A new TikTok posted on the official Disney Parks page shows Mickey and Minnie in new TRON Lightcycle / Run-themed costumes complete with light-up circuits as the attraction’s media event takes place tonight.
The pair posed in front of TRON Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom wearing new TRON-inspired costumes. Mickey is in a black jacket and black pants, both with blue circuits symbolizing neutrality in the world of The Grid. Minnie meanwhile has a skirt with lines and circles much like Quorra from “TRON Legacy,” along with a bow which has blue light-up circuits.
Disney hasn’t stated whether these TRON-themed costumes will be available for greetings, only showing them off in this TikTok so far. The media preview for TRON Lightcycle / Run takes place this evening,and the attraction opens on April 4 at Magic Kingdom. Check out our photos and videos of the attraction, plus our POV video below.
Disney has announced the details of the TRON Lightcycle / Run virtual queue that will be in place. Check out our article on how and when you can join the virtual queue and get a boarding group for the new ride. You can also preview the new merchandise for the attraction and the treats which will be on offer at Energy Bytes next to the ride.
Disney is gearing up for the opening of the new attraction, TRON Lightcycle / Run, coming to Magic Kingdom. Disney has released a look at some of the merchandise items that will be available.
From a Disney Cast Member
Greetings, Programs! As someone who discussed merchandise on Disney Parks Blog for nearly a decade, imagine my delight when I was asked to write about new products created for TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise. This thrilling new attraction officially opens at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on April 4, 2023. I’ve collected TRON products for many “cycles” (or “years” in the world of TRON), and following my overview with the Global Product Development team, I quickly realized I’m going to need a bigger house.
Users who venture into the Grid will find three merchandise collections, related to the attraction experience, the film “TRON: Legacy” or the nostalgia around this digital world first introduced in 1982 with the release of the original “TRON.”
“There are generations of guests now visiting Walt Disney World who grew up playing the TRON video games and imagining their bicycles were Lightcycles,” explained Taryn Johnson, Senior Manager for Brand Merchandising with Global Product Creation. “These collections have a dash of 1980s nostalgia mixed with incredibly fun items that continue the thrills of this new Tomorrowland attraction at home.”
One of my favorite collections is “Back to the Arcade,” which captures a slice of the early 1980s arcade scene complete with nods to Flynn’s Arcade from the original film. Elements from video game cabinets were turned into backpacks and illuminated wall signs. The tumbler even includes vintage Lightcycles that race around a domed top.
Lightcycles are fast two-wheeled vehicles on the Grid, akin to motorcycles in the “real” world. This was the jumping-off point for the “Thrill of the Race” collection which contains racing-inspired apparel for adults and kids.
The team even created a light-up replica of Sam Flynn’s helmet as seen in “TRON: Legacy” using the original costume piece as reference. This helmet is the perfect finishing touch to my own “TRON: Legacy” costume. A separate decorative helmet bag is an excellent carrying case for this or any other racing helmet.
For those that want to continue racing Lightcycles after visiting the Grid, check out the TRON Lightcycle Handlebars. This interactive toy contains lights and sound effects from TRON and can turn into an interactive game for up to four players.
Life on the Grid is replicated with a third merchandise collection inspired by the clean design language of this digital world. Adults will find light-up jackets and other accessories like a backpack that holds a new interactive Identity Disc that doubles as an audio speaker (now I can listen to the incredible “TRON: Legacy” soundtrack everywhere I go!).
One of the most impressive parts of this collection is the TRON Identity Program, an all-new retail experience. It offers guests a customizable “Program” action figure and identity chip that can be used to “re-program” other merchandise such as the interactive Identity Discs and Remote Control Lightcycles.
Reservations for this interactive experience can be made beginning March 21 by visiting disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/magic-kingdom/tron-identity-program/.
When TRON Lightcycle / Run opens on April 4, guests will find these products and more in a specially designed pop-up shop area directly across from the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor entrance in Tomorrowland.
For those with a reservation for the TRON Identity Program, please visit Tomorrowland Launch Depot for the experience. It’s the merchandise shop located between the entrances to TRON Lightcycle / Run and Space Mountain.
