Major TRON Updates, Splash Mountain Changes, and More BIG Disney News

This week has been a HUGE one for the Walt Disney Company.

It can be difficult to keep track of all the Disney news, but we’re here to help! Right now, we’ll be rounding up some of this week’s biggest stories to get you updated as quickly as possible. So let’s get to it!

TRON / Lightcycle Run

TRON / Lightcycle Run already has an official opening date (April 4th), but we got even MORE details about the ride this week.

First, Disney revealed that the ride will not have a standby line — only a virtual queue. We also learned that it will NOT be available through the standard Genie+ service. Instead, an Individual Lightning Lane option (pay-per-ride) will be available for guests who want to pay to skip the virtual queue.

©Disney

To ride this attraction, you’ll also be required to use lockers for most of your belongings during the ride. Disney revealed that TRON / Lightcycle Run will feature a “double-sided and digitized locker system” so guests can “store bags and loose items.”

There will, however, be a small storage space on the lightcycle for things like your phone.

The ride will also have onboard photos and videos. Disney announced that guests will be able to “preview an onboard photo and video” that can be “automatically linked to your My Disney Experience account.”

Click here to see 5 CRITICAL Updates About TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World

Splash Mountain Construction

Although Splash Mountain permanently closed recently, construction on its transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has already begun. Construction walls are up around the attraction, and they include a nod to the new ride. Plus, some of the water has already been drained from the attraction.

The windows into the previous ride from the Walt Disney World Railroad are now covered, and construction blocks are appearing in the area.

Also, the Magic Kingdom park map has removed the Splash Mountain designation from the area and added a few words about “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” coming soon. There have even been changes on the narration on the Liberty Square Riverboat and Walt Disney World Railroad related to Splash Mountain’s closure.

In other words, Disney is wasting NO time when it comes to this transformation. But we’ve still got a ways to go — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure won’t open until 2024. So stay tuned for updates.

What Splash Mountain Looks Like Right Now in Disney World

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

We have big news about Disney World’s upcoming restaurant in Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. First, Roundup Rodeo BBQ now has an opening date of March 23rd.

Disney also released the full menu for the restaurant, which will serve family-style meals with various salads, house-smoked meats, plant-based options, and desserts.

Finally, Disney has shared that this restaurant will be taking advance dining reservations. Reservations are not open yet, but we’ll let you know when they become available.

FULL Menus Announced for Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney World

MAJOR Restaurant Update

This week we also get a major update on Trail’s End Restaurant. The restaurant will be CLOSING this spring for a major refurbishment.

It’ll reopen later this year as a “marketplace concept with expanded quick service options,” and the table service option won’t be available at all. This marks a huge change for the restaurant. We’ll keep an eye out for more details about this transformation.

See our full post on this change here

100th Anniversary Celebration in Disneyland

Disney has officially kicked off its 100th Anniversary Celebration in Disneyland and the crowds TURNED up for the first day of the celebration. Disneyland also got a new 100th Anniversary park map.

We also showed you a first look at Disneyland’s NEW fireworks show, Wondrous Journeys, which is a tribute to Disney animation throughout the company’s 100 years.

We also shared a first look at the new nighttime show in Disney California Adventure Park, World of Color — ONE. With lasers, dancing fountains, projections, tributes to Disney films, Marvel films, Star Wars films, and more, it’s got a little bit of everything!

Mickey and Minnie have new 100th anniversary outfits and they were showing them off — you can check out a video here.

Plus, 100th Anniversary decorations have popped up throughout the park…

The 100th Anniversary celebration is here!

…a SHINY new popcorn bucket has arrived…

…an adorable Mickey sipper can be yours…

…and there are lots of special treats to check out!

If you’ll be heading to Disneyland soon, don’t miss out on the 100th Anniversary fun!

A FULL Look at Disney’s 100th Anniversary Decorations

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland

A new ride has opened in Disneyland: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Although the ride itself is similar to the one in Disney World, this one is housed in the El CapiToon Theater in Mickey’s Toontown.

This version of the ride features a dramatically different queue than the Disney World version, and it is PACKED FULL of Disney references and Easter Eggs.

From Mickey-shaped popcorn…

…to “props” from shorts and animated films…

…those who love hidden details CANNOT miss this queue.

If you want to ride this attraction, though, you’ll need to grab a boarding pass through the virtual queue system or pay for the Individual Lightning Lane option, which was $20 on the ride’s first day.

FIRST LOOK Inside Mickey & Runaway Railway at Disneyland

Whew — that’s a lot of news. As we said, Disney has had a busy week! We’ll keep covering ALL Disney news, so be sure to check back with AllEars for more!