Tron Lightcycle Power Run Explained

Tron Lightcycle Power Run
Imagedimensions:250px
Location:Shanghai Disneyland
Locationarticle:Shanghai Disneyland
Section:Tomorrowland
Status:Operating
Year:2016
Extend:
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Location:Magic Kingdom
Section:Tomorrowland
Status:Operating
Year:2023
Rcdb Number:15286
Type:Steel
Type2:Launched
Manufacturer:Vekoma
Designer:Walt Disney Imagineering
Model:Motorbike roller coaster
Lift:LIM Launch
Height Ft:78.1
Length Ft:3169.3
Speed Mph:59.3
Inversions:0
Duration:~2:00
Capacity:1,680
Gforce:4
Restriction Ft:4[1]
Trains:7
Carspertrain:7
Rowspercar:1
Ridersperrow:2
Theme:Tron
Virtual Queue Name:Lightning Lane Single Pass at Magic Kingdom
Virtual Queue Image:Lightning Lane Icon Logo.webp
Virtual Queue Status:available
Virtual Queue Name2:Disney Premier Access at Shanghai Disneyland
Virtual Queue Image2:Disney Premier Access Icon Logo.svg
Virtual Queue Status2:available
Single Rider:available
Transfer Accessible:yes
Custom Label 1:Sponsor
Custom Label 2:Music
Location Rcdb Number:6615

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.

Based on the Tron film franchise, primarily , the attraction features a motorbike seat design themed as lightcycles from the films. Each coaster reaches a maximum speed of nearly 60mph, taking riders on a series of twists and turns through a layout resembling the video-game grid depicted in the film series.

History

The Shanghai Disneyland ride debuted along with the rest of the park on June 16, 2016.[2]

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.[3] [4] [5] [6] The ride's construction began in February 2018 with land clearing.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] [10] On January 10, 2023, it was announced that the Magic Kingdom coaster would open on April 4, 2023.[11] The ride had previews from February 6 to March 3, 2023, exclusively for Walt Disney World cast members.[12] [13]

Design

The attraction is located underneath a color-shifting canopy in Tomorrowland.[14] The Magic Kingdom attraction is located in a section of Tomorrowland to the north of Space Mountain.

The coaster's track takes riders inside and outside the attraction's building, reaching a maximum speed of nearly 60mph – the fastest for any Disney roller coaster at the time of its opening in 2016.[15]

The attraction's motorbike-style 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.[16] Riders lean forward and grip a set of handlebars; a pad behind the seat secures the rider in place.[17] Additionally, some trains have modified seating on the back of the train for larger riders, which have traditional seating and restraints.[18]

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 video is projected onto a screen in front of them, and after being "digitized", the screen becomes transparent to reveal the launch. Guests then exit the preshow and continue through 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 board the lightcycles.

Layout

After being dispatched, the train makes right turn to the launch. A voice is then heard saying, "Initiate in 3, 2, 1!" (In Shanghai Disneyland, "3、2、1，發射!") 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 proceed to twist and turn along the grid, passing by the other lightcycles and capturing energy gates. Finally, 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 hallways 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.[19]

Reception/rankings

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.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TRON Lightcycle Power Run. Shanghai Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company. February 6, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160207064237/https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/attractions/tron-lightcycle-power-run/. February 7, 2016. mdy-all.
  2. News: Photos: Shanghai Disneyland will have a familiar feel. April 12, 2016. The Orange County Register. Pimental. Joseph. August 22, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822154024/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-711824-park-shanghai.html. August 22, 2016. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: Smith. Thomas. July 15, 2017. New Tron Attraction Coming to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Parks Blog. 16 July 2017. en-us. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170716143618/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/tron-attraction-coming-to-magic-kingdom-park-at-walt-disney-world-resort/. July 16, 2017. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: First Mickey-Themed Ride-Through Attraction, Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios. July 15, 2017. Disney Parks Blog. en-us. July 15, 2017. Smith. Thomas. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170715225047/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/first-mickey-themed-ride-through-attraction-mickey-and-minnies-runaway-railway-coming-to-disneys-hollywood-studios/. July 15, 2017. mdy-all.
  5. News: Disney announces 23 wild new developments for its theme parks. Levine. Arthur. July 18, 2017. USA Today. 2017-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170719034012/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2017/07/18/disney-parks-d-23-expo-announcements-new-rides/489404001/. July 19, 2017. live. en. mdy-all.
  6. News: Lambert. Marjie. July 16, 2017. 4 new rides coming to Disney World: Ratatouille, Tron, Mickey Mouse, Guardians of the Galaxy. July 16, 2017. Miami Herald. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170716235154/http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article161635418.html. July 16, 2017. mdy-all.
  7. Web site: PHOTOS: Land Clearing Begins for Tron Roller Coaster at Magic Kingdom.
  8. Web site: Carter. Ashley. January 12, 2022. Checking in on Tron: Construction progresses on the Disney World attraction. News 13. August 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220112225120/https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2022/01/12/construction-progresses-on-disney-world-tron-attraction. January 12, 2022.
  9. Web site: Reichert. Corinne. Keane. Sean. September 11, 2022. Disney World's 'Tron' Roller Coaster to Open Spring 2023. CNET. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220911184100/https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/disney-worlds-tron-roller-coaster-to-open-spring-2023/. September 11, 2022.
  10. Web site: Biesiada. Jamie. September 12, 2022. Disney to open Tron coaster in the Magic Kingdom next spring. Travel Weekly. November 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912212927/https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disney-opening-Tron-coaster-next-spring. September 12, 2022.
  11. Web site: Diller. Nathan. January 10, 2023. The long-awaited TRON Lightcycle / Run will open at Disney World on April 4 . USA Today. January 10, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230110215218/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2023/01/10/disney-world-tron-lightcycle/11022309002/. January 10, 2023.
  12. Web site: Save the Date: TRON: Lightcycle / Run Disney Cast Life Preview Registration Opens January 30! . wdprhubsites . limited . January 18, 2023 . January 30, 2023.
  13. Web site: Dates Announced for TRON Lightcycle / Run Cast Member Previews in Disney World . disneyfoodblog . Sara . McOmber . January 19, 2023 . January 30, 2023.
  14. Web site: Opening Date Set for Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney's Newest World-Class Destination. Disney Parks Blog. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160618170548/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/01/opening-date-set-for-shanghai-disney-resort-disneys-newest-world-classdestination/. June 18, 2016. mdy-all.
  15. News: Watch a POV video of Shanghai Disneyland's TRON: Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster. May 9, 2016. Entertainment Weekly. Nolfi. Joey. August 22, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160920091358/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/09/tron-roller-coaster-shanghai-disneyland. September 20, 2016. mdy-all.
  16. News: Fritz. Ben. At Shanghai Disneyland, a High-Tech Pirates of the Caribbean. August 22, 2016. The Wall Street Journal. June 23, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625202028/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-shanghai-disneyland-a-high-tech-pirates-of-the-caribbean-1466714634. June 25, 2016. mdy-all.
  17. News: Sharon. Keith. Video: How the TRON ride feels and Tomorrowland looks at Shanghai Disneyland. August 22, 2016. The Orange County Register. June 16, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822155345/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ride-719514-tron-tomorrowland.html. August 22, 2016. mdy-all.
  18. Web site: duBois . Megan . I was one of the first riders on Disney World's new Tron coaster, and it was worth the 5-year wait . 2023-12-28 . Insider . en-US.
  19. Web site: 2023-03-06 . TRON Lightcycle / Run Introduces Team Green Post-Show Space . 2024-01-07 . Disney Parks Blog . en-US.
  20. Web site: Bricker . Tom . 2023-04-03 . Ride Review: Is TRON Lightcycle Run Worth the Time or Money? . 2024-01-07 . Disney Tourist Blog . en-US.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tron Lightcycle Power Run".

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