TRON Lightcycle / Run is a thrilling rollercoaster that opened in Magic Kingdom on April 4th, 2023. This semi-enclosed rollercoaster takes riders inside the “grid” as depicted in the Tron movie franchise. As many know, TRON is an almost identical replica of the TRON Lightcycle Power Run rollercoaster that was opened at Shanghai Disneyland on June 16, 2016, which was the same day Shanghai Disneyland opened it's doors to the public.
TRON is a unique rollercoaster that takes riders both indoors and outdoors, with an initial launch of nearly 60 miles per hour! It is the fastest Disney roller coaster and definitely one of the coolest themed rides in all of Disney World. Although it seemed like the construction of TRON at Magic Kingdom took decades to complete, it is an amazing addition to Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland area!
As rollercoaster enthusiasts, we absolutely love riding TRON Lightcycle / Run as much as possible during each visit to Magic Kingdom. Below we will list 10 facts about this amazing roller coaster that may surprise you!
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1. Not Quite the Fastest Ride at Disney World
TRON has an incredible launch of nearly 60 mph at the beginning of the ride which takes riders from inside the building to an outdoor segment above the queue and underneath a canopy. After the initial launch, the ride goes back inside an indoor track which resembles the grid as seen in the TRON movies. Although many assumed TRON became Disney World's fastest attraction when it was built, you may be surprised that there is one other ride that beats it's top speed. Test Track in EPCOT reaches a top speed of 65 mph, which technically makes it the fastest ride at Disney World even though it is not considered a rollercoaster.
Despite Test Track taking the top spot as the fastest ride at Disney World, TRON comes in at a close second with it's 60 mph launch! Many argue that TRON's launch is also much more intense due to it's motorcycle-like ride vehicles compared to Test Track where you feel more safe enclosed within a car. Additionally, I personally can't tell a huge difference between 60 and 65 mph, especially when TRON's launch feels much faster and thrilling on the back on a Lightcycle!
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2. Unique Ride Vehicles Create a Whole New Rollercoaster Experience
TRON's rollercoaster vehicles are some of the most unique seats you will ever experience on any attraction. Each train consists of seven rows which seat two riders per row, allowing a total of 14 riders on each train. We highly recommend the front row, but honestly any row will give you an amazing experience. Each vehicle has onboard lighting and audio which creates a personalized experience.
The ride vehicles were inspired by the TRON Lightcycles, which are similar to motorcycles. When guests board the train, there will be arrows on the ground guiding riders on how to board, however it isn't the stereotypical boarding process. The guest riding on the outside seat will walk in front of their vehicle and then board on the opposite side instead of sliding past the first Lightcycle seat. Next, all riders will straddle the Lightcycle like a bicycle, and pull down on the handlebars to lock the seat in place.
Before entering the TRON queue, there are test vehicles for guests who want to confirm these seats are comfortable for them to ride. Various guests have complained that these seats are not very size-inclusive and can be very uncomfortable. If this is the case for you, there are accessible seats at the end of certain trains which can be requested by any cast member during boarding. These seats are similar to classic rollercoaster bench seats with a lap bar. Although these seats are different than the Lightcycle seats, guests have said the rollercoaster still offers a thrilling adventure from the accessible seats.
3. TRON Is Now Using a Standby Queue
As with other new attractions, Disney World often offers a virtual queue system instead of a normal standby queue. Well, TRON is now NO longer using a virtual queue and is accessible via standby! This means guests can rope drop TRON and get on this beloved ride easier.
In addition to the standby line, guests can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass for TRON which is a one time purchase to use the Lightning Lane, or fast pass, queue with a designated time slot.
READ MORE – Disney World Lightning Lane Multi Pass 2024 – How to Book Advance Ride Reservations
4. You Must Be “Digitized” Before Entering the Grid
The first time I rode TRON, I was pleasantly surprised at how cool both the queue and preshow were before the boarding process. During the preshow (mild spoiler), guests are taken into a small room and then “digitized” so that they are able to enter the grid.
Although brief, the effects they use are extremely cool and unlike any other preshows at Disney. I actually prefer TRON's preshow because many others can seem too long and pointless, whereas TRON's is straight to the point, has amazing effects, and is relevant to the ride's storyline.
5. One of Magic Kingdom's Largest Park Expansions
Disney expanded the Magic Kingdom park by over 10 acres to make room for TRON in Tomorrowland. This expansion was the largest since Fantasyland was expanded in 2012 to make room for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train rollercoaster. Although there were speculations of removal of other attractions in order to build TRON, no one attractions were removed.
However, the site of the TRON rollercoaster had to be raised about 10 feet in order for the Walt Disney World Railroad to run underneath and then through TRON. The railroad was closed during the long construction period of TRON, however it is now open and fully functional. The Executive Ride Project Engineer, Jerold Kaplan, explained “Most of the changes were made to things that are blind to the guest. Subtle changes to the structure that help our maintenance crews keep the reliability up to where we want it.”
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6. Ride Time is Shorter Than Many Disney World Attractions
The biggest, and usually only, complaint about TRON is that the ride is way too short. At about 2 minutes long, TRON is much shorter than several other rollercoasters at Disney World such as Big Thunder Mountain or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The obvious thing to consider is the speed of TRON which forces the train to move faster along the track. However, I can empathize with guests who complain that TRON is too short, especially because it is such a cool experience that you do not want to end. Despite this short ride, I still highly recommend TRON to any guest visiting Disney World, but it is something to be aware of before you experience it.
7. A TRON-Inspired Musical Score Was Created Specifically for the Rollercoaster
As previously mentioned, each Lightcycle vehicle has its own audio and visual effects that riders get to experience during the ride. When building TRON, Disney wanted to make sure it's musical score was futuristic and paid homage to the TRON franchise, but also wasn't too similar to the soundtrack of it's neighbor, Space Mountain.
Therefore, Disney World hired composer Joseph Trapanese to create a whole new musical score. Trapanese worked on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack for TRON: Legacy with Daft Punk as well as the soundtrack for the TRON Lightcycle Power Run rollercoaster at Shanghai Disneyland. This soundtrack is unique yet adds to the thrill of the TRON rollercoaster, making it an even cooler experience!
8. The Ride's Storyline Takes Place After TRON: Legacy
In true Disney fashion, a specific storyline for the TRON attraction was created to fit with the movie franchise. The storyline for the rollercoaster takes place after the events seen in TRON: Legacy (2010). Sam Flynn and Quorra, the Isomorphic Algorithm, are creating permanent gateways for Users (humans) to interact with Programs. During the ride, Users are on Team Blue racing against a menacing group of Programs (Team Orange). Throughout the queue, you will notice previous victors of the race in the Hall of Opponents including Team Yellow, Red, and Orange.
Despite the storyline created for the attraction, you definitely do not need to see the movies in order to enjoy the attraction. However, I love that Disney has created an attraction that not only fits in with the storyline but also gives guests the feeling of experiencing the amazing world of TRON.
9. Imagineers Used Impressive Logistics and Technology to Build TRON
Although TRON is a short rollercoaster, creating this incredible attraction was no small feat. Disney used over 3,800 pieces of steel that weigh 1,900 tons to build TRON. Additionally, the large outdoor canopy that is a centerpiece of the attraction covers over 50,000 square feet of space, stands 105 feet tall, and features over 1,200 lights alone. This does not include the amazing light (and audio) features on the rollercoaster trains, which add an even more amazing affect as it zooms through the canopy and into the Grid.
The technology used for TRON is considered some of Disney's best work, and it truly shows. From the initial high speed launch to zooming through the Grid and racing other Lightcycles, you truly feel as if you've stepped into a TRON film.
10. New TRON-Inspired Quick Service Kiosk, Retail Store, and Interactive TRON Identity Program
In addition to the massive rollercoaster inside Tomorrowland, a new quick-service food kiosk, merchandise, and Identity Program experience was created. Space Mountain's former gift shop, Tomorrowland Power & Light Co. was reimagined into Tomorrowland Launch Depot which sells TRON-inspired merchandise including apparel, pins, toys, light-up accessories, and much more. Guests can also experience the TRON Identity Program inside the Launch Depot, where you can customize a TRON-inspired action figure at the Grid Digitation Portal. The TRON Identity Program costs $89.99 for guests ages 5 and older, and reservations are recommended.
Additionally, guests can grab a snack at the new Energy Bytes quick-service kiosk located just outside the TRON attraction. Food items include chocolate cake doughnut holes with mocha sauce and unique ice cream snacks consisting of ice cream mochi with toppings including caramelized graham cracker crumbs. Energy Bytes also offers bottled water and fountain drinks.
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