TRON Lightcycle Run is a brand new curler coaster beneath development by House Mountain in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World. This covers every thing you might want to know: opening date, Solid Member and AP previews, and solutions to widespread questions. (Up to date January 19, 2023.)
To deliver you on top of things, this curler coaster was introduced 5 years in the past, is a clone of Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Energy Run, and might be situated between Tomorrowland Speedway and Storybook Circus in Fantasyland. Like House Mountain, it’ll be past the railway tracks that circle Magic Kingdom. Fortuitously, the Walt Disney World Railroad has now reopened after being closed for a number of years. return very quickly.
For those who’re solely questioning when the brand new curler coaster will open, we now have a solution: TRON Lightcycle Run will open at April 4, 2023 in Magic Kingdom. If you need extra details about its Lightning Lane and digital queue standing, chance of sentimental openings, and extra, proceed studying. For those who’re an Annual Passholder or Disney Trip Membership Member who desires to be notified when signups for these previews go stay (or some other Walt Disney World information, low cost releases, and so on.), join right here for our FREE Disney publication right here.
When it comes to primary background, the attraction is formally referred to as TRON Lightcycle / Run (or Tron Lightcycle Energy Run) and is a semi-enclosed launched metal bike curler coaster attraction. The seats are just like these on Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom; riders sit on particular person lightcycles, lean ahead, grip a set of handlebars, and a pad behind the seat comes down and snuggly secures the rider in place.
Because the title suggests, the curler coaster relies on the Tron movies. It begins with friends getting into an enormous gravity/present constructing the place they step onto the Grid and board their very own bike or lightcycle. Like House Mountain or Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, a lot of the experience is in a darkened present constructing, however not like these, the climax of the attraction is a loop beneath a big color-changing cover, which can also be the long-lasting function of the attraction’s facade.
Above is my picture of how all of this appears at Shanghai Disneyland. We’ve executed Shanghai Disneyland’s model of the experience a number of occasions, so a variety of the information that follows can also be primarily based on our firsthand experiences using TRON Lightcycle Run. The largest distinction is that it’s the point of interest of Tomorrowland in China, with the complete land constructed round TRON Lightcycle Energy Run. There are a number of approaches and viewing areas for the curler coaster, which I believe is savvy.
In contrast, Magic Kingdom’s TRON Lightcycle Run is nestled behind House Mountain, could have a cramped method between that experience’s exit and Tomorrowland Speedway, and the one viewing space for the curler coaster beneath the cover seems to be alongside the winding entrance and exit paths. (There are a number of recipes for congestion right here.)
Now let’s check out some idea artwork for TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom to see how its aesthetics will differ from the Shanghai Disneyland incarnation of the attraction…
Above is the latest idea artwork for TRON Lightcycle Run, which has been tweaked from the unique plans. There are some things that bounce out from this new artwork when it comes to adjustments from its predecessor.
First, the marquee is now a planter out entrance of the attraction, moderately than hanging from the highest of the cover. Subsequent, the doorway is now a winding and accessible walkway, moderately than stairs. Lastly, there’s what seems to be a (very small) tunnel for the prepare.
Above is the idea artwork from two years in the past, which additionally exhibits how TRON Lightcycle Run matches with House Mountain, the Tomorrowland Speedway, and Walt Disney World Railroad round it.
In that, you may see the steps, path again to Storybook Circus, and unique marquee. You possibly can’t actually see the place the prepare would go, and it seems the doorway/exit from the present constructing all observe one path down the steps.
Solid Member Previews for TRON Lightcycle Run
Walt Disney World despatched a ‘save the date’ to Solid Members concerning their previews of Magic Kingdom’s new attraction. This revealed that Solid Member previews for TRON Lightcycle Run will start February 6, 2023 and finish March 3, 2023.
Registration data might be launched to Solid Members quickly, with reserving beginning on January 30, 2023. Notice that with previous Solid Member previews, not all dates have been out there and previews solely ran a portion of the day. For instance, Cosmic Rewind CM previews occurred April 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29 and 30; Could 1 and a couple of between 1 pm and three:30 pm.
