The time has come — TRON Lightcycle / Run is open in Disney World!
Okay, okay, right now TRON is in a soft opening phase before it officially opens to the public on April 4th, 2023. Nevertheless, Magic Kingdom guests can ride the new coaster today, and we’re here to show you what it’s like!
Crowds
Since Disney gave a heads-up about the soft opening, we expected Magic Kingdom to be pretty busy. In fact, all park passes are completely sold out for this park today — for Disney World hotel guests…
…guests with Magic Kingdom park tickets…
…and all four levels of Annual Passholders.
When we first arrived in the park, it looked pretty crowded on Main Street, U.S.A.
However, by the time we got to Tomorrowland, the crowds had noticeably thinned out.
Our reporter speculated that some people must have gone back to sleep this morning if they weren’t able to get in the virtual queue or buy an individual Lightning Lane (as many people did — both options filled up QUICK).
The courtyard of TRON is still closed to everyone who doesn’t have a virtual queue boarding group or individual Lightning Lane, and this area might remain closed until the official opening on April 4th.
A Cast Member told us that the new Tomorrowland Launch Depot gift shop could possibly open before April 4th, but an official decision has not yet been made. We’ll be watching to see if it opens early!
We took a ride on the PeopleMover this morning to check out the TRON courtyard and saw it bustling with guests heading in to ride.
It also looked like the new Energy Bytes snack stand has opened, so we’ll be trying out all of those eats ASAP!
Remember that there’s another new TRON gift shop opening in Tomorrowland (across from Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor). We’re expecting that location to open on April 4th.
How to Ride
Opening with a virtual queue means that there will be no standby line for the ride. To ride, you’ll either need to grab your spot in the virtual queue at 7AM or 1PM, or purchase a spot through the pay-per-ride system.
TRON’s 7AM virtual queue filled up within SECONDS of opening, so remember that you’ll need to be ready as soon as that queue opens if you want a shot at getting on the ride for free.
The individual Lightning Lanes also sold out quickly, running out within minutes. TRON is a pay-per-ride attraction, meaning it is not included in the normal Genie+ system. You must pay an additional, separate fee if you want to skip the line at this new coaster.
Note that these Lightning Lanes go on sale at 7AM for Disney World hotel guests and at the park’s opening time for all other guests. Since the Lightning Lanes sold out so quickly, non-hotel guests didn’t get a chance to purchase one at all this morning.
If you want the best chance at getting a spot on TRON, we’d recommend staying at a Disney World hotel so that you’re able to snag an individual Lightning Lane right when they become available at 7AM.
You should also try for the virtual queue at 7AM, so consider having two people ready to try at that time — one for the virtual queue and another for the individual Lightning Lane.
If you’re unsuccessful on both counts, remember that another virtual queue opens at 1PM, and you must be inside Magic Kingdom in order to join that queue.
There’s a third virtual queue at 6PM for any eligible guests who are staying for Extended Evening Hours (on the days when that event is happening in Magic Kingdom). Extended Evening Hours are open to guests staying at Deluxe Disney World hotels and a select few other resorts.
Want to learn more about TRON? Read our posts below:
- PHOTOS: Is TRON Lightcycle / Run BETTER at Night?
- VIDEO: The Best Part of TRON in Disney World Is NOT the Ride
- PRICES and Full Menu Revealed for New TRON Snack Stand in Magic Kingdom
- WHERE You Can Find TRON Lightcycle / Run Merchandise in Disney World
- Virtual Queue Details REVEALED for TRON Lightycycle / Run in Disney World
- Uncomfortable and Restrictive — The TRUTH About the Seats at TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World
Stay tuned to AllEars for more updates!
5 Things We Learned Riding TRON Lightcycle / Run for the FIRST Time in Disney World!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
What do you think of TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World? Are you excited to ride? Tell us in the comments!
The 7 AM queue disappeared within 1 second, so I bit the bullet and paid for a Lightning Lane. Of course I later actually got a spot for the 1 PM queue, ending up with 2 rides for the day. It is a different and exciting ride but way too short. They claim 2 minutes, but it sure feels like alot less than that. Also, unless you purchase a Lighting Lane pass, expect a good half hour or longer wait to get on the ride.