Disney Parks and Fortnite have launched Smugglers Gambit,
a cross-platform experience connecting the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction to a new Fortnite island, debuting August 16, 2026. Guests can link accounts to unlock rewards spanning physical rides and digital gameplay.
The collaboration between Disney Parks and Epic Games marks a milestone in immersive storytelling, blending the physical queues of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with Fortnite’s virtual world. Smugglers Gambit,
launched on August 16, 2026, allows players to continue the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adventure beyond Batuu, either by starting in the Disneyland or Walt Disney World queues or directly in Fortnite’s Mersa Veta Station on Ord Ryla.
How the Experience Works
Guests at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort can accept a special mission
via the Disneyland or My Disney Experience app before riding Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This action unlocks a Fortnite island where players team up with friends to complete co-op missions, battle pirates, and collect rewards. Post-ride rewards, including a Forsworn Trooper Outfit, require linking a MyDisney account with an Epic Games account. Those unable to link accounts can redeem a code in Fortnite.
Developer Collaboration and Creative Vision
The project emerged from a partnership between Disney Games, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Lucasfilm, with Ray Gresko, SVP and Head of Product & Development for Disney Games and Digital Entertainment, sharing insights into the use of Unreal Engine 5. Asa Kalama, Executive of Creative & Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney Imagineering, also shared insights into the use of Unreal Engine 5.
James Waugh, Senior Vice President, Franchise Story & Creative Strategy at Lucasfilm, called it a groundbreaking example of how stories can flow across screens, theme park rides, and games,
underscoring Disney’s role in pioneering cross-platform experiences.
What Players Can Expect
Direct quotes from the sources reveal the game’s tone: things can go wonderfully right… or spectacularly wrong,
per the sources. Another passage emphasizes the risky business Hondo seems to specialize in,
reflecting the smuggler’s ethos. The experience is free to download on PC, console, and mobile, with no additional cost for guests holding valid theme park admission.
Broader Implications for Cross-Platform Storytelling
This collaboration signals a shift toward integrated entertainment ecosystems, where physical and digital experiences intersect. By linking in-park interactions with Fortnite, Disney aims to extend engagement beyond traditional ride durations. The move aligns with broader trends in gaming and theme parks, though its long-term impact hinges on player adoption and technical execution.
For now, the success of Smugglers Gambit
depends on its ability to balance accessibility with depth. As the sources note, the adventure with Hondo now moves from the queue to your screen at home, or back again. Whether this fusion of formats becomes a standard for themed entertainment remains to be seen, but it sets a precedent for future cross-platform ventures.
