#disneyconstruction2023 - Disney Castle Dreaming Travel

TRON Lightcycle/Run will use Virtual Queue

We are getting closer to the long awaited opening date for TRON Lightcycle/Run at the Magic Kingdom on April 4, 2023. The closer we get, the more information Disney makes available to us. In our last post about the new attraction (read here), I theorized that TRON Lightcycle/Run would open using a virtual queue. Disney has confirmed this theory. When it opens on April 4, TRON Lightcycle/Run will use a virtual queue. There will be NO standby lines for TRON Lightcycle/Run initially.

How Will the TRON Lightcycle/Run Virtual Queue Work?

Disney has been using the virtual queue for all new attractions for the last several years. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure both used virtual queues when they first opened. Both stopped using the virtual queue more than a year ago. Currently, EPCOT’s newest attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is using a virtual queue. That attraction will have been open for almost ten months by the time TRON Lightcycle/Run opens. Based on the pattern Disney has set with the previous attractions, I suspect Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will stop using the virtual queue sometime in March, if not sooner.

That way, when TRON Lightcycle/Run needs to start using the virtual queue, it will be the only attraction using it. I’m assuming Disney’s system COULD allow more than one attraction to use virtual queues at a time, especially if they are at different parks. But guests might find the booking experience confusing or frustrating. If an attraction doesn’t NEED the virtual queue, why not simplify things and eliminate it?

Why will TRON Lightcycle/Run use a Virtual Queue?

Disney uses a virtual queue when a new attraction opens primarily to maximize their ability to manage crowd flow through the attraction. The virtual queue system enables them to slow boarding groups arrival times if the attraction breaks down (common with new attractions) or if there are any quirks that arise with loading or unloading that they didn’t anticipate.

Using the virtual queue also adds a bit of mystery around a new attraction. There’s no way for the average guest to really know how many guests rode an attraction on a particular day.

A virtual queue also really helps Disney control the standby line flow, especially if the standby areas might get really tight if the lines get super long. For example, the area back by Ratatouille isn’t super big. If that line got too long, it could easily extend way out into the rest of France and cause a lot of congestion. By using a virtual queue, Disney was able to control the length of the length until the “newness” of that attraction wore off enough to keep that standby line down to a manageable length.

I haven’t seen the area for the TRON standby line inside the attraction, but there isn’t much space outside the attraction. The Speedway is RIGHTTHERE. I suspect that Disney will want to the line from extending out into this area if at all possible. Using the virtual queue will help Disney control this.

TRON Lightcycle/Run will be an Individual Lightning Lane Attraction

Guests with park tickets and park reservations for the Magic Kingdom will have the opportunity to purchase an individual Lightning Lane entry (a la carte) for TRON Lightcycle/Run, based on availability. Pricing and availability for the TRON Lightcycle/Run Lightning Lane entry will vary based on the season, demand, crowd levels and demand.

Locker System for TRON Lightcycle/Run

TRON Lightcycle/Run features a new double sided, digitized locker system inside the attraction queue. These lockers will be used to store guests’ bags and loose items while they ride the attraction. These complimentary lockers will pair with the guest’s Magic Band, Magic Band+, or ticket media so that the guest can either lock or reopen their locker easily with a quick tap. Guests without a Magic Band or ticket media (like a card) will be provided with a card to access a locker. All items must be placed either in a locker before guests board their Lightcycle or inside a small compartment located on the attraction vehicle. The small compartment can hold small items like a wallet, glasses or a cell phone.

TRON Lightcycle/Run will use a virtual queue. TRON Lockers. — Photo: Disney Parks

Disney PhotoPass and Videos

If you’ve been following for any time at all, you know that I am a BIG fan of PhotoPass. Photos are some of the best souvenirs from your vacations. Photos will outlast the TShirts, the sweatshirts and the snacks. As any new attraction should be, TRON Lightcycle/Run is equipped with some terrific on ride video and photo offerings. (Is anyone else still surprised that there ISN’T a PhotoPass photo on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance???)

If you are wearing a Magic Band or a Magic Band+, your attraction photo and video will automatically be linked to your My Disney Experience account.

TRON Lightcycle/Run will use a virtual queue TRON PhotoPass — Photo: Disney Parks

If you don’t have a Magic Band or a Magic Band+, you can still have access to your ride photo and video by using the My Disney Experience app. To use the My Disney Experience app to capture your ride photo and video, follow the steps below.

1. Enable Bluetooth® for the My Disney Experience app before riding.
2. Make sure to be logged into the My Disney Experience app sometime earlier that day.
3. Keep your device out of low power mode.
4. Make sure your mobile device boards the Lightcycle with you and is safely stored in the small Lightcycle compartment to use this method.

Will You Try the TRON Lightcycle/Run Virtual Queue?

Will you take your changes and try to get a boarding group for TRON Lightcycle/Run via the virtual queue? Or will you purchase an Individual Lightning Lane via Genie+ if it’s available? Individual Lightning Lane prices for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind peaked at $17-$18 last year during Thanksgiving week and again during Christmas week. How much would you be willing to pay to ride TRON Lightcycle/Run?

If you’d like to plan a trip to check TRON Lightcycle/Run out for yourself and you’d like a no obligation quote, email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com or call 630-538-1124 today!

Brooke Hudson Disney Travel Agent — Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Menu & Opening Date

We have more information about the new table service restaurant opening soon in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney has announced that Roundup Rodeo BBQ will open on March 23, 2023. Note: Even though we are within the sixty day window, you cannot yet make reservations for Roundup Rodeo BBQ. I’m sure Disney will make an announcement soon about when reservations will open up. I’ll keep you posted!

Even more exciting, Disney has shared details with us about the Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu! We’ve posted about Roundup Rodeo BBQ before, but we didn’t know anything about the menu at that time. All we knew is that the restaurant would be table service and western themed. We could be fairly certain there would be barbeque involved, given the “BBQ” in the restaurant name, but you never know! <wink>

Toy Story Land Table Service Restaurant Roundup Rodeo BBQ Photo: Disney Parks

Theming

Roundup Rodeo BBQ is a rodeo arena that Andy has created in the backyard for his toys. All honorary toys visiting Andy’s backyard are also invited (that’s us!). Andy has used a variety of his toys, games and playsets to create his Roundup Rodeo arena, and when we visit, we’ll all get to see the world through the eyes of Andy’s toys.

While we’re there, we’ll be offered house smoked meats, a roundup of sides, some sweet surprises and more in this western-themed family-style restaurant.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Menu

First up, we will start with the Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits. These are served with sweet pepper jelly. They look awfully good, don’t they? Of course, I’m a sucker for biscuits of almost any kind….

Rodeo Roundup BBQ menu biscuits — Photo: Disney Parks

Salads

Next up, there are three delicious different salads for toys and honorary toys alike to enjoy.

- Tomato Salad: Tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled red onions tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette and garnished with fresh dill (plant-based)
- Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad: Romaine and kale mixed with green apples, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries tossed with green goddess dressing
- Watermelon Salad: Cubed watermelon garnished with freshly torn mint leaves (plant-based)

Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu salads — Photo: Disney Parks

Smoked Meats

Now comes the good stuff! (if you like smoked meats, that is!)

Guests can enjoy a hearty serving of house-smoked meats, including:

- Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, slow-cooked for hours in our onsite smokehouse
- Buttercup’s Beef Brisket: Hand-sliced beef brisket, smoked then slow-cooked to juicy perfection
- There’s a Sausage in My Boot: Spiced pork sausage fire-grilled over live oak to give it an added kick
- BBQ Chicken – with Style! Chicken brined for 48 hours, rubbed with our secret backyard BBQ spice and smoked to tender juiciness

Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu smoked meats — Photo: Disney Parks

Plant-Based Options

No worries. If you aren’t a meat-eater, there are savory plant-based offerings available upon request.

- Slow-smoked Cauliflower topped with sweet harissa drizzle and crunchy walnut gremolata
- Oven-roasted “Bratwurst” that is tender and juicy, sliced to perfection
- Impossible “Rib Chop” seasoned with spices, then roasted and glazed with sweet BBQ sauce and skewered on a sugar cane “bone”

All entreés served with an assortment of sweet, traditional, and spicy BBQ sauces.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu savory plant-based options — Photo: Disney Parks

Sides

Next up, there are a bunch of sides to choose from. Guests can choose four sides for the table from the list below.

- The Married Spuds: Loaded potato barrels drizzled with green goddess dressing, cheese sauce, and seasoned BBQ spices
- Force Field Fried Pickles: Jumbo pickle spears coated with a dill-flavored breading and fried to perfection
- Slinky Doooooooooog Mac & Cheese: Spiral pasta in a creamy house-made cheese sauce topped with crumbled cheddar crackers
- Buckin’ Baked Beans: A traditional BBQ picnic favorite (plant-based)
- Cowpoke Corn on the Cob: Grilled and seasoned with a chili-lime spice blend, cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime juice
- Mean Old Potato Salad: Homestyle with red-skinned potatoes
- Veggie Slaw: Crunchy shredded veggie slaw that is a summertime favorite! (plant-based)
- Campfire-roasted Vegetables: A variety of roasted seasonal vegetables (plant-based)

Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu sides — Photo: Disney Parks

Desserts

Now, we get to the sweet stuff: Desserts!! These perfectly portioned chuckwagon desserts offer a sweet take on the BBQ picnic classics. Guests can choose from a selection for the table.

- Cupcake à la Forky: Forky is up to something sweet! A classic chocolate cake with a gooey chocolate ganache center topped with velvety graham cracker buttercream and a sugar cookie
- Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake: An iconic creamy dessert that balances the tanginess of the cheesecake with the natural sweetness of blueberries and lemon
- Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie: Layers of graham cracker crust and silky chocolate mousse topped with chantilly cream
- Goat’s Apple Pie: A picnic classic! Tart apples and warm pie spices balance perfectly with the creamy sweet filling under a crumble crust
- Gruff’s Peach-Strawberry Pie: With its silky sweet peaches and tartness of strawberries, this dessert is a fruit-centric delight! (plant-based)

Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu desserts — Photo: Disney Parks

Beverages

The Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu would not be complete without some craft cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages on offer. Not to worry, guests feeling nostalgic for backyard picnics will find plenty here to enjoy.

Grown-up Craft Cocktails:

- Snake Eye Margarita: Inspired by a summertime BBQ featuring watermelon, smoke, and a bit of spice!
- Rum Punch: Rum punch with vibrant flavors of passion fruit and pineapple finished with a smoky spiced garnish
- Chocolate with a Grown-up Twist: A blend of chocolate rum, horchata liqueur, cocoa, and flavors of toasted marshmallow
- Frozen Peanut Butter & Jelly: A fun frozen twist on the classic peanut butter & jelly featuring peanut butter whiskey
- Whiskey Lemonade: A fresh take on a strawberry lemonade made with Tennessee whiskey and Italian bitter aperitif
- The Rodeo Mule: A classic “patio sipper,” this mule mixes vodka with fresh juices and ginger beer

A selection of beer, hard cider, and wines by the glass are available.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Menu cocktails — Photo: Disney Parks

Nonalcoholic offerings:

- Molly’s Frozen Iced Tea: A frosty concoction with iced tea and citrus flavors
- Frozen Cocoa: A frozen blend of cocoa and vanilla topped with miniature marshmallows
- Partysaurus Tex: Strawberry lemonade is even more fun when you garnish it with gummy worms!

Will YOU be Making Reservations?

So, now that you’ve seen the Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu, are you going to be making reservations for this table service restaurant for your next Disney vacation? Mom and I are going down for our annual mother daughter trip in May. I’m planning to try and get reservations for that visit so that we can report back to all of you. I also need to know if I want to recommend this restaurant to my clients in the future.

Toy Story Land table service Round Rodeo BBQ — Roundup Rodeo BBQ Concept Art

However, a new table service restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is very welcome! I think this one is in a good location, and will appeal to a lot of families. The Imagineers have done a great job so far in Toy Story Land; I love the details throughout Andy’s backyard. I am very hopeful that Roundup Rodeo BBQ will not disappoint. Time will tell.

If you’d like to visit Disney this year, I’d love to help! Please contact me for a no obligation quote. Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com or call 630-538-1124.

Happy dreaming!

Brooke

Toy Story Land Table Service Restaurant Coming Soon

At long last, Disney has provided us with an update about a Toy Story Land table service restaurant announced way back in May 2019. Roundup Rodeo BBQ will be the first Toy Story Land table service restaurant. Disney now plans for Roundup Rodeo BBQ to open in Spring 2023. They aren’t committing to an exact date just yet, but I’m confident we will get an announcement in February 2023, if not sooner. I’m betting Disney will want to have this Toy Story Land table service restaurant up and running in time for spring break crowds in March and April 2023.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Disney originally announced that a table service restaurant was planned for Toy Story Land way back in 2019. Click here to read our original post about the announcement.

At that time, we hoped that Disney planned to open this restaurant in late 2020 or early 2021. Unfortunately, this project was one more project pushed back significantly by the pandemic and subsequent theme park closures in 2020. When the parks reopened, the halted construction projects were slow to resume. Projects that DID resume seemed to progress much more slowly than similar projects had in the past. No doubt, Disney was more cautious in light of the financial impact the park closures had on the bottom line.

Gradually, we have seen many of these projects finish and open, like Cosmic Rewind and Space 220 at Epcot. Other projects are taking longer than planned but are starting to show signs that they will be completed soon. For example, the long awaited Magic Kingdom attraction TRON Lightcycle/Run has been testing with actual people for the last week or two. (More on that coming soon).

Where is Roundup Rodeo BBQ located?

This new Toy Story Land table service restaurant will be located off to the right near the main Toy Story Land entrance. If you’ve been in the parks over the last couple of years, you may have noticed the construction walls running on the right as you approach the Toy Story Land sign and the giant Woody. (Don’t feel bad if you didn’t notice them or pay any attention–Disney doesn’t WANT you to notice them. They want you to stay in the magic and not see any construction going on until the new attraction, shop or restaurant are completed!)

Toy Story Land Table Service Restaurant: Will this be a Character Meal?

No. Disney has been VERY clear that Toy Story Land’s Roundup Rodeo table service restaurant will NOT be a character meal. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were occasional Woody or Jessie sightings at this new table service offering, but don’t count on seeing any characters in person at this restaurant.

Disney Restaurants Beast Be Our Guest — Be Our Guest: The Beast Does a Walk Through (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

At Be Our Guest, the combination quick service and table service restaurant themed to Beauty and the Beast at the Magic Kingdom, the Beast occasionally will stroll through the dining rooms, allowing guests to catch a glimpse. Generally, he will stop and pose for a few moments to allow for photos and then he moves on.

I could see Disney doing something like that with this new Toy Story Land table service restaurant–but probably not at the beginning, and maybe not ever. It’s a great way to attract additional guests, but let’s face it: A new table service restaurant themed to Toy Story Land? That’s a guaranteed winner! I’m guessing this will quickly sell out as soon as the reservation windows open. Unless the food turns out to be terrible or something, this will likely be a very hot commodity for at least a couple of years.

What’s the Story for Toy Story Land Roundup Rodeo BBQ?

One of my favorite things about Disney is the Imagineers. There is a story for absolutely EVERYTHING at Walt Disney World. The details and theming are elements that keep fans coming back year after year, generation after generation.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ is no exception. The Imagineers have crafted a story that enables this new table service restaurant to fit right in to the Andy’s Backyard concept for all of Toy Story Land.

Andy has decided to build a rodeo restaurant for all his toys. He’s used his Woody’s Roundup toys, his imagination and lots of his other playthings to create a fun atmosphere for toys, kids and even grown-ups to enjoy!

Toy Story Land Table Service Restaurant Roundup Rodeo BBQ — Roundup Rodeo BBQ, Interior Photo: Disney Parks

Disney has released a couple of photos of the interior of Roundup Rodeo BBQ, which makes me even more optimistic that this new Toy Story Land table service restaurant really is on track to open early sprint 2023.

I love the bright colors of Toy Story Land, and was happy to see that even though Disney Imagineers are going with a Western theme for this restaurant, they are still bringing in the familiar colors, characters and elements that we all love from other parts of Toy Story land.

Disney promised that we will find lots of fun elements in Roudup Rodeo, including game boards featuring characters from the Toy Story films, a steam train supported by colored pencils (shown in the photo above), a cardboard box with hand drawn (by Andy of course) audience members, and comic strips featuring Woody’s adventures on the dining room ceiling!

What will we eat at this new table service restaurant?

One of the most important question that comes up whenever we talk about Disney and a new restaurant is “what is the food going to be like?”

The short answer? We aren’t really sure yet. Disney has been pretty vague so far, other than putting BBQ in the name of the restaurant. I don’t think I’m walking out too far on a limb when I say I think we can expect to have western and BBQ themed food!

Seriously though, all Disney has told us so far is the the food will be barbeque inspired comfort foods, served family style. They’ve also said there will be platters of house-smoked meats, a roundup of sides and some miniature sweet surprises. Beyond that, Disney isn’t telling. YET.

I’m sure as we get closer to this new table service restaurant opening, we will get menus. As soon as I hear more about the food, I will update you all.

What will it cost?

The next question is of course, “what is the price point for this restaurant?” Unfortunately, Disney is also keeping quiet on this topic as well. At least for now. However, based on theming and the location, I’m fairly certain the pricing for this Toy Story Land table service restaurant will be moderate. I don’t think Disney is going for high end, white glove service for Roundup Rodeo. I’m expecting to something in line with the Regal Eagle quick service restaurant in America at Epcot. (See our article about that location here.) The Regal Eagle is quick service, so Roundup Rodeo BBQ prices will likely be a bit higher, but hopefully it will stay in this general range. Of course I will keep you all posted as I learn more.

What do YOU Think?

Are you excited about this new table service offering in Toy Story Land? Some of the challenges for guests in Toy Story Land are the lack of shade and lack of seating. I’m pretty happy that an air conditioned table service restaurant is coming–I like to take a little time at lunch (or dinner) to sit in the air conditioning and relax and eat. We like to recharge our batteries and since we are from the midwest, that Florida heat and humidity can really run us down sometimes. So I am ALWAYS a fan when I can make reservations as part of my planning, and guarantee my family a chance to sit down in A/C and enjoy a meal.

I’m already reworking my plan for our annual Mother/Daughter Flower & Garden Festival trip to make sure I can try and get us a reservation at Roundup Rodeo BBQ. After all, we have to do a review for all of you, don’t we?

Please let me know in the comments below if you will be adding this to your “Must Do” list or if you’ll wait and see how it turns out.

If you want to get planning on a trip for 2023 to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and investigate this new Toy Story Land table service restaurant for yourself, please contact me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com for a no-obligation quote.

Happy Dreaming!