their own savings layered on top plus interest-free payment plans.
Disneyland hotel summer discount also launched — savings on stays of 4+ nights from May 22 to September 7. Book by August 25. For families doing a 3-day park trip, the stays-of-4-nights minimum is easy to clear if you arrive a day early to settle in (which you should — the rope-drop advantage on day one is worth a hotel night).
👀 What We're Watching
Magic Key holders got three new perks. Worth checking if you're already a passholder, less relevant if you're not — Magic Keys remain on sale across all four tiers as of this week.
Pin trading rules just changed. New limits on pin trading, plus a dedicated kids-only trading spot launching May 22. If your kid is into pin trading, the new kids-only spot is a quality-of-life win — less competition with hardcore adult collectors.
Disney Channel Nite and Star Wars Nite dates wrapped May 6. Next After Dark events: Pride Nite on June 16 and 18.
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, the new Mando/Grogu launch, and summer crowd patterns.