Today’s Construction Update focuses on Tron at Magic Kingdom.
Announced in Summer 2017, there hasn’t been a lot of activity surrounding the Tron coaster-style attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom. I suspect this is partly because Tron doesn’t have the big fanbase that Disney once hoped it would have, and partly because so much attention has been focused on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening this summer at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios.
This is probably a positive thing, we haven’t all been driving Disney crazy with the equivalent of “are we there yet?” for THIS attraction…unlike we did for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. (But hey, it worked, so I’m NOT complaining!)
Shanghai Disneyland’s #1 Attraction
The Tron attraction currently under construction at Magic Kingdom is based on TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. This attraction was an opening day attraction for Shanghai Disneyland. TRON is a giant hit for Shanghai Disneyland.
TRON Lightcycle Power Run is a coaster-style attraction that has passengers ride a train of two wheeled Lightcycles for a race through the digital frontier. Just like the movie, I guess. Although both Tron movies kind of confused me…I really liked the original one, though. Did any of you see the original Tron (1982) or it’s sequel, Tron Legacy (2010)?
TRON Lightcycle Power Run is the highest rated attraction at Shanghai Disneyland. I’m guessing that led the powers-that-be to consider if the attraction could be a good fit another park.
Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
It makes sense right? A popular attraction, already designed and tested. Some changes might be necessary, but basically, the heavy lifting is already done for the attraction. Imagineering already did the design, the creative work, choosing the materials, the budget, the schematics, the plans, even the way the queue works–all that’s been done before. Construction even knows what problems came up during that phase, and how they were solved.
But where to put the new attraction? It make sense in Hollywood Studios, because it’s based on a movie property…but Hollywood Studios is currently getting all the focus for Star Wars, so maybe NOT there. Epcot Future World might be a good fit–the whole digital frontier thing is vaguely futuristic…of course the original movie is almost forty years old at this point. AND there’s already a TON of stuff happening at Epcot (see last week’s post), so maybe it’s not the best choice either.
Disneyland in California is currently using a LOT of space for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, so maybe not there. California Adventure just finished the whole Pixar themed update….so maybe not there.
Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World hasn’t gotten anything new in a LONG time. And we have some room over there next to Space Mountain, on the side… WINNER!
Ok, I have no idea if that’s how the decision making process went AT ALL. But it’s fun to think about, isn’t it? Bottom line, they decided to bring Tron to Magic Kingdom, and they’re making room for it by basically expanding the footprint of the Magic Kingdom. Disney is putting Tron next to Space Mountain, into some unused land between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus.
Impact on Nearby Attractions
To accommodate construction on Tron at Magic Kingdom, a few other attractions ARE being affected.
- Tomorrowland Speedway: This one is pretty short term. The Tomorrowland Speedway closed in January 2019, and is expected to re-open mid May 2019. Disney is moving and/or re-routing the track to make room for Tron.
- Walt Disney World Railroad: This is painful one. The Walt Disney World Railroad is closed for at least the next year, possibly longer. To soften the blow, Disney plans to park the train at the Main Street station, and allow guest to explore the train and take pictures with it. But the lovely and relaxing (one of my FAVORITE ways to take a break) ride around the circumference of the park is not possible for the foreseeable future. They haven’t officially said, but I believe some track has to be re-routed and they don’t want the trains coming through the construction areas. Sigh. I’m excited about a new attraction, but very bummed about no train for a long period of time.
- UNOFFICIAL: I haven’t been there to verify this, but there is a walking path between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland that I suspect may be impacted by Tron construction as well. This area is often inundated with smokers, so it’s not the quiet restful path it once was. It’s always been a pretty good “cut-through” or short-cut. However, the path runs right next to the train tracks for a bit, and then along the Tomorrowland Speedway track as it approaches Space Mountain. I have a hard time believing this area has been left untouched and accessible, but I will confirm for you first chance I get.
Progress Update
This week, the first steel support columns were put in place for the new attraction. Prior to the columns being put in place, cast members and team members working on bringing Tron at Magic Kingdom to reality celebrated a major milestone. They were invited to sign their names on one of the columns, making their “permanent mark” on the attraction. Wouldn’t that be cool? To know forever that a tiny piece of you, your signature, was part of that attraction? I think that would be pretty thrilling!
Disney hasn’t been too committal on when we can expect to take our first ride on Tron at Magic Kingdom. However, Disney is promising that the new Tomorrowland attraction WILL be open in time for the 50th Anniversary celebration in 2021.
I’m happy to see that Disney continues to invest in new attractions and expansions to our favorite parks. As crowds continue to grow, I think it’s more important than ever that new attractions arrive to absorb more people.
How do you feel about Tron at Magic Kingdom? Is this an attraction that you’re excited to check out? Were you a fan of the Tron movies?
Please comment below and let me know if you’ll be eager to check this one out when it comes on line!
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
