Great news! Tomorrowland’s upcoming attraction, TRON Lightcycle/Run, has passed another major milestone on it’s way to completion. This week, Disney took delivery of the ride vehicles themselves.
A long awaited Magic Kingdom attraction, TRON Lightcycle/Run has been a work in progress for YEARS at this point. Originally planned to open in time for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration in October 2021, TRON Lightcycle/Run was understandably delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Disney World shutdown, and subsequent cost cutting measures, supply chain issues and staffing challenges.
If you’d like to review our previous stories about TRON, please visit here or here.
The Look
The big question we all have at this point: what will the TRON Lightcycle/Run Cycles look like? Here’s our first look:
As you can see from looking at the photo above, these are not your typical “coaster” ride vehicles. Rather than sitting into a seat in a car or train like vehicle, riders will ride on a futuristic looking motorcycle-like vehicle. The rider will lean forward to grasp handle bar attachments.
Here’s an image from the concept art showing a TRON Lightcycle/Run rider in motion.
Cycle Testing
Now that the Cycles have arrived, Disney will begin testing the vehicles on the track for the new attraction. Disney Imagineers have described this phase as “push/pull” testing, where sections of the new seven vehicle trains will be moved slowly along the entire track.
Once the team has determined the track is ready, the trains will begin launching at higher speeds–eventually reaching full speed launches as the ride nears completion.
Watching TRON Lightcycle/Run Testing
One of the things I have enjoyed most about this particular project is how much of it has been visible to park guests throughout construction. TRON Lightcycle/Run is located near the back of Tomorrowland, and the project has been clearly visible from the PeopleMover throughout construction. In addition, as the large canopy has been constructed, it’s been visible from almost everywhere in Tomorrowland.
Here are a couple of pictures we took from the PeopleMover during out October visit.
Now, as vehicle testing begins, observant guests will likely have the opportunity to see vehicles moving at varying speeds along the track that is visible beneath the canopy. I can’t wait to see this attraction in it’s latest phase during our upcoming trip in May!
When Will TRON Lightcycle/Run Open?
Short answer? We don’t know. Disney has been keeping even a HINT of an opening date for this attraction under wraps. I think when they had to postpone and miss the big 50th Anniversary opening, they may have gotten a little gunshy about setting guest expectations for an opening date for this attraction.
I’m sure there is a lot of work still to come. After all, I’ve seen no signs of an gift shop construction for this attraction yet, and we KNOW that Disney attractions MUST end at a gift shop whenever possible!! In all seriousness though, I suspect Disney is trying to open this attraction later this year. Magic Kingdom has needed a new “exciting” attraction for a while now. The “new” has gone from New Fantasyland, and while Seven Dwarfs Mine Train remains one of the most popular attractions in the park, it no longer has that shiny new attraction vibe.
Other signs point to TRON nearing the end of it’s construction cycle (no pun intended) as well. The Walt Disney World Railroad, closed for YEARS now as the track that runs behind Tomorrowland was swallowed up by TRON construction, has begun testing at Magic Kingdom. I’m almost as excited about the return of the Walt Disney World Railroad as I am about the upcoming attraction, TRON Lightcycle/Run.
How are you feeling about TRON’s progress? Are you tired of hearing about it? Ready to ride? Or just ready for a ride around the park on the Railroad?
Happy dreaming!
Brooke
