The beloved BDX droids are making their triumphant return to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland on May 22, perfectly timed with the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu. The trio of adorable autonomous robots named Red, Oskar, and Grek will appear in a new way as part of Disneyland’s Kids Rule Summer celebration, offering guests a fresh interactive experience at Black Spire Station.
The timing of this return is no coincidence. The BDX droids will make their big-screen debut in The Mandalorian and Grogu, which hits theaters the same day. Director Jon Favreau became so enamored with the Disney Parks droids that he incorporated them into the film, creating a unique synergy between the theme park experience and the Star Wars cinematic universe. Additionally, a new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu launches on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run on May 22, making it a major day for Star Wars fans at Disneyland.
The Journey of the BDX Droids
These highly-expressive robots have captured hearts across the globe since their initial debut at Disneyland in October 2023. The quartet of droids, named Red, Oskar, Grek, and Besh based on their color schemes, were developed by Disney Imagineering using NVIDIA artificial intelligence technology in collaboration with Google DeepMind. Each droid has its own distinct personality: Red serves as the leader, Oskar is the forgetful one, and Grek is notably shy.
Since their initial appearance, the BDX droids have embarked on a world tour that would make any celebrity jealous. They’ve appeared at Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World where they were retrofitted with heat-resistant materials for Florida’s climate, and most recently Shanghai Disneyland. They’ve even sailed aboard the Disney Wish cruise ship and made a special appearance at the world premiere of The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 14 in Los Angeles, sporting bow ties for the occasion.
What This Means for Disneyland Guests
For visitors to Disneyland, the return of the BDX droids represents more than just another character experience. These playful droids-in-training are described as learning on the job, taking on new challenges, and having fun as they team up and show off their unique personalities. Unlike traditional character meet-and-greets, the BDX droids offer spontaneous, unpredictable interactions that feel surprisingly organic thanks to their advanced AI capabilities.
Guests have consistently praised the droids for their emotive qualities, comparing interactions with them to encountering actual baby animals rather than robots. They can hop, wiggle their heads, emit light beams, and convey genuine personality through movement alone. This emotional connection has made them wildly popular with both children and adults, creating memorable Disney magic moments.
The Broader Star Wars Experience
The BDX droid return is part of a larger Star Wars celebration at Disneyland this summer. Beyond meeting Red, Oskar, and Grek, guests can experience the new Mandalorian and Grogu mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, witness nighttime spectaculars like Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga, and encounter classic characters including Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker roaming Black Spire Outpost.
Disney is also offering special Kids Rule Summer deals, with children ages 3-9 able to visit for $50 per child with a special 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket for visits between May 22 and September 7. For young Star Wars fans, Savi’s Workshop is offering a complimentary Youngling Saber Building Expo experience for a limited time.
The convergence of the BDX droids’ return, the new Millennium Falcon mission, and The Mandalorian and Grogu theatrical release creates a perfect storm of Star Wars excitement. For fans planning a visit to Disneyland, May 22 marks the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable summer on Batuu.
