For nearly seven years, guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have stepped aboard the Millennium Falcon with one goal in mind: survive the mission and hopefully avoid crashing one of the most iconic ships in cinematic history.
Now, Disney is offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a successful smuggler.
In a newly released feature from Disney Parks Blog, Disney shared insider tips for guests taking on the roles of Pilot, Gunner, and Engineer aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The guide arrives just as the attraction’s new Mandalorian and Grogu adventure continues to draw guests into an expanded Star Wars experience that spans multiple planets across the galaxy.
While many visitors have long viewed certain positions in the cockpit as more important than others, Disney is making it clear that every crew member plays a crucial role in the success—or failure—of the mission.
Pilots Still Hold the Fate of the Falcon
Let’s be honest. Everyone wants to be a pilot.
Sitting in the front seats of the Millennium Falcon remains one of the most sought-after experiences in all of Galaxy’s Edge. Pilots are responsible for steering the ship through dangerous obstacles, avoiding collisions, and making the jump to hyperspace at key moments throughout the adventure.
According to Disney Parks Blog, the left pilot controls side-to-side movement while the right pilot manages elevation and hyperspace functions. Working together is critical because every collision affects the overall condition of the ship and can impact your final mission score.
With the new Mandalorian and Grogu storyline introducing even more action-packed sequences, pilots are being challenged like never before.
Don’t Underestimate the Gunners
For years, the gunner position has been viewed as the easiest assignment aboard the Falcon.
Disney would disagree.
The Parks Blog notes that gunners have the ability to significantly influence the outcome of a mission. Guests can choose between automatic and manual targeting systems, allowing experienced crews to maximize their performance while giving newer visitors an easier way to participate.
Whether defending the Falcon from incoming threats or helping clear the path ahead, skilled gunners can often be the difference between an average run and a record-setting score.
Engineers May Be the Most Important Crew Members
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how valuable engineers have become.
While engineers were once viewed as the least exciting role aboard the attraction, Disney’s continued updates have transformed them into an essential part of the experience.
Engineers are responsible for repairing damage throughout the mission, maintaining ship performance, and helping keep the Falcon operational when things inevitably go wrong.
And if you’ve ever ridden with a pilot who treats every asteroid field like a demolition derby, you’ll quickly understand just how important engineers can be.
With the attraction’s latest enhancements, engineers now have more opportunities to actively participate in the story, making the role more engaging than ever before.
A New Era for Smugglers Run
The addition of the Mandalorian and Grogu adventure has injected fresh energy into the attraction.
Guests now travel to several iconic Star Wars locations while joining Din Djarin and Grogu on an all-new mission that feels larger in scale and more cinematic than previous versions of the experience.
The update has also helped balance the gameplay, ensuring every position aboard the Falcon contributes meaningfully to the adventure.
For longtime fans, it’s one of the biggest enhancements the attraction has received since Galaxy’s Edge first opened.
Why It Matters
Since opening in 2019, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has remained one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions, allowing guests to take direct control of the legendary starship. However, one of the ride’s biggest criticisms was that pilots often had the most engaging experience while gunners and engineers felt secondary.
Disney’s latest guidance—and the attraction’s recent updates—show a clear effort to make every seat in the cockpit matter. By creating a more balanced and interactive experience, Smugglers Run has become more replayable, more immersive, and ultimately more rewarding for Star Wars fans of all ages.
The next time you’re assigned the engineer seat, don’t be so quick to ask for a trade.
You might just be the hero who keeps the Millennium Falcon flying.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
