LAKE BUENA VISTA — Not since Space Mountain has the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World had such a high-tech, high-thrills ride in Tomorrowland. And Tron Lightcycle Run has been a long time coming.
Opening April 4, the new ride looms just beyond Space Mountain in an enormous canopied structure that is impossible to miss, especially at night. And like Space Mountain, it has a sleek, futuristic appeal that feels both retro and modern.
It is based on the sci-fi “Tron” movies starring Jeff Bridges that take place inside a video game where players on lightcycles travel ribbons of light on “the grid.” The first film was in 1982 and it was a moderate box office hit that built a cult following and drew critical acclaim for its groundbreaking visuals. The fan base grew, and 28 years later Disney put out a sequel in 2010 called “Tron: Legacy.” It’s the basis for the ride, which has been a big hit at Shanghai Disneyland. This one was supposed to have opened three years ago at Walt Disney World, but the pandemic got in the way.
