Walt Disney World Resort is just a matter of weeks away from opening a massive new attraction in Tomorrowland.
Located in Magic Kingdom Park, Tomorrowland is already home to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, the Tomorrowland Speedway, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, and the Astro Orbiter. If that weren’t enough, TRON Ligthcycle / Run is already giving previews and the attraction will officially open on April 4, 2023 by virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane purchase only.
As Disney continues to hype up the opening of the brand-new attraction, many Disney World Guests have wondered if anything might be going into the building that used to house Stitch’s Great Escape!
The Tomorrowland attraction officially closed in 2020, but had been “temporarily closed” long before that. On occasion, Disney World would reopen the attraction for a limited time, but it became apparent that the attraction was never going to be a permanent fixture again. Since its closure, many Disney Park fans have speculated on what could come to the building, but nothing has been announced yet.
Character meet and greets have been held in the building in the past, but recently, the building has been closed. Now, it seems we have an answer on what’s coming to the building next.
As TRON Lightcycle / Run opens, Disney will have a Pop-Up Stand of merchandise that the company shares is located “across from Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.”
Though the main merchandise section will be located in the Tomorrowland Launch Depot– the exit to both Space Mountain and TRON Lightcycle / Run– this pop-up shop will help maintain crowd control, and housing it in the building where Stitch’s Great Escape! once was located makes a lot of sense.
“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.”
It’s unclear how long this pop-up merchandise shop will be up, but it does give Disney fans an answer to a question they’ve wanted to know for quite some time. At least in the immediate future, there will not be a new attraction in Tomorrowland, other than TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Disney also has plans for plenty of other exclusive merchandise related to TRON, including personalized action figures.
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!
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.)
A costumed character at Disney World was visiting with Guests during a scheduled meet-and-greet at Magic Kingdom when she sprang into action, saving the life of a male Guest in the process.
A young man and his friends were visiting Disney World shortly after he returned from a non-combat deployment with the U. S. Armed Forces. The group of friends visited Universal Studios and the Disney World Resort during the multi-day trip. Though they were at visiting two places known for fun, entertainment, and magical memories, the man says on the inside, he was desperately struggling, and no one was the wiser.
“My friends and I decided to go to Disney World and Universal to have some fun as I just got back,” he wrote on the social media platform. “Kinda celebrate coming home, but it was more to just have fun together. However, at this time, no one in my life knew I was extremely suicidal.”
He says he did everything he could to mask his feelings and keep them to himself. But he was in a bad place from a mental and emotional standpoint.
“The thoughts, the anxiety, the depression,” he wrote, “the plans to do it. All of it, and I masked it all as best I could.”
The Guest says that during the entire trip with his friends, he did his best to hide what he was feeling, to hide the thoughts he was having. It was important to him to make sure that everyone else in the group was having a good time. But while on the trip, he came to a point where he just couldn’t mask his feelings anymore.
“I couldn’t shake the depression [and] suicidal thoughts and even the plans to do it,” he said.
On the final day of their Disney World trip, the man and his friends decided to stand in line to see Tinker Bell for a Guest meet-and-greet. By this time, his friends knew he was struggling, and they encouraged him to join them for the experience and have photos made with Tink.
“[They] egged me on to get a picture with her to cheer me up,” he said. “Throughout that day, I believe I had a few teary-eyed moments by myself, and I was visibly depressed. I honestly probably had red puffy eyes, too.”
Though he was struggling, he agreed to say hello to Tinker Bell and pose for photos with her, but he couldn’t have known that his life was about to change, and things were about to start looking up for him.
“I don’t know if Tinker Bell knew I was depressed, or it was something I or a friend said, or [if] she just gives cheek kisses every now and then,” he explained, “but she gave me an unexpected smooch on the cheek, and I proceeded to light up like a Christmas tree. To me, it was just the act of unexpected generosity, kindness, and affection from a complete stranger that made me feel like the lingering gray cloud disappeared, even if it was for a brief passing moment.”
The Guest captioned his photos with Tinker Bell online with these words:
“So I’ve been suffering from depression lately, and I went to Walt Disney World for the first time in my life. Thank you, Tink, you really made me smile the hardest in a long time.”
The week after he returned home from the group trip to Universal Studios and Disney World, the man says he reached out, made a call, and scheduled his first therapy session. Though he thought his magical experience with Tinker Bell only helped temporarily on that very difficult day at Disney World, he discovered that it gave him the motivation and encouragement to take ask for the help he needed. And in the days and months following that encounter with Tink, things began to fall into place, and he began to heal.
“Because of it all, I got the professional help I needed [and] got on meds that help,” he said.
But that’s not all.
“I [also] met my girlfriend (now my wife), got a bunch of pets to love, bought a house, and just overall made a better life of myself,” he said. “My suicidal thoughts, ideations, plans are behind me, although the thoughts do still pop up every now and then. But they’re not as bad as they were.”
For this Guest, the magical encounter with Tinker Bell that October day at Disney World was so much more than just a chance meeting with a beloved Disney character. It was the beginning of a second chance at life.
“I keep this picture on my refrigerator door,” he explained, “and sometimes it brings a smile to me when I need it most. My wife also loves this picture because she knows the story behind it. She also thanks this Tinker Bell for saving my life.”
A greater awareness of the need for mental health care is paramount in getting help to those who need it most. Those who need help should have open access to it–access free of stigmatization and judgment. Suicide need not be a “taboo” topic, especially since a majority of those struggling with suicidal thoughts also suffer from severe depression and battle feelings of loneliness and isolation. Normalizing conversations about suicide, suicidal ideation and thoughts, and depression can open the door where help and healing can begin.
We’re so thankful that this young man found the strength and courage to reach out and get the help he needed.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, there is help. You don’t have to suffer, and you don’t have to do this alone. There is hope at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line). As of July 2022, those searching for help can also dial 988 to be relayed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
“That actress, her brief moment, just in passing, helped me,” he said. “She unknowingly saved my life.”