Guests will also be able to use Merchandise Mobile Checkout via the My Disney Experience app when purchasing items at select locations. I love this feature as it’s easy to use and saves time as you scan items as you shop and pay from your phone.
I can’t wait to get photos in TRON Plaza under the beautiful canopy at Magic Kingdom Park sporting many of these items. It’s like a dream come true for a lifelong TRON fan like me. I hope you will join me on the Grid starting April 4!
“Words may not fully describe designer and Imagineer Rolly Crump. So to get a handle on this spirited, multi-talented Disney designer, think Leonardo DaVinci’s Universal Man.” –D23.com
The entire Disney community has suffered an immense loss as one of the most influential contributors to the wonderful world of all things Disney, Imagineer Roland Fargo Crump, passed away on Sunday, March 12. He was 93 years old. Oh, but he was so young.
Roland “Rolly” Crump was born in Alhambra, California, on February 27, 1930, and officially stepped into his role at The Walt Disney Studios when he was only 22 years old in 1952.
In 1959, Rolly joined the show design team at WED Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering. His young age was no deterrent for Walt Disney, who saw ingenuity, greatness, and promise in the young Crump. Disneyland was only four years old at the time, and Rolly became one of Walt’s key designers for many of the park’s new attractions and shops. He was especially instrumental in the development of the Haunted Mansion attraction and the Enchanted Tiki Room. He also lent his unique brand of creativity and insight to the Adventureland Bazaar at Disneyland.
Per D23:
Rolly served as a key designer on the Disney attractions featured at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, including it’s a small world, for which he designed the Tower of the Four Winds marquee. When the attraction moved to Disneyland in 1966, Rolly designed the larger-than-life animated clock at its entrance, which sends puppet children on parade with each quarter-hour gong.
After contributing to the initial design of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, and developing story and set designs for NBC’s Disney on Parade in 1970, Rolly left the Company to consult on projects including Busch Gardens in Florida and California, the ABC Wildlife Preserve in Maryland, and Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus World in Florida, among others.
He returned in 1976 to contribute to EPCOT Center, serving as project designer for The Land and the Wonders of Life pavilions. He also participated in master planning for an expansion of Disneyland until 1981, when he again departed to lead design on a proposed Cousteau Ocean Center in Norfolk, Virginia, and to launch his own firm, the Mariposa Design Group, developing an array of themed projects around the world, including an international celebration for the country of Oman.
In 1992, Rolly returned to Imagineering as executive designer, redesigning and refurbishing The Land and Innoventions at Epcot Center. Rolly “retired” from The Walt Disney Company in 1996, but continued to work on a number of creative projects. He released his autobiography, “It’s Kind of a Cute Story,” in 2012.
Rolly is honored along Main Street, U. S. A., at Disneyland Resort in California with a sign that reads, “Fargo’s Palm Parlor.” Guests can see the sign along Main Street, U. S. A., at the front of Disneyland Park.
Rolly will be forever remembered for his kindness, brilliance, ingenuity, insight, and humor, and for his contributions to the history and development of the Disney Parks, and fans of Rolly, this writer included, will look back on his memory fondly for years to come.
Did a recent statement made by Disney CEO Bob Iger hint at a massive Disney Park expansion in the near future, on par with the existing Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, but the end of DisneylandForward?
With the success of new additions to Walt Disney World, such as Magic Kingdom’s TRON Lightcycle / Run, Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the highly anticipated World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland, the next big question on Disney fans minds is: “Will Disneyland get that?” While the original Disneyland Park remains a classic, and Disney California Adventure offers one-of-a-kind experiences, such as Avengers Campus, in its own right, many Guests prefer Walt Disney World when choosing a vacation destination.
Simply based on the property’s size alone, Guests see it as a stronger investment compared to the Disneyland Resort for longer stays, assuming perhaps that with more square footage and two additional gates come more opportunities for entertainment. As a result, Disney Parks has looked into expanding the Disneyland Resort, looking for more space to both dream up new content and clone existing successes for a West Coast market in the US.
Indeed, the Southern California theme park’s smaller stature results in unique limitations, particularly when in comes to new construction, due to both limited additional space and restrictions from the City of Anaheim which regulate which types of expansion Disney could undertake in a specific area of its property. In fact, Disney proposed the DisneylandForward project a few years ago, looking to renegotiate previous approvals from decades past which segregate land based on function (Retail, Theme Park, or Hotel) to allow for new interdisciplinary experiences, or even a third gate, within existing space owned by the corporation.
Announced at the D23 Expo, the lobbying would end the separation of district zones for the Walt Disney Company, even expanding its Park sphere into the current Downtown Disney District. Moreover, Walt Disney Imagineering previously discussed building an immersive Resort Hotel, while Disneyland President Ken Potrock mentioned an all-new theme park following a united storyline, similar to Fantasy Springs, Zootopia, or Pandora’s Avatar experience.
Additionally, Disney Parks Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said in an interview that he remains “very excited about the prospects of what DisneylandForward can mean for the Disneyland Resort – more opportunities to tell more amazing stories, etc.” through immersive retail and dining. However, Anaheim has yet to greenlight the “multiyear public planning effort,” leaving Disney Parks & Resorts to battle “inflexible” district/zoning procedures.
But, has Disney moved past the need for renegotiation? For instance, Iger himself seemed to hint at future expansion of the Disney brand… But did not mention DisneylandForward or Anaheim by name while at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. As reported by CinemaBlend, Iger stated:
Certainly in Florida, we have a lot of property. We have a lot of opportunity outside the United States. We actually have more opportunity in California than people are aware.
While D’Amaro noted DisneylandForward hasn’t progressed, the Palm Springs-based Cotino community, part of the larger Storyliving by Disney endeavor alludes to future potential outside of the Anaheim Resort for the themed entertainment company in such a large state.
TRON Lighcycle / Run is opening soon in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park. Disney has announced that a new food kiosk is coming soon to the area to serve some out-of-this-world treats.
From a Disney Cast Member;
As we are gearing up for TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise to blast off in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park in just a few short weeks, I’ve also got some exciting foodie news for you. Tomorrowland will soon be home to another new foodie spot – Energy Bytes!
This new kiosk will be serving up some tasty eats and sips for you to grab, drawing inspiration from the futuristic environment around you. Whether you’re looking for some breakfast bites, savory snacks, sweet treats, or refreshing beverages, this new spot will soon become a go-to pitstop as you venture into the world of Tomorrowland.
If you’re kicking off your morning in Magic Kingdom Park, Energy Bytes has some breakfast delights for you. For those wanting a sweet start to the day, the tasty Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes topped with mocha sauce are a perfect option. With each “byte” you’ll be begging for more! The coffee lovers out there will also have a new caffeinated beverage to try – Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee topped with a yummy mocha sauce. This iced sip is the perfect combination of that classic coffee flavor with a touch of sweetness. These will surely be on my list to start my Magic Kingdom morning!
Now onto the savory options. If you love buffalo chicken and dumplings, you’re in luck because Energy Bytes is combining both of these classics into one delicious concoction – Digital Dumplings – Buffalo Chicken. Yes, you heard that right. This bite perfectly combines chicken dumplings, blue cheese powder, and cayenne pepper broth.
And these aren’t the only dumplings coming to Tomorrowland. There is another dish soon to be served up. The Digital Dumplings – Beef & Broccoli is out of this world as it transforms this iconic dish into dumpling form with beef dumplings, broccoli pesto, and ginger-soy broth. How delicious! I don’t know about you, but these snacks are already making me hungry.
For those looking for a little sweet pick-me-up, Energy Bytes has you covered too. The Strawberry IceOform is the ultimate refreshing treat with the sweetness of the strawberry ice cream mochi, graham crackers, and even a little bit of cheesecake foam to finish it off. It not only looks beautiful but tastes great too!
Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got the Watermelon Refresher with yuzu and ginger. This frozen sip will take you to another world with tasty flavors. Just take a peek at how good it looks! It’ll be the perfect accompaniment for any of the other yummy items available at this location.
Well, there you have it – all the must-try items coming to the newest food and beverage location at Magic Kingdom Park. We can’t wait to welcome you to Energy Bytes soon!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
