Tron Lightcycle Power Run

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.

Tron Lightcycle Power Run
Chinese: 创极速光轮
Shanghai Disneyland
Park sectionTomorrowland
Coordinates31.1437282°N 121.6525508°E / 31.1437282; 121.6525508
StatusOperating
Opening dateJune 16, 2016 (2016-06-16)
Tron Lightcycle Power Run
Chinese: 创极速光轮 at Shanghai Disneyland at RCDB
Magic Kingdom
NameTRON Lightcycle / Run
Park sectionTomorrowland
Coordinates28.4205°N 81.5767°W / 28.4205; -81.5767
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateFebruary 3, 2023 (2023-02-03)
Opening dateApril 4, 2023 (2023-04-04)
TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom at RCDB
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerVekoma
DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
ModelMotorbike roller coaster
Lift/launch systemLIM Launch
Height78.1 ft (23.8 m)
Length3,169.3 ft (966.0 m)
Speed59.3[1] mph (95.4 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration~2:00
Capacity1,680 riders per hour
G-force4
Height restriction4[2] ft (122 cm)
Trains7 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 14 riders per train.
ThemeTron
Sponsor
Music
Fastpass available
Single rider line available
Must transfer from wheelchair

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 employees.[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, there is modified seating on the back of the train for larger riders.[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!" 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:
Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year2019
Ranking 35[21]

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]

References
  1. Nolfi, Joey (May 9, 2016). "Watch a POV video of Shanghai Disneyland's TRON: Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  2. "TRON Lightcycle Power Run". Shanghai Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  3. Pimental, Joseph (April 12, 2016). "Photos: Shanghai Disneyland will have a familiar feel". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  4. Smith, Thomas (July 15, 2017). "New Tron Attraction Coming to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  5. Smith, Thomas (July 15, 2017). "First Mickey-Themed Ride-Through Attraction, Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  6. Levine, Arthur (July 18, 2017). "Disney announces 23 wild new developments for its theme parks". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. Lambert, Marjie (July 16, 2017). "4 new rides coming to Disney World: Ratatouille, Tron, Mickey Mouse, Guardians of the Galaxy". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  8. "PHOTOS: Land Clearing Begins for Tron Roller Coaster at Magic Kingdom".
  9. Carter, Ashley (January 12, 2022). "Checking in on Tron: Construction progresses on the Disney World attraction". News 13. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  10. Reichert, Corinne; Keane, Sean (September 11, 2022). "Disney World's 'Tron' Roller Coaster to Open Spring 2023". CNET. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  11. Biesiada, Jamie (September 12, 2022). "Disney to open Tron coaster in the Magic Kingdom next spring". Travel Weekly. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  12. Diller, Nathan (January 10, 2023). "The long-awaited TRON Lightcycle / Run will open at Disney World on April 4". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  13. "Save the Date: TRON: Lightcycle / Run Disney Cast Life Preview Registration Opens January 30!". wdprhubsites. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  14. McOmber, Sara (January 19, 2023). "Dates Announced for TRON Lightcycle / Run Cast Member Previews in Disney World". disneyfoodblog. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  15. "Opening Date Set for Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney's Newest World-Class Destination". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016.
  16. Carter, Ashley (August 23, 2019). "Tron Coaster Vehicle on Display at Disney's D23 Expo". News 13. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  17. Fritz, Ben (June 23, 2016). "At Shanghai Disneyland, a High-Tech Pirates of the Caribbean". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  18. Sharon, Keith (June 16, 2016). "Video: How the TRON ride feels and Tomorrowland looks at Shanghai Disneyland". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  19. "View source for Tron Lightcycle Power Run - Wikipedia". en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  20. "View source for Tron Lightcycle Power Run - Wikipedia". en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  21. "2019 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  22. "View source for Tron Lightcycle Power Run - Wikipedia". en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
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