Our expectation could be that it’s an identical story right here, with the chance that previews aren’t held in any respect throughout what we’ve already recognized because the Worst Week of Winter at Walt Disney World. Aside from that, the primary half of February and early March are each comparatively gradual at Walt Disney World.
Annual Passholder Previews for TRON Lightcycle Run
It’s an identical story for Annual Passholder previews, that are rumored to start instantly after Solid Member previews conclude–on or round March 4, 2023. It’s possible that Disney Trip Membership previews will start across the similar time, and happen for a number of days.
For reference, final yr’s AP preview dates for Cosmic Rewind have been Could 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, and 21 with a number of time slots from midday till 3:30 pm. Our expectation is that Walt Disney World will observe go well with and provide roughly 9 days of AP previews for TRON Lightcycle Run.
We additionally count on that the previews will not coincide with Orange County’s Spring Break, which means a niche of a couple of week in the midst of the previews. Notice that that is not a part of the rumor–merely our expectation primarily based on crowd projections.
If I needed to make a guess, my expectation could be that AP and DVC previews for TRON Lightcycle are held March 4-10 and March 20-24–give or take a number of days, and with a portion of these dates doubtlessly eliminated for native media previews, promo filming, and so on. It additionally wouldn’t shock me if the rumor is flawed and AP previews don’t really begin till March 6, 2023 and happen solely on weekdays.
TRON Lightcycle Energy Run Lightning Lane Standing
The query of whether or not TRON Lightcycle Run might be a part of Genie+ or one other Particular person Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom can be a “query” in title solely, since Walt Disney World hasn’t formally revealed its line-skipping standing.
With that stated, there’s a higher than 99.999% likelihood that TRON Lightcycle Run might be an Particular person Lightning Lane attraction. It’s actually a query of how a lot it’ll price and the way rapidly it’ll promote out every day. Our expectation is that it finally ends up being priced on par with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Nevertheless, debuting this throughout spring break season would possibly imply premium pricing.
The opposite massive query is whether or not Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice will transfer to Genie+ or if Magic Kingdom would be the solely park with two Particular person Lightning Lane points of interest. Our expectation is that Magic Kingdom will grow to be the lone park at Walt Disney World to have two Particular person Lightning Lanes. Nevertheless, we aren’t even remotely assured on this prediction, placing it at about 60/40 in favor of occurring.
Though they’re each curler coasters, they’ve very totally different demographics. Past that, Magic Kingdom can also be the lone park to have a wholesome quantity of Genie+ capability, even after dropping Splash Mountain. It makes extra sense for Magic Kingdom to maintain two ILL rides than it did EPCOT, each financially and when it comes to provide v. demand for the Genie+ service.
Standby v. Digital Queue
One other massive query is whether or not TRON Lightcycle Run will use a digital queue. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind nonetheless makes use of a digital queue, so the reply to this most likely appears apparent. In all chance, TRON Lightcycle Run will get a digital queue–and Cosmic Rewind will lose its VQ within the course of.
Nevertheless, even that’s not totally settled. Not each current attraction has debuted with a digital queue (Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway by no means used one) and Disney has tried to do away with them wherever attainable. TRON Lightcycle Run hopefully doesn’t endure from downtime points and it most likely doesn’t lack queue house. There must be quite a bit contained in the constructing, and there’s positively ample overflow house outdoors. So TRON Lightcycle Run ought to use standby…proper?!?
Most likely not. The problem with TRON Lightcycle Run is definitely the method–similar because the EPCOT E-Tickets. The trail between House Mountain and Tomorrowland Speedway that leads again to TRON Lightcycle Run is actually slim. For no matter motive, Walt Disney World didn’t shorten the Speedway monitor, and the consequence may be very little house main again to TRON Lightcycle Run. That is a recipe for potential issues, and will get downright harmful at rope drop as friends stampede to be among the many first to experience.
Though Walt Disney World possible desires to keep away from bringing again the digital queue because of the drop in visitor satisfaction it causes, I don’t assume they’ll have some other selection right here. As such, I’m anticipating a digital queue for TRON Lightcycle Run. (The truth that Disney did the very same factor for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for the very same motive makes me much more assured on this guess.)
