Full TRON Details Released

The opening date of TRON Lightcycle / Run, the brand new headliner ride at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, is almost here. We can wait to ride! In preparation for launch, Disney World has released details on how guest will get access to the attraction via a virtual queue or Lightning Lane, PhotoPass, required lockers for belongings and more. 

Via a Disney Cast Member;

We are counting down the days to the ultimate race across the Grid when TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise opens at Magic Kingdom Park on April 4.

Before you board your very own Lightcycle and enter this race as the newest members of Team Blue, here are the top 4 things to know:

1 – JOIN TEAM BLUE VIA THE VIRTUAL QUEUE

When TRON Lightcycle / Run opens it will use a virtual queue, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the attraction later in the day and enjoy all that Magic Kingdom Park has to offer while they wait to enter the Grid. Guests with a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom Park on the same date will have the opportunity to request to join the virtual queue via the My Disney Experience app*. A standby queue will not be available.

Stay tuned to disneyworld.com/virtualqueue for details about when and how guests will be able to request to join the virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run.

2 – INDIVIDUAL LIGHTNING LANE ENTRY

Guests may also have the option to purchase individual – or à la carte – Lightning Lane entry in the My Disney Experience app*. On the day of their visit, Team Blue recruits with a valid admission and a park reservation for Magic Kingdom Park on the same date may visit the Disney Genie Service Tip Board in the app to choose an arrival window and make their purchase before joining the high-speed race against Team Orange. Guests may check the app on the day of their visit for pricing and availability.

3 – NEW LOCKER SYSTEM

New to TRON Lightcycle / Run, a double-sided and digitized locker system will be used to store bags and loose items while you race your Lightcycle. Inside the attraction queue, these complimentary lockers pair directly with your MagicBand, MagicBand+ or ticket media so you can easily lock and reopen your locker with a quick tap. Guests without a MagicBand or other ticket media (such as a card) will be provided with a card to assign their locker. All items must be placed either in a locker before you board your Lightcycle, or in a small compartment located on the attraction vehicle that can hold items such as cellphones, glasses or wallets.

4 – DISNEY PHOTOPASS PHOTO AND VIDEO OFFERINGS

You can relive your race through this dark, computerized world when you preview an onboard photo and video automatically linked to your My Disney Experience account through one of the following methods:

    • Use your eligible mobile device, enable Bluetooth® for the My Disney Experience app* before riding, ensure you’ve logged into the My Disney Experience app* sometime earlier that day, and keep your device out of low power mode. Make sure your mobile device boards your Lightcycle with you and is safely stored in the small Lightcycle compartment to use this method.
    • Wear a MagicBand or MagicBand+ that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account.

We’ll see you in the Grid, Team Blue recruits. Countdown protocol initiated. End of line.

*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

Disney Makes BIG Claim About Tron: Lightcycle/Run

Via DisDining.com

Disney has made a big claim about Tron: Lightcycle/Run! Magic Kingdom’s long awaited roller coaster will finally open on April 4, 2023. When it does, it will break a record! No, not “longest build of all time” (though, after nearly five years of construction, we are pretty sure it might have that record too). According to Disney, “Tron: Lightcycle/Run will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.”

That’s exciting news considering Disney, while a pioneer in most areas, has always been a bit lacking in the thrill ride department. Much of this has been by design: Disney has traditionally been a place for the whole family to love. More and more, though, people have been lamenting the lack of adrenaline pumping attractions. Disney has heard and answered. Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood studios tops out at 57 mph. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened last year as EPCOT’S very first roller coaster (with a top speed of just under 60 mph) and Tron: Lightcycle/Run promises to be even faster! 

Shanghai Tron

That means Magic Kingdom’s version is likely going to be faster than Shanghai’s version. Tron: Lightcycle Power Run in Shanghai tops at 60 mph just like Cosmic Rewind. Disney’s hint leads us to believe that while the rides may be mostly identical,  they won’t be completely the same (and that Magic Kingdom’s version may actually be more thrilling)! 

Currently the fastest ride at the Walt Disney World Resort is Test Track at EPCOT which tops out at 65 mph (although it does not sustain this speed long) and while we don’t think Tron will go quite that fast, it will be interesting to see the stats and compare sustained speeds once Magic Kingdom’s coaster finally makes its debut!

California Grill Is Changing Their Menu

Disney’s 50th Anniversary celebration is coming to an end, and with it, many of the special limited-time events are ending as well. The celebration officially ends on March 31, 2023, and when it does, the special menu to commemorate the event at California Grill will end with it. 

Beginning April 1, 2023, the Contemporary Resort’s signature restaurant will debut an all-new menu. While this isn’t particularly shocking (menus change at Walt Disney World all the time), the format is, and some guests aren’t happy about it. According to Disney, the new menu will consist of “contemporary, market-inspired cuisine.” We aren’t quite sure yet what that entails as Disney has yet to release the details of the new menu, but the photos they’ve shared look amazing! 

Disney has stated that the new menu at California Grill will be prix fixe. The menu will include a three-course meal for one price with alá cart options no longer offered. The 50th-anniversary menu was also prix fixe, so this change isn’t technically new,  but many expected the restaurant to return to alá carte dining once the limited-time menu was done. 

The new format has led to many airing their frustrations online. 

Some expressed confusion at the format:

While others just wanted the option to order sushi (we can’t blame them that spicy kazan roll is delicious):

California Grill

This user straight up doesn’t want that price fix (and brings up an excellent point…that brunch was outstanding): 

California Grill

While this pricing structure was always present at family-style dining experiences like Garden Grill and Liberty Tree Tavern, prix fixe is a direction many other restaurants at Disney World are going in, particularly their fine dining establishments. Recently we reported that Monsieur Paul would also be adopting this format. Keep in mind this new pricing structure does not mean the restaurant will become family-style. You’ll still have options on the menu, which is nice. You’ll simply pay one price and choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert from the menu options.  

Ariel’s Grotto and Enchanted Tales with Belle returning to Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom

The land where “once upon a time” happens every day is about to become even more magical as princesses Belle and Ariel return to the Enchanted Forest in Fantasyland.

These beloved experiences will return on the following dates:

  • Meet Ariel at Her Grotto: Jan. 22
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle: Feb. 19

Both returning experiences will be added as selections to Disney Genie+ service on their respective reopening dates. With these additions, guests will have even more options to choose from when using Disney Genie+ service. As a reminder, the purchase of Disney Genie+ service is available in addition to a standby entrance.

Disney Announces Reopening Date for Pete’s Silly Sideshow

While many of the pandemic-era closures have since reopened, some offerings still have yet to come back. This is especially true when it comes to character meet and greets. Fortunately, Disney confirmed the return of one of our favorite character spots in Magic Kingdom, Pete’s Silly Sideshow this morning.

Disney World has confirmed the return of character meet and greets at Pete’s Silly Side Show beginning January 15, 2023.

This super fun, and super silly, spot is the perfect place to catch up with Googy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto.