This week, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed more exciting details about the upcoming expansions at Disney Parks, including a sneak peek at the Lion King attraction coming to Disneyland Paris. Meanwhile, Disney Imagineering is making waves with its Star Wars droid technology, which is set to expand into the real world and the cinematic universe with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Additionally, Snow White is getting some love at Disneyland and Walt Disney World with limited-time offerings, and movie theaters like the Alamo Drafthouse are joining in on the fun with special parties, menus, and merchandise.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, a preview of the food offerings inspired by One Piece, Nintendo, Star Trek, and Harry Potter is now available for the upcoming Fan Fest Nights. The excitement for Epic Universe on the East Coast is building as its opening draws near. Keep reading for more updates from the world of theme parks!

Disneyland Paris – The Lion King Attraction

In a recent video presentation to shareholders, Bob Iger discussed the upcoming expansions at Disney Experiences, including a Lion King log flume ride at Disneyland Paris. The ride is described as a new journey that follows Simba from cub to lion, as seen in the animated and live-action films.

“Last year, we outlined our plans to accelerate growth in this segment through strategic investments. Today, I’m excited to share some of the progress we’ve made,” Iger stated. “Currently, we have more projects in development around the world than at any point in our history.” He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to new expansions based on Pixar’s Cars and Disney Villains at the Magic Kingdom; a Monsters Inc.-themed land at Hollywood Studios; the new Tropical Americas land featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and the Coco boat ride and two new MCU rides at Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.

Disney Imagineering announces BDX Droid partnership with NVIDIA

The Star Wars BDX droids that have been exploring Galaxy’s Edge will soon venture beyond the theme park. They will make their theatrical debut in Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu next year. Following their SXSW appearance, Imagineering announced a partnership with NVIDIA to enhance the Star Wars BDX droids for more immersive experiences in tech, in collaboration with Disney Research.

“The BDX droids are just the beginning. We’re dedicated to bringing more characters to life in innovative ways, and this collaboration with Disney Research, NVIDIA, and Google DeepMind is a key part of that vision,” said Kyle Laughlin, senior VP at Walt Disney Imagineering research and development. “This partnership will enable us to create a new generation of robotic characters that are more expressive and engaging than ever before—and connect with our guests in ways that only Disney can.” The technology is poised to propel Imagineering’s animatronic work into the new tech space with what they’re calling Newton, an open-source physics engine that allows robots to learn complex tasks with greater precision.

This development is making us a bit apprehensive, evoking our inner Sarah Connor, so we hope there’s a sentience kill switch to prevent adorable Star Wars x Marvel Ultrons from running amok. Or, if Walt Disney’s animatronic were to hack into the tech, things could get crazy, especially if it discovers the horror creators’ public domain interpretations of his Mouse House IP.

Snow White at Disney Parks

Candy-dipped “poison” apples are arriving at Disney Parks just in time for the film’s release. While a limited selection of Disney Store parks merchandise will be available, the offerings extend beyond that to include specialty sips and treats.

Snow White at the Movies

Join the Snow White celebration at cinemas, including the Alamo Drafthouse, AMC Theaters, and more. The Snow White family parties at the Drafthouse are particularly exciting, with curated cuisine and awesome merchandise. The apple-themed lunchbox and character thermos make an excellent combo and can be purchased at Drafthouse locations near you.

AMC is offering collector’s popcorn buckets, travel tumblers, and more:

Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights

We got to try some of the items that will be available at Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, and they’re a fantastic combination of taste and franchise authenticity. The Gum Gum fruit concha inspired by One Piece was a highlight. Don’t worry, the Star Trek Ceti Eel drink seems perfectly safe. For tickets and dates for this event, visit here.

Epic Universe Lore Grows

Listen to this podcast for an in-depth dive into the lore being developed at Epic Universe as part of its immersive entertainment offerings. The idea of monster makeovers at Dark Universe and interacting with storytellers from each portal land is getting us excited.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.