Recapping the D23 TRON Lightcycle/Run event
D23, the official Disney fan club held a TRON Lightcycle/Run preview event at Magic Kingdom on March 18th. The event included 2 hours of early access to the attraction just for D23 members who purchased tickets, snacks (various ice cream selections), access to Magic Kingdom, and as many rides on TRON Lightcycle/Run as each attendee desired (and can squeeze into 2 hours). The low crowds levels during the event provided an amazing opportunity to enter the grid.
The event began with registration at 5:00 PM at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests where given a light up wrist band that provided access to both Magic Kingdom and the event. No additional Magic Kingdom tickets (or park pass reservations) were required. Considering the number of re-rides on TRON, the snacks, and the access for the evening to Magic Kingdom, the ticket cost of $50 per person was certainly a good deal.
Related: Complete Guide to the World of TRON
Attraction Overview
TRON Lightcycle/Run invites users to enter the grid and compete against programs in a Lightcycle race. Fans of the TRON movies will love the touches throughout the queue and ride that help bring the movies to life, while guests that have not watched the movies will not find themselves confused or left out, as the attraction does not require intimate knowledge of the movies to enjoy.
TRON Lightcycle/Run is a launch coaster, with a launch of nearly 60 MPH that is the fastest of any Disney coaster (along with the original TRON Lightcycle/Run in Shanghai Disneyland). The ride vehicle provides a seating that mimics the position one would take while riding a Lightcycle, with a harness system that braces across the back and legs similar to Flight of Passage.
Queue and Load Area
The line queue and load area are really themed well, and bring various aspects of the movies to life. Guests enter a room where they are ‘digitized’ in order to enter the grid. The line area even has its own restrooms (a touch Disney should really consider including in attractions moving forward!
The load area is similar in structure to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, with a ramp that leads to two load areas. Guests stand side-by-side in the load area, as one guest will need to walk around to the other side of the ride vehicle in order to board their Lightcycle. There is a rear car option that does not require riders to board and sit in a riding position, however not every coaster has this vehicle and we noted even with the limited ticket event the line for the bench-style seating got a bit long.
Guests are not permitted to bring any items onto the ride with them. Free lockers are provided in the line queue, with a park ticket or magic band used to open the locker. We discovered last evening that magic mobile does not work well with these lockers, however guests that do not have a physical ticket or magic band are offered a locker ticket to use. The lockers are a good size (especially compared to the lockers provided in the queue of other parks), and comfortably fit a small backpack without needing to stuff it in. There is a locker lookup scanner included, so if you forget your locker number you can easily find it.
Related: Virtual Queue for Tron Lightcycle Run Added to My Disney Experience App
Launch and Ride
The launch on this ride is amazing, with speeds hitting nearly 60 MPH. The initial launch is outdoors, and takes riders under the beautiful canopy (the impact of this is much more dramatic in the evening when the canopy is lit up). Guests then enter an indoor area where, as part of team Blue, you race against the team orange programs in a Lightcycle race. While a bit short, clocking in at around 2 minutes, the ride is amazing and proved to be just as fun on ride 4 of the evening as ride 1.
Overall the event was super fun, and the attraction is a welcomed addition to Magic Kingdom. The canopy is certainly going to prove to be a crowd favorite for photos, especially in the evening. TRON officially opens to guests on April 4th, with guests visiting between now and then afforded the ability to potentially enter the grid via a soft opening of the ride. All guests interested in riding TRON when it opens (including during the soft open) will need to either secure a spot in the virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane.
Are you excited to enter the grid? Have you already ridden Tron Lightcycle/Run? Drop us a comment and let us know what you think!
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