Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort will be digitally scanned into an enigmatic game environment in TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise starting on 4 April 2023. They will take to the skies in high-speed Lightcycles as Users in Team Blue, competing against Team Orange, a fearsome team of Programs, in a thrilling race through a dark, computerised world.
Together with its sister coaster at Shanghai Disneyland, the new attraction in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park is the fastest roller coaster ride at a Disney theme park. A one-of-a-kind ride system, speed, visual effects, music, and coaster thrills are expertly combined to produce an unforgettable experience.
Story picks up after TRON: Legacy
The story takes place after the events of Disney’s 2010 film, TRON: Legacy, and will see visitors stepping into the digital world through gateways that Grid creator Kevin Flynn’s son, Sam Flynn, opened. The Magic Kingdom gateway complements another gateway located in Shanghai Disneyland. According to the narrative, Sam created the Lightcycle / Run competition as a friendly way for Users and Programs to interact in a gaming-style, competitive event.
The new attraction adds a huge curved canopy to the Tomorrowland skyline and, underneath, spectators can view Lightcycle trains taking high-speed twists and turns on the Game Grid. Once night falls, patterns of light and colour enhance the visual experience. A special musical score for the attraction was written by composer Joseph Trapanese.
The ride experience plus themed F&B, retail
As they enter the ride canopy, guests encounter the Digitizer for a fun preview of what’s in store. They then move to the Sync Chamber, where they board their Lightcycles and prepare for upload, before launching on the Grid. Their quest is to race Team Orange through eight Energy Gates.
The accompanying retail experience features souvenirs such as TRON-themed clothing, collectable pins, toys and light-up accessories. Fans can even purchase and customise their own TRON action figures.
Themed F&B is available at Energy Bytes, a nearby quick-service kiosk. The items on offer gave a nod to food offerings at Shanghai Disneyland, the location of the first TRON gateway. Guests can enjoy Digital Dumpings, Strawberry IceOforms, Watermelon Refreshers, Chocolate Doughnut Holes with Mocha Sauce, Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee with Mocha Sauce and more.
A Vekoma coaster, TRON Lightcycle / Run took more than 3,800 pieces of steel weighing almost 1,900 tons to create the attraction. The ride track is more than 3,000 feet long.
The Lightcycle ride vehicle incorporates onboard audio and lighting, as well as a specially crafted safety restraint that allows riders to lean forward on the cycles. The attraction’s 10-acre footprint is the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom since New Fantasyland opened in December 2012.
Disney also recently announced that a new digitised locker system will be used for the ride, with guests able to store bags and loose items while they ride TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Images: Disney
