Disney is Bringing the Tron Lightcycle Power Run Coaster to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
When the Shanghai Disneyland Park opened in June of last year, one of the most highly-discussed and popular attractions at the theme park was the Tron Lightcycle Power Run. This bike-based launch coaster was different from any other ride that Disney had implemented into any of its parks.
The novelty of the ride unsurprisingly made many domestic Disney park fans more than a little green with envy. However, given recent revelations from the Walt Disney Company, those fans need not be jealous any longer. The company revealed that the Tron Lightcycle Power Run will be coming to Disney’s Magic Kingdom park in Florida.
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Rumors of Disney bringing the Tron roller coaster stateside have been circulating ever since the Shanghai park’s opening. Those rumors also stated that, to make room for the ride, Disney would be getting rid of another automotive attraction: the Tomorrowland Speedway. However, it would seem that the Speedway will be staying in place, at least for the time being. Instead, Disney reports that the Tron Lightcycle Power Run will be built in an area behind Tomorrowland’s other coaster, Space Mountain.
Based on the 1982 film Tron and its sequel Tron Legacy, the Tron Lightcycle Power Run places riders on their very own light cycle. From there, the guests are sent into the “Grid,” where they must face off against other light cycle riders, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph.
You can watch a video of the ride below:
It’s currently unknown how different the Magic Kingdom version of the ride will be compared to its Shanghai counterpart. In Shanghai, Chevrolet serves as a sponsor of the ride, but since Chevy sponsors the Test Track attraction at Epcot, the sponsorship might not be carried over.
Another uncertainty regarding the ride has to do with its opening date. No official timetable has been set, though Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, assured audience members at Disney’s D23 Expo that the ride would be operational by Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
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If you’re a fan of Tron, or just roller coasters in general, then you definitely have a new Disney attraction to look forward to in the next few years.
Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.