Launched roller coaster
Tron Lightcycle Power Run (Chinese: 创极速光轮) and Tron Lightcycle / Run are semi-enclosed, launched roller coasters at Shanghai Disneyland and Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The first incarnation, Tron Lightcycle Power Run, opened at Shanghai Disneyland on June 16, 2016. A nearly-identical installation, Tron Lightcycle / Run, opened at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World on April 4, 2023. Both are in the Tomorrowland themed areas at each park.
Based on the Tron film franchise, primarily Tron: Legacy, the attraction features a motorbike seat design themed as lightcycles from the films. Each coaster reaches a maximum speed of nearly 60 mph (97 km/h), taking riders on a series of twists and turns through a layout resembling the video-game grid depicted in the film series.[2]
History
The Shanghai Disneyland ride debuted along with the rest of the park on June 16, 2016.[2][3]
The Magic Kingdom version was first announced at the D23 Expo on July 15, 2017 as part of the unveiling of 23 improvements to Disney Parks, including 4 new rides across the theme parks.[4][5][6][7] The ride's construction began in February 2018 with land clearing.[8] It was originally scheduled to open for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary in fall 2021, but due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening date had to be postponed.[9] On September 11, 2022, it was announced at the D23 Expo that the Tron Lightcycle / Run attraction was scheduled to be opened by spring 2023, as part of the "Disney 100 Years of Wonder" celebration.[10][11] On January 10, 2023, it was announced that the Magic Kingdom coaster would open on April 4, 2023.[12] The ride had previews from February 6 to March 3, 2023, exclusively for Walt Disney World cast members.[13][14]
Design
In Shanghai Disneyland, the attraction is located inside, underneath a color-shifting canopy in Tomorrowland.[15] The Magic Kingdom attraction was placed in a section of Tomorrowland to the north of Space Mountain.[4][7] The Magic Kingdom version's official name was revealed as Tron Lightcycle / Run.[16]
The coaster's track takes riders inside and outside the attraction's building, reaching a maximum speed of nearly 60 mph (97 km/h) – the fastest for any Disney roller coaster at the time of its opening in 2016.[1][3]
The attraction's motorbike-styled vehicles were created by Walt Disney Imagineering. The ride was given a Tron theme because the ride vehicles resembled the lightcycles featured in the Tron franchise.[1][17] Riders lean forward and grip a set of handlebars; a pad behind the seat secures the rider in place.[18] Additionally, some trains have modified seating on the back of the train for larger riders, which have traditional seating and restraints.[19]
Ride Experience
Queue
First, guests start by going inside a corridor with circuitry like patterns illuminated blue. Next, guests enter a room which holds the preshow. Inside, a screen plays in front of them and after being "digitized", reveals the launch. Guests then exit the preshow and continue the queue. The queue continues with another room that shows the teams and the top users, Team Red, Team Yellow, Team Orange, and finally, Team Blue, the team that the guests are on. There are also monitors above explaining that all loose items must be stowed in the lockers and the boarding procedure. Then, after placing their items in the locker, guests proceed to the loading area, where they will board the lightcycles.
Layout
After being dispatched, the train makes a turn to the right and to the launch. A voice is then heard saying, "Initiate in 3, 2, 1!" (In Shanghai Disneyland, "3、2、1，發射!") and then the train launches out of the building and underneath the canopy. (This is where the on-ride photo is taken.) The trains then enter the building again, then proceeds to twist and turn along the grid, passing by the other lightcycles and capturing the energy gates. After all that, the train proceeds to the brakes and enters the unloading area, ending the ride.
Exit
After disembarking, guests make their way to the other side of the lockers where they can grab loose items they placed inside the locker. Guests go through some halls and outside underneath the canopy. In the Magic kingdom version, there is a small area at the exit welcoming Team Green users, which has not been in any of the films. There, it features the lightcycle from the green team and a wall showing statistics of team green.[20]
Reception/Rankings
Golden ticket awards
Reception
The ride has been given mostly positive reviews, which has been praised for its detail, theming, and launch. However, It has been criticized for its short ride duration.[22]
Fastpass available
Single rider line available
Must transfer from wheelchair