Whereas we’ve gotten good at gaming digital queues (and have “pace technique” recommendation so you may obtain comparable success), my private hope is for a standby queue. It’s the extra guest-friendly method that ranges the taking part in area, is much less anxious, and leads to fewer complaints.
Plus, if there’s a digital queue, TRON Lightcycle Run gained’t open for Early Entry–and we actually hope it’s, as that’ll relieve stress from the SDMT Shuffle, making that simpler for households.
TRON Lightcycle Run Building Updates
The above video is a have a look at each development progress and testing, which is now fairly widespread to see whereas visiting Magic Kingdom. On this explicit day, I used to be in Magic Kingdom check Genie+ v. standby. This concerned criss-crossing the park quite a bit, and just about the complete day–up till round 11 pm (that’s once I final checked)–there was curler coaster prepare dispatching and at the very least some gentle results testing in tandem.
A part of me puzzled whether or not that is precise and crucial testing…or if Walt Disney World realizes there’s no higher ‘free’ promoting than operating the curler coaster throughout well-liked vacationer seasons. Many informal friends have been taking photographs and movies, and I overheard many speaking about TRON Lightcycle Run. Plenty of pleasure about it.
Walt Disney World has been dispatching trains at or close to peak effectivity, with beneath 30 seconds between them. The attraction additionally has been working with human riders, and firm executives and others have already skilled it. Because of this the within of the attraction is completed and has been turned over to operations, and the one development to be accomplished is outdoors on the method and varied walkways.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out development progress. That is additionally practically executed, and has been for the previous couple of months…
There’s been a variety of progress on TRON Lightcycle Run’s development within the final a number of months. Like different tasks that kicked into excessive gear with the beginning of the brand new fiscal yr, work on TRON Lightcycle Run has accelerated since across the begin of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary.
Let’s begin by approaching from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover with a recent have a look at the development website.
Talking of recent, one of many “greatest” adjustments you would possibly discover since our final development replace is all of the landscaping that has been put in between the expanses of concrete. A lot of the dust has been changed with bushes, making the entire space look quite a bit nearer to its closing kind.
One other factor that’s been put in is lighting fixtures. You possibly can see these within the picture above, obscuring some views into the development website. These curved lamp posts give a futuristic sensibility to the world and are considerably just like those at Shanghai Disneyland, and in addition in new areas EPCOT.
Persevering with to the center of the location, right here’s a wider view of the principle elevated walkway and first part of the swooping cover. It’s more durable to see now due to the landscaping, however there’s additionally the Storybook Circus path beneath the flyover ramp that leads as much as the attraction entrance.
The principle work we noticed was on the lead-up to the flyover walkway. Plenty of ending touches occurring right here; the ‘massive factor’ that has but to be executed is set up the attraction marquee in that center concrete space. That most likely might be one of many final issues to happen earlier than the experience opens.
Talking of the attraction entrance, you may see the sequence of arches in entrance of the visitor entrance for TRON Lightcycle Run. Thematic prospers have been put in right here and the ultimate components of the cover have additionally been put in.
You possibly can’t see them anymore because of the added bushes, however there are a number of entrances right here, and clearly two separate sides–one for standby/digital queue and one other for the Lightning Lane.
TRON Lightcycle Run is technically past the berm in Magic Kingdom, shoehorned into a good plot of land between the boundaries of Tomorrowland, Storybook Circus, and World Drive. Consequently, the world across the attraction could have a variety of strategically-located partitions and walkways to direct visitors and conceal views into backstage and places outdoors the park.
Above and beneath are very comparable wider views that exhibits just about the complete TRON Lightcycle Run worksite that’s seen from the TTA PeopleMover.
The ETFE cushion cover is full, with crews now doing the ultimate ending work on the bottom and elevated pathway. As a result of aforementioned placement of the attraction, there’s quite a bit occurring to combine the attraction right into a small parcel of land–let’s break it down.
The flyover walkway (far left) will weave friends beneath the cover, over the Walt Disney World Railroad tunnel (middle-left), and into the visitor entrance (far proper and beneath) of the present constructing. You possibly can really see an identical path in our photographs of Shanghai Disneyland’s model of the curler coaster all through this submit (minus the prepare stuff).
Talking of the prepare tunnel, that is now absolutely enclosed, mirroring the idea artwork–a necessity so the prepare doesn’t discolor the crisp cover of TRON Lightcycle Run.
A air flow system, lighting, and monitor for the prepare has all been put in. There are additionally home windows lower into the tunnel that’ll provide a view from the prepare of TRON Lightcycle Run.
A couple of months in the past, Walt Disney Imagineering launched new publicity pictures displaying that TRON Lightcycle Run has reached one other challenge milestone at Magic Kingdom, with the beginning of present lighting testing on the attraction cover.
This curved-wave construction serves because the Add Conduit to the Grid, the place friends (or “Customers” in TRON parlance) will race beneath on Lightcycles as they start their competitors.
In preparation for the race, the Walt Disney Imagineering Present Lighting crew is tough at work testing the system and programming greater than 1,200 fixtures throughout the floor.
The cover and exterior plaza might be delivered to life within the coming months because the challenge crew continues importing and integrating extra present components.
In different phrases, just about every thing is completed at this level other than the flyover ramps, ground-level walkways, varied planters, and a little bit of clean-up and landscaping work. Whereas it nonetheless very a lot appears like an lively development website, a variety of that may be completed fairly rapidly.
Clearly, it’s nonetheless an lively development website with a variety of work occurring, however the experience is now within the house stretch. Critically. After 4+ years, the curler coaster is almost prepared. In actual fact, TRON Lightcycle Run may open inside a number of weeks given the work that is still.
The curler coaster itself is able to roll–fairly actually. Beneath the ETFE cushion roofing, you may generally see curler coaster trains launching. We’ve seen these for a number of months now, and they’re now shifting at full-speed and at common intervals.
At this level, Walt Disney World is holding again on opening TRON Lightcycle Run till it’s most advantageous from a advertising perspective to drive new trip bookings. Accordingly, the corporate has decided that the “finest” date to debut the experience is April 4, 2023. We suspect followers could have sky-high expectations after ready ~5 years for this experience to return to fruition.
Whereas I actually get pleasure from TRON Lightcycle Run, it “solely” scored a 9/10 in our Shanghai Disneyland Journey Evaluations. The massive factor that prevented it from receiving an ideal 10/10 is length. The coaster itself, from launch to return, lasts nearly 60 seconds precisely. (Different web sources counsel it’s 2 minutes lengthy–that’s solely correct from load to unload, however a full minute of that isn’t a part of the experience expertise in any respect.)
One other concern is the seating, which I’ve beforehand stated (wrongly, I assume) could be what precluded this curler coaster from ever being cloned at Walt Disney World. As famous above, TRON Lightcycle Run has bike seating, with friends straddling the lightcycle, leaning ahead and putting their chest and abdomen flush with the entrance pad whereas handlebars come ahead and a again restraint lowers.
It’s a comfortable match, like a tighter and safer model of Flight of Passage in Pandora – World of Avatar. Shanghai Disneyland’s model has accessible automobiles behind the trains. Extra accessible seating might be crucial within the Magic Kingdom model, as the traditional bike seats aren’t going to work for lots of Walt Disney World friends.
Finally, TRON Lightcycle Run is quite a bit like Rock ‘N’ Curler Coaster. Each are quick launch curler coasters that largely happen in darkish present buildings with a scattering of props and lean closely on thrills. TRON Lightcycle Run might be about 20 seconds shorter, however it’ll have an outside part, and superior visuals inside.
With all of that stated, what can’t be overstated about TRON Lightcycle Run is the coolness issue due to the distinctive seating, flashy visuals, and that outside loop. This can be a particular benefit it has over different curler coasters at Walt Disney World. Whereas I want it have been about one other 20-30 seconds longer, I believe most followers will find yourself loving TRON Lightcycle Run.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider TRON Lightcycle Run? Are you excited for this new Magic Kingdom curler coaster, or does it not curiosity you? Ideas on how the aesthetic will match into Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas or questions beneath within the feedback!