On TRON: A New Magic Kingdom Portal

We have entered into a new portal of Disney magic and we want to invite you to learn all about it. Join me, my daughter Jennica and my son-in-law Jason as we share with you our first impressions of experiencing TRON for the first time here at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. We’ll look at the queue, the ride and the challenges of embracing this new high octane thrill ride that goes up to 60 miles an hour. I’ll also discuss how this attraction compares to its sister portal in Shanghai Disneyland and how the whole of this attraction fills a major need here in Tomorrowland. Whether or not you are a TRON fan or you’ve even seen the movies, you will be after this ride. Join us as we take on one of the most comprehensive reviews available on TRON Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World.

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The Story behind TRON

In 1982, Disney made filmmaking history with TRON, the first production of its kind to mix live action with computer-generated visuals and backlit animation. This iconic film went on to inspire video games, comic books, an animated series and the 2010 sequel TRON: Legacy—as well as this new Disney theme park attraction.

This story takes place after the events of the second film, TRON: Legacy. Here the son of Kevin Flynn, Sam, and Quorra, the Isomorphic Algorithm Sam rescued in the film is now back in the real world and is creating portals or permanent gateways to promote and support more contact between programs and users, otherwise known as us humans.

In it you are a member of the blue team, a 14 passenger train that is in competition with the orange team. You must race past with Energy Gates to be the winner.

Arrival

Canopy by day with a circuitry design
Canopy by Night–Over 1000 light fixtures
Music is a newly arranged Daft Punk sound rearranged to align with this Tomorrowland
Walt Disney World Railroad runs through it and was built 10 feet up to accommodate its elevation
New refreshment kiosk is part of it.
Pathway meanders from Storybook Circus over to Tomorrowland.
Gardens have a canopy design to them.
The trains passing by is mesmerizing and makes you want to sit and stare.

Queue

Outdoor and Indoor Experience
Moving from the outdoor to the Indoor you pass by a Shiva Laser digitizing cannon. The laser is named Shiva after the real-life Shiva laser located in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which was used in the filming of TRON
Enter a room where you are prepared to be scanned
Hall of opponents line up as you listen to video instructions on boarding and on using the locker
The locker experience is inside.
Virtual vs. Lightning Lane

Boarding Area

Dual boarding area
The restraint system includes a back support that carries each rider’s identity disc
The ride is based on the TRON Lightcycles and you board those as you would a motorcycle.
You board onto teams of 14 which they have found can be more powerful as a team than when racing solo
Each light cycle has individual lights and speakers that add music and audio cues.
There is a glove box for phones and glasses to be stored
Those seated in the front will feel they are truly out ahead of the experience. But those in the back will see the effects of light and motion on the train.
Seating issues

Ride Experience

Here we are racing against the bad guys, or the Orange Team.
Launch–Newer technology than Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Use of magnets pushing it through the system
Showbox hosts the 8 energy gates.
Just under 4 minutes from Sync Chamber to completion
3,000 feet of track
The sensation is so unique because you are in a motorcycle position.
Riders were riding “hands free”

This Disney graphic shows one of the 8 energy gates you have as you pass through. Photo by Disney.

Post Show

Parent Switch and Support Animal area
Lighting changes back as you move through locker retrieval area.
Gift Shop is at the exit
The former Power and Light building being remodeled to Tomorrowland Launch Depot?
Tomorrowland is

Comparing to Shanghai Disneyland

It fits in Shanghai’s Tomorrowland
The canopy at night has more color range.
Signage is suspended and much larger
Shiva Laser Digitizing Cannon is much larger?
Lockers are outside not inside creating much more of a chaotic entrance
Asian woman hosts your queuing experience
Ride experience seemingly the same
Chevrolet is the sponsor and hosts a post-show exhibit smaller but similar to Test Track’s post-show.

Ready to Visit the Disney Parks?

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David and Leah Zanolla
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zanolla@otdtravel.com
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On TRON: A New Magic Kingdom Portal