Tag: #disneyconstructionupdates

TRON Lightcycle/Run Project Update

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:

TRON Lightcycle/Run vehicles
TRON Lightcycle/Run Cycles                                                                                                  Photo: Disney Parks

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.

Disney TRON Attraction Billboard
Tron Billboard, visible from Storybook Circus

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.

TRON Lightcycle Construction
TRON Lightcycle Construction, viewed from People Mover                                     Photo: Brooke Hudson
TRON Lightcycle Construction
TRON Lightcycle Construction, viewed from People Mover                                      Photo: Brooke Hudson

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.

Tron Lightcycle Grid Installed
Tron Lightcycle/Run Grid Installed at Magic Kingdom (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Skyliner Update: Look Inside Disney Skyliner Cabins

Disney Skyliner testing continues, and appears to be going very well, as we discussed in our last Skyliner update post.  In this week’s Disney Skyliner Update, we get an up close and personal look at the gondolas themselves.  Disney is now calling the gondolas “guest cabins”, and this week, we get to look inside a Disney Skyliner Guest Cabin!

Up Close with a Skyliner Guest Cabin

Disney Skyliner Update Close Up Look
Disney Skyliner Guest Cabin                                                                   Photo Credit: Disney Parks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned last week, Disney is now sending a few guest cabins through the Skyliner system uncovered.  A few cabins have been seen in the testing without their off-white protective coverings.  So far, we haven’t seen any cabins actually decked out with the promised Disney characters out on the lines testing.

This week, Disney has more information about the guest cabins themselves.  For the first time, Disney is taking us INSIDE a Skyliner guest cabin and answering some of the questions we’ve all been asking.  Here’s what we know now, based on this latest information.

  • Guest cabins will have a maximum guest capacity of 10 guests per cabin
  • Cabins feature bench seating for guests, similar to what we’re used to on the monorail, the Walt Disney World Railroad, and other similar transportation options
  • Guest cabins are wheelchair accessible
  • Cabins do NOT have in cabin air conditioning or heating
  • Guest cabins do have small windows that open to let air circulate and provide cross ventilation
  • All guest cabins will feature Disney characters in specially shaded and reflective graphics to help protect the cabins from direct sunlight
  • Disney is confident that the cabins will be comfortable, even on very hot Florida days
  • Guest cabins will be eight different colors
  • Guest cabins will feature character graphics from all Disney owned properties, including classic Disney favorites, Marvel Studios and LucasFilm, including the Star Wars characters
  • The Skyliner system is intended to be constantly moving
  • There will be approximately 300 cabins in the Skyliner system

Look Inside a Disney Skyliner Guest Cabin

Disney has released a video giving you an inside look at the Skyliner guest cabins.  Take a tour:

Transit Time on Disney Skyliner System

While of course we don’t have any actual riders in the system yet, we do have some idea on transit times using the Skyliner System.

Disney is still doing their very through testing.  We could see SOME impact on these transit numbers once they start testing with people.  It will be very interesting to see if the system will truly be able to operate continuously, once it starts testing with people.

Disney Skyliner Testing
Disney Skyliner System Testing                 Photo Credit: Amy Micari

Disney says we can expect transit times of five to fifteen minutes on the Skyliner System, depending on our origin and destination points.  The Skyliner Transportation system will transport guests from four Disney Resorts to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  The four Disney resorts being served are Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s new Riviera Resort (opening later this year).

Opening Date?

We still don’t have an official opening date for guests for the Disney Skyliner System.  Disney will have to complete their current round of system and cabin tests, first.  Once this round is over, testing with people will begin.  If those tests go as smoothly as anticipated, I believe it won’t be long before we get some official announcements with actual opening dates, at least for some sections of the system.

Officially, we’re still being told “Fall 2019”; however I’ll be surprised if we don’t see at least some kind of soft open by August.  I believe Disney will want the Skyliner System fully up and running when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens on August 29.

Disney Skyliner Gondolas Disney World Star Wars Toy Story Guardians of the Galaxy
Disney Skyliner Gondola Graphics featuring characters from Toy Story, Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy and even fan favorites Donald and Daisy!

What do you think?  Are you getting excited about the Disney Skyliner System?  Please like this post, and comment below with your thoughts about the cabins!

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Brooke Hudson Disney Travel Agent
Ready to Help Plan Your Next Disney Vacation